Body of missing NC ballplayer found in VA rapids - wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |

Body of missing NC ballplayer found in VA rapids

(Independence, Va.-AP) October 26, 2006 - The body of a minor league baseball player from North Carolina has been found in a Virginia river. Erik James Walker of Clemmons went missing Saturday in the New River when his canoe capsized.

His body was found Thursday in the same section of the river, near the Virginia border.

A woman who was in the canoe with Walker managed to get to shore and call for help. Hundreds of people joined the search, but only succeeded Thursday when the river's level dropped and the water became clearer.

Walker was a star pitcher in high school and at UNC-Charlotte. Most recently, he was a relief pitcher with the short-season Class A Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York-Penn League.

Posted 3:45pm by Bryce Mursch