Taylor Brock headed to Wake Tech

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on June 23, 2012 11:06 PM

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DUDLEY -- A trio of Southern Wayne baseball players recently inked letters of intent to play baseball at Guilford Tech next season.

Taylor Brock was not one of them.

Brock elected to take his talents to Wake Tech and continue his baseball career. The Saints standout signed his letter this week.

"I really wanted to keep playing and Wake Tech provided me with an opportunity," Brock said. "I met the coach and went up for a campus visit and I made my mind up pretty quickly."

Brock emerged as a power-hitting first baseman and designated hitter under Southern Wayne head coach Trae McKee. After watching Brock for three varsity seasons, McKee expects his talents will translate to the junior college level.

"The big upside to a kid like Taylor Brock is that he can hit the ball out of any yard he plays in," McKee said. "Taylor is big and physical and when he connects the ball really travels."

Over the summer Brock is playing with the Wayne County Post 11 American Legion baseball team. He is also hitting the gym to get in better shape before the fall baseball season rolls around.

"The coaches at Wake Tech told me that I would have the opportunity to come in and compete for a starting job," Brock said. "I know I have to work hard over the summer, but I am ready to get into it."

Having faced top prep pitchers like Rocky Mount's Benton Moss and Eastern Wayne's Zack Mozingo during his time at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex, Brock should not need much time to adjust at the plate.

"Seeing good arms during the high school season and knowing that I can hit off those guys gives me a lot of confidence," Brock said. "If you can hit off of a Division I arm, then you can hit off anybody."

Last season Wake Tech fashioned an 18-15 record. The Eagles play in the vaunted Region X which includes powers such as Lenoir Community College and Brunswick Community College. Wake Tech is guided by head coach Chris Kiec, a former star at Division III Mount Union College.

Brock plans to major in science and hopes to become a pharmacist.