baseball

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Tyler Kimball

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Tyler Kimball

Wheatmore, baseball Kimball has been a boost at the plate for the Warriors in their quest for a turnaround season. Wheatmore won three of four games in a seven-day span. That included two victories against Eastern Randolph in Piedmont Athletic Conference play and a non-league triumph at West Davidson. Earlier this month, Kimball, a senior, had a hit in each game against Randleman. He homered in one of those two games. The Warriors, who haven’t had a winning season since 2018, entered this week with a 5-5 overall record.
Read More
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Logan Sawyer

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Logan Sawyer

Uwharrie Charter Academy  |  baseball Sawyer, a senior infielder, wrapped up his final baseball season with Uwharrie Charter Academy in the spring. He landed a spot on the All-Piedmont Athletic Conference team. The Eagles finished the season with a 10-15 record after winning three games in the Class 1-A state playoffs. Their postseason run came to an end with a loss to eventual state runner-up Cherryville. During his senior year, Sawyer committed to play baseball at Division III Brevard College. He played this summer for the High Point Hushpuppies in the Old North State League, which is a summer circuit…
Read More
Loud, proud prep career for Brannon

Loud, proud prep career for Brannon

Brooks Brannon had a record-setting high school season with some incredible power-hitting numbers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randleman catcher awaits draft after season filled with thrills RANDLEMAN — For all the noise Brooks Brannon can bring to a ballpark, it might be a level of calmness that helped him – and his teammates – most. Yet there could be more commotion connected to his baseball career this weekend when baseball’s amateur draft begins, and the Randleman catcher is bound to be among those selected. Whether he goes from high school to the pros – or chooses a route playing college baseball…
Read More
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Lane Dalke

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Lane Dalke

Southwestern Randolph  |  baseball, football Dalke, a senior, wrapped up his high school career by leading the Cougars with 20 runs batted in. He homered twice to lead the team in that category while playing in all 25 games. In the field, Dalke was a third baseman and catcher. He played primarily behind the plate when an injury on the team necessitated that versatility. Dalke was a linebacker for the school’s eight-win football team. He received All-Piedmont Athletic Conference honors for his role as one of the key contributors to the defense. 
Read More
Championships, individual excellence highlight spring prep season in county

Championships, individual excellence highlight spring prep season in county

Asheboro’s Arianna Lovingood-Smith’s makes an attempt in the high jump during the Class 3-A state championships last month at North Carolina A&T. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) There was plenty to digest for spring prep sports involving Randolph County teams in addition to Wheatmore’s girls’ soccer team and Randleman’s baseball team winning Class 2-A state championships. Those accomplishments were certainly among the highlights, but other developments deserve certain attention as well.   Blue Comets jump ahead Asheboro’s girls’ track and field team won the program’s first conference championship by capturing the Mid-Piedmont Conference title. “We’ve had some good talent come through, but…
Read More
With lofty standard, Tigers just roll with it into state finals

With lofty standard, Tigers just roll with it into state finals

Coach Jake Smith has directed Randleman back to another spot in the state finals. A familiar foe awaits. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN — All those lopsided results for Randleman’s baseball team on the way to the Class 2-A state finals don’t mean it has been easy this year for the Tigers. “We can’t take any team lightly,” first baseman Gus Shelton said. “We are expected to win and that is pressure on us, if you want to call it pressure. I don’t think anybody has changed anything. We’re just taking it game-by-game.” It will take two more victories to repeat…
Read More
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ryan White

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ryan White

Randleman | baseball The senior pitcher was stellar in the Class 2-A regional finals, setting the tone by going into the fifth inning of the team’s shutout victory in Game 1 of the series against Community School of Davidson. White struck out six while allowing one hit before he was taken out to preserve his pitch count. White, a left-hander who’s signed to play collegiately for Western Carolina, has had an increased role for the Tigers’ offense as well. He holds the No. 8 spot in the batting order, serving as the designated hitter for games when he’s not pitching.
Read More
Prep Roundup: Special softball season ends for Patriots

Prep Roundup: Special softball season ends for Patriots

Wheatmore’s Ellie Garrison takes a shot and scores a goal against East Davidson during a second-round victory in the Class 2-A state playoffs last Thursday. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL CLIMAX — Providence Grove’s magical softball season came to a close with Friday night’s 1-0 home loss to West Stokes in the fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs. The Patriots, who were the top seed in the West Region, were doomed by a lead-off home run in the fourth inning. Fifth-seeded West Stokes advanced to the regional finals.  Providence Grove finished with a 24-1 record. Emma Mazzarone struck out…
Read More
Prep Roundup: Soccer teams start state playoffs strong at home

Prep Roundup: Soccer teams start state playoffs strong at home

Asheboro and Uwharrie Charter Academy won opening-round games in the state playoffs for girls’ soccer Monday night. Asheboro defeated visiting Foard 2-1 behind two goals from Tess Moody in Class 3-A. Natalie Flores had an assist and goalkeeper Sarah Allred made nine saves. UCA topped Piedmont Community 7-0 in Class 1-A, with Ava Cugino posting two goals and one assist, Kendall Jarrell scoring twice and Chloe Douglas, Kaylen Trucks and Ivy Redding all providing one goal. Second-round games are set for Thursday. A pair of Class 2-A teams from Randolph County failed to advance, while undefeated Wheatmore was slated to…
Read More
Randleman tunes up for states with another special night

Randleman tunes up for states with another special night

Randleman's Braylen Hayes rips one of his two grand slams in the PAC Tournament title game against Trinity. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – There were a few more highlights for Randleman’s baseball team before the Tigers get around to main event. For the 25-win team, the state playoffs are about to arrive. “There will definitely be pressure because it’s playoffs, one-and-done type deal,” center fielder Braylen Hayes said. “I feel we can overcome the pressure once we get out there.” There were no nerves present for the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament, with the Tigers rolling to the championship.…
Read More