Belton-Honea Path still has talent

 By Dennis Brunson

 hssr.com Associate Editor

 Honea Path – Belton-Honea Path High School won its first ever softball state title last season, claiming the AAA crown with a 31-4 record. The Bears lost five starters from that team, all of whom are playing in college this season. Two were All-State and North-South All-Star Game selections and three of the five were All-Region selections.

You know what though? That’s OK with head coach Jarad Jennings.

“I feel that we still have some talented players,” said Jennings, whose team won its first five games this season. “We’ve got some younger kids that will be stepping up into different roles. Where they may have been courtesy runners, third pitchers or pinch hitters, they now have to learn how to step up and be everyday players and figure out what it takes to win.”

 BHP will have the Region Player of they Year from a season ago anchoring the middle of the infield in senior shortstop Emma Jo Evans. Along with being an All-State selection from a year ago, Evans is committed to play with James Madison.

 Senior Meg Griffin, who is committed to USC Beaufort, will split time between the outfield and infield upon her return to the lineup in April. Junior Carli Smith, an All-Region pick last year, will be sharing pitching duties and first base with sophomore Addi Vaughn.

 The rest of the defensive alignment will have sophomore Kinsley Martin at second base, sophomore Carsen Foster returning at third, freshman Madi Boggs back in center field and sophomore Ally Vaughn in right field. Junior Rhiley Bannister and sophomore Miranda Smith will be either behind the plate or in left field.

 The batting order will have Evans batting leadoff with Boggs in the 2 hole and Foster batting third. Smith will be the cleanup hitter followed by Bannister, Martin, Smith, Ally Vaughn and Addi Vaughn.

 Smith and Addi Vaughn will be sharing time in the circle to determine who is the No. 1 pitcher. Smith was the No. 2 pitcher last year to All-State performer Kinsley Kay, now pitching at Erskine.

“Carli throws harder, while Vaughn is more up and down,” Jennings said. “We’re seeing who wins it or it might be a case or who is the best matchup that night.”

Jennings hopes his team is ready for what’s coming its way.

“Whether they like it or not, every game we’re going to have a target on our back,” he said. “It’s great that we won a state championship, but that’s last year’s groceries. It don’t mean anything from here on out. We’ve got to work and compete, play our best each game and push each other.”