Pitcher/infielder Drew Hayes is expected to be a big part of Summerville’s success this season.
Aiden Vorlick is an experienced infielder/pitcher who returned for Summerville this season.
By Roger Lee
Summerville – Summerville got out to a 6-3 start on the Baseball diamond this season, but then hit a rough patch and is now 7-6.
“We are going to have to figure out how to be a better baseball team right now,” Green Wave coach Thane Maness said. “We are going to have to take more pride in what we are doing, compete better and play harder to get the job done, individually, collectively, as a team.”
The team has two wins against Dutch Fork, two wins against Stratford and wins against Lucy Beckham, Blue Ridge and Berkeley. The losses came to Oceanside Collegiate, James Island, Hanahan, Berkeley, T.L. Hanna and Catawba Ridge.
However, expectations for the team are still high.
“Against Oceanside we didn’t help the pitchers much by playing defense but overall we’ve been pleased with our pitchers. We’ve struggled offensively and with execution offensively and defensively.”
Maness is in his first season as the Green Wave skipper and has a strong core of 11 returning varsity lettermen on the squad. Last season those players helped Summerville win region and district championships and finish with a 23-9 record.
The team graduated seven seniors who are missed, but Summerville still has a lot of talent. Outfielder PJ Morlando and pitcher Carson Messina returned to the team after garnering All-State honors as juniors. Both have signed to play for the University of South Carolina next season.
Morlando carried a .538 batting average through the first 10 games of this season and scored 9 runs.
Messina carried a .286 batting average through the first 10 games and had 11 RBIs. On the mound, he carried a 2.04 ERA during that span.
Unfortunately, Messina suffered a hamstring injury March 27 that may keep him from playing for a while.
Junior Chase Lewis is batting .375 and Senior Drew Hayes is batting .345. Senior Brock Mathis, who is in his first season with Summerville, is hitting .318.
Senior Christian Scarano has missed some games this season, but finished last season with a .317 batting average. Junior Aiden Vorlick was among the Wave’s RBI leaders last season but has also seen limited action this season.
“Offensively the biggest key for us is can we drive runners in and get the big two-out hits,” Maness said. “We’ve seen quality arms, including some D-1 commits, and I feel in the long run that is going to help us. As long as we improve we can have a solid season.”
The top pitchers in Summerville’s rotation are all returners who finished last season with a respectable ERA. Hayes had a 2.15 ERA and 41 strikeouts and Thayer Tavormina had a 2.89 ERA and 56 strike outs. Vorlick returned as a closer and junior Jace Stone is also expected to see a lot of action on the hill.
Sophomores Shep Cadwell and Cooper Gaskins are splitting time at catcher. Junior Cody Landis has moved into the starting shortstop position while Hayes and Lewis are splitting time at second base. Waring is the team’s first baseman and Vorlick handles the hot corner.
Morlando anchors the outfield. Messina, senior Alex Wellman and juniors Banks Knight and Tyler Thomas are also expected to see a lot of action in the grass.
Providing depth at various positions are Cooper Hughie, Cade Brown, Cody Landis, Paul Kreise, Colton Ceglia, Gage Aikns, Ethan Crowe, Louden Fachko and Carter Gullotti.
Wave Softball
Expectations are also high for Summerville Softball, which is out to a 13-0 start.
“We are using three different pitchers and all of them are going great,” Summerville coach Heather Tucker said. “The defense behind them has been consistent. Offensively a lot of kids are stepping up so far.”
Summerville returns 13 players from a team that finished the 2023 season with a 32-1 record and claimed the Class 5A Softball State Championship. The Green Wave only lost three players from that championship team, which used its bench heavily.
“We have strong pitching and I expect us to play solid defense,” Summerville coach Heather Tucker said. “Our motto for the season is ‘Stay Humble, Stay Hungry.’”
The only new face in the dugout is sophomore Daphne Frady, who is seeing some time in the circle, in the outfield and as a DP and pinch hitter.
Junior Ansley Bennett and sophomore Hope Chase are the other pitchers.
After compiling an 18-1 record in the circle in 2023 with 226 strikeouts and a 0.19 ERA, Bennett was named the Gatorade South Carolina Softball Player of the Year, Class 5A Softball Player of the Year, Summerville Communications Softball Player of the Year and named to All-State and All-Region teams. Chase had 127 strikeouts and a 0.97 ERA last season.
Bennett, All-State shortstop Katie Guilliam and second baseman Alex Siwik all return after finishing last year with a batting average above .400. First baseman/third baseman Melanie Edwards also carries a big stick.
Others returning who were major contributors at the plate last season include outfielder Caroline Waring (33 hits) and outfielder Jayden Bennett (22 hits).
Abby Driscoll returns behind the plate and sophomore Zoe Pavlunenko also has varsity experience at catcher. Teonia Johnson, Melanie Orth and Deryn Malden all also return with infield experience while Makalia Harrel also returns with outfield experience.
The team is scheduled to hosts Region 7-AAAAA foe Ashley Ridge April 3.
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