Staff

Originally from Raleigh, NC, Nate Stocum brings his passion and leadership to the field as he proudly takes over as the new head coach of the Honeycrisps!

Stocum spent 5 years at Western Carolina playing both Outfield and First Base. In his 5 year career, Stocum hit 41 home runs and drove in 151 runs. As a senior in 2024, Nate hit a career-best .333 with a team-high 73 hits including 15 doubles and 20 home runs, tied for seventh in WCU’s single-season record books. Stocum was selected to the first-team All-Southern Conference by both the league’s head coaches and voting media. Stocum is back with the Catamounts for the 2025 season as the Director of Player Development working with the hitters and the outfielders.

From the great area of Summerville, NC, Gavin Mortenson has made his way down to Hendersonville to serve as the assistant coach for the Honeycrisps!

Gavin Mortenson was a four year starting pitcher for Western Carolina where he started as a 2-way player playing shortstop, as well as pitching. Gavin started Friday nights his senior year and led the Catamount pitching staff with 63 strikeouts, ranking eighth in the Southern Conference. Gavin was named first-team preseason All-Southern Conference by the league’s head coaches and now serves the Catamounts as a Graduate Assistant Coach working with the infielders and the pitching staff.

Hailing from Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Bob has been a resident of Hendersonville since 2017. 

His athletic journey began at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, where he honed his skills as a standout pitcher for four seasons. This dedication and talent led to his selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 19th round of the MLB amateur baseball draft in 1987, marking the start of an illustrious professional career.

Over eleven years in professional baseball, Bob accumulated more than 4 and a half years of Major League Baseball (MLB) service time, a testament to his skill and perseverance. His journey through the majors saw him pitch for iconic teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and New York Mets. Along the way, Bob faced off against some of the game's legends, serving up home runs to the likes of Mark McGwire, Frank Thomas, and Cal Ripken Jr., an experience that few can claim.

Bob is eager to channel his MLB experience into nurturing the pitching talent of the Honeycrisps. His goal is to leverage his firsthand knowledge of the highest levels of the game to foster development and improvement among the team's pitchers, promising an exciting new chapter for both him and the Honeycrisps.

A recent East Henderson High School graduate, Sarah will be attending George Mason University in the fall to study Forensic Science. Growing up watching her older brother play baseball through college sparked her love for the game, and as a Honeycrisps veteran, she's excited for another season at The Orchard. In her free time, Sarah enjoys going to the gym, hiking, and spending time with loved ones.

An East Henderson High School graduate and three-year Honeycrisps veteran, Lilly is currently completing her Associates Degree at AB Tech with plans to transfer to Western Carolina University. Growing up with a brother who plays baseball and a father who coaches baseball and football, she developed a passion for sports that pairs perfectly with her love of working with kids and her dedication to dance. When she's not with the Honeycrisps, you'll find her watching Florida State sports, going on walks, or spending time with family.

Joel is currently a student at Western Carolina University, where he is pursuing a BSBA in Management and a minor in Finance. As a former collegiate baseball player, Joel possesses a deep-rooted passion for the game and a unique understanding of its inner workings. He is highly focused on mastering operations management, aiming to create efficient, high-quality experiences for Honeycrisps fans and players alike. Joel plans to build a professional career in sports leadership and operations. In his free time, he enjoys staying active in the gym and spending time at church.

An East Henderson High School graduate heading to UNC Chapel Hill in the fall to study environmental engineering, Davis is entering his third summer with the Honeycrisps. You'll find him behind the scenes in the press box, where he serves as the team's statistician and official home scorer—duties he honed while keeping stats for his brother Jake's high school and travel ball games. In his free time, Davis enjoys golf, watching all sports, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

A member of East Henderson High School's Class of 2027, Jake plays baseball for the Eagles and dreams of continuing his career at the collegiate level. As a Honeycrisps veteran, he's gaining valuable experience while pursuing his goal of majoring in Finance in college.

Riley is pursuing a master’s degree in Management and Leadership while coaching softball at Montreat College. Having been around baseball and softball her entire life, including playing at the collegiate level, she brings a deep understanding and passion for the game. She is focused on leadership, operations, and creating meaningful experiences for Honeycrisps fans and players. Riley plans to continue building her career in sports after graduation. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, watching the sunset, and spending time with loved ones.

A student-athlete at East Henderson High School, Ryce plays football for the Eagles and plans to serve in the military after graduation. In his second season with the Honeycrisps, he's excited to be back at The Orchard for another summer.

Campbell is a Hendersonville native and a rising sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Sports Administration and Economics, with a plan to minor in business. She is passionate about baseball with a focus on operations and management and wants games to be more than a game for fans, rather becoming a family experience that is remembered for years to come. Outside of school, her interests include hiking, pickleball, and spending time with her loved ones.

A member of East Henderson High School's Class of 2028, Colton grew up loving baseball and softball through his family's deep involvement in the game. He's passionate about helping others enjoy baseball the way he does, bringing that enthusiasm to the Honeycrisps. Outside of school, Colton enjoys playing basketball, running, and watching baseball.

As a Polk County native and CTE Business Teacher at East Henderson High School, Buffy brings both local expertise and business acumen to the Honeycrisps. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from East Carolina University, a graduate certificate from Appalachian State University, and is currently pursuing her Master's Degree at Campbell University. With her deep community connections and proven leadership, Buffy is excited to take the Honeycrisps organization to the next level and looks forward to connecting with each of our fans and partners personally.

A Hendersonville native, Sandra has been married to her high school sweetheart Rodney for 36 years. Together they have three adult children—Stephen, Hope, and Isaac—along with a son-in-law Cole, daughter-in-law Sydney, and two beloved grand dogs, Hudson and Judge. With their boys having played baseball from childhood through high school, Sandra and Rodney became a host family in 2025 after becoming empty nesters, continuing their lifelong love of the game. Proud southerners and devoted New York Yankees fans, they enjoy cheering on their team whenever possible. Sandra also works with LifeWave, helping others improve their health and well-being.

Kyle's love for baseball runs deep, from his playing days through college and on a summer collegiate team in Hornell, NY, to 15+ seasons coaching youth baseball. As owner of the Hendersonville Honeycrisps, he brings that lifelong passion to creating memorable experiences for players and fans alike. A forensic CPA by profession, Kyle has been married to his wife Cathy for 23 years and is a proud father of two. He's committed to building the Honeycrisps into a cornerstone of the Hendersonville community while chasing that first Old North State League championship.