Thursday, June 23, 2011

Matthew Berry to ink with Barton

Matthew Berry
What a way to end the biggest day of your athletic life!

During the day Wednesday, recent Rocky Mount grad Matthew Berry verbally committed to play baseball for D-II Barton College. 

Later that evening, he hit a walk-off grand slam for Coleman-Pitt Post 58 to give it a 17-4, seven-inning, 10-run rule victory at home over Wilson Post 13. That win clinched the Area I East Northern Division title for Post 58 with two regular season games left on its slate. 

Berry marks the fourth Gryphon player in the last decade to play for the Bulldogs. He'll join former players Michael Parker, Will Johnson and current player Collins Cuthrell in wearing the royal blue and white. 

The slugger recently set the career batting average mark for RMHS at .473. His 71 career hits ranks No. 9 on the school's all-time list. He knocked in 52 runs and scored 49 times. He closed his Gryphon career with six home runs and 22 doubles.

The two-year letter winner was especially hot this past season when he led the team in batting average (.455), hits (35), doubles (12) , triples (1), RBI (32) and walks (17). His performance garnered him a spot on the first-team squad from the Big East 3-A Conference.

Earlier this summer, his twin brother Thomas signed with D-II Lander University. Although the two schools are not in the same conference, perhaps sometime in the next four years, the two brothers will get to face each other.

It might be nerve-wracking for parents Cindy and Steve, but it would be interesting too see for us fans who got see them play during their prep days.

Alright Baseball Britt - see if you can help make this matchup happen!