Charlotte-area baseball preview: Top players, teams to watch this season
The Observer’s preview of spring sports teams and athletes concludes today with baseball.
Charlotte Observer Baseball Teams to Watch
Ardrey Kell: The Knights have the pieces to compete for a SoMeck 4A title and much more in the postseason with a lineup that includes four future college baseball players in senior pitcher/centerfielder Andrew Sentlinger (Va. Tech commit), senior catcher Matthew Suppa (Queens University commit), junior pitcher/first baseman Jacob Kirby (University of North Carolina commit) and sophomore shortstop Isaac Pena (Clemson commit).
Charlotte Christian: The two-time defending NCISAA 4A state champions have another squad capable of making a title run with the senior trio of pitcher/outfielder Calvert Clark (Clemson commit), pitcher Everett Harris (N.C. State commit) and third baseman Judd Utermark (Ole Miss commit) back to lead the way.
Hickory Grove: The defending NCISAA 3A state champions (28-2 last year) return a solid core to defend their title, led by senior all-state left-handed pitcher/outfielder Drew Lanzo (UNC Wilmington commit, 88-mile per hour fastball), and all-conference performers in junior Kam Miller and sophomore C.B. Barrazino (East Carolina commit).
Hough: The Huskies will have plenty of motivation this year as a second round 4A state playoff last spring ended their perfect season (15-1). Hough has plenty of talent to lean on, like junior left-handed pitcher and University of North Carolina commit Max White (throws 88-miles per hour) along with senior outfielder Aiden Evans (UNC Wilmington commit) and Luke Holland (UNC Greensboro commit).
Providence: Coach Danny Hignight has another team loaded with talent after reaching the state semifinals last season. The Panthers feature two preseason All-American pitchers and likely MLB draft picks -- Michael Forret (East Carolina commit) and Eli Jerzembeck (University of South Carolina commit). Senior Collin McDougal (Wingate University) and juniors Sammy Dansky and Luke Woolf also make up a daunting lineup for opposing pitchers.
Charlotte Observer Baseball Players to Watch
A.J. Anderson, Carmel Christian: The Cougars’ senior pitcher/shortstop sets the tone for Carmel Christian as the leadoff hitter (.327, five doubles, nine stolen bases last year) and the ace of the staff who can throw a 92-mile per hour fastball (3-1 with 1.53 earned-run average (ERA) last year).
Cam Bagwell, South Mecklenburg: The Sabres’ 6-foot-5, 240-pound right-handed pitcher established himself as a starter as a freshman, already throwing in the mid-to-upper 80s.
Harrison Barnett, Providence Day: The Charlotte Catholic transfer (90-mile per hour fastball) will be a key part of a Chargers’ pitching rotation that is the team’s strength, including juniors Tyler Nee (3-0, 3.86 ERA last year) and Bo Ziegler (2-1, 1.96 ERA last year).
Seth Christmas, Hopewell: The 6-foot-3, 225 pound, Gaston College commit, senior shortstop is an imposing figure at the plate, hitting .545 with three home runs last year. The reigning, I-Meck 4A conference player of the year was also voted the Charlotte Observer’s Male Athlete of the Year for the 2021 calendar year and is and a Major League Baseball draft prospect, according to Hopewell baseball coach Shawn McGeorge.
Kyle Dobos, Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ junior shortstop/pitcher (UNC Wilmington commit) will play multiple roles for his team. He hit .414 with five doubles a season ago.
Perry Hargett, Metrolina Christian: The University of North Carolina commit, a sophomore, looks to build on a monster freshman season, where he hit .365 with five doubles and two home runs. He had 22 RBI in 20 games.
Cole Hart, Mountain Island Charter: The senior catcher also excels at the plate with three home runs, four doubles and 16 stolen bases for Mountain Island Charter team that advanced all the way to the 1A state semifinals last season.
J.D. Little, Alexander Central: The Cougars’ left-handed junior (East Carolina commit) is part of a talented pitching staff that also includes junior Caleb Williams (Davidson College commit) and sophomore Maddox Jack (Old Dominion University commit).
Charlie Melton, Kings Mountain: The Mountaineers’ senior gets it done at the plate (hit .462 last year) and on the mound, where he was 5-1 with a 1.73 ERA a year ago.
Nic Melton, North Stanly: The Comets’ senior left-handed pitcher (UNC Asheville commit) also excels at the plate, where he hit .389 last season.
Brendan Pouliot, Charlotte Country Day: The 6-foot-5 senior pitcher (UNC Asheville commit) can be an imposing force with a 91-mile per hour fastball (4-2, 2.31 ERA last year). He also hits .275 at the plate.
Luke Schmolke, Lake Norman: The Ga. Tech commit and I-Meck 4A player of the year is a major player on the mound with a fastball in the mid-90’s going 6-0 with an 0.54 ERA last season.
Mason Smith, Lincoln Charter: The East Carolina signee, a senior, has a 94-mile per hour fastball and will pair with pitcher Tucker Thompson, to lead a Lincoln Charter team that went 15-2 a year ago (1A state quarterfinalist).
Nicholas Soto, SouthLake Christian: The Eagles’ senior shortstop (Samford University commit, seven home runs last year) is one of four Division I commits on the roster, including outfielders like sophomore Michael Carroll (Gardner-Webb University commit), senior Nick Coggins (UNC Wilmington commit) and left-handed outfielder/pitcher Tyler Herkey (George Mason University commit).
Tyler Zedalis, Cox Mill: University of South Carolina commit, a junior, hit .341 with three home runs and eight doubles for a 3A state runner-up, Cox Mill team that now moves to class 4A.
Notes
16-time Champion: Charlotte Christian coach Greg Simmons led the Knights to a 16th NCISAA state title in his tenure last season. Charlotte Christian won one other state title without Simmons.
Changing Programs: Former Providence assistant coach Sean Thomas now takes over the program at archrival Ardrey Kell.
Major League Scouting: The Providence baseball team had 20 professional scouts at their first scrimmage in February, according to Panthers’ coach Danny Hignight.
Powerlifting Champion: Lincoln Charter senior right-handed pitcher Tucker Thompson is not only known for throwing hard but also is an international power-lifting champion. Thompson finished fifth-place in the powerlifting championships in Japan, and third-place in Finland. Currently, the 160-pounder can bench press 280 pounds, squat 445 pounds and dead lift 480 pounds.
