R.I.P. -- LHP Prospect - Stephen Gant

·        2012 Tenn. Prep pitcher and Vandy commit  Stephen Gant has passed away.

A Tennessee high school baseball standout is dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Stephen Gant, 19, was a star pitcher at Riverside High School in Decaturville, just south of Parsons and about two hours southwest of Nashville.

Perry County Chief Deputy Nick Weems told Nashville's News 2 dispatchers received a 911 call around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday that Gant was walking along Godwin Road in Linden with a gun and threatening suicide.

Officers arrived within minutes to find his body about 30 feet off the road with a single gunshot wound to the head, Weems said.

Authorities said the gunshot wound appears to be self-inflicted although the shooting is under investigation.

Weems said they are unsure who made the 911 call.

Gant was a projected to be a first round pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft but planned to instead attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

"This stops you right in your tracks," head baseball coach Tim Corbin said in a statement.  "These are life occurrences that can't be explained... there are no 'do-overs.'  We are all deeply saddened for Gloria, Tony, his brothers and sister, as well as the many friends that Stephen had.  All we can do is be supportive for the family and be there for them."

Gant signed with the Commodores last fall and was scheduled to join the team after graduation.

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