Eastern Randolph senior has opponents and fans seeing pink

RAMSEUR — A glance out on the baseball field at Eastern Randolph High School during a varsity baseball game and fans can usually see one player wearing at least one pink item. It could be a wrist band, an arm sleeve, a sliding glove or maybe he’s swinging a pink bat.

What used to be for the simple reason of liking the color pink, wearing pink has had an added meaning for the Wildcats’ Bryson Marley in recent campaigns. It was at the end of his sophomore year when his older sister Megan passed away because of cancer. Now wearing those pink items is not only because of his fondness for the color but to honor his older sibling in a way.

“It was just one of my favorite colors because it is so bright,” Marley said last week before the Wildcats hosted Faith Christian in a non-league affair. “I have worn it before, but then I did it regularly when I found out.”

Marley already had shown quite a bit of talent over his first two seasons with the Wildcats and the last two have been even better. After a sophomore year in which he hit .299 with 19 runs scored and 9 RBIs with four extra-base hits, he has proven effective both at the plate and on the mound.

As a junior, he hit .296 with 20 runs scored and was 3-4 on the mound with a 3.30 ERA. This year, he’s hitting .286 with 14 runs and 9 RBIs, while recording a 3-4 record on the mound with an impressive 2.85 ERA. His last outing was a five-inning masterpiece as he did not allow a hit and fanned seven against North Moore.

“The biggest improvement for Bryson has been on the mound,” ER varsity baseball coach Nate Cockman said. “He went from throwing six or eight innings one year to his junior year where he was the number one or two starter. He’s started off this year where he left off.”

Marley entered his senior year as effective as ever at the plate, but he then went through a tough streak and he was moved down in the lineup. Once he regained his swing, he was inserted right back at the top of the Wildcats’ lineup.

His pitching, however, has never wavered. He and Cade McCallum make a solid one-two punch for the Wildcats.

“Command,” Cockman said of what Marley has improved most. “He was kind of all over the place. He has never been a flame thrower, but he has worked on his craft and his offspeed pitches. He has taken a lot of pride when he’s on the mound.”

Marley said he hasn’t prepared any differently this season, knowing he would be counted on both at the plate and on the mound in his final season at ER.

“Knowing this is my last year I have playing baseball with my friends, I’m pretty excited,” said Marley, who throws a fastball, slider, knuckleball and changeup. “Just being more relaxed and knowing I have people making plays behind me.”

Marley can play anywhere on the field. 

“He’s that complete overall player who gives us a boost,” Cockman said. “He is in a good place right now. I hope it stays that way because as he goes, we go.”

The Wildcats have enjoyed incredible success late in seasons. 

In Cockman’s first year four years ago, the team won three games in the regular season before finding a hot streak, advancing all the way to the regional finals where they were defeated by Uwharrie Charter Academy.

The next year, ER won 10 games and advanced to the third round of the state tournament. Last year, ER caught that playoff magic, once again advancing to the regional finals where UCA defeated them. The Wildcats finished 15-14-1.

This year, ER is 10-11 and 5-3 in the Four Rivers Conference with a game against Northeast Guilford and two against Jordan-Matthews ending the regular season.

“I feel like we have had more energy than we have had recently,” Marley said. “I’m trying to not think about the end and just keep on going until we can’t.”