A Career Comes To An End

Lander University for the second time in three years made it all the way to the Division II College World Series.  Regardless of the sport when ever playoffs start there is talent and luck  that helps your team advance and in Lander's case some of that talent came from Rocky Mount High School and Thomas Berry.

Way back in 2008 as a jv catcher Thomas was brought up from the jv's to be on the varsity during the state playoffs.  He would sit while older brother Chris a third baseman/pitcher  would be a vital part of the Gryphons run bringing home a state Championship in baseball. Now a sophomore twin brother Matthew joined him in three productive years playing baseball for RMHS.  Included would be Legion Ball where the Berry's were part of the Post 58 Legion team that qualified for the State Championship Tournament.

Graduation time and a former Gryphon baseball player now coaching at Lander Britt Johnson convinced Thomas that Lander would be a good place to play baseball in college.  A shoulder injury  pretty much ended his catching career and as college progressed first base and the designated hitter became Berry's lineup position.

His freshman year in 2012 he played in only 18 games and hit a paltry181 batting average with three rbi and a very good eye produced seven walks. His sophomore season was a season of heal up from injuries.

Now a redshirt sophomore Thomas would be a leader in helping send Lander to the College World Series in Cary.  He batted 348 hit six home runs drove home 54 rbi and walked a total of 62 times which led the DII stats in the nation.  One victory in Cary would give Lander a fifth place finish  in the World Series.

Thomas's junior year for Lander  they would not win as many as they loss but the blame for that could not be placed on the now DH for the Bearcats.  Berry hit 318, eight doubles, nine home runs fifty rbi and 34 walks on the season. 

Berry returned to Lander for his final season and as he has become Mr. Dependable hitting 312 recorded 12 doubles, 14 home runs and number 14 made Thomas Berry the all time home run king in Bearcat history with 29.  He recorded 60 rbi and walked again 56 times.

Lander was knocked out of the World Series tonight 4-2 and finish 3rd in the nation and with it the baseball career of Thomas Berry comes to a close.  He is not the size that pro baseball people want and to add to that he is no speed demon on the base paths.  Despite all that he had a career 326 batting average, hit 29 home runs, drove in 164 runs and walked 167 times.  There is only one way to describe Thomas Berry from his little league career, high school,  Legion  and college,  He is a ball player.  Thanks for the memories.

Change of Venue.  Friday night's Coleman Pitt Post 58 games has been moved to Rocky Mount Academy..  First pitch is 7pm against Post 102 from Ahoskie..