Colleton County softball in region title contention late
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Walterboro – With some key veterans returning this spring, it is not surprising to see the Colleton County softball team racking up wins in 2025.
The Cougars won 13 of their first 14 games overall this season, which included a 5-1 start in the region 7-AAAA schedule. Colleton County has a chance to win the region and earn some home games in the postseason, which could propel them to bigger and better things in the Lower State playoffs.
Tavara Edwards is in her 11th season as a coach in the program and has built a solid winning program with her veteran players. One of the team’s strengths is how well they get along and play together.
“I think we’re gelling really well,” reports the coach. “They work hard because they want to win. We still need to improve on some things but overall we are doing well. We’re an improved defensive team and that has been a big key for us.”
Though Edwards, like every coach, would like to see her team be more consistent offensively, it is hard to look at some of the numbers and not see a very capable lineup. Four players posted batting averages of at least .500 in the first 14 games.
The leading hitter this season has been junior infielder Brooklyn Holmes, who is hitting .615 with 23 runs batted in. Senior Lanasia Sanders is hitting .561 with three homers and 24 RBI while eighth-grade infielder Brea Gerard is hitting .528 with 13 RBI.
Junior Alex Eversole is hitting .512 with 13 RBI and sophomore McKenzie Cochran, who plays first base, is hitting .395 with 16 RBI.
Seniors Madison Miller and Kristina Rheam are hitting .375 and .308, respectively.
Sanders does more than hit for the Cougars. She also is the team’s No. 1 pitcher, sharing duties inside the circle with Gerard. Sanders is 6-1 with a 1.94 earned run average, striking out 60 hitters in 36 innings. Gerard is 5-0 with a 1.36 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 36 innings of work. The duo share duties at shortstop as well.
Rounding out the roster this season are Miya Gant, Timayah Believe, McCayla Shaffer, Caroline Herndon, Janay Manigo and Xiomara Oxner, who is injured this season.
The baseball team has had some tough luck this spring, managing just two wins in their first 16 games with a pair of ties.
The Cougars are winless in the region with three-game region series against May River and Beaufort remaining after spring break.
