Rosewood grad Will Winslow signs with Coker
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on June 30, 2012 11:04 PM
A persistent assistant coach and an old friend willing to listen. That is what got Will Winslow started on a journey that eventually led to Coker College. Winslow signed with the Cobras this week and will join the program in the fall.
"I went down to Coker for pre-orientation and it all kind of hit me that this was real," Winslow said. "I looked at the baseball field and talked to the coaches, and I got pretty excited."
A four-year player in the Rosewood High School baseball program, Winslow entered his senior season unsure of whether or not his career would continue. There was some interest from N.C. Wesleyan College but nothing official.
That is when Rosewood assistant coach Dan Sullivan made a phone call that would totally change Winslow's direction. Sullivan, a former pitcher at Coker, called one of his former coaches who still works with the program and encouraged someone from the school to give Winslow a tryout.
When the Cobras made a trip to Wilson to take on Barton College, Winslow got his chance to showcase his ability.
"It was a couple hours before practice and I was really nervous," Winslow admitted. "The coaches all came to the field and made me run sprints, catch fly balls, throw from the fence and hit."
Winslow shined and the Cobras eventually called back with an offer.
"I thought I did a good job at the tryout, but you never really know what people think," Winslow said. "When it all came together I was really relieved."
A well-rounded high school player, Winslow pitched, played first base and the outfield during his stay at "The Nest." He is projected as a right fielder for the Cobras due to his strong throwing arm.
"The field at Coker is enormous," Winslow said. "It's 360 down the lines and 410 in center, so you have to be able to run to track the ball down and you have to have a good arm to hold base runners."
Last season Coker finished with a record of 23-23 overall. The program will transition from Conference Carolinas to become a member of the South Atlantic Conference in 2014.
"We wish Will all the success in the world," Rosewood head coach Jason King said. "He has worked very hard over the past four years to get the most out of his ability and myself and the coaches here are very proud of him."