Evan GerikeAsheville Citizen Times
The Citizen-Times and Times-News have released theAll-WNC baseball teamfor the 2024 season, including Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and the top infielders and outfielders.
Roberson repeated as state champions in the NCHSAA 4A playoffs, bringing the trophy back to Asheville in dominant fashion. Tuscola reached the 3A Western Regional final for the first time since 2010 and Asheville Christian Academy made the semifinals in the NCISAA 3A playoffs.
Here is the 2024 All-WNC team.
All-WNC baseball player of the year
Micah Simpson
Roberson
Junior | Pitcher
Simpson was dominant all season, but he took it up a notch in the playoffs to lead the Rams to a second consecutive state title. In four playoff appearances, he was 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA, 18 strikeouts, two walks and two complete games. He drove in 12 runs over eight postseason games.
Simpson finished the season with a .365 average, 11 doubles, 31 RBIs and two home runs on offense and a 1.45 ERA, 65 strikeouts and a 12-2 record on the mound in 72 innings.
Coach of the Year
Eric Filipek
Roberson
Even with a target on his team's back, Filipek guided the Rams to a repeat as NCHSAA 4A state champions in a rather dominant fashion. Roberson one-upped last year's trophy by sweeping Ashley in the finals, finishing as the state's best team in its toughest class. Filipek's Rams are just the third-ever 4A team to repeat as state champs.
Rest of All-WNC Baseball First Team
Truitt Manuel
West Henderson
Senior | Pitcher
The NC State signee was once again one of the area’s best players, finishing the season with a 7-1 record, a 1.00 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 49 innings pitched. He was just as solid at the plate, recording a .364 batting average with five home runs and 23 RBIs.
Peyton Maybin
North Henderson
Sophom*ore | Pitcher
The 3A All-State selection nearly brought the Knights to a Mountain 7 Conference title. Over 62⅓ innings pitched, Maybin earned an 8-1 record with a 1.46 ERA, 89 strikeouts and 20 walks allowed.
Amani Perin
West Henderson
Senior | Catcher
The Falcons’ catcher brought a powerful bat to the middle of West Henderson’s lineup. With seven doubles and seven home runs, his slugging percentage was .731. He hit .372 with 22 RBIs.
Caden Davidson
Roberson
Junior | Infield
Davidson led the Rams with a .409 average, 36 hits, 13 doubles, two home runs and 33 RBIs. He batted third in Roberson’s state title-winning lineup on his way to MVP honors in the championship series.
Jackson Lyda
West Henderson
Senior | Infield
Lyda was a consistent table-setter at the top of the Falcons' lineup. He batted .407 with a slugging percentage of .691 after hitting 11 doubles, three triples and two home runs. He also scored 31 runs for West Henderson.
Kolt Nelson
Tuscola
Junior | Infield
Nelson was a major part in the core of the Mountaineers' lineup, helping lead Tuscola to its first 3A West Regional final since 2010. He batted .376 with 16 doubles and 22 RBIs.
Jay Secretarski
Asheville High
Junior | Infield
The Cougars played solid baseball down the back stretch of the season, partially thanks to Secretarski's bat. They won nine of 12 games to end the season while the junior finished the year with a .370 batting average, a .464 on-base percentage, 11 RBIs and 12 stolen bases to earn All-MAC first-team honors.
Gunnar Alm
Polk County
Sophom*ore | Outfield
Alm brought one of the most powerful bats in WNC this season, hitting seven home runs and driving in 23 for the Wolverines. The NC State commit batted .408 on the season and stole 25 bases.
Chip Hoornstra
Asheville Christian Academy
Senior | Outfield
Hoornstra was a solid bat in the Lions’ lineup, hitting .458 with seven doubles, two triples and two home runs. He also drove in 32 runs and his 22 stolen bases were a school record. Hoornstra helped lead ACA to the semifinals of the NCISAA 3A playoffs and was named All-State.
Amos Rich
Tuscola
Sophom*ore | Outfield
Ric, a 3A All-State selection and Mountain 7 Conference Player of the Year, batted .351 with 33 hits, eight doubles, five home runs and 37 RBIs.
Jackson Sellers
Hayesville
Sophom*ore | Utility
Sellers was an all-around player for the Yellow Jackets, earning a 1A All-State selection. His .519 batting average was second-best in the class, and he added 19 RBIs, four doubles and 10 stolen bases in 10 attempts. On the mound, he was 6-1 with a 2.68 ERA, two shutouts and 45 strikeouts in 34 innings.
All-WNC Baseball Second Team
Pitcher: Seth Coxie, Asheville Christian Academy, Sr.
Pitcher: Reno Jeter, Roberson, Sr.
Pitcher: Deegan Randall, Enka, Jr.
Catcher: Evan Conner, Tuscola, Jr.
Infield: CJ Burleson, Mountain Heritage, Sr.
Infield: AJ Mackey, Mitchell, Fr.
Infield: Max Shelton, Madison, So.
Infield: Carson Wallace, Erwin, Jr.
Outfield: Jude Lyda, West Henderson, Sr.
Outfield: Ethan Orr, Robbinsville, Sr.
Outfield: Bradyn Ruais, Swain County, Sr.
Utility: Stash Spear, North Henderson, Jr.
Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @EvanGerike. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
