BEST OF THE BEST: Draughn’s Jensen, Freedom’s Robinson receive county player of the year recognition

After presenting our inaugural All-Burke County high school baseball and softball teams a year ago, the sports staff of The Paper is excited to announce the 2025 all-county squads for both sports.

Each all-county team includes a player of the year and nine additional selections. There is also an honorable mention squad for both sports.

Draughn’s Tate Jensen is the baseball player of the year for the second year in a row, while Freedom’s Daniell Robinson is the softball player of the year.

Also named the Western Highlands 1A/2A Conference player of the year for the second consecutive season after previously snagging two WHC pitcher of the year awards and earning 2023 1A state player of the year honors, Jensen batted .476 (first in county) as a senior with 30 hits including three home runs, eight doubles (first in county), and four triples (first in county). He also knocked in 32 runs (first in county), scored 23 times, and had 14 stolen bases (T-first in county) as he helped the Wildcats capture their fourth straight conference title and reach at least the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state playoffs for the third year in a row.

Listed as an outfielder/first baseman in addition to a pitcher, Jensen posted a 7-4 record (most wins among county players) and a 2.12 ERA on the mound. The left-hander also had 113 strikeouts (first in county) against 31 walks in 11 appearances (all starts) spanning 56 innings and threw a pair of complete-game shutouts, highlighted by the third no-hitter of his prep career in an 11-0, five-inning victory over Rosman on March 11 in Valdese.

Jensen struck out at least 10 batters seven times this spring — including 14 on two occasions — after doing so six times as a junior, five times as a sophomore, and four times as a freshman. For his career, he was 31-9 with a 1.51 ERA and 406 strikeouts against 136 walks in 46 appearances spanning 231 2/3 innings, limiting opposing hitters to a .167 batting average along the way.

Offensively, Jensen registered five three-hit games and five two-hit performances in 2025, and he also had multiple RBIs on eight occasions, highlighted by a five-RBI effort in a 7-5 road victory over Madison on April 15. Furthermore, the 6-foot-2 Appalachian State University signee completed his career with a .473 batting average, 132 hits including 14 homers, 33 doubles, and eight triples, 96 RBIs, 115 runs scored, 44 stolen bases, and over twice as many walks (88) as strikeouts (41).

As for Robinson, she sported a .387 batting average this spring, finishing with 29 hits including 10 homers, four doubles, and the first triple of her prep career. The senior pitcher/third baseman had 36 RBIs (first in county) as well to go with 23 runs scored and four stolen bases.

An All-Northwestern 3A/4A Conference and all-county selection each of the last two seasons, Robinson also pitched in 25 of 27 games and earned the win in eight of the Lady Patriots’ 10 victories as they ultimately made the 3A state playoffs for the second consecutive year. The right-hander added 67 strikeouts against 41 walks in 74 1/3 innings while going up against such teams as perennial state powers Alexander Central and South Caldwell — the latter of which was scheduled to face top-seeded Weddington in the best-of-three 4A West Regional championship series on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (if necessary) — in conference play.

Robinson struck out a season-high nine — one off her career high of 10, a mark she reached twice as a junior — in a 14-11 road win over Watauga on April 15, adding three hits including a homer and two doubles to go with a career-best five RBIs and two runs scored as Freedom emerged victorious in a slugfest. Overall, the 5-foot-6 Montreat College signee threw nearly 5,000 pitches as a high schooler, totaling 215 strikeouts and 146 walks in 74 appearances spanning 253 innings.

At the plate, Robinson hit two homers in a 12-10 home victory over Patton on March 7 in her only other three-hit performance of the season, also recording four RBIs and scoring three runs. She also had five two-hit efforts and drove in multiple runs 11 times as she capped her career with the following numbers: .323 batting average, 82 hits including 14 homers and 19 doubles, 59 RBIs, 58 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases.

Rest of all-county baseball

Griffin Stephens, Draughn, Sr., P/IF … Batted .319 and had 22 hits including seven doubles to go with 10 RBIs, 21 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. The WHC pitcher of the year and Young Harris College signee also posted a 6-1 record and a 1.54 ERA while recording two saves, a no-hitter, and 84 strikeouts against 25 walks in 11 appearances (nine starts) spanning 54 2/3 innings.

Jacob Mull, Draughn, Sr., IF/P … Posted a .379 batting average while tallying 25 hits including seven homers (first in county) and three doubles. The All-WHC selection and Gardner-Webb University football signee added 31 RBIs, 25 runs scored (first in county), and seven stolen bases, and on the mound, he was 2-0 with a 4.42 ERA and eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of relief across six appearances.

Maddox Mosteller, East Burke, Fr., IF/P … Led the Cavaliers in batting average (.389), hits (28) — including five doubles and a triple — and RBIs (18) while scoring 12 runs and stealing four bases. The All-Catawba Valley 2A Conference performer also had a 2-1 record, a 3.50 ERA, and 16 strikeouts in six pitching appearances spanning 16 innings.

Mason Mosteller, East Burke, Sr., P/IF … A .301 hitter who totaled 22 hits including six doubles and a triple, the All-CVAC honoree and Pfeiffer University signee also drove in 13 runs, scored 11 times, and finished with four stolen bases. Additionally, in 13 pitching appearances spanning a county-high 58 innings, he was 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA and 76 strikeouts.

Cannon Morrison, East Burke, Sr., C/UTIL … Was a .307 hitter who totaled 23 hits including two doubles and a triple while also notching two RBIs and team highs in runs scored (21) and stolen bases (14, T-first in county). After graduation, the All-CVAC selection will attend Brevard College to play both baseball and football.

Cohen Christian, Patton, Jr., P/1B … Batted .324 with a team-high 22 hits including three doubles, eight RBIs, 11 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The All-Mountain Foothills 7 1A/2A Conference performer also made 11 appearances on the mound, finishing with a 4-2 record, a 2.22 ERA, and 82 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings.

Cole Attaway, Patton, Jr., P/OF … Finished with a .371 batting average, was the only Panther to homer (finished with four), and was tied for the team lead in RBIs (14) despite missing six games. Also had a double among his 13 hits to go with eight runs scored, four stolen bases, and eight pitching appearances during which he won a game, posted a 3.50 ERA, and had 38 strikeouts in 36 innings.

Kaden Michaels, Freedom, Jr., 1B … Posted a team-best .403 batting average while also finishing first among Patriots in hits (31, also led county), homers (five), doubles (seven), and RBIs (27). The All-NWC honoree scored 17 runs and stole a base as well, and one of his homers was a grand slam.

Zach Carson, Freedom, Sr., OF … Was a .369 hitter who tallied 24 hits including two homers and six doubles. He received an All-NWC honorable mention accolade after also knocking in 16 runs, scoring a team-high 27 times, and stealing six bases.

Rest of all-county softball

Lani Campbell, Freedom, Sr., SS/3B/P … Finished with team highs in batting average (.443) and hits (35) while totaling more homers (11) than any other softball or baseball player in the county. The All-NWC selection and Surry Community College signee also had seven doubles, 29 RBIs, a team-best 32 runs scored, and three stolen bases to go with 25 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings across 15 pitching appearances.

Lindsey Hensley, Draughn, So., C/3B … Her .494 batting average was the highest among all county softball and baseball players, and she also led all players in both sports in hits (42), runs scored (38), stolen bases (25), and triples (eight) while adding two homers and six doubles. The All-WHC performer knocked in 28 runs as well.

Maria Medrano, Draughn, Jr., OF/2B … Batted .464 with 39 hits including four homers, 12 doubles (first among county softball and baseball players), and a triple. An All-WHC selection, she also had 23 RBIs, 33 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases.

Avie Helton, Draughn, Jr., P/OF … The Lady Wildcats’ starting pitcher in all but two contests, she posted a 12-8 record and a 3.31 ERA to go with 65 strikeouts in 112 innings (her win total and innings pitched were both first among county softball and baseball players). Not only that, but the All-WHC honoree also excelled offensively, batting .429 with 30 hits including 10 doubles, 20 RBIs, 13 runs scored, and nine stolen bases.

Cydnee Deal, Draughn, Jr., OF … Also an All-WHC selection, she finished with a .413 batting average and 31 hits including five homers, nine doubles, and two triples. She also had 31 RBIs (first on team), 29 runs scored, and six stolen bases.

Braylen Clontz, Draughn, So., IF … A .408 hitter who tallied 31 hits including a homer, six doubles, and a triple, she also had 27 RBIs and 23 runs scored. She also finished with eight steals en route to earning an All-WHC honorable mention nod.

Kara Redwine, Patton, Sr., UTIL … Landed on the All-MF7 team after batting .427 in 23 games (stats missing from one game) with 32 hits including three homers, five doubles, and four triples. Added 23 RBIs, 28 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases to rank first on the team in all three categories as well as in batting average, hits, and extra-base hits.

Kyndal Morrison, East Burke, Sr., SS/CF/C … An All-CVAC selection, she had a .447 batting average to go with team highs in hits (38) — including a homer, nine doubles, and three triples — and runs scored (32). The Pfeiffer University signee also finished with 12 RBIs and 18 stolen bases, the latter of which was more than any other Lady Cavalier.

Amanda McLean, East Burke, So., C … The team leader in batting average (.449) and homers (seven), she also had four doubles as part of a 35-hit total. The All-CVAC performer also knocked in 22 runs, scored 14 times, and stole a base.

Baseball honorable mention

Gage Dula, Draughn, Jr., C … .274 BA, 17 H, 11 RBIs, 7 runs, 8 SB, All-WHC selection

Nolan Ballard, Draughn, So., OF … .262 BA, 17 H, 12 RBIs, 7 runs, 5 SB, All-WHC selection

Chase Yambor, Draughn, So., IF … .242 BA, 15 H, 8 RBIs, 21 runs, 5 SB, All-WHC selection

Barger Shook, East Burke, Sr., P/OF … 1-1, 4 saves (first in county), 0.00 ERA, 39 Ks in 22 IP / 12 H, 6 RBIs, 6 runs, 7 SB, All-CVAC selection, Brevard College signee

Gabe Wittenberg, East Burke, Sr., OF/C … .313 BA, 21 H, 10 RBIs, 12 runs, 5 SB, All-CVAC honorable mention

Colt Butcher, East Burke, So., P/OF … 5-2, 2.14 ERA, 84 Ks in 52 1/3 IP / 11 H, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, 6 runs, All-CVAC honorable mention

Jonas Weidner, East Burke, Jr., IF/P … .274 BA, 20 H, 8 RBIs, 15 runs, 10 SB / 1-1, 1 save, 2.72 ERA, 25 Ks in 18 IP

Laine Barrier, Patton, Jr., UTIL/P … .296 BA, 21 H, 14 RBIs, 11 runs, 7 SB / 1-1, 1 save, 2.33 ERA, 33 Ks in 21 IP, All-MF7 selection

Grayson Sochacki, Patton, So., OF … .345 BA, 19 H, 6 RBIs, 10 runs, 2 SB

Wyatt Hullette, Patton, Jr., UTIL … .292 BA, 19 H, 9 RBIs, 21 runs, 5 SB

Brady Davis, Patton, Jr., IF/P … .268 BA, 19 H, 8 RBIs, 15 runs, 4 SB / 3-0, 4.14 ERA, 29 Ks in 25 1/3 IP

Landry Duvall, Patton, Fr., UTIL/P … .288 BA, 19 H, 12 RBIs, 9 runs, 4 SB / 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 Ks in 6 IP

Jonah Griggs, Freedom, Sr., SS … .352 BA, 24 H, 13 RBIs, 17 runs, 7 SB, All-NWC honorable mention

Kyle Self, Freedom, Sr., P/1B … 5-1, 3.86 ERA, 46 Ks in 32 2/3 IP / 15 H, 1 HR, 14 RBIs, 6 runs, 1 SB, Minnesota North College-Vermilion signee

Softball honorable mention

Bailey Winkler, Draughn, Fr., IF … .442 BA, 38 H, 11 RBIs, 28 runs, 5 SB, All-WHC honorable mention

Ava Aldridge, Draughn, Jr., OF/1B … .359 BA, 23 H, 3 HR, 18 RBIs, 14 runs, 5 SB

Makenzie Powell, Draughn, Fr., P/IF … 3-1, 1 save, 3.36 ERA, 25 Ks in 33 1/3 IP / .260 BA, 13 H, 10 RBIs, 11 runs, 1 SB

Rhiley Buchanan, Freedom, Jr., C/OF … .408 BA, 29 H, 1 HR, 15 RBIs, 3 runs

Rumi Campbell, Freedom, Jr., 3B … .385 BA, 25 H, 1 HR, 12 RBIs, 17 runs, 4 SB

Kaylee Skinner, Freedom, Jr., 1B … .319 BA, 22 H, 4 HR, 20 RBIs, 19 runs, 3 SB

Cassidy Taylor, Freedom, Sr., IF … .307 BA, 23 H, 6 RBIs, 13 runs, 3 SB

Jolann Buff, Patton, So., C/IF … .359 BA, 28 H, 1 HR, 14 RBIs, 20 runs, 9 SB, All-MF7 selection

Alex Maines, Patton, Jr., C/UTIL … .366 BA, 26 H, 14 RBIs, 20 runs, 5 SB

Ellie Shuping, Patton, Sr., UTIL … .320 BA, 24 H, 3 HR, 22 RBIs, 18 runs, 2 SB

Marleigh Carswell, Patton, Sr., P/UTIL … .297 BA, 19 H, 12 RBIs, 7 runs, 4 SB / 3-4, 4.87 ERA, 75 Ks (first in county) in 87 2/3 IP, Montreat College signee

Ady Moorefield, Patton, Fr., P/UTIL … .375 BA, 21 H, 12 RBIs, 16 runs, 3 SB / 5-1, 4.90 ERA, 13 Ks in 40 IP

Raegan Carter, East Burke, Sr., 2B/OF … .384 BA, 33 H, 2 HR, 23 RBIs, 20 runs, All-CVAC honorable mention, Surry Community College signee

Alyssa Shoemaker, East Burke, Jr., IF … .339 BA, 20 H, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 13 runs, 3 SB, All-CVAC honorable mention