PINEVILLE POST 337 AMERICAN LEGION TEAM REPRESENTS THE AREA WELL

The Pineville Post 337 American Legion Team may be the best kept secret in Charlotte baseball circles this summer.  With a team full of talented players, Pineville has played their way to a 30-8 record and a spot in the Area IV Championship Series as of July 28th.  Led by Head Coach Mike Edwards, the Post 337 team is playing for the opportunity to advance to the State Championship next week. 
 
 Almost all of the team members are high school stars or just completed their freshman years of college.  The South Charlotte Sports Report Baseball Player of the Year Jordan Darnell is one of the team leaders in both hitting and pitching.  He is surrounded by other top talent, leading to a total team effort in the pursuit of the State Title.  Surprisingly very few baseball fans know about the team and the high level of entertainment they have provided this summer.  Home games are played on the immaculate Ardrey Kell field, easily within reach of the South Charlotte community.  Whether sitting on the hill beyond center field or behind home plate, there isn’t a bad seat in the house to watch these talented baseball players.
 
 Coach Edwards believes in the ability of his team and their approach to the game of baseball.
 
 “We have good kids, not just as players, but they are some of the best kids I have ever been around.  They have done everything we have expected of them and they are a fun team to watch.  We have a good balance of hitting, pitching, and fielding.  We also have a good balance of team speed and the ability to hit for power.” 
 
 Team leaders include Providence High School graduate Hunter Glass who has anchored the defense from his shortstop position. Former Charlotte Catholic player Nick Verhein has made great plays at third and Ardrey Kell star Jonnie Eaker has held down the 2nd base position all season long. Both catchers, Matt Crump (Butler, 07) and Chris Moore (Butler) have handled the pitching staff well.  The outfield has been the most surprising part of the defense with Evan Wilkinson (Providence, 07), Cory Lee (Providence), and David Chandik (South Meck, 07.). Brent Lalas (South Meck, 07) has also filled in well as the extra outfielder when needed. 
The pitching staff has been superb. The Post 337 team ERA is 2.66, Led by Jordan Darnell (Ardrey Kell) with a 1.47 ERA, followed by Mac Hunter (Providence, 07), 1.64, Daniel Glenn (South Meck.)  The team is only giving up 2 walks per game which goes a long way in winning ball games.
 
 The  hitters have been outstanding as well. Jordan Darnell and Matt Crump have combined for 32 Home Runs and have the two highest batting averages on the team.   Hunter Glass had done a fantastic job in batting second and moving runners into scoring position for Darnell and Crump, who also lead the team in RBI’s.  The team currently has nine players on the roster who have hit at least one Home Run.  Evan Wilkinson has been a great lead off hitter, with a batting average of .357.
 
 Another key to the success of the team has been the return of a talented group of college freshmen.
 
 “Being exposed to a college program allowed these kids to be exposed to baseball on a daily basis,” said Coach Edwards.  Besides Matt Crump and Hunter Glass, most of the coll ege freshman actually saw limited game experience. Two of our college freshman, DJ McMurchie and David Chandik had not played baseball since their high school senior year.  Another college freshman, Brent Lalas did play with the NC State club team which was very beneficial.  I feel as if the lack of game participation has motivated these players during this Legion season.  Baseball is a repetition game and these players have improved from playing on a daily basis. Their leadership and maturity has also been a big part of this team’s success.”
 
 Coach Edwards added more thoughts on this special team.
 
 “We have had to go through transitions, with players coming out at various times during the season.  Even the players who we were not able to keep on the 18 man playoff roster were dedicated and committed to the team.  The Assistant Coaches have also been a big help and have done an outstanding job in dealing with the players.  They are Rob Morris, Assistant Head Coach/ Outfield Coach, Mike Matthews, Infielders, and Jeff Barkley, Pitching Coach.  Also a big contributor has been Don Koch, who also serves as our Athletic Trainer, but has spent many hours throwing batting practice and helping manage the dugout during games. ”
 
 “The people behind the scenes that have helped this season have been Sam Long, Post Commander, Randy Rummage, Athletic Director, Jeff Moore and  Mark Nyenhuis with the announcing of games, Amy Edwards, Scorekeeper, Diane Edwards and Deb Edwards – Tickets and Concessions.  Without these people we could not be able to focus on the matters on the field like we should.”
 
 As this team closes out their season, The South Charlotte Sports Report sends out our congratulations on an outstanding summer of baseball for the American Legion Post 337 Team.    These young men have represented our area quite well and we wish each of them the best of luck in the future!

(Publisher’s Note-  Keep an eye out for Legion baseball next summer.  It’s great family entertainment and I can’t tell you how much my son has enjoyed watching his favorite player, Jordan Darnell and the rest of the Post 337 players.)

PINEVILLE
POST 337 ROSTER

#                  Name            Position
1              Evan Wilkinson    OF
2              Nick Verhein         IF
4              Cory Lee                 OF
6              Mason Bradley      P/OF
7              Chris Moore           C
8              Jonnie Eaker         IF/C
9              Daniel Glenn         P/OF
10            Brett Nyenhuis      IF
11             David Chandik      OF
12            Steven Baker         P
16            Brent Lalas            OF/P
17            Hunter Glass         IF
18            Matt Crump           C/OF
19            Mac Hunter           P
23            Jeff Barkley           P/IF/OF
24            DJ McMurchie       P/IF
32            Blake Parsley        P
47            Jordan Darnell     P/IF
                                 
                                 
34  Mike Edwards Head Coach
35  Rob Morris      Assistant Coach
33  Mike Matthews               Assistant Coach
40  Jeff Barkley     Assistant Coach
       Don Koch        Athletic Trainer
                                 
Sam Long                                               Post Commander
Randy Rummage                  Athletic Director
Amy Edwards               Scorekeeper