Skyland – Fundraising at T.C. Roberson’s annual baseball Legacy Dinner is helping to fund improvements to facilities damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, as the team aims to train for another championship. The Rams won the 4A state baseball title in both 2023 and 2024, becoming the only West Region team to secure back-to-back titles. Coaches are optimistic about facility upgrades since players missed much of their winter training due to the storm, which destroyed outdoor batting cages and the area behind the centerfield fence essential for pitch perception.
New indoor cages are planned for better year-round practice. Head coach Eric Filipek told the Tribune that in the coming weeks, batting cages will be replaced, and a new 40×80 foot indoor facility with batting and pitching cages will open. Its $250,000 cost is reduced by donated labor and contributions, he noted.
Roberson opens its regular season at home on March 6 against Burns, followed by a game on March 11 versus Mountain Athletic Conference rival Enka.
Fiery Motivator
Filipek was in prime motivational form at the annual banquet earlier this month at Highland Brewing Co. He vowed that the two-time reigning champion Rams remain hungry to win it all again. “We’ll be clawing, and fight.”
Special guest Mike Fox, the retired UNC-Chapel Hill baseball head coach, talked about aggressive “dogs” throughout the Ram lineup, based on Filipek’s descriptions. Filipek was a Duke assistant when Fox led UNC.
Coach Filipek stated that the 2025 Rams “chase history” to continue their “incredible” playoff success and become the first 4A (or 3A) team to “three-peat.” “They are up for the task! We have the dudes to do it,” he added.
The Rams demonstrate “commitment to something bigger than themselves — a selfless love for one another,” Filipek said. “Culture is about the relationships they build, which will last forever.” This year’s team slogan, “Sweep the Sheds,” emphasizes doing “the little things, like sweeping the dugout and cleaning out the sheds” while honing fundamental baseball skills, Filipek explained.
Seasoned Seniors
The 2025 roster features ten seniors, only two juniors, but includes 11 sophomores and five freshmen who can play “incredible roles,” Filipek said. For instance, sophomore Holt “Gas ‘Em” Gaston is a leading candidate to be the second starting pitcher behind senior Micah Simpson.
The team’s nucleus consists of ten seniors, most of whom are fourth-year starters with 24 playoff wins. They are Caden Davidson, Lorenzo Lyles, Dylan Odom, Jake Parham, Asher Ring, Simpson, J.T. Smith, Heron Smith-Martin, Zeb Swangim, and C.J. Wallace.
Coach Filipek praised each one at the banquet. Two set the tone. The lead-off man since his freshman days is Zeb “Swingin’” Swangim, as the Tribune calls him. He was first team all-MAC in 2024. “Zeb is one of the best defensive third basemen to ever play for Roberson,” Filipek said. Swangim often doubles with “gap-to-gap pop” to ignite rallies.
Jake “Scar ‘em” Parham bats second. Like fellow UNC-Asheville commit Swangim, he drives the ball deep into gaps, producing “many clutch moments” in pivotal rallies, Filipek noted. The shortstop has muscled up.
The next two are power batters. Fourth-year starting first baseman Caden “Hulk” Davidson was the state tournament MVP in 2024 for his timely homers and steady defense. The hard-working Gaston College commit bats third and possesses “gap-to-gap power … patiently focusing on having great at-bats,” Filipek said.
Micah Simpson bats cleanup. The Western Carolina Catamount commit was the NCHSAA State Championship MVP in 2023 for his shutdown pitching and clutch homers. “Micah is a clutch two-way star, one of the best playoff performers in North Carolina history,” Filipek remarked. Simpson was named the 2023 MAC pitcher of the year and then league player of the year in 2024.
He gained 20 pounds and now stands at 6-2 and 190. Agile “Nimble Ninja” has a smooth pitching delivery and utilized his changeup even more during playoffs. “He’ll go down as one of the best lefty arms in Roberson history,” Filipek predicted.
Sidewinding closer C.J. Wallace has also filled out, boosting his pitching velocity. Enthusiastic, bushy-haired “Scarecrow” produced “huge moments,” including long relief appearances that helped win the 2024 title, Filipek said. Heron Smith-Martin “will be one of our lefties on the mound,” he added.
Fastest Ram Lorenzo “Clear the (basepath) Aisles” Lyles is a track star. With “great speed, Zo gets unbelievable jumps on balls in the outfield” and on bases, Filipek noted.
J.T. Smith was a first team all-MAC catcher. The Wofford commit is a “loud” vocal leader who excels at “controlling the running game” with strong throws, Filipek said. Outgoing Asher Ring was the catcher on the 2023 title squad and played in 2024 prior to a thumb injury. Reserve Dylan Odom brings a “special” can-do spirit.