Jennings looking for consistency from Belton-Honea Path softball team
Bears battling Crescent, White-Oak for Region 2-AAA crown
Honea Path – The Belton-Honea Path High School softball team has won the AAA Upper State championship the past two seasons, bringing home the state title in 2024.
If the Bears want to make a similar run this year, head coach Jarad Jennings said his team needs to undergo some changes.
We have played really well at times and not so great at others” said Jennings, whose team was 13-3 overall coming out of spring break. “We have to find a way to be more consistent if we want to have a chance to make a run in the playoffs.”
BHP plays in a doozy of a region. It is third in Region 2 behind Crescent and White-Oak with a 2-2 record.
The lineup has sophomore 3-year starter Madi Boggs leading off and playing center field. Carsen Foster, a junior 4-year starter and 2-time All-Region pick, plays third baseman and bats second.
Senior catcher Rhiley Bannister was an All-Region selection and bats third. Junior All-Region pick Addi Vaughn is the cleanup hitter and has been the starting pitcher the past two years. Eighth-grade newcomer Ari Wilbanks plays shortstop and bats fifth. Junior Kinsley Martin a 2-year starter and All-region choice at second, bats sixth.
The final third of the batting order has freshman rightfielder/pitcher Mayce Godfrey hitting seventh, sophomore designated player/first baseman Angelica Giles hitting eighth and either eighth-grade first baseman/outfielder Brynna Brinkerhoff or junior leftfielder Molly Cowan batting ninth.
Seeing time in the circle with Vaughan are Godfrey and Wilbanks.
BHP BASEBALL JUST 1-5 IN REGION PLAY
The BHP baseball team lost six starters from last year’s squad that was 16-8 overall and finished second in region play. That fact, however, offers no consolation to head coach Chad Roper in the Bears’ struggles this year.
“I'm definitely not happy with where we are at the moment,” said Roper, whose team opened 6-12 overall and 1-5 in region play. “We have been in a position to win a lot of games that we have dropped. Finishing games and doing the little things has been a strong point to the team.
“I am optimistic that something clicks and truthfully this team could be a force to reckon with. Hopefully it comes sooner rather than later. So to say they are playing below expectations would be a major understatement.”
Manning the positions are sophomore catcher Jensen McCoy, senior third baseman Aidan Jenkins, junior shortstop Landon Davis, senior second baseman Rhett Turner, sophomore first baseman Nick Sargent, senior leftfielder Christian Jones, senior Preston Dixon is the centerfielder and senior Noah LeCroy starts in right.
Jud Lowie, Jenkins and Sargent are the top three pitchers.
