Asheville – The Mountain Athletic Conference race became more lopsided than usual by spring break last week. Instead of a “two-horse” race, it has turned into a clash between the Rams and Cougars.
The Asheville Cougars (12-4-1; 9-0 MAC) and Roberson Rams (16-4; 8-0) are unbeaten in league play heading into their regular-season finale at TCR on April 29 and at AHS on May 1. A sweep for either team secures the MAC’s top 4A playoff seed ahead of McDowell (8-9; 3-6). Meanwhile, the automatic 3A playoff seed is contested among Erwin (5-8; 2-4), A.C. Reynolds (10-8; 2-5), North Buncombe (11-8; 2-6), and Enka (5-10; 1-6). Roberson, the two-time reigning 4A state champion, swept Reynolds and others before winning 9-2 on April 17, with Holt Gaston striking out seven Hawks.
Asheville, the 2022 MAC champion, defeated Reynolds 7-4 and swept Enka (7-6, 6-1), NBHS (11-1, 9-4), and MHS by scores of 10-5 and then 4-1, with Jay Secretarski hitting two home runs and serving as the pitching closer.
Cougars, Falcons Tie 6-6
Asheville and 3A West had a tense tune-up with their 11-inning, 6-6 tie at AHS on April 16. The game went four extra innings before being called as dusk set in. AHS ballfield lights are expected to be installed as early as this week.
The Falcons won the 3A state title in 2023 under head coach Jackie Corn, Jr., featuring all-state stars Truitt Manuel and Jack Lyda. This spring, West (10-8-1; 4-4 M7) is fourth in M7 standings behind Tuscola (14-5; 9-1) and star junior pitcher Amos Rich, North Henderson Knights (13-7; 5-3), and Pisgah (8-8; 5-3).
Coach Justin King’s Knights and Pisgah will battle twice this week for second place. NHHS and West will conclude the regular season at West on April 29, then at NH on May 1. Hendersonville (6-10; 4-3) is a distant third in the 2A Mountain Foothills standings.
Dramatic Cougar, Falcon Tie
Coach Corn stated that his Falcons can “build on” the hard-fought deadlock with AHS, which enhances West’s strength of schedule and factors into which bubble teams make the playoffs.
West and Asheville primarily matched with unearned runs. Both teams scored once in the first and third innings, with AHS leading 3-2 in the fourth.
West quickly tied it in the top of the fifth. Swift Neil Robinson singled, stole bases, and scored on fellow senior Cam Simons’ single. Robinson remarked, “I make sure to often get on base and show that the pitcher doesn’t have a rocket arm” and is hittable. This raises Falcon batting “confidence.”
Each team scored a run in the seventh inning. Falcon senior Parker Maltby singled, stole second and third, and scored on Robinson’s sacrifice fly.
‘Big Knock’
Cougar junior Wilkin Lurie homered to left field, stating he locked in on a fastball. “Big knock, Wilkin!,” Asheville head coach Bill Hillier, Jr. proclaimed in the post-game huddle. Lurie also singled in the first Cougar run.
Senior Rion Jones’ two-run homer put West ahead 6-4 in the top of the tenth.
However, Asheville tied it one last time when freshman catcher Henry James beat out a would-be double play at first base, allowing a run to score. Jay Secretarski’s sacrifice fly brought in fellow senior Leo Justen for the final run.
AHS nearly won it on freshman Wilson Love’s pinch-hit single, but right fielder Maltby threw the ball to second baseman Grayson Davis. Davis’ relay nailed pinch runner Liam Doubraski at home, ending the tenth inning.
Other Falcon fielding gems included Davis spearing a liner and dashing to second base to double off a runner. Greyson Payne fielded a brisk one-hopper at third base and threw Lurie out at home.
AHS shortstop Jay Secretarski threw out Jackson Stepp at home. Normally slick-fielding AHS committed four official errors compared to one by West. Coach Hillier urged for better defense and fewer stranded runners on base.
Hustle plays included sophomore Cougar Tommy Secretarski sliding head-first to beat out a single.
‘Arms Race’ Heightens
Hillier noted that with his solid relief outing, lanky sophomore Jericho Swinger has emerged as a “valid arm for us” following a strong performance.
Similarly, West discovered a new pitcher. In his varsity debut on his 16th birthday, Patrick Auten pitched six relief innings on 91 pitches. Payne threw the first four innings, while sophomore Stepp pitched the scoreless eleventh inning for both sides.