2008 ON DECK O’S SQUAD HEADS FOR COLLEGE

The entire roster of the 2008 On Deck O’s baseball team will graduate from high school and continue their baseball careers in college.  The group of 15 outstanding baseball players worked hard throughout their high school careers to catch the eyes of college baseball coaches.  A large majority of the 15 players were member of the On Deck program for all four years of high school.  On Deck Baseball Academy, located at 10229 Rodney Street in Pineville, has led the young men through a program that included not only baseball, but life skills, academics, and social skills.

2008 On Deck O’s Head Coach Jason Hill is very proud of the entire team.

“This has been a great team to work with.  Each player is very special in their own way.  The team had the ability to show up and approach each game in a loose, relaxed fashion, yet they still played with intensity.  With this group, On Deck has now helped over 100 players earn college scholarships.”

The 2008 team was led by Tyler Pilkington, a combination player at Weddington High School.  Tyler is ranked as the # 1 combo (pitcher and hitter) player in North Carolina by Impact Baseball.  He was named as one of two finalists for the Greater Charlotte Area Hot Stove League Player of the Year.  Tyler has signed to play college baseball with UNCC.

Jordan Darnell, an Ardrey Kell High School player has signed to pitch for Elon University next season.  Charlotte Christian middle infielder Adam Hill has accepted a Presidential Nomination to the Air Force Academy to play baseball.  Adam is the third member of his family to play for On Deck.

Hank Patterson, a local resident, attends Blair Academy in New Jersey and returns home to play for On Deck.  He will play baseball next season for High Point.  Hank was awarded as Mr. On Deck for this season.  The award is given to the player that demonstrates the most consistent characteristics of competitiveness, professionalism, coachability, leadership and commitment.

Mason Bradley, a Charlotte Christian senior has signed with Wofford for next season.  Christian Culicerto, the verbal and emotional leader for the On Deck O’s, will play football and baseball for Villanova this fall.  The final South Charlotte area member of the team, Kyle Stetson, is closing out his senior season with Ardrey Kell High School and weighing a variety of college offers.

The South Charlotte Sports Report congratulates all 15 of these outstanding baseball players and sends out our best wishes for a successful college career.

2008 ON DECK O’s ROSTER

Player                         High School                College
Tyler Pilkington          Weddington                UNCC
Jordan Darnell             Ardrey Kell                 Elon
Dylan Stewart             Porter Ridge                Wingate
Adam Hill                   Charlotte Christian      Air Force
Hank Patterson           Blair Academy            High Point
Charlie McCready       Fort Mill                      Charleston Southern
Frankie Torres             Olympic                      Francis Marion
Michael Tancini           J. M. Robinson            UNC Pembroke
Kyle Mastroianni        North Mecklenburg     UNC Pembroke
Mason Bradley            Charlotte Christian      Wofford
Christian Culicerto      Charlotte Catholic       Villanova
Christian Dickson       Buford                                    Spartanburg Methodist
Kyle Stetson               Ardrey Kell                 Weighing offers
Ryan Overcash            NW Cabarrus              Weighing offers
Adam Waters              Hopewell                     USC Upstate