Abbeville baseball aiming for first state title this spring
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Abbeville – When he accepted the position of head coach just after the Covid year, Abbeville’s Daniel Little created a vision of winning championships.
Not only region or district titles. Little is aiming to bring Abbeville’s program its first state title. Little is a 2004 graduate of the school and guided Landrum to the AA state title in 2019. He knows what it takes to win and he is in the right place to make a run in 2025.
While Abbeville has not won a state championship in baseball, the program has been a consistent winner and a consistent title contender. The culture of winning was established by Little’s former coach, state Hall of Famer Mark Smith.
“Tradition really helps,” Little said. “Our kids grow up around here expecting to win. No challenge is too big for these kids. They love to compete.
“The foundation of what I do is based on the things that coach Smith built and instilled in me as a player. As I have coached, I have some things that I have learned and incorporate into what we do, but the basic foundation is the same. Throw strikes, play good defense, and try to get timely hits. Those things never change.”
Little’s roster this spring has nine seniors. Most of the team got involved in the program in Little’s first season and experience and familiarity is a key strength this spring.
“I pretty much started with most of these guys and they are the first four-year group I’ve had,” the coach said. “Expectations are high. We have a chance to be in the hunt. This team will be good enough to compete with any team on the schedule, if we bring our best effort and attitude. We will face some major competition, especially in the playoffs, so we hope to be at our best in the end.”
Abbeville has opened the 2025 season with a 7-0 record. They are ranked No.1 or No. 2 in Class A, depending on the ranking.
Many of this year’s starters are third-year starters. One of the top returning leaders is catcher Ben Overholt, back for his third season in the lineup. Senior outfielders Lohen Nickles (center) and Tyrique Cunningham (right) are back, as is senior leftfielder Dayne Botts. Nickles has two homers early on this season.
Senior Justin Oglesby will see time at first base and is an offensive leader as a third-year starter. Senior Thomas Ferguson is a newcomer who will figure into the outfield rotation once he acclimates from basketball.
While several arms will log time on the mound, the top two pitchers are senior Adam Beiler and junior Grady Overholt. Both also will see time in the middle of the infield. Sophomore Trey Deason will pitch and play some at third base. Easton Townsend, another senior, will work at third and will be a designated hitter.
Other roster members include Staten Rice, Jake Clemmons, Bradean Randall, and Logan Overholt.
Little expects Ware Shoals and Dixie to be among the threats to win the region title. As far as teams in the Upper State that the Panthers will have to deal with are Lewisville, Lamar and McBee, among others.
“We have our work cut out for us and we take nothing for granted,” the coach said.
