On Friday April 12th, 2024 before our Varsity home baseball game vs. Fike, we are going to recognize the members of the 1974 state championship baseball team! The 50th Anniversary for these 1974 NCHSAA - Baseball 3A State Champions! (Game is scheduled for 7:00 PM - Celebration around 6:30 PM)
1974 CBA State 3A Baseball Champs:
Back row, left to right: Coach Bud King, Jerry Price, Gary Davis, Randy Pittman, Tommy Herndon, Ed Finch (deceased), Curly Summerlin, Parker Davis.
Not pictured:
Team Bat Girls: Jean Evans Milleson, Sheila Crumpler Sutton, Rhonda Lancaster Nichols
Team scorekeeper: Sandy Sirts
The CBA ‘74 State 3A Champs:
Started ‘74 season with 4-5 record (tied for 7th place at that time!)
From that point, proceeded to win 15 straight games.
Secured 1st place seeding in the conference.
Won first 2 games against Jamestown-Ragsdale in the best of 3 series in High Point, NC for the state 3A Championship
Ended the season with a 19-5 record
The CBA ‘74 State 3A Champs were a team with a coach & players of strong character & a strong desire to win. This team loved & respected the game of baseball. This was a team that respected each player as well, whether they were a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior - a very important team trait, as this team consisted of 4 starting Sophomores.
We would like to pay special tribute to 1 of those 4 starting Sophomores this evening that is no longer with us. Ed Finch passed away April 7, 2022. He was the starting shortstop for the ‘74 CBA Champs, and, as was each member of this team, he was an integral part of this team’s amazing 15 game winning streak. His impact on this team, his impact on his family & friends, & his impact on the Wayne & Wilson County community will long be remembered by many folks. Today, April 12, 2024, happens to be Ed’s 66th birthday, as well as the 2 year anniversary of his life celebration. His wife, Nora, & 2 daughters, Leah & Leslie, are here this evening to represent Ed for the team.
Players & Coach:
Coach Bud King
Dell Kennedy (died 9/16/1999) represented by Brad (brother) Vickie & Cindy (sisters)
Beau Crumpler
Richard Lancaster
Randy Taylor
Frankie Davis
Derwin Hawley
Glenn Lancaster
Joe Durham
Jerry Price
Gary Davis
Randy Pittman
Tommy Herndon
Ed Finch (4/7/2022) represented by Nora (wife) & Leah & Leslie (daughters)
Curly Summerlin
Parker Davis
Team Bat Girls:
Jean Evans Milleson
Sheila Crumpler Sutton
Rhonda Lancaster Nichols
Team scorekeeper: Sandy Sirts
Great coverage in 1974 by sportswriters:
Tom Ham - Wilson Daily Times
Tripp Purcell - Wilson Daily Times
Jim Meacham - Goldsboro News-Argus