The Citizen-Times and Times-News have unveiled the All-WNC baseball teams for the 2026 season, recognizing the region’s top talent across 15 schools. The selections celebrate players who combined offensive firepower with dominant pitching, while also honoring the coaches who guided their squads to deep playoff runs.
Player of the Year: Gunnar Alm
Gunnar Alm of Polk County earned the Player of the Year award after batting .464 with 11 home runs, 33 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. His all‑around production helped the Warriors secure a commanding season and set multiple school records.
Other Offensive Standouts
Duncan Carver from Reynolds posted a .444 average with 35 RBIs and a .778 slugging percentage, while Jax Holt of Erwin batted .515 with eight homers and a .985 slugging mark. AJ Mackey of Mitchell matched that power surge with an identical .514 average and a perfect 1.000 slugging percentage. Thomas Secretarski at Asheville High contributed a .456 average, four homers and 28 RBIs, and Trent Maybin added eight homers and 22 RBIs for the same school.
Pitching Excellence
On the mound, Hunter Mason of Brevard went 8‑0 with a 1.30 ERA and 83 strikeouts, and Zack Wester of Pisgah posted a 1.06 ERA while fanning 105 batters. Jackson Sellers from Hayesville combined a 0.64 ERA with 85 strikeouts and a .593 batting average, and Kaegan Radford of Roberson added five homers and 33 RBIs to his solid hitting.
Coach of the Year: Michael Staicar
Reynolds coach Michael Staicar was named Coach of the Year after steering his team to the fourth round of the NCHSAA playoffs. His leadership transformed a talented roster into a cohesive unit that consistently outperformed opponents, culminating in a deep tournament run that highlighted the program’s progress.
The All-WNC teams illustrate the depth of baseball talent in Western North Carolina, where high school players are not only posting impressive statistics but also shaping the future of the sport in the state. The recognition from the Citizen-Times and Times-News underscores the community’s commitment to celebrating athletic achievement.