Wayne County players continue to fill up LCC pipeline

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 27, 2009 11:02 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- The pipeline that filters Wayne County baseball players to Lenoir Community College has been overflowing this spring.

Lancers coach Stony Wine, again, has dipped into the talent pool and signed three county standouts -- Tyler Edwards and Scott Holloman from Southern Wayne; and Cody Richards from Rosewood.

All three have officially inked with the perennial JUCO power which finished as the Division II national runner-up to LSU-Eunice in 2008. They will join current American Legion teammate Taylor Allen, who was red-shirted, this fall.

"I'm close with Taylor and he said he liked it," said Holloman, who passed up opportunities with Pfeiffer and Division III member Methodist. "We know the boys on the team so we can gel right in. That's one of the best things about it, if you ask me."

A pair of all-Eastern Carolina Conference performers, Edwards and Holloman helped the Saints post a 12-15 record this spring. Southern Wayne lost its opening-round playoff contest at Rocky Mount, which won the 2008 state 3-A crown.

Holloman, who was a first-team News-Argus All-Area selection, batted a crisp .369 with a team-high 22 RBI. A second-team All-Area pick, Edwards hit at a .372 pace with four homers and 12 RBI.

Each is expected to play his normal position at LCC -- Holloman at first base and Edwards at shortstop.

"Lenoir was the best fit for me, overall," said Holloman. "I didn't want to go too far from home and I like everything about the program. Coach (Wine) said if I worked hard, I can earn a spot and I want to play as soon as possible.

"I don't want to sit a year."

A utility player for the Eagles, Richards compiled a .345 average with 24 RBI and made few mistakes in center field. On the mound, he logged a 5-0 record and picked up four saves.

Rosewood emerged the Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season champion and suffered a third-round playoff loss to eventual state runner-up Topsail.

Like Holloman and Edwards, Richards preferred the close-to-home scenario that LCC provides. He also hopes to see significant playing time while patrolling center field or working on the mound.

"I'm going to have to work even harder," said Richards. "I need to be more patient at the plate and more focused. I need to work on my (pitching) mechanics and my arm has been a little sore the past month, so I need to get stronger."

Holloman seeks more consistency at the plate, while Edwards freely admitted he needed to work on his attitude.

"I get upset when I mess up," said Edwards. "During the summer, I don't really get that mad. In school ball, it's a little different."