By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Salisbury’s early baseball games have made the RMS Titanic seem like an awesome success story, but head coach Carson Herndon isn’t ruffled or discouraged by an 0-3 start, even though it’s been painful watching the Hornets throw 300 pitches to get through 13 innings.

“We just haven’t had the arms to throw,” Herndon said. “Hank Webb has been big for the basketball team. Obviously, they’re still playing. Evan Koontz banged up his shoulder during football season and hasn’t pitched yet. Koontz threw 37 or 38 innings last year. Webb threw 30. That’s a big chunk of the total innings for a high school staff.”

The early losses for the Hornets were by discouraging scores of 19-1, 16-4 and 13-8 and weren’t a barrel of fun. The Concord game — that was the 13-8 loss — looked winnable on paper, but the Hornets gave up 11 runs in the first inning, and played uphill after that.

The Hornets haven’t been good with the leather, either, so the pitchers haven’t gotten much help.

Of course, it all could change quickly when Webb reports for duty and if Koontz gets healthy. That would make the Hornets a different team.

Seniors Koontz, Webb, Jackson Sparger, Cole Price and Landon Tucker have been core players for the Hornets since they were freshmen. Koontz, Webb and Price are returning All-Central Carolina Conference players. This should be their year, and it still might be.

Sparger, a five-sport athlete, bounces back and forth between the golf and baseball teams in the spring, but he’s pitched reasonably well.

“He’s a sinker/slider guy throwing from a three-quarters arm slot, and he throws a lot of strikes,” Herndon said.

Tucker is a left-handed pitcher with a good stick. Price can swing the bat as well as pitch, but the Hornets usually will need him to catch. Sparger is the likely catcher when Price pitches.

The pitching staff also features sophomore strike-thrower Ben Young.

Koontz or Sparger can anchor the infield at shortstop. Webb can man a corner infield spot if he’s not pitching. Tucker will normally be at first base if he’s not on the mound.

Senior Ny’Gel Elliott, the strong football defensive lineman, is expected to bring power to the outfield.

“He’s got plenty of pop,” Herndon said.

An interesting newcomer is freshman Alexander Huffman. He’s from the Huffman family that produced Salisbury High greats in the 1980s, and he swung the bat well at Concord.

There are two intriguing names on the baseball roster who are outstanding athletes, although no one knows yet how much impact they’ll make on the diamond.

Junior Braylon Taylor is the younger brother of JT Taylor, who plays baseball for North Carolina A&T. It’s not hard to imagine him gliding around second base and making plays.

Senior Myles Smith, who has been a devastating dunker for the Hornets, played some baseball during his years at Victory Christian Center in Charlotte and is on the SHS roster.

“I’ve been watching Myles in the gym for a few months,” Herndon said. “He’s a very special athlete. If he plays baseball. I don’t see any way that he won’t help us a lot.”

The SHS roster also includes seniors Jerry White  and Avalyon Cruse, sophomores Nick Clement, Nolt Lescoe, Kayden Borja, Hunter Franklin, Tack Thurman and Kennell Jackson and freshmen Mike Ross and Ricky Jacobs.

The Hornets will need a couple from that group to emerge to add some length to the lineup.

Salisbury baseball at a glance

Coach: Carson Herndon (4th season, 36-36)

2024 record: 14-11, 7-5 CCC (tied, 3rd)

Playoffs: Did not make playoffs in 2024.

Conference regular-season championships (3): 1955, 1984, 2008