The Observer’s 2023 high school baseball preview
Here’s what to expect in high school baseball this spring:
Teams to watch
Charlotte Christian: The defending NCISAA 4A state champions (30-3 last year) are loaded once again. The Knights are ranked No. 30 in the nation, according to maxpreps.com. The Knights’ pitching staff includes senior Wesley Jones, a Charlotte 49ers’ commit who was 7-0 with 2.42 earned-run average. Jones had 47 strikeouts last season. Also back are his classmates, Johnny Joseph, Ryan O’Rourke, who was 5-1 last year, and sophomore Wake Forest commit Grant Nicholson. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Christian lineup boasts senior Tanner McCammon, an Elon University signee who hit .387 with five home home runs and 26 RBI); juniors Drew Beard (.326), D.J. Layton and sophomores, Griffin Bettencourt, one of the state’s top catcher, and major Division I recruit John Lash.
Cherryville: The reigning 1A state runner-up has the experience, with nine starters back, and talent returning to make another run at a state championship. Cherryville will look to the senior quartet of Will Fowler, an all-state pick, Landon Hahn, an all-state Belmont Abbey commit, Will Heavner and Kanon Willis, another all-state pick who was 7-1 as a pitcher. Willis is a Caldwell Community College commit.
East Lincoln: The Mustangs’ have a veteran lineup back from a team that went 21-8 and advanced to the 3A state quarterfinals a year ago. East Lincoln is led by the senior trio of Isaac Armstrong (5-1 with 3.47 ERA, while also hitting six home runs), catcher Nathan Borchardt (Kings University signee, .298) and Landon Burns (Cleveland Community College signee). The Mustangs will also look to juniors Trey Spees (.378, 24 RBI), Carson Dahle (6-2, 2.85 ERA) and sophomore Evan Matile (.352, 32 RBI) to play key roles.
East Rowan: The Mustangs’ return a solid core from a team that went 25-5 and advanced to the third round of the 3A playoffs last year. East Rowan will look to 6-foot-6 pitcher, Chance Mako (N.C. State commit 8-1, with 83 strikeouts and 1.62 ERA) to lead the way with his 95-mile per hour fastball. The Mustangs also have juniors Cobb Hightower (University of North Carolina commit, .429, four home runs, nine doubles, 25 RBI) and Logan Dyer (.382).
Metrolina Christian: The Warriors return seven starters from a team that went 19-8 and was NCISAA 4A state runner-up to Charlotte Christian. This season, Metrolina Christian has plenty of firepower with juniors Perry Hargett (University of North Carolina commit, .409, four home runs), Neil Griffin (.386, three home runs, 24 RBI) and Will Brooks (Davidson College commit, .383, 22 RBI) back in the lineup. Classmates Oliver Adams, Landon Polk and freshman Chase Kiker will play key roles on the mound.
Providence: The Panthers’ had a historic season last year going a perfect 34-0 on the way to a 4A state championship. Now, the daunting task of trying to repeat begins. Coach Danny Hignight has plenty of talent with all-state senior catcher Luke Wolff (.462, two home runs, 24 RBI) and classmates like shortstop Sam Dansky (Charlotte 49ers commit), centerfielder Cam Hull and first baseman Anthony Watson all back in the lineup.
South Rowan: The defending 3A state champions had a season to remember last year, winning 30 games in their title run. This year, the Raiders boast one of the state’s top pitchers in senior Haiden Leffew, a Wake Forest commit who went 10-2 with 124 strikeouts with a 1.32 ERA last season. Leffew will also play a big role at the plate, where he hit .325 with 13 doubles, two home runs and 30 RBI as a junior.
Players to watch
Jake Absher, Hibriten: The Panthers’ senior outfielder/pitcher is a Tusculum College commit who hit .487 with 14 doubles and 26 RBI as a junior.
Bryson Austin, Weddington: The Warriors’ senior outfielder, a Wingate University commit, will play a big role on Weddington squad that should be much improved with seven starters returning.
Griffin Brooks, Carmel Christian: The Cougars’ four-year starter at catcher sets the tone as Carmel Christian’s defensive anchor and leadoff hitter. He hit better than .300 last year.
Carson Cherry, Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ junior outfielder, a Wofford College commit, hit .321 with five double, two home runs, 21 RBI, 16 stolen bases gives Lake Norman a solid core back. Joining him is senior shortstop Chase Wigginton (.300, six doubles) and junior pitcher Drew Nelson (5-0 with 36 strikeouts, 3.33 ERA).
Parker Dixon, Shelby: The Golden Lions’ senior pitcher, a Queens University commit, is back to lead Shelby on the mound. He had 65 strikeouts, five wins and a 1.66 ERA last season. He hit .377 with eight doubles.
Luke Graham, West Rowan: The Falcons’ senior hit .357 with 19 RBI and 10 stolen bases for a 15-win team as a junior.
Tyler Green, Cannon School: The Cougars’ all-state junior quarterback on the football will also a key play for the baseball team. He hit .347 as a sophomore.
Jason Johnson, Gaston Day: The Spartans’ senior pitcher/shortstop plays multiple roles for Gaston Day. He hit .328 with five doubles last season, and has a 92-mile per hour fastball.
Jake Kernodle, Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars’ senior, a Princeton University commit, hopes to build on a junior season where he hit .382 with seven doubles, two home runs and had 19 RBI.
Carson King, Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ senior pitcher, a Guilford College commit, had a 3.44 ERA last season for Marvin Ridge (18-10).
Jacob Kirby, Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ senior, a University of North Carolina commit, was 6-3 last season with a 2.44 ERA, is back with his 90-plus mile-per hour fastball to lead an Ardrey Kell team that won 20 games. The Knights will also look to senior Tyler Smith (.329, 18 stolen bases) and junior Michael Craft (.333, six doubles) to provide leadership.
Ben Mauney, Burns: The Bulldogs’ senior all-state centerfielder/pitcher looks to build on a junior season where the South Piedmont 1A/2A conference player of the year hit .427 with four home runs and 22 stolen bases for a team that went 22-4.
Jack Nash, Parkwood: The Wolfpack senior pitcher is a Wingate University commit with an 88-mile per hour fastball. He gives Parkwood a strong one-two punch with classmate Thomas Whelan, a Davidson College commit with a 92-mile per hour fastball.
Cole Nelson, Hickory Grove: The UNC Wilmington commit, a junior, is a big hitter (.373, six home runs, 37 RBI) on an experienced team with classmate Kam Miller (Appalachian State commit, .321 with two home runs, 16 RBI) and junior Conner Barozzino (East Carolina commit, 92-mile per hour fastball).
Jeremiah Shine, Union Academy: The Cardinals’ sophomore outfielder hit .354 with seven doubles, one home run, 30 RBI and 11 stolen bases as a freshman. He will team with classmate Beckett Gurian (.404, five doubles) and junior Gavin Esp (.380) to lead a squad that won 20 games and was 1A West Regional runner-up last season.
Hayden Simmerson, Carson: The Cougars’ senior will play a key role on the mound (6-5, 1.36 ERA, 117 strikeouts in 72 innings last year) and at the plate (.360, 19 RBI) for a Carson team with seven starters returning.
Cole Smith, North Stanly: The Comets’ junior, a University of North Carolina commit, is reigning Yadkin Valley 1A/2A pitcher of the year..
Tyler Steele, Lincoln Charter: The Eagles’ senior, a UNC Greensboro commit, will play a key role at the plate (.409 with five home runs, 22 RBI) and on the mound (56 strikeouts, 3.30 ERA) for a Lincoln Charter team with six starters back from a 20-win team.
Henry Stewart, Hickory: The Red Tornadoes’ senior catcher, a Lenoir-Rhyne commit, hit .318 with five doubles last year, will play a lead role at and behind the plate this season.
Colby Umbarger, North Iredell: The Raiders’ senior, a East Carolina commit, back to lead the way after hitting .297 with seven doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI as a junior.
Max White, Hough: The Huskies’ senior left-handed pitcher, a University of North Carolina signee, was 3-1 last season with 61 strikeouts and 1.98 ERA. White was Queen City Athletic conference pitcher of the year. He’s one of three strong pitchers returning, teaming with sophomore Tyler Baird (5-1 last, fastball low 90’s) and junior James Nesta (4-0 last year, fastball low 90’s).
Bo Zielger, Providence Day: The Chargers’ senior pitcher/shortstop, a Washington University (St. Louis) commit, gives Providence a legitimate No. 1 on the mound after going 7-1 with 69 strikeouts in 58 innings with a 1.56 ERA as a junior.
Notes
Back in the lineup: Independence senior Sam Merli and Noah Neubauer both return to the Patriots’ lineup after injury-plagued junior seasons, according to Coach Robert Merli. The Patriots hope to get back into conference contention and in the playoffs.
“Blue Collar” Butler: First-year head coach Ryan Benson says he is excited to take over a Butler program with “a blue-collar mentality,” led by pitchers in senior Ashton Wolfe (Southeastern Community College commit) and junior Zach Gaydos.
Rebuilding at West Charlotte: New head coach Tracy Ellis is eager to “rebuild” the West Charlotte baseball program and has some pieces in seniors Vincent Bell (.391, 20 stolen bases last season) and Reginald Henderson (.300, 3-1 on the mound) this season.
Season of firsts: The Corvian Community Charter baseball team excelled in their first season in the NCHSAA, going 10-13 overall, winning the Metro 8 1A conference tournament title and making the playoffs. This year, coach Ryan McElhinny will lean on senior Daniel Fisher to continue to build momentum.
One to remember: The Charlotte Latin baseball team went 15-9 last year, led by senior Ryan Sweet, and junior Tommy Beason, enjoying their best season in nearly two decades.
This story was originally published February 26, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "The Observer’s 2023 high school baseball preview."