Cane Bay baseball ready for tough region battle

David Shelton • March 21, 2025



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.


By Rob Gantt July 30, 2025
Blake Hall has coached the Gators since the 2012-13 season and consistently produced winning teams over the years.
By Rob Gantt July 30, 2025
Hanahan High School promotes Jamie Kock to head coach of the girls varsity volleyball. Koch, who has moved up from the junior varsity, takes over for former coach Sheena Lanham.
By David Shelton July 30, 2025
By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – First Baptist School has new leadership within its football program and athletic department for the coming 2025-26 school year. Kevin Mapp was hired as the new head football coach in the early spring and Jay Godbolt was hired as the new athletic director at the start of the summer. Mapp has extensive coaching experience on both the college and high school levels while also working in law enforcement. First Baptist is his first head coaching position. Mapp last coached defensive linemen at James Island Charter High and has had coaching stints at James Madison, Hampden-Sydney, Georgetown, Marshall, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. Mapp graduated from James Madison and was a defensive lineman on the 2004 Division I-AAA (now FCS) national championship team. “Coaching has always been my passion,” Mapp said. “Ever since I was playing, I wanted to be a coach. I have always found a way to coach while working in law enforcement. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunities to do both.” Mapp has been with the Charleston County police department for the last 10 years. He took some time away from coaching to start a family. “I felt like First Baptist was the perfect fit for me and my family,” Mapp says. “It’s a great opportunity at a great place. The kids here work hard and there is a lot of support from the administration. I’m excited to be the head football coach at First Baptist.” Mapp has hired coordinators on both sides of the ball. Will McCombs , once the head coach of the program, will call the offensive plays. Chris Hart comes over from James Island as the defensive coordinator. “Our numbers are improving and the kids are working hard,” Mapp said. “I feel like we can be a competitive team. It’s year one of the building process.” Godbolt has been a coach and athletic director in the Charleston area for nearly two decades. As the boys basketball coach at Charleston Collegiate, Godbolt coached three state championship teams. He also has been a coach and athletic director at Lowcountry Leadership Academy. Godbolt has more than 450 career victories as a head basketball coach. Current First Baptist basketball coach Antoine Saunders was Godbolt’s assistant at Charleston Collegiate.
By Neill Kirkpatrick July 30, 2025
Joy Weisner begins her fourth year at Andrews High School and her third as the head coach of both the volleyball and softball teams.
By David Shelton July 30, 2025
Chesterfield High has hired a former player and alum, Nick Dixon, to head up its football program.
By David Shelton July 30, 2025
Colleton Prep athletic director Greg Langdale.
By Roger Lee July 30, 2025
Kelly Lewis is entering his second year as the Ashley Ridge athletic director.
By Billy Baker July 30, 2025
Richard Bonneville enters his third season as the head coach at May River High.
By Neill Kirkpatrick July 30, 2025
Athletic Director Molly Miller has outstanding coaches who believe in the core values of Christ Church and the vision statement for CCE.
By Worthy Evans July 30, 2025
Chapin high school hires Billie Williams as Athletic Director after retirement of longtime AD Ronnie Wessinger.
More Posts