Trio of North Carolina A&T Aggies Find Friendship, Success

Trio of North Carolina A&T Aggies Find Friendship, Success

LEESBURG, Fla. -- If you talk to any guy that has played the game of baseball, no matter the level, he will tell you that forming a lifelong bond with teammates is not uncommon. The trio of North Carolina A&T Aggies on the Lightning roster is evidence of this phenomenon.

Outfielder Donte Wade and pitchers Peyton Winebarger and Jeremiah Foster are usually seen together, probably laughing and poking fun at each other. They are a lively group and are always entertaining their teammates.

Peyton said that the group’s friendship blossomed when he and Foster were paired together by their coaches. “Me and Jeremiah were throwing partners first day in the fall and it just grew from there,” Winebarger explained. The two instantly hit it off. As for Donte, he fell into the group due to proximity. “Me and Peyton lived about ten feet from each other and we always hung out,” Wade said. “Once Peyton and Jeremiah became friends I naturally fell in and we became a trio.”

The trio was delighted when they each heard their coaches had sent them to Leesburg together to play for the Lightning. “We were really excited,” Wade said. “It was our coaches’ doing but we definitely didn’t have a problem with it.”

Once the three learned of their summer destination, they all agreed they wanted to attempt to live together. “We requested that we all three live in the same host home together,” Foster added. The guys explained that being in Leesburg together and staying with the same host family has made the transition to a new town much smoother. “It definitely made being around a whole new team of guys easier,” stated Winebarger. “It was more comfortable at the field the first few days. As for our living situation, our host family has made us feel right at home and we’re very appreciative for that.”

The three had nothing but positive words for their host family. “They love us,” Donte said happily. “One of our teammates lived with them last year so she got to meet us prior to us getting here and they welcomed us with open arms. Honestly, it feels like a second family.”

Foster echoed Wade’s sentiment. “I think she enjoys it,” said Jeremiah. “She has 2 daughters and one boy. So having three more boys was probably an adjustment but she’s taken us in and showed us love.”

It’s not surprising to hear. Anyone who has spent time around the three guys would vouch for the overwhelming positivity they exude. Each of them are thrilled to be in Leesburg for the summer, playing alongside their friends with opportunities to get quality reps and improve their game. With the three of them all coming from North Carolina A&T, they want to be able to contribute for their team in the spring and help win games. “My goals this summer are to get reps against quality hitters and learn more about the game,” said Foster, the righty hurler. “I want to become a better pitcher and play a big role for my college this spring.” Foster has excellent stuff, as he has racked up 16 strikeouts in only 10.1 innings on the mound.

Fellow pitcher, the southpaw Winebarger, has similar aspirations for summer ball. “I want to see what I can do against good competition,” Peyton explained. “I want to just grind innings since I didn’t get many in my first year in college.” Winebarger has been a stabilizing force in the Leesburg rotation, posting a 2.45 ERA with 14 punchouts in his 11.0 innings of work.

Wade, a fleet-footed centerifielder, is the lone position player of the three. He explained that his mindset is like that of his counterparts, albeit at the plate rather than on the mound. “I want to get better and be a huge part of my teams production this upcoming year,” said Wade. Donte was a late add to this season’s roster and only has nine at-bats, but his impact could be made quickly, as he is a solid hitter and possesses a lot of range in centerfield.

The trio of friends and teammates are a big piece of the puzzle for the Lightning this season. Two talented pitchers with the potential to post high strikeout numbers and a speedy, hard-hitting centerifield capable of making highlight plays are going to play big roles for Rich Billings’s club.

The next time you catch a Lightning game at Pat Thomas Stadium, be on the lookout for these three entertaining players.


Jaxon Peebles (Alabama)

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