Union Pines baseball player Seth Breasseale needs your vote.

As one of the 10 finalists in the North Carolina Spit Tobacco Education Program (STEP), he has pledged not to use spit or smokeless tobacco — on or off the field.

Tobacco awareness and prevention is an issue that is very important to Breasseale.

“My grandmother died of cancer caused by tobacco use in 2005,” Breasseale said, “and I saw how hard her illness was on our family and wish she had not gotten sick. I understood that making the pledge would help break the stereotype that all baseball players dip and use tobacco.”

The STEP finalist with the highest vote total will become the fourth annual N.C. STEP “No Spit” All-Star of the Year.

Fans from across North Carolina can vote online at www.TheSportsFlash.com. To go straight to casting your vote, click here

Breasseale said that it feels great to be one of the top 10 finalists.

“I didn’t expect to receive the support that I have when I was first chosen as a player of the week for week seven of the season,” he said. “I really appreciate how the community has voted and supported me since I represent Union Pines and U.P. baseball. It is great to know that there are so many people who believe in the same things we do and are willing to support the STEP program and Union Pines.”

The Viking lefty slugger recently finished one of the most impressive offensive seasons in Union Pines baseball history.

He was among the state leaders in home runs all season and finished with a school record 14.

He had four multi-homer games, including a two-bomb night against Ledford in the first round of the 3A state playoffs, where he tallied 10 RBIs.

The performance earned him a spot in the NCHSAA record books. It was the sixth time, as reported in the NCHSAA record book, a player drove in 10 runs in a game. The state record is 11, shared by three players.

“The whole season — all the records and the recognition that I have received this year — is more than I could have ever dreamed of,” said Breasseale. “Every ballplayer dreams of having that amazing season, hitting that clutch home run, or breaking a school record. I have had the privilege of experiencing that this year.

“My preseason goal was five home runs, but mostly I just wanted to be a contributor to help our team have a great winning season.”

On the season, Breasseale finished with a .506 batting average with 14 HR, 49 RBI, 27 runs, and seven doubles. His final on base percentage was .596, and he slugged 1.195 for the year.

Breasseale completed the regular season leading the Cape Fear Valley in home runs, slugging percentage and RBIs, was second in on base percentage, and third in batting average.

He was the 3A division home run king and placed second overall in long balls hit in the state.

He also led the 3A ranks in RBIs, finished second in slugging and fourth in on base percentage. His RBI and slugging totals were each the third best recorded in the regular season statewide.

In addition, he was a six-time MaxPreps player of the week. Breasseale also received a spot on the sixth annual International Power Showcase’s 12-man featured lineup, which includes high school players from eight different states.

“I love baseball more than anything,” Breasseale said, “and the success I’ve had this season means more to me and my family than you can imagine.

“I could not have done any of it without the support that my family, the whole Union Pines baseball team and my coaches have given me throughout the year.

“I owe a lot if not all of my success to my parents and my team. Also, I really want to thank coach Chad Hill for believing in me, and David Young, of Sanford Line Drive, for being my batting coach since seventh grade.

“This season has been the most amazing experience from start to finish. It has taken three years of dedication to improving my swing to have a season like this one, and it has been worth it.

“I feel lucky to have been on the Union Pines team this year when we have been able to accomplish so much as a team together. It is a season we will all remember for a long time.”

Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail.com.

Fans from across North Carolina can vote online at www.TheSportsFlash.com. To go straight to casting your vote, click here