Taunton's Bryce led all freshman in the NCAA in hits this spring. Here's what's next.

For those in the Silver City, Dawson Bryce's skills on the diamond are nothing new.

Now, the baseball world is starting to take notice.

After a record-breaking freshman campaign for Merrimack , leading all freshman in the NCAA with a program-best 90 hits, the Eastern College Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year is taking his talents to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

"I got a lot of offers when I entered the portal, but Charlotte seemed to want me the most," Bryce, a back-to-back MIAA Division 1 champion with Taunton High, said. "They have a great spot for me with two spots open in the infield at third base and shortstop, so I’ll be playing one of those, and I love the atmosphere and it’s a great school."

While grateful for his time with the Warriors, Bryce said he felt it was the next step in baseball career as he pursues his ultimate goal: playing professional baseball.

"It was awesome," Bryce said. "It’s a blessing from God, but it’s also a lot from just what I‘ve learned getting into my first year of college ball."

After a couple weeks of adjusting to Division 1 pitching, Bryce began to hit his stride early in conference play, quickly establishing himself as a key part of the Warrior lineup, crediting his coaches' faith in him for the turnaround. He recorded a hit in 29 of the final 31 games as Merrimack finished with a program-record 33 wins.

While the Warriors season came to a close in the NEC semifinals, Bryce was far from finished as he linked up with the Vermont Lake Monsters of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. In 13 games for the Burlington ballclub, he batted .306 with 13 runs and 13 RBIs on 15 hits.

'Crazy journey': Taunton High graduate earns spot in Cape League

"It was great playing in an atmosphere like that with a lot of fans and signing autographs, it was just cool," Bryce said. "The Lake Monsters are a big thing up in Burlington, so we were always the talk of the town."

When his time with the Lake Monsters came to a close, it wasn't the end of his summer ball season as Bryce was called in to play for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League. While his time in the famed wooden bat league was short, making just one appearance in the regular season finale against the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, he made the most of it going 1-for-4 with an RBI double in his first CCBL at bat.

"I came in there and got to start on the first day," Bryce said. "I wasn’t expecting that, but I got the start and thought ‘I might only get one chance at this this year because the season’s ending, so just go out there and have fun and make the most of it."

With the Harbor Hawks saying they want him back in 2025, Bryce said he can't wait for the full Cape Cod summer ball experience.

Now with the 49ers, he'll have a chance to play in the stronger American Athletic Conference under coach Robert Woodard, who had a pair of players taken in this past June's MLB Draft.

"He’s really pushed Charlotte’s program forward in that way (with) guys in the draft every year," Bryce said. "I think that gives me a great opportunity to hopefully get drafted one day."

As for his biggest goal next season? Just to have a good experience.

"I know if I do that, the numbers will come," Bryce said. "Hopefully I’ll put similar numbers to what I did last year and maybe even better with the power numbers. I had 15 home runs last year so maybe increase that a little bit this year and see what happens, but I know if I just have fun and trust my coaches, I’ll do just fine."

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton's Bryce led all freshman in the NCAA in hits this spring. Here's what's next.