Moncks Corner – In the world of high school baseball in South Carolina, in the state’s biggest classification, there has not been a repeat winner of a state championship since the 1978-79 seasons. Reason why? It’s hard.
Berkeley High came into the 2023 season as the defending state champion in Class AAAAA. Despite losing seven seniors from that team, most felt coach Landy Cox returned enough top talent to make another run at the championship. And, the Stags did. They just came up a play or two short in what was a 27-win season, just one less win that last year’s school record of 28.
Berkeley continued its dominance in region play, winning the title with relative ease. The Stags also won another district championship. Their season ended with a loss to Summerville in the Lower State final four.
“You know, I guess it’s a good thing when expectations are so high that some might be disappointed with 27 wins, a region title and a district title,” Cox said. “People asking about the season, if it was a disappointment. I mean, no way was this disappointing. Our guys did everything they could do. They fought hard every single pitch and they always thought they could win.
“It’s a hard game. Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce the right way. Sometimes that line drive you hit that could win a game finds a glove. That’s okay. You give it all you’ve got and hope it’s enough to win. We didn’t win the last game we played so I guess some people be disappointed, but I’m not.”
The Stags opened the season by winning the prestigious IP Classic in Georgetown, a stated goal of Cox. There were a few losses along the way. Berkeley lost their district opener to Chapin, yet came back through the bracket and beat Chapin twice, on the road, to claim the title.
“They never say die, never quit, and that’s what I loved about this team,” Cox said.
Cox must replace five seniors on this year’s roster but two graduating seniors may be missed more than another other.
Pitcher Miller McGuire, named the Class AAAAA player of the year by the South Carolina baseball coaches association, was Berkeley’s top hitter and pitcher. The Newberry College signee batted .365 with 30 RBIs at the plate. On the mound, he went 8-3 with a 2.33 earned run average.
“I don’t think I have ever coached a more competitive kid,” Cox said. “It’s almost unfair what we expected of him, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to win.”
Jackson Proctor was a four-year varsity starter and has signed with Clemson. Proctor batted .327 and led the Stags with six homers.
Another key loss is senior pitcher Keith Stevens, who moved from a bullpen role to a key starter this season. Stevens went 5-2 on the mound with an earned run average of 0.77.
Junior Cole Greer will assume the role as No.1 pitcher next season. Greer has won 14 games over the last two years and added four homers and a 1.06 earned run average.
Freshman second baseball Hudson Clark had a solid campaign, hitting .326, and teamed with junior shortstop Gavin Edens as a solid middle infield defensively.
Catcher Mason Salisbury missed most of the season with a injury but was able to contribute down the stretch. Junior Connor Barham will step into a major role as a pitcher next spring.
“We have some pieces coming back but, like always, we need some new guys to step in and be ready to perform at a high level,’’ Cox said. “We lose good players every year but it’s always an opportunity for other guys to make their jump.”
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