Staff report

SALISBURY — The 5^th annual Piedmont Hot Stove League Baseball and Softball Awards were held recently at the West End Plaza. The event is designed to recognize and honor athletic success, leadership, scholarship and character in the seven-county region of Cabarrus, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Rowan and Stanly counties.

A sold-out crowd of over 575 guests attended the event which also included dinner, social time, an auction and a raffle.

BASEBALL

Players of the Year — Brady Marshall, Reagan and Harrison Ailshie, East Rowan

Pitcher of the Year — CJ Gray, A.L. Brown

Catcher of the Year — Carson Michael, West Davidson

Golden Glove — Thomas Shumaker, North Iredell

Outfielder of the Year — Marshal Faw, South Rowan

2026 Rising Star of the Year — Greyson Jones, West Forsyth, Cam Williamson, Charlie Shaver, North Stanly, Heath Klingensmith, North Stanly

2007 Rising Star of the Year — Carter Beck, North Davidson and Gabe Deibler, Reagan

Rising Star Impact Player of the Year — Sam Carpenter, West Stanly and Charlie Beck, Central Davidson

Gamer of the Year — Wilmer Martinez, Ledford

Leadership Award — Ben Mecimore

Schoar Athlete of the Year — Cameorn Cooper, North Stanly

Comeback Player of the Year — Cooper Beck, Central Davidson

Utility Player of the Year — Evan Koontz, Salisbury and Landon Church, West Forsyth

Slugger of the Year — Nick Papciak, Wesleyan Christian Academy

Youth Baseball Leadership — Tyler Daugherty, North Stanly

Youth Baseball Player of the Year — Trendyn Motley, Cox Mill, Brendan Blankenship, South Iredell, Ryder Sheffield, Gray Stone Day

 

SOFTBALL

Leadership Award — Vivian Ballard, Lake Norman

Player of the Year — Kristyn Embler, Hickory Ridge

Pitcher of the Year — Mary Peyton Hodge, Oak Grove

Catcher of the Year — Kyera Combs, Lake Norman

Goldenm Glove — Chloe Phillips, Central Cabarrus

Outfielder of the Year — Bailey Huff, Reagan

2026 Rising Star of the Year — Abby Brown, North Davidson, Dilynn Norris, South Iredell, Lilah Clayman, Reagan

2027 Rising Star of the Year — Bryton Zimmerman, North Davidson, Reese Poole, West Rowan, Savannah Coln, Mount Pleasant, Morgan Maxwell, West Forsyth

Utility Player of the Year — Kinsley Tyson, South Stanly, Kylie Speight, North Stanly

Slugger of the Year — Hayley Ellis, NW Cabarrus

Gamer of the Year — Rylee Wilson, Reagan

Scholar Athlete of the Year — Delaney Parsons, Davie

Youth Player of the Year — Abigail Smith, Forsyth Home Educators

Middle School Team of the Year — Oak Grove

Community Hero — Ashley Yang, Salisbury