ASHEBORO – Rob Shore knows what it takes to be successful in high school baseball and he likes what he sees entering his first season as Uwharrie Charter Academy’s coach.
Shore moved up to the top spot after one season as an assistant when Lee Kennell stepped down.
“I’ve always liked the smaller school and smaller setting,” Shore said.
Keeping track of Shore’s credentials is no simple task. He was an assistant coach for six years at Southwest Guilford before an 11-year run as Trinity’s coach. That was followed by four years at Ledford, where his 2018 team reached the Class 2-A state championship series.
During much of this time, Shore spent from 2008-21 as manager of High Point Post 87, recording more than 300 wins with the American Legion team. Then last year, he took over as coach of the High Point Hushpuppies, a summer collegiate team in the Old North State League. He’ll be with the Hushpuppies again this year.
Shore, 46, teaches exceptional children. He said he considers his baseball roles to extend beyond what happens between the lines.
“It’s a ministry to me,” he said.
The Eagles were 10-15 last season, going 5-7 in the Piedmont Athletic Conference. They won three games in the Class 1-A state playoffs.
UCA lost pitcher Grant Little, who transferred to Southwestern Randolph for his senior season. But catcher Caleb McDaniel, first baseman/pitcher Ben Medinger and outfielder/pitcher Payton McCullom are on board as seniors.
“We’re returning a pretty good nucleus,” Shore said. “I always feel like you win championships with senior leadership.”
There has been plenty going on with UCA’s program, including completing construction of an indoor practice facility.
“This past year has been a little more crazy,” Shore said. “It was kind of nonstop.”
UCA’s non-league games will include matchups with Shore’s former schools Southwest Guilford and Ledford. Trinity is a PAC member.
