Palmer welcomes local talent at Davis & Elkins

August 24, 2007|By LARRY YANOS

Ronnie Palmer made a name for himself while playing amateur baseball in Washington County.

Now, the Davis & Elkins College baseball coach is taking a good look at the county and Tri-State area talent as he seeks a winning program at the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference school.

This fall, Palmer - in his first year at his alma mater - will welcome county products Tyler Beard, Trevor Cobb and Matt Murray to the Elkins, W.Va., campus.

All three athletes played at Hagerstown Community College last year after successful high school careers.

"I was just named the head baseball coach and I look forward to having some Washington County talent here," Palmer said. "There's a wealth of talent competing in high school and summer leagues in Washington County and the Tri-State area that goes unnoticed. We will definitely concentrate our recruiting efforts there."

Beard played outfield and second base for Williamsport High School, Cobb played infield and outfield for St. Maria Goretti and Matt Murray played first base for North Hagerstown.

Beard made the All-Area First Team in 2005 and 2006 as a second baseman.

In 2006, he batted .451 and had seven doubles, 20 RBIs, 27 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.

Cobb made the All-Washington County First Team in 2005 at shortstop. That year, he batted .457 with seven doubles and 15 RBIs.

Murray made the All-Area First Team in 2005 at designated hitter and catcher. That year, he hit .423 and had nine doubles, four home runs and 28 RBIs.

This spring and summer, the trio played for the Hagerstown Braves - Murray for the regular squad and Beard and Cobb for the 21-and-under team.

Before choosing Davis & Elkins, Murray was looking at West Virginia Tech University, while Beard and Cobb were leaning toward returning to HCC.

Palmer is pleased at landing the current coaching position.

"I was at Salem Community College in Salem, N.J. We won the Garden State Athletic Conference championship for the first time," he said. "The job became available at Davis & Elkins, and I applied."

Prior to starting his coaching career, Palmer was an outstanding baseball player.

He played first base and third base for North Hagerstown and later competed for Funkstown American Legion, HCC and the Hagerstown Braves.

Davis & Elkins will hold scrimmages and workouts in the fall before embarking on a 56-game schedule next spring.

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