Christian Easter, shown throwing for the Surry Pride American Legion team earlier this season, is one of several local baseball players that also suits up for the Elkin Royals/Surry County All-Stars.
The team, which competes in the 18-year-old division of the Western North Carolina Babe Ruth baseball league, has won four straight regular season division championships. It’s captured one state title and finished as the state runner-up once.
The 2007 Surry All-Stars placed fourth overall in the Southeast Regional tournament, the next step beyond the state event and the final leg before the Babe Ruth World Series.
This summer could be more of a rebuilding/retooling season for the Royals, at least for awhile, according to manager Gregg Carter. And the team will shift into a new conference, moving from the Davidson County League to the Queen City League, which includes nine teams mostly from the Charlotte area.
Royals players come from all five county high school programs — Elkin, Surry Central, East Surry, North Surry and Mount Airy.
“This year’s team has a different look early in the year, with four players playing American Legion ball, and the loss of the whole left side of the infield and one of the top pitchers,” Carter said.
“We are having to piece together some new kids to go along with returning players to form this year’s team. Also, we’ll be playing in a much tougher league.”
So far, so good.
Elkin went to West Mecklenburg on Saturday for a double-header, winning both games by comfortable margins.
Dillon Wilcox (East Surry) and Joseph Davis (Surry Central) pitched the Royals to a 10-3 win in the opener. Wilcox threw five “great” innings, Carter said, allowing only two earned runs. Davis kept the door shut on a West Meck comeback in the sixth and seventh frames.
Davis went 4-for-5 at the plate, including a three-run homer that put the Royals ahead to stay in the fourth inning. Josh Carter (Elkin) went 3-for-3 in the game with three RBIs. Tanner Hudson (Surry Central), Matt Hinson (Elkin) and Blake Bowman (North Surry) had two hits each, with one of Bowman’s traveling over the fence in right center (a two-run shot).
The Royals jumped out to a 10-1 lead in game two in the opening inning, eventually cruising home for a 17-8 triumph.
Bowman started for Elkin, with relief help from Hinson, Ty Hudson (Surry Central) and Matt Carter (Elkin).
Josh Carter and Bowman each hit three-run homers in the rout. Matt Carter was 3-for-3 with four RBIs. Ty Hudson and Tanner Hudson each had two hits.
Elkin will play at home for the first time on Saturday, hosting Dilford from Mecklenburg County in a doubleheader. The action starts at 12:30 p.m. at Elkin High’s baseball stadium. The Royals will play at Matthews on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Matthews is considered one of the league favorites. Dilford beat Matthews 6-4 during the first week of play.
“With the Surry Legion teams (junior and senior) both playing this weekend, our pitching may be a little scrapped together, with three games in two days,” Carter said. “Three of our pitchers will be gone, but we will just have to do the best we can till we get everyone back together at the end of the season.”
Other players on the Royals roster include Kyle Whitman, Chatham Wurdeman, David Tilley, Corey Uldrick, Dakota Longworth and Derrick Millaway (Elkin); Austin McLamb and Luke Harris (Surry Central), Taylor Hull (North Surry) and Christian Easter (Mount Airy).
Other coaches include Mack Hinson, Brian Carter and Keith Whitman.
The Royals posted a 41-2 record the past three regular seasons combined, Carter said.
Elkin Royals/Surry County 18-yo All-Stars
Team Roster
Blake Bowman (North Surry)
Josh Carter (Elkin)
Matt Carter (Elkin)
Joseph Davis (Surry Central)
Christian Easter (Mount Airy)
Luke Harris (Surry Central)
Matt Hinson (Elkin)
Tanner Hudson (Surry Central)
Ty Hudson (Surry Central)
Taylor Hull (North Surry)
Dakota Longworth (Elkin)
Austin McLamb (Surry Central)
Derrick Millaway (Elkin)
David Tilley (Elkin)
Corey Uldrick (Elkin)
Kyle Whitman (Elkin)
Dillon Wilcox (East Surry)
Chatham Wurdeman (Elkin)
Coaches: Gregg Carter (manager), Mack Hinson, Brian Carter, Keith Whitman
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