Flashes Begin Season As Top-Ranked Team In Class A
For 2026, the Flashes baseball will certainly be a quality team that is capable of contending for a state title.
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Johnsonville – It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate the love but forgive Johnsonville High baseball coach Carson Carroll is he is not enthused about his 2026 Flashes beginning the season as the top-ranked team in Class A among SCHSL schools.
After all, somebody has to start the season number one and Johnsonville will have to deal with the early pressure. Count on every opponent to bring their “A” game when they take on the Flashes.
“I honestly was very surprised and I don’t know how we ended up No.1” said Carroll, now in his third season. “I’m not sure who put us on top. All I know is we have a lot to prove.I would rather be no. 1 in mid-may. Then we will have earned it.”
Whether they warrant a top ranking or not, the 2026 Flashes will certainly be a quality team that is capable of contending for a state title. The Flashes return most of their lineup but must replace their best player from last season, catcher Landyn Cribb. Cribb not only produced like a leader but also led the team by his actions and intensity.
“Replacing him will be a challenge because he just did so much for us,” Carroll said.
Stepping into the role behind the plate is junior Larkin Powell, a third baseman last season but one that always has been a catcher first.
“We had Cribb so we played Larkin at third but Larkin is a quality catcher,” Carroll said.
The Flashes will rely heavily on three primary arms, closer Kayden Jackson, and starters J.C Lyerly and Gavin Marlowe.
Jackson will play first base and Lyerly is penciled in at second. Caleb Tanner will take on duties at shortstop and Marlowe will nail down third base.
Senior Spener Brown has quality experience in left and junior Zaghe Davis is starting in center. Junior Jackson Eaddy will handle duties in right field.
“I feel like defense will be solid. We have a lot of talent and experience,” Carroll said. “We have more team speed than we had last year and we’re more mature as a team overall. Certainly we have a lot of potential.”
Carroll says he discussed with his team the pitfalls of being ranked number one so early. He feels the team has responded well.
“I told them everyone has circled Johnsonville on their schedule so its up to us to be mentally ready to play every day,” he said. “No one is going to take it easy. Every team we play is capable of beating us if we don’t play well. We have the potential but we have to perform at a high level. If we think we’re too good, someone will knock us down a peg.”
Johnsonville has opened the season with four wins. Carroll expects traditional powers Latta and Lake View to be among the teams to beat in region 6-A, and feels the Lower State as a whole is going to be very competitive.
“We have a lot of question marks right now but we have shown the potential to compete,” Carroll said. “Competing in early March is different than competing in April. April and May tells the tale in a season.
