From staff reports
Catawba senior shortstop Chris Ahearn was drafted by the San Diego Padres during Thursday’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Ahearn was picked in the 39th round. He was the 1,164th pick overall.
Ahearn was a football, track and baseball standout at Charlotte’s Providence High.
He transferred to Catawba after two seasons at Western Carolina and was twice a first team All-SAC selection for the Indians. He was an outfielder at Western, but Catawba coach Jim Gantt moved him to the infield.
Ahearn was stellar after recovering from a hamstring injury early in his junior year. He batted .356 with five homers, 38 RBIs and 14 steals as a senior. He also was an academic All-American.
“Chris will have to make adjustments to the wood bat, but he’s smart, he’s fast on the bases, he’s very athletic in the field and he has a very good arm,” Gantt said. “I believe he can play defense in any league.”
More on Ahearn is upcoming.
The only other SAC players picked in the draft were Newberry’s Thomas Berryhill and Casio Grider and Tusculum’s Rob Currie.
Catawba had three players ó David Thomas, Jerry Sands and Timmy Smith ó picked in 2008.
Catawba rising senior Craige Lyerly worked out for the Yankees in Tampa prior to the draft but made his intentions known that he wanted to finish his career at Catawba before trying pro ball. Lyerly will take a 35-game hitting streak into his senior year. He’s currently playing for the Asheboro Copperheads at McCrary Park in the Coastal Plain League.
Gantt was disappointed Catawba senior catcher Ryan Query wasn’t drafted, but Query may still sign with a team as a free agent.
– Major League Baseball
New York Mets reliever Bobby Parnell (East Rowan) suffered his second loss in two days when the Mets fell to Philadelphia 6-3 on Thursday at Citi Field.
Parnell (2-2) retired the Phillies in the ninth to maintain a 3-3 tie, but after getting Jimmy Rollins on a foul pop to open the 10th he allowed a single to Shane Victorino.
Parnell was lifted in favor of Ken Takahashi, who walked Chase Utley and struck out Ryan Howard before allowing a game-deciding, three-run homer to red-hot Raul Ibanez.
Parnell was charged with the loss because Victorino, who was his responsibility, scored the go-ahead run.
– Minor leagues
David Thomas (Catawba) drove in a run for Stockton Thursday with a sac fly.
– Wood bat leagues
Appalachian State infielder Wes Hobson has been one of the top hitters in the Coastal Plain league so far.
Hobson is batting .368 after 10 games. He’s the son of former North Rowan standout Gil Hobson.
– American Legion
Lots of cancellations and reschedules as rain continues to interrupt the season.
Rowan is scheduled to return to action tonight against Concord at Central Cabarrus. Note the 7:30 p.m. starting time due to graduation issues.
Rowan will be at Mocksville’s Rich Park on Saturday, weather permitting.
* Rowan’s game scheduled for June 17 at Western Forsyth has been canceled. Western Forsyth will play a divisional contest instead.
* South and Mooresville were rained out again Thursday. The teams are now planning a doubleheader on June 26, with the opener at South at 1 p.m. and the nightcap at Mooresville at 7 p.m.
* Kannapolis’ home game with Wilkes was washed out and rescheduled for June 28.
– Intimidators washed out
The Kannapolis Intimidators were rained out at Greensboro on Thursday.
The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on June 20 at Greensboro’s NewBridge Bank Park. Doubleheaders are good news for the Intimidators. They are 9-1 in five twin bills so far this season.
– Local golf
Salisbury’s Roy Dixon and Alex Nianouris were among the leaders in Thursday’s N.C. Junior Boys Championships Sectional Qualifier held at Sapona Country Club.
* Lauren Smith (Salisbury, UNC Greensboro) was 37th in the U.S. Women’s Open Sectional qualifier in Sanford on Thursday.
Smith shot 81-76 ó 157.
* Tripp Isenhour (Salisbury) shot 70 in Thursday’s first round of the Nationwide Tour’s Knoxville Open.
– East baseball camp
East Rowan Baseball Camp at Staton Field will be held June 22-26. East coach Brian Hightower, his assistants and players will direct the camp for ages 7-14. Camp is from 9-2 the first four days and 9-noon on Friday, June 26.
The cost is $110 and includes a T-shirt, video and prizes. Lunch will be provided the last day of camp. Register at East. Make checks payable to East Rowan Baseball Group. Contact Hightower at 704-880-7142.