CHARLOTTE—An Ardrey Kell High School sophomore had a big year at the plate in baseball and has earned a performance listing in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Record Book.

         Aaron Pilkington was one of the top players for an excellent Ardrey Kell team that made it to the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs. He belted 19 home runs on the season for the Knights, just one short of the state record.

         Paul Brannon of Kings Mountain hit 20 during a state 3-A championship run in 1989.  Three players have hit 19 in a season, including Shawn Gallagher of New Hanover in 1995, Chad Flack of East Rutherford in 2004, and Pilkington.

         The current career home mark in the NCHSA is 45, held by Cody Geyer of North Buncombe during his career from 2007-10.

         Pilkington had hit more home runs this season than any other player listed in the MaxPreps.com national rankings in early June.