Hannah-Pamplico softball on their way to title defense

Pamplico – After winning the Class A state championship in 2023, the 2024 version of the Hannah-Pamplico softball program has not been able to sneak up on any opposing team this spring.

The Raiders entered this season as one of the favorites in Class A so every opposing coach and team immediately had respect for the champs. Through the regular season, the Raiders suffered just one loss in 16 games, that coming to AAA Aynor early in the schedule. Since that loss, coach Amber Knight has seen a determined and focused squad.

The Raiders are off to a good start in their chase for a repeat as state champions. Hannah-Pamplico opened the four-team district bracket with an easy win over Whale Branch and followed with a win over Carver’s Bay. Those two wins put the Raiders in the district finals and some team would have to beat them twice (unlikely). The next round will be the Lower State final four bracket with the survivor advancing to the state championship series.

Knight said early on that this year’s team was full of young talent and would not rest on their laurels.

“We have worked to establish the team as their own identity for the 2024 season, not a continuation of the 2023 State Champions,” she said. “Our team looks different both in the field and at the plate, but as I have told the girls many times, different doesn't mean bad. We have a strong junior and sophomore class and two phenomenal pitchers that we think can take us back to the state championship playoffs.”

Kadence Poston and Isabella Davis are the two pitchers that shoulder the load inside the circle. Poston has a 0.39 earned run average with 115 strikeouts while Davis has a 0.70 earned run average and 68 strikeouts.

Offensively, Jadan Lee hit .500 with five homers and 29 RBI during the regular season. Savannah Owens hit .390 with 10 RBI and Chloe Cooper hit .351 with 14 RBI. Poston added 12 RBI at the plate and Payten Poston hit .294 with 11 stolen bases. Hannah-Pamplico posted a regular season team batting average of .304.

The baseball team also made the Class A state playoffs, finishing second in the region and winning 10 games. The Raiders opened the playoffs with a win over Branchville before a loss to East Clarendon. At press time, the Raiders were set to play an elimination game against Branchville on May 4 with the winner taking on East Clarendon in the district finals.

The Raiders got a late season boost with the return of junior centerfielder Jamarcus Williams, who missed most of the season recovering from a knee injury sustained in football. Williams has made an immediate impact on the lineup.

Other offensive leaders include Boone Johnson, Logan Bass and Daniel Chandler. Payton Farmer and Mason Smith have done quality work on the mound.