SMCBaseball

The Robbinsville Black Knights have good reason to smile: the team has recently put together its first winning streak of the season. Graylen Orr (2) struck out 10 Copper Basin batters in just four innings of work Monday, as Robbinsville made the streak official with an 8-7 win over the Cougars. Clockwise from Orr are Bryc Garrison, head coach Brent Icenhower, Lathan Buchanan, Alex Knight, Caleb Turpin, Quinn Jumper, Preston Phillips, Ethan Orr and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Have yourself a day, kid

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Robbinsville – He was a one-man wrecking crew. At the outset of Monday’s home game against Copper Basin, Tenn., Black Knights junior Graylen Orr had just 16 strikeouts across four starts.

Robbinsville senior Lathan Buchanan relishes his first-ever varsity home run after Tuesday’s 12-7 win over Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Win No. 1 is here

Kevin Hensley

Friday, March 31, 2023

Robbinsville – Finally. Entering Tuesday’s home game against Cherokee, the Robbinsville varsity baseball team was winless. In 5-of-their-first-6 games, the Black Knights had lost by eight or more runs and opponents had outscored Robbinsville 84-15.

Robbinsville lefty Ethan Orr prepares to deliver a pitch against Stilwell, Okla., on March 15. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Big Indians inning dooms Knights

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Robbinsville – Entering the top of the fourth, it seemed the Black Knights had things well in hand. Though Robbinsville (0-5, 0-2) had only produced one run to that point – when Quinn Jumper was singled home by Bryc Garrison in the second – Ethan Orr and the Knights had shut out the Stilwell (Okla.

Quinn Jumper looks to tag out Murphy’s Ty Laney during Monday’s road loss to the Bulldogs. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville baseball still hunting for 1st win of year

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Murphy – Three games into the 2023 slate and the Robbinsville Black Knights continue to pursue their first victory of the year.

Black Knights falter early in season opener

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Canton – Before Robbinsville could manufacture a reply, the Black Bears had clawed ahead 10-0. The Knights certainly hoped for a better start to their season, but head coach Brent Icenhower noted several positives after a 5-inning, 12-2 loss to Pisgah (1-1) on Tuesday.

Lathan Buchanan, Robbinsville head coach Brent Icenhower and Alex Knight (from left) have a on-field discussion during a pitching change against Brevard on April 11. Buchanan and Knight are two of the seniors back for the varsity-baseball program this season. Photos courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Black Knights eyeing first playoff berth in 11 years

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, March 9, 2023

* Robbinsville baseball season preview Robbinsville – The last time a Black Knights baseball team made the playoffs, this year’s seniors were 6 years old.

Sophomore Graylen Orr – shown delivering a pitch April 11 against Brevard – was 1-of-3 Black Knights that received an All-Smoky Mountain Conference Honorable Mention. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Contributing Photographer

Black Knights receive 3 honorable mentions

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, July 7, 2022

With the conclusion of the 2022 spring sports season in the rearview mirror, the All-Smoky Mountain Conference baseball and softball awards were recently announced. Though no Robbinsville players made the All-Conference list, the future is bright.

Prior to May 5’s season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their three baseball seniors: Cole Patterson, Carson White and Kade Garrison (from left). Photo courtesy of Haylee Crisp/Robbinsville High School

Knights miss playoff cut

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Robbinsville – A late hiccup cost the Black Knights a playoff berth.

Black Knights senior Kade Garrison delivers a pitch during April 11’s road game against Brevard. Garrison tossed a complete game in Robbinsville’s 8-1 win over Andrews on Friday. Photo courtesy of Crystal White/Robbinsville High School

Livin’ on a prayer

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Hiwassee Dam – Entering the final road game of the season Monday, Robbinsville held all the cards.

As Cole Patterson hoists Christian Phillips in the air Monday, Graylen Orr (right) walks by to congratulate Phillips on his extra-inning, walk-off single against Andrews on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Dancin’ in the streets

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Robbinsville – It was a wild win, but a victory nonetheless. Returning home to host Andrews in a pivotal Smoky Mountain Conference game Monday, Robbinsville blew a seventh-inning lead, but rallied to keep its playoff hopes alive by defeating the Wildcats 6-5 in eight innings.