Erik Lunde Named App State's Hitting Coach

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State's Erik Lunde has been promoted to hitting coach, head coach Kermit Smith announced Monday.

Lunde spent the last two seasons as a volunteer coach for the Mountaineers. He played for Smith at Lander University from 2011-14, earned All-America honors before being picked in the 18th round of the 2014 draft and was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization until he retired from professional baseball in August 2016.

"I'm extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity," the 26-year-old Lunde said. "I love working with Coach Smith and everyone on our staff. They're extremely knowledgeable, and they're great people. When you can find those two things, you're…