ROANOKE RAPIDS — For the past three seasons University of North Carolina pitcher Alex White has taken the mound time and time again, striking out opponents and helping the Tar Heels establish themselves as one of the elite teams in college baseball.

University of North Carolina pitcher Alex White was drafted No. 15 overall by the Cleveland Indians. White led the Tar Heels to their fourth consecutive College World Series last week. The ace pitcher has strong ties to Roanoke Rapids. Contributed Photo | Daily Herald Advertisement

White and the Tar Heels made four consecutive College World Series appearances, playing on the big stage in front of those in Omaha, Neb. and even more at home watching the CWS on television. The ace pitcher may not have had any idea many residents of Roanoke Rapids were watching his every move, supporting him pitch by pitch. White, who played high school ball at D.H. Conley in Greenville, has ties to the Roanoke Valley, which was the reason for the local support.

Both of Alex’s parents, Bruce and Catherine White, grew up in Roanoke Rapids and attended Roanoke Rapids High School, graduating in 1974. Alex’s maternal grandfather, Leroy Morris, was once the mayor of Roanoke Rapids and Alex frequently visited the area during his youth. He still has relatives in the city, but hasn’t been back much since his paternal grandparents passed away. Even though he was playing thousands of miles away in Omaha, Alex’s father feels his son knows he has support from the Roanoke Valley.

“I think he knows,” Bruce said in a recent interview. “We have a lot of family and friends in Roanoke Rapids that follow him.”

Being from Greenville, things got interesting when the Tar Heels hosted East Carolina University, Bruce and Catherine’s alma mater, during the Super Regional. And Bruce said it was quit a scene when Alex received a standing ovation from  the Tar Heels and Pirate fans during a UNC victory. “It was pretty exciting. He (Alex) really did appreciate that.”

And for those who missed him during his tenure at UNC don’t worry, chances are you may see him on a bigger stage in the near future. White was the No. 15 overall selection in the Major League Baseball draft by the Cleveland Indians. Being a junior he can return to UNC or head to the big show, according to Bruce that all depends on how negotiations go with the Indians.

“More than likely this was his last year,” Bruce explained. “It’s a good chance he will go to Cleveland ... if they work out a good deal. During the summer there will be some negotiations.”

With the possibility of playing in the majors ahead of him, Bruce said he and his wife would not be all that disappointed if Alex decided to return to Chapel Hill for his senior season. “We would love to see him go back. And he may be back if Cleveland doesn’t treat him right.”

Alex is taking a break right now (the Tar Heels were eliminated from the CWS last Thursday) and will return to Chapel Hill soon and work out until July.

White led the ACC in strikeouts and innings and is second in UNC history with 317 strikeouts and is tied for fifth in victories with 27.

White ranked among the ACC’s top 10 in wins, shutouts, opponent average and complete games.

White was a first-team all-conference pick his junior season.