HIGH POINT – High Point Rockers team chairman Coy Williard Jr. died during the weekend following a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
The Rockers wore patches with “Coy” on their jerseys during Sunday’s 5-1 victory against the visiting Charleston Dirty Birds at Truist Point. Some members of the Williard family were in attendance at the game. A moment of silence was observed prior to the game.
Williard died Sunday at age 79. He was presented a ceremonial key to the City of High Point during a ballpark presentation last year.
“Our players felt his presence here today,” Rockers manager Jamie Keefe said following Sunday’s game.
Starting pitcher Ben Braymer didn’t allow a hit to the Dirty Birds until there were two outs in the fifth inning. He finished with nine strikeouts in six innings.
The Rockers had been contending for the South Division’s first-half title until Gastonia Baseball Club clinched that playoff berth Friday night.
Bolstered by Ben Aklinski and Zander Wiel who entered this week with 13 home runs apiece, High Point will finish the first half of the season with the third-best record in the league.
