Post 100 Standout, Eli Black, Signs with King University

Cherryville, NC (WNN)- Eli Black has signed a letter of intent to play baseball in the East Tennessee Smoky Mountains at King University. The Cherryville native currently lives in Shelby and is a two-sport athlete at Crest High School. Black is just a few weeks removed from finishing his four-year high school football career with an NCHSAA 5-A State Championship.

Eli Black Post 100 2025 Senior team

Post 100

At 6’2”, 220lbs., the defensive lineman and halfback was an anchor for the Chargers during their championship run. He is now preparing to begin his senior season with the Crest High School baseball team that won the Big South 3-A Conference with a 13-1 record in 2025 and finished 8th in the state playoffs after going 21-5 overall. The 2026 Chargers will play in the Big South 5-A/6-A Conference. Once that season ends, Eli will join the Post 100 baseball team, where he has played a big role for several seasons, first on the junior team and now on the senior team. The majority of his 15-year baseball career was in Cherryville.

Eli Black 2025 Season Crest High School

Eli Black's Facebook Page

This passion has now given him the opportunity for a college education and a collegiate career. Most recently, this includes the Post 100 Juniors in 2023 and 2024; in 2025, he moved up to the Post 100 Seniors, where he will play again this summer. Eli still has eligibility left beyond this upcoming season and plans to utilize all his American Legion baseball eligibility.

Black announced his signing on his Instagram account, saying: “First off, I’d like to give full credit and thanks to God for this opportunity and blessing, without him, none of this would be possible. With that being said, I’m excited to announce my commitment to King University. Thank you to all the family, friends, and coaches that stuck with me through this process. Lastly, thank you to the coaching staff at King for giving me this opportunity. I’m excited to get this next step of the journey started!!”

Eli Black Post 100 2025 season batting

Eli Black's Instagram

The Tornadoes of King University in Bristol, Tennessee, compete in the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas. According to the school’s website, their mission statement reads: “We prepare students in our Christian academic community to excel as thoughtful, resourceful, and responsible citizens with a passion for serving God, the Church, and the world.”

“Playing baseball in college has been a lifelong dream ever since my first year at Cherryville Little League, so taking this first step towards accomplishing that dream has been a huge blessing.”

This was Eli Black’s reflection upon what it means to commit to King University, where he will primarily be playing as a corner infielder. He stated that King stood out to him because of the effort they put into development and the opportunity he will be afforded to grow as a collegiate baseball player. He went on to say, “I give a lot of credit towards Cherryville’s standard of winning baseball that I’ve held on to throughout my career, and I’m proud to be a part of that standard with Post 100.”

Mr. Black is living proof that childhood dreams can come true with hard work, dedication, and being surrounded by caring and dedicated adults willing to volunteer their time and knowledge to help mold these kids from a young age to adulthood.

Eli Black Post 100 2023 Junior Team

Post 100

Cherryville has long been known as a baseball town. Each year, many players from area high schools and Post 100 teams continue their careers in college, and some beyond. Strong community support has helped provide more opportunities for young people, such as Eli Black, to realize their dream of becoming collegiate athletes. Cherryville has been blessed to have passionate volunteers and coaches who have established a rich tradition from tee ball, coach pitch, and Little League up through high school and Legion teams.

Fans will have plenty of chances this summer to catch Eli in action with Post 100, especially with Cherryville hosting the Southeast Regionals in August.