Gaston College returnee happy he's playing at home, eager for more Rhinos' success this season

When Nathan Williams began his senior year at North Gaston High School, he knew that Gaston College was re-starting its baseball program.

The Rhinos were so successful that Williams wanted to be a part of it and last spring helped Gaston College make history when it won Region 10 tournament and National Junior College Athletic Association district titles to earn a trip to the World Series in Grand Junction, Col.

"It was a blessing in disguise honestly," Williams said of Gaston College's return to the baseball diamond. "I didn't think I would be here because I was looking at other schools. But I saw where Gaston was playing well and they asked me if I wanted to be here and I did and here I am just five minutes from home."

Williams had actually played in the Rhinos' home ball park for his North Gaston and Gastonia American Legion Post 23 baseball teams.

A reserve first baseman last season, Williams took advantage of his opportunities by hitting .600 with three RBIs in seven games as Gaston College finished with a 50-13 overall record.

"It was a cool experience," Williams said. "I have never been a part of a team that had that much chemistry and had each other's back at all times. If we did something wrong, we made up for it ten fold."

Now one of 11 returning players, Williams is eager for more success this season in whatever role he can play to keep the Rhinos successful.

"It's a different feel for sure,' Williams said. "There's a bunch of younger guys coming in looking up to you.
"But I believe we can do it again. We have the talent, we have the guys and the chemistry is there."

Since Williams has grown up in the area, he's fully aware of Gaston College's successful past in additon to the success of the Post 23 program for which Sims Legion Park was built in 1950.

"This area is a huge baseball area," said Williams, whose older Dalton Williams played at Appalachian State. "Going to a high school game and seeing so many people show up for an Easter tournament shows you how much this area likes baseball. And then having a great college baseball team and seeing how the community showed up for the district playoff last year says a lot about this community."

Williams is joined by pitchers Landon Carr, J.J. Devos, Gabe Hernadez, Sawyer Sutton and Shane Thorson, catcher-infielder Seth Christmas, catcher Elijah Jordan, infielder-outfielders Andrew Muraco and Freddie Oliver and outfielder Korbin Pettigrew as returnees from last season's roster.

This year, Williams is currently at first base competing for playing time.

"I'm really hoping to play anywhere I can to help the team be successful again," Williams said.