Ethan Orr, All-Conference; Pitcher of the Year
The best season of Robbinsville High School baseball in over a decade was handsomely rewarded when this year’s All-Smoky Mountain Conference list was revealed at the conclusion of the campaign.
Powered by a motive to climb out of the divisional cellar, the Black Knights put together a 10-8 season (their first 10-win year since 2010); finished third in the conference, at a 7-5 mark; and also ended a 13-year playoff drought, which ended sooner than expected in a 1-0 heartbreaker at Thomasville.
The rest of the field took notice, appointing five Robbinsville players to the distinguished line-up of representatives: Bryc Garrison, Quinn Jumper and Ethan Orr each made the All-Conference team, while Graylen Orr and Tytan Teesateskie received honorable mentions.
Ethan was also named the division’s Pitcher of the Year. Christened the team’s MVP at the year-end awards ceremony May 23, it’s easy to see his influence over the turnaround in 2024: while he finished with a 4-5 record, his ERA was just 1.07. He also posted a save, 86 strikeouts and issued just 23 walks in 58 ⅔ innings of work. The dual threat also slashed four of the Knights’ five homers this season, leading the offense with a .400 average, 24 RBIs, three doubles and a triple.
Garrison broke the program’s single-season stolen base record in 2024, swiping 25 bags when all was said and done. He finished with a .277 mark at the plate, with nine RBIs and two doubles. Jumper was responsible for Robbinsville’s fifth long ball of the year, as he finished at .353, with four doubles and a triple. He plucked 11 bases, as well.
Graylen started the year hot on the hill, ultimately going 5-2 with a 2.86 ERA and 59 strikeouts. As the Knights’ leadoff man, his average was .323, which included five doubles and a triple. He also posted seven stolen bases.
Teesateskie’s debut campaign at the varsity level turned a lot of heads. He finished the season with a .246 average, which included 10 RBIs and three doubles.
Of the five, only Jumper and Teesateskie return in 2025; both will be seniors.
Next week: Lady Knights dominate All-Conference selections.