Mid-Carolina, Cheraw, Barnwell Head UP The Class AA Baseball Rankings
Barnwell senior, Cameron Austin
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Summerville – With the reshuffling of schools in the latest SCHSL realignment, Class AA has a different look but not as different as some of the other classifications.
The biggest move into Class AA was Clinton, the 2023 AAA state champions. Clinton already benefitted from the move down in football, winning the AA state title in December. Expect the Red Devils to contend in baseball as well.
But, right in their own neighborhood, so to speak, is the state’s top-ranked AA team, Mid-Carolina. The Rebels themselves have been in the state championship mix in recent years, losing to Oceanside Collegiate in the 2024 finals and lost in the Upper State finals to Gray Collegiate in 2023.
Coach Lindsey Stribble has several returners that have played in those recent big games, led by No. 1 starting pitcher Kaden Myers. Shortstop Colby Livingston is a key offensive threat, along with centerfielder Landon Wicker and first baseman Blake Mills.
Mid-Carolina (13-6) is leading region 3-AA and has a two-game lead on Clinton. The Rebels will certainly be one of the teams to beat in May.
Clinton is 11-4 overall with two losses in region three. The Red Devils have one of the best catchers in AA with Luke Young behind the dish. Outfielders Camden Finley and Brett Young are threats offensively, along with shortstop Jaxson Glenn. Glenn and Isaac Cane are the top two pitchers.
Arguably the team to beat in the Lower State is Cheraw, off to a 13-3 start. The Braves last won a state title in 2004 but this year’s team has a shot.
Brayden Michael is a key leader offensively and on the mound, sporting a .372 batting average to go with a 0.98 earned run average. Pitcher Anthony Strong has not allowed an earned run in his 23 innings of work.
Will Quick (.352, 15 RBI) and Jackson Byrd (.326) also provide offensive leadership for veteran coach David Byrd.
One of the favorites in the Lower State will be the third ranked Barnwell Warhorses, (17-2, 10-0) and the Warhorses have already clinched a 5-AA title with a spotless 10-0 record.
Senior outfielder/pitcher Cameron Austin, a USC-Aiken signee, is one of the top players in the state this spring. Austin is hitting .514 with six homeruns and 23 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He also has four wins on the mound with a .997 ERA with 46 K’s. Freshman Case Davis is batting .458 with 22 stolen bases and is a solid next-level prospect.
Hayden Pierce is 5-0 on the mound with 32 K’s and a 2.75 ERA. Trey Boleman is 4-1 on the hill with 22 K’s and a ERA of 2.58.
Providing Barnwell help offensively is Hayden Pierce with a .392 average and 12 RBIs. Joe Huggins is hitting .435 and catcher Kaleb McCormack is at .324 with 15 RBI’s. Trey Boleman is at .298 with 11 stolen bases.
Buford is 12-4 overall and will be a team to watch. Jayden McKenzie has been an offensive catalyst this spring, posting a .481 batting average with 19 RBI and 18 runs scored. Gavin Lowery is hitting .343 with 16 RBIs and Hunter Mills is hitting .341 with 11 RBIs.
Lowery and Jackson Sellers are a formidable one-two punch on the mound. Sellers has a 1.71 earned run average.
Not to be overlooked in the Upper State is Batesburg-Leesville, off to a 12-4 start. The Panthers are getting offensive production from Jack Bouknight( (.444) and Landon Soper (.371). Preston Smith is hitting .350 and Carter Bouknight is at .351.
The Panthers get it done on the mound with a team ERA of 1.69. Tyler Kneece is 5-0 with a 0.88 ERA. Both Bouknight’s also have been key contributors on the mound.
Landrum and Chesnee each started region one play with 6-0 records and that region title will be decided April 15 and April 18 when the two teams clash in their two-game series,
Trey Boleman is one of the top pitchers with a 4-1 record and a 1 .31 earned run average.
Though they play in a weak region, Philip Simmons may be a dark horse team in Class AA. The Iron Horses have cruised in region play and are 10-8 overall. They have played a tough non-region slate that includes losses to Ashley Ridge, Eastside, Hanahan and Lugoff-Elgin.
Nolan Clifford anchors the pitching staff with a 4-1 record with Pierce Mullen being a solid arm as well. The top hitter has been Kyle Bachmann with a .324 batting average.
Class AA Baseball Top 10
(As of 4-13-2025)
1. Mid-Carolina
2. Cheraw
3. Barnwell
4. Clinton
5. Buford
6. Landrum
7. Batesburg-Leesville
8. Chesnee
9. Saluda
10. Philip Simmons
