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WSSU Baseball Recruit Scrambles to Find New Team After University Drops the Sport

"My stomach kind of dropped and I didn’t really know what to think," Hunter Hopkins said after Winston-Salem State University announced the 2019 season will be the last for Rams Baseball.

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina — Winston-Salem State University announced the 2019 season will be the last for Rams Baseball.

RELATED: WSSU Getting Rid of Baseball, Bringing Back Men's Golf

West Davidson High School senior Hunter Hopkins committed himself back in November to play baseball at WSSU.

He got the text last Friday from the head coach, saying the University is getting rid of the baseball program. 

"It just said how they’re cutting the program because of money and it's too much."

In a word, Hunter is 'devastated.'

"My stomach kind of dropped and I didn’t really know what to think," Hunter said. "At first I didn’t think it was real but then it kind of hit when it went all over the news that it actually happened and it just didn’t feel great."

The WSSU Rams was a dream team for Hunter, who has been playing baseball since he was four years old. Fellow recruits are in the same boat.

"All the recruits we're pretty close with each other and we have a group text going on and we all just kind of explained how hurt we were about it, and we didn’t really know what to do from here on out."

Mom Lynn Hopkins calls the situation heartbreaking. 

"I know Hunter had worked hard to get where he is and to get that news is crushing," Lynn said. "And this late into his senior year where most colleges have already filled their roster and are ready for the baseball season for the upcoming year."

Lynn had tears in her eyes as she explained how WSSU seemed like the perfect fit, and it slipped from their hands in an instant. 

"Winston was close, it was close to home and everything was just perfect, everything fell into place for him."

Now they'll have to find a new place, new school and new team for Hunter.

"He has a couple of other colleges looking at him but right now we’re trying to figure out what’s best for Hunter, and for him to continue playing baseball," Lynn said.

WSSU is still honoring Hunter's full ride even though he wouldn't be playing baseball. Hunter said that's not an option, because baseball is his passion. 

"I still want to continue playing baseball I’ve been doing it my whole life, it's my passion I don’t want to give it up already so I’m going to find somewhere to continue playing," Hunter said. 

"I worry about these kids that are sophomores and juniors," Lynn said. "They’re in the middle of their education, there’s devastation for a whole lot of families at this time."

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