Randleman baseball - Randolph Record

21 May

Finding the Way: Randleman takes normal path to another rout

Bob SuttonSportsBrooks Brannon, Class 2-A, Drake Purvis, Prep baseball, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, state playoffs, Trey Way

Trey Way and his teammates react to his game-sealing home run Friday night against East Surry. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Tigers ruin showdown, head to regional final RANDLEMAN – The fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs shaped up as an epic showdown between two one-loss baseball teams. As the national anthem played, the line at the entrance gate had dozens of fans waiting to get in – and stayed that way for quite a while. The scene at Joe Brookshire Field had all the makings of a classic. Then Randleman did its thing – again. The Tigers…

13 May

Randleman’s rich pitching provides perks

Bob SuttonSportsprep sports, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, state playoffs

Randleman pitcher Drake Purvis reacts to an out during Thursday night's shutout of East Gaston in the Class 2-A state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Tigers blank first two baseball foes in state playoffs RANDLEMAN – Trey Way is considered among the best pitchers on Randleman’s star-studded baseball team. Too bad he rarely finds his way to the mound these days. “They don’t give me chances anymore,” Way said with a laugh, understanding the situation. “It’s a good thing.” Randleman’s bid to repeat as Class 2-A state champion is off to a rousing start through the first week of…

06 May

Randleman tunes up for states with another special night

Bob SuttonBusiness, Sportsbaseball, PAC baseball, prep sports, Randleman baseball, Trinity sports

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.…

13 Apr

Tigers blank Patriots twice as Randleman closes in on outright PAC title

Bob SuttonSportspiedmont athletic conference, Randleman, Randleman baseball

Randleman’s Hunter Atkins drills the ball during a game against Southwestern Randolph in Piedmont Athletic Conference action last month at Randleman. CLIMAX — Randleman’s baseball team was close to perfect in a couple of ways during a pair of Piedmont Athletic Conference shutouts last week. Those results allowed the Tigers to clinch at least a share of the PAC regular-season championship. “We’ve been swinging it really well,” outfielder Braylen Hayes said. “Pitching is amazing.” Indeed, in Wednesday’s 10-0 victory at Providence Grove, Ryan White retired the first 17 batters he faced. So he had a perfect game until Brady Collins…

06 Apr

Tigers to take different test on spring break

Bob SuttonSportshigh school baseball, Randleman baseball, randolph county sports, Tigers

Randleman’s Braylen Hayes (No. 4) is greeted at the plate by teammates after hitting a home run in last month’s 11-1 victory against visiting Southwestern Randolph. The Tigers remained undefeated. RANDLEMAN — Randleman’s baseball team has been dominant this season as the Tigers are fresh off their 2021 state championship. They’ll be tested in different ways next week when they take part in the highly regarded Hanahan Invitational Tournament (known as H.I.T.) based in Charleston, S.C. “The guys are all really excited about it,” coach Jake Smith said. “Something new, get to travel. I kind of like the fact of…