Trinity’s Mowery picks Western Carolina – and might head there early

Baseball player Landon Mowery of Trinity has made a college choice. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record)

THOMASVILLE – Landon Mowery has had an eye on becoming a Division I college baseball player for quite some time.

From his perspective, there might be no sense in putting that off.

Mowery, a Trinity standout, is considering reclassifying and heading to college a year early to join the Western Carolina program.

Last week, he committed to play for the Catamounts and by the end of the week things had accelerated.

“A big decision to be made,” Lowery said. “They want me to come up early to hopefully win a spot.”

Mowery, who plays for the High Point-Thomasville Post 87 American Legion team, will need to finish coursework this summer at Trinity to become eligible to head to Cullowhee.

“Ever since I was a kid growing up, to play for a Division I school is a dream come true,” he said.

Lowery is a 5-foot-8, 185-pound shortstop who says he takes pride in being a steady contributor. He was a three-year starter for Trinity.

“I’m not a numbers guy,” he said. “You have to see me.”

If early entry to college doesn’t pan out, Lowery, 18, said he plans to play his senior season for Wesleyan Christian in High Point after holding key roles in Trinity’s 35-21 record across the past two seasons.

There could be openings in Western Carolina’s middle infield. Pascanel Ferreras started all 54 games at shortstop as a junior and batted a team-best .325. He has been a first-team All-Southern Conference selection the past two seasons and is a potential draftee this month. Second baseman Brandon Butterworth is transferring to North Carolina State after two seasons with the Catamounts.

Post 87 teammates Yates Sikes and Wyatt Stanley are also heading to Western Carolina, though they finished senior seasons of high school.

Mowery said a strong showing last year in the State Games of North Carolina in Chapel Hill boosted his profile. He batted .423 with three home runs and 11 doubles in his final season at Trinity.

“I’m more of a contact hitter, gap to gap,” he said.