Wright third player off Aycock's state-title team to sign with Division I program

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 16, 2007 3:16 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Zach Wright didn't need an official campus visit or time to mull over scholarship offers when it came to choosing a college to attend.

The Charles B. Aycock senior just needed to know where to sign when East Carolina came calling.

Just four days passed between the time Pirates coaches saw Wright play in a tournament with the Carolina Cubs, a fall team, and when he was offered a scholarship in October.

"There wasn't really a chance for anyone else to offer me a scholarship," Wright said. "ECU saw me play on a Saturday, and they decided to take me to the campus that Sunday. On Tuesday coach (Billy) Godwin and coach (Link) Jarrett came to my house and that's when they made the offer.

"Once I went to the campus I just fell in love with everything about it."

Wright was an integral part of Aycock's run to a N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A state title run this spring, and was a member of Wayne County's Post 11 team that finished second in the N.C. Senior American Legion state tournament.

Having already played on multiple big stages, Wright should be no stranger to the expectations of playing for an ECU program that makes frequent visits to the NCAA tournament.

"I think by playing in the state championship, and then by playing in the state championship in Legion ball, those were two big chances to go and get accustomed to the big atmosphere," Wright said. "I'm definitely going to be a lot better now because I'm used to that environment."

Wright hit .349 this past season for the Golden Falcons, and led the team in both home runs with nine and was also hit by a pitch a team-high 13 times. His 38 RBIs, .561 on-base percentage, and .780 fielding percentage made Wright an attractive college prospect.

Those skills coupled with the fact that Aycock head coach Charles Davis entrusted Wright to call all but a handful of pitches all season, enhanced Wright's resume.

"(ECU's coaching staff) knew that I could catch a 95 miles per hour fastball, because I'm used to catching Garrett Davis everyday in practice," Wright said. "They like my size and body type and they said I had a really good arm. They said with my body type they could kind of mold me into a really great catcher."

With his senior season at Aycock just months away, having his future college home already determined has lifted a burden off of Wright.

"I know coach Godwin is going to come see me play some this year," Wright said. "I don't have to worry about 'there's scouts here, and I hope I do really good.' A lot of times you'll hurt yourself doing that. It's really good to know that I've got a place to go already."

Despite having coached Wright for just one full season on the varsity level, Davis has seen the ability in Wright to excel in college.

"He's got the size, and he's got a very good arm behind the plate," Davis said. "That's what a lot of these college coaches look at, and they put the gun on him. The potential was there, he just had to decide if he wanted to do it."