It was another down year for most Beaufort County baseball teams with only Terra Ceia finishing with a record above .500. However, battling through the tough season and leading their respective teams, the county’s top athletes rose to the occasion.

Across the board, with the graduation of key players like Northside’s Ryan Arthur, Washington’s Trey Brunson and Pungo’s Cole Woolard, youth mainly defined the 2015 season, as each one of the five teams fielded talented freshmen and sophomores, building for what should be a bright future for baseball down the road.

Here are the Washington Daily News First and Second All-County Baseball Teams.

 

FIRST TEAM

AUSTIN ROSCOE, P/SS, SO., TERRA CEIA
The County Baseball Player of the Year shined in his second varsity season for the Knights, leading the county in hitting and improving his game on the mound. Utilizing a plus fastball and consistently locating his breaking pitches, sophomore Austin Roscoe carried the Knights to a winning record and the program’s first ever playoff berth, recording a 3-4 record, 2.93 ERA and county-high 68 strikeouts. Offensively, Roscoe was also the team’s leader with a .507 average to go along with a team-high 23 steals.

 

PATRICK THOMPSON, P/SS, SR., WASHINGTON

After finishing 2014 with over a 4.00 ERA brought on by nagging arm troubles, Patrick Thompson dazzled on the mound for his senior season, recording a 2.98 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP and 54 strikeouts, allowing 36 hits and 23 walks. One of the team’s senior leaders on and off the field, Thompson finished with a .260 average, four runs and six RBIs and was second on his team in hits.

 

LAWRENCE BROWN, RF, JR., SOUTHSIDE

If Roscoe and Thompson were their team’s most important assets, Lawrence Brown was certainly Southside’s during their 7-11 season. With running back speed and an unconventional, choppy swing, Brown led the Seahawks with a .432 average and .528 on-base percentage, while recording 19 hits, 18 runs, nine RBIs and swiping 19 bases in 23 attempts. The junior outfielder was flawless in the field, committing just two errors in 18 games and coming through with multiple outfield assists.

 

WILL MUMFORD, CF, SR., SOUTHSIDE

Will Mumford proved to be one of the most productive leadoff hitters in the county in 2015, providing an instant boost for a lineup that had success with the bat. The senior smashed a team-high 20 hits (.385 average), including two doubles, and notched six RBIs, 23 runs and a remarkable 26 stolen bases. Along with Brown, Mumford played a near perfect centerfield, committing just one error. He was also the only Seahawks athlete to get significant playing time in all 18 games.

 

NEIL JENNINGS, DH, JR., WASHINGTON

Washington has only won a handful of games through the last three seasons, but through it all, Neil Jennings’ bat has been one of the constants. A first team selection last season, Jennings failed to eclipse his impressive .400 sophomore mark, but led the team in hits, once again, posting a .380 average and .475 on-base percentage. He also scored seven runs and notched six RBIs.

 

AUSTIN WYNNE, 2B, SO., TERRA CEIA

One of three freshmen on last year’s first team, Austin Wynne only improved in 2015 and was a vital part at the top of Terra Ceia’s order. Wynne was undoubtedly the Knights’ best defensive player, committing just two errors, and began the season on a tear with hits in 12 of his first 22 at bats. He finished with a .482 average and All-Tarheel Independent Conference honors.

 

QUENTIN VAN ESSENDELFT, C, SO., TERRA CEIA

Quentin Van Essendelft didn’t have the strongest arm behind the plate, but he was arguably one of the better catchers in the county at guarding against wild pitches, managing the pitching staff and limiting errors. Batting in the No. 3 slot on the lineup, Van Essendelft finished with a .461 average and 19 steals. He also provided much needed relief in late innings when the starters struggled.

 

HUNTER SPARKS, C, SO., SOUTHSIDE

A first team selection as a freshman, Hunter Sparks continued his success this season with a .357 average, 15 hits, nine runs, nine stolen bases and a team-high 17 RBIs. His biggest contribution was behind the plate, however, where he contained a season’s worth of wild pitching and kept runners at bay. In one of baseball’s most active positions, he recorded just three errors.

 

WILL RESPESS, P/SS, JR., PUNGO

Assuming the role of ace this season for the Raiders, junior Will Respess picked up where Cole Woolard left off on the mound, pitching 31 innings and striking out 42. Poor fielding and a lack of run support hurt Pungo late in the season, but Respess pitched his way to a sub-two ERA and walked just 15 batters. At the plate, he finished second on the team in hitting with a .433 average.

 

KELLUM CAHOON, C, JR., PUNGO

After an average sophomore season, Kellum Cahoon has taken the reins to a lineup that’s struggled to score runs, becoming its top producer. The Pungo junior led his team in hits and finished with a .459 average and 15 RBIs. Behind the plate, Cahoon was one of the strongest defensive players in the county for head coach Ethan Coltrane.

 

TERRY MOORE, P, JR., SOUTHSIDE

While struggling with his command on the mound, junior Terry Moore answered the call with the bat this year for the Seahawks. Moore finished tied for second on the team with 13 RBIs and blasted 17 hits this season, leading the team with six doubles. He finished with a .378 average with 10 runs scored.

 

NICK EVERETTE, LF, SO., WASHINGTON

One of head coach Kevin Leggett’s up-and-coming young stars, sophomores Nick Everette transferred over from jayvee early in the season and had an immediate impact in the Pam Pack lineup. Everette played a perfect left field, covering a lot of ground without committing a single error. At the plate, he finished with a .342 average and.444 on-base percentage, second on the team.

 

SECOND TEAM

DAHLTON O’NEAL, SS, SO., SOUTHSIDE

JENSEN HAWKINS, DH, JR., NORTHISDE
BROCK MARSH, RF, SO., NORTHSIDE

DALTON ETHERIDGE, 3B, SR., NORTHSIDE

DYLAN LEWIS, IF, JR., SOUTHSIDE

JAMOND EBRON, CF, SR., WASHINGTON

TYLER HENDRIX, 3B/P, SO., TERRA CEIA

LELON STOTESBERRY, 1B, JR., TERRA CEIA

PAUL RADFORD, P, SO., SOUTHSIDE

ZACH WOOLARD, P, JR., NORTHSIDE

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

TRIPP BARFIELD, P, SO., WASHINGTON

CALEB ALLIGOOD, 1B, SR., NORTHSIDE

MARSHALL MEDLOCK, OF, SO., SOUTHSIDE

PARKER BOYD, INF, FR., NORTHSIDE