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ZooKeepers pitcher Hunter Hill headshot

UCA alum, ZooKeepers pitcher Hill finds new college home

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ASHEBORO – Hunter Hill arrived to play summer baseball with the Asheboro ZooKeepers while representing North Carolina Wesleyan.

When he leaves, he’ll be heading to another college.

Hill, a former Uwharrie Charter Academy pitcher, is transferring to Division II Belmont Abbey.

“I’m excited about it,” he said. “I was happy to move up the ladder.”

Hill pitched for two seasons for Division III N.C. Wesleyan without a loss on his record. The time in his first season with the ZooKeepers in the Coastal Plain League has given him confidence that he can be successful at a higher level.

“It’s a good test,” he said. “Trying to be competitive and see what I got.”

Hill posted a 7-0 record with a 5.05 earned run average in 14 appearances as a sophomore for N.C. Wesleyan, which had a 36-10 record and won the USA South Conference regular-season and tournament titles to reach the Division III NCAA Tournament. That followed Hill’s freshman season when he was 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA.

ZooKeepers coach Korey Dunbar, who was aware of Hill during recruiting when he was on the staff of Division II Barton, said the pitcher has become a more powerful pitcher.

“Hunter has changed his body completely since high school,” Dunbar said.

The transfer process was a challenge because Division III regulations differ from the higher levels. That meant it was up to Hill to spread the word in the form of self-promotion.

“It was kind of a headache,” he said.

Hill, a right-hander, said he had interest from a few Division II teams.

Hill, a former player for Randolph County Post 45, said he was hoping to play in 2022 with the ZooKeepers, but he didn’t make those arrangements in time to be considered for a roster spot.

“This year, I took it as soon as I could.” he said. “I’ve loved it here.”

Hill was a starting pitcher for N.C. Wesleyan, but mostly has been logging bullpen innings for Asheboro.

“I was on an innings count for the summer,” he said.

Dunbar said Hill has fit in on the pitching staff. He entered this week with a 1-0 record and 10 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.

“Division II, Division III, for me, that kind of goes out the door,” Dunbar said. “It doesn’t matter where they’re from.”

There has been a pressure situation in an unusual form for Hill on the mound at McCrary Park. That came in a June game against the Holly Springs Salamanders.

The ZooKeepers held a 4-2 lead when Hill pitched the eighth inning. With two Salamanders on the base, team general manager Melissa Godwin, in an effort to rile up the crowd, announced on the public address system that a strikeout of Holly Spring’s Nolan Watson would ignite 10 T-shirts being thrown into the stands as a giveaway.

Hill came through with the strikeout.

“I can’t let everybody down,” Hill said of his thoughts. “That’s one of the coolest strikeouts I’ve had.”

UCA wrestling happy bench 2023

In review: UCA’s state titles highlight top area moments

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Members of the Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling team celebrate a dual team state championship last winter. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

There were championships and near misses and an assortment of other superlatives associated with the 2022-23 school year for Randolph County high school teams.

Uwharrie Charter Academy racked up a pair of team state championships in Class 1-A.

The Eagles secured the dual team wrestling title and a few months later picked up the baseball crown.

** Eastern Randolph’s boys’ basketball team had its most successful season ever by advancing to the Class 1-A state championship game. Wilson Prep won the game.

Then in baseball, the Wildcats ended up one round away from a spot in the state finals. They were denied by UCA in the West Region finals.

Those might have been surprise postseason runs, but Eastern Randolph’s football success seemed normal. The Wildcats won the Piedmont Athletic Conference, received a first-round bye in the Class 1-A state playoffs and won two playoff games before they were derailed by Mount Airy.

** Wheatmore’s girls’ soccer team also played for a state championship, but its bid to repeat as the Class 2-A titlist was thwarted in the final by Manteo.

** Asheboro’s boys’ soccer team made it to the Class 3-A West Region final, falling to Hickory.

** Randleman’s baseball and girls’ basketball teams both reached the fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs. In baseball, the Tigers were the two-time defending state champions.

** Providence Grove’s football team won one game in the Class 2-A state playoffs. That was notable because it was the school’s first victory in a postseason football game.

** In softball, Southwestern Randolph won three games in the Class 2-A state playoffs before a 10-inning loss to West Wilkes. UCA and Eastern Randolph also reached the fourth round in Class 1-A.

Notes of interest

** Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph was the PAC’s Runner of the Year in girls’ cross country, Player of the Year in girls’ basketball and the Most Valuable Track Athlete for PAC girls’ track and field.

** Shortstop / pitcher Tanner Marsh of Asheboro was a top honoree in two sports in the Mid-Piedmont Conference. He was dubbed the Defensive Player of the Year in boys’ basketball and the Player of the Year in baseball as a senior.

** Connor Carter of Eastern Randolph was the state individual runner-up for the past two seasons in Class 1-A boys’ golf.

** Infielder Hunter Atkins of Randleman was the Player of the Year for PAC baseball in 2021 and 2023. He’s heading to UNC Greensboro, though first he’s playing this summer for Randolph County Post 45 in American Legion baseball.

Randleman baseball Hunter Atkins v Trinity May2023

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference spring lists

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Hunter Atkins of Randleman takes a swing during a Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament game against Trinity. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for spring sports:

Baseball

Player of the Year: Hunter Atkins (Randleman)

Co-Pitchers of the Year: Austin Lemons (Randleman), Cade Hill (Trinity)

Coach of the Year: Ryan Spencer (Trinity)

All-conference

Randleman: Hunter Atkins, Austin Lemons, Shawn Miller, Seth Way.

Trinity: Jaxson Coble, Cade Hill, Jake Little, Landon Mowery.

Southwestern Randolph: Easton Clapp, Adam Cole, Tyler Parks.

Wheatmore: Payton Mooney, Mason Rich.

Providence Grove: Joe Coltrane, Logan Fox, Andrew Thomas.

Eastern Randolph: Samuel Asbill, Stratton Barwick, Ethan Frye.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Carter Brown, Jake Hunter, Walker Wilkins.

 

Boys’ golf

Player of the Year: Connor Carter (Eastern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Pete Kilcullen (Wheatmore)

All-conference

Wheatmore: Hunter Marshall, Ryan Marshall, Jayden Martin.

Providence Grove: Brandon Davis, Seth Turner, Cooper Wright.

Randleman: Justin Jackson, Mason Millikan.

Trinity: Bo Earnhardt, Ethan Earnhardt.

Eastern Randolph: Connor Carter.

 

Softball

Co-Players of the Year: Addie Flinchum (Eastern Randolph), Emma Mazzarone (Providence Grove)

Pitcher of the Year: Macie Crutchfield (Southwestern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Chad Whitson (Southwestern Randolph)

All-conference

Providence Grove: Maddie Flinchum, Devon Kelly, Callie Lambert, Emma Mazzarone.

Southwestern Randolph: Macie Crutchfield, Alley Lowe, Ky Perdue, Madelyn Smith, Maddie Strider, Madison Varner, Carleigh Whitson.

Eastern Randolph: Logan Beaver, Addie Flinchum, Lanie McDaniel, Ayanna Mears, Skylar Pugh, Ziera Watson.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Kynley Brewer, Molly Bulla.

Randleman: Jordan Booker, Kadie Greene.

Wheatmore: Carmen Turgeon.

Wheatmore’s Summer Bowman heads a ball during the Class 2-A state playoffs in a girls’ soccer game vs. Wilkes Central. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Girls’ soccer

Offensive Player of the Year: Ellie Garrison (Wheatmore)

Defensive of the Year: Natalie Bowman (Wheatmore)

Coach of the Year: Jimmy Walker (Southwestern Randolph)

All-conference

Wheatmore: Natalie Bowman, Summer Bowman, Shea Driggers, Ellie Garrison, Maggie Messner, Izabella Ringley, Mikalah Walls.

Southwestern Randolph: Macy Allred, Madison Blankenship, Sadie Mabe, Macy Walker.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Ava Cugino, Alexis Marion, Jazmin Palma.

Providence Grove: Jenny Banuelos, Brooke Ingram, Aaliyah Loveday, Alisa Shaw, Taryn Waugh.

Trinity: Deanna Cobb, Autumn Gentry.

Randleman: Emily Jaramillo Avila, Kendall Fortson, Estefania Jaimes.

Eastern Randolph: Cora Sparrow.

 

Boys’ tennis

Player of the Year: Conner Kelly (Southwestern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Cassie Wodecki (Providence Grove)

All-conference

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Cadence Butler, Evan Morin.

Wheatmore: Sam Greene, Jacob Younts.

Providence Grove: James Ellis, Hunter Sexton, Chase Whitaker.

Randleman: Ashton Dillon.

Trinity: Bradin Oldham, Dominic Payne.

Southwestern Randolph: Conner Kelly, Asher Perkins, Kearns Trotter.

 

Boys’ track and field

Most Valuable Track Athlete: Tristan Chriscoe (Randleman)

Most Outstanding Runner: Zach Hazelwood (Wheatmore)

Most Outstanding Field Event Participant: Chase Farlow (Randleman)

Coach of the Year: Marty Collinson (Randleman)

All-conference

Trinity: Jose Castillo, Memphis Chap, Zach Cox, Riley Foster, Dylan Hodges, Jacob Hodges, Giovanni Jaimes, Mitchell Marin-Pulido, Dominic Payne, AJ Poe, Robert Ratliff.

Providence Grove: Robert Burton, Malachi Combo, Jackson Rhyne.

Randleman: Tristan Chriscoe, Chase Farlow, Amari Ferdna, Tyshawn Goldston, Landon McGee, Amarion Moton, Ty Moton, Jonathan Sampson.

Wheatmore: Zach Hazelwood, Peyton McDevitt.

 

Girls’ track and field

Most Valuable Track Athlete: Brecken Snotherly (Eastern Randolph)

Outstanding Runner: Jensen Auman (Providence Grove)

Outstanding Field Event Participant: Gracie Beane (Randleman)

Coach of the Year: Ken Wilson (Wheatmore)

All-conference

Providence Grove: Jensen Auman, Maya Barber, Jazmin Cruz, Kaylan Currin, Carolina Duvall, Allie Frazier, Alyssa Kinley, Makayla Leonard.

Randleman: Gracie Beane, Iniyah Mitchell.

Wheatmore: Emma Davidson, Rinnah Edwards, Emerie Everhart, Abigail Lewis, Ariel Martin, Kahmarii McNeil, Kaitlyn Miller, Rylee Reidling, Peyton Wilson.

Southwestern Randolph: Gracie Hodgin, Sadie Mabe, Elizabeth Pierce.

Eastern Randolph: Brecken Snotherly.

Trinity: Kinsley Fox, Sarabeth Johnson.

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ava Cugino

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Uwharrie Charter Academy, girls’ soccer

Cugino repeated a spot on the Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference team.

This year, she was second among the Eagles with seven goals and third on the team with 11 assists. She also was one of the primary options on UCA for corner kicks.

UCA produced an 8-11-2 record that included one road victory in the Class 1-A state playoffs.

Cugino also participated in girls’ tennis for the Eagles.

Carter

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Carter Brown

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UCA, baseball

Brown continued his strong postseason play with a stellar Class 1-A championship series.

He went 3-for-4 with a triple in the clinching game against North Moore on Saturday in Holly Springs. Combined with his one hit in Game 1, he was 4-for-7 in the state finals.

That helped the junior right fielder be selected as the Most Valuable Player in the championship series.

UCA baseball coach Rob Shore in Game 1 of finals2023

UCA stamps season as state champs

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Coach Rob Shore, here during the Class 1-A state finals, directed Uwharrie Charter Academy to a state championship in his first season as head coach. (P.J. Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

HOLLY SPRINGS – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team looked the part of state champion.

The Eagles kept their crisp play in place all the way through the Class 1-A state finals.

UCA won the title for the second time in four seasons by sweeping North Moore in the best-of-3 series at Ting Stadium.

Saturday’s clincher came in the form of an 8-1 victory with pitcher Brett Smith firing a five-hitter. He struck out two and walked two.

Both teams ended up with 22-10 records, but UCA took home the desired hardware.

North Moore scored first on Bradley Mauldin’s second-inning double. Then UCA went to work, scoring four times in the third inning. The Eagles went ahead on Ben Medinger’s two-out, two-run single.

Carter Brown, Jake Hunter and Landen Zephir also had singles and Walker Wilkins rapped a run-scoring double.

UCA added runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Caleb Stickle’s two-run single came in the fifth.

Brown went 3-for-4 and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the series, while Wilkins finished with two hits.

The championship came under the direction of first-year coach Rob Shore, who moved into that position after one season as an assistant coach with the Eagles.

UCA also won the 2019 championship, then the 2020 season was cancelled statewide in early March because of the pandemic so there was no champion that year.

UCA baseball Ben Medinger tags out runner June2023

UCA rides Hunter’s pitching, defense to Game 1 win in state finals

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Uwharrie Charter Academy first baseman Ben Medinger tags out North Moore’s Elliot Furr as part of a pick-off play during Game 1 of the Class 1-A state finals Friday. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

HOLLY SPRINGS – Freshman Jake Hunter threw a complete game as Uwharrie Charter Academy defeated North Moore 2-1 in the opening game of the Class 1-A state championship series Friday at Ting Stadium.

Game 2 in the best-of-3 competition is at 11 a.m. Saturday, with a third game, if necessary, at 5 p.m.

“Game 1 is really big,” Hunter said. “It’s hard to win two games in a row against the same team, so we just came out here and played baseball and won Game 1, and hopefully we can win one (Saturday).”

Pitching and defense did the job for UCA in the series opener.

“That’s kind of what we’ve done throughout the playoffs,” Eagles coach Rob Shore said.

North Moore (22-9) scored in the top of the third inning. UCA (21-10) answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Troy Carver and Ben Medinger drove in runs for the Eagles.

North Moore pitcher Ethan Dunlap threw a five-hitter and impressed Shore.

“He gave up two runs and our guy gave up one, and that was (good) enough for today,” Shore said.

UCA’s Jake Hunter throws a pitch against North Moore in Game 1 of the Class 1-A state finals.                (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Hunter allowed eight hits and two walks while striking out four. He was supported by solid defense.

“I didn’t really know I was pitching Game 1 until about two days ago,” Hunter said. “I thought I was pitching Game 2.”

UCA baseball Ben Medinger from playoff game May2023

Eagles soar at right time: UCA set for state finals vs. North Moore

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Ben Medinger has been a key hitter for Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team this year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO – It wasn’t all great for Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team this season.

But the Eagles have good timing.

That’s why they still have games to play entering June.

UCA will compete for a state championship.

“We started out a little slow and we found a rhythm,” senior left fielder Peyton McCollum said. “We felt like we had the potential.”

The Eagles (20-10) take on North Moore (22-8) in the best-of-3 Class 1-A state championship series beginning Friday at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs. Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 will be held Saturday.

“We knew we had it in us to get here,” UCA outfielder Carter Brown said. “It was a matter if we wanted it enough.”

For Rob Shore, who’s in his first season as the team’s head coach after one year as an assistant, months ago he tried to plant the idea that the Eagles could play on the last weekend of the season.

“I told our guys back in like November that we could do something like this,” Shore said. “We were getting so much back (from the 2022 team), I knew we had a chance. If you can put that in their heads early, and we just kept preaching it.”

It didn’t look so bright across the first few weeks of the season. The Eagles entered April with a 4-8 record.

A week later, they lost 15-0 to visiting Central Davidson.

“We were all crushed after that game because we knew we should have never lost that bad,” McCollum said.

It also marked a turning point. UCA won its next nine games.

The Eagles insist they’re not surprised to be playing at this stage of the season.

“Absolutely not,” second baseman Troy Carver said. “We knew that once playoffs got here, we’d be better.”

Navigating the Piedmont Athletic Conference certainly helped. The Eagles tied for second place in the league, which is comprised mostly of Class 2-A teams.

“They are young, but I’ve told people all year that the conference we’re in has been preparing us to be on the stage that we’re on,” Shore said. “With some of the teams we played in non-conference and playing in those games a step above us, that has completely prepared our young guys.”

So at times the Eagles were knocked around, but they weren’t knocked out.

“I think our biggest thing is we just don’t back down,” McCollum said.

UCA swept Eastern Randolph in the West Region finals, which ended Thursday night.

The East Region finals was extended to Monday because Saturday’s scheduled Game 3 was rained out. North Moore edged host Voyager Academy 5-4 in Durham in the decisive game, sending the Mustangs to their first state finals.

A compelling clash

The matchup with North Moore pits two schools about 25 miles apart. These players have crossed paths on the youth circuit, and both schools had entries in a fall league at Asheboro’s McCrary Park.

UCA won the 2019 state title. That postseason march included a victory against North Moore in the first round when the teams were in the same conference and thus in the same region.

This year, Eastern Randolph defeated North Moore 13-5 in an early April meeting during spring break at Southwestern Randolph, so they have a common opponent.

North Moore is also part of a split conference.

Shore has experience in a championship series when he was on the 2018 coaching staff at Ledford, which reached the Class 2-A state finals.

“I kind of know what to expect,” Shore said.

Many of the underclassmen who UCA depends on might not have such a clear picture.

Sophomore Brett Smith and freshman Jake Hunter figure to be the starting pitchers for UCA, with sophomore Logun Wilkins available for that role as well.

“I feel confident in our pitching,” Shore said.

Along with the youth, there are four seniors, including leading hitter Ben Medinger, on the roster.

“We’re trying to give them one last chance,” said Carver, a junior.

Indeed, the Eagles are still playing.

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Peyton McCollum

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UCA, baseball

McCollum is a senior outfielder for the Eagles, who’ll play this week in the Class 1-A state finals. He has been a key hitter during the state playoffs.

In Game 1 of the West Regional finals vs. Eastern Randolph, McCollum provided two hits, scored a run and drove in a run. He also had two hits in the third-round game against North Stokes and the fourth-round game against Draughn.

McCollum and first baseman Ben Medinger are the only seniors who’ve regularly been in the starting lineup this season for UCA.

UCA baseball Brett Smith pitching May2023

Eagles know site, but not foe for Class 1-A state finals

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Uwharrie Charter Academy pitcher Brett Smith will be throwing off the Ting Stadium mound in Holly Springs in the Class 1-A state finals. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO – The baseball team from Uwharrie Charter Academy knows where it will play its Class 1-A state championship series.

The Eagles will have to wait a little longer to learn their opponent.

UCA (20-10) wrapped up the West Region title by winning Thursday night at Eastern Randolph to complete a two-game swept of the best-of-3 three regional finals.

It’s not so clear in the East Region. North Moore (21-8) and Voyager Academy (22-6) each have won a game apiece. Their series finale slated for Saturday night in Durham was postponed.

The teams have reset Game 3 for 2 p.m. Monday at Durham Athletic Park.

The road team has won each game. North Moore won 4-2 on Wednesday night. Game 2 was Friday night, with Voyager Academy winning 8-1 to extend the series.

UCA coach Rob Shore said Saturday night that he has been informed by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association that the Eagles will play in the state finals at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs. It will be one of two title series at that site, while two other classifications will meet at Burlington Athletic Stadium.

Shore is awaiting the specific game times, but Game 1 will be Friday and Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 will be Saturday.

Shore attended Game 2 of the East Region finals Friday night. He said he’s uncertain if he’ll be present for Monday’s Game 3.

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