Randleman’s Braxton Walker heads 2025 All-County Baseball Team

When it comes to honoring high school baseball players in Randolph County, there is never a shortage of candidates. This year was no different.

After a season which saw Uwharrie Charter Academy win its third straight state 1-A championship, a Randleman team that went into the fourth round of the state 2-A playoffs, an Eastern Randolph team that went to the West Region finals and a team that doubled its victory total from a year ago, there was talent all over the county.

Seven of the eight high school teams qualified for the state tournament, which makes narrowing our list of all-county performers very difficult. In order for a   player to be eligible, he first had to be nominated by his coach. Then statistics, sportsmanship and contributions to his team were taken into consideration.

Following is the 2025 Randolph Hub All-County Baseball team.

Player of the Year

Braxton Walker, Randleman

The senior was asked to do a lot this year and he didn’t disappoint as the Tigers captured another conference championship and made a deep run into the state 2-A playoffs. He hit .426 with a .493 on-base percentage, recording 37 hits. That included seven doubles and five home runs with 39 RBIs and 21 runs scored. He also showed a great eye at the plate with 21 walks. The ace of the pitching staff, he fanned 114 in 76 innings and had a sub-2.00 ERA. He was the Player of the Year in the Piedmont Athletic Conference. 

COACH of the Year

Ryan Spencer, Trinity

The Bulldogs had an incredible turnaround season in 2025 and Spencer was a big reason why. After a 9-16 record and 4-8 conference mark in 2024, Trinity finished 18-8 in 2025, including 7-5 in the league. Trinity placed third in the PAC behind Randleman and Uwharrie Charter Academy. The Bulldogs won their first six games of the season and defeated Mount Pleasant and West Stokes in the first two rounds of the state 2-A playoffs before falling 3-2 to county-foe Randleman in the third round.

ALL-COUNTY MEMBERS

JAKE RIDDLE (RHS) — The infielder/pitcher was a key cog for the Tigers. He provided many key hits, hitting .331 with 32 hits in all. He had nine doubles, knocked in 23 runs and scored 28 times. He recorded 59 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings on the mound.

TATE ANDREWS (RHS) — Whether he was at third base or first base, he was an exceptional fielder. He hit .327 with 28 hits, including five doubles and four home runs. He knocked in 21 runs and scored 17. 

JOHN KIRKPATRICK (RHS) — He filled many roles for the Tigers, including leadoff hitter, one of the top hurlers and the ability to play outfield or infield. He hit .311 with 31 hits, including seven doubles and two home runs. He had 20 RBIs and scored 22 times. He hurled 42 2/3 innings, striking out 56.

LINCOLN LAWSON (RHS) — Only a freshman, his future is bright. As the starting catcher, a very demanding position, he hit .343 this year with 33 hits. He had eight doubles and three home runs, knocking in 16 runs and scoring 23 times.

JAKE HUNTER (UCA) — A finalist for Player of the Year, Hunter finished with a .333 batting average for the Eagles, recording 38 hits. He scored 17 times and knocked in 15, while playing a stellar shotstop. He was also on the mound for the state championship-clinching shutout over Perquimans.

LOGUN WILKINS (UCA) — Another finalist for Player of the Year, his pitching numbers were simply astounding, finishing with a 9-3 record with one save and a miniscule ERA of 0.89 in 78 innings pitched. He walked only seven and fanned 84. He was named the PAC Pitcher of the Year.

JOSE RAMIREZ (UCA) — He led the Eagles’ offense with a .337 batting average and recorded numerous key hits during the season. He registered 30 hits in all, knocking in a team-high 17. He is headed to Montreat College.

BRETT SMITH (UCA) — Smith recorded six pitching wins with one save and an ERA of 1.85 as the Eagles three-peated for the state 1-A title. He threw 71 2/3 innings, recording 59 strikeouts. He had three complete games in the past three state championships.

ANDREW THOMAS (PG) — He recorded 23 hits for a .338 batting average, scoring 21 times and knocking in nine. He had three doubles, one triple and 18 stolen bases. He also won four games on the mound with a 2.77 ERA in 55 2/3 innings of work.

CANAAN SHEPPARD (PG) — He did a little bit of everything for the Patriots, recording 17 hits, knocking in 13 runs and scoring 13. He had seven stolen bases and was also a key member of the pitching staff, hurling 33 innings and recording a pair of wins.

CALEB COGGINS (WHS) — He finished with an impressive .406 batting average, recording 28 hits. He had six doubles, one triple and registered 14 RBIs. He was also solid on the basepath with 17 stolen bases.

ROWAN WAGNER (WHS) — He registered 28 hits, batting .354 with six doubles and one triple. He knocked in 14 runs while stealing 18 bases.

WILL STALKER (ER) — The Wildcats advanced to the state 1-A regional finals and he was a big reason why. No one was hotter after the midway point of the season than Stalker. He finished with a .354 batting average, a .424 on-base percentage and .402 slugging mark. He had 29 hits and 10 RBIs. He hit well over .400 in league play.

CADE McCALLUM (ER) — He was the workhorse on the mound, throwing 60 innings while fashioning a 2.65 ERA. He won three games and fanned 65 on the season. He also was a solid shortstop.

LUCAS SMITH (ER) — He was not only a solid outfielder, but he contributed at the plate and on the mound as well. He had a .402 slugging percentage while hitting near the .300 mark. He had 26 hits and 17 RBIs. He also recorded five wins on the mound, striking out 49 in 31 innings of work. 

COHEN CAVINESS (AHS) — The senior who caught every game for the Blue Comets led the team with a .325 batting average. He had a team-high 15 RBIs and was solid behind the plate. An excellent blocker of pitches, he also threw out 20 baserunners.

LINCOLN COBLE (THS) — He posted a 7-3 record on the mound for the team that made the biggest improvement. He threw 57 innings, recording 86 strikeouts and holding opposing batters to a .174 batting average. He was handed the baseball in all of Trinity’s key games.

BRODY LITTLE (THS) — The Bulldogs’ catcher hit .375 with a .571 on-base percentage. He recorded 22 hits and showed plenty of pop with three doubles, one triple, three home runs and 21 RBIs. He also threw out nine runners attempting to steal.

ETHAN WILLARD (THS) — The shortstop had an incredible defensive season while providing plenty of offense at the plate. He hit .341 with 28 hits. He had five doubles, two triples, scored 25 times and knocked in 14. He also had 13 stolen bases.

ZACK SCRUGGS (SWR) — His leadership defensively at shortstop was matched by an impressive offensive campaign. He hit .466 with a .511 on-base percentage. He had a balanced showing with seven doubles, one triple and two home runs. He is headed to Ferrum.

BRADY ARMFIELD (SWR) — A standout outfielder for the Cougars, he hit .368 with a .431 on-base percentage. He recorded six doubles, had one home run and knocked in 16 runs. He has outstanding leadership qualities. 

Honorable Mention

Alex Carver (UCA), Grat Dalton (UCA), Landon Zephir (UCA), Clay Hill (WHS), Shane Immel (AHS), Maddux Dunn (ER), Chance Holdaway (ER), Bryson Marley (ER), Walker Parrish (THS), Gage Griffiths (THS), Carson Coltrane (SWR).