Cardinal Newman, Pinewood Prep stay alive in AAAA,St. John's Christian, Calhoun in AAA

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • May 6, 2025

Roundup on all eight games along with complete brackets are available here

Pinewood Prep and Cardinal Newman stayed alive in the SCISA AAAA baseball state playoffs, while St. John’s Christian Academy and Calhoun Academy kept their title hopes alive in AAA with victories on Monday in elimination games. Meanwhile, Lee Academy and Andrew Jackson Academy in AA and Richard Winn Academy and Holly Hill Academy in Class A won opening games in their best-of-3 semifinal series.

 

           AAAA

 

           Cardinal Newman 5

           Trinity Collegiate 3

 

           Columbia -- Alvin Murray III had two home runs, including a game-winning, walk-off, 2-run blast in the bottom of the seventh inning, to lead Cardinal Newman to a 5-3, come-from-behind victory over Trinity Collegiate at the CN field.

 

The Cardinals, who improved to 15-11 on the season, will be on the road on Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. contest against Hilton Head Christian Academy in the championship round of the AAAA lower bracket. If the undefeated Eagles win, they will advance to next week’s state championship series. If Cardinal Newman wins, the teams will meet on Thursday at a neutral site.

 

Murray hit his first home run with one out in the first to give the Cardinals the early advantage. Connor Hooks followed with a double and scored two batters later on a single by Matthew Andrews.

 

The Titans scored three in the second, two earned, against Cardinal starter Cole Dinkins, but Dinkins settled down and did not allow another run. Roland Boyd hit a grounder to third to score Chaplin Cox and tie the score at 3. 

 

Hardt Rowland walked to lead off the inning and Murray hit his second blast. 

 

           The Titans finished with a 15-9 record.

 

           Pinewood Prep 15

           Hammond 2

 

           Columbia – Pinewood Prep avenged a loss earlier in the AAAA upper bracket with a 15-2 triumph over Hammond at the Skyhawks’ field.

 

           Hammond defeated the Panthers 11-6 in their first game of the playoffs.

 

           Pinewood Prep, which improved to 24-4, will come back to Columbia on Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. game against Ben Lippen in the championship round of the AAAA upper bracket. If the undefeated Falcons win, they will advance to next week’s state championship series. If the Panthers win, the teams will meet on Thursday at a neutral site.

 

           AAA

 

           St. John’s Christian 1

           Pee Dee 0

 

           Mullins – Senior Mason Ritter tossed a 4-hit shutout to lead St. John’s Christian to a 1-0 victory over Pee Dee Academy on Monday at the PDA field.

 

           The Cavaliers, who improved to 12-8, will take on Orangeburg Prep on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Orangeburg in the championship round of the AAA upper bracket. If undefeated OP wins, it will advance to next week’s state championship series. If SJCA wins, the deciding game will be played on Thursday at a neutral site.

 

           Ritter struck out seven and walked just two. Senior Tyler Black had a run-scoring single in the top of the sixth inning to score pinch runner Wyatt Williams for the game’s lone run.

 

           Seniors Landon Chapman and William Rusch and freshman Parker Dinkens had the rest of the Cavaliers’ four hits.

 

           The Golden Eagles, who played for the state title last season, finish the year at 15-5.

 

           Calhoun 3

           Williamsburg 2

 

           St. Matthews – Cullen Sightler’s 2-out, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 11th inning drove in Cael Parler with the winning run in Calhoun’s 3-2 triumph over Williamsburg Academy at the CA field.

 

           The Cavaliers, who picked up their 20th win in 29 games, advanced to the championship round of the AAA lower bracket. They will be on the road against undefeated Hilton Head Prep on Wednesday at a time to still be determined. If HHP wins, it will advance to next week’s state championship series. If Calhoun wins, the deciding game will be played on Thursday at a neutral site.

 

           Layton Morris had a run-scoring double in the top of the third inning to give the Stallions a 1-0 lead. Sightler had a 2-run single in the bottom of the inning to put the Cavaliers on top. WA tied the game in the fifth with an unearned run.

 

           Chase Strickland got the win for CA, working the final three innings while allowing one hit and three walks against four strikeouts. Sightler worked the first eight innings and finished with eight strikeouts while allowing five hits and two walks.

 

           Bryce Blackburn started on the mound for Williamsburg. He worked 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven while allowing six hits and two walks. Ethan Jones took the loss in a great performance. He worked four innings and allowed the unearned winning runs while striking out two, walking two and allowing two hits.

 

           Sightler and Turner Hood both had two hits with Sightler finishing with three runs batted in. Morris led the Stallions with two hits.

 

 

           AA

           Lee Academy 11

           Dorchester 1

 

           Bishopville – Freshman left-handed pitcher Brayden Davis tossed a 1-hitter as Lee defeated defending state champion Dorchester Academy 11-1 in five innings.

 

           Davis struck out four and walked two for the Cavaliers, who improved to 14-7. Offensively, Davis had a triple, two runs and two RBI.

 

           Lee had just six hits but took advantage of seven walks, one hit batter and six errors committed by the Rebels. Noah Brazell scored three times and had three stolen bases. Others getting hits were Anrew Bowers, Carson Davis, Landon Olson, Myles Frye and Cash Holloway. Bowers and Olson both scored twice, while Bowers also had an RBI. Tucker Rodgers had a run and an RBI.

 

           Wyatt Byrd had the only hit for DA. Abe Shuler had an RBI.

 

           Game 2 is set for a 7 p.m. start on Tuesday in St. George.

 

            Andrew Jackson 5

           Oakbrook Prep 3

 

           Ehrhardt – Andrew Jackson took a 1-0 lead in its series with a 5-3 victory over Oakbrook Prep at the AJA field.

 

           Landon Johnson got the victory for Andrew Jackson, working six innings while striking out 10 and allowing just one earned run. Jack Walling pitched the final inning, striking out two to get the save.

 

           The Warriors, who are 13-7, were led offensively by Hayden McClung. He was 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Walker Terry had two RBI, and Hall Sease had two hits and a run. Kaiden Kinard had a hit and an RBI.

 

           Oakbrook Prep, which fell to 19-5-1, was led by Dallas Collins. He had a hit and scored twice. Sam Hatcher had a hit, a run and an RBI. Bryce Horton and Austin Bright both had an RBI.

 

           The second game will be played on Tuesday in Spartanburg beginning at 6 p.m.

 

           CLASS A

 

           Richard Winn 4

           Jefferson Davis 1

 

           Winnsboro – Charlie Bonds struck out 18 batters in six innings – meaning he recorded each of his outs with a K – and allowed just one hit as defending state champion Richard Winn beat Jefferson Davis Academy 4-1 at the RWA field.

 

           Owen Martin pitched the final inning, striking out two, to get the save for the Eagles, who improved to 14-3.

 

           Jonathan Bonds led the Richard Winn offense, going 2-for-3 with three RBI. Bennett Nicholson scored two runs, Dylan Albert had a hit and a run, Charlie Bonds scored a run and Martin had a hit.

 

           Landon Williams had the only hit for the Raiders, who fell to 13-8. Payton Payne scored the run and Corbin Perry had an RBI.

 

           The second game will be played Tuesday in Blackville beginning at 6 p.m.

 

           Holly Hill 9

           Marlboro Academy 4

 

           Holly Hill – Holly Hill moved within a game of getting back to the state championship series with a 9-4 win over Marlboro Academy at the HHA field.

 

           The Raiders, who improved to 10-8, were led by Tyler Green. He was 3-for-3 with a walk, three stolen bases and two RBI. Ethan Siau and Brodon Murray had two hits apiece.

 

           Ashton Soles got the win, pitching 6 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and allowed two earned runs.

 

           Marlboro completed its quarterfinal series against W.W. King prior to the opening game of the semifinals at the Holly Hill field, winning 6-3. King had won a protest following Thursday’s game, and the final 1 1/2 innings had to be replayed.

 

           Game 2 will be played on Tuesday in Bennettsville beginning at 5 p.m.


AAAA

Upper Bracket

Monday, April 28

Game 1 – (5) Wilson Hall 7, (4) Porter-Gaud 1

Tuesday, April 29

Game 2 – (3) Hammond 11, (2) Pinewood Prep 6

Game 3 – (1) Ben Lippen 10, (5) Wilson Hall 0

Wednesday, April 30

Game 4 – (2) Pinewood Prep 12, (4) Porter-Gaud 2 (Porter-Gaud eliminated)

Thursday, May 1

Game 5 – (2) Pinewood Prep 5, (5) Wilson Hall 2 (Wilson Hall eliminated)

Game 6 – (1) Ben Lippen 7, (3) Hammond 0

Monday, May 5

Game 7 -- (2) Pinewood Prep 15, (3) Hammond 2 (Hammond eliminated)

Wednesday, May 7

Game 8 – (2) Pinewood Prep at (1) Ben Lippen, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 8

Game 9 – If Necessary at Neutral Site

 

Lower Bracket

Monday, April 28

Game 1 – (4) Hilton Head Christian 9, (5) Augusta Christian 6

Tuesday, April 29

Game 2 – (2) Cardinal Newman 4, (3) Trinity Collegiate 0

Game 3 – (4) Hilton Head Christian 7, (1) Laurence Manning 3 (9 innings)

Wednesday, April 30

Game 4 – (3) Trinity Collegiate 11, (5) Augusta Christian 7 (Augusta Christianeliminated)

Thursday, May 1

Game 5 – (3) Trinity Collegiate 6, (1) Laurence Manning 5 (Laurence Manning eliminated)

Game 6 – (4) Hilton Head Christian 13, (2) Cardinal Newman 6

Monday, May 5

Game 7 -- (2) Cardinal Newman 5, (3) Trinity Collegiate 3 (Trinity Collegiate eliminated)

Wednesday, May 7

Game 8 – (2) Cardinal Newman at (4) Hilton Head Christian, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 8

Game 9 – If Necessary at Neutral Site

 

Championship Series

Best-of-3

May 12, 13, 15

 

AAA

Upper Bracket

Monday, April 28

Game 1 – (4) Patrick Henry 5, (5) Spartanburg Christian 1

Tuesday, April 29

Game 2 – (2) Pee Dee 4, (3) St. John’s Christian 0

Game 3 – (1) Orangeburg Prep 11, (4) Patrick Henry 3

Wednesday, April 30

Game 4 – (3) St. John's Christian 6, (5) Spartanburg Christian 1 (Spartanburg Christian eliminated)

Thursday, May 1

Game 5 – (3) St. John's Christian 3, (4) Patrick Henry 2 (Patrick Henry eliminated)

Game 6 – (1) Orangeburg Prep 2, (2) Pee Dee 1

Monday, May 5

Game 7 -- (3) St. John's Christian 1, (2) Pee Dee 0 (Pee Dee eliminated)

Wednesday, May 7

Game 8 – (3) St. John's Christian at (1) Orangeburg Prep, 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 8

Game 9 – If Necessary at Neutral Site

 

Lower Bracket

Monday, April 28

Game 1 – (4) Greenwood Christian 16, (5) Florence Christian 5

Tuesday, April 29

Game 2 – (3) Calhoun Academy 11, (2) Williamsburg 10 (8 innings)

Game 3 – (1) Hilton Head Prep 4, (4) Greenwood Christian 1

Wednesday, April 30

Game 4 – (2) Williamsburg 4, (5) Florence Christian 0 (Florence Christian eliminated)

Thursday, May 1

Game 5 – (2) Williamsburg 6, (4) Greenwood Christian 5 (Greenwood Christian eliminated)

Game 6 – (1) Hilton Head Prep 10, (3) Calhoun Academy 0

Monday, May 5

Game 7 -- (3) Calhoun Academy 3, (2) Williamsburg 2 (Williamsburg eliminated)

Wednesday, May 7

Game 8 – (3) Calhoun Academy at (1) Hilton Head Prep, TBA

Thursday, May 8

Game 9 – If Necessary at Neutral Site

 

Championship Series

Best-of-3

May 12, 13, 15

 

AA

Semifinal Series

Best-of-3

Upper Bracket

No. 2 Dorchester vs. No. 1 Lee Academy

Monday, May 5 -- Lee 11, Dorchester 1 (Lee leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, May 6 – at Dorchester, 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 8 –at Lee (if necessary)

Lower Bracket

No. 2 Oakbrook Prep vs. No. 1 Andrew Jackson

Monday, May 5 -- Andrew Jackson 5, Oakbrook Prep 3 (Andrew Jackson leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, May 6 – at Oakbrook Prep, 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 8 –at Andrew Jackson (if necessary)

 

Championship Serie

Best-of-3

Monday, May 12 – at Lower Bracket Winner

Tuesday, May 13 – at Upper Bracket Winner

Thursday, May 15 – at Neutral Site (if necessary)

 

CLASS A

Semifinal Series

Best-of-3

Upper Bracket

No. 2 Jefferson Davis vs. No. 1 Richard Winn

Monday, May 5 – Richard Winn 4, Jefferson Davis 1 (Richard Winn leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, May 6 – at Jefferson Davis, 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 8 – at Richard Winn (if necessary)

Lower Bracket

No. 3 Marlboro Academy vs. No. 1 Holly Hill Academy

Monday, May 5 – Holly Hill 9, Marlboro 4 (Holly Hill leads series 1-0)

Tuesday, May 6 – at Marlboro, 5 p.m.

Thursday, May 8 – at Holly Hill (if necessary)

 

Championship Series

Best-of-3

Monday, May 12 – at Lower Bracket Winner

Tuesday, May 13 – at Upper Bracket Winner

Thursday, May 15 – at Neutral Site (if necessary)

Andrews beats East Clarendon to reach Lower State finals

By Billy Baker • May 21, 2026
Andrews—East Clarendon out-hit Andrews 6-5 on May, 20, on the road in the AA Lower State softball semi-finals, but the Yellow Jackets took advantage of two errors and six walks to come out on top 5-1, as they advance to play Chesterfield on Friday in the Lower state finals. Joy Weisner is the Andrews head coach, and she told the HSSR after the game: “What we have tried to do all season is take advantage of any opportunities a team gives us,” said Coach Weisner. “We hit the ball better today and that is very important.” Andrews last won a state title in 20218. Andrew had five players earning all-region honors. They were center fielder Sarah Jennings, pitcher Addyson Davis, who will also play in the North-South game. Other all-region selections were junior catcher Chloe Skipper who was the Region MVP, senior Addison McCants, Region MVP outfielder Skipper, and talented sophomore shortstop Tori Smith. Andrews lost to Chesterfield 7-3 this past Monday (May 18). “We have to hit the ball better when we go to them this Friday,” said Coach Weisner. “We didn’t hit the ball well at all this past Monday when we played Chesterfield. We hit the ball well today, so we just have to keep that momentum going into Friday. “We have to go to Chesterfield and beat them twice,” said Coach Wesiner. “We have to play some of our best softball this season in order to that, so I hope we are focused. We need to start the game with momentum and end the game with momentum when we play at Chesterfield. East Clarendon (25-8) head coach Jason Newsome closed out his third season in the loss. “I thought our pitcher hung tough (Addyson Davis) today and she is just a freshman and she has been learning by fire all year long,” said Coach Newsome. “She is extremely talented and she is a good pitcher now, but she is going to an even better pitcher in the future.” Coach Newsome. “In the playoffs the margin of error is very thin and the mistakes we made, they took advantage of,” said Coach Newsome. “On the other hand, the mistakes they made, and the opportunities they gave us we didn’t take advantage of them and that was a key in the game. They did a good job of keeping us off-balance.” All region players from EC included: Region POY Peyton Hanniford, Bailey Hicks, Riley Atkinson, Layke Jeffords, and Zoey Culick. The score was tied 0-0 until the bottom of the third when Andrews scored four runs. Karaline Gainey singled to start the inning and was advanced on a sac bunt by Lauren Stump to second. Sarah Jennings next singled to left field advancing Gainey to third. Torian Smith drew a walk. Then Jenna Cook hit a ball deep into the corner down the first base line that resulted in an inside the park grand slam. Andrew added an insurance run in the bottom of the 4thwhen B. Walker singled and advanced on a single by Gainey. Stump was then Hit by pitcher to load the bases. Sarah Jennings then hit an RBI ground out that brought in Walker to account for the Yellow Jackets’ five runs.

Hanahan wins lower state in softball

By David Shelton • May 21, 2026
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Wilson Hall Softball Finishes With 21-7 Record

By Dennis Brunson • May 20, 2026
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Sumter – The Wilson Hall softball team came up short of reaching the SCISA AAAA state championship series, which is a goal for everyone at the start of the season. Only two can get there though, so while not fun to come up short, it is bearable. However, the way things went down for the Barons this season didn’t help at all. Wilson Hall just needed one victory on Day 2 of the state tournament at Patriot Park SportPlex in Sumter to punch its ticket to the title series. Instead, the Barons lost to archrival Laurence Manning Academy twice by the scores of 12-0 and 6-4. LMA advanced to the best-of-3 series instead and swept Pinewood Prep to win a third straight championship. In retrospect though, Barons head coach Teresa Alexander finds it hard not to be proud of the season her team had. “The season’s ending didn’t turn out how we had hped, but I’m really proud of the tough schedule we played and the success we had all year.,” said Alexander, who guided Wilson Hall to a 21-7 record. “I’m excited to see this young bunch return with the experience they now have under their belts. But we will truly miss our seniors, Addie Griffin and Marymae Lampron .” The Barons had four players selected to the All-Region 3-AAAA team in Griffin, freshman pitcher Marsha Kate Skey , sophomore shortstop Mary Paisley Geddings and junior catcher Caroline Moorman . Griffin, who played left field, had a .279 batting average to go with an on-base percentage of .423. She had one double, one triple, one home run, 13 runs batted in and 18 runs scored. Skey was a standout in the circle as Wilson Hall’s primary pitcher. Shd had a `1.69 earned run average to go with 115 strikeouts. At the plate, Skey batted .400 with an OBP of .489. She had three doubles, two triples, 17 RBI and 33 runs. Geddings batted .317 with a .406 OBP to go with seven doubles, one triple, four homers, 26 RBI and 28 runs. Moorman had 14 RBI, 17 runs and four doubles to go with a .354 batting average and an OBP of .429. Other returning starters are freshman second baseman Tatiana Erichsen , freshman outfielder Anna Meldrim , sophomore third baseman Lilly Grace Przybyla , freshman outfielder Emmie Williamson and eighth-grade centerfielder Caroline Andrews . Meldrim hit .412 with three homers, 31 RBI and 24 runs, Przybyla hit .373 with 21 runs and 15 RBI, Williamson batted .263 with an OBP of .500, and Erichsen batted .324 with 19 RBI and 23 runs.

Stallions Reach SCISA Class AAA Baseball Title Series In Morris’ First Year

By Dennis Brunson • May 20, 2026
Williamsburg runners makes diving slide for the plate in the playoffs. (Photo by Mara Feagin)

Warlaw’s Lady Patriots Fall 5 Runs Short Of Winning State Title

By Gerald Doolittle • May 20, 2026
Lady Patriots Katherine Trotter, Bailey Sturkie, Ellie Yonce, Taylor Hilll and Brianna McNeill (not pictured) were selected to the North-South All-Star Team!

Wolves Boys’ Track Team Finishes Fourth At AA State Meet

By Rob Gantt • May 20, 2026
By Rob Gantt Special to the HSSR ST. STEPHEN - Timberland High School’s boys track and field team finished fourth in the state Saturday, May 15, at Richland Northeast High School. The Wolves, who finished with 45 points, produced state champions in multiple events. They placed three points out of a tie for second place. Hurdler Malyk Goodman won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.63 seconds and jumper Carter Hawkins soared to victory in the triple jump with a mark of 14.24 meters. Goodman also placed third in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.82 and Hawkins finished second in the long jump with an effort of 6.65 meters.  Timberland’s boys sent three more to the awards podium. Hurdler Day’vian Bennett placed third in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 57.89 seconds. Jumper Antaun Faison finished sixth in the long jump with a mark of 6.51 meters. The boys’ 4x100-meter relay team posted a time of 43.17 seconds to place seventh. For Timberland’s boys, jumper Robert Roberts finished 11th in the triple jump with an effort of 12.11 meters, while the 4x800-meter relay placed 11th and 4x400-meter relay team 13th. The Timberland girls finished 10th in the state and sent quite a few to the awards podium (top 8). Kennahdi Murrell placed third in the 400-meter hurdles, sixth in the 100-meter hurdles and seventh in the high jump. Kemani Lampkin finished fifth in the 800-meter run and Jermanee Washington placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles. China Greene recorded a sixth-place finish in the 400 hurdles and teammate Kiana Glenn was two spots back in eighth. Tiana Jefferson finished 12th in the long jump and 13th in the 400-meter dash. Zoe Cooper was 13th in the discus. Timberland’s girls placed eighth in the 4x400-meter relay and 10th in the 4x100 relay.

Thomas Heyward Has Good Season In Golf

By David Shelton • May 20, 2026
The THA golf program is relatively new but interest seems to be gaining each year.

Summerville Softball Wins District 3 Title

By Roger Lee • May 20, 2026
Senior Jayden Bennett has had some key turns at bat for Summerville during the playoffs.

Stratford’s Kowlok Repeats As State Champion In Pole Vault

By Rob Gantt • May 20, 2026
Lukas Kowlok headlined by repeating as the state champion in the pole vault soaring over the bar at 4.85 meters.

Tough Loss to Stags in Playoffs Doesn’t Dilute an Otherwise Great White Knoll Softball Season

By Worthy Evans • May 19, 2026
By WORTHY EVANS Contributing Writer Columbia - The pain of falling out of the 5A Division 2 District 4 tournament May 11 was still fresh when longtime White Knoll softball head coach talked about the season the next day.  The Timberwolves (14-13, 7-3) faced Berkeley for the second time in the tournament. The Stags held a 6-3 lead but White Knoll rallied for two runs in the seventh. After Melinda Veler drew a walk, Reginae Porterfield swatted a 1-out double to put runners at second and third. Lillian Priest lined out on the next at-bat, but Berkeley first baseman Emma Drawdy misplayed Adelynn Lewis’ ground ball, enabling Veler and Porterfield to score and cut the Stags’ lead to 6-5. With Lewis on base representing the tying run, Jaida Gray struck out swinging to end the hopes of an upset, and close out an otherwise great Timberwolves season. “It’s hard to shake it off. In the season you go to the next game but at the end of the season you can’t,” said Farr, who watched her team take a 3-0 lead only to be hit with Berkeley’s run in the third and a five-run fourth. “I could see my kids kind of feeling it, you could see it in my kids eyes,” she added. “We’ve got to fight to survive and they rallied around those seniors. They knew their time was coming and for two outs we were down 6-5. And that last pitch, it’s a hard way to go out. We’ve got to regroup and build off of what we did this year.” White Knoll beat Socastee 8-7 May 4 to get into the bracket, then upset Berkeley 3-2 May 6. West Florence , led by phenomenal pitcher Annie Eliason (19-0, 0.00 ERA, 309 strikeouts; who gave up two hits and struck out 20) beat White Knoll 7-0 May 8 to set up the rematch with the Stags. While the season ended on a sour note, there was much to praise about a team that Farr said few people would look to as contenders. After a young Timberwolves team battled through trials and tribulations, injuries and other issues, Farr said she watched her team come together in the second half of region play. “On senior night we really started playing for each other and giving it everything we had,” Farr said. “They worked their tails off to get better every single day and it showed. We have 12 players who fought their hearts out. We got to that fourth game, and our losses were close. We were right there, and it really was just one lucky pitch and that’s how the runs ended up.” White Knoll loses just two seniors in Priest and Gracie Fisher , but those seniors made a huge impact on the team. Priest had three home runs, 11 RBI, 34 hits and a .405 batting average. Fisher batted .311 with a double and 14 RBI. “Those two seniors have left their legacy, and we’ll continue with what they started on this swing upward,” Farr said. “We’re really excited that everyone else is returning.” Among the returners are freshmen Veler and Porterfield, and sophomores Charity West and E.G. Birchmore . Porterfield finished with a .393 batting average and a team-leading four home runs and six triples, six doubles and 20 RBI. Veler had 31 hits and 17 RBI to go with a .360 batting average an a .415 on-base percentage. West hit .323 with 11 hits and 10 runs batted in. “Mindy Veler started out in left field since seventh grade and she’s fantastic,” Farr said. “She’s got speed and runs down everything in the outfield but she’s really a good infielder, can play shortstop without missing a beat. An unbelievably great kid who won’t talk very loud but she’s a leader. “Reginae, that kid is small but she’s strong and compact. She can fly and you can’t get anything past her in centerfield,” Farr said. “Charity has been our DP and catcher. She puts the ball in play and has quality at-bats.” Birchmore caught fire in the circle late in the game and finished the season with a 2.23 earned-run average. She was 3-1 in five appearances. “E.G. is a pitcher and utility player, one of those kids in the past couple of years who was always there,” Farr said. “We didn’t expect her to be our starting pitcher but in the back half of the season she started to pour it on and keep us in games. She’s a battler along with our other pitchers.” The White Knoll baseball team finished 10-14 and 5-5 in Region 4-5A, but had a bounce-back season after going 7-22 and 0-10 the year before. The Timberwolves reached the play-in series of the 5A Division 2 District 3 tournament, but fell two games to zero in the best-of-three series with Lugoff - Elgin . White Knoll fell 4-1 in game one, but rallied for six runs in game two after falling behind 7-0. The Timberwolves had a 4-run rally going on in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and two men on, but a strikeout closed out the game and the season. Senior Dillon Woods led the team with a .465 batting average, five home runs and a .573 on-base percentage. Senior Jean Maldonado batted .364, and junior Tra Johnson batted .329. The team loses six seniors but has plenty of younger hitters, fielders, and pitchers to put together another successful season next year.
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