Abbeville baseball competing well in 2024

Abbeville – Now in his third season as the head baseball coach, Abbeville’s Daniel Little is starting to put together the type of program he desires in his efforts to contend for a state title.

The baseball program at Abbeville has been one of the top AA programs in the state for a long time and Little has worked to build the program even higher. Last season, the Panthers reached the district championship game, overcoming a slow start to finish on a high note.

Little feels his 2024 team can be well in the AA mix come playoff time, if they can survive a very competitive region which includes Mid-Carolina, Ninety Six, Saluda and Newberry.

“Time will tell but I like this team’s potential,” Little said. “We’re a competitive team but it’s hard to tell how good we are because of the strength of our region. We were able to split with Saluda, which is a good start. They have a good club.

“We are still finding out a lot about what type of team we can be. I like this team’s attitude and work ethic. We have been able to get off to a good start and build some early confidence. But we have to finish strong. Hopefully we can finish strong and a make a run.”

Abbeville won 11 of their first 13 games overall to start the season and head into spring break with a good feeling. The Panthers meet Mid-Carolina on Apr. 9 and Apr. 12 in two key region games. The two region games with Newberry come on Apr. 16 and Apr. 19. Abbeville took two games from Ninety Six just before spring break.

“I keep telling the guys that we can’t take one night off in this region,” Little said. “One good team from this region will be sitting at home when the playoffs start. Finishing in the top four is going to be a challenge for every team.”

Abbeville has solid playing experience on the field, returning seven or eight players that saw a lot of playing time in 2023. The roster is junior heavy with a few key seniors.

On the mound, Abbeville’s top guy is senior Hunter Overholt, who also excels at shortstop.

“He’s the ace and we have a chance to win every time he toes the rubber,” Little said.

Sophomore right-hander Grady Overholt is the No. 2 starter and senior Jude Dowis is the third starter. Working in relief is senior Thomas Booth, a three-year starter in the outfield and behind the plate.

Most of the catching this spring is handled by junior Ben Overholt, who hits third in the order and has a year of experience.

Junior Justin Oglesby is a returning starter at first base while Grady Overholt and Dayne Botts work at second. Overholt moves over to short when Hunter Overholt pitches. Dowis is the starter at third.

With Booth in center, senior Ryan Hughes starts in left and junior Lohen Nickles starts in right. Sophomore Easton Townsend is the starting designated hitter.

Rounding out the roster this spring are Jake Clemmons, Cohen Grounsell, Ben Thomasson, and Tyrique Cunningham.