Ashley baseball coach Brian Stewart retires after 18 seasons

Brian Stewart, the only baseball coach in the history of Ashley High School, is hanging up his cleats after a phenomenal 18-year career. 

Athletic director Kelly Lewis announced the move Friday and also named longtime assistant Ben Stroehl as the new head coach.

“I’ve made a lot of great friends and I’ve been lucky to have the coaches I’ve had with Ben, Jeff McCulloch, Mike Goyne and Travis Vithalani,” Stewart said. “You can’t do it by yourself and I’ve been very lucky to have those guys.”

Brian Stewart (left) and former standout pitcher Price King after they were named Mideastern Conference Coach of the Year and Player of the Year in 2008. [Photo courtesy of Ashley High School]

Stewart picked up his first victory on March 5, 2002 after the Screaming Eagles cruised to a 17-1, five-inning win over Northside-Jacksonville. He added 264 more to finish with a career record of 265-170-1.

“I’m proud of the kids that have gone through our program,” Stewart said. “They’ve really worked hard and bought into getting better and trying to put a quality product on the field. They are the ones who built this program.”

Ashley had a winning season 14 times under Stewart and made 12 playoff appearances. The Screaming Eagles reached the 4A State Championship series in 2007 before being swept by a Madison Bumgarner led South Caldwell squad.

The 2007 team still holds the school record for wins with 23. 

In 2011, Stewart guided Ashley to a 20-8 record and a berth in the 4A East Championship series.

His first playoff win came over Richmond County on May 17, 2005. Ryan Hamme scored the winning run and was the winning pitcher in the 2-1 victory. Stewart’s final win also came in the playoffs a season ago, when the Screaming Eagles topped Rolesville 2-1 in the first round.

Stroehl, who has served as the team’s pitching coach, has also been the head coach of the Pleasure Island Post 129 American Legion Baseball team the past two summers.

“I’m so happy for Ben, because he has been such a loyal assistant,” Stewart said. “He’s worked hard and has committed a lot of time. It’s so well deserved.”

Ben Stroehl (left) will take over as the head baseball coach at Ashley. [Tim Hower/Coastal Preps]”

Stroehl has learned from two of the area’s top coaches. He played four years at Hoggard under Jeep St. Ledger and spent 18 seasons on staff under Stewart.

“Those two guys have obviously mean a lot to me,” Stroehl said. “Coach St. Ledger taught me the importance of building relationships with players. Nobody ever had a bad thing to say about him. Coach Stewart taught me the fundamentals of the game and how to become a better coach.”

The Screaming Eagles bring back four starting position players (Michael Brannin, Branton Jernigan, Barrett Swails and Drew Tyndall)  from last year’s team that with 15-10 overall and 7-7 in the Mideastern Conference.

“I’m excited to get the season started,” Stroehl said. “I don’t expect a lot to change in our culture or the way we prepare or play the game. We have some talented returning players that will be good leaders for the younger kids.”

Stewart’s retirement leaves girls basketball coach Adrienne Gale as the only original head coach at Ashley. Chip Adams served as the coach of the softball team for 18 seasons before retiring last spring.

Season-by-season records 

2002: 9-15

2003: 14-9

2004: 14-10

2005: 16-8-1*

2006: 14-9

2007: 23-7*

2008: 15-8*

2009: 13-8*

2010: 10-12

2011: 20-8*

2012: 19-7*

2013: 13-9*

2014: 16-8*

2015: 11-12*

2016: 9-15

2017: 15-10*

2018: 19-5*

2019: 15-10*

*indicates team made the playoffs