Spring sports hitting the final stretch of regular season play
Spring sports hitting the final stretch of regular season play
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Lake City – Don’t look now but the 2025 spring sports season is nearly over and the athletes at Carolina Academy are prepping for the stretch drive.
The spring has been a mixed bag of success to date but all of the teams are looking to finish strong.
The baseball team has had a tough go, winning four of their first 15 games. Several losses were close games so the team has been competitive at times.
On the mound, getting work are Walker McCutcheon, Bennett Mathews, Hampton Kirby Ryker Rhodes and Ryan Cox. McCutcheon, Rhodes and Matthews have seen time behind the plate as well. Kirby has seen time at short, along with Matthews, while Parker Miles, Carson Hanna and Holden Carsten are seeing time at the corner infield positions.
Cox, Tanner Floyd and Kingston Cox are working in the outfield.
The boys golf team has had some success this spring and will be playing in the SCISA state tournament on April 26th in Conway. The Bobcats played in the region tournament on April 10.
The team has a bevy of seniors who are playing in the top group. Seniors include Thomas McDaniel, Cam Porter, Mason Huggins, Michael Wyatt, Blanding Franks, Jamison Andrews and Drake Morris.
Also playing are Landon Crosby, eighth-grader Grady Long, and seventh-graders Braeden Morris and Kohl Elmore.
The Carolina Academy softball team has had better luck so far this season, winning nine of their first 12 games to put them in contention for a region title.
Coach Scotty Philips felt his team had what it takes to challenge for a state championship if things continue to progress.
“I see a lot of potential with this team but they have to focus and continue to work,” Phillips said.
The strength of the 2025 team is inside the pitching circle. Junior Raylee Frye is a third-year performer who is as good as any hurler in SCISA when she brings her “A” game. Freshman Ella Ham will log innings at pitcher as well while also playing centerfield and first base. Lauren Sims also will pitch and share third base duties with Frye.
“We have three good pitchers, dependable,” Phillips said. “I feel good giving the ball to any of them.”
Handling the catching duties is returning starter Carlie Ann Smith, a junior who has been impressive behind the dish early on.
Sophomore Jaylyn Davis will play most of the innings at first base while eighth-grader Natalie Braveboy will move from left to second base to replace McCutcheon.
Three eighth-graders,
Paisley Coker, Kayley Lyerly and
Emma Amos are working in rightfield, with Ham also getting reps.
Rounding out the varsity roster this season are Katherine Holiday, Lexi McCutcheon, Sarah Emma Garris, Savannah McCUtcheon, Jennifer Vargas and Hannah Grace Matthews.
