Robbinsville has had one of the winningest high school programs in North Carolina in recent years, and that appears to be the case again, as the Black Knights remain in 1A even following reclassification. Ella Nelms has been a key catalyst for Robbinsville’s continued success this season. A six-foot freshman who also plays in the outfield, Nelms has amassed a 6-0 record in the circle, which has included a pair of complete games. She had yet to allow an earned run this year as of this writing, and the Black Knights had yet to allow any runs this season to date. Nelms only allowed four walks and six hits in 29 innings of work, while also striking out 61 hitters. 

A strikeout-heavy pitcher who has been strong for both her club and her school, Ella Nelms Ella Nelms RHP/UTL Robbinsville | 2029 NC is poised for a step forward in 2026. Nelms began her freshman high school season with two team wins, facing 24 batters over the course of the day and striking out 18. Nelms has worked with Tennessee pitching coach Megan Rhodes Smith and shares her Robbinsville roots with current Tennessee outfielder Zoie Shuler. She looks to take her experience from both club ball and her time around college coaches into her freshman season with Robbinsville.