DEEP RUN — Grant Tyndall makes it look easy. But there’s nothing easy about what the South Lenoir baseball standout does.
Tyndall, a senior, is considered a five-tool player — has speed, a strong arm, is solid defensively, hits for average and hits for power — and is on the radar of several area baseball factories.
The centerfielder has also had professional scouts come watch, he said, which means there’s the possibility of Tyndall foregoing college altogether for the minor leagues.
But first, the team leader in average (.375), extra-base hits (seven), stolen bases (14) and on-base percentage (.459) is focused on how the Blue Devils fare in his final season.
“It just comes from working hard, in the weight room with coach (Fred) Kennedy — all my coaches have helped me … I feel like I have some ability, but I’m not going to put myself above anybody. I’m just part of the team,” Tyndall said. “I’m trying to help them win. That’s what I’m about — the team.”
Last summer Tyndall was offered a walk-on spot with N.C. State and, without hesitation, he committed, he said. But now that’s off the table, and some new parties are involved, such as Mount Olive College, ECU and Pitt Community College.
While Tyndall is keeping his options open, he’s almost guaranteed a baseball career that began before the speedster enrolled in kindergarten will continue after high school.
“I’m just a competitor,” Tyndall said. “There’s always ways to get better. That’s how I see it.”
South Lenoir (9-8, 6-5 East Central 2A) came up short in a league game against Swansboro on Tuesday to end a four-game winning streak and has to travel to league-leading Croatan today.
The 5-4 loss to the Pirates dropped the Blue Devils from third place to the bottom half of the standings. But Tyndall sees fight still in his team with three league games left.
“We’re a young team, but they’re working hard. They work hard every day,” he said. “We’re still playing good ball, I feel like.
“If we keep putting in the hard work, we’ll be fine.”
Athletics are in Tyndall’s blood. His father, Kenneth, was a standout athlete at South Lenoir and now it’s the younger Tyndall who is turning heads.
Tyndall, who also played football, has played some form of baseball, from little league to travel ball, ever since he was 4 years old.
It’s a passion for the game and the desire to be the best that keeps him going, Tyndall said.
It’s also a passion and desire that has helped the young Blue Devils get through the season.
“Grant’s helped our team tremendously. In center fielder, any ball that’s hit — almost line to line — he takes care of. He’s a leader out there in center field,” first year South Lenoir coach David Combs said. “He’s come around with the bat. He’s a good vocal leader and leads by example most of the time.
“Without Grant, we’re in search of leadership.”
Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.