ROCKINGHAM — Already teammates on two Richmond County baseball teams, Evan Hodges and Caden Nolan will pair up later this summer on another team in the 2025 BodyArmor State Games.
Both rising seniors at Richmond Senior High School, Hodges and Nolan will put their skills to the test in a weeklong summer showcase that will feature some of the best rising high school talent in the state.
Named to the All-Sandhills Athletic Conference baseball team earlier this month, the two Richmond Raiders will compete in the 39th annual edition of the BodyArmor State Games, which is hosted by North Carolina Amateur Sports, a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit.
Previously known as the Powerade State Games, the event is considered to be “the premiere high school baseball event” in the state. More than just baseball, the BodyArmor State Games includes 30 sports that feature over 12,000 athletes annually.
Trying out for a roster spot earlier this spring, Hodges and Nolan were selected as two of the top 20 players in Region 4.
Made up of 11 counties, the Region 4 team will be coached by David Reece of Triton High School. Assistant coaches include Sam Guy (Terry Sanford), Dalton Hardee (Lee County) and Blake Maxwell (South View).
Region 4’s counties include Richmond, Scotland, Moore, Roberson, Lee, Columbus, Bladen and Cumberland counties, among others.
With their selection, Hodges and Nolan became the first Richmond Raider baseball players to compete in the games since former players James Eason (Pfeiffer University) and Camron Seagraves (University of North Carolina) played in 2023.
“Evan and Caden are two of the more talented players in the region, and the state for that matter, so I’m not surprised that either of them were selected,” Richmond head coach Eric Brown said. “I’m happy and proud of both of them for earning this opportunity.
“This will be a great experience for them and a chance to showcase their ability on a big stage to help their team win and impress college coaches. I have no doubts they will perform well and represent Richmond Senior High School and Raider baseball very well.”
The baseball tournament is open to rising seniors, juniors and sophomores in the classes of 2026-2028. According to the BodyArmor State Games’ website, more than 70 college and professional scouts attend the event each summer.
Hodges, who served as Richmond’s primary catcher this spring, has the ability to play third base, both middle infield positions and pitch. His offensive production was also noteworthy.
Named to his second straight All-SAC team, Hodges led the conference in fielding percentage (.995), was third in on-base percentage (.515) and fifth in batting average (.380). He had 30 hits, including a team-high nine doubles, and 12 runs batted in.
“I decided to try out because Coach Brown told me I had a shot at making it,” Hodges said. “I hope to achieve some knowledge and hopefully some colleges like my stuff and have interest in me.
“It’s great that I get to experience this with one of my best friends,” he added of Nolan. “We both worked hard on this and we deserve it. I think this could impact the program by the younger kids seeing our accomplishment and using that as fuel to help them strive to achieve the same thing when they get to high school.”
Equally as impressive, Nolan emerged as Richmond’s No. 2 starting pitcher this season. He can also play anywhere on the infield and his bat was one of the fiercest in the conference this year.
Selected to his first career All-Conference team, Nolan ranked in the top five in five categories in the SAC — .514 slugging percentage (second), .520 on-base percentage (second), 71 strikeouts (tied second), two home runs (fifth) and 19 RBI (tied fifth). He had five wins on the mound.
“I wanted to try out for the BodyArmor State Games because I knew making the team was a great honor and it meant I was going to compete against the best players across the state,” Nolan shared. “It’s also a heavily attended event by college coaches, which can help with recruiting.
“I want to represent Richmond the best I can,” he continued. “I’m going to show up every game ready to compete and play hard. I hope to play well so I can show that Richmond can compete with anyone and to help open college coaches’ eyes, not just for me, but for younger Raiders in the future.”
Set to be held at Guilford College, UNC Greensboro and First National Bank Field, the home of the minor league Greensboro Grasshoppers, the format this summer has the eight regional teams split into two four-team pools. Region 4 is in Pool B with Regions 2, 3 and 8.
Teams will participate in a scout workout during the first day of the event on June 16 at Guilford College. Region 4 is scheduled to start at 1:40 p.m. and will do batting practice, infield and outfield drills and base running.
Tuesday, June 17 through Thursday, June 19 will feature three days of pool play. Region 4 will play Region 8 at 1 p.m. at First National Bank Field on Tuesday, followed by a game against Region 3 at 1 p.m. at UNC Greensboro Wednesday.
Hodges, Nolan and the rest of the Region 4 team will conclude pool play Thursday with a meeting with Region 2 at 10:30 a.m. That game will also be at UNC Greensboro.
Friday, June 20 will conclude the tournament at UNC Greensboro with a gold medal game between the top two seeds from Pool A and Pool B. A bronze medal game, as well as two five-inning consolation games, will also be played.
Following their BodyArmor State Games experience, Hodges and Nolan will continue playing summer baseball with the Hamlet American Legion baseball team.
