On the second pitch of his first official collegiate at-bat, Bradley Strong ripped an RBI triple to right-center field. Talk about a memorable debut for the former Richlands High School star.
“It was such a great feeling to start my career off in such a way,” Strong said. “And I felt like it set the tone for the rest of the game.”
Strong’s first three games in a Western Carolina University uniform over the weekend resulted in a 5-for-15 showing at the plate and a three-game sweep of Fordham University.
“My first weekend of college baseball was definitely one to remember,” Strong said. “It was good to finally see some pitching other than our own, and it’s always a good feeling when you sweep someone in front of your own fans. For me personally, I was just excited that I had a part in each of the wins.”
Strong started at third base and hit second in the Catamounts’ lineup in all three games. A former football and baseball star for the Blue Tornado, Strong is settling in at WCU.
“College baseball has been everything I thought it would be and more,” Strong said. “I’ve enjoyed being able to focus on one sport. I feel like I’ve came a long way since my first day on campus. I’m excited to be a part of this team and I look forward to winning a bunch of games this year.”
Cunningham the closer
Freshman Chase Cunningham is settling into the role of relief ace for the Walters State (Tenn.) Community College baseball team.
The former Tennessee High standout already has three saves to his credit and has yet to allow a run in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Hayden’s hitting
John Battle High School graduate Taryn Hayden’s hitting highlighted a Ferrum College win on Feb. 9.
The sophomore went 3-for-5, scored two runs and drove in a run as the Panthers earned a 9-1 non-conference baseball victory over Roanoke College. For the season, Hayden is hitting .200 (4-for-20) and has scored three runs.
Messer mashing
Lipscomb University infielder Zak Messer (Virginia High) has produced at the plate. Messer went 2-for-4 in each of the season’s first two games and blasted a home run on Saturday in a 4-3 loss to Evansville.
Kirk’s connecting
Luke Kirk continues to crank out the hits.
Kirk, a former Gate City High School star, is hitting .452 with five RBIs through 10 games for the Milligan College baseball team. The sophomore hit .369 last season for the Buffaloes.
Weddle’s first win
Seven innings pitched. Four hits. Zero runs.
That was the line for Kelsey Weddle (Patrick Henry) as she earned the first victory of her collegiate softball career on Feb. 17 for Walters State Community College.
Weddle struck out three and walked three in a 6-0 shutout of Florence-Darlington.
Weddle is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA for the Senators, while Lindsay Loudermilk (Sullivan East) is hitting .440 with two home runs for the school located in Morristown, Tenn.
Lester at Liberty
Tazewell High School graduate Sydnei Lester has proved what she can do in a pinch for the Liberty University softball team. Lester has had two at-bats for the Flames, both as a pinch-hitter, and has delivered both times.
She lined a pinch-hit single in a loss to Georgetown on Feb. 11. The following day against the Hoyas she smashed a pinch-hit home run.
Brown gets on the board
Tyler Brown got on the board with a free throw.
The former Honaker High School star and walk-on for the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team scored the first point of his career on Feb. 14 in an 82-58 beatdown of New Orleans.
Brown hit the second of two free throws with 1:15 remaining, while also finishing with two rebounds. Brown has appeared in two games for the Warriors this season.
Patton in first place
The Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) women’s basketball team entered Monday in a three-way tie for first place in the South Atlantic Conference. A Southwest Virginian has helped the Bears get there.
Former Chilhowie High School standout Krystal Patton is averaging 6.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest.
Thayes@bristolnews.com | Twitter:@Hayes_BHCSports | (276) 645-2570
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