Playoffs?

Andrews – Entering spring break, the Robbinsville baseball program is in fine shape to not only break a 13-year playoff drought, but contend for a conference title.

The Black Knights took care of Andrews 6-2 on Friday at Valley River Park, with senior Ethan Orr shaking off a 2-run second inning from the hosts to go the distance and blank 10 Cats in the victory.

To correlate with Ethan Orr’s strong performance on the hill, the senior lefty aided his own cause by doubling home Bryc Garrison in the top of the first. Luke Lovin came home on a passed ball in the second, while Chase Calhoun later brought home courtesy runner Tegan Werner with a two-out hit in the fifth, pushing Robbinsville (7-3, 5-1) back ahead 3-2.

Ethan Orr then singled to score Graylen Orr with one out in the sixth, before dashing home after Quinn Jumper took off for first on a dropped third strike.

The Knights rounded out the showing when Lovin connected to bring Avery Webster across the plate later in the inning.

Robbinsville has swept Andrews (0-9, 0-7) and Cherokee (1-10, 0-8) in Smoky Mountain Conference play this year, while splitting the season series against Swain County (6-4, 3-3).

When the Knights return to action Tuesday, it will be the kickoff of an away/home week against Hiwassee Dam (4-4, 4-2). A home appointment with non-conference foe Rosman (0-12) will divide the conference tilt Thursday, April 18.

Split with Cougars

Copperhill, Tenn. – Though on a five-game tear in the division after Friday, Robbinsville saw its overall run of five straight wins end in a 5-4 stunner at Copper Basin (Tenn.) on April 4.

The Knights had run-ruled the Cougars in their visit to Graham County on March 13, but could not replicate their production in the return trip across state lines.

Copper Basin (2-8) manufactured a run in the bottom of the first, when starting pitcher Avery Crowder scored on a wild pitch. Jumper sprinted home on an error in the second, and Robbinsville later pulled ahead when Ethan Orr doubled home Calhoun in the third.

Jumper then hit a single that brought Ethan Orr around to score.

But the Cougars seized the lead once again in the bottom of the frame, thanks to Landon Allen blasting a 2-run double and Trent Hughes following with a hit to score Allen.

Lovin singled in Jumper to tie the game 4-4 in the sixth, but Copper Basin ultimately had the last laugh: Drew Crowder connected to bring Avery Crowder across the dish in the home-half of the segment.

Lovin ended up with the loss, working 4 ⅓ innings of relief of starter Graylen Orr.

The duo combined to strike out 10 Cougars in the defeat.