North Lenoir Baseball Season Preview: Hawks Look to Build on Championship Season
North Lenoir Baseball Season Preview: Hawks Look to Build on Championship Season
After a 21-5 season that saw North Lenoir claim the East Central Conference title with an 11-1 record, expectations remain high for the Hawks in 2025. Head coach Cam Sherrer, entering his second year at the helm, has a talented group returning, including several key contributors from last year’s deep playoff run that ended in the fourth round against Whiteville.
Maintaining a Winning Tradition
North Lenoir hasn’t had a losing season since 2013, a testament to the program’s consistency and high standards. The Hawks take pride in defending their home field, where they finished 10-1 last season.
“That’s an expectation here at North Lenoir,” Sherrer said. “If you lose that game, you’ll hear it. We take pride in defending our home turf, and we’re looking to do the same thing again this year.”
Senior Leadership & Experience
A major strength of this year’s team is its senior leadership. The Hawks return eight seniors who experienced last season’s fourth-round playoff run and understand the level of commitment it takes to compete at a high level. This veteran presence is expected to be a key factor in keeping the team focused and battle-tested throughout the season.
“We lost some key players, but we have a strong group of seniors who have been through the fire,” Sherrer said. “They know what it takes to win. Now it’s their turn to lead.”
Replacing Key Departures, Embracing Competition
The Hawks lost a few key pieces, including pitchers Jackson Jenkins and Eli Kearney, as well as the powerful bat of Blake Crawford, but Sherrer believes that his returning core is ready to step up and fill those gaps.
“We lost some arms, we lost a big bat in the middle of the order, but people overlooked what we still have coming back,” Sherrer said. “Carter Chadwick is a big bat. Ethan Smith stepped up big time as a leadoff hitter. We’re looking for Petey Wiggins, Wriston Honeycutt, and Mason Sasser to step into bigger roles. A lot of these guys were playing in the shadows of last year’s stars, but it’s time for them to make a name for themselves.”
North Lenoir will also see competition across the field, particularly in the outfield, as players battle for starting spots. While some coaches might see that as a problem, Sherrer embraces it.
“Competition brings out the best in players,” he said. “It forces everyone to work harder, to stay locked in. The more competition we have, the better we’re going to be.”
Key Players Returning
Garrett Byrd (Sr. – P/C)
.345 AVG, 29 RBIs, 8 2Bs, 6 HRs
5-2 W/L, 2.91 ERA, 43.1 IP, 65 Ks
2024 East Central Conference Player of the Year
Committed to Winthrop University
“I think we are going to shock a lot of people. I think people are doubting us, but I think we are just as good as last year, if not better.”
Ethan Smith (Sr. – INF/OF)
.313 AVG, 17 RBIs, 4 2Bs, 1 HR, 8 SBs
Mason Sasser (Sr. – INF)
.324 AVG, 8 RBIs, 4 2Bs, 1 3B, 15 SBs
Carter Chadwick (Sr. – INF/OF)
.294 AVG, 21 RBIs, 4 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 1 HR
Wriston Honeycutt (Sr. – INF)
.275 AVG, 8 RBIs, 1 2B
Coaching Staff Adjustments
Sherrer will have some new faces on the coaching staff this year. His father, Jeff Sherrer, remains an assistant, something Cam considers a blessing. They’ll be joined by Jared Brown, a former football assistant, and Brendan Grant, a North Lenoir alum (Class of 2019) who played at Chowan University before returning to the area.
“Brendan’s college experience is going to be a big help,” Sherrer said. “Anytime someone has played at that level, it adds a different perspective. And since he’s younger, he can really relate to the players.”
A Team-First Mentality
While Byrd is a clear standout, Sherrer wants to make one thing clear: North Lenoir’s success won’t be about one player—it’ll be about the entire team.
“You can have a great player and still have a bad season,” Sherrer said. “It takes everyone in that dugout to have a successful year. We need every guy bought in, all working toward the same goal.”
With a strong returning core, a highly competitive roster, and a program built on consistent winning, North Lenoir looks primed for another big season. The Hawks will open their 2025 campaign on February 26 at Southern Wayne, with their home opener set for February 28 against Greene Central.
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