Eastern North Carolina Baseball Rankings: Preseason & Week 1 Top 10 (1A-4A) (Copy)

Eastern North Carolina Baseball Rankings: Preseason & Week 1 Top 10 (1A-4A)

Rankings at the start of any season are always a mix of past performance, roster turnover, and early results, making them arguably the most inaccurate polls of the year. With just one week of action in the books, these rankings are based on last season’s performances, how much talent each team retained, and how they’ve started the new campaign. As more games are played, these rankings will naturally adjust to reflect on-field results.

1A East Rankings

1. Bear Grass (1-0) – Despite losing four seniors, Bear Grass returns key bats like Matthew Jefferson and Hayden Willouby, along with ace Michael Gurganus, making them an early favorite.
2. Voyager (2-0) – With its entire roster returning, including senior pitcher Carrick Ryan, this squad looks ready to climb the ranks.
3. Perquimans (2-1) – Losing just one senior, Perquimans still features top-50 hitter Maddux Thach and infielder Ben Brown.
4. East Wake Academy (2-0) – They lost some firepower, but with Jordan Driver and Will Connolly on the mound and Dylan Palmer swinging the bat, they’re still dangerous.
5. Wilson Prep (0-0) – Some pieces are missing, but Deandre Sellers, who hit .711 last season, provides serious firepower.
6. Rosewood (1-1) – Three key bats are gone, but Jack Adams and Robbie Boren (.420+) keep this offense potent.
7. Chatham Charter (1-0) – They lost two key hitters but return a lineup that collectively hit over .300 last season.
8. Falls Lake (1-1) – Even with four seniors gone, they return three of their top four hitters and most of their pitching staff.
9. Oxford Prep (1-0) – A near-full returning roster, led by pitcher Jayce Elliot and slugger Drew West, makes them a contender.
10. Southeast Halifax (0-0) – The senior duo of James Bullock and Ja’syllus Lyons brings experience, but bullpen depth is a concern.

2A East Rankings

1. Bunn (3-0) – The early front-runner in 2A, led by slugger Caleb Johnson and ace Jared Hagwood.
2. Whiteville (2-0) – Replacing five seniors is tough, but this squad remains strong after last year’s deep playoff run.
3. Southwest Edgecombe (2-0) – Parker Gay is one of the best pitchers in North Carolina and gives them a serious advantage.
4. South Lenoir (1-0) – A balanced squad with ace Matthew Rhodes leading the charge.
5. North Lenoir (2-0) – Despite losing three seniors, North Lenoir remains dominant with two-way star Garrett Byrd.
6. Clinton (2-0) – Off to a strong start, with depth in both hitting and pitching.
7. Ayden-Grifton (2-0) – Roster turnover hasn’t slowed them down, with top-50 hitters Jack Ewell and Camden Wilson stepping up.
8. Farmville Central (1-1) – The bullpen duo of Trey Willford and Joe May could make this team a sleeper.
9. Greene Central (1-1) – Losing six seniors is a big challenge, but Riley Radford and Will Radford look to keep this team competitive.
10. Roanoke Rapids (1-0) – Returning three of their top four hitters, including standout Colin Elias (.471, 32 RBIs), gives them upside.

3A East Rankings

1. J.H. Rose (2-1) – Even after losing their top hitter, three returning seniors in our top 50 make this team a powerhouse.
2. West Johnston (3-0) – Eight seniors provide leadership for this early-season standout.
3. Williams (3-0) – Even with pitching losses, offensive firepower keeps them in the mix.
4. Lee County (3-0) – A perfect start, with Andrew Stanfield leading the offensive charge.
5. Terry Sanford (1-1) – A dominant bullpen gives them a strong foundation.
6. South Central (2-1) – Youth and talent combine to make this an intriguing team to watch.
7. First Flight (1-0) – A deep bullpen, led by Jordan Kempton, gives them an edge in close games.
8. Croatan (1-1) – Weston Thomas leads the offense, but pitching remains a question.
9. Southern Alamance (2-1) – A strong start positions them well.
10. South Brunswick (1-1) – Key losses put them at the bottom of the rankings, but expect movement as the season progresses.

4A East Rankings

1. Ashley (1-0) – A powerhouse roster with Quinn Bentley leading the offense and a deep pitching staff.
2. Wake Forest (3-0) – Returning top hitters and an elite pitching duo of Jackson Hardy and Carson Cider make them a force.
3. Millbrook (3-0) – A well-balanced team with four top hitters returning.
4. Topsail (3-0) – Depth and experience make them a top contender.
5. D.H. Conley (2-1) – Eight seniors provide leadership as younger pitchers step up.
6. Corinth Holders (2-0) – A consistent, senior-heavy squad.
7. New Hanover (2-1) – Youthful talent brings potential but needs time to develop.
8. Heritage (1-1) – Senior William Leahy anchors a team looking for more stability.
9. Jordan (2-1) – Peyton Kozink (.441) leads an offense that needs to replace lost talent.
10. Pinecrest (1-1) – Bohdi Robertson (10-1, 0.92 ERA) is a dominant force, but the supporting cast is unproven.

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Again, this is my opinion and will probably be the most inaccurate these rankings will be all season. As more games are played and more results roll in, expect these rankings to shift significantly based on actual performance. It’s still early, but these teams have already started making statements on the field.