APEX, N.C. — Living in a place where sports are boundless, and local schools have the best of teams can go a long way in the life of a young athlete. Longtime Apex residents and parents, Tyler Highfill and his wife Paige share their story about how their son grew from a Triangle Little League participant into an ACC college athlete.

The Highfill’s have two children, Ben and Sam, who have both made success in different ways locally through their careers. When asked about their kids’ childhood, Tyler explains, “Both boys grew up playing all the typical childhood sports— soccer, basketball, baseball, and flag football, and were involved in various church activities— you name it, they were doing it.”

The younger of the two brothers, Sam, began to excel at baseball at a young age, and he truly fell in love with the sport. “It really became his passion,” shares Tyler. “When Sam was twelve, his All-Star baseball team through the West Raleigh Baseball Association advanced through summer tournaments and went to the Cal Ripkin World Series. Sam’s team went to Aberdeen, Maryland, to play in the best 8 US teams versus the best 8 non-US teams. We won the United States Championship and played Japan for the World Championship.” Little did the Highfill family know, this was just the beginning of big moments in Sam’s baseball career.

A shortstop and catcher at the time, Sam took another big leap in his baseball journey during his high school years. He played on the Varsity team at Apex High School during his freshman year. He played all four years in high school and was recruited by several universities during his sophomore year to play after graduation.

His dad elaborates, “Sam tended to fly under the radar. He was all-conference for 3 years, but he did not get much publicity from it. He had great genuine success without the massive exposure that some teen athletes are exposed to.” One of the schools that approached Sam to play was North Carolina State University, a dream come true for Sam. Parents, Tyler and Paige, attended and met at NC State, and the entire family’s blood runs red for the Wolfpack.

“Once Sam got the offer from State, it was a no-brainer,” adds Tyler. Sam Highfill is currently a right-handed pitcher for NC State University. He is studying Business at the Poole College of Management with a focus on Finance. When asked about his baseball journey, Sam explains, “I am lucky to have grown up in a community that supports youth athletics and that has opened some doors for me to continue playing baseball. I love having the opportunity to wear red and white and represent the Wolfpack.”

Sam’s most recent big moment in baseball was participating in the 2021 ACC Baseball Tournament this past spring. The Wolfpack won the regional and super-regional games, even to a team that had not lost a 3-game series all year long. Sam’s team advanced to the College World Series, and they were ready to play another series when disappointment set in. Tyler explains, “The boys were moving through the winner’s bracket when a few players tested positive for Covid. Once the positive tests came back, our team was sent home, and the team that we had beaten was given our spot.” To the players at the time and anyone witnessing what had happened to the NCSU Wolfpack baseball team, all momentum appeared lost. Their handwork and determination were for nothing. But that is not true.

There is a new season right around the corner. The Wolfpack players have seen the victory, and the momentum that they built will carry them forward in a few short months. Fall practice has already started, and the team will start its official season in February 2022.

Sam, we are proud of you for all you are doing at NC State, and we are excited to see where the Wolfpack go this next season! Go Pack! 

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