Holt Gaston, a junior right‑hander from Roberson High School, announced his commitment to play Division I baseball at North Carolina State University, cementing a highly anticipated move that caps a breakout season.
Gaston concluded the campaign with a perfect 6‑0 record, a 3.53 earned run average and 51 strikeouts across eight starts and 11 appearances, while opponents batted just .227 against him. The performance earned him the Mountain Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year honor.
At the plate he added a .303 average, four home runs and 26 runs batted in, showing the two‑way talent that attracted the Wolfpack’s attention.
In a brief announcement on the social platform X posted on July 15, Gaston confirmed the decision, joining a recruiting class that already includes Polk County standout Gunnar Alm and former West Henderson pitcher Truitt Manuel.
The influx of local talent reflects a broader pattern of Roberson alumni moving on to Division I programs; recent examples include pitcher Micah Simpson, who signed with UNC‑Wilmington, and first baseman Caden Davidson, who transferred to the University of Florida.
A Local Pipeline Strengthens the Wolfpack
The commitments underscore the growing pipeline of high‑caliber players emerging from the western North Carolina region, a trend that bodes well for both the high school program and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Coaches at NC State expect Gaston to contribute immediately on the mound and provide depth in the lineup, a prospect that excites fans who have followed his rise from conference accolades to national prospect status.
With the new recruits set to arrive on campus, the Wolfpack’s pitching staff looks poised to bolster its rotation heading into the next season, while the offense gains another versatile bat.