All-Observer baseball: Christian’s Utermark, Providence’s Jerzembeck, Hignight win honors
BY JAY EDWARDS AND LANGSTON WERTZ JR. JUNE 17, 2022 6:00 AM
Providence pitcher Eli Jerzembeck, Providence coach Danny Hignight and Charlotte Christian slugger Judd Utermark highlight the 2022 All-Charlotte Observer baseball team. The team includes more than 20 Division I commits and represents the top players in the newspaper’s 162-school coverage area in western North Carolina.
▪ Jerzembeck is the All-Observer pitcher of the year after dominating the competition with a school-record 195 strikeouts in 87 innings of work while boasting a 0.42 earned run average. Jerzembeck, a University of South Carolina signee, has also drawn the attention of multiple Major League Baseball scouts. He was also named an All-American and N.C. all-state 4A pitcher of the year after allowing teams to bat just .125 against him.
▪ Utermark is the player of the year after leading the nation with 18 home runs. The University of Mississippi commit hit .448 with 46 RBI despite being walked 26 times to earn all-state honors. Utermark shattered the previous Charlotte Christian home run record of 13.
▪ Hignight is coach of the year after guiding Providence to a perfect 34-0 season culminating with the 4A state championship. Hignight, who also earned his 400th career win this season, helped Providence finish No. 3 in MaxPreps national rankings.
2022 ALL CHARLOTTE OBSERVER BASEBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Pitchers
Calvert Clark, Charlotte Christian, Sr.: The Clemson University commit was 8-1 on the mound with 98 strikeouts in 57 innings. He had an 1.171 ERA for the three-time state champions.
Michael Forret, Providence, Sr.: The East Carolina signee was 10-0 with 115 strikeouts in 65.2 innings. He had a 1.66 ERA.
Eli Jerzembeck, Providence, Sr.: The University of South Carolina signee was 13-0 with 195 strikeouts.
Cameron Padgett, East Rowan, Sr.: The University of North Carolina signee was 10-1 with 115 strikeouts in 75.1 innings, plus an 0.56 ERA.
Luke Schmolke, Lake Norman, Sr.: The Georgia Tech signee was 8-0, including two no-hitters, with 136 strikeouts in 64.1 innings. He had an 0.65 ERA.
Infielders
A.J. Camp, Porter Ridge, Jr.: Wake Forest commit was Southern Carolina’s conference pitcher of the year, going 5-0 with 68 strikeouts.
Nathan Chrismon, South Rowan, Sr.: The East Carolina signee hit .369 with five doubles, four triples, two home runs, 35 RBI and 23 stolen bases.
Brock Donnelly, Hough, Sr.: The Queens University commit set a school-record, batting .623 with six doubles, five home runs and a school-record 37 RBI.
Matt Heavner, North Lincoln, Sr.: The N.C. State commit hit .442 with 11 doubles, four triples, four home runs and 25 RBI.
Landon Hahn, Cherryville, Jr.: The Ironmen junior all-state pick hit .400 with six doubles, 25 RBI and 30 runs scored.
Garrett Michel, East Lincoln, Sr.: Virginia Tech signee set school records hitting .532 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. Michel, named Western Foothills 3A player of the year, also had 10 doubles.
Ashton Plyler, Parkwood, Sr.: The Wingate University commit hit .290 at the plate while earning Rocky River conference pitcher of the year with an 8-1 record with 110 strikeouts, including a 21-strikeout, perfect game against Anson County on April 11.
Outfielders
Jacob Budzik, Sun Valley, Sr.: The Spartans’ senior, UNC Greensboro commit and Southern Carolina’s conference (SCC) player of the year hit .310 with seven home runs, five doubles, 19 RBI.
Tyler Herkey, SouthLake Christian, Sr.: The George Mason University commit hit .361 and also went 6-1 on the mound with 86 strikeouts in 49 innings.
Collin McDougal, Providence, Sr.: The Wingate University signee and all-state pick hit .405 with two home runs, seven doubles, 29 RBI while going 5-0 on the mound.
Cole Nelson, Hickory Grove, So.: The UNC Wilmington commit had a breakout sophomore season earning all-state honors hitting .373 with six home runs and 37 RBI.
Andrew Sentlinger, Ardrey Kell, Sr.: The Virginia Tech commit had a home run and 12 RBI. He was also SoMeck 4A conference pitcher of the year with a 6-3 record with 96 strikeouts in 52.2 innings while boasting a 1.12 ERA.
Catchers
Harrison Bouthillette, Metrolina Christian, Sr.: The Warriors’ all-state catcher hit .414 with 11 home runs, 10 doubles, 48 RBI and will attend the Brett Carroll Baseball Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he looks to earn a Division I baseball scholarship.
Tommy Walker, Providence, Sr.: The Appalachian State commit was an all-state pick and co-Southwestern 4A (SW4A) player of the year after hitting .483 with six home runs and 39 RBI.
Designated Hitters
Matthew Suppa, Ardrey Kell, Sr.: The Queens University commit, the SoMeck 4A conference player of the year, hit .460 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 24 RBI.
Luke Wolff, Providence, Jr.: The Panthers’ junior hit .462 with two home runs, 10 doubles, 23 RBI to earn co-SW4A player of the year and all-state honors.
William Bryant, Myers Park, Sr.: The N.C. State commit was an all-So Meck 4A pick and the Mustangs’ offensive player of the year.
Ben Mauney, Burns, Jr.: The Catawba College commit hit .427 with six doubles and five home runs from the leadoff spot to earn South Piedmont Athletic Conference player of the year.
Utility
Everett Harris, Charlotte Christian, Sr.: The N.C. State commit hit .347 with six doubles, 24 RBI, while going 7-0 on the mound with 66 strikeouts.
Haiden Leffew, South Rowan, Jr.: The Wake Forest University commit was 10-2 on the mound with 124 strikeouts in 69 innings of work, while also batting .325 with 13 doubles, two home runs and 30 RBI.
Mason Smith, Lincoln Charter, Sr.: The East Carolina signee hit .356 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI, while going a perfect 4-0 on the mound with 77 strikeouts.
Kanon Willis, Cherryville, Jr.: The Ironmen junior hit .380 with two home runs, 10 doubles and 40 RBI. He was 7-1 on the mound for the 1A state runner-up.
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers
Bailey Faircloth, Langtree Charter, Sr.
Drew Lanzo, Hickory Grove, Sr.
Chance Mako, East Rowan, Jr.
Cade Miller, Alexander Central, Sr.
Ryan Sweet, Charlotte Latin, Jr.
Max White, Hough, Jr.
Infielders
Justin Barkley, St. Stephens, Sr.
Jake Kernodle, Charlotte Catholic, Jr.
Tanner McCammon, Charlotte Christian, Jr.
Tyler Roakes, Carmel Christian, Sr.
Joseph Webb, Burns, Sr.
Anthony Umbach, Hickory Ridge, Jr.
Outfielders
Seth Ballard, Union Academy, Sr.
Mason Chapman, Alexander Central, Jr.
Will Heavner, Cherryville, Jr.
Kane Kepley, South Rowan, Sr.
Jake McGillivray, Porter Ridge, Sr.
Thomas Paxton, Cuthbertson, Sr.
Aiden Schenck, East Rowan, Sr.
David Sessoms, East Rutherford, Sr.
Catchers
Vincent Daley, Bradford Prep, Sr.
Will Fowler, Cherryville, Jr.
Owen Williams, Myers Park, Sr.
Designated Hitters
Morgan McConelly-Young, SouthLake Christian, Jr.
Ty Hubbard, South Rowan, Sr.
Jared Smith, Lake Norman, Sr.
Aidin Strange, East Rutherford, Sr.
Utility
Jake Cannon, Marvin Ridge, Sr.
Mason Mozeley, Freedom, Sr.
Brody Taylor, South Mecklenburg, So.
Brantley Truitt, East Mecklenburg, Jr.
BY JAY EDWARDS AND LANGSTON WERTZ JR. JUNE 17, 2022 6:00 AM
Providence pitcher Eli Jerzembeck, Providence coach Danny Hignight and Charlotte Christian slugger Judd Utermark highlight the 2022 All-Charlotte Observer baseball team. The team includes more than 20 Division I commits and represents the top players in the newspaper’s 162-school coverage area in western North Carolina.
▪ Jerzembeck is the All-Observer pitcher of the year after dominating the competition with a school-record 195 strikeouts in 87 innings of work while boasting a 0.42 earned run average. Jerzembeck, a University of South Carolina signee, has also drawn the attention of multiple Major League Baseball scouts. He was also named an All-American and N.C. all-state 4A pitcher of the year after allowing teams to bat just .125 against him.
▪ Utermark is the player of the year after leading the nation with 18 home runs. The University of Mississippi commit hit .448 with 46 RBI despite being walked 26 times to earn all-state honors. Utermark shattered the previous Charlotte Christian home run record of 13.
▪ Hignight is coach of the year after guiding Providence to a perfect 34-0 season culminating with the 4A state championship. Hignight, who also earned his 400th career win this season, helped Providence finish No. 3 in MaxPreps national rankings.
2022 ALL CHARLOTTE OBSERVER BASEBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Pitchers
Calvert Clark, Charlotte Christian, Sr.: The Clemson University commit was 8-1 on the mound with 98 strikeouts in 57 innings. He had an 1.171 ERA for the three-time state champions.
Michael Forret, Providence, Sr.: The East Carolina signee was 10-0 with 115 strikeouts in 65.2 innings. He had a 1.66 ERA.
Eli Jerzembeck, Providence, Sr.: The University of South Carolina signee was 13-0 with 195 strikeouts.
Cameron Padgett, East Rowan, Sr.: The University of North Carolina signee was 10-1 with 115 strikeouts in 75.1 innings, plus an 0.56 ERA.
Luke Schmolke, Lake Norman, Sr.: The Georgia Tech signee was 8-0, including two no-hitters, with 136 strikeouts in 64.1 innings. He had an 0.65 ERA.
Infielders
A.J. Camp, Porter Ridge, Jr.: Wake Forest commit was Southern Carolina’s conference pitcher of the year, going 5-0 with 68 strikeouts.
Nathan Chrismon, South Rowan, Sr.: The East Carolina signee hit .369 with five doubles, four triples, two home runs, 35 RBI and 23 stolen bases.
Brock Donnelly, Hough, Sr.: The Queens University commit set a school-record, batting .623 with six doubles, five home runs and a school-record 37 RBI.
Matt Heavner, North Lincoln, Sr.: The N.C. State commit hit .442 with 11 doubles, four triples, four home runs and 25 RBI.
Landon Hahn, Cherryville, Jr.: The Ironmen junior all-state pick hit .400 with six doubles, 25 RBI and 30 runs scored.
Garrett Michel, East Lincoln, Sr.: Virginia Tech signee set school records hitting .532 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. Michel, named Western Foothills 3A player of the year, also had 10 doubles.
Ashton Plyler, Parkwood, Sr.: The Wingate University commit hit .290 at the plate while earning Rocky River conference pitcher of the year with an 8-1 record with 110 strikeouts, including a 21-strikeout, perfect game against Anson County on April 11.
Outfielders
Jacob Budzik, Sun Valley, Sr.: The Spartans’ senior, UNC Greensboro commit and Southern Carolina’s conference (SCC) player of the year hit .310 with seven home runs, five doubles, 19 RBI.
Tyler Herkey, SouthLake Christian, Sr.: The George Mason University commit hit .361 and also went 6-1 on the mound with 86 strikeouts in 49 innings.
Collin McDougal, Providence, Sr.: The Wingate University signee and all-state pick hit .405 with two home runs, seven doubles, 29 RBI while going 5-0 on the mound.
Cole Nelson, Hickory Grove, So.: The UNC Wilmington commit had a breakout sophomore season earning all-state honors hitting .373 with six home runs and 37 RBI.
Andrew Sentlinger, Ardrey Kell, Sr.: The Virginia Tech commit had a home run and 12 RBI. He was also SoMeck 4A conference pitcher of the year with a 6-3 record with 96 strikeouts in 52.2 innings while boasting a 1.12 ERA.
Catchers
Harrison Bouthillette, Metrolina Christian, Sr.: The Warriors’ all-state catcher hit .414 with 11 home runs, 10 doubles, 48 RBI and will attend the Brett Carroll Baseball Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he looks to earn a Division I baseball scholarship.
Tommy Walker, Providence, Sr.: The Appalachian State commit was an all-state pick and co-Southwestern 4A (SW4A) player of the year after hitting .483 with six home runs and 39 RBI.
Designated Hitters
Matthew Suppa, Ardrey Kell, Sr.: The Queens University commit, the SoMeck 4A conference player of the year, hit .460 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 24 RBI.
Luke Wolff, Providence, Jr.: The Panthers’ junior hit .462 with two home runs, 10 doubles, 23 RBI to earn co-SW4A player of the year and all-state honors.
William Bryant, Myers Park, Sr.: The N.C. State commit was an all-So Meck 4A pick and the Mustangs’ offensive player of the year.
Ben Mauney, Burns, Jr.: The Catawba College commit hit .427 with six doubles and five home runs from the leadoff spot to earn South Piedmont Athletic Conference player of the year.
Utility
Everett Harris, Charlotte Christian, Sr.: The N.C. State commit hit .347 with six doubles, 24 RBI, while going 7-0 on the mound with 66 strikeouts.
Haiden Leffew, South Rowan, Jr.: The Wake Forest University commit was 10-2 on the mound with 124 strikeouts in 69 innings of work, while also batting .325 with 13 doubles, two home runs and 30 RBI.
Mason Smith, Lincoln Charter, Sr.: The East Carolina signee hit .356 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI, while going a perfect 4-0 on the mound with 77 strikeouts.
Kanon Willis, Cherryville, Jr.: The Ironmen junior hit .380 with two home runs, 10 doubles and 40 RBI. He was 7-1 on the mound for the 1A state runner-up.
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers
Bailey Faircloth, Langtree Charter, Sr.
Drew Lanzo, Hickory Grove, Sr.
Chance Mako, East Rowan, Jr.
Cade Miller, Alexander Central, Sr.
Ryan Sweet, Charlotte Latin, Jr.
Max White, Hough, Jr.
Infielders
Justin Barkley, St. Stephens, Sr.
Jake Kernodle, Charlotte Catholic, Jr.
Tanner McCammon, Charlotte Christian, Jr.
Tyler Roakes, Carmel Christian, Sr.
Joseph Webb, Burns, Sr.
Anthony Umbach, Hickory Ridge, Jr.
Outfielders
Seth Ballard, Union Academy, Sr.
Mason Chapman, Alexander Central, Jr.
Will Heavner, Cherryville, Jr.
Kane Kepley, South Rowan, Sr.
Jake McGillivray, Porter Ridge, Sr.
Thomas Paxton, Cuthbertson, Sr.
Aiden Schenck, East Rowan, Sr.
David Sessoms, East Rutherford, Sr.
Catchers
Vincent Daley, Bradford Prep, Sr.
Will Fowler, Cherryville, Jr.
Owen Williams, Myers Park, Sr.
Designated Hitters
Morgan McConelly-Young, SouthLake Christian, Jr.
Ty Hubbard, South Rowan, Sr.
Jared Smith, Lake Norman, Sr.
Aidin Strange, East Rutherford, Sr.
Utility
Jake Cannon, Marvin Ridge, Sr.
Mason Mozeley, Freedom, Sr.
Brody Taylor, South Mecklenburg, So.
Brantley Truitt, East Mecklenburg, Jr.
