Lake View softball working on peaking in playoffs

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Lake View – All six of the schools that play softball in region 6-A will qualify for the Class A Lower State playoffs.

Seeding out of the final region standings will be important in terms of who each team competes with in district play but knowing you are in the postseason means coaches can focus on being at their best come playoff time.

Region 6-A is easily the most competitive and balanced region in the state. After realignment by the South Carolina High School League for this season, the final four teams in the Lower State last season are now in region six. The region now is comprised of Hannah-Pamplico, Latta, Johnsonville, Lake View, Carver’s Bay and Green Sea Floyds. Lake View won the state title in 2021 and Hannah-Pamplico won the state title in 2023. Latta is also one of top programs in Class A.

Lake View’s softball program has been a perennial contender in the Lower State and coach Brandy Huggins has a team this spring that should continue that trend. Despite losing two key seniors to graduation and a starting centerfielder to a knee injury in basketball, the 2025 team has enough talent and experience to be among the teams that have a chance in the Lower State.

Lake View entered spring break with a 6-3 regular season record and a 2-3 record in region games. Depending on how they close out the season, Lake View could finish anywhere from second to sixth in the region standings. Lake View has region games remaining with Latta (Apr.23), Hannah-Pamplico (Apr. 29) and Carver’s Bay (May 1). They also play Dillon (Apr. 21) and Dillon Christian (Apr. 25) in non-region games.

Huggins is in her 14 season as head coach and has led the program to 212 wins. While the lineup has several underclassmen, those players have experience.

The two senior leaders this spring are pitcher Hollie Scott and outfielder Kaylynn Turner. Junior third baseman Kaleigh Blackmon has been a starter since the seventh-grade, along with Scott.

“Hollie Scott and Kaleigh Blackmon both have been starters since the seventh-grade and having the most game experience on the team. Both girls have done a great job so far being leaders with our team and young players. Hollie will be in the circle most of the time, while Kaleigh will be still playing third.

“We have a lot of leadership returning on the team this year. We are just working to get better each day at practice and each game we play. We are still trying to figure out what works for us this year due to graduating our seniors and losing one of starters to a knee injury.”

Sophomore Chloe Cox is making the move from behind the plate to shortstop, but also could play centerfield. Freshman Hanna Coburn is assuming duties at catcher.

Freshman Sarah Price and junior Haley Miller are getting some work inside the circle, though Scott gets most of the innings. Price will play some at second and in the outfield while Miller will play some at first and also as the designated player.

Sophomore Maddison Strickland also plays first and DP while freshman Carleigh Matthews is working in the outfield. Madison Hunt and eighth-grader Sophia Rogers are getting work in the outfield.

Seventh-grader Callie Smith is playing shortstop and seventh-grader Paisley Alford will play second and in the outfield.

“We are still trying to figure out what works for us especially with using multiple pitchers. We have a lot of girls who can play multiple positions, so hopefully the more we are able to scrimmage and play we can figure out what works best behind each pitcher.”

Rounding out the roster are seventh-graders Summer Hilburn (OF/C), Emalee Miller (2B), and Lilly Hatcher (3B); eighth-grader Brilee Schirra (OF) and sophomore Katina Genwright (1B/OF).

Baseball Update

Lake View’s baseball team opened the 2025 season with seven wins in their first eight outings and will once again be in the hunt for a region title.

The Wild Gators have been led offensively by senior shortstop Kason Herlong, who hit .489 with a .566 on base average, five doubles, a homer, a triple and nine rims batted in. He also has scored 17 runs.

Herlong has been solid on the mound as well, posting four early wins and two saves. He struck out 44 hitters and walked just four, posting a 0.78 earned run average.

Braden Borders is hitting .372 and Seth Deese is at .333. Chris McGill is hitting .316 with 10 RBI, two homers and 12 walks.

Senior Ian Capps is hitting ,314 with 12 RBI and Bryce King is hitting .288.

Chase Price also has been effective on the mound, posting a 1.25 ERA with 44 strikeouts to only three walks.