Junior right-handed pitcher Tyson Messer almost played baseball at N.C. State. A last-minute change of heart landed Messer at Campbell University, a mere five miles from his hometown of Lillington.
“I kind of like it in Harnett County,” Messer said Thursday following Campbell’s workout at Georgia’s Foley Field Stadium. “I’ve lived there all my life and it’s where I like to hang out.”
Messer and his team-leading eight saves will be counted on as Campbell opens play Friday against top-seeded Georgia in the NCAA tournament Athens regional.
Messer is representative of the Campbell player who head coach Justin Haire has kept close to home in building a program that will make its second NCAA tournament appearance in the past five seasons.