MURFREESBORO – A Hertford County native was drafted by the Texas Rangers Tuesday.

Dexter Carter of Murfreesboro was selected by the Rangers in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball draft after completing a standout senior season at Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Virginia.

&uot;It’s a feeling of enjoyment and hard work that has paid off,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s an honor just to think about it. No matter what happens, I’ll be able to tell people I was drafted.

&uot;It’s just an honor that they think I have a chance to play Major League Baseball,&uot; he added.

Carter spent his junior season at Hertford County High School where he was named Best Pitcher and First-Team All-Roanoke-Chowan before transferring to Greenbrier last season.

During his senior campaign, one that saw him go 6-1 on the mound, Carter got used to seeing scouts from MLB clubs in the stands.

&uot;They (the Rangers) came to about 75 percent of my games,&uot; he said. &uot;I knew they were interested, but there were about 27 teams that had expressed an interest. Every time I pitched, the backstop was full of scouts.&uot;

Carter said he wasn’t sure that he would be drafted in the 2005 draft, but did know it was a possibility.

The Hertford County native received several state and national endorsements of his abilities during his senior year. He was tabbed as the second best high school player in North Carolina by Baseball America, who also called him the 56th best player in the nation.

In addition, he was ranked 27th of 1,500 kids who attended the Perfect Game last year and was ranked 10th in the state of Virginia by virginiapreps.com

During his senior campaign in Chesapeake, Carter was tabbed First Team All-Tidewater as well as First-Team All-Tidewater Conference and All-State. He batted .479 on the season with six homeruns, 13 stolen bases, 24 RBIs and 25 hits including six doubles.

He led his team to the state title game where they came up short in an 8-5 decision.

Carter was also successful in a strenuous college-like environment at Greenbrier Christian where he graduated with honors and a 3.29 grade-point average.

With the success he’s already earned, Carter isn’t sure what uniform he will be wearing when he pitches this fall – that of a Texas Ranger-affiliated minor league club or that of Louisburg College.

&uot;I haven’t decided yet,&uot; Carter said. &uot;They are coming in next week to talk to my parents and advisors.

&uot;I’ve told my parents I want them to make the decision,&uot; he continued. &uot;I know they know what’s best.&uot;

If he chooses the route to Louisburg, Carter will be pitching on a near-full ride to the perennial baseball power.

&uot;If you look at it, worst-case scenario, I’ll go to college free and get a college education,&uot; he insisted.

Still, Carter already knows at least one Texas Ranger who has become his summer workout partner and has given him good reviews of the Ranger organization.

&uot;I feel great,&uot; Carter said. &uot;My friend Josh Roupe, who plays for a AA team with the Rangers, said it is a great organization. They guide you a lot and are very helpful.&uot;

This summer Carter will be playing baseball in Virginia in a summer league with some of those he played with this scholastic year.

What he will be doing after that he will be determined in the coming weeks, but Carter insisted he wasn’t concerned either way.

&uot;I’m excited about whichever happens,&uot; he said.