Southern Wayne’s Hayden Waller was named to the 2024 NC Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A All-Region 2 team for his effort on the diamond this past spring. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — Opposing coaches undoubtedly circle “34” when Southern Wayne head baseball coach Trae McKee provides a lineup card before each game.
In case you don’t follow the Saints, No. 34 is Hayden Waller.
The sweet-hitting, fleet-footed sophomore turned heads on the diamond this past spring. He earned all-Quad County 3A honors and a spot on the 2024 NC Baseball Coaches All-Region 2 squad.
“Hayden had a very good year for us,” McKee said. “He is a very talented player … possesses a tool that is deadly — speed. He is a menace on the bases [and] plays a versatile role on our team as our center fielder, lead-off hitter and left-handed pitcher.
“He can change the dynamic of the game when he is on base.”
Waller recorded nine multi-hit outings, including a pair of four-hit efforts against North Lenoir and QCC foe Smithfield-Selma. He notched a career-high five RBI against SSS.
The 5-foot-6 outfielder concluded the season on a 13-game hitting streak. He logged a .398 average at the dish, supplied 33 hits, scored 20 runs, registered 21 RBI and stole 20 bases.
On the bump, Waller filed a 1-1 worksheet with a 4.92 earned-run average (ERA). The southpaw collected 18 strikeouts in 21.3 innings of work.
Waller and his teammates emerged victorious in their final six regular-season outings. The late surge allowed Southern Wayne to clinch its third consecutive berth in the NC High School Athletic Association playoffs.
