Thursday, May 31, 2012

2012 Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Jr. Legion Baseball Info

For the first time, Rocky Mount's Coleman-Pitt Post 58 is sponsoring a Junior Legion baseball team. Head coach of the team is Tyler Clark (N.C. Wesleyan '13, Northern Nash '09). He is being assisted by Cameron Ramsey (Campbell '13, RMHS '09) and Chad Womble (N.C. Wesleyan '11, RMHS '07).

Here is the roster. Down below is the 2012 schedule.

2012 Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Junior Legion Baseball Roster 

(Player, Number, High School) 

Arrington, Christian (#4) - Southern Nash
Arthur, Carson (#12) - Roanoke Rapids
Barrett, Tyler (#16) - Northern Nash
Clontz, Chandler (#13) - Rocky Mount
Dupree, Will (#6) - Tarboro High School
Follmer, Dalyn (#2) - Southern Nash
Jones, Linwood (#8) - Rocky Mount
Martinez, Luis (#14) - Hobgood Academy
Moore, Hunter (#17) - Northern Nash
Morris, Andy (#3) - Rocky Mount
Perry, Christian (#1) - Nash Central
Phelps, Cole (#18) - Roanoke Rapids
Roupp, Chase (#10) - Faith Christian
Taylor, Kyle (#11) - Nash Central
Varnell, Micah (#15) - Rocky Mount
Vester, Nick (#5) - Northern Nash
Vick, Garrison (#9) - Nash Central
Vincent, Kyle (#7) - Roanoke Rapids 

Coaches: 

Tyler Clark – Head Coach
Cameron Ramsey – Asst. Coach
Chad Womble – Asst. Coach 

2012 Schedule


May 30 - WAYNE COUNTY SOUTH, 7 p.m.
June 1 -  WAYNE COUNTY SOUTH, 7 p.m.
June 2 - EDENTON, 7 pm.
June 3 - @ Spring Creek (Spring Creek HS), 2 p.m.
June 5 - SPRING CREEK, 7 p.m.
June 7 -  @ Spring Creek (Spring Creek HS), 6 p.m.
June 11 - @  CB Aycock, 7 p.m.
June 12 - CB AYCOCK, 7 p.m.
June 13 - @ CB Aycock, 7 p.m.
June 16 - WAYNE COUNTY WEST, 7 p.m.
June18 - @ Wayne County West (Rosewood HS), 7 p.m.
June 19 - @ Wayne County West (Rosewood HS), 7 p.m.
June 20 - @ Wayne County North (Eastern Wayne HS), 7 p.m.
June 21 - WAYNE COUNTY NORTH, 7 p.m.
June 25 - WAYNE COUNTY NORTH, 7 p.m.

June 29 - ELIZABETH CITY, 6 p.m.
July 6 - WILSON, 7 p.m.
July 7 - @ Wilson (Hunt HS), 7 p.m.
July 8 - WILSON, 7 p.m.
July 9 - All Conf. Games must be completed
July 12 - Playoff Start

Post 58 wins over North Chatham 5-1

PITTSBORO - Despite leaving 13 men on base, Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 still managed to post a 5-1 win over North Chatham Wednesday evening at Northwood High School. 

It returns home Thursday for its first Area I East -North Division matchup of the season - a visit from Ahoskie Post 102. Game time is 7 p.m. at Gryphon Stadium. 

Post 58 struck for a run in the fifth, three in the sixth and one more run in the ninth for its total. North Chatham, which fell 9-4 in Rocky Mount the night earlier, scratched for its lone run in the eighth.

Rocky Mount (2-0) managed just seven hits - three of them coming from Roanoke Rapids product Kyle Pratt. After going hitless night against North Chatham Tuesday, he was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. No other Post 58 hitter had more than one hit.

Former Northern Nash hurler Jeremy Lucas got the win for Post 58. The current Barton team member went six innings, allowed no runs on seven hits, walked no one and struck out 11. Dillon Moore went two innings in relief, followed by Jeremy Trevathan with an inning of work.


Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 5

North Chatham 1

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Coleman-Pitt Post 5800001300157013
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WP: Jonathan Lucas 
LP: Dylan Bounds

Leading hitters: Post 58 - Kyle Pratt 3-5, 2B, 2R; Khalil Macklin  2-3, 3B, 2 RBI, R.. North Chatham - Victor Stinsen 3-4, RBI

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Fish, Cuthrell, Johnson destined for Wilson

Ben Fish
Three former Rocky Mount High School baseball players are expected to spend part of their summer in Wilson playing for the Coastal Plain League's Wilson Tobs.

Rising senior Ben Fish (Campbell University) and rising juniors Collins Cuthrell (Barton College) and Hobbs Johnson (UNC) have all signed with the club. Cuthrell and Fish are currently with the team, which has its opening game next Tuesday evening at Fleming Stadium.

Johnson may be a bit busy elsewhere for a while.

Collins Cuthrell
The lefty is still playing as the No. 3 starter for the Tar Heels as they enter NCAA regional playoff action this weekend. Should the Tar Heels win their regional, they are slated to host a super regional. A victory there would send UNC to Omaha for yet another chance at national title.

Fish and Cuthrell are two of the best offensive players in RMHS history. But how will they do with a wooden bat?

Between going to Post 58 Legion games, go check out live Gryphon alumni in action!

Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Baseball Roster

Here is the Senior Legion roster for Post 58's baseball team. It features players from several different high schools - including East Wake and Washington.


2012 Rocky Mount Coleman‐Pitt Post 58       Senior American Legion Baseball Roster


Name (High School - Graduating Class/College)

Jonathan Aparicio (East Wake HS – 2012)
Ryan Barham (Nash Central HS ‐ 2014)
Matthew Berry (Rocky Mount HS ‐ 2011/Barton College)
Hatteras Brooks (Washington HS – 2011/NC Wesleyan College)
Abel Hernandez (Roanoke Rapids HS ‐ 2012)
Chase Johnson (Tarboro HS ‐ 2012)
Tyler King (Nash Central HS ‐ 2014)
Jeremy Lucas (Northern Nash HS ‐ 2011/Barton College)
Khalil Macklin (Nash Central HS ‐ 2014)
Spiers Miller (Tarboro HS ‐ 2011/Barton College)
Dillon Moore (Nash Central HS ‐ 2012)
Kyle Pratt (Roanoke Rapids HS ‐ 2011)
Spenser Ramsey (Rocky Mount HS ‐ 2013)
Jeremy Sloop (Nash Central HS ‐ 2011/Wake Technical Community College)
Jordan Taylor (Nash Central HS ‐ 2012)
Jeremy Trevathan (Rocky Mount HS ‐ 2011)
Colton Vaughan (Nash Central HS ‐ 2013)
Cam Webb (Tarboro HS ‐ 2011/Pitt Community College)
Tyler Wooten (Tarboro HS ‐ 2012)

Coaches:

Team Manager/Head Coach ‐ Hank Jones
Assistant Coach ‐ Pat Smith
Assistant Coach ‐ Britt Johnson

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Rocky Mount hosts last Athletic Awards at campus

Rocky Mount's Athletes of the Year Paul Lilley and Tia Hudgins


Rocky Mount High School held its last Athletic Banquet on its current campus Thursday evening and it was a memorable night in the old main gym.

There were several highlights including Michael and Pam Gainey receiving the Dudley Whitley award. Longtime football coach and Athletic Director Walt Wiggins made a rare appearance on campus to present a plaque to one of his former players and coachhes, current Assistant Principal and 1980 RMHS alum Linwood Weeks, who has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the summer.

The boys basketball team also received their rings as a reward for winning the NCHSAA 3-A state championship back in March. For seniors Terrill Hilliard and Tevin Taylor, they join 1997 alum and ex-trackster Nick Winkel, who was an assistant for the boys track team this past spring, who have two state titles on their resumes.

A complete list of all awards winner for the spring, winter and fall seasons is below - 

SPRING

Female Athlete of the Year - Tia Hudgins
Male Athlete of the Year - Paul Lilley
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year - Caroline Bell
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year - William Crumpler
Juan Chesson Award - Holly Fryar

Varsity Baseball

Most Outstanding Player - Jeremy Johnson
Most Improved - Damian Smith
Coaches' Award - Andy Morris

JV Baseball

Most Valuable - Chandler Clontz
Most Consistent - Caleb Chandler

Boys Golf

Most Consistent - Gardner Noble
Coaches' Award - Dylan Matthews

Girls Soccer

Offensive Player of the Year - Kasey Cooke
Defensive Player of the Year - Tyeisha Hardy
12th Player Award - Kaitlyn Worsley

Varsity Softball

Most Valuable - Precious White
Best Defensive Player - Carmen Richardson
Most Improved - Daiza Brown

JV Softball

Most Valuable Player - Haley Coppedge
Most Improved - Anada Woodley

Boys Tennis

Most Valuable Player - James Smith
Coaches' Award - William Garrison

Boys Track

Most Valuable Player - Paul Lilley
Coaches' Award - Octavis Smith
Coaches' Award - Michael Hines

Girls Track

Co-Most Valuable Player - Savasja Davis
Co-Most Valuable Player - Fantacy Bryant
Most Improved - Takeyra Thomas


WINTER



Varsity Boys Basketball
Most Improved - Dante Battle
Gryphon Pride Award - Levon Brutus
Most Valuable - Terrill Hilliard

JV Boys Basketball

Coaches Award - Thomas Cooper
Impact Player Award - Aumir Pittman

Varsity Girls Basketball

Coaches Award - Alexus Cooper
Leadership Award - Tia Hudgins
Most Valuable Player - J'Kyra Brown
JV Girls Basketball


Most Dependable - Taquiyah Battle
Most Improved - Treona Bynum

Boys Swimming

Co-Most Valuable Player - Zachary Vestal
Co-Most Valuable Player - Sam Haynes

Girls Swimming

Coaches' Award - Rebecca Pridgen
Coaches' Award - Alex Whicker

Boys Indoor Track

Most Valuable Player - Paul Lilley
Coaches' Award - Retho Williams
Coaches' Award - Rodie Shambley

Girls Indoor Track

Coaches' Award - Savasja Davis

Wrestling

Coaches Award - Janicento Williamson
Most Improved - Elliott Whitehead
Most Outstanding Wrestler- Alex Knight

Varsity Cheerleading

Coaches Award - Ami Thai
Coaches Award - Chelsea Brown
Most Dedicated - Brandy Pittman
Best All-Around - Alexsis Bryant

JV Cheerleading

Best All-Around - Brittany Collins


FALL


Varsity Football

Offensive MVP - Mason Hines
Defensive MVP - Rodquez Greene
Coaches' Award - Delasio Bartley
Billy Smith Award - Ben Winstead

JV Football

Offensive MVP - Josh Carter
Defensive MVP - Keyaad Coley

Volleyball

MVP - Tia Hudgins
Coaches' Award - Evie Hunter
Coaches Award - Precious White

JV Volleyball

Coaches' Award - Takia Draughn
Most Improved - Bailey Smith

Girls Tennis

MVP - Mackenzie Warner
Coaches  Award - Caroline Bell

Boys Cross Country

MVP - Mason Holt
Coaches' Award - Tyler Strother
Most Improved - Kathan Bender

Girls Cross Country

MVP - Nefertiti Thigpen-Conyers
Coaches' Award - Autumn Pilgreen
Most Improved - Grayson Hicks

Boys Soccer

Blue/Gold Award - Matt Boudreau
Coaches' Award - Gardner Noble
Gryphon Award - Logan Barnes

Girls Golf

Most Consistent - Ali Martin
Most Improved - Ashleigh Matia
Coaches' Award - Bailey Lewis

Friday, May 25, 2012

Former Gryphon coach Holt signs with RM Academy

New Rocky Mount Academy head football coach B.W. Holt.
Rocky Mount Academy announced on its website Friday that former Rocky Mount head football coach B.W. Holt has signed on to be the new head football coach at its school.

RMA plays eight-man football in the Carolinas Conference 8-Man Football League and is a member of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association.

Holt, 67, is just one of four active coaches in North Carolina with 300-plus wins. A former assistant coach in the East-West and Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas games, he led the Gryphons to a runner-up finish in the NCHSAA 3-A eastern finals in 2008. He also guided Rocky Mount to two other eastern final berths. He recorded a 71-12 record and won four conference titles during his tenure as the Gryphons' head coach.

"We are pleased to announce that Mr. Holt has signed with us to head up our football program and coach the varsity team," said Beth Covolo, RMA Head of School, on the website posting. "To the people of Rocky Mount, Coach Holt certainly needs no introduction. He is one of the most beloved coaches in the history of Rocky Mount football. His reputation for developing not only fine football players but exceptional people is a perfect fit for our school and our community. We are thrilled to have him lead our program and join the Rocky Mount Academy family."

Holt will be replacing Andy Jackson, who was head coach at RMA for many seasons. Holt was a candidate for the Gryphons' opening for a head coach earlier this spring, but he was not chosen to reprise his role as the school's winningest football coach - percentage-wise (84 percent).

During his 39 years as a head coach, Holt led teams to 20 conference titles and 21 playoff appearances. He has sent 60-plus high school football players to the college level - including seven from his 2008 squad - his last at Rocky Mount.

He had concluded his career with a coaching record of 321-112-2 after stops at Southwestern Randolph, Franklinton, Starmount, Tennessee High (Tn.), West Montgomery and Rocky Mount.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

2012 Rocky Mount Baseball Statistical Leaders

Here are the statistical leaders from the 2012 Rocky Mount varsity baseball season. The top 5 players in each hitting and pitching category is listed.

HITTING

Batting Average

1. Jeremy Johnson .342
2. Ben Winstead .286
3. Will Edwards .250
3. Collin Watson .239
3. Spenser Ramsey .227

Hits

1. Jeremy Johnson 27
2. Collin Watson 16
3. Spenser Ramsey 15
4. Andy Morris 14
T5. Micah Varnell 12
T5. Will Edwards 12

Doubles

1. Spencer Ramsey 3
T2. Jeremy Johnson 2
T2. Damian Smith 2
T4. Micah Varnell 1
T4. Collin Watson 1
T4. Andy Morris 1
T4. Ben Winstead 1
T4. Sam Lilley 1

Triples

1. Jeremy Johnson 2
2. Andy Morris 1

Home Runs

1. Spenser Ramsey 2
T2. Jeremy Johnson 1
T2. Collin Watson 1

RBI

1. Spenser Ramsey 20
2. Jeremy Johnson 13
T3. Andy Morris 7
T3. Micah Varnell 7
5. Collin Watson 5

Runs Scored

1. Jeremy Johnson 19
2. Micah Varnell 12
3. Will Edwards 11
T4. Collin Watson 10
T4. Andy Morris 10

Walks

1. Micah Varnell 13
2. Collin Watson 10
3. Andy Morris 9
4. Spenser Ramsey 8
5. Will Edwards 6


PITCHING

Wins

1. Jeremy Johnson 4 (4-4)
T2. Spenser Ramsey 2 (2-2)
T2. Will Edwards 2 (2-5)
4. Sam Lilley 1 (1-1)
5. Collin Watson 0 (0-1)

Innings Pitched

1. Jeremy Johnson 57.0
2. Will Edwards 42.3
3. Spenser Ramsey 33.7
4. Sam Lilley 15.7


ERA

1.Sam Lilley 2.675
2. Jeremy Johnson 2.861
3. Spenser Ramsey 3.11
4. Will Edwards 3.31

Strikeouts

1. Jeremy Johnson 80
2. Will Edwards 38
3. Spenser Ramsey 34
4. Sam Lilley 8

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

RMHS Old-Timers Bios


Wes Bradshaw, one of the organizers of the recent Rocky Mount Alumni Baseball Game, asked me to write the player introductions for the pregame festivities. The fans at the game enjoyed hearing about all these former players. So I decided to share these bios with the rest of Gryphon Nation.

So below are those bios. Enjoy reading about your favorite former Rocky Mount players.

Jeremy Ward – One of Rocky Mount’s top career pitchers who had 12 wins his senior season, he was a four-year starter who also ranks in the top five in five different career hitting categories. He played collegiately at Wake Forest and Long Beach State and was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. From the Class of ’96 ……

Chad Womble – He has a career record on the mound of 22-7, a four-year starter who surprised a lot folks with his bat. He led the team in strikeouts his senior season. He played collegiately at NC Wesleyan. From the Class of ’07 ……

Grant Johnson – The starting first baseman for the 2008 3-A state championship team, he’s also the single-season at-bat leader with 114 – From the Class of ’08 …..

Dillon Cockrell – A four-year starter at shortstop who could do a little pitching too. He has the school record for the most games played in a Rocky Mount uniform. He 4-0 on the mound a member of 2008 3-A state championship team. – From the Class of ’09 ….,

Adam Weaver - A four-year starter at shortstop, few know he went 6-0 as a pitcher. He is the school’s career leader in at-bats, triples and stolen bases. He is one of only two RM players to have over 100 hits in his career. He played collegiately at UNC and Elon – From the Class of ’02 ….

Tommy Warrick – A member of the 1973 4-A state championship team, he shares the school record for RBIs in a game with 7. He hit two HRs in the contest. He played collegiately at Louisburg and East Carolina. From the Class of ’74 ….

Eddie Joe Lynch – He helped lead the Blackbirds to the 1967 4-A State Championship – on the mound and at the plate – as RM, a team that featured three starters that batted over .400, posted a two-game sweep of West Mecklenburg. He was 5-1 on the mound and hit .375 for the season. From the Class of ’67 …

Jim Leggett  – When he graduated, he was the school’s all-time winningest pitcher with 28 victories. A four-year starter who is the career leader in innings pitched, he helped lead the 2008 team to the 3-A state title. He hit .413 his senior season. From the Class of ’08 ….

Braxton Hill – He was solid hitter and pitcher for the Gryphons. His senior season, he was tied for first in doubles, second in total hits, runs scored and total bases, From the Class of ’02 …

Hank Jones – A four-year starter, he helped the Gryphons win three straight conference titles. Unfortunately, he was the losing pitcher in RM’s last playoff game each of those seasons. He had career pitching record of 20-7. In one game, he was throwing it so badly, his coach Shelton Chesson pulled him from the game after four pitches. He will start his third season as head coach of Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58’s American Legion team right here next week at Gryphon Stadium. From the Class of ’86 … 

Jason Battle – This player was a first-team All-Conference performer in football, basketball and baseball his senior year. He played both baseball and football at N.C. A&T. He was an assistant coach for the 2008 3-A state title baseball team. He has just been named as Rocky Mount’s new head football coach. From the Class of ’98 … 

Paul Jenkins – A two-year starter for the Gryphons, he combined with Carter Harrell to make a formidable duo on the mound for RM. Many won’t forget the eighth-inning solo home run he hit to center field on the road to beat South Johnston in the 2000 4-A state playoffs. He also got the win in the game. He threw a no-hitter against Northern Nash his senior season. He signed to play collegiately at UNC. From the Class of 01’ …

Carter Varnell – He was a starting right fielder and a member of the 2008 3-A state championship baseball squad. From the Class of 2010 ……

Cameron Ramsey – He was a member of the 2008 3-A State championship team and he was starting right fielder his senior season. From the Class of ’09 …

William Barringer – A three-year starter in left field and a member of the 2008 3-A state title baseball team, he is second in single-season at-bats for the Gryphons and was a consistent run producer throughout his career. He is also one of the select few who have hit a grand slam in this park. From the Class of ‘08 …

Gerry Smith  – A reserve player, he got into 23 games his senior season with 47 at bats. He was on a squad that started the season 16-0 and was nationally ranked. From the Class of ’95 ….
Jeff Collins – A member of the 1973 4-A state championship baseball team, he also excelled in basketball where started his senior season with the great Phil Ford. He is among several former RM athletes to go on to be chosen as a Morehead Scholar. He is a member of the N.C. House of Representatives. From the Class of 1974 …

J.J. Jones – He was a three-sport athlete at RMHS – football, wrestling and baseball.  He played football at Elizabeth City State. From the Class of ‘91

David Ange – A solid infielder, he played on two conference champions. He had a walk-off single that plated the winning run in a playoff game his sophomore season. He led his team in triples his junior season. He played collegiately at UNC-Wilmington. From the Class of ’97 ….

Chris Berry – Who could have had a better senior season than this guy? He slapped 35 hits including 11 doubles, knocked in 37 runs and scored 38 times. He also came on as a pitcher during 2008’s state championship run. He even threw a no-hitter in RM’s playoff opener.  From the Class of ’08 ….

Eric Johnson – A solid hitter who could hit for power. He had a 5-RBI outing in his career and he is one of the select few to hit two home runs in a game. From the Class of ’98 …

Jeff Williams –  A three-year starting outfielder for the Gryphons, he batted .290 his senior season.  From the Bicentennial Class, the Class of ‘76 …

Jason Womble – This pitcher was second on the team in strikeouts his senior season. He led the squad with an ERA of 1.67. From the Class of ’04 …

Eddie Coats – He could hit and steal bases. He batted .373 his senior season. He led the team in doubles and was third in stolen bases. In his first season pitching since junior high, he led the team with a 6-2 record. He was tops on the squad in strikeouts and ERA. From the Class of ’83 ….

Marcus Mitchell – He played catcher for the Gryphons. He played collegiately at Pffiefer University. From the Class of ’91 ….

JR Johnson – A self-admitted reserve player during his career, since his played during the Phi-Slamma-Jamma era of U. of Houston basketball, he coined that he belonged to “ Chi Ridea Pinea‘’  From the Class of ’84 ….

Michael Parker – He was a solid lefty pitcher for the Gryphons. He in the top 10 in single-season strikeouts. He threw a no-hitter against North Davidson during the 2003 RM Easter Tournament. He played collegiately at Barton College. From the Class of ’04 ……

Timmy Tucker  - A two-year starter for the Gryphons who took conference titles those seasons.  In his junior season, he had a 5-RBI night in a playoff contest at Cary. A sure-handed first baseman. From the Class of ’79 …..

Harold Joyner –   A two-year starter third baseman for the Gryphons, he played collegiately at N.C. A & T University. From the Class of '92 ….

John Fagala – Before Major League Baseball starting using the term “walk-off”, this player had one – a single his senior season to knock in the winning run over Eastern Wayne. He hit .305 his senior year and was tied for the team lead in triples. From the Class of ’83…

Doug Roberson  - As a second baseman, he was a member of the 1967 4-A state championship team. From the Class of ’67 …

Doug Roberson III – A member of one of the most offensive-minded teams in school history in 1995, he was one of six starting seniors that made a trip to the 4-A Eastern finals the next season. He hit .338 that year and led the team in doubles. From the Class of ’96……

Nick Hahula – He was a reserve player who rose off the bench to contribute to 2008’s state championship run. He got in the rotation late in the season and recorded three wins. From the Class of ’09 …

Will Johnson – A three-year starter at shortstop, this player concluded his senior season with a .328 average with four doubles, four triples, 16 RBI and a team-leading 28 runs scored.  He played collegiately at Barton College. From the Class of  ’05…..

Gary Miller - A two-year starter, he was a consistent hitter who helped the Gryphons to a conference title. As an American Legion Post 58 player, he was the last batter to get a hit at old Municipal Stadium. MVP of the RM Breakfast Optimist Easter Tournament. From the Class of '88 .... 

Late added players ....

Terrell Hudgins - A two-year starter at third base and pitcher, he led his team in several categories his senior season, including at-bats (76), batting average(.371), hits (26), RBIs (24), and was second in runs scored (23). He was named NCHSAA Male Athlete of the Year his season year - the highest accolade any high school athlete can achieve in this state. He played football collegiately at Elon where he broke several NCAA records for receiving. From the Class of '05 ...

Collins Cuthrell - One of Rocky Mount's great  all-time hitters, he is of the the top career leaders in home runs with 10, including a season-record seven his senior year. He is in the top 10 of virtually every hitting catergory in the record book. He is playing collegiately at Barton College. From the Class of '10 ...

RMHS old-timers have great time at Alumni Baseball Game

Ben Gay and Absorbine Jr. might have been in short supply around town after Rocky Mount’s Alumni Baseball Game at Gryphon Stadium last Saturday afternoon.

Forty-two former Rocky Mount baseball players, ranging in age from 18 to 63 (the youngest -- RMHS graduating seniors Damian Smith and Collin Watson; the oldest, Class of ‘67 alums and 63-year-olds Eddie Joe Lynch and Doug Roberson), gathered to play the last Rocky Mount High-related game ever on a field that was laid out in 1920. RMHS players had been running on the diamond for nearly 70 years.

The stadium will serve as the home of Rocky Mount American Legion Post 58’s baseball teams (Senior and Junior) for at least one year.

“We were really happy with the turnout, especially among the Blackbird-era alumni,” said Wes Bradshaw, one of the game’s organizers. “It looked like the word got around well.”

Teams divided into a Blue and a Gold squad battled it out for seven innings with the Blue team coming out on top 6-4. The Blue team rapped out eight hits, while the Gold squad tallied seven.

Former RMHS head coaches served as the coaches for each squad -- Pat Smith and Shelton Chesson for the Blue, Danny Weaver for the Gold.

Starting pitchers were Jim Leggett (Blue - Class of ‘08) and Paul Jenkins (Gold - Class of ‘01).

The Blue team grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to an RBI double by Jason Womble (‘04) and a run-scoring single by Dillon Cockrell (‘09).

The Blue squad came up with two more runs in the second. Jeremy Ward (‘96) capped the inning with a single - one of his two on the day.

The Gold team finally got some offense in gear in the third when Jenkins powered a double to left center to score David Ange (‘97) who reached via a walk. It had finally taken that goose egg off the scoreboard -- now down 4-1.

Trailing 5-1 in the top of the sixth, the Gold team began to find its stroke. It used three hits to muster a rally to close the gap to 5-4. Ange’s RBI double, a Collin Watson sac fly for an RBI and a score on an infield single by Eric Johnson (‘98) got the Gold team back in it.

But an RBI single by Carter Varnell (‘10) in the bottom of the inning gave the Blue team a little insurance with a two-run margin.

“I was personally impressed with how competitive the game ended up being,” said Bradshaw. “The ‘old’ guys really went hard and held their own. The weather turned out to be great and I think the fans really enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere.

“The players had a great time. The first question from all of them was ‘when is the next game?’“

Proceeds from the game went to support Rocky Mount’s current baseball squad.

(reprinted from the Nashville Graphic)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

2012 Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Legion Baseball Schedule/Results


(all home games played at Gryphon Stadium)

Postponement, cancellations will be in red, scores in blue.

May 23 - PITT COUNTY, 7 p.m. - ppd. rain
May 24 - @ Johnston County (Smithfield-Selma HS) - cancelled
May 27 - @ Rowan County (Catawba College) - W, 11-5
May 29 - NORTH CHATHAM - W, 9-4
May 30 - @ North Chatham - W, 5-1
May 31 - AHOSKIE - W, 7-3
June 2 - @ Windsor (Bertie HS) - DH, 5 p.m.
June 4 - @ Ahoskie (Hertford Co. HS), 7 p.m.
June 5 - @ Pitt County (Pitt CC), 7 p.m.
June 7 - @ Cherryville (Memorial Stadium) - DH, 6 p.m.
June 14 - WILSON COUNTY, 7 p.m.
June 15 - EDENTON, 7 p.m.
June 18 - AHOSKIE, 7 p.m.
June 19 - ELIZABETH CITY, 7 p.m.
June 22 - WILSON, 7 p.m.
June 24 - @ Edenton (Hicks Field) - DH, 5 p.m.
June 27 - JOHNSTON COUNTY, 7 p.m.
June 29 - @ Wilson County (Fleming Stadium), 7 p.m.
July 1 - @ Elizabeth City (Northeastern HS) - DH, 5 p.m.
July 2 - WINDSOR, 7 p.m.
July 5 - WAYNE COUNTY, 7 p.m.
July 7 - @ Wilson Showcase (Fleming Stadium), TBA
July 12 - Area 1 East Playoffs start

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Baseball Britt, Berry headed to NCAA D-II Baseball Regionals

Rocky Mount native Britt Johnson has been hankering about getting closer to home. Now he has gotten his wish.

Johnson, an assistant baseball coach at Lander University (Greenwood, S.C.), has seen his team earn a berth in the 2012 NCAA Div. II Baseball Southeast Regionals which is being held at Mount Olive College beginning Thursday.

Lander received the No. 6 seed and will face top-seeded Mount Olive in their regional opener at 7 p.m. at Scarborough Field - the same stadium Wayne County Post 11's Legion baseball team calls home. Mount Olive is the second-ranked team in the nation.

With the same suspense the hoopsters at N.C. State went through when the Wolfpack was one of the last teams announced in the that field of 68 back in March, Britt, former Rocky Mount star Thomas Berry and the rest of the Bearcats were the last team announced to this field of 48.

Talk about being on pins and needles. I got  a feeling a lot of prayers were answered when Lander's name was broadcasted.

Even though Britt will be assisting Hank Jones with the Rocky Mount Coleman-Pitt Post 58 team this summer (the season starts next Wednesday), he would love to delay that move and stay alive in the D-II playoffs.

If these Bearcats can survive life in Wayne County, then they get to go to Wake County for the Div. II World Series. The USA Baseball Complex in Cary will serve as host of the event this year.

These guys won't be the least bit geographically-challenged by winning this postseason.

I can't say the same for Armstrong Atlantic.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Bradshaws welcome newborn

Callee Reese Bradshaw


I want to wish the best for Wes and Tracy Bradshaw upon the arrival of their daughter Callee Reese Tuesday morning at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville.

Callee Reese entered the world at 7 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.

Wes, a Rocky Mount grad ('00) and voice of the Gryphons, and Tracy, a SouthWest Edgecombe alum, couldn't be happier.

Congratulations to you all!