Gaston College sets "1st Pitch" fundraiser for athletic program with ACC baseball coach as featured speaker

Registration for Gaston College's "1st pitch" fundraiser set for Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park has begun.

The event, which will raise money for Gaston College's athletic programs, will feature a meet and greet with Rhinos' student-athletes and featured guest speaker Tom Walter of Wake Forest University.

Walter is preparing for his 14th season as Deacons head baseball coach. With 366 career victories, he's second in Wake Forest history and he's also one of just two active coaches to have led three programs to the NCAA Division I college baseball tournament.

Walter, who previously coached at New Orleans and George Washington, has helped 44 players get drafted or sign pro contracts over the last eight years. That includes six Wake Forest players drafted among the top 50 picks and back-to-back first rounders in 2020 (Jared Shuster) and 2021 (Ryan Cusick).

Walter enters the 2023 season with a 790-655-1 overall college coaching record that includes six NCAA tournament appearances.

At the Gaston College 1st Pitch Dinner, highlights about the Rhinos' athletic seasons will be shared along with a silent auction and dinner.

Tickets are $100 for community supporters and $1,000 for a table sponsor which includes eight tickets.

For information, contact Holly Steuerwald, Gaston College Development Director of Athletics, at 704-922-2372.