South Lenoir Baseball Preview: Blue Devils Eye Conference Title and Deep Playoff Run

PHOTO BY: Kinnaly Photography
South Lenoir Baseball Preview: Blue Devils Eye Conference Title and Deep Playoff Run

After finishing 15-7 last season and placing third in the East Central Conference, the South Lenoir Blue Devils are entering the 2025 season with high expectations. With a perfect 10-0 home record in 2024 and a close second-round playoff loss to eventual 2A state champion Greene Central, South Lenoir knows they can compete with the best in the state.

Head coach Paul Novicki, who returns a talented and experienced roster, believes this team has the pieces to make a deep postseason run.

“The expectation is what everybody else thinks—we want to win a conference championship, go deep in the playoffs, and see how far we can go,” Novicki said.

Home Field Dominance

One of the most impressive stats from last season was South Lenoir’s undefeated home record (10-0). While Novicki admitted he didn’t even realize it until the playoffs, the team’s home dominance is something they hope to continue in 2025.

“Apparently, we need to get better on the road,” Novicki joked.

A major part of their success at home has been the energy brought by the South Lenoir community.

“The atmosphere at home is just different,” Novicki said. “Our fans show up, and they bring energy. The guys love playing here, and it’s always been a place where we play our best baseball.”

Senior Leadership Will Play a Major Role

South Lenoir enters the season with a veteran-heavy roster, boasting seven seniors, each of whom will play a crucial role in the team’s success.

“Experience can win you a ballgame or two just by having been there before,” Novicki said. “We’ve got guys who have been on varsity for a while and have played a lot of baseball. They know what to expect.”

Among those seniors is Matthew “Tadpole” Rhodes, a dominant presence on the mound last season. The right-hander finished with a 7-2 record, a 2.30 ERA, and 61 strikeouts in 51 innings.

“Tadpole can pitch, man,” Novicki said. “He threw against the best teams in conference play. We set it up that way because he was our horse. I plan on next Friday night handing him the ball and saying, ‘Go get us a win.’”

Another key senior is Jacob Howard, a .380 hitter with 16 RBIs last season, though he’s dealing with some injuries heading into the year.

“I expect Jake to have a big year,” Novicki said. “He’s battling a bad ankle and a shoulder issue from basketball, but in a week or two, he should be back healthy.”

Power at the Plate: Returning Hitters Look to Lead Offense

South Lenoir had a balanced offensive attack last season, led by Gage Howard, who batted .426 with 20 RBIs, six doubles, and a triple. He’ll be making a key defensive shift to shortstop this season, a transition that Novicki is confident he can handle.

“Gage is moving from third to short, so that’s going to be an adjustment,” Novicki said. “But he’s been swinging it well in practice, so I expect big things from him.”

Fellow senior Christian Coples is another name to watch. He hit .283 with 12 RBIs, four doubles, and a home run last season, and Novicki emphasized how crucial his bat is to the team’s success.

“When Christian hits, we don’t lose,” Novicki said. “He just adds another piece to the lineup. He’s got power, he can run, and when he’s locked in, he’s one of the best out there.”

Key Pitching Depth Behind Rhodes and Barnett

Alongside Rhodes, junior Braden Barnett will be another reliable arm for the Blue Devils. Last season, Barnett was nearly untouchable in relief, finishing with a 3-0 record, a 1.25 ERA, and 27 strikeouts in 22 innings.

“If it’s a big game and it’s close, he’s our guy,” Novicki said. “Barnett bought into the weight room this offseason—he’s put on about 20 pounds. Everybody knows what he can do on the mound, but I’ve also seen a lot more pop in his bat this year. I’m expecting doubles from him now, not just singles.”

Sophomore Austin Clements is another arm to watch. He’s been working in the cages nonstop and is expected to start a lot of games on the mound.

“Austin’s looked really good so far,” Novicki said. “He’s put in the work, and we expect him to be a big part of the rotation.”

Young Talent and Lineup Depth

While South Lenoir will rely on its senior core, the underclassmen are ready to step up. Sophomore Reed Davis and Clements both played significant varsity minutes as freshmen and are poised to take on bigger roles this season.

“The joke is we have to kick them out of the cages at night,” Novicki said. “They’re always working, and they’re both big, strong kids. They can pitch, they can hit, and they’re only going to get better.”

Junior Noah Rouse is another emerging name to watch. Rouse, who split time between JV and varsity last season, is expected to take over as a full-time outfielder.

“Noah has the best arm on the team by far,” Novicki said. “Whether it’s in center or right, he’s going to be an impact player for us.”

Coaching Staff and Final Thoughts

Novicki’s coaching staff remains intact, featuring Lee Taylor and Matt Hinkle, who specialize in pitching, infield, outfield, and hitting.

“Coach Hinkle calls the game and handles all our pitching decisions, and Lee and I work with defense and hitting,” Novicki said. “It’s a great working relationship.”

As the season opener against Greene Central on February 28 approaches, the Blue Devils know their potential. With a strong senior class, talented underclassmen, and a deep pitching staff, South Lenoir is aiming for a conference championship and a deep playoff run.

“The only thing that can screw this up is if we don’t work hard,” Novicki said. “It’s there for the taking.”