A couple of former Asheboro Copperheads, along with a familiar local name and two players who earned 2011 NCAA Division I Freshman All-American honors (photos courtesy of respective schools SID offices) are among the first announced Copperhead player signees for the 2012 season.

Appalachian State’s Noah Holmes, who hit .302 in 18 games for the Copperheads last summer, and Tulane’s Bowen Woodson, who started 37 games in 2010, are both headed back to Asheboro for another Coastal Plain League season.

Holmes (6-0, 200, L/R) is a sophomore from Rockwell in nearby Rowan County. He will be vying for a starting spot at third base this spring at ASU, where he plays with older brother Trey, also a Copperhead last summer and the starting first baseman for the Mountaineers.

Woodson is a red-shirt sophomore for the Green Wave from Vicksburg, MS and is coming off a solid 2011 season that saw him start 38 games, splitting time between the outfield and second base. He played in 56 of Tulane’s 57 games as a red-shirt freshman and hit .272 with three homers and 28 RBIs. Woodson (6-0, 195, R/R) played mostly at shortstop during his first tour of duty with the Copperheads in 2010, but didn’t play summer ball in 2011 due to an injury.

Another player who will certainly be no stranger to local fans will be former Asheboro High and Post 45 standout Ryne Rush. Rush (6-1, 180, R/R) is a freshman at High Point and his offensive potential and versatility should earn him considerable playing time in both the infield and outfield for the Panthers this spring.

North Carolina A&T infielder Luke Tendler and pitcher Jonathan Reich of Fordham both had outstanding freshman seasons in 2011 and are expected to play key roles for their respective teams again this spring. Tendler (6-0, 190, L/R) was a first-team selection to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s Freshman All-America team as a shortstop and also was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, as was Reich (6-3, 180, R/R).

As a teammate of former Copperheads Marquis Riley and Xavier Macklin, Tendler led the Aggies in 2011 by hitting a robust .380. The Wilmington native finished with 20 doubles, five triples, six homers and 53 RBIs. He also led the team in hits with 81 and earned All-MEAC first-team honors.

Reich, a right-hander from Hillsdale, N.J., posted impressive bullpen numbers for the Atlantic 10 Rams. He appeared in 15 games, going 3-0 with four saves. He sported a 2.10 ERA and issued only five walks in 25 2/3 innings.

“We’re pleased that Noah is going to be back with us and that Bowen is returning after taking last summer off,” said Copperheads GM David Camp. “Noah stepped in last summer over the final few weeks of the season and played a key role in our strong finish to the regular season, while Bowen really progressed last spring at Tulane and proved to be one of their most dependable hitters. Both are not only fine players, but first-class young men who exemplify the qualities we want in individuals representing our organization both on and off the field.”

“We’re excited to have Ryne as well. We know what kind of hitter he can be from having seen him play at McCrary Park over the past few years in high school and American Legion ball,” Camp added. “He’ll certainly be comfortable in his surroundings and he gives us another player with a strong local following. Both Luke and Jonathan are extremely talented players who should play prominent roles for us. Luke is going to be very exciting to watch and we anticipate Jonathan being one of the mainstays of our pitching staff.”

Over the next few months, the Copperheads will continue to announce members of the 2012 team. The roster is expected to include several more players off last summer’s team, along with a host of others who have already earned all-star honors, either at their respective schools or at the summer collegiate level.

The Copperheads are coming off a franchise record 30-win season in 2011 and a second straight post-season trip. Donnie Wilson, an assistant at College of the Sequoias in California, is returning for his third season as head coach. They will open the 2012 season at Forest City on Tuesday, May 29, and will play their home opener the following night, May 30, against Florence.

The Copperheads are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 14th season in the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players a chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had more than 930 alums drafted and 46 alums make their major league debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend the CPL on facebook (at http://www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow the league via twitter (at cpleague).

David Camp

(336) 460-7018