Moss signs with North Carolina

Senior Benton Moss signs last week with UNC. (Photo/Ashley Moss)

 Rocky Mount senior pitcher Benton Moss has signed a national letter-of-intent to play baseball at the University of North Carolina. Moss signed on the dotted line last Thursday.

I am hoping he will not need the scholarship should he win the coveted Morehead-Cain Scholarship, for which he has been nominated. Former East Bladen standout and one-time Washington National Tyrell Godwin (UNC '01) was the last UNC baseball player to win the prestigious honor.

Moss, who is just six wins away from becoming Rocky Mount High School's all-time winningest pitcher, as a freshman (7-0 record) helped the Gryphons win a state title in 2008. He verbally committed to the Tar Heels the summer before his junior season after turning down offers from East Carolina, N.C. State and South Carolina.

He needs just five strikeouts to become the Gryphons' all-time leader (record held by Jeremy Ward of 216) and has compiled an eye-catching 23-2 career mark on the hill for the Gryphons.

Moss was also named last week to Baseball America's list of the top 100 high school baseball seniors in the country. He made the list at No. 85. To see the complete list, click here!

Goodwin suspended from UNC baseball squad

Former Rocky Mount High School standout and 2009 N.C. Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year Brian Goodwin has been suspended from the University of North Carolina baseball team (Photo/David Hahula)

 CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina sophomore outfielder Brian Goodwin has been suspended for the 2011 spring semester for violating University policy. He plans to return to North Carolina for the 2011-12 academic year.

Goodwin, a native of Rocky Mount, started all 60 games last year, batted .291 and was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America. He led the Tar Heels last season in games started (60), RBI (63), triples (8) and walks (45).

This case is not related to the University and NCAA’s investigation into the North Carolina football program.