NMB softball competing well under new coach
NMB softball competing well under new coach
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Little River – Though it has been a little bit of a roller coaster ride, the 2025 North Myrtle Beach High softball team is competing pretty well overall under new head coach Krystal Mante.
Entering play on April 14, the Lady Chiefs were 9-8 overall and 6-5 in region 6-AAAAA. They will be headed to the Class AAAAA Division II state playoffs in early May but have seven games remaining in the regular season.
Mante likes the effort her team has given this spring and says the transition to a new coach has gone well. The coach has a handful of seniors that she relies on for team leadership, but also has a solid group of underclassmen that can build the foundation for the future.
One of the key seniors is centerfielder Kiera Olson, who is hitting .395 with nine runs batted in this spring. Senior Nealy Lockner is one of two primary pitchers, posting a 1.91 earned run average over her first 40 innings.
Two other seniors are outfielder Taylor Alberti and backup pitcher Kirali Altena. The other primary pitcher is junior Sierra Bendik, who has a 2.86 earned run average in 44 innings inside the circle. Also an outfielder, Bendik has 12 runs batted in.
Junior shortstop Hadley Leonhardt is hitting .273 with eight RBIs and junior third baseman Izzy Bruno is hitting .325 this season.
Behind the plate is junior Sadie Olson, who is hitting .393 with six RBIs through 17 games. Junior first baseman Lilly Carney is hitting .333 with a team-high 12 RBIs.
Other juniors getting work in the outfield include Emma Bellamy and Chloe Butler, who also catches. Freshmen infielders Malread Olson and Katy Beth Currie round out the roster.
The baseball team sits in good position to win a region title. As of April 13, the Chiefs are 12-4 overall and 9-2 in region 6-AAAAA. They hold a one-game lead on Carolina Forest and split two games with the Panthers.
Despite losing four quality pitchers from last year, pitching has again been a strength this spring. Junior Gabriel Priest has a 1.04 earned run average in 32 innings of work. He has recorded five wins. Priest also has contributed at the plate with 13 RBIs.
Junior shortstop Sawyer Smith has logged 24 innings on the mound, posting a 0.24 earned run average.
“Both can pitch and pitch well,” coach Brian Alderson said. “We didn’t them as much last year but we need them to produce for us.”
Jake Finch and Fisher Nichols also have been productive as pitchers.
Offensively, senior catcher CJ Oxendine started slow but has picked up the pace of late. He is hitting .425 with 11 RBIs after 16 games. Second baseman Asa Board is hitting .318 and outfielder Brown Reaves is hitting .310 with a team-leading 16 RBIs.
Kaden Lank is hitting .357 and Porter Anglin has eight RBIs. Sophomore Payton Gallup mans third base. Working in the outfield are Gabe Kuznik and Carter Helmicki.
Other team members who will fill various roles include Fisher Nichols, Luke Breeden, Nate O’Connor, Noah Nance, Campbell Kingston, Trevor Mitchell, Andrew Muncy and Espen Thomas.
