For the third consecutive year, University of South Carolina Beaufort pitcher Junior Delatorre has been awarded a scholarship from the American Legion Posts 9 and 207 of Beaufort.

The $1,000 award is given annually to a USCB baseball player from Beaufort County. After going to former Battery Creek High School and Beaufort Ospreys standout Weldon Smith in 2011, the scholarship has been awarded to Delatorre each of the last three years.

[caption id="attachment_20094" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Sports-JuniorAMLegion2014.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20094" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Sports-JuniorAMLegion2014-300x225.jpg" alt="Pictured from left to right: Rich Delmore, Junior Delatorre and George Miller." width="300" height="225" /></a> Pictured from left to right: Rich Delmore, Junior Delatorre and George Miller.[/caption]

Post 9 Adjutant Rich Delmore and Athletic Director George Miller were on hand Friday to award the scholarship to Delatorre, a former Beaufort High School and Beaufort Ospreys right-hander who is entering his fourth season at USCB.

After an outstanding freshman season in which he compiled a 1.42 ERA in one start and 14 relief appearances, Delatorre has been one of the Sand Sharks’ most consistent starters the past two seasons. He went 4-3 with a 3.71 ERA as a sophomore and was 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA last season. He has pitched in 44 games (23 starts) in his career, going 10-5 with a 3.12 ERA, two shutouts and 111 strikeouts in 170 1/3 innings. Delatorre ranks fourth on USCB’s career list in ERA and strikeouts and fifth in wins.

Delatorre and the Sand Sharks open the 2015 season at home against Northwestern (Ohio) with doubleheaders on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. both days.