Macklin, Pridgen, Cobb making news

If you missed seeing Nash Central product and current Coleman-Pitt Post 58 center fielder Khalil Macklin in Rocky Mount's last game (vs. Albemarle Post 84) Tuesday evening, he had a good reason for being out of the lineup.

Macklin was selected to play in the USA Baseball's Tournament of Stars event that is being held at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary.

The event, dominated by mostly 18-year-old Div. I-bound players, invited the 16-year-old Macklin to be a part of the prestigious event.

The Tournament of Stars (TOS) is made up of 144 of the nation's best ballplayers that are international age-eligible (born in 1994 or 1995) for 18U National Team consideration. They are invited by USA Baseball to play for one of our seven National Member Organizations (AABC, American Legion, Babe Ruth, Dixie, PONY, NABF and RBI) or via an "at-large" team selected by USA Baseball (Stars).

Macklin, a rising junior who has been red hot hitting for Post 58, is playing for the American Legion team.

USA Baseball and Major League Baseball cover all costs associated with the event which includes players' travel, lodging (USA Baseball Host Family Program) and uniforms. TOS participants form the pool of talent from which USA Baseball will select its 18U National Team to represent our country in international competition.

Macklin will be playing in Cary until Monday when the national team will be selected. Good luck to Khalil. 

Pridgen

PRIDGEN - You won't see Richie Pridgen on the sidelines at Northern Nash varsity football games this coming fall.

The Knights' assistant coach, who for 14 seasons was the head coach at Wilson Fike, is now an assistant at Wilson Hunt.

Pridgen, 55, has signed a contract to become a full-time substitute teacher at Hunt. He will also coach the Warriors' offensive line. His position at Northern Nash, where he worked for 2 1/2 years, was eliminated - opening the door to his new opportunity at Hunt.

Pridgen will join 22-year head coach Randy Raper along with assistants Stevie Hinnant, Andrew Farris, Keith Byrum and Paul Willoughby.

Cobb

COBB - It looks like Raymond Cobb will be making his 25th year as a head football coach his last.

Cobb, who will be 55 in Aug.,  has said that this coming season at SouthWest Edgecombe will be his last.

A high school classmate of Richie Pridgen's at South Edgecombe ('75), Cobb will enter his last coaching season with the same number of career victories as another Edgecombe County legend - Jim Brett.

Brett had not one, but two stops at Tarboro. He had two stints at Northern Nash and brief stays at West Carteret and West Brunswick. He ended his career with 247 wins and 104 losses in 28 seasons.

Cobb has 247 victories and 74 losses in 24 seasons - averaging 10 wins a season for his career! He's done this despite his worst two years - a 6-6 mark at North Edgecombe and his last season at SouthWest (4-7).