Friends take diamond skills to Winthrop and Erskine
Ben Halligan takes the mound for Coach Joe Hudak’s Winthrop University Eagles, a team that won the Big South Conference Championship and participated in the NCAA playoffs. Halligan’s teammate and good friend Chachere Freeman’s next destination is Erskine College. The Flying Fleet’s head baseball Coach, Kevin Nichols, is building a very strong program with a growing number of players from the Columbia area.
Halligan’s efforts were ended for the season when tendonitis developed in his pitching arm during the final three weeks of the Post 6 campaign. He remained as a member of the squad that finished at 15–8. “I was sorry I couldn’t be out there with my team, but I couldn’t do anything that would hurt my chances at Winthrop,” said Halligan. Halligan’s two–year overall record was 21–6. Eight wins were posted during this past spring with the Falcons. He added four more during the just completed American Legion season.
Hudak said, “Ben has excellent command. He will be even better when he gets a little stronger and tightens up his curveball.” Freeman’s choice of Erskine was to the point. “I like Coach Nichols because he’s a lot like Coach Hallett.” Winning a total of 13 games while losing just one this year, Freeman says he is most comfortable as a position player. “I like the outfield. That’s where I’ve been playing for the past couple of years at Flora.” Halligan and Freeman’s friendship has been about as lengthy as it can get for a couple of 18–year–olds. “We grew up together and have always been friends and played baseball together,” said Freeman. “He’s a really good guy, it’s been fun,” added Halligan. They’ll go their separate ways over the next four years but as long as there’s baseball to be played or watched, Halligan and Freeman will always share a common turf.
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