Luke Thomas - Randolph Record

29 Feb

College Notes: Success comes early in season on diamonds for Randolph County products

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, College baseball, College softball, Emma Mazzarone, Landon Mowery, Luke Thomas, Tanner Marsh, Trevor Marsh, Tyler McPeak

Emma Mazzarone There were some impressive debuts on collegiate diamonds for players with Randolph County ties. And some strong efforts early in the season for veteran plays as well. Let’s take a look: Mazzarone shines early Virginia Tech freshman Emma Mazzarone racked up a 3-1 pitching record that included a softball victory against third-ranked Georgia on Friday. She logged 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief to improve her record to 3-1. Of her first seven pitching outings, three came in starts for the former Providence Grove standout. She recorded 14 strikeouts in her first 20 2/3 innings. Mazzarone’s first collegiate…

04 Jul

College Notes: Area athletes produce notable numbers

Bob SuttonSportsEdi Austin, Luke Thomas, Ryan White, Trevor Marsh

Junior outfielder Trevor Marsh of UNC Wilmington was named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association first team in baseball. The Seahawks (34-23) won the league’s regular-season and tournament titles. Marsh, who played in high school for Asheboro, batted .319 with 12 home runs and 48 runs batted in. He also smacked 13 doubles and one triple and stole three bases. One of his home runs came in the NCAA regional opener against Duke last month at Conway, S.C. Thomas, White pick up freshman honors UNC Greensboro pitcher Luke Thomas and Western Carolina pitcher Matt White were named to the Southern Conference…

10 Apr

College baseball: Thomas makes starts for UNCG; Marsh helps UNCW

Randolph RecordBusinessCollege baseball, Luke Thomas, Trevor Marsh, UNCG, UNCW

Photo: Luke Thomas GREENSBORO – Providence Grove alum Luke Thomas has moved to a role as a starting pitcher for UNC Greensboro’s baseball team the past two weeks. Thomas, a freshman, was the starter for the Spartans in the opening games of the past two Southern Conference series. He had a no-decision against Virginia Military Institute and a loss at Samford. Thomas (2-2) made his first 11 collegiate appearances as a reliever. He has one save. The Spartans (16-16 overall, 4-5 Southern Conference) have a three-game conference series at home against The Citadel with games Friday night and Saturday and…

07 Mar

College baseball: Thomas notches wins at UNCG; Gardner receives USA South honors

Bob SuttonSportsBrody Gardner, College baseball, Eastern Randolph, Luke Thomas, Providence Grove, Randleman, Randleman baseball, Ryan White

Luke Thomas at UNCG Several alums from Randolph County schools have produced notable opening stretches in their collegiate baseball careers. Providence Grove alum Luke Thomas was the winning pitcher in his collegiate debut, throwing 1 2/3 shutout innings when UNC Greensboro defeated Northeastern on Feb. 18 in the second game of the season. The Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The next day, Thomas took the loss when giving up four late-inning runs to Northeastern. In the season’s second week, Thomas had two outings against Notre Dame, throwing one hitless inning in the second game…

17 Aug

Experienced Providence Grove Patriots look primed for more on football field

Bob SuttonSportsCalvin Brown, Chase Whitaker, Luke Thomas, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Providence Grove athletics

Chase Whitaker will remain a key part of Providence Grove’s defense, but his role might expand on offense. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Providence Grove’s large senior class could pay off CLIMAX – Two of the most productive players from Providence Grove’s special 2021 football team are gone. But don’t feel bad for the Patriots because they’re bustling with experience. “A lot of people assume that we’re going to be pretty good,” said coach Calvin Brown, whose roster has 22 seniors. “I think that experience and being a year older is going to make a difference. We’re not relying on a lot…

21 Jul

Progress defines Post 81’s bounce back

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Eastern Randolph Post 81, Luke Thomas, Post 81

Eastern Randolph Post 81 catcher Parker Evans tags out Stanly County’s Chance Hunt during an Area 3 playoff game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Eastern Randolph rediscovers winning ways in breakthrough season RAMSEUR – Aside from the awkward ending, Eastern Randolph Post 81 put together a season that could set the foundation for the American Legion baseball program. That would make this year’s efforts well worth it for a team that had endured some tough times in recent seasons. “Our main goal was we wanted to bring life back to 81 baseball,” said first-year head coach Nate Cockman. Consider that accomplished. “It’s…

15 Jul

Post 45, Post 81 move on in Area 3 playoffs in different fashions

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Luke Thomas, Post 45, Post 81, Trey Way

Blake Marsh has been a factor for Randolph County Post 45 in the American Legion baseball playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randolph County Post 45 and Eastern Randolph Post 81 took different paths to reach the Area 3 playoff semifinals for American Legion baseball. Both ways worked out. Post 45 rolled to 14-0 and 9-0 victories against Mooresville Post 66 in the best-of-3 quarterfinals. Post 81 lost its series opener against Stanley County, then recovered to win twice Thursday night to keep its season alive. Due to field availability issues in Asheboro, Game 1 was played at Mooresville, with Post 45…

29 Jun

Good hands man for all seasons: Providence Grove’s Thomas makes positive impact

Bob SuttonSportsLuke Thomas, piedmont athletic conference, prep sports, Providence Grove, Providence Grove athletics, UNCG

Luke Thomas fires a pitch from the mound this spring. He's planning to play college baseball. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) CLIMAX – Whatever the sport at Providence Grove, Luke Thomas had the ball in his hands. Those were good hands for the Patriots. “I like being in control of the game. I don’t like leaning on other players,” Thomas said. “I like being the make-or-break type of guy.” Thomas helped make Providence Grove relevant on just about every level during a high school career that turned out unmatched. “A fixture not only in the football program but a fixture in the…

22 Jun

Sports Council honors seniors in spring

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, David Makupson, Eastern Randolph athletics, Luke Thomas, Providence Grove softball, Randleman baseball, Randolph Sports Council, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity athletics, Wheatmore athletics

Front row, left to right: Madison Farlow, Kylie Vaughan, David Makupson, Molly Strider, Haley Langley, Haley Hedrick. Back row: Gus Shelton, Brody Gardner, Luke Thomas, Gracie Ballard, Edi Austin, Spencer Hall. (Courtesy photo) SOPHIA – Area high school athletes were recognized for sportsmanship during the Randolph Sports Council’s spring banquet last month at Snyder Farms Restaurant. Two senior athletes from seven schools were recipients of the sportsmanship awards, which are accompanied by $500 scholarships. Recipients are selected by each school’s scholarship committee. The recipients were: Madison Arroyo and Tramir Martin of Asheboro. Haley Langley and Brody Gardner of Eastern Randolph.…