Barnwell softball out of the gate at 6-1 after impressive win over Aiken Aiken on March, 19

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

 Barnwell — One year later, the Barnwell (6-1) softball team avenged a 4-0 loss to the Aiken Green Hornets during last season, with an 18-0 three -inning mercy ruling win at home on March, 19.

 After the win, Barnwell head coach Mike Beasley shared his thoughts with the HSSR, “We didn’t know what to expect from Aiken, other than they had beat us last year, but they did have some graduation losses, and their top pitcher is currently out with an injury,” said Coach Beasley (226-121) now in his 25^th season as a head varsity softball coach. “I am pleased with our start for this season, and we hope to keep improving. Our number one goal to finish strong and win a region title and make a deep run in the play-offs.”

 Against Aiken, junior power pitcher Jaidyn Devore had all of her pitches working well. In three innings of work she tossed a no-hitter while striking out 7 of the 10 batters she faced in the game. At the plate she was 2-for-2 with two RBI’s and one double.

 Other top hitters against Aiken included junior third baseman Brooklyn Gordan who had three hits and two doubles in the game along with senior catcher Bre’anna Buckmon who went 2-for-3 with three RBI’s including a double. Five other players each had one hit in the game. They included sophomore right fielder Abigial Corley, freshman center-fielder Kendall O’Berry, senior left-fielder Kahmiyah Williams, sophomore outfielder Layla Bishop, and junior utility infielder/pitcher Tiera Arnold. 

 Freshman second baseman Laney Grubbs scored two runs with one RBI against Aiken and she is the team’s number two pitcher. Freshman shortstop Kaylen Mayes scored two runs in the win. Jessica Williamson scored one run in the game. Senior outfielder Jamicka Jenkins is also a contributor to the team along with sophomore outfielder Bri Croft, who scored one run and freshman Molly Wilson who can catch and play second base.

“It all starts in the circle and the catching spot,” said Coach Beasley. “If you are strong at those two positions, and can hit the ball a little bit, and we had 12 hits tonight, with an average of 9 or 10 hits per game thus far this season, along with averaging 10 runs then you should win most of your games with these kinds of numbers.

“Our team assessment is good pitching from our top three pitchers along with good hitting right now,” said Coach Beasley. “Davore currently has five college offers and she was the Region Player of the Year as a sophomore. Her fastball has been clocked as high as 68 mph which is outstanding.

“Tiera Arnold is our second pitcher and she started at first base tonight,” said Coach Beasley. “Our third pitcher is freshman Laney Grubbs who started at second tonight. All three of our pitchers have no-hitters so far this season and they have each performed well. We are trying to bring all our pitchers along this season but when you have a Jaidyn Devore throwing in the 60’s it is a big adjustment for opposing batters to adjust to our other two pitchers when we bring them having to adjust 68 to a 55 miles per hour pitching.”

Buckmon is a four- year starter behind the plate with a strong delivery to second. Buckmon and Devore comprise one of the strongest batteries in the SCHSL AA softball ranks in South Carolina.

 Coming out of the Aiken game, 8 players are batting .300 or better for Barnwell. Devore is at the top of the hitting index at .632 including a team leading 9 RBI’s along with three doubles and one triple. Corley is at .455 with three RBI’s and one triple. Mayes is hitting .400 with one RBI and one double. Arnold is hitting .357 with 5 RBI’s, and 2 doubles. 

Buckmon is at .348 with seven RBI’s, including a double and one triple. Williams is hitting .333 with four RBI’s followed by Gordan (.312), Croft (.300) and O’Berry is at .273. 

In the circle, Devore is 4-1 with an incredible 60 K’s in 31 innings of work with a 0.45 ERA. Davore has great command of both her screw ball and curve ball. Grubbs and Arnold are both 1-0 with 7 K’s each over three innings of work and both have a 0.00 ERA.

 So far this season Barnwell has win over Williston-Elko (11-3), beat Ridgeland-Hardeeville twice (16-0, 10-0), beat Branchville (5-4), and Silver Bluff (2-0). The team’s only loss was to Colleton County 8-6.

 Barnwell will travel to Wagener-Salley on March, 20 before hosting Bamberg-Ehrhardt on March, 22. After hosting Edisto on March 25, and W-S on March, 26 the team will close out the month with an away game at Edisto March, 27.

“Our top goal is to win the region again this year and advance in the playoffs to win the district and that will give us an opportunity to play for the lower state,” said Coach Beasley. “This team last won a lower state title in 2011. We were 14-2 last season and we had a lot of rain-outs at the end of the season that hurt us going into the playoffs. This season we are playing 25 games and we have several strong teams scheduled to play just before we enter the playoffs at the end of the regular season. We have already had two-rainouts this season.”

 Aiken High is head coached by Coven Smith, now in his second season as the head coach. He told the HSSR after the game, “We graduated five players off of last year’s team and we have been hurt by some injuries this season also,” said Coach Smith. “We are building culture in our program and we are on the right path.

 “Our two seniors on the team are senior shortstop Elaina Parrott and Emily Gossett and Emily is out with a shoulder injury right now,” said Coach Smith. “We are getting better every single day and we are looking forward to the future.”

Against Barnwell Kate Weimer started in center while Madsion Zeigler was behind the plate. Maddie Hopkins held down third base while Parrott was at short. Summer Tucker started at second while Lyndin George started at first. The outfield corner spots were held down by Lizzie Barry in right while Audrey Hembree was in left. The starting pitcher was Parker Campbell.