Patrick Henry baseball team overcomes slow start to make playoffs

Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • April 26, 2025

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Patriots will play host to Spartanburg Christian on Monday in AAA playoff opener

Estill – There were changes galore for the Patrick Henry Academy baseball tem coming into the 2025 season.

First, after winning the SCISA AA state title in 2023 and finishing as runner-up in ’24, PHA was moved up to the AAA classification due to realignment. Second, Wayne Brown stepped down as head coach with Cary Harriott taking over. Third, the Patriots graduated standout twins Forest Fairey and Hugh Fairey among five seniors.

Patrick Henry came out of the gate a bit slow, losing its first three games. However, as it got some players back from injuries it righted the ship, winning eight of its next 14 games. The Patriots finished 2-4 in Region 4-AAA, beating Colleton Prep Academy twice while losing to both Hilton Head Prep and St. John’s Christian Academy twice.

The Patriots have earned a berth in the state playoffs. They will open the playoffs on Monday, April 28, at home against Spartanburg Christian Academy. PHA is the No. 4 seed and SCA the fifth seed in one of two 5-team, double-elimination tournaments. The other teams are No. 1 Orangeburg Prep, No. 2 Pee Dee Academy and No. 3 SJCA.

PHA does have five returning starters from last season in junior catcher Rylin Brunson, junior centerfielder Jacob Corley, senior third baseman Sims Brunson, senior first baseman Spencer Kelehear and senior second baseman Brighton Peeples.

Sims Brunson was the leading hitter with a .439 batting average and led in runs batted in with 12 to go with three doubles, a triple and a home run.

Kelehear was batting .394 with 10 RBI, three doubles ad a triple, while Rylin Brunson was batting .356 with a team high in doubles with six and triples with three along with 10 runs scored.

Peeples was batting .324, while Corley was batting .250 but with a .455 on-base percentage. He had also scored a team high 11 runs and led in stolen bases with six.

“My expected leaders on the team are starting to show themselves and that is what we have needed to turn this team around after starting the season 0-3,” Harriott said.

The other starters are senior infielder Luke Sanders, sophomore infielder/outfielder Briar Long and sophomore infielder Scoot Mizzell. Sanders was batting .276, and Long was hitting.265 with two homers and nine RBI.

Senior Maddox Lee and junior Keegan Lee see time in the outfield.

“I would say that our defense is our strength as we start to get healthy and settle in to primary positions,” Harriott said.

Four pitchers have gobbled up the most innings in Long, Sims Brunson, Mizzell and Peeples. Long had worked 23 2/3 innings and had a 3.55 earned run average. Sims Brunson had a 4.75 ERA in 17 2/3 innings, Mizzell had a 5.63 ERA in 13 2/3 innings and Peeples had a 2.62 ERA in 10 2/3 innings.

Other members of the team are senior outfielder Mikell Tucker Mathis and sophomore outfielder Luke Sobey.

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By David Shelton • July 30, 2025

By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – First Baptist School has new leadership within its football program and athletic department for the coming 2025-26 school year. Kevin Mapp was hired as the new head football coach in the early spring and Jay Godbolt was hired as the new athletic director at the start of the summer. Mapp has extensive coaching experience on both the college and high school levels while also working in law enforcement. First Baptist is his first head coaching position. Mapp last coached defensive linemen at James Island Charter High and has had coaching stints at James Madison, Hampden-Sydney, Georgetown, Marshall, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. Mapp graduated from James Madison and was a defensive lineman on the 2004 Division I-AAA (now FCS) national championship team. “Coaching has always been my passion,” Mapp said. “Ever since I was playing, I wanted to be a coach. I have always found a way to coach while working in law enforcement. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunities to do both.” Mapp has been with the Charleston County police department for the last 10 years. He took some time away from coaching to start a family. “I felt like First Baptist was the perfect fit for me and my family,” Mapp says. “It’s a great opportunity at a great place. The kids here work hard and there is a lot of support from the administration. I’m excited to be the head football coach at First Baptist.” Mapp has hired coordinators on both sides of the ball. Will McCombs , once the head coach of the program, will call the offensive plays. Chris Hart comes over from James Island as the defensive coordinator. “Our numbers are improving and the kids are working hard,” Mapp said. “I feel like we can be a competitive team. It’s year one of the building process.” Godbolt has been a coach and athletic director in the Charleston area for nearly two decades. As the boys basketball coach at Charleston Collegiate, Godbolt coached three state championship teams. He also has been a coach and athletic director at Lowcountry Leadership Academy. Godbolt has more than 450 career victories as a head basketball coach. Current First Baptist basketball coach Antoine Saunders was Godbolt’s assistant at Charleston Collegiate.