Staff report
BURLINGTON, Vt.— Only a small percentage of the population can say they once were a Lake Monster.
Casey Gouge, a rising senior at Catawba College, will be able to.
A left-handed pitcher, Gouge joined the Vermont Lake Monsters late in the season and has performed well in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England.
Gouge (West Rowan) was Pitcher of the Week recently when he struck out eight while allowing one run in five innings.
That was his best outing so far, but he’s done well all three times he’s taken the mound for the Lake Monsters. He hasn’t had a decision yet, but he’s pitched 11 innings with a 2.45 ERA. Gouge has struck out 15 and walked one.
Fifteen years ago, another baseball player from West Rowan and Catawba was a Lake Monster. They were a Class-A minor league team then, and after signing with the Washington Nationals following his senior season at Catawba, Wade Moore made his pro debut for the Monsters in 2010.
Moore batted .287 with three homers, 36 runs scored and 17 steals in 63 games that season. His pro career lasted three seasons.
