Burke Co. 2026 H.S. baseball team capsules

DRAUGHN WILDCATS

Last year’s record: 15-9 (11-1 WHC 1A/2A, 1st); lost third round 1A playoffs

Returning players: Tyler Lange, David Burnette, Caden Barker, Chase Yambor, Nolan Ballard, Wyatt Bonorden, Liam Dalmas

Other key players: Ian Meadows, Bryson Seagle

From the coach: “When we take them in each fall, the first thing we say is our goal is to hang banners. A conference championship banner is our first goal, and then deep runs into the playoffs and making it as far as we can. But that’s not just a goal, it’s an expectation, it’s where we want to be.” — Kenny Stephens

Outlook: After capturing conference titles in each of the past four seasons, the Wildcats enter a new league in 2026 with high expectations despite losing several key players to graduation. Defending 2A state champion East Rutherford and an always-tough R-S Central program will likely be among their toughest competition, but the rest of the conference — which includes Burke County rivals East Burke and Patton — won’t be easy to deal with either.

EAST BURKE CAVALIERS

Last year’s record: 15-9 (10-4 CVAC 2A, T-3rd); lost first round 2A playoffs

Returning players: Colt Butcher, Maddox Mosteller, Jonas Weidner, Nathan Fortenberry, Colton Ward, Rhett Houston

Other key players: Cayson Mooneyham, Demarcus Ault, Clemson Watts, Easton Wilson, Johnny Powell, Holden Starnes

From the coach: “For us to be competitive in a very good league, we will need contributions from our entire roster. Lack of experience on varsity is a major concern, as is pitching depth. For us to be competitive, we will need to manufacture runs and lean on our pitching and defense.” — Allen Wittenberg

Outlook: Wittenberg noted that the Cavaliers will “have to be mentally tough night in and night out” to be successful. They graduated some of their top players from last season, but return the likes of sophomore infielder/pitcher Mosteller, who led the team in batting average (.389), hits (28), and RBIs (18) while also posting a 2-1 record, a 3.50 ERA, and 16 strikeouts in 16 innings on the mound, and junior pitcher Butcher (5-2, 2.14 ERA, 84 K, 52 1/3 IP).

FREEDOM PATRIOTS

Last year’s record: 9-15 (1-9 NWC 3A/4A, T-5th)

Returning players: JD Hood, Carson Hackett, Alex Wall, Jacob Moretz, Zaydrin Hausley, Brooks Snipes, Carson Wells, Trenton Walker, Kaden Michaels, Luke Miller, Will Russ, Cooper Wall

Other key players: Puckett Hudson, Colby Lowman, Eli Trantham, John Mabry, Eddie Branch, Her Kongcheng

From the coach: “We return seven starters with loads of experience. The pitching staff will be the strength with three of our core pitchers returning in Alex Wall, Luke Miller, and Carson Wells. … My biggest concern is offensive production. We will have to play small ball and get timely hitting.” — Tyler Hackett

Outlook: The Patriots tripled their win total from 2024 last year, and they will be looking for even more success this spring despite competing in a conference that includes four teams — South Caldwell, Watauga, Alexander Central, and St. Stephens — that won at least 15 games a season ago. Hackett is particularly excited about the return of Michaels, who as a junior last season led the squad with a .403 batting average while also recording a county-high 31 hits and team highs in home runs (five), doubles (seven), and RBIs (27).

PATTON PANTHERS

Last year’s record: 10-13 (3-9 MF7 1A/2A, 7th)

Returning players: Cole Attaway, Laine Barrier, Cohen Christian, Brady Davis, Wyatt Hullette, Reece Irvine, Trevor Throneburg, River McCrary, Landry Duvall

Other key players: Gavin Johnson, Colsyn Queen, Nathan Waters

From the coach: “With a senior-heavy team, I look forward to competing each night out. One of our biggest strengths this year should be our ability to pitch it each night. Returning all of our main arms and adding another arm, I feel comfortable running six guys out there at any point. … Our conference will present us tough matchups each night, but I feel like if we play up to our capabilities, we will be able to compete each game.” — Matt Baker

Outlook: The Panthers’ pitching staff is expected to be anchored by the senior quartet of Christian (4-2, 2.22 ERA, 82 K, 56 2/3 IP), Barrier (1-1, 2.33 ERA, 33 K, 21 IP), Attaway (1-2, 3.50 ERA, 38 K, 36 IP), and Davis (3-0, 4.14 ERA, 29 K, 25 1/3 IP), among others. However, Baker acknowledged that “we have to put the ball in play and avoid strikeouts” in order to make things happen on offense and “not put as much stress on our pitchers and defense.”