Baseball: Williamstown's Bentley commits to N.C. State

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

Denny Bentley said he had a feeling in his "gut" when he visited North Carolina State a couple of weeks ago.

He knew it was the place for him.

Bentley, a rising senior left-handed pitcher at Williamstown High School, has committed to N.C. State on a baseball scholarship.

He made his decision after visiting the school in Raleigh, N.C., and pitching in a tournament on the Wolfpack's field.

"The field is great," Bentley said. "I just loved it there -- the campus, the coaches, the field. I knew it in my gut. I knew it was the right place for me."

Bentley was a first-team All-South Jersey selection as a junior as he led Williamstown to the South Jersey Group 4 title and a berth in the Group 4 state championship game.

He was 10-0 with three saves with 1.01 ERA. He struck out 69 with 18 walks in 69 innings.

Bentley said it was a "relief" to make his college decision. He plans to major in business at N.C. State.

Bentley also considered Pitt, Maryland, Wagner, Penn State and VCU.

He said he was excited to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I know I'm going to have to keep working hard and keep improving to go against those hitters," Bentley said.

Bentley is the fourth 2016 pitcher from South Jersey to commit to an ACC school along with Gloucester Catholic's Tyler Mondile (Florida State), Haddon Heights' Adam Laskey (Duke) and St. Augustine's Billy Chillari (Duke).

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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