Staff report
Shortstop Justin Roland made a lasting impression on the Rowan County American Legion record books last summer.
This season it’s first baseman Trey Holmes’ turn.
Holmes made his Legion debut in 2006 when he still was contributing more with his left arm than with his at-bat.
He had only six official at-bats in 2006, but one of them was a homer. He came off the bench against Wilkes and knocked one out of the park in a 23-0, seven-inning victory.
While injuries have limited Holmes’ pitching career, he’s been a regular at first base the last three seasons, and impressive numbers are starting to pile up.
In 413 official at-bats, Holmes has 126 hits, has scored 128 times and has driven in 109 runs. Having more runs than hits is unusual, but that’s due to Holmes walking often in addition to being a .310 career hitter.
Holmes, who will be a sophomore at Pitt Community College this fall, also offers a great glove, some power (10 career homers) and good speed (16 steals).
Holmes’s 128 runs rank 12th all-time for the Salisbury and Rowan programs. In Rowan’s romp over Lincoln County on Sunday, he surpassed Drew Davis, Michael Gegorek and Cass Safrit, who finished their careers with 127.
Holmes’ 33 doubles tie him for seventh with two of the all-time sluggers ó Safrit and Coe Brier.
Holmes is the 14th player in program history to drive in 100 runs.
He’s currently 13th on the all-time list. Surpassing Richard Snider (112), Davis (113) and Roland (116) would put him in the all-time top 10.
Trey’s brother, Noah, has been the third baseman for the Rowan team the last two summers.
Noah, a rising senior at East who hasn’t committed to a college yet, was phenomenal in 2008, leading Rowan County with a .412 batting average and 54 RBIs.
For his career, Noah has 75 hits, 66 RBIs and 17 doubles.
South
Two of the top players in South Legion history are on this year’s roster and have helped coach Michael Lowman get off to a good start.
Center fielder Ryan Bostian, who will be a sophomore at Montreat, and left fielder Caleb Shore, who will be a sophomore at Belmont Abbey, debuted for South’s Legion team in 2006 and are now on the career list in just about every offensive category.
Bostian is a good bet to break South’s record for career runs this season, while Shore has a good chance to break the all-time homer mark.
Bostian currently ranks fourth with 85 runs while Shore is seventh with 72. Recent White Sox draft pick Daniel Wagner holds the career record with an even 100.
In hits, Bostian is tied with Ronnie Shore, Caleb’s brother, for fourth place with 110. Caleb has 92 and ranks 11th. Wagner set the career mark with 151.
Bostian is sixth with 16 doubles while Shore is tied for eighth with 14. Ryan Wilson’s 25 tops the all-time chart.
Shore’s 13 career homers tie him with Wilson and Wagner for third place. Andrew Morgan set the program record with 16 longballs.
In RBIs, Shore ranks third with 66. Bostian is 12th with 53. Wagner holds the record with 88.
Finally, while South hasn’t run a lot so far this season, Bostian is tied for fifth with 31 steals while Shore is seventh with 26.
Maverick Miles, a rising senior at South Rowan who has committed to High Point, is in his second Legion season and already has 72 hits and 45 RBIs. He’s a career .400 hitter in Legion ball.
South shortstop Matt Ingold, a third-year Legion player who will be a sophomore at UNC Pembroke, is also headed for the 100-hit club. Ingold has 81.