Cane Bay baseball ready for tough region battle
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Summerville – Competing in one of the state’s toughest regions will be a challenge for the 2025 Cane Bay baseball team but head coach Shane Todd feels this year’s team has the makings of a solid unit.
Cane Bay opened the season by going 4-0 in the Woodland Wood bat invitational, a good start and a way to build some early confidence.
“It was good because it showed us that what we had been seeing in the preseason was indicative of the team we have.”
The Cobras face tough challenges in region 7-AAAAA from the likes of Stratford, Berkeley, Wando and newcomer Lucy Beckham. Those teams are veteran teams with quality pitching that will challenge the Cobras.
This year’s team is a mixture of a handful of returners with several newcomers, either transfers or junior varsity players, expected to make a big impact.
“I think this team has gelled and come together,” Todd said. “The seniors are showing leadership and the newcomers have fit right in. The potential to be competitive every night we play is there. We just have to perform.”
Leading the way this season are senior catcher Drew Grimm and senior outfielder/pitcher Ethan Dodson. Grimm will be one of the top hitters with two early season homeruns while Dodson is a fifth-year varsity starter. Both are headed to USC Lancaster in the fall.
Senior outfielder Chandler Berry, a role player in the past, has earned a starting spot and has been effective offensively early on.
Junior shortstop Mitchell Bennett is one of the best all-around players. Bennett makes all the plays at shortstop while being one of the leading hitters and base stealers. He played on the junior varsity last season.
Junior Cayden Haught also is up from the jayvee and plays third base while backing up Grimm behind the plate.
Junior Jesse Hernandez is the designated hitter and is another hitter with great power and is off to a good start, Starting in centerfield is eighth-grader Tre Lawrence, one of the top players in the country in his class. Lawrence is an accomplished hitter with great power and speed.
Rock Hill transfer Quincey Richardson is another capable bat and will work in the outfield in a rotation.
Two other transfers making an impact are second baseman Alex Hubbard and first baseman Niko Alvarez, both seniors.
Joining Dodson as available arms on the mound are sophomore Lucas Porcelli, junior Kris Poe, senior Isaac Brace, senior Drake Cornelius, and juniors Taylor Herndon and Jason Spurgeon. Hernandez also will see time on the mound.
