Barnwell Softball Focused On Deep Play-off Run As The 2023 Season Begins

By Billy G. Baker

HSSR Publisher

Barnwell — The Barnwell Warhorse (14-4) softball team will be ranked near the top of the HSSR SCHSL AA softball rankings, when they are released on March, 15, supported by the fact the team returns six starters, led by highly valued junior pitcher Jaidyn Devore (R-R) who had 135 strike-outs in 65 innings of work a year ago when she earned all-state honors with the HSSR.

Head coach Mike Beasley (220-120 career) is starting his second year as the head softball coach at Barnwell High, after spending 21 seasons in a similar role at Blackville-Hilda. Coach Beasley was not happy at all about what happened to his team a year ago when they bowed out of the AA playoffs (as a number one seed) in back-to-back home losses against Cheraw and Andrews.

“Last year we had real bad luck with bad weather cancelling some games late in the regular season, coupled with an early Spring break,” said Coach Beasley. “This unfortunate situation hurt our rhythm entering the playoffs, in all aspects of our game. We have a later Spring break this year, and we have scheduled  more games at the end of the season, with teams like Branchville, Silver Bluff, Swansea and Wagener-Salley.

“The real challenge for us, is that we will have a key region game with Woodland, after our Spring break this season,” said Coach Beasley. “We have had a lot of rain so far this season in our scrimmage games, so we are going to have to do a say-ounce against having so much rain. Our dug-out at home games does not hold water well when it rains”

In an early season scrimmage, Devore whiffed 11 of the 12 batters she faced. “Coming into her junior season she has five firm college offers,” said Coach Beasley. “She can throw all the pitches for strikes, but the screw ball is probably her best pitch. She has improved her velocity a lot over last season and she had got a lot stronger also.” At the plate Devore batted .429 last season.

Barnwell will be strong up the middle with the return of Bre’anna Buckmon, a four- year varsity catcher back behind the plate.  Buckmon batted .435 last year with 11 RBI’s.  “Very few teams even tried to steal against her last season,” said Coach Beasley. “She has a strong arm and is a very good defensive catcher.”

Junior third year team member Brooklyn Gardner has been moved from third base to short-stop this season after batting .429 with 11 RBI’s a year ago with an OBP of 512. “Brooklyn is very athletic who hits for power and she has a strong arm from short to first,” said Coach Beasley.   

Versatile freshman Laney Grubbs will use her speed to start in center field and she is the team’s number two pitcher behind Devore.  Grubbs batted .583 with seven RBI’s including an impressive .722 on-base-percentage.  “Laney has pitched very well also in the pre-season,” said Coach Beasley. “She also has a solid bat at the plate.”

Freshman Kendall O-Berry has moved from short to right field this season. “We expect Kendall to be among our most improved hitters this season,” said Coach Beasley. “She is very patient at the plate and she had a .500 OBP last year.”

Sophomore third baseman Abigail Corley is one of three left-handed hitters on the team. “We have moved her from the outfield to third base and she can both slap and hit away,” said Coach Beasley. “She is a solid all-around player.”

Returning player, junior Tiera Arnold can play either first or third base, and she will serve as the Warhorses third pitcher also.  “Arnold is a power hitter with a strong arm,” said Coach Beasley.

Three players will be starting on the varsity for the first time. Sophomore Kaylen Mayes can start in the out-field or at third base and she is very athletic with a strong bat. Senior Kah’Miyah Williams will start in left- field and she is a switch hitter who can slap or hit away from the right side. Freshman Molly Wilson up from the junior varsity and she begins the season starting at second base and she can also catch, if needed. 

“As far as I am concerned, all 14 of our players can start at various positions from game-to-game but the difference will be who is hitting well at the plate,” said Coach Beasley.

Four players who will contribute during the season include sophomore outfielder Bri’Anna Croft (L-L) who started a lot as a freshman and she is also a good slapper at the plate. Freshman Layla Bishop will see action in the outfield and she has a lot of speed  to contribute. Senior Jamicka Jenkins will see time in the out-field and she is described as a strong hitter. Freshman Jessica Williams returns to the varsity and brings good hitting and defense to the team.”

“We are trying to create a championship atmosphere at all of our home games this season,” said Coach  Beasley. “We will have “Special Recognition Nights” at most home games honoring former players, local rec teams, and even current players, for a job well done. We have walk-up music for all our varsity players when they come to bat also.

“Our goal is to playing our best softball at the end of the season, compete and win a region title, compete and win our District in the play-offs, and then compete for a state championship,” said Coach Beasley. “Pitching will be our strong suit coming into the season but I also expect us to be a solid hitting team.

“If we have a challenge, it is to make sure we have the right personnel in the right positions on the field,” said Coach Beasley. “Playing solid defense is very important also.”

Barnwell played in two scrimmage games at the “Grand Slam” event hosted at Colleton County in the pre-season. The regular season will start on March, 4th at Williston-Elko before playing at Colleton County on March, 6. The first home game of the season will be against Colleton County on March, 8.

Coach Beasley is assisted by Rick and Rose Arnold, who are also the head coaches for the junior varsity team.