RMHS ties in Omaha

Whit Merrifield takes a cut in the batting cage. (Photo/The State)

South Carolina may be on the verge of elimination at the College Baseball World Series, but one former Gryphon is still glad to be in Omaha.

Former Rocky Mount two-sport athlete Bill Merrifield (RMHS Class of '80) is in Omaha watching his son Whit play for the Gamecocks as they face elimination today when they play Arizona State.

Whit, a junior infielder/outfielder, and his teammates lost their opening game to Oklahoma (4-3). Two losses and they're headed back to Columbia.

Whit, who had a 26-game hitting streak going earlier this season, was picked in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB Draft earlier in the month. He was the 269th overall pick in the draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Whit also recently received 2009-10 Earnest Brooks Co-Male Student-Athlete of the Year honors at South Carolina. He shared the award with golfer George Bryan IV.

He played his prep career at Davie County High School.