ELIZABETHTOWN- Three East Bladen baseball players – Evan Pait, Zamar Lewis and Ty Mathis – have signed to play college baseball next season.
Pait will attend Brunswick Community College. Lewis will play at Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Mathis will attend Pitt Community College. Eagle Coach Grant Pait said that Brunswick is looking at Evan to pitch, while Lewis and Mathis are expected to be position players.
Evan Pait (pictured top, center) posted a 4-2 record with a 4.18 earned run average and struck out 76 batters in 45.2 innings for the Eagles in 2023. Highlights included: 14 strikeouts in 11-3 win over Western Harnett; 15 strikeouts in a 2-hit shutout of St. Pauls and 4.2 innings of relief with 9 strikeouts in playoff win over East Duplin.
At the plate, Pait batted .379 with 27 hits and 16 runs scored, while slamming 2 doubles, 2 triples and a home run and driving in 9 runs.
Lewis (pictured top, right) led the Eagles in most offensive categories batting .476 with 30 hits, 29 runs scored and 18 runs batted in. The speedy first baseman slugged 3 home runs, 5 doubles, 3 triples and stole 17 bases while posting a .763 slugging percentage.
Highlights included: a 5 RBI performance with 3 hits against Clinton; a home run and a triple at West Bladen and 2 home runs plus a trio of standout defensive plays in the Easter Tournament at Terry Sanford.
Mathis (pictured top, left) batted .383 with 18 hits, 13 runs scored, 12 RBIs and stole 11 bases. He hammered 5 doubles, 3 triples and a home run and finished with a .680 slugging percentage. He posted a 2-1 record on the mound and struck out 30 batters in 22 innings.
Highlights included: 2-3 game with a home run, a double and 3 RBIs in the tournament championship at Terry Sanford: an RBI triple in win over Richmond; a 2-3 performance with a double and 2 RBIs in win over South Columbus.
“I am really proud of all 3 of them,” said Eagle Coach Grant Pait. “I have watched or coached them a long time. I wish them the best.”
About Author
