Barnwell Softball Focused On Deep Play-off Run In 2025 With A Good Blend of Talent
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Barnwell—After winning 230 games as the head softball coach at Blackville-Hilda, Mike Beasley took over the Barnwell High softball program two years ago, and his teams are 36-8 over the past two seasons and the 2025 season could be even more promising.
“We had 24 players try out for the junior varsity and varsity softball teams at Barnwell this season and 10 of them were 7th graders,” said Coach Beasley. “I currently have three 7th graders on the varsity and two of them are starters.
“For the past three seasons this 7th grade group (Dixie Pony Tails) played for regional championships at the rec level, and last season they went down to Louisiana and won the Dixie Pony Tails world championship” said Coach Beasley. “So, these 7th graders in our program right now have a lot of potential and the majority of them could be very special players five years from now when they are coming out of high school.”
Coach Beasley said he and his staff hosted a “Community Village Meet and Greet” activity before the season began on the softball field. “We primarily wanted to recognize all the youth softball coaches from our community, who have done a fantastic job helping to develop a feeder program for our junior varsity and varsity programs,” said Coach Beasley. “Trust me, it makes your job easier as a high school coach when the majority of the players in your program are already fundamentally sound from having played rec ball and summer ball at an early age. We very much appreciate all these volunteer coaches for the work that they have done working with these young girls that we are fortunate to coach at the high school level.”
The team is 2-0 in the young 2025 season with two 15-0 wins over Lake Marion.
The return of two-time HSSR all-state senior pitcher Jaidyn Devore gives the Lady Warhorses fire power in the circle. In the early signing period Devore signed with Howard University as a pitcher. As a junior Devore recorded 197 K’s in compiling a 15-3 record in the circle. She had an ERA of 1.20.
“Jaidyn is a much stronger pitcher this season, and she was already a strong pitcher,’ said Coach Beasley. “Her fast ball moves from the mid to the high 60’s. Her out-pitch is her screw ball and it breaks really well. She faced only three batters in the season start against Lake Marion and she struck-out all three baters. We had scored 15 runs in the top of the first so the game was called after one inning.”
The team graduated all-star catcher Bre’Anna Buckmon who hit .364. Her replacement this season is junior Brianna Croft who was the back-up catcher last season.
Senior first baseman Tierra Arnold has signed with Johnson C. Smith and she has been in the program since the 7th grade. Arnold batted .288 with 18 RBI’s including five triples. Arnold is also a back-up pitcher and she was 2-0 as a junior with 14 K’s in 8 innings of work.
Sophomore Molly Wilson returns for her second season starting at second base. Senior Brooklyn Gordan will return at third base after hitting .305 last season with seven RBI’s and a home run.
The shortstop position is being held down by 7th grader Shalayah Badger who is also a pitcher and catcher. “Shalayah can play just about anywhere,” said Coach Beasley. :She is the true definition of a utility player.” Kinsley Terrapin is a 7th grader who will share time at shortstop, and she is a promising pitcher who pitched a perfect game against Lake Marion in the second game of the season.
The other 7th grade starter is Genesis Walker who will be the team’s designated hitter. Walker will also see action at first and behind the plate.
Sophomore Laney Grubbs begins her third season on the varsity and she will start in left field. Grubbs batted .305 with 10 RBI’s last season. In the circle she was 3-1 and had 20 K’s in 13 innings of work. Junior starting right fielder Abigail Crosby is a returning all-region player who batted .370 with 14 RBI’s and three triples.
Sophomore Kendall O’Berry returns to once again start in center field. “We call Kendall the ESPN player on the team because of a shoe string catch she made in a game last year that would have made one of the Top 10 ESPN plays if they could have seen it,” said Coach Beasley. “She has a great glove and runs really well also.”
Some key reserve players include returning junior Layla Bishop who will see some action in left field along with junior Shaylyn Badger who will back up first and third base.
Barnwell will play a full 26-game schedule in 2025. “We have a strong group of 8 non-region opponents,” said Coach Beasley. “They include Saluda, South Aiken, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, Woodland, Colleton County, Branchville, Wagener-Salley, and Silver Bluff,” said Coach Beasley. ”All three of our teams at Barnwell have been pretty equal but this is the team that has the best blend of talent in all grades.
“Our goals are to seek to improve every day in practice while staying focused on winning a region title,” said Coach Beasley. “We hope to advance out of the district in the play-offs, and this has been an issue the past two seasons. Hopefully, we can compete for a state title this season.”
