On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, Hatboro-Horsham seniors Eric Thron and Benny Wilson were recognized for committing to continue their baseball careers at the collegiate level. Check back for photos of the event.
“It’s a recurring theme, but when guys end up at this point, it isn’t just them that have put themselves there,” coach Pete Moore said. “Your parents have certainly had a lot to do with that. Both of you guys have parents who have supported you on and off the field to give you opportunities – made sacrifices themselves to allow you to continue to play the game you love. That’s something not everybody gets, but when you have that and combine that with your talent, it gives you an opportunity to go on. The challenge I have for both of you – I had the opportunity to play in college as well, and they were four of the best years of my life, but the best year of my life was my senior year in high school when I competed with my boys playing basketball and we made it to the state quarterfinals. That camaraderie I had with that group in ’95, I see with you two and the other guys on the team – it’s a close-knit group. It’s just a shame we’re not actually going to get to see all the hard work these guys put in play out on the field. While our guys know what Benny and Eric are capable of, it just would have been nice for them to have the opportunity to go out and let everybody else see what they were primed and ready to do. ”
Eric Thron – East Stroudsburg University (Baseball)
Major: Sports Management with a minor in Business
Final list of colleges: East Stroudsburg, Millersville
Reasons for choosing East Stroudsburg: “East Stroudsburg really stood apart. First of all, they gave me a better offer. Their business program and sports management is one of the best on the East Coast, and I was really excited to join that program as well as baseball.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level? “I always wanted to play college baseball all of high school, and last year I broke my arm, and that set me back. In the summer, summer ball really gets you going to get recruited, and I talked to the coaches a lot.”
Coach Pete Moore says: “For me having the opportunity to work with Eric the past four years has been an honor. You don’t get to this (point) by accident. You get here by a lot of hard work. When I think about Eric and his personality, I think of the words resilient and competitive. Last year, we had Eric and Benny (Wilson) going neck in neck, trying to figure out who was going to be our ace. At the end of the year, Benny was the best pitcher in the league, no doubt about it. The only reason Eric wasn’t right there with him was because of an injury. I saw you pushing yourself to get better day in and day out. I love the fact that you don’t want anybody to be better than you. I love the fact that you want the ball with the game on the line. Those are traits that will carry over and allow you to be successful at the next level - that and the support you’ve had from your mom and dad. There’s no doubt in my mind that you have a lot ahead of you that’s going to be great. I’m just excited to see where the next four years can take you.”
About Eric:
Favorite food: Mexican
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite artist: Roddy Ricch
Benny Wilson – George Washington University (Baseball)
Major: Sports Management with a minor in Business
Final list of colleges: George Washington, St. Joseph’s, La Salle, Fordham
Reasons for choosing George Washington: “I chose George Washington because it was the best overall education, and the coaching staff was one that really helps with player development to get me past college and into the pros.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in baseball at the collegiate level? “The end of my sophomore year into my junior year I started playing for a showcase team. I figured I wasn’t as bad as I thought I was, and I was able to land a couple of good schools, made a pretty big splash in a couple of tournaments and got a pretty good deal.”
Coach Pete Moore says: “There was no doubt in my mind that last year Benny was the best pitcher in our league. I want to challenge you to be better this year. I want you to be one of the best guys to come out of here. There’s a guy named Brian Kuklick that I want you to look up – he was the best pitcher I ever caught. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Mets. I see a lot of the same qualities in you that I saw in him. Brian was not afraid to know how good he was, but he also wasn’t afraid to work to get better. What I like about you is – despite the success you’ve had, I haven’t seen you be satisfied with that, but instead, it’s pushed you to get better. It’s given you that burning desire to get to the next level. Maybe the next four years isn’t all there is for you. Maybe there’s a career in baseball beyond that.”
About Benny:
Favorite food: Mexican
Favorite movie: Creed II
Favorite music: Rap
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