SL baseball players headed to Barton College, LCC

Three South Lenoir baseball players — Jensen Barwick, Everett Oliver and Luke Thigpen — signed to play collegiate baseball on Monday. Barwick will play at Barton College, while Oliver and Thigpen will play at Lenoir Community College. A signing ceremony was held for the trio Monday in the school’s gymnasium. From left are Barwick, South Lenoir assistant head coach Paul Novicki, head coach David Combs, Oliver and Thigpen. Photo by Bryan Hanks / Neuse News

By Bryan Hanks

DEEP RUN — Three South Lenoir High School seniors made official their decisions on where they will play their college baseball Monday morning.

Jensen Barwick, Everett Oliver and Luke Thigpen took part in a signing ceremony in the lobby of the school’s gymnasium, along with head coach David Combs and assistant coach Paul Novicki.

Combs, whose Blue Devils finished 5-12 overall (2-10 Eastern Carolina 2A) this season, praised the trio of seniors.

“All three are extremely hard workers,” Combs said. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them and all are great young men. … Lenoir Community College and Barton College can expect great things from all three of them.”

Barwick is headed to Barton College, while Oliver and Thigpen will be part of the Lenoir Community College program under head coach C.C. Tilghman.

Barwick, an infielder/utility player who was the leadoff hitter for South Lenoir, paced the Blue Devils in batting average. He attended a camp at Barton earlier this year and said he liked it.

“I fell in love with the campus when I went there,” Barwick said. “I’ll do whatever I can to fit in at Barton.”

Oliver played at both corners of the infield for South Lenoir and said he is excited to be a Lancer.

“LCC seemed like the best fit for me,” he said. “I like what the coach is doing there. I think it’ll be a good school for me to start off with. … I’ll do what I’m asked to do and be a team player.”

Thigpen is the epitome of a student-athlete; along with being a productive baseball player, he’s second in South Lenoir Class of 2019 academically.

“I see myself as a two-way guy (at LCC),” Thigpen said. “I’ll work off the mound and be a corner outfielder.”

Novicki is a former three-sport star at South Lenoir; he said he sees a bright future for Barwick, Oliver and Thigpen.

“They’re all great guys and they’ll do well,” Novicki said.