The Charlotte Observer high school baseball season preview: Teams, players to watch
Only one Charlotte-area high school baseball team won a state championship last season.
Metrolina Christian finished 29-2 and upset High Point Wesleyan Christian, which was trying to win a seventh state championship.
After the season, the Warriors won The Observer’s Sweet 16 championship.
As the 2025 season begins, past NCHSAA state champion Providence sits atop the preseason Observer Sweet 16 poll and the area’s depth of talent has increased.
Here’s an inside look at the season.
Teams to watch
Charlotte Christian: The Knights return five position players and five pitchers from a 22-win team that reached the NCISAA 4A state semifinals last year. Some of the returning pitchers include Wake Forest signee Grant Nicholson (9-2, 86 strikeouts, 2.05 ERA, 92-mile per hour fastball) and 6-foot-5 reliever Wade Thompson (0.82 ERA, 27 strikeouts). Senior catcher Cohen Bettencourt, a High Point University signee, will be key behind the plate and at the plate. He hit .316 with five home runs and 22 RBI last season.
Cuthbertson: The Cavaliers return the core of a team that won 25 games, including the Southern Carolinas conference title a year ago. The Cuthbertson pitching staff is led by senior Western Carolina recruit Gavin Aldredge (9-1, 50 strikeouts, 1.92 ERA) and Wofford commit Michael Clemente (3-1, 26 strikeouts, 1.96 ERA). Meanwhile, the Cavaliers’ offense has a wealth of experience with seniors like Aldredge (.317 batting average) and Mars Hill recruit Brayden Richards (.288, seven doubles, two home runs) as well as juniors Logan James (.339, 14 stolen bases), Nathan Wilson (.306, four double, 23 stolen bases) and Robert Johnstone (.324) all back in the lineup.
East Lincoln: The Mustangs return six starters from a 17-win team from a year ago. East Lincoln will lean on a strong senior class (eight seniors returning) with pitcher Ty Davis (High Point University signee, 27 strikeouts, 92-mile per hour fastball), pitcher Barrett Erwin (UNC Pembroke signee, 50 strikeouts, 87-mile per hour fastball), outfielder/pitcher Evan Matile (Francis Marion University signee, .444, nine doubles, four home runs, 35 RBI, 1.86 ERA on the mound) and third baseman Matthew Phuntek (Wake Tech signee, .414, 33 runs, 21 stolen bases).
Hickory Grove: The Lions return six starters from a team that was NCISAA 3A state runner-up last season, after winning it all in 2023. Hickory Grove has a strong pitching staff with the senior trio of Davis Cabbage (UNC Wilmington commit, 58 strikeouts, 2.10 ERA), Ben Green (UNC Asheville commit, 1.90 ERA) and Brady Johnson (Wingate University commit, 36 strikeouts, 2.10 ERA). The Lions’ offense is led by Cabagge (.246, 13 RBI, 19 stolen bases), Green (.310, seven doubles, 19 RBI) and junior Zach White (.350, one home run, 10 RBI).
Hopewell: The Titans won 22 games last season, going 14-0 in league play to win their second straight Queen City Athletic conference title. This season, Hopewell has a veteran core led by a group of seniors: catcher Declan Duffy (Limestone College commit), outfielder/pitcher Tyler Howe (University of North Carolina commit, .497, five doubles, 18 RBI, 22 stolen bases) and outfielder/first baseman Xavier Peterman (Francis Marion University commit, .327, 15 RBI).
Hough: The Huskies return seven starters from a team that went 18-7 last season. The Hough pitching staff is led by Vanderbilt University signee Tyler Baird, a four-year starter, who boasts a 95-mile per hour fastball. The Huskies’ offense features junior all-state center fielder Jaxon Matthews, a Clemson commit and two-time all-state pick who has a .496 career batting average. The Huskies also return senor left fielder Jamison Funderburk, a three-year starter and . 336 career hitter.
Marvin Ridge: Coach Trey Putman has a veteran club back with playmakers all over the field, including seniors Tyler Heine (.355, six doubles, Patrick Henry Community College commit), Luke St. John (.326, nine doubles, 22 RBI, Wingate University commit) and Nico Soul (.319, three home runs). Joining that trio are juniors Logan D’Amico (Wake Forest commit) and Lucas Delacruz (Virginia Tech commit).
Metrolina Christian: The Warriors will try to repeat as state champions with a deep roster. The Warriors return senior pitchers Case Gibbs (University of Maryland commit, 10-0, 85 strikeouts, 1.54 ERA) and Bennett Johnson (7-0, 51 strikeouts, 0.48 ERA) along with junior Chase Kiker (Clemson commit, 11-2, 130 strikeouts, 0.86 ERA). The Warriors offense will have to reload a bit after losing 10 players to graduation, but Kiker was potent on offense last season (.441, nine doubles, four home runs, 29 RBI) and sophomore Jacob Seamon (.296, two home runs, 14 RBI) also returns.
Providence: The Panthers won 21 games last season, including a 12-0 record in the Southwestern 4A conference play, but lost their final two games (conference tournament championship, first round playoffs). Returning from that team are the senior trio of Brian Baldassare (.323, eight home runs, 27 RBI, Wingate University signee), Parker Jensen (3-0 on the mound, 0.95 ERA, Wingate University signee) and Xavier McCoury (.382, six doubles, Liberty University signee). Junior Jackson Debe (.345, eight doubles) also returns.
Players to Watch
Caden Beaver, Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ senior, a Newberry College commit, was 4-3 with a 3.33 ERA last year. He has a fastball in the mid 80s.
Avery Booker, Charlotte Latin: The Hawks’ senior shortstop/right-handed pitcher, a Queens University commit, hit .319 with eight doubles, two home runs at the plate. He can throw into the upper 80s on the mound.
Landon Boyd, Carmel Christian: The Cougars’ senior right-handed pitcher, a Florida International commit, will be a key player on the mound at Carmel Christian after playing at Hickory Grove (3-1 with 38 strikeouts) last year.
Jackson Caldwell and John Ingle, Cox Mill: The Chargers’ return a strong one-two punch on the mound. Caldwell, a senior and UNC Wilmington commit, struck out 68 batters in 46 innings of work with a 2.44 ERA last year. Ingle, a junior and Yale University commit, had 51 strikeouts in 32 innings with a 1.96 ERA for a team who looks to defend its Greater Metro 4A conference title.
Trevor Cook, Lake Norman Charter: The Knights’ junior, a Wofford College commit, is back to lead the Knights on the mound after going 7-0 with 49 strikeouts in 41.2 innings of work with a 2.18 ERA last season
Jake Crowley, South Iredell: The Vikings’ senior, a Marshall University commit, will be a key player on the mound (2.89 ERA last year) and at the plate along with classmate Tristian Kinsey (.371 batting average) and junior Eli Beekley (.389, three home runs as a freshman, missed last season with injury, according to Coach Zachary Little).
Alex Hoffman, Charlotte Catholic: The Cougars’ junior, a Virginia Tech commit, has a 95-mile per hour fastball.
Anthony Echevarria, West Mecklenburg: The Hawks’ all-Queen City Athletic conference junior is a dynamic player at the plate and on the bases. He hit .471 last season with seven doubles and 26 stolen bases.
Owen Green, Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ junior, a Virginia Tech commit, will be a welcome addition after tearing his ACL in the season opener last year. He should pair well with junior catcher Brady Marconi on a potentially strong Knights’ team.
Reese Guertin, South Mecklenburg: The Sabres’ senior, a Cleveland Community College recruit, hit .364 with six doubles, one home run, 16 RBI last season.
Carson Horning, Forest Hills: The Yellow Jackets’ senior, a Southeastern Community College commit, hit .519 at the plate and had 15 stolen bases last season. Horning is Forest Hills first college commit in more than a decade, according to coach Matthew Anders.
Davis Johnson, Myers Park: The Mustangs’ senior outfielder/pitcher (.310 batting average last year) and sophomore infielder/pitcher Evan Howard were both all-SoMeck 4A conference picks last season. The duo is part of a versatile and deep Myers Park team that looks to defend its league title.
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James Lowe, Charlotte Country Day: The Buccaneers’ senior, a four-year lettermen, hit .375 with six doubles, a home run and 23 RBI last season as the team’s leadoff hitter. He bats .360 for his career.
Max Luzarranga, Weddington: The Warriors’ senior, a Dallas-Baptist University commit with a 92-mile per hour fastball, leads a Weddington staff with four pitchers that throw over 88. That group includes junior, Kayden McGlauflin (92-miles per hour, Clemson commit), Jake Ciampi (88-miles per hour) and freshman Paxton Ladner (91 miles per hour).
Gavin McElhinny, Corvian Charter: The Cardinals’ junior outfielder/right-handed pitcher led Corvian Charter at the plate last season when he hit .387 with 29 RBIs. As a pitcher, he struck out 32 batters in 30 innings with a 3.50 ERA last season.
Evan Myers, Lincoln Charter: The Eagles’ senior, a Western Carolina commit, is equally as effective at the plate (.313, six home runs, 31 RBI) and on the mound (4-0, 95 strikeouts, 43.2 innings pitched, 0.64 ERA).
Austin Nelson, Providence Day: The Chargers’ senior catcher, a Rhodes College commit, hit .397 with seven doubles and 11 RBIs last season.
Bowen Powell, Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls’ senior, a Wingate University signee, was Greater Metro 4A conference player of the year last season. As a junior, Powell hit .415, with six doubles, a home run and 15 RBIs.
Ryan Ramirez, Central Academy: The Cougars’ senior shortstop can makes play with his arm and legs, where he led Central Academy with 35 runs, 25 stolen bases and a .557 on-base percentage.
Connor Robertson, Mooresville: The Blue Devils’ all-Greater Metro 4A conference pick is a Gaston College commit who hit .324 last season.
Trey Schubert, Pine Lake Prep: The Pride senior (.388, seven doubles) is part of a lineup full of big hitters, including senior Dylan Brandt (.348) and junior Grant Ingram (.386, 10 doubles).
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Maximus Wearing, Palisades: The Pumas’ all-SoMeck 4A conference junior hit .466 with two home runs, seven doubles and 27 RBI as a sophomore.
Notes
Big Winners: The Cuthbertson baseball team had one of the best resumes from last year as they beat area powers Ardrey Kell (twice), Marvin Ridge (twice), Weddington (four times) and Charlotte Catholic, Hickory Ridge, Hopewell and Indian Land.
Close Games: North Iredell should benefit with a veteran team with seven seniors back from a team that finished 6-14 last year but lost six, one-run games and played in three extra-inning contests.
Field of Dreams: This season will be the last that South Mecklenburg plays on “Sabre Field,” as the school is building new facilities for its baseball and softball programs.
A New Era: First-year Ardrey Kell baseball coach Tom Castello becomes the third head coach in school history, and will look to get Knights back on track after suffering their first losing season ever at 10-14 last year.
New Program: First-year Ballantyne Ridge begins its baseball program this season under coach Michael Ladka, who won’t have any seniors. The team will feature junior shortstop Ethan Moore and sophomore outfielders Jack Engebretson, Grady Sabin (also first base) and Alex Whitman.
Team Leader: Lincolnton senior all-conference pitcher/centerfielder, Karson Cloninger is back after leading his team in hits, runs, steals, innings pitched, strikeouts and ERA last season.
This story was originally published February 24, 2025 at 6:15 AM.
