Robbinsville gives divisional foe late scare in postseason exit
Andrews – Down to their final three outs – and in a five-run hole – the Black Knights displayed the same tenacity Friday that propelled the program to just its third playoff appearance in 15 years.
However, a rally bid was not in the cards for Robbinsville in its second-round postseason appointment in Cherokee County, as the Andrews Wildcats held firm to their lead and eliminated the Knights from the state-title hunt by prevailing 6-4 at Valley River Park.
Robbinsville (No. 6 seed, 10-10) drew first blood in the third pairing between the two programs, breaking the stalemate in the fourth when Ayden Conley scored on an error.
Andrews (No. 3, 21-2) responded with five runs in the home half of the inning. With two outs, Tanner Postell singled to bring Kelby Waldroup and Ethan Sutton across the plate. Drew Dartez later blasted a three-run homer to cap the effort, which also plated Postell and Dawson Stalcup. The Wildcats tacked on their final bit of insurance when Stalcup doubled to drive in Waldroup.
The Black Knights began their comeback endeavor when Deacon Hyde scored on an error in the top of the seventh. Xamuel Wachacha sprinted home during next at-bat on another Wildcats fielding miscue, before Benton Gibby grounded out to bring Everett Taylor across the plate.
Robbinsville was unable to get its final two batters on base, sending the Wildcats to a third-round road game at Chatham Charter (No. 2, 21-4). The contest was held after The Graham Star's Tuesday press deadline.
Luke Lovin (5-2) struck out 11 Andrews batters in the game, lasting 5 1/3 innings. Peyton Brooks closed the book by tossing in relief.
Logan Hyde earned the win for the Wildcats, recording six strikeouts across as many innings. Brady Queen picked up the save.
The Black Knights had not reached the second round of the playoffs since 2011. Robbinsville picked up a 9-3 road victory at Mitchell on May 16, 2011, before dropping its second-round affair 14-4 at Bessemer City two days later.
SMC playoff scoreboard
1st round: May 5, 2026
* Andrews 16, South Davidson (1A, No. 14, 6-19), 6
* Chatham Central (1A, No. 5, 14-9) 10, Rosman (No. 12, 5-12) 0
* Elkin (2A, No. 15, 13-13) 8, Murphy (No. 18, 8-13) 1
* The North Carolina Leadership Academy (1A, No. 1, 18-2) 14, Hiwassee Dam (No. 16, 1-16) 0
* Robbinsville 8, North Stokes (No. 11, 5-20) 0
* Swain County (2A, No. 14, 10-10) 9, Bradford Preparatory Academy (No. 19, 5-15) 3
2nd round: May 8, 2026
* Andrews 6, Robbinsville 4
* Hayesville (No. 3, 16-4) 9, Swain County 2