From staff reports
Zach Ward (A.L. Brown) is back in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
Ward, a 6-foot-3, 25-year-old right-handed pitcher, was released by the Minnesota Twins earlier this summer after posting a 2-2 record with a 6.75 ERA for New Britain in the Double-A Eastern League. Walks were Ward’s downfall. He issued 25 free passes in 291/3 innings.
After his release, Ward was re-signed by the Reds, the organization that originally drafted him out of Gardner-Webb in the third round in 2005 and traded him to the Twins in 2006.
Ward was assigned first to Sarasota in the advanced Class-A Florida State League and performed well in two outings. He was then promoted to the Zebulon-based Carolina Mudcats of the Double-A Southern League.
Ward’s first two starts for the Mudcats did not go well.
He allowed eight hits and six earned runs in three innings in his first start and was knocked out in the second inning Friday night after allowing six runs in 12/3 innings.
n Minor leagues
Bristol’s Daniel Wagner (South Rowan) was 4-for-7 in a doubleheader with Greeneville, Tenn., on Friday and stole his eighth base.
n Intimidators roll
Joe Serafin pitched Kannapolis to an 8-3 victory against the West Virginia Power on Friday.
Josh Phegley and Kyle Shelton homered for the first-place Intimidators.
n Rowan Rampage
The Rowan Rampage is at home today at 4 p.m. for a game at Knox Middle School against the High Point Ravens.
“We’re working hard, looking good and are getting back close to full strength,” Rowan owner/coach Larry Bryant said.
Rowan (4-0, 2-0) is off to a good start defending its CCFL title. High Point (2-2, 0-2) is traditionally one of the league’s better defensive squads.
Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for ages 6-12.
The Rampage will be collecting bottled water and school supplies for worthy causes.
Anyone donating a case of bottled water gets in free. Anyone bringing school supplies gets a discount of $1 for every two items.
n Fox hired
Catawba graduate Sean Fox was named recently as SID at Pfeiffer.
Fox has worked previously as media and community relations coordinator and broadcaster for the Fort Myers Miracle.
Fox is no stranger to Pfeiffer athletics. While a student at Catawba, he served as broadcaster for WSAT-1280 radio and announced college games. He also served as assistant sports information director at Catawba.
n Local golf
Jim Wargo, 77, shot his age at McCanless on Friday.
It was the first time Thomasville’s Wargo had shot his age. He was playing with Harry Brittain and Matt Brittain. Wargo said he visited McCanless for the hot dogs but ended up playing a pretty good round of golf.
n Roy Dixon, a rising junior at Salisbury, finished tied for 21st overall and tied for 17th in the 16-18 boys division in the Dogwood State Junior Championship held at Cabarrus Country Club. Dixon shot 76-74-72 ó 222.
Alex Nianouris, a rising sophomore at Salisbury, shot 77-77-73 ó 227 and was tied for 37th overall and tied for eighth in the 14-15 boys division.
n Wood bat leagues
Whit Merrifield (Davie) finished the regular season in the Cape Cod League batting .266 with a homer and 12 RBIs. Merrifield (Davie, South Carolina) stole 16 bases in 20 attempts.
n Wade Moore (West Rowan, Catawba) helped Forest City beat High Point 8-5 in its first-round playoff game in the Coastal Plain League.
n Fall ball sign-ups
East Rowan Little League baseball and softball registration will be accepted at the Rockwell Elementary ball field shelter on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10-noon and on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 2-4.
Registration will be taken at the same times the weekend of Aug. 22-23.
Levels of play include Machine Pitch, Minors, Majors and Juniors.
n Rowan Little League is accepting sign-ups at Godley’s Garden for baseball and softball for ages 5-14. Cost is $30.
Contact Jeff Bernhardt at 704-855-9849 for more information.
n Spencer Little League has extended softball and baseball registration to Aug. 10 and 11 from 4-8 p.m. at Eighth Street Ballpark.
Leagues are for ages 5-14.
Leagues are Coach Pitch, B League, A League and Junior League. Cost is $30.
Call William Noles at 704-633-0151 or Chris Fries at 704-637-2766.
n Tennis lessons
The Catawba tennis team will again be offering fall junior tennis clinics on Tuesday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons.
The clinics start Aug. 25 and run to Thanksgiving. The cost is $10 for each clinic attended.
Contact Jeff Childress 704-637-4265 or Jchildre@catawba.edu.
n Salisbury Parks and Recreation will hold tennis lessons for ages 6-10 at the Salisbury Civic Center on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 6-7 p.m. Cost is $9.
Lesson will be conducted by Catawba’s Jeff Childress.
Call the Civic Center at 704-638-5275.