Race for Class A softball title appears to be wide open
Latta looking to repeat as state champion after magical run to title
Sumter – After coming oh so close in previous seasons but not being able to break through, Latta High School won the 2025 Class A softball state title under the most tenuous of circumstances.
While a very talented team with a now NCAA Division I pitcher in Maddie Berry, the Vikings had Anna Rogers take over as head coach one week before the start of the state playoffs. That didn’t affect them in the least as they won the lower state title and beat Lewisville in two games in the best-of-3 championship series.
Can Latta repeat without Berry? It was only 6-8 prior to spring break, but it had played a difficult non-region schedule.
Let’s take a look at the different regions and see who is faring well and has a chance to make some noise come playoff time.
REGION 1
Any region that Dixie is in normally belongs to Dixie. While the Hornets were ranked third in the High School Sports Report Class A Top 10, they were in a dogfight for the Region 1 crown.
Dixie had two region losses and were 9-4 overall. Fifth-ranked and 9-6 Abbeville also had just two losses. Unranked Whitmire was 11-3 and 8-1 to lead the region.
REGION 2
Like Dixie, Lewisville has been a dominant force in Class A for several years, and this season is no different. The Lions are the top-ranked team in the state and with good reason. They are 16-4 overall and 10-0 in region play, and there is no reason to think they aren’t the upper state favorites again.
Lamar is ranked 10th and is having a fine season in the region. The Silver Foxes are 8-2 with both of the losses coming to Lewisville. They own a pair of victories over fifth-ranked McBee, which gives them a solid hold on second place.
REGION 3
After struggling to a 6-14 record last season, Ridge Spring-Monetta has established itself as the class of this region. The eighth-ranked Trojans are 12-5 overall but, more importantly, 6-0 in the region.
RSM has victories over its closest competitors, Horse Creek Academy and Wagener-Salley. With two losses apiece, they appear to be battling for second place.
REGION 4
Region 4 has been dominated by Bamberg-Ehrhardt, and this season is no different. The Red Raiders, who are ranked fourth, appear as though they will be in the running for another playoff push. They are 13-3.
REGION 5
Charleston Math & Science has built itself into a consistent challenger for the region title among the Charleston/Lowcountry Class A schools. This year is no different as the Riptide is 7-4-1 overall and 5-0 in Region 5.
CMS’ biggest challenge is coming from Branchville, which has played on a consistently high level over the last few seasons.
REGION 6
This is the most competitive Class A region in the state hands down with No. 2 Hannah-Pamplico, No. 7 Green Sea Floyds and ninth-ranked Latta in the mix.
You also have Johnsonville, Carvers Bay and Lake View, and like the three aforementioned schools, they take softball very seriously.
H-P, which won the state title in 2023, was 9-3 overall and 8-0 in the region. The Raiders will close out the region schedule with games against Latta on April 21 and April 24.
