Holly HIll Academy baseball peaking at the right time

Holly Hill – While playing a schedule consisting mostly of bigger schools, the early season record for the Holly Hill Academy baseball team was nothing to brag about.

However, things have turned around considerably for the 2024 Raiders and a strong finish has them contending for the SCISA Class A state title.

The Raiders opened the playoffs with a two-game sweep of Laurens Academy in a best-of-three series. The wins pushed the overall record to 10-6 and the Raiders have advanced to the semi-final round, which begins on May 6.

“We played a pretty tough schedule, several AA schools, and some of those are playing still,” head coach Andy Green said. “I was never worried about the record. I just wanted us to get better each week and be playing our best baseball at the right time. I like to the fact that we seem to be peaking at the right time.”

The sweep of Laurens Academy pushed Holly Hill Academy’s winning streak to six games. That included a win over AA Dorchester Academy, a team in the mix for the AA state title.

Green says his team is not one that hits homers out of the park but has been efficient at manufacturing runs. The pitching, he says, only needs a few runs to give the Raiders a chance to win.

Anchoring the pitching staff are juniors Ashton Soles and Mason Connor, a transfer from nearby Branchville High School. Soles has been one of the top hurlers for the last three seasons while Connor has come in and provided several quality starts.

Senior Mason Rudd would be a third option on the bump but Green prefers to use Rudd at his best position, catcher.

Rudd is the lone senior among the starting lineup this spring. Freshman Tyler Green is starting at first base and provides offense in the middle of the lineup. Junior Mason McGriff is starting at second base while Connor is the regular shortstop and a sterling defensive performer. Junior Jody Gilliam is starting at third and has been a solid performer after not playing baseball for a few years.

Junior Jonathan Boyd leads the team offensively with a .480 batting average while patrolling left field. Soles plays center when not pitching with Braden Mizzell filling in when Soles is on the mound. Freshman Parker Kizer starts in right field.

Should the Raiders advance to the state championship series the likely opponent will be perennial contender Richard Winn.

“I like our chances with the way we are playing and with our mindset right now,” Green said.