Cheraw Has Strong Pitching, Hitting Entering 2024 Baseball Season

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Cheraw - Entering his 25th season as the head baseball coach at Cheraw High, new town “Mayor” David Byrd (440-201) has a good blend of pitching and hitting returning for a potential deep run in the Class AA playoffs this season.

The Braves (18-12, 8-4) placed third in a very competitive region last year. They won three straight play-off games before being eliminated by Andrew Jackson (6-0) and North Central (5-1) in the double elimination playoffs.

The Braves began the season participating in the Coastal Invitational hosted by Waccamaw High March 1-3.  “Check out who we have to play in the Coastal Invitational,” said Coach Byrd who was elected mayor of Cheraw back in the fall. “We will be playing Fort Mill, Socastee and North Myrtle Beach, and we are told the Chiefs have four pitchers throwing over 90. We will find out in a hurry what kind of team we have playing against this type of competition.”

Prior to the tournament Cheraw took a 6-5 win over South Florence in mid-February.

Good news for the Braves this season is gaining the services of Marlboro County transfer Gunner Jordan who made the HSSR all-state team last season. “He has hit several home runs in our scrimmages and his power is a big-plus to our line-up,” said Coach Byrd. “Gunner can play first or third for us.”   

The Braves return pitcher/second baseman Jackson Byrd described as the hardest worker on the team. “Jackson is my nephew but regardless no one on our team out-works him,” said Coach Byrd. “He’s a versatile player who hit .300 last year. He was a god relief pitcher and had a good glove starting at second d base.”

Kaden Johnson (R-R) is a returning all-region junior third baseman (batted .275) who bats lead-off for the Braves. On the mound he throws 82-84 with good command. Junior Brayden Michaels is an all-region returning pitcher/outfielder who has been throwing 85-87 in the pre-season on the mound. “Braydon had a good summer and fall and we expect him to have success on the mound for us,” said Coach Byrd. “He also hit around .330 for us last year.”

Junior Will Quick will see action at third base. Quick batted around .300 last season and he will also be a relief pitcher. Senior first baseman Landon Sellers could be at the top of the pitching rotation (82-84) and he is also a designated hitter.

Behind Sellers in the pitching rotation comes Johnson, senior Aiden Nolan, 6-6 junior Charlie Phillips, and Michaels. Freshmen Brenden Pace returns to start at catcher where he has been a fixture the past two seasons. Another hard worker on the team with great potential is soph outfielder Tyler Tolson.

Senior Austin McIntosh starts in center field (6.9-60). “Austin has worked hard in the off-season and he is our best all-around outfielder,” said Coach Byrd. He has improved his hitting and he is a hard worker.”

Junior Aiden Boan can play either in left or right field.  He is a solid .300 hitter who has worked hard to improve his hitting over the off-season. Freshman Anthony Strong is among the top five pitchers on the team and he should see spot duty in the infield depending on pitching assignments.  “We are excited about Anthohy’s potential,” said Coach Byrd.

The team’s back-up catcher and designated base runner is speedy Demaris Ellerbe, a three- sport athlete at the school.

After returning from the Coastal Invitational Cheraw will begin the regular season hosting county rival Chesterfield on March 5 and two-day slater they are at the Rams. The following week they play a two-game series with York Prep on Tuesday and Friday.

Coach Byrd is assisted by Devin Hardee, Jordan Melton and Rodney Byrd. The varsity pitching coach is former HSSR all-state player Tristen Campbell who also serves as the head jayvee coach.