Black Knights stop Hayesville’s dominant run
Hayesville – Full of emotion, Robbinsville senior Jeb Shuler made an astute observation after the June 10 upset over the then-No. 1 ranked 1A team in North Carolina.
“They didn’t really have anything to play for. We did.”
He hit the nail on the head.
In what may be the biggest win in the history of the program, the Black Knights (7-7) ended their 2021 campaign by spoiling Hayesville’s bid for an undefeated season, roping 15 hits and ultimately zapping the Yellow Jackets 12-6.
“I’m at a loss for words. I’m just so proud of these boys,” Robbinsville head coach Brent Icenhower said. “I said last week that we had a chance. These boys played baseball the right way. We did all the situations right – runner on third, we hit to the right side. We didn’t have many strikeouts.
“We finally played baseball like we’re capable of.”
Shuler’s final varsity start was solid. Though he surrendered six runs, Shuler fanned six Hayesville batters and threw 101 pitches in a complete-game effort. Offensively, he aided his own cause by recording four hits – including a double – and crossed the plate as many times.
“God was with me every step of the way, for sure. I know he was out there with me,” Shuler said. “My team backed me up very well. We played as a family today; the best we’ve ever played.”
Kayden Brock’s last game as a Black Knight led to a team-high three RBI. Cole Patterson strung together a three-hit afternoon and scored two runs for Robbinsville, while senior third baseman Hunter Jones and left fielder Ethan Orr had two hits apiece.
The strongest offensive spots included a six-run third and a five-run seventh. Both of those innings combined accounted for 10 of the Knights’ hits.
“This is an eye-opener,” Icenhower noted. “This is going to make people say, “OK, Robbinsville. They know how to play baseball.
“Everybody did a good job putting the ball in play. When we came in here, we knew we would have (to face) a pretty good pitcher. I’ve preached to them, ‘Don’t quit.’ We didn’t win some games this year that we should have, but they never quit. Boy, it really paid off today.”
Missing the cut
Before Robbinsville’s triumph, Hayesville (13-1) had already clinched the Smoky Mountain Conference after a seventh-inning rally against Murphy (12-2) on June 8. Rosman (8-6) finished third in the standings, while the Knights tied with Swain County (7-7) in the middle of the pack.
Robbinsville kept its fingers crossed that the season would go on. But when the postseason bracket was released Sunday afternoon, the Knights’ playoff dreams were shattered.
Robbinsville’s baseball team has not clinched a postseason berth since 2011, when the Knights lost in the second round to Bessemer City.
“This was a great season,” Icenhower said. “We started off slow, but finished off in a positive way. There are lots of good things to build on in the future.
“I really enjoyed coaching the boys this season. I am already looking forward to next year.”