By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — This year’s first team all-county baseball squad resembled a basketball team filing into Catawba’s Goodman Gym for photos.

Carson’s Luke Barringer and Owen White; East Rowan’s Hayden Setzer; South Rowan’s Garrett Harrington; and Salisbury’s Jack Fisher are all 6-foot-3 or taller. West’s Olen Stamper is 6-2. East’s Wayne Mize and Salisbury’s Bo Rusher looked like linebackers. Kids are getting bigger. This was one of the more strapping teams in memory.

The 18 honored players reflected the season in the county. Carson, which had 24 wins and a couple of championships, led the way with five. East (19 wins) and Salisbury (17 wins) had four each. West (12 wins) and South (10 wins) had two apiece. North (9 wins) had one. It was a strong year for pitchers and outfielders.

First team:

Owen White, Carson Sr. — Second-round draft pick was the county’s best pitcher (10-1) and Carson’s best hitter.

Hayden Setzer, East Sr. — Catawba signee won six on the mound, hit four homers and led the county with 35 runs scored.

Bo Rusher, Salisbury Jr. — Catcher had a fantastic season, batting .430 with 33 runs, 31 RBIs. Also helped the Hornets as a reliever.

Wayne Mize, East Soph. — Mostly a DH, he enjoyed a monster offensive season with county highs of seven homers and 39 RBIs.

Jack Fisher, Salisbury Jr. — Solid two-way performer as pitcher/outfielder, lefty won seven on the mound and knocked in 19

Maddux Holshouser, Sr. — Lefty went 9-1 on the mound and contributed as a hitter and first baseman. Signed with UNC Greensboro.

Chandler Lippard, Sr. — Got off to an incredible start in the opening weeks, county batting champ at .462 with 29 RBIs.

Cameron Prugh, Carson Sr. — His versatility was a key to Carson’s season. Won four games on the mound, batted .323, played shortstop when White pitched and second base when Holshouser hurled.

Luke Barringer, Carson Jr. — Slugging outfielder paced the Cougars with six homers and 25 RBIs.

Brycen Holshouser, Carson Sr. — Good in center field, drove in 21 runs while batting .296.

Griffin Myers, Salisbury Sr. — Didn’t get to pitch much, but manned shortstop and batted .400.

Jarrid Nelson, South Jr. — A catcher/pitcher, he helped South in multiple ways. Drove in 16 runs and batted .302.

Brett Tucker, North Sr. —Represented Cavaliers on the All-YVC team. Versatile player was a catcher/center fielder.

Charlie Klinger, East  Soph. — A catcher by trade but played mostly outfield for the Mustangs. Batted .375 and scored 23 runs.

Will Brown, East Sr. — Won four games on the hill with a 2.60 ERA, also played outfield and knocked in 16 runs.

Garrett Harrington, South Sr. — Primarily a third baseman but played all over the infield. Batted team-best .370 with 15 RBIs.

Mykal Berger, West Sr. — West’s best offensive player, the outfielder produced 19 runs, 14 RBIs.

Olen Stamper, West Sr. — Headed to Catawba Valley Community College, he was West’s ace with a 4-2 record and a 2.37 ERA.

 

Second team:

Joe Steinman, Salisbury Sr. — Batted over .300 with 19 RBIs and won three games on the mound.

Garrett Alewine, Carson Jr. — Handled a great pitching staff, came through with key hits and drove in 14.

Vance Honeycutt, Salisbury Fr. — Lead-off batter and smooth middle infielder, he batted .291 with 27 runs scored.

Clayton Gilmore, Carson Sr. — Right fielder got on base as the No. 9 hitter, scored 19 runs.

C.P. Pyle, Carson Fr. — Good at second base, batted .294 and scored 15 runs.

Daniel Durham, West Jr. — Lefty won three times on the mound and drove in 11 runs.

Jordan Goodine, North Soph. — Solid two-way player for Cavaliers as pitcher and first baseman.

Trevor Scruggs, East Sr. — Solid catcher drove in 14 runs.

McGwire Smith, North Sr.— Effective pitcher and a steady offensive player, he was Honorable Mention All-YVC.

Bryson Wagner, East Jr. — Shortstop got on base a lot and scored 25 runs.

Blaine Shellhorn, Salisbury Soph. — Right fielder drove in 15 runs, stole 11 bases.

Jake Hunter,  East Fr. — Went 3-2 on the mound with a sparkling 1.86 ERA.

Andrew Jones, South Jr. — Cooled off at the plate after hot start, but was outstanding in center field.

Logan Sproul, West Sr.— Outfielder got on base (17 walks) and scored 22 runs.

Bryson Bebber, South Jr. — Played first, second and left for the Raiders and hit .333.