South Charlotte Panthers

SCP ALUMNI ARE MAKING AN IMPACT IN COLLEGE and the PROS

UPDATE OCTOBER 1

JOSH SALAY: SPARTANBURG METHODIST has committed to attend school and play baseball at the COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON following his sophomore season at Spartanburg Methodist. Josh will rejoin his old battery mate of many Panther games Kolby Epley pitching for the Cougars.

KYLE GREENWALT: Tri-City Valley Cats: was recently named Most Valuable Player for the Greenville Astros. As reported in the Minor League Baseball News Kyle established himself with the Astros this season as he appeared and started in a team high 13 games including being named the opening day starter. Kyle's six wins led the team and was tied for third in the league. Kyle pitched 71 innings; struck out 53 and walked only 15 batters. Greeny was rewarded for his consistent success with a promotion to the Tri-City Valley Cats on August 26th. Kyle has recently been recognized by Baseball America as "the" player to watch in the Houston Astros farm system.

 JUSTIN SCHUMER; UNC Asheville; was named Big South Conference Player of the Week in early May. In the 4 win week for the Bulldogs, Justin went 10 for 21 (.476) at the plate with 7 RBIs; 9 Runs Scored and 3 Doubles. To cap his week off Justin hit a walk off HR earning himself the Win on the mound following 4 innings of scoreless relief. Justin hit .326 for the season with 13 Doubles; 9 HRs and 50 RBIs in addition to 7 Saves and a win as the Bulldogs closer on the mound.

BYRON McKOY; Temple; has been named to the ATLANTIC 10 ALL CONFERENCE Second Team and to the Conference ALL FRESHMAN TEAM. In addition to those awards he was voted the Philadelphia BIG 5 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR and made the  ALL BIG 5 TEAM. Byron was  also named the Big 5 Player of the Week for two consecutive  weeks in April. He ended his season leading the Owls in hitting with a .352 Average including 11 Doubles; 6 HRs and 25 RBIs plus 17 Stolen Bases.  Byron's 64 hits on the season set a new Temple freshman record.

 PRESTON SHUEY; Francis Marion; Preston was voted the PEACH BELT CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR. Preston broke the Peach Belt record for RBIs by a freshman with 55. He had 23 multiple hit games and 15 multiple RBI games for the year. Preston hit 7 HR's; 14 doubles and finished the season with 55 RBIs and a .344 batting average. The Patriots placed second in the PB conference tournament and were nationally ranked all season yet missed out on the NCAA DII Regionals as an at large team.

WHIT MERRIFIELD; USC; has been named to the SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE ALL FRESHMAN TEAM. Whit led the SEC Conference and was Second in the NCAA Nationally in Sacrifice Bunts with 24. Whit was not only laying down bunts as he finished the season hitting .326 with 9 Doubles, 3 HRs, 25 RBIs, 11 Stolen Bases and 58 Runs Scored for the Gamecocks. He also led the team in multiple hit games with 27.

Francis Marion placed second in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament behind pitcher ERIK SOMMERVILLE. Erik had 11 starts and finished at the top of the statistics charts for the Patriots pitching staff in most categories. Big E ended the season with a 6-3 record and a 3.46 ERA with 54 Strike Outs in 65 Innings Pitched. Erik pitched the Patriots to a victory over #1 seed Columbus College in the Peach Belt Conference tournament for his sixth victory of the season.

HAMILTON BENNETT; Winthrop finished at the top of many of the pitching statistics for the Eagles. Hammy was a weekend starter all season and led the team in Innings Pitched 88; Strike Outs 78 and Starts 14. Hamilton pitched games against nationally ranked Rice, University of Southern California and Coastal Carolina in this his freshman season.

 COREY NORMAN; Surry CC ended his freshman season with a perfect 6-0 record on the mound for the Knights. Corey finished the year with a  2.85 ERA.

KOLBY EPLEY: College of Charleston was chosen to play in the Coastal Plains League College Wood Bat ALL STAR GAME. Kolby played for the Wilmington Sharks where he hit .290 and was the team's number one catcher.