Gastonia, Shelby area baseball players on Division I college rosters in 2024
Another college baseball season is underway, with Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties well represented.
Sixteen area products can be found on Division I rosters this spring, each with their own respective desire to finish in Omaha and the Men’s College World Series.
A complete list of local standouts now playing Division I baseball can be found below. If we’re missing an athlete, send an email to jhughes@gastongazette.com so their name can be added.
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Isaac Armstrong, East Carolina
Class: Freshman
A four-year letterman at East Lincoln, Armstrong looks to contribute as an infielder for the Pirates this season. As a senior, he hit .390 with six home runs.
Jake Beaty, Appalachian State
Class: Sophomore
The former South Point standout had his freshman season cut short last spring due to injury. Prior to the injury, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed pitcher made 12 relief appearances, striking out nine in 15 innings of work.
Nate Brittain, Campbell
Class: Freshman
Last spring, the former Stuart Cramer standout pitched 44 innings, earning six wins, a 1.43 ERA and 101 strikeouts, in addition to a no-hitter. He also hit .438 with three doubles, three triples, 19 RBIs and 15 runs scored.
Boone Cartee, Presbyterian
Class: Junior
This is the former Kings Mountain standout’s first season at Presbyterian following two years at Cleveland Community College. Last spring, he pitched 33 ⅔ innings for the Yetis with a 1.87 ERA and 37 strikeouts.
Parker Dixon, Gardner-Webb
Class: Freshman
Last season at Shelby High, he hit .286 with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 21 RBIs. He was brought to Gardner-Webb to pitch, however, this after winning five games last spring with 74 strikeouts and a no-hitter in the first round of the NCHSAA 2A playoffs.
Bryce Fisher, UNC Asheville
Class: Senior
The former Kings Mountain standout made 16 appearances last spring for the Bulldogs, the left-handed pitcher finishing with a 3-4 record and a 5.85 ERA in 40 innings pitched.
Jordan Fisher, Appalachian State
Class: Redshirt sophomore
A 6-foot-4, 220-pound pitcher, he looks to rebound from a 2023 season in which he made six relief appearances, allowing 15 runs (13 earned) on 12 hits with five walks.
Joe Haney, Davidson
Class: Senior
Native to Denver but attended high school at SouthLake Christian, Haney had one hit in 12 at-bats last season. Utilized primarily for his prowess as an infielder, he had seven putouts, six assists and one error.
Lawson Harrill, Campbell
Class: Redshirt senior
The Crest product started in each of his team’s 58 games last season, hitting .371 with 22 home runs and 69 RBIs. A Crest product, he was voted to the ABCA, Collegiate Baseball, Perfect Game and NCBWA all-American teams.
Matt Heavner, NC State
Class: Sophomore
A North Lincoln product, Heavner made 17 appearances for the Wolfpack as a freshman, three at second base and another at third. He wound up with three hits, including a home run, along with five runs scored.
Noah Ingle, Gardner-Webb
Class: Redshirt junior
After two seasons at North Greenville, the former Cherryville standout has landed at nearby Gardner-Webb. He pitched 6 ⅓ innings last season, allowing seven runs (five earned) on four hits with six strikeouts and 10 walks.
Garrett Michel, Virginia Tech
Class: Sophomore
The East Lincoln product played in 51 games as a freshman, hitting .339 with 11 home runs and 16 doubles, along with 45 RBIs and 51 runs scored. He also drew 37 walks.
Dalton Pence, North Carolina
Class: Redshirt sophomore
A Cherryville product, the 6-foot-2 Pence started in five games and made 22 more relief appearances. He finished with a 4-3 record with a 3.33 ERA and two saves. He had 50 strikeouts in 48 ⅔ innings of work.
Devin Pressley, Gardner-Webb
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 180 pounds, the Kings Mountain product looks to contribute this season as a trusted arm in the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ bullpen.
Graham Smiley, Appalachian State
Class: Redshirt freshman
Smiley sat out last season after transferring from NC State. An East Lincoln product, he hit .367 with 11 doubles, six home runs and 30 RBIs his senior season, helping the Mustangs finish as NCHSAA 3A West runner-up in 2022.
Tyler Steele, UNC Greensboro
Class: Freshman
The Lincoln Charter product hit .372 as a senior with seven home runs, 21 RBIs, 38 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia, Shelby area baseball players on Division I college rosters
