The top five teams from last week's power rankings all lost, including several in games against each other. That led to little movement at the top of this week's rankings, but one team did drop four spots.
Here are the Western North Carolina high school baseball power rankings for Week 8.
1. Roberson (14-3)
It was the Reno Jeter Game on Tuesday as the senior pitcher no-hit Erwin, striking out 10 batters over seven innings, and drove in one run in the 2-0 victory. After Erwin walked off the Rams on Friday, Roberson did the same to Combine Academy National in a 5-4 victory on Saturday.
Last week: No. 1. This week: at Parkview (Ga.) (Thursday), at Science Hill (Tenn.) (Friday)
2. West Henderson (14-2)
West Henderson cruised through its first two games last week in run-rule victories, including a 16-1 beatdown of No. 4 Reynolds. The Falcons couldn't earn the midweek sweep of the Rockets, however,
Last week: No. 2. This week: vs. Franklin (Tuesday), at Franklin (Thursday)
3. Tuscola (12-4)
The Mountaineers faced three out-of-state teams last week and walked away with two quality wins and an extra-innings loss. After jumping Reynolds this week, the two play in a marquee matchup Wednesday to settle the matter.
Last week: No. 4. This week: at Smoky Mountain (Tuesday), vs. No. 4 Reynolds (Wednesday), vs. Smoky Mountain (Friday)
4. Reynolds (9-5)
Despite earning one of the season's best wins over West Henderson, the Rockets slip a spot after getting blown out 16-1 by the same Falcons team. Senior shortstop Hayden Craig came up big in the win, driving in three runs.
Last week: No. 3. This week: at North Buncombe (Tuesday), at No. 3 Tuscola (Wednesday), vs. North Buncombe (Friday)
5. Erwin (8-4)
The Warriors ran into an unhittable Jeter on Tuesday, as the Roberson pitcher no-hit Erwin in a 2-0 victory. Erwin bounced back Friday with freshman Cole Miller delivering a walk-off double to steal a win over the No. 1 Rams.
Last week: No. 7. This week: vs. Brevard (Monday), vs. Enka (Tuesday), at Enka (Friday)
6. Hayesville (9-2)
The Yellow Jackets are on a nine-game winning streak and outscored their opponents 51-10 over three games last week. Junior third baseman Chance Hughes drove in seven runs while going 8-for-13 during the week.
Last week: No. 5. This week: vs. Towns County (Ga.) (Monday), at Murphy (Tuesday), vs. Murphy (Friday)
7. North Henderson (11-5)
The Knights have won six in a row after sweeping East Henderson last week. Junior Stash Spear drove in four runs in the two games and hit a home run.
Last week: No. 8. This week: vs. Hendersonville (Monday), at Polk County (Tuesday), vs. R-S Central (Wednesday)
8. Robbinsville (7-3)
A 2-1 week should have the Black Knights feeling good as they near a showdown with No. 6 Hayesville. Ethan Orr, the WNC midseason baseball player of the year poll winner, drove in two runs and struck out 10 batters in a 6-2 win over Andrews on Friday.
Last week: No. 9. This week: at Hiwassee Dam (Tuesday), vs. Rosman (Thursday), vs. Hiwassee Dam (Friday)
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9. Asheville Christian Academy (7-7)
ACA is the newest entrant into the top 10 after handing then-No. 6 Christ School two big losses. Senior pitcher Seth Coxie struck out 10 and allowed just one hit in a 12-0 victory on Wednesday, then drove in a run on Friday in a 2-1 win.
Last week: Unranked. This week: vs. Upstate (S.C.) (Thursday), vs. Hickory Christian Academy (Saturday)
10. Christ School (10-7)
The Greenies are 3-5 over their past eight games and have fallen to No. 10 after sitting as high as No. 3 in the power rankings. The latest misstep came last week – Christ School got swept by No. 9 ACA – and the schedule doesn't get easier.
Last week: No. 6. This week: vs. Carmel Christian (Tuesday), at Charlotte Catholic (Wednesday), vs. Covenant Day (Saturday)
Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanGerike. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
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