West Deptford pitcher Urban chooses UNC Asheville

West Deptford senior Tony Urban, one of the top returning pitchers in South Jersey, has accepted a partial baseball/academic scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

"The campus was perfect, and the coaches were awesome," Urban said about choosing the Division I school. "The baseball team is up-and-coming, and I thought it was a good fit."

Urban said he also was considering South Carolina-Upstate and Louisburg College, a high-profile junior college in North Carolina.

A member of the National Honor Society, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound lefthander was 4-3 with a 1.88 ERA last season for West Deptford. Also a first baseman and outfielder, he batted .412 with nine doubles, one home run, and 23 RBIs. After the season, Urban was selected to pitch for the Olympic/Colonial team in the Carpenter Cup.

Urban said he was recruited as a pitcher who also could see time as a designated hitter. A number of schools contacted him after seeing Urban pitch during an October showcase in Jupiter, Fla.

"It's such a relief to have this done," Urban said. "Now I can concentrate on getting ready for my senior season."