A Season of Stars
The 2026 high school baseball season in Western North Carolina delivered a cascade of unforgettable moments, from dramatic walk‑off wins to dominant pitching performances that left fans buzzing.
Now the Asheville Citizen Times is inviting the community to vote for the athlete who defined the regular season, with the poll closing on June 21 at noon. The contest pits the region’s most statistically impressive players against each other in a head‑to‑head showdown.
Among the standouts, Trent Maybin of Asheville High posted a .413 batting average, smacked eight doubles, launched eight home runs and drove in 22 runs while stealing 18 bases. On the mound, Hunter Mason of Brevard went 8‑0 with a 1.30 ERA, striking out 83 batters over 64 ⅔ innings.
Henry Tutera from Christ School batted .444 and added nine doubles, three triples and five homers, delivering 35 RBIs, while Jax Holt of Erwin combined a .515 average with six doubles, eight homers and 35 RBIs, posting a .985 slugging percentage.
Jackson Sellers from Hayesville went 8‑0 on the mound with a 0.64 ERA and 85 strikeouts, and also batted .593 with three homers and 39 RBIs. AJ Mackey of Mitchell hit .514, logged nine doubles, eight homers and 32 RBIs, and finished with a perfect 1.000 slugging percentage.
Zack Wester of Pisgah posted a 1.06 ERA and 105 strikeouts, Gunnar Alm of Polk County hit 11 homers with 33 RBIs and 42 stolen bases, and Duncan Carver of Reynolds went 9‑1 with a 2.08 ERA and 85 strikeouts. Kaegan Radford from Roberson hit .397 with five homers and a .795 slugging percentage, while Jackson Stepp of West Henderson posted a .463 average, a .577 on‑base rate and 16 RBIs.
Who Will Be Crowned the 2026 Athlete of the Year?
The answer will be revealed as the community’s voice rises before the June 21 deadline, celebrating the talent that has shaped a memorable season for Western North Carolina baseball.