By CHAD COOPER, [email protected]
Grundy High School capped off the final season of Black Diamond District baseball by dominating the district’s postseason awards.
Leading the way for the Golden Wave was junior Ayden Whited, who was named the Black Diamond District Player of the Year after helping guide Grundy to another district title.
“Receiving BDD Player of the Year was a personal goal I set before the season, and was pumped to see it through,” Whited said. “I made some adjustments hitting-wise leading up towards the season, and it really paid off. Thankful to Jordan Hardin and everything he’s done for me and the program.”
Freshman standout Jaccob Smeltzer earned Pitcher of the Year honors after emerging as the Wave’s ace during his first varsity campaign.
“Winning Pitcher of the Year means a lot to me,” Smeltzer said. “My older brother was an All-District pitcher, and I’ve always wanted to follow in his footsteps. Growing up in a baseball family and spending so much of my life around the field, I always dreamed of being a pitcher, but I never had the opportunity until this year. I’m thankful for my coaches and teammates who believed in me and helped make this award possible.”
Grundy’s success was also recognized in the coaching ranks, as head coach Jordan Hardin and the Golden Wave coaching staff were selected as the Black Diamond District Coach and Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Golden Wave placed seven players on the first team and four more on the second team.
Smeltzer earned first-team honors at two positions, pitcher and catcher, while Whited was also a multiple first-team selection as a pitcher and outfielder. Other first-team picks for Grundy included junior Blake Childress at first base, senior Brody Ford at second base, sophomore Gavin Mays in the outfield and junior Mason Boyd in the outfield.
Twin Valley was represented on the first team by freshman pitcher Eli Dye, freshman Harvey Cooper/Duty at third base and senior Brannon Mullins at shortstop, while Council senior Jacob Ray also earned first-team recognition as a designated hitter.
The second team featured Council’s Jacob Ray as a pitcher, freshman Gunnar Deel as a pitcher and sophomore Ben Stevens at catcher. Twin Valley’s Mullins earned second-team honors as a pitcher, while sophomores Josh Keller (first base), Michael Motes (second base) and Titus Ashby (outfield) were also selected.
Grundy’s second-team honorees included senior Graham Pittman at third base, senior Logan Mullins at shortstop, sophomore Blake Payne in the outfield and junior Henry Brown as a designated hitter.
The selections mark the final all-district baseball team in Black Diamond District history, as the district concluded following the 2025-26 school year with member schools consolidating into Southern Gap High School.
2026 All-Black Diamond District Awards
Player of the Year: Ayden Whited, Jr., Grundy
Pitcher of the Year: Jaccob Smeltzer, Fr., Grundy
Coach and Coaching Staff of the Year: Jordan Hardin and staff, Grundy
2026 All Black Diamond District Baseball 1st Team
Pitcher – Jaccob Smeltzer, Grundy, Fr.
Pitcher – Eli Dye, Twin Valley, Fr.
Pitcher – Ayden Whited, Grundy, Jr.
Catcher – Jaccob Smeltzer, Grundy, Fr.
First base – Blake Childress, Grundy, Jr.
Second base – Brody Ford, Grundy, Sr.
Third base – Harvey Cooper/Duty, Twin Valley, Fr.
Shortstop – Brannon Mullins, Twin Valley, Sr.
Outfield – Ayden Whited, Grundy, Jr.
Outfield – Gavin Mays, Grundy, So.
Outfield – Mason Boyd, Grundy, Jr.
Designated Hitter – Jacob Ray, Council, Sr.
2026 All-Black Diamond District Baseball Second Team
Pitcher – Jacob Ray, Council, Sr.
Pitcher – Brannon Mullins, Twin Valley, Sr.
Pitcher – Gunnar Deel, Council, Fr.
Catcher – Ben Stevens, Council, So.
First base – Josh Keller, Twin Valley, So.
Second base – Michael Motes, Twin Valley, So.
Third base – Graham Pittman, Grundy, Sr.
Shortstop – Logan Mullins, Grundy, Sr.
Outfield – Titus Ashby, Twin Valley, So.
Outfield – Gunnar Deel, Council, Fr.
Outfield – Blake Payne, Grundy, So.
Designated Hitter – Henry Brown, Grundy, Jr.
