Thomas Sumter softball struggles in difficult SCISA Region 1-AAA

Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • April 23, 2025

Mail

Lady Generals have had to do battle with Calhoun, Clarendon Hall and Orangeburg Prep

Dalzell – When the South Carolina Independent School Association released its non-football region pairings for reclassification for the 2024-25 and ‘25-26 school years, Region 1-AAA was listed as having Calhoun Academy, Clarendon Hall, Orangeburg Prep and Thomas Sumter Academy.

For TSA softball head coach David Porter, that meant his team ha a tough row to hoe this season. Orangeburg Prep was the 2-time defending AAA state runner-up, Clarendon Hall had won three straight state titles between Class A and AA, and Calhoun played CH for the AA crown in 2023.

“We knew going into the season that we were in a tough region with some teams that have a lot of proven leadership,” Porter said.

The Lady Generals were swept in 3-game series by OP and Calhoun and lost the first of their three games against Clarendon Hall. Thomas Sumter did have an opportunity to play spoiler if it could notch out a couple of wins on April 14 and April 15.

“Still, we have been a little disappointed that we haven’t competed as well as we thought we would,” Porter said. “Softball is a humbling game, and we’ve been a little humbled coming off the season we had a year ago. I think that is going to fuel us during the offseason to come back next year even stronger.”

Thomas Sumter was only 2-11 overall after going 11-8 last year in its return to varsity softball after a few years of not having a team.

Lila Kate Stines was leading the Lady Generals offensively with a .609 batting average. She had two doubles, two triples, two home runs, 12 runs scored and nine runs batted in.

Anna Luzzi was batting .577 and leading in home runs with five, RBI with 15 and runs with 13. Ryan Stokes was hitting .321 and Peyton Dew .316.

Porter thinks Thomas Sumter made the most improvement over the course of the season defensively.

“Even though the stats don’t really tell the whole story, I think we have shown some improvement defensively,” Porter said. “We’ve been moving girls around and playing girls in positions they haven’t played much to try and strengthen our defense, and they’ve responded very well.

“I think that is going to help us into next season. If we can confidently move girls around depending on who we’re playing and who’s pitching for us, that is going to be beneficial for us.”

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Gators’ Hall has built consistent winner on Redbank Road

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Blake Hall has coached the Gators since the 2012-13 season and consistently produced winning teams over the years.

Hanahan volleyball program under new leadership

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Hanahan High School promotes Jamie Kock to head coach of the girls varsity volleyball. Koch, who has moved up from the junior varsity, takes over for former coach Sheena Lanham.

First Baptist Hires New AD and Football Coach

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.