PEMBROKE — A keen eye, steady hands and a smooth swing launched Ethan Baucom into the University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s baseball history book on Wednesday.
The 2015 graduate of Richmond Senior High School and former standout Raider baseball player became the Braves’ all-time home run leader during the third inning of the team’s home game against Barton College.
Bacuom’s three-run blast in the 20-6 win over the Bulldogs made it his 47th career homer and his seventh this spring.
“During that at-bat, the pitcher threw me a first-pitch curveball that I fouled straight back,” Baucom, a Rockingham native, recounted. “After watching him throw to our other batters, I had a feeling he was coming back with a fastball and I had my hands ready.”
The senior center fielder was right, as pitcher Matt Gonzalez threw a fastball on the next pitch and watched the record-breaking long ball sail over the left field fence to give the Braves a 12-5 lead.
“Being the home run leader is a great achievement that I’m very proud of,” Baucom said. “It wouldn’t be possible without all of the hard work I’ve put in.
“I’m glad to get it out of the way because it’s been on my mind every day,” he added. “I tried not to think about it, but it was kind of just there.”
Through 19 games this season, Baucom leads the Braves and the Peach Belt Conference in several offensive categories, including home runs. He’s notched a team and conference-best 30 runs batted in and is currently swinging the stick at a .310 clip.
Baucom, who is looking to follow up his 20 homer season as a junior last year, hasn’t lost a step this spring. He added that his role with the Braves has “been a little different this year,” sliding to the leadoff spot in the lineup the last 10 games instead of the No. 3 hole.
“This achievement would fall in right after earning the (Peach Belt Conference) player of the year award,” Baucom said. “Being a (three-time) All-American is also one of my favorite achievements, but this is a record I hope to extend and keep for a long time.”
Baucom will look to add to his career home run total when the Braves (14-5) return to PBC action at Young Harris College (Ga.) on Saturday.
