AJA Lady Warriors Softball Team Hoping To Earn Spot In SCISA Play-offs

Billy Baker • April 15, 2025

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AJA Lady Warriors Softball Team Hoping To Earn Spot In SCISA Play-offs

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Ehrhardt—As of April, 10 the Andrew Jackson Academy softball team (2-7, 1-2) was focused on a strong finish to the 2025 season, and a possible berth in the upcoming SCISA softball play-offs scheduled for Sumter in mid-May.

“Our defense does decent, but our hitting has been very inconsistent this season,” said head Warriors coach Denise Duncan. “We have hit better in some games. We are hoping to work together better as a team and focus on correcting mistakes in the field.”

To date, the Warriors have been led at the plate by senior left-fielder Sam Stevens who is hitting .600 with three RBI’s and a very impressive .714 on base percentage. Talented sophomore McKinnley Beard is the team’s ace pitcher and she is not in the circle she plays center field. Beard is currently hitting .583 with 8 RBI’s.

Beard has also pitched 28 innings to date with 32 K’s. “McKinley’s pitching has improved throughout the season,” said Coach Duncan.

Sophomore center fielder/catcher Carrigan Moore continues to play well and she is batting .423 with six RBI’s and four stolen bases.

Next on the hit index is senior second baseman Sydney Crosby and sophomore third baseman Mary Gray Hiers at .400 each. Crosby has six RBI’s and Hiers five to date.

Senior right fielder Riley Roe is batting .389 while senior catcher Ryleigh Trivette is currently batting .333 with four RBI’s. Freshman Harlo Sease is batting .286 with six RBI’s starting at either shortstop or first. Sophomore first baseman/shortstop Braelyn Hall has a double and triple to her credit and she is batting .250.

Key reserves include freshman back-up pitcher Mariya Hiott, junior out-fielder CJ Ulmer, and junior out-fielder Alexandra Johnson.

The team has a .386 team batting average with a .470 on base percentage.

“Our last win was over Thomas Heyward Academy (22-4) on March, 12 so we have been struggling some,” said Coach Duncan. “We have been trying to pick up some games late in the season.”

The team’s five remaining regular season games are with Holly Hill Academy, Branchville, Jefferson Davis Academy, Dorchester Academy and a region game against the Cross Schools at the end of the regular season on May, 5.

Coach Duncan is assisted by Chad Johnson and Carmen Mixon.

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