Zeke Blanton

Position:
Outfield
Height:
6-0
Weight:
198
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Forest City, NC
High School:
East Rutherford

FRESHMAN (2008)
Saw action in 19 games and made three starts at designated hitter • Hit .200 (4-20) with one double and two RBI • Also drew a pair of walks • Went 3-for-12 as a pinch hitter • Came off the bench for first career base hit - a double - and RBI against Old Dominion Feb. 26 • Followed with an RBI at Winthrop Feb. 28 • Also hit safely against Kent State Feb. 29, William & Mary March 4 and at Maryland March 22 • Scored first career run against Princeton March 18. Summer 2008: Hit .211 (4-19) in six games for the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League • Drove in two runs.

EAST RUTHERFORD HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year standout outfielder at East Rutherford High School for coach Bobby Reynolds • Earned all-state honors in 2005 and 2007 and was a three-time all-conference pick • Batted .542 as a senior with 10 home runs • Helped lead team to state titles in 2004 and 2007 • Prep teammate of classmate Ryan Leach and played with UNC senior Chad Flack as a high school freshman • Graduated fifth in his class with a 4.375 grade point average • Served as a junior marshal • Also played American Legion ball.

PERSONAL
Matthew Zeke Blanton is the son of Sam and Wanda Blanton • Born Aug. 26, 1988, in Shelby, N.C. • Has one older brother and one older sister • Has not declared a major at Carolina • Lists the Atlanta Braves and Carolina Panthers as his favorite teams • Modeled his game after Alex Rodriguez • Favorite video game is "Guitar Hero" • Enjoys fishing, hunting and golf.

ZEKE BLANTON'S CAREER STATS

Year       Avg  GP-GS    AB    R    H  2B  3B  HR  RBI   TB  SLG%  BB HBP  SO GDP   OB%  SF  SH  SB-ATT   PO   A   E  FLD%
2008....  .200  19-3     20    1    4   1   0   0    2    5  .250   2   0   5   0  .273   0   0   0-0      1   0   0 1.000
TOTAL...  .200  19-3     20    1    4   1   0   0    2    5  .250   2   0   5   0  .273   0   0   0-0      1   0   0 1.000

CAREER HIGHS: Hits: 1 on four occasions Runs: 1 vs. Princeton (3/18/08) RBI: 1 vs. Old Dominion (2/26/08), at Winthrop (2/28/08) Hit Streak: 1 game on four occasions