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Tom Walter has accepted the head baseball coaching job at Wake Forest, leaving behind a New Orleans program with an uncertain future.

Walter, who led the Privateers to the NCAA tournament in 2007 and 2008, replaces Rick Rembielak at Wake Forest.

Walter, 39, said it was difficult leaving New Orleans, which is dealing with a financial crisis but still plans to maintain its baseball program at least through next season.

"I am very confident that the program is in great hands due to the leadership on that campus," Walter said. "There are not many jobs that would make me want to leave New Orleans, but to be able to coach in the ACC -- the best baseball conference in the nation -- is too good to pass up."

Walter went 153-147 with the Privateers, keeping the program together after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005. In 2008, 10 former players signed professional contracts.

Ron Wellman, Wake Forest's athletics director said he admired Walter's "strong history of developing players."

"He has had several players drafted that were not drafted coming out of high school," Wellman said. "Tom also is a very strong recruiter."

Because of reductions in state funding for higher education in Louisiana, university officials have discussed the possibility of disbanding New Orleans' sports programs.

The university has formed a task force, led by New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn, in an attempt to generate more donations and fan support to save Privateers sports.

The extent of cutbacks in New Orleans athletics will depend on the state budget.

COASTAL PLAIN LEAGUE

HiTOMS 3, COPPERHEADS 1: Left-hander Tyler Melling (Miami, Ohio) struck out nine in 61/3 innings, and catcher Richard Jones (Citadel) went 2-for-3 with a home run to lead the HiToms over host Asheboro.

WOMEN'S LACROSSE

HIGH POINT: Lyndsey Boswell, a former Division II All-American who was the head coach at St. Andrews Presbyterian the last three seasons, has been named High Point's first varsity women's lacrosse coach. The Panthers will play their first varsity season in 2010.

TRACK AND FIELD

STALLING AT NATIONALS: Appalachian State's Jared Stalling, a freshman from Greensboro and a Northwest Guilford graduate, is set to compete in the shot put at the USATA Junior Nationals meet June 25-28 in Eugene, Ore.