AAAAA baseball playoffs picking up steam

Moncks Corner – The wild, wild west that is Class AAAAA baseball continues into the second week of the state playoffs.

While many of the teams that were expected to still be playing into the first full week of May are still very much alive, a few have some work to do. That makes for what should be a fun few weeks.

Already, one region champion has bitten the dust as region six champ Wando is done. The Warriors, after beating River Bluff, lost to Ashley Ridge and were eliminated by River Bluff on May 4.

Speaking of Ashley Ridge, the Swamp Foxes of coach BJ Bellush won only seven games during the regular season and limped into the playoffs. None of that mattered once the postseason began as Ashley Ridge sits one win away winning a district title.

Despite losing their ace pitcher Carson Messina to a season-ending injury, the Summerville Green Wave have been the hottest team in AAAAA since spring break. Summerville has won 10 straight games as they host Stratford in the district finals.

Thayer Tavormina, Drew Hayes and Jayce Stone have been very good on the mound since losing Messina. The Green Wave also have started getting more offensive production even with MLB prospect PJ Morlando seeing tons of walks.

West Ashley and Berkeley are sitting in the district championship game as well, setting up what could be four Charleston area teams in the final four bracket of the Lower State.

Berkeley, like Summerville, has found ways to win without their ace, USC signee Cole Greer, who injured an ankle in early April and had surgery. Connor Barham and Gavin Gaskins have been really good down the stretch on the mound while senior leaders Gavin Edens and Mason Salisbury have raised their level of play offensively.

Chapin will have to come from the loser’s bracket and beat West Ashley twice to keep their season alive. The Eagles are 21-6 but lost to West Ashley earlier. If any team is capable of going on the road and winning twice, it would be Chapin. The Eagles have an impressive lineup offensively but were shut down by West Ashley in their first meeting.

The Upper State brackets have some familiar contending teams still in the mix. Perennial contender Lexington is in the district finals having won 13 of their last 14 games. The Wildcats are likely to be one of the final four teams in the Upper State. If one was to bet, Lexington looks good to come out of the Upper State.

Fort Mill has been ranked No. 1 this season but took an early playoff loss to Dutch Fork. The Yellow Jackets will have to beat Dutch Fork twice to have a shot at playing for the Upper State.

Blythewood and Dorman are still in the mix to advance to the Upper State bracket.