University of North Carolina Athletics
Gaines Picks Up CPL Pitching Honor
July 24, 2007 | Baseball
July 24, 2007
RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina right-hander Bryant Gaines, a member of the Wilmington Sharks this summer, was honored as one of three Rawlings Pitchers of the Week Monday when the Coastal Plain League handed out its honors for week seven. Edenton's Brad McElroy and Chris Taylor of Asheboro were named the Rawlings Co-Hitters of the Week, while Gaines, Anthony Shawler of Peninsula and Spartanburg's Kevin Crum were honored as Rawlings Tri-Pitchers of the Week for week seven of action (July 18 - July 22).
McElroy, a junior from Charlotte, started all four games for the Steamers on the week, batting .556. In that time, he racked up a league-best 10 hits, including a double and a triple to go with four RBIs and seven runs scored. Furthermore, he featured 13 total bases, as well as a .722 slugging percentage and a .579 on-base percentage. McElroy also picked up a stolen base and was walked once.
Meanwhile, Taylor, also a junior from Charlotte, started all five games for the Copperheads and finished with a .421 average on the week. Three of his eight hits were good for a double, a triple and a homer, while he went on to total seven RBIs and seven runs scored. Taylor notched a league-best 14 total bases and featured a .737 slugging percentage and .476 on-base percentage. He was also walked twice.
On the mound, Gaines, a freshman from North Carolina, pitched a complete game shutout of Outer Banks to earn a 1-0 record and perfect 0.00 ERA on the week. The 6-6, 240-pound right-hander pitched nine complete innings, surrendering only four hits, while walking a pair and striking out seven.
In Peninsula, Shawler, a sophomore from Old Dominion, also pitched in one appearance, getting the win and keeping a perfect 0.00 ERA on the week. The 6-3, 195-pound righty pitched eight innings of five-hit baseball, walked one and struck out an impressive 11.
Finally, Crum made the most of his two appearances on the week for the Stingers. The 6-1, 175-pound sophomore from VMI pitched two innings of one-hit baseball, struck out three and earned two saves to keep a perfect 0.00 ERA on the week. This was Crum's second honor of the season, as he was selected as a CPL Rawlings Pitcher of the Week back in week five.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league, now in its 11th season. Featuring 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL is certified by Major League Baseball, and gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.
