Batesburg-Leesville softball goes from no playoffs to run at region title
Panthers battling Saluda, Ninety Six for Region 2-AA crown
Batesburg-Leesville – The 2025 campaign was not a good one for the Batesburg-Leesville High School softball team. The Panthers were just 4-12 overall and 1-9 in Region 2-AA. Worse yet was the fact they didn’t advance to the state playoffs.
B-L doesn’t have to worry about any of that this season, but they might have some bigger fish to fry. It had almost tripled its win total at spring break with an 11-1 record and had secured a playoff berth. With a 5-1 region mark, it is in a battle for a region title.
“We battled with a lot of injuries, specifically in the pitcher position, and were just a young team playing in a very tough, experienced region,” said Batesburg-Leesville head coach Amber Hartley. “This year our pitching staff is strong, and although the team is still young, we’re full of potential. The players are motivated, confident, and very coachable. They work every day to improve. I’m proud of the effort the entire team has put in and excited to see what they can accomplish.”
The Panthers had played one more region game than both Ninety Six and Saluda, who had one loss in five games. B-L has lost to Ninety Six and beat defending upper state champion Saluda and has a game remaining with each of them.
B-L returns six starters from last year, but it is a newcomer that has played a major role in the turnaround. She is sophomore Ainsley Minchew, who is the starting pitcher and is hitting third in the batting order.
` Minchew had an 8-1 win-loss record and a 1.43 earned run average in 44 innings pitched. She had 92 strikeouts against just 12 walks.
Against Saluda on March 31, Minchew tossed a 2-hit shutout while striking out 17 batters.
Sophomore centerfielder Chandler Bouknight is the leadoff hitter. The left-handed swinger is a returning player.
Returning sophomore shortstop Kate Shealy is batting second. The 3-year starter had a big game against Saluda, smacking two home runs, including a grand slam, and finished with five runs batted in.
Following Minchew is another newcomer, freshman first baseman and cleanup hitter Adriana Campbell. She is followed by returning sophomore third baseman Lexie Davis.
Eighth-grader Carley Soper is back at second and is hitting sixth. Freshman designated player Kimberly Bishop is seventh and returning freshman catcher Cara Barnes is eighth. Switch-hitting freshman Claire McCleskey returns in left field and flips the order.
Seventh-grader Carson Dority starts in right.
Shealy is leading the team in hitting with an even .500 batting average. She’s also hit eight home runs and has 22 runs batted in to go with five doubles and a triple.
Bouknight was hitting .465, Minchew .410, and Soper .333
Other members of the team are senior Addy Ruff, junior Addison Smith, sophomore Ava Watson, sophomore Isabella Chavez, sophomore Makenzie Hildebrand and freshman Khloe Hildebrand.
B-L BASEBALL OPENS 5-1 IN REGION
The Batesburg-Leesville baseball team, the defending AA state champion, opened the season with a 12-4 overall record and was tied for first in the region with Saluda.
Both teams were 5-1 even though they had yet to play their 2-game series yet. The Panthers lost to Ninety Six, while Saluda lost to Pelion. The teams meet on April 21 and April 24.
