Jordan Pegram leads the Braves

PEMBROKE – Jordan Pegram’s 33-inch Demarini bat speaks louder than his words.

Never one to brag after a multi-hit game or gawk at a flashy snare at shortstop, Pegram’s presence at the plate has been a welcomed addition to The University of North Carolina at Pembroke starting lineup.

Starting all 28 games for the Braves, Pegram helped his team jump out to their best 21-game start in school history (16-5) and currently has UNCP (19-9, 2-6 PBC) fighting for a spot near the middle of the treacherous Peach Belt Conference.

“I thank God for the opportunity to play at a program like this,” Pegram said. “He gave me the skills necessary to play baseball in college.

Pegram is hitting .398 with 12 multi-hit games and 22 RBIs. He has contributed three of UNCP’s conference-leading 31 homeruns. Contact is a strongpoint as opposing pitchers have retired Pegram via strikeout just 11 times in 121 plate appearances.

“He’s definitely one of our most valuable players,” head coach Paul O’Neil said. “He has quality, productive at-bats. He drives in runs and knows how to move runners over to help our team.”

Tagged as a newcomer to watch by O’Neil in the preseason, the junior transfer from Greensboro, N.C., leads the Braves in nearly every offensive category at the season’s halfway point including hits, doubles and runs scored.

His 45 total hits puts him into a three-way tie for third in the Peach Belt Conference while his 10 doubles trails only North Georgia’s Andre Airich for the top spot.

Pegram’s approach in the batter’s box is simple. See it and hit it.

“I just try to line up the pitch and go up the middle,” Pegram said. “Each situation is different, every at-bat. The most important thing is putting the ball in play to advance the runner.”

O’Neil notes Pegram’s best asset might be his defense, as the 5-11 shortstop has committed just six errors and holds a .955 fielding percentage. He has helped turn 19 double plays.

“He’s been extremely consistent in the field,” O’Neil said. “What he’s done defensively this season has been phenomenal.”

Pegram picked UNCP over a list of schools in the early signing period because of the baseball program’s tradition and a chance to play in the Peach Belt Conference.

“The Peach Belt is arguably the most competitive conference in Division-II baseball,” Pegram said. “You see tough, good pitching with everyone throwing in the mid-80s with a lot of breaking balls. You have to perform at your best everyday.”

Despite great success in the first two months, flirting with a .400 batting average is a bit of a shock to Pegram, who says he is still getting adjusted to the cleanup spot.

“I normally hit in the three hole and I see more fastballs,” Pegram said, referring to past games as a player at Belmont Abbey and Guilford Tech. “But I just want to help my team win. Wherever Coach O’Neil wants me, I’m excited to hit.”

Saddled with a low-key demeanor, Pegram does manage a smile when recalling this season’s at-bats against his the Wingate Bulldogs. In two games versus Wingate, Pegram is 7-for-9 with two homeruns, five RBIs and five runs scored.

“I see the ball really well against their pitchers for some reason,” Pegram said. “I had two homers against Wingate my freshman year at Belmont (Abbey) too. I’d be an All-American if we played those guys everyday.”

Off the diamond, Pegram relishes in another sport; basketball and lots of it. According to Braves’ starting pitcher Josh Bagley, choosing Pegram as his roommate when he arrived on campus last fall was a no-brainer.

“We’re the only Duke fans in our apartment so we had to stick together,” Bagley said. “We’re hoping our guys can do damage in the NCAA’s this year.”

Pegram's power leads UNCP