Evan GerikeAsheville Citizen Times
The Citizen-Times and Times-News have released theAll-WNC softball teamfor the 2024 season, including Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.
Robbinsville highlights this season's list, including taking the Player of the Year, after advancing further than anyone else in the NCHSAA playoffs. Four teams made the third round – Owen, Reynolds, Madison and McDowell.
Here is the 2024 All-WNC softball team.
All-WNC softball player of the year
Zoie Shuler
Robbinsville
Senior | Infielder
The Tennessee signee capped off her Black Knights career in incredible fashion as one of the best players in the state. The shortstop set a North Carolina record with 68 runs scored and finished third in state history with 197 total runs.
Shuler guided Robbinsville to its seventh-straight conference title and helped it reached the 1A West Regional final. She hit .593 with 11 home runs, seven doubles, seven triples, 31 RBIs and 44 stolen bases – finishing her career without ever being caught stealing.
Coach of the Year
Pete Ledford
Owen
For the first time in 13 years, Owen softball won the Western Highlands Conference. Ledford has turned the program around in recent years, culminating in this season's 20-3 record and a third-round playoff appearance. Ledford's team is set up for success in the years to come, too, with only one senior on this season's roster.
Rest of All-WNC softball first team
Sadie Jo Hunter
North Buncombe
Freshman | Pitcher
Hunter splashed onto the scene as one of the most dominant pitchers in the state. Her 0.43 ERA was third-best in North Carolina and she struck out 151 batters in 81 innings, going 8-3 to help North Buncombe earn a three-way share of the Mountain Athletic Conference. Her bat was also strong – she hit .433 with six home runs and 16 RBIs.
Sophie Neal
Owen
Junior | Pitcher
Neal was a major part of Owen's success, helping it win the Western Highlands Conference for the first time in 13 seasons. Neal was 15-1 with a 1.86 ERA in 112⅔ innings pitched, striking out 137 batters in 19 appearances. She also batted .397 with seven doubles.
Rylee Rawls
Swain County
Sophom*ore | Pitcher
Rawls was named the Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher of the Year after going 10-7 with a 1.91 ERA in 19 appearances. She threw 110 innings and struck out 170 batters, helping the Maroon Devils finish third in the conference and reach the second round of the 1A playoffs.
Sophie Roberts
Robbinsville
Sophom*ore | Catcher
Roberts was a key contributor to a powerful Robbinsville offense that reached the 1A West Regional final. The catcher batted .440, drove in 41 runs and was tied for eighth in the state with 11 home runs.
Mia Roland
Owen
Freshman | Infielder
Roland helped lead Owen to a 20-3 record and a Western Highlands Conference title as one of the region's best freshmen. She batted .532 with 44 RBIs and 28 stolen bases and hit eight home runs with three grand slams – including a walk-off grand slam in the second round of the 2A playoffs.
Kendall Rumans
Franklin
Sophom*ore | Infielder
Rumans was a powerhouse with the bat, hitting 12 home runs, tied for sixth in the state. With 19 long balls in two seasons, Rumans is on pace to threaten the WNC career home run record of 40 home runs. The first baseman and pitcher batted .561 with 41 RBI and 11 doubles.
Claire Wilson
Brevard
Junior | Infielder
The shortstop was a near-impossible out in the middle of the Blue Devils' lineup, batting .629 with an on-base percentage of .679. She tallied 16 doubles, three triples and five home runs while driving in 38 RBIs and didn't strike out once in 84 plate appearances.
Mack Jones
Pisgah
Junior | Outfielder
Jones was one of the best players in a strong Mountain 7 Conference, batting .411 with four doubles, three triples and two home runs. She also drove home 13 runs and scored 29, helping the Bears finish third in the conference and reach the second round of the NCHSAA 3A playoffs.
LaShea Morlu
West Henderson
Senior | Outfielder
Although the Falcons bowed out of the playoffs early, Morlu's offense helped West Henderson claim the Mountain 7 Conference title. She batted .554 and drove in 23 runs.
Abby Wyatt
McDowell
Senior | Outfielder
Wyatt batted .510 with 20 runs scored and 8 RBIs, despite missing time with an injury. When healthy, Wyatt helped lead the Titans to their first-ever conference title and reach the third round of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs.
Avery Moffitt
Franklin
Senior | Utility
Moffitt split time around the field, playing catcher, center fielder and first base, but her status at the plate was never in question. Moffitt powered 10 home runs, including a grand slam, and finished the season with a .451 batting average, 35 RBIs and five doubles.
All-WNC softball second team
Pitcher: Memory Frapp, Robbinsville, Sr.
Pitcher: Paisley Johnson, Murphy, So.
Pitcher: Sarah Walker, West Henderson, Jr.
Catcher: Carly Teesateskie, Swain County, So.
Infield: Averi Coggins, Enka, So.
Infield: Addie Sams, Madison, Fr.
Infield: Suri Watty, Robbinsville, So.
Infield: Sage Young, McDowell, Jr.
END OF YEAR TOP 10: Robbinsville finishes No. 1 in final WNC high school softball power rankings
Outfield: Kierstin Kemper, McDowell, Sr.
Outfield: Kadyn Williams, Reynolds, Fr.
Outfield: Chloe Young, Polk County, Sr.
Utility: Marley Orr, West Henderson, So.
Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @EvanGerike. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
