Tobs shelve Stafford for season

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Published in Sports on July 18, 2014 1:48 PM

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ALLEN ETZLER

aetzler@newsargus.com

WILSON -- This summer hasn't been quite as eventful for Charles B. Aycock alum Bryant Stafford had hoped.

"Lot of Netflix and trying to stay in shape," he joked.

Stafford had been putting up stellar numbers for Coastal Plain League member Wilson Tobs before inflammation in his elbow caused him to get shut down for the rest of the season.

"I informed UNCG (about the inflammation) and they said there was no need to injure myself over summer ball," Stafford said. "They wanted my arm to rest and be ready to go through the school year."

It's not something Stafford has been accustomed to dealing with during his career. He's never had arm troubles, and this past spring at Southeastern Community College, he threw 55-plus innings en route to a 7-0 record with a 2.29 ERA and 58 strikeouts.

So it was odd that he had developed the inflammation after throwing just 11 innings for the Tobs. Awarded a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Stafford knew he had to tell the coaches and not risk further injury.

"I miss it everyday," Stafford said. "(But) I feel like taking this time off will help my arm recover and be ready for the season ahead."

In his four appearances with the Tobs, Stafford fashioned 1.59 earned run average. Batters mustered just seven hits against him in 43 at-bats. Stafford's batting average against (.163) was a team-best for a pitcher throwing to more than 40 hitters.

Everything was starting to click for him as he headed in to his first year at UNCG.

His fastball was popping the glove, his curveball and change-up were both working. He was locating all of his pitches and could throw anything in his repertoire in any count.

Stafford insists the inflammation is gone and his arm feels great. While that may be the case, he's gone from spending his days at the ballpark to sitting inside his house.

At least he'll get to catch up on some Game of Thrones.