2021 high school baseball preview: After a year off, teams are ready to return to action

By Richard Walker

The COVID pandemic has affected all walks of life in this country and nothing was more affected in this area than 2020 high school baseball.

After having its 2020 season cancelled after two weeks, its teams, players and coaches return on Monday and are eager to get back in action after the long layoff.

In the Big South 3A Conference, Crest is a unanimous preseason pick to win its league in a preseason coaches’ poll followed by Kings Mountain, North Gaston, Foresview, Cramer, Ashbrook and Huss.

In the Southwestern 2A Conference, East Rutherford is a unanimous preseason pick to win its league in a preseason coaches’ poll followed by R-S Central, South Point, East Gaston, Burns, Chase and Shelby.

In the South Fork 2A Conference, East Lincoln is a slight favorite to win the league in a preseason coaches’ poll followed by North Lincoln, Lake Norman Charter, Maiden, Lincolnton, Bandys, West Lincoln and Newton-Conover.

And in the Southern Piedmont 1A Conference, Cherryville and Lincoln Charter are co-favorites to win the league in a preseason coaches’ poll followed by Thomas Jefferson, Christ the King, Highland Tech, Bessemer City and Piedmont Community Charter.

Here are the preview capsules, by conference, of every local team:

Big South 3A

Ashbrook
Coach: Josh Cobb (12th year, 84-149)
Assistant coaches: Rob Sisson, Thomas Rhodes, Jim Faulkner, Gabe Beverly, Peter Barney, Dalton Towery
Returning starters: 6
Starters lost: 2
2020 record: 1-3, 0-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: OF Alex Hammon, OF Josh Bradshaw, IF Chandler Meeks, IF Ben Carpenter, P Tanner Valentine, P/IF Baylor Wyatt, OF Zach Higgins, C Cooper Merritt, P Cooper York, P Alex Woody
Newcomers: IF Hunter Eberhart, OF Christian Agustin
Season outlook: Senior-laden seeks Green Wave’s first state playoff berth since 2016.
All-time record: 545-557-3

Cramer
Coach: Matt Scholz (1st year)
Assistant coaches: Chris Detweiler, Kelly Womack, Hank Rodkin, Matt Wickswat
Returning starters: 2
Starters lost: 7
2020 record: 1-4, 0-2 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: 1B Peyton Martin, C/OF Jonathan Graves
Newcomers: none listed
Season outlook: New coach and youthful team seek to make Storm’s first playoff appearance since 2018.
All-time record: 52-97

Crest
Coach: Steven Hodge (20th year, 326-148-1)
Assistant coaches: Brandon Powell, Adam McFarland
Returning starters: 5
Starters lost: 4
2020 record: 5-0, 2-0 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: SS/P Ben Hodge, 1B Jackson Ledbetter, C/P Colby Humphries, OF Porter Hall, DH Luke Reynolds, OF/P Cole Drewery
Newcomers: IF/P Tucker McSwain, 3B Bake Davis, 2B/C Clayton Brown, P Brodie Lewis, OF Connor Gantt
Season outlook: Chargers seeks fourth conference title in five years and 14th straight state playoff appearance.
All-time record: 746-570-3

Forestview
Coach: Brian Horne (16th year, 209-142)
Assistant coaches: Justin Williams, Collin Martin
Returning starters: 7
Starters lost: 2
2020 record: 2-4, 0-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/IF Dalton Thomason, IF Cole Denton, P/IF Andrew Jaques, C/IF Micheal Royston, C/IF Jesse Osborn, P/OF Allan Berroa, OF
Daquan Duncan, OF Daquay Duncan, P/IF Houston Parker, DH Landon Jenkins
Newcomers: P/IF Tripp Dow
Season outlook: With some defense and pitching experience back, Jaguars will look to return to playoffs for first time since 2018.
All-time record: 270-231-1

Huss
Coach: Mike Micik (3rd year, 1-24)
Assistant coaches: Clint Jordan, William Gillispie
Returning starters: 3
Starters lost: 9
2020 record: 1-3, 0-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/SS/C/OF Caleb Parker, CF/P Adriel Phillips, OF Kaleb Clark, C/1B Edward Roberts, P/IF Mason Swann
Newcomers: SS/P/2B Preston Adair, OF/1B/P Ulises Atilano, 2B/P Noah Caulder, IF/C/P Benjamin Kimmel, OF/IF Jaheim Jones, OF/IF Trevon Maddox
Season outlook: Youthful team looks to snap 52-game conference losing streak.
All-time record: 432-739-4

Kings Mountain
Coach: Brad Melton (3rd year, 19-11)
Assistant coaches: Wil Sellers, Johnny Gamble, Alex Grooms
Returning starters: 5
Starters lost: 6
2020 record: 4-1, 2-0 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/3B Zane Brockman, C Boone Cartee, P/SS Charlie Melton, CF Jaxson Bolin, 2B/SS A.J. Wylie
Newcomers: OF Jacob Hamrick, IF Caleb Broome
Season outlook: Five returning starters give Mountaineers hope of seventh playoff berth in eight years.
All-time record: 714-633-2 since 1950 (1st known team is 1921)

North Gaston
Coach: Wes Hepler (2nd year, 3-3)
Assistant coaches: Brent Mellon, Cole Young, Andrew Pappas
Returning starters: 7
Starters lost: 3
2020 record: 3-3, 1-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: 1B Nate Williams, P Jairo Osio, P/2B Bryson Walker, SS Austin Wood, C/1B Will Farnsworth, OF Ashton Pope, P/OF Devin Toney
Newcomers: C Kandan Zollo, P/3B Chase Ghantt
Season outlook: Osio and Walker will be relied on for pitching experience as the Wildcats will pursue 12th straight playoff appearance.

 

Southwestern 2A

Burns
Coach: Alex Leonhardt (4th year, 36-23)
Assistant coaches: KEvin Wellmon, Jordan Rumfelt, Brian Branch, Wade Walker
Returning starters: 2
Starters lost: 8
2020 record: 3-3, 0-2 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/3B Joseph Webb, SS/P Jeb Bridges
Newcomers: P/OF Clay Whisnant, P/OF Brady Mackall
Season outlook: Youthful team will look to extend school-record streak of consecutive playoff appearances to 11 seasons.
All-time record: 482-597

East Gaston
Coach: Randy Sellers (15th year, 147-165)
Assistant coaches: Andy Leigh, Zach Bumgarner
Returning starters: 3
Starters lost: 5
2020 record: 3-2, 0-2 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: IF/P Caleb Burr, OF/P, Aiden Cloninger, IF/C/P Jaxon Cogdill, OF Tyson Ensley, IF Jay Huffstickler, IF/P Ayden Ledford, IF Tucker Martin, IF Carson Preston, IF/P Bennett Williams
Newcomers: IF/P Liam Brady, IF/P Riley Dunlap, IF/P Riley Daniel Hawkins, OF Daniel McClellan, IF/OF/P Andrew Payton, IF/P Elijah Sutherland, C Ben Summey
Season outlook: With pitching depth and some team speed, Warriors will look to make playoffs for first time since 2018.
All-time record: 566-505-3

Shelby
Coach: Chris Emery (10th year, 74-115)
Assistant coaches: Steve Gold, Jamie Dunaway, Charlie Ruff
Returning starters: 5
Starters lost: 4
2020 record: 3-2, 2-0 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P Steven Speas, P Ryan Emery, P Luke Williams, IF Parker Dixon, IF E.C. Haskin, CF William Sadler
Newcomers: P Ryan McCracken
Season outlook: Five returning starters for the Golden Lions as they seek first playoff appearance since 2014.
All-time record: 1016-752-4 since 1922 (1st known team in 1916)

South Point
Coach: Jason Lineberger (15th year, 263-99)
Assistant coaches: Kevin Withers, Rob Ratchford, Todd Davis, Austin Robinson
Returning starters: 7
Starters lost: 2
2020 record: 3-2, 2-0 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: 3B Jake Bidoglio, C Jackson Risk, Utility Noah Hargett, P Marshall Witherell, P Ethan Simmons, CF Will Rhinehart, LF Ryan Harris, P/RF Jake Beaty, P/IF Mathew Walker, IF Justin Smith, IF David Nicks, 1B/P Wyatt Triplett
Newcomers: Nick Barker, Colten Knight, Drew Biggerstaff
Season outlook: A veteran with seven returning starters will seek Red Raiders’ 15th straight playoff appearance.

All-time record: 828-398

South Fork 2A

East Lincoln
Coach: Chris Matile (16th year, 229-140)
Assistant coaches: Josh Robinson, Dan Duckworth, Brandon Strupp, Matt Gallagher, Neil Lunceford
Returning starters: 7
Starters lost: 1
2020 record: 2-3, 1-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/1B Joshua Stephens, 2B Garrett Michel, P/SS Isaac Armstrong, P/3B Jordan Fisher, P/OF Logan Craig, CF Matthew McCowan, P/OF Seth Haigler, C Graham Smiley, P Preston Scotto, P Ben Kleckner, C Cade Doolittle
Newcomers: P/2B Logan Palmer, utility Tray Spees, OF Joey Bennett, OF Kyle Cook, 1B Gavin Houser
Season outlook: Seven returning starters gives Mustangs hope of 12th playoff berth in 13 years and first league title since 2017.
All-time record: 651-497-1 since 1971 (1st year was 1968)

Lincolnton
Coach: Brad Gates (1st year)
Assistant coaches: Brent Gates, Dylan Houser, Mack George, Wayne Houser
Returning starters: not listed
Starters lost: not listed
2020 record: 4-1, 1-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: none listed
Newcomers: none listed
Season outlook: First-year coach faces challenging league slate in hopes of making first playoff appearance since 2018.
All-time record: 508-656-1 since 1963 (1st known team is 1925)

North Lincoln
Coach: Jon Carpenter (12th year, 150-113-1)
Assistant coaches: Alex Loftin, Derek Allen, Charlie Goss, Michael Clontz, Brady Heavner
Returning starters: 7
Starters lost: 2
2020 record: 4-1, 1-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/IF Seth Whitley, P Ethan Bryant, C Kyle Brittain, utility Jack Carter, 1B Daniel Carter, SS/P Matt Heavner, P/2B Landon Reeves
Newcomers: OF/P Tim Schaffer, 1B/DH Zac Barnette, OF/P Caden Holbrook, P/Utility Nate Lykins, P/IF Ty Wadkovski, C Maddox Walker
Season outlook: The Knights get another chance to defend their 2019 state title and have seven returning starters back from last year.
All-time record: 211-198-1

West Lincoln
Coach: John Markley (4th year, 35-28)
Assistant coaches: Kyle Cornwell, Jamie Ray
Returning starters: 3
Starters lost: 6
2020 record: 3-3, 1-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: SS Samuel Duncan, CF Brett Mason, P Noah Huss, DH Tubby Neal, P/OF Adam Fortenberry, 1B Taylor Cook
Newcomers: P/OF Collin Huss, 2B Jayden Jones, C Noah Gantt
Season outlook: Youthful Rebels are seeking their sixth straight playoff appearance.
All-time record: 535-520-6 since 1973 (1st year was 1962)

Southern Piedmont 1A

Bessemer City
Coach: Larry Boone (1st year)
Assistant coaches: Rod Hayes, John Daugherty
Returning starters: 5
Starters lost: 4
2020 record: 1-1, 0-1 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/IF Zack Adams, P/IF Wesley Moore, C Justice Cooper, P/IF Caleb Summey
Newcomers: none listed
Season outlook: First-year head coach will look to get Yellow Jackets back in playoffs for first time since 2018.
All-time record: 753-636 since 1946 (1st known team was 1931)

Cherryville
Coach: Scott Heavner (16th year, 274-120)
Assistant coaches: Seth Freeman, Brian Kiser, Michael Whitesides, A.J. Hayes
Returning starters: no information submitted
Starters lost: no information submitted
2020 record: 3-1, 1-0 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/OF Dalton Pence, OF/IF Christian Hahn, 1B/3B Ty Heavner, C/OF Benjamin Huffstetler
Newcomers: C/3B Will Fowler, OF Will Heavner, IF Landon Hahn, IF Collin Robinson, IF/C Chase Miller, 1B/DH Tobias Miller, P/Utility Kanon Willis, P/Utility Eli Newsome
Season outlook: With UNC signee Dalton Pence leading the pitching staff, Ironmen will look to make playoffs for a 20th straight season.
All-time record: 1,025-457 since 1954 (1st known team was 1914)

Highland Tech
Coach: Kenneth Pasour (2nd year, 1-4)
Assistant coaches: Christian Huggins, Dereck Neal
Returning starters: 4
Starters lost: 4
2020 record: 1-4, 1-0 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/1B Logan Barber, C Gavin Blackwood, P/Utility Griffin Cranford
Newcomers: SS/P Liam Fulbright, IF/P Wyatt Hardin, OF/P Jonathan Queler
Season outlook: Youthful team (no seniors, five juniors) will pursue Rams’ first playoff appearance since 2018.
All-time record: 117-268

Lincoln Charter
Coach: Scott Clark (6th year, 84-29)
Assistant coaches: none
Returning starters: 6
Starters lost: 3
2020 record: 2-1, 1-0 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: 2B/SS Nick Al-Hussaini, P/2B/SS Mason Smith, OF Dylan Verdi, C Blake Nelson, P/1B Davis Al-Hussaini, 1B/OF Max McCreary
Newcomers: OF/P Cole Nelson
Season outlook: With six returning starters, Eagles will be after a ninth straight playoff appearance.
All-time record: 172-82

Piedmont Community Charter
Coach: Terry Radford (1st year)
Assistant coaches: Jim Dobran, Ben Harris
Returning starters: no information submitted
Starters lost: no information submitted
2020 record: 0-2, 0-2 (coronavirus stops season)
Returning players: P/1B Matt Taylor, P/1B Reid Stratman, C/P Chase Simonds, 1B/OF Caiden Jackman
Newcomers: P/SS Liam Whalen, P/SS Aaron Owenby, 3B Brady Lamb, 2B Noah Sanders
Season outlook: Under veteran local coach, Patriots will start season looking to end 46-game conference losing streak.
All-time record: 3-74