Quite a few of his players played for Northern Nash, which reached the NCHSAA 3-A East regional final series two weekends ago.
The team he's involved with during the school year, Eastern Wayne (as an assistant coach), not only beat Northern in that regional series, but lost out in the 3-A state championship series 2-1 to Lake Norman at Zebulon's Five County Stadium last weekend. So he's has had a lot on his plate.
But it will be totally clear this week as Post 58 get its season going full throttle. Bryan managed to make his team's opener Sunday at New Bern, but it fell to Post 24 14-4.
Post 58 was led Northern Nash's Mike Williams who had three hits. NN's Brandon Denton got the loss on the hill. He allowed seven runs on seven hits in his four innings of work. He recorded five strikeouts.
Ironically, the winning pitcher for New Bern that evening was named Gabe Brown. Of course, there is a Gabe Brown on Post 58's roster, too.
Post 58 faced Tarboro on the road Tuesday evening, but the game was rained out.
All its home games will be played at Northern, with the exception of its game Sunday with Edenton at N.C. Wesleyan's Bauer Field. Expect Post 58 to rotate from Northern Nash, to Rocky Mount to Nash Central as a home field during the coming years, says Bryan.
Right now, just 10 more games are on the schedule, but more contests may be added.
Bryan is still trying to solidify his lineup. He learned late last week that Rocky Mount senior Brian Goodwin would not be playing with the team. He was invited to play with a well-respected travel team (Midland Redskins) in Ohio for the summer.
But he has several players back from a squad that went 14-2 during the regular season in 2008 and won its division, but fell in two straight games to New Bern in the opening round of the Divisional Playoffs.
"I wish Brian all the best in whichever way he uses his talent - whether in college or professionally," said Bryan, a N.C. Wesleyan College graduate who now works at Spring Creek High School in Wayne County. "You know, we could use his bat because he could make us deeper. But right now, pitching arms are our biggest concern."
He is looking for pitching performances from Denton, Alex Pearce (UNC-Pembroke via Nash Central), Tyler Joyner (Northern Nash), Dillon Cockrell (Rocky Mount) and Mike Smith (Northern Nash),
"Our pitching is not deep at all," said Bryan, "but we've got guys that are good enough to get people out. What I need are arms!"
Bryan likes to break the game of baseball up into three phases: hitting, pitching and defense. He says his defense looks good, but he will be looking to some veterans for that hitting support.
"I'm looking for some older guys to step up like Gabe Brown (Rocky Mount), Cockrell, Wesley Joyner (Northern Nash) and Pearce (at catcher)," said Bryan.
Coleman-Pitt Post 58 American Legion Baseball Roster
Player, Name, Number, Position, Batting/Throwing, School
Gabe Brown - 1, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Bill Clark - 21, P, OF R/R, Home Schooled
Tyler Clark - 14, C, OF, R/R, Northern Nash
Dillon Cockrell -13, P, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Collins Cuthrell -16, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Brandon Denton - 20, P, OF, R/L, Northern Nash
Ben Fish - 17, C, R/R, Rocky Mount
Nick Hahula - 27. P, OF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Grant Johnson - 4, IF, R/R, Rocky Mount (ECU)
Tyler Joyner - 9, P, IF, L/L, Northern Nash
Wesley Joyner - 2 IF R/R, Northern Nash
Alex Pearce - 7, C, P R/R, UNC-Pembroke (Nash Central)
Cameron Ramsey -18 IF, R/R, Rocky Mount
Mike Smith - 3, IF/OF, R/R, Northern Nash
T.J .Taylor - 5, OF, P, L/L, Nash Central
Ray Velazquez - 8, P, R/R, Southern Wayne
Mike Williams -10, P, IF, R/R, Northern Nash
Head Coach: Matt Bryan (second season)
Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Schedule
June 7 - @ New Bern - L, 14-4 - (0-1, 0-0)
June 9 - @ Tarboro - ppd., rain
June 11 - @ Kinston - W, 7-2 - (1-1, 0-0)
June 14 - EDENTON - W, 15-6 - 2-1, 1-0)
June 17 - @ Tarboro - W, 28-3 - (3-1, 2-0)
June 18 - WILSON - W, 12-2 - (4-1, 3-0)
June 19 - @ Ahoskie - W 10-8 - (5-1, 4-0)
June 20 - @ Wilson - W, 14-3 - (6-1, 5-0)
June 21 - @ Edenton - L, 12-10 - (6-2, 5-1)
June 22 - AHOSKIE - W, 12-11 - (7-2, 6-1)
June 24 - TARBORO, 7 p.m.
June 27-28 - @ Garner Tournament, TBA