SMCBaseball

Robbinsville senior Luke Lovin delivers a pitch during the Black Knights' second-round playoff game Friday at Andrews. Lovin struck out 11 Wildcats across 5 1/3 innings. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville senior Luke Lovin delivers a pitch during the Black Knights' second-round playoff game Friday at Andrews. Lovin struck out 11 Wildcats across 5 1/3 innings. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Knights fall in 2nd round

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
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.
Robbinsville's Peyton Brooks (27) celebrates with teammates Everett Taylor (4) and Rylen Orr after tagging out Murphy's Aayden Williams at the plate April 30, securing the Black Knights' first victory over the Bulldogs since 2019. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville's Peyton Brooks (27) celebrates with teammates Everett Taylor (4) and Rylen Orr after tagging out Murphy's Aayden Williams at the plate April 30, securing the Black Knights' first victory over the Bulldogs since 2019. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Knights begin playoff run

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – The Black Knights hosted their first playoff game since moving onto Loudon Orr Memorial Field on Tuesday, fanning the North Stokes Vikings 8-0.In just its second postseason appearance since 2011, Robbinsville (No. 6 seed, 10-9) dominated.
Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Peyton Brooks earned his first win of the season April 23 against Copper Basin. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Black Knights tame Cougars

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Simply put, the Knights had a field day when Copper Basin came to town April 23.
Jackson Lane fires a throw from right field during March 20's home game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Jackson Lane fires a throw from right field during March 20's home game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights reel in success

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Asheville – For the first time since the debut series of the season, the Robbinsville Black Knights have a winning record.
Everett Taylor makes a running catch March 20 against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Everett Taylor makes a running catch March 20 against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights rout Braves – again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Cherokee – At this juncture, members of the Braves have to be pointing fingers of blame and asking, "Who owes them money?"Following a 28-1 drubbing of their divisional foe April 7, Robbinsville (6-6, 6-4) made the return trip to Cherokee (1-11, 1-9) for the series finale Friday.
Luke Lovin improved to 3-1 for Robbinsville over the last week, picking up wins against Hiwassee Dam and Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Luke Lovin improved to 3-1 for Robbinsville over the last week, picking up wins against Hiwassee Dam and Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Level 28: unlocked

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Robbinsville – It was almost as if the Black Knights peered at Loudon Orr Memorial Field's scoreboard prior to beginning the bottom of the fourth Tuesday and said, "We can do better."  Everything was going Robbinsville's way at that point, but the hometown crew wasn't satisfied with a 15-0 lead.
Benton Gibby blisters an RBI single during March 20’s game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Benton Gibby blisters an RBI single during March 20’s game against Andrews. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights trounce Eagles

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Robbinsville – There was only one inning that the visitors could keep the Black Knights out of the score column Tuesday.
The 2026 Robbinsville Black Knights. Names are listed from left in both rows. Kneeling in front: Jackson Lane, Ayden Farley, Xamuel Wachacha, Benton Gibby, Ayden Conley, Tegan Werner, Deacon Hyde and Joshua Satterfield. Standing: assistant coach Ethan Orr, head coach Thomas Menard, Zander Davis, Rylen Orr, Luke Lovin, Easton Shuler, Everett Taylor, Peyton Brooks, Evan Menard, and assistant coaches Adam Brooks and A.J. Conley. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2026 Robbinsville Black Knights. Names are listed from left in both rows. Kneeling in front: Jackson Lane, Ayden Farley, Xamuel Wachacha, Benton Gibby, Ayden Conley, Tegan Werner, Deacon Hyde and Joshua Satterfield. Standing: assistant coach Ethan Orr, head coach Thomas Menard, Zander Davis, Rylen Orr, Luke Lovin, Easton Shuler, Everett Taylor, Peyton Brooks, Evan Menard, and assistant coaches Adam Brooks and A.J. Conley. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville swept by Wildcats

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
In a pair of one-run heartbreakers, Robbinsville simply ran out of chances to execute when it needed to the most. The Black Knights hosted – then traveled to – Andrews for their latest, respective slate of baseball action Friday and Monday.

Black Knights split league play to begin season

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Robbinsville High School's baseball program has started the 2026 season with mixed results. After sweeping the beginning series with Rosman, the Black Knights ran into Hayesville – the defending Smoky Mountain Conference champions – in a make-up, home doubleheader Friday.

3 Knights named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Luke Lovin The 2025 All-Smoky Mountain Conference team was recently unveiled. Three Robbinsville Black Knights were on the roster: senior Quinn Jumper and junior Luke Lovin were named to the All-Conference line-up, while freshman Easton Shuler received an Honorable Mention.