Panther baseball was well represented on the All-Conference team this year.
At the end of the regular season this spring, Mountain Seven coaches met for their annual postseason meeting to discuss conference business. There three Panthers were named to the All-Mountain Seven Conference First Team, with two more earning Honorable Mentions. The Press will recount the seasons of these five Panthers below, listed alphabetically in order of achievement.
Malachi Hayes
One of Franklin’s best hitters, pitchers and fielders in 2024, Malachi Hayes was the glue that held the team together this spring.
A three-year starter earning his first All-Conference selection, the senior led the Panthers at the plate in most major categories this year, finishing first on the team in average (.357), hits (20), extra-base hits (seven) and walks (12). Batting near the top of the order, he led the team far and away in on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.993), and ranked second in runs scored (13) and third in runs batted in (nine). He also finished second in both strikeout rate (nine in 56 at-bats, or 16%) and stolen bases (seven).
Long one of Franklin’s best defenders in the middle infield, Hayes also grew into one of its best pitchers in 2024, leading the team in earned runs average (1.92), innings pitched (43 2/3), strikeouts (41) and on-base percentage against (.291). He also led the team far and away in bases on balls per innings pitched (11 total, or .25), and finished second in batting average against (.225). When not on the mound Hayes played primarily at second base, posting 15 put outs and 13 assists in 34 total chances.
Jaxon Hursey
A two-year starter earning his first All-Conference nod, Jaxon Hursey played a key role on both sides of the ball this year.
Batting near the heart of the order, the senior excelled at driving runners in, leading Franklin with 11 RBIs and finishing third with 16 hits. Hursey’s .246 average was good for fifth among all Panthers, while his nine runs scored tied him for third team-wide. He also added four walks and four stolen bases on the season.
As Franklin’s everyday first baseman Hursey was one of its trustiest fielders, often using his 6’3” frame to snag balls shorter players wouldn’t dream of catching. He finished second in fielding percentage among Panthers with more than 30 total chances (.937), while his three double plays tied him at first for the team lead. In 95 total chances the senior recorded 80 put outs (second team-wide), adding nine assists and just six errors on the year.
Ian Knepp
A three-year starter earning his second All-Conference nod, Ian Knepp brought a fitting end to a stellar varsity career this spring.
As close collaborators in the middle infield and at the top of Franklin’s batting order, Knepp joined Hayes to form a dynamic 1-2 punch, tying his senior classmate for first on the team with 20 hits. A natural leadoff man due to his speed and savvy at the plate, Knepp led all Panthers with 15 runs scored on the season, and finished second to Hayes in both average (.317) and on-base-plus-slugging (.815). Knepp also turned in the team’s lowest strikeout rate (just nine in 63 at-bats, or 14%), tied for second with eight walks and tied for third with five stolen bases.
As Franklin’s longtime defensive anchor at shortstop, Knepp once again excelled at throwing runners out, leading the team in both assists (23) and double plays (three). On the mound the senior was often asked to pitch in high-leverage situations, leading all Panthers in appearances (11) and saves (two) and finishing second in earned runs average (4.20). In 16 2/3 innings, he finished second in on-base percentage against (.338), and dealt more than twice as many strikeouts (19) as walks (eight).
Josiah Hursey and Anderson Terrell
As Franklin’s longtime ace on the mound, Josiah Hursey has been one of the most impactful Panthers of the past two years.
After being considered for Pitcher of the Year in 2023, Hursey was named All-Conference Honorable Mention for his work this spring, finishing third among Panthers with a 5.91 earned runs average. In 32 innings pitched the senior dealt 39 strikeouts, and also ranked third on the team in on-base percentage against (.417). He added two hits and two RBIs in 17 appearances at the plate.
Aside from his work on the mound, Hursey shouldered the team’s heaviest weight this spring, losing his mother, FHS grad Nycole Holland, to a rare fungal infection late in the season. Just four days later, Hursey took the mound for Franklin’s home meeting with Asheville, inspiring teammates and fans with his determination and mental fortitude.
An All-Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman, the sky is the limit for rising sophomore Anderson Terrell.
Already one of the team’s best hitters, Terrell looked right at home in the varsity lineup, finishing third on the team in average (.268), runs scored (nine) and stolen bases (five). Despite appearing in just 13 of Franklin’s 19 games, the freshman’s 11 hits and .570 on-base-plus-slugging ranked sixth team-wide, while his .268 slugging percentage ranked fifth.
In the field Terrell was one of just two Panthers to not record an error, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage with 12 put outs and eight assists in 20 total chances. The freshman played primarily at third base and also in left field and on the mound.