Asheville – T.C. Roberson in baseball and Enka in softball both won the MAC with unbeaten marks, while West Henderson won a baseball crown.
Asheville and A.C. Reynolds also have momentum heading into playoffs this week.
West Henderson (19-4) finished 11-1 in 3A Mountain Seven baseball games. Last week, the Falcons lost 10-8 to Franklin, but bounced back to bash Tuscola 9-0 and 11-5. Hendersonville (12-9; 6-6) is fourth in Mountain Foothills standings.
In softball, Enka Sugar Jets (20-0; 12-0) won the MAC over Reynolds (12-6; 9-3). West Lady Falcons (15-5; 9-3 M7) won 7-4 at Tuscola (10-9; 8-4) on May 4 to finish second behind Franklin (18-3; 11-1).
Ramming the Ball
Roberson Rams (18-6; 12-0 MAC) scored 20 runs in a baseball game in 2023, and 16 three other times in slaughter rule-shortened games. They closed April by pounding historic rival Reynolds 16-3 and 16-0, clinching the MAC regular-season title. Both times, Roberson scored half (eight) of its runs in the third inning.
The Rams scored at least ten runs in ten of their first 17 wins, including four in a row. That was before they concluded their regular season last week by sweeping defending champ Asheville (14-9; 7-5), by 10-0 behind lefty Micah Simpson’s pitching and 7-5 thanks to a five-run inning.
Reynolds (12-10 overall) caught AHS last week, tying for second at 7-5. With a higher power rating, the Cougars are the league’s second seed. They opened 4A playoffs at home Tuesday, and with a win would likely play at Roberson in round two on Thursday, May 11.
Last year, Asheville lost only to TCR in the final week of MAC games. This spring, AHS was beaten once each by ACR, Erwin (3-9 MAC) and North Buncombe (2-10). Enka (12-10; 6-6) won its last eight games to match TCR’s streak, and finish fourth overall and best among 3A MAC teams.
Masher Moshier
Asheville nearly reversed roles to spoil the rival’s perfect MAC record. Roberson did that to AHS a year ago at home. This time, the regular season finale was at Asheville on May 4.
The Cougars pounced onto the scoreboard first. Senior shortstop Kyle Moshier blasted a two-run home run in the opening inning, off TCR ace starter Reno Jeter.
Leading for five innings is a confidence booster for the playoffs, Cougar head coach Bill Hillier, Jr. said. By playing TCR so close, “we know we can compete.”
TCR cut the AHS lead to 2-1 in the fifth inning, as pinch runner Lorenzo Lyles scored on a wild pitch. Meanwhile, Jeter settled in with his pitching.
Ram Bats Heat Up
Jeter eventually made up for the early gopher ball with his bat. The junior cleanup hitter smashed a solo shot to tie the score at 2-2, igniting a five-run Ram sixth inning. Jeter said he was merely “picking teammates up” with the clutch blast. His homer tied the score at 2-2.
AHS Coach Hillier said, Jeter’s homer seemed to boost Ram confidence and ease pressure. “It helped them relax.” He said of his pitching,”We need to shut down big innings like that.”
Roberson kept bashing the ball. Tyler Kytta doubled Lyles for the lead. Kytta is just back from an injury. The burly senior said that “it felt great, to step it up in a big-time moment” with the RBI double. Before he batted, teammates J.T. Gordon and catcher Asher Ring advised him that they saw mostly high strikes.
Gordon doubled in two more runs. TCR added a run in the seventh/final inning, to lead 7-2. Gordon cautioned a Ram teammate before he batted in an RBI situation, “Don’t try to do too much. Keep it simple.” Gordon is among the “Fab Five” senior team leaders, as Roberson head coach Eric Filipek calls them.
Asheville freshman Wilkin Lurie’s two-run homer highlighted a three-run last gasp. All homers were to left field. AHS’ lineup includes senior Connor Hillier and freshman Trent Maybin, son of MLB and Roberson alumnus Cameron Maybin. Asheville’s pitching ace is senior Davis Hayes.
On May 4, AHS starter Emory Fischer-Schmidt kept TCR off balance for his first five innings. He fanned four Rams. Cougar head coach Bill Hillier II noted that the crafty junior “changes speeds and arm angles.” Coach Filipek said Ram batters “figured it out late.”
Both Parhams Pitch
Shortstop Nick Parham and Jeter have combined to hit 11 home runs. Both pitched on May 4, along with Nick’s sophomore brother Jake Parham. Nick Parham did a first for the Rams in 2023, by pitching in two different stints in the same game. He returned to the mound to get the final Cougar out, with the two tying runs on base. He got a strikeout, to end the game. He pitches in the high 80s in velocity, peaking at 93 mph.
Coach Filipek said he did not want to take a chance, and brought in his closer to secure the win. It also clinched an unbeaten MAC mark.
Filipek told the Rams they need to improve. “Make adjustments” such as to off-speed pitches, he said. “Play tough.” Playoffs are “go time,” he added.
Filipek pointed to his squad’s immense potential. He said, “I believe in you. You are the best frickin’ team in the state.” By playing up to potential, “we’ll roll.”