Favored Abbeville will have big challenges in Class A

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Summerville – When the SCHSL realigned schools in South Carolina, several schools were moved into different classifications.

The process had a substantial effect on Class A and those changes affected baseball. Private schools such as Southside Christian, St. Joseph’s and Christ Church were moved out of Class A where they pretty much dominated in recent years.

Another move was Abbeville’s move from Class AA to Class A. Abbeville’s program has been a solid contender in the AA ranks forever and many felt the move to Class A made the Panthers an automatic favorite.

Abbeville began the 2025 season ranked No. 1 by several ranking entities. Coach Daniel Little has a veteran squad returning and certainly should be a strong contender for the Class A state title.

However, while Little feels he has a contending team, he is not putting the cart before the horse.

“A lot of people were talking about how Class A was maybe weakened by the schools getting moved out but I’ll be the first to say there are still a lot of very good baseball programs in Class A,” Little said. “When you look around the state, there are several teams that should be considered favorites. Lewisville, McBee, Lake View, Latta, all those teams are very good. Class A still has quality baseball.”

Little’s Panthers won 13 of their first 17 games this season with three losses coming to out-of-state schools over spring break. Little’s roster this spring has nine seniors. Most of the team got involved in the program in Little’s first season and experience and familiarity is a key strength this spring.

“I pretty much started with most of these guys and they are the first four-year group I’ve had,” the coach said. “Expectations are high. We have a chance to be in the hunt. This team will be good enough to compete with any team on the schedule, if we bring our best effort and attitude. We will face some major competition, especially in the playoffs, so we hope to be at our best in the end.”

Many of this year’s starters are third-year starters. One of the top returning leaders is catcher Ben Overholt, back for his third season in the lineup. Senior outfielders Lohen Nickles (center) and Tyrique Cunningham (right) are back, as is senior leftfielder Dayne Botts.

Senior Justin Oglesby is an offensive leader at first base.

The top two pitchers are senior Adam Beiler and junior Grady Overholt. Sophomore Trey Deason has also pitched.

The Lewisville Lions will challenge Abbeville in the Upper State. The Lions are 13-4 overall this season. Second baseman Bryson Shaver and outfielder Jon Seegars are two of the leaders offensively. Gavin Reynolds and Elisha Baker are two of the key arms on the mound. Baker also catches. Shortstop Silas McFadden is another key contributor offensively.

Lake View coach Kip Herlong was more than 600 career wins and eight state championships so one would expect the Wild Gators to be in the hunt.

Lake View plays in perhaps the most competitive region in Class A with the likes of Latta and Johnsonville also being ranked teams statewide.

Senior Kason Herlong leads the Wild Gators offensively and on the mound. Herlong is hitting .489 while posting a 0.78 earned run average. Chase Price has been equally effective on the mound with a 1.25 ERA.

Other key offensive players include catcher Braden Borders, first baseman Chris McGill and second baseman Ian Capps, all seniors as well.

Latta and Johnsonville are battling Lake View for the region six title and that race will come down to the very end.

Latta (10-7, 5-2) is being led by Seth Minshew’s .600 batting average and three homeruns. Logan Byrd is hitting .382 and BW Berry adds a .354 batting average.

Johnsonville (10-4, 7-2) has two hitters with batting averages over .600 in senior catcher Landyn Cribb and sophomore infielder Jackson Eaddy. Sophomore Larkin Powell also is a key offensive performer while Gavin Marlowe anchors the pitching staff.

The McBee Panthers also is in the contender category. McBee is 11-2 and has a balanced team of hitting and pitching. Among the key performers this season are middle infielder Colton Wallace, pitchers JJ Melton and Landon Tedder, outfielder Chris Stone and first baseman Hayden Griggs.

Other teams that could make a run include Lamar, Ware Shoals, Bamberg-Ehrhardt and Dixie.

Class A Top 10 (Apr. 13)

1.    Abbeville

2.    Lewisville

3.    Lake View

4.    McBee

5.    Latta

6.    Johnsonville

7.    Ware Shoals

8.    Lamar

9.    Dixie

10. Bamberg-Ehrhardt