Prep baseball

UCA, Eastern Randolph advance to Class 1-A showdown; Randleman’s reign ends in Class 2-A upset

UCA, Eastern Randolph advance to Class 1-A showdown; Randleman’s reign ends in Class 2-A upset

Coach Rob Shore has guided Uwharrie Charter Academy deep into the state playoffs in his first season in that role. (Randolph Record) There will be a Randolph County baseball team in the state finals. It won’t be Randleman. Either Uwharrie Charter Academy or Eastern Randolph will be in the Class 1-A state championship series in the first weekend of June. Those teams will meet in a best-of-3 West Regional final. Two-time defending Class 2-A state champion Randleman was bounced in Friday night’s fourth round by Eden Morehead. Here’s a recap of how it has shaken out: Class 1-A The only…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Samuel Asbill

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Samuel Asbill

Eastern Randolph, baseball Asbill gave a strong pitching performance in one of Eastern Randolph’s two road victories last week in the Class 1-A state playoffs. Asbill, a junior right-hander, was listed for throwing 103 pitches when the Wildcats defeated Mt. Airy. This marks the second year in a row that the Wildcats have secured two victories in the state playoffs. Before that, they hadn’t won a state-playoff game since 2013.
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Here’s Randolph County slate for third round in baseball, softball state playoffs

Here’s Randolph County slate for third round in baseball, softball state playoffs

 Uwharrie Charter Academy softball players greet Molly Bulla as she approaches the plate after hitting a home run during a Class 1-A game last week against Highland Tech. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) Several area teams are in action Tuesday in the third round of the state playoffs in baseball and softball. Here’s a rundown: Baseball Class 2-A East Davidson (20-4) at Randleman (22-4) Class 1-A North Stokes (23-5) at Uwharrie Charter Academy (16-10) Eastern Randolph (6-17) at Highland Tech (13-12)   Softball Class 2-A Mount Pleasant (16-10) at Southwestern Randolph (21-1) Class 1-A East Wilkes (22-5) at Eastern Randolph (17-5) North…
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Randleman hits at another level in baseball playoff romps

Randleman hits at another level in baseball playoff romps

RANDLEMAN – As the Class 2-A state playoffs began, Randleman’s baseball team cranked it up a notch. The Tigers know what it takes this time of the year. “We’ve got to keep up the energy,” senior second baseman Shawn Miller said. “We all know we’re good enough to be on the field.” For the two-time defending state champions, the bats have awakened. With Friday night’s power display, it was reminiscent of a season ago – with mostly different guys taking the swings. “More of what I expected throughout the year,” coach Jake Smith said of the offense. “Hopefully, we’re hitting…
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Prep baseball: Eastern Randolph, UCA slide through first week of state playoffs

Prep baseball: Eastern Randolph, UCA slide through first week of state playoffs

Jake Hunter’s pitching has given Uwharrie Charter Academy a boost. (Randolph Record) Eastern Randolph and Uwharrie Charter Academy took different paths to the third round of the Class 1-A state playoffs in baseball. Each team won twice in the first week of the state playoffs. No. 21 seed Eastern Randolph (6-17) won two road games, beginning with a 9-5 ousting of No. 12 seed Mount Airy. Then the Wildcats went to No. 5 seed Hayesville, where Friday night’s game was suspended in the fifth inning. Eastern Randolph ended up with a 5-2 victory when the game concluded Saturday. Eastern Randolph…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Davis Gore

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Davis Gore

Asheboro, baseball Gore has been a steady performer for the Blue Comets on the baseball field this spring. He shares the team lead with six home runs, and he’s second among the Blue Comets with 18 runs scored. Gore is a catcher and utility player heading to Belmont Abbey for college. Asheboro won four of its last five games entering the Class 3-A state playoffs this week. Gore also played football for the Blue Comets.
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Area teams hold No. 2 seeds for state playoffs in baseball, softball

Area teams hold No. 2 seeds for state playoffs in baseball, softball

Caleb Stickle and the Uwharrie Charter Academy baseball team are diving into the state playoffs this week. (P.J. Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Baseball teams from Randleman and Uwharrie Charter Academy and the Southwestern Randolph softball team all landed No. 2 seeds in the West Region for the state playoffs. Brackets were unveiled Monday. Play begins Tuesday. Teams that advance will be slated to play second-round games Friday. Here’s a look where Randolph County teams were seeded: Baseball Randleman (20-4) welcomes No. 31 seed Reidsville (11-14) for the first round in Class 2-A. A victory would mean that No. 15 Forbush (20-7) or…
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Lemons sours Trinity in eventful PAC Tournament final for Randleman’s baseball team

Lemons sours Trinity in eventful PAC Tournament final for Randleman’s baseball team

Randleman’s Austin Lemons had a big night on the mound and at the plate in the PAC Tournament final. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – There was so much going on with Randleman’s baseball team in the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament final. Everything from Drake Purvis making his much-anticipated season debut to the Tigers racking up their 20th victory of the year. Yet pretty much nothing could overshadow Austin Lemons. The senior who mostly waited in the wings behind a stacked roster from a year ago emerged as the pitching and hitting standout in Randleman’s 4-0 victory against visiting Trinity on…
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Tigers take different route, end up in PAC final

Tigers take different route, end up in PAC final

One strike away from a tournament exit, Randleman overcomes Providence Grove RANDLEMAN – Randleman’s baseball team hadn’t been in many of these situations in recent years. Trailing by two runs and down to their final strike, the Tigers’ stranglehold on the Piedmont Athletic Conference was in jeopardy Tuesday night. Providence Grove was on the cusp of pulling off an upset in the PAC Tournament semifinal. “I haven’t been in that many situations like that.” Randleman junior Seth Way said. “Do what you have to do to win the game.” So he did. Down 0-2 in the count with runners on…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Andrew Canter

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Andrew Canter

Providence Grove, baseball Canter has been a key hitter and has supplied a huge boost on the mound for Providence Grove in his senior season. Canter, who also played football at the school, rolled up four pitching victories in the regular season. The Patriots bounced back following a rare losing season to hold a 13-9 mark at the end of the regular season. As a quarterback in his final season in football, he tossed 10 touchdown passes and threw for more than 1,000 yards.
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