Johnsonville having big-time success in spring sports

Johnsonville – With the start of postseason competition, the spring sports teams at Johnsonville High are experiencing a great deal of success.

The baseball and softball teams reached the district finals of their respective playoff brackets with an opportunity to advance to the Lower State finals.

The track and field program won the region 5-A championship with bevy of athletes qualifying for the Class A Lower State meet.

The boys golf team finished its regular season with an 11-2 record and won the region championship. The Flashes were preparing to play in the Class A state tournament on May 7 in Hartsville.

The five performers in the region tournament included seniors Wyatt Griffith, Taylor Davis and Payne Alford, along with eighth-graders Wes Sylvester and Baxley Roberts.

“I am very proud of the hard and effort that these young men have put into elevating our program,” coach Brian Welch said. “This shows that when you focus on the daily habit of getting better, the big things take care of themselves.

“We are very proud of the region championship but that does not define us. What we do on a daily basis and trying to do it at an elite level defines us. The state tournament will be a huge test but we are excited for the opportunity to represent our school and community against the best teams in the state. Win, lose or draw, I couldn’t be prouder of the young men they are becoming, and being good golfers is just a bonus.”

The baseball team entered the district finals with an 11-4 record this season, which includes two playoff wins over Palmetto Scholars Academy and Latta.

In softball, Johnsonville has an 11-6 record as they prepare for the district finals. The Flashes defeated Charleston Math & Science, 20-1, and Green Sea Floyds, 6-4, in the first two playoff games. The win over Green Sea Floyds came after a three-run sixth inning that erased a 4-3 deficit.

Senior Nicole Cook and junior Blair Coker have been two of the offensive leaders this spring. Coker was hitting .409 with 13 RBI after the regular season while Cook was hitting .415 with two homers and 11 RBI.

Freshman Peyton Wall sported a .433 batting average heading into the postseason while freshman Mallory Prosser was hitting .361. Sophomore pitcher Natalee Taylor was hitting .308 and had three hits and three RBI in the win over Green Sea Floyds. She also tossed a three-hitter with six strikeouts from the circle and has a 2.90 earned run average.

Sophomore Allison Eaddy batted .379 through the regular season and sophomore Brianna Lawrimore was hitting .303. She delivered two RBI in the playoff win over Green Sea Floyds.

Region track championships

Harmony Gregg led a strong effort by the girls track team at the region 5-A meet. Gregg captured three region championships, winning the 100, 200 and 400 meter sprint events.

Shy Alston finished third in the 100 and Peyton Singletary was third in the 200.

L’Asia Nesmith was the region champion in the 100 meter hurdles and Emily Travaglio was the champion in the 400 meter hurdles. Abigail Lambert won the high jump and triple jump while placing fourth in the long jump.

Katelyn Fleming was the long jump region champion and Faith Bardon was the region champ in the discus while finishing second in the shot put. Michelya Doctor won the region title in the javelin.

Bonnie Travaglio won both the 1600 and 3200 meter championships, placing fourth in the 400. Hollisyn Stone was third in the 800 and Ozbeidy Trujillo was third in the 1600 and third in the 3200.

The girls 400 relay team also finished first while the 4x400 and 4x800 each finished second.

In the boys meet, Jamere Ross was first in the 200, second in the 100 and second in the long jump. Skylar Montgomery won the region title in the triple jump and Rondrell Livingston was third.

Daniel Ortiz finished second in the javelin and Kethan Timmons was second in the high jump. In hurdles, Jarell Johnson was second in the 400 hurdles and Levon Nesmith was fourth in the 110.

Ben Eaddy finished second in the 3200 meter run and Emery Harris ran fourth. Jahkeem Hampton finished third in the 1600 meter run.

Johnsonville’s 4x100 relay team won the region title and the 4x800 unit finished second. The Flashes were third in the 4x400.