Lewisville Baseball Focused On Deep Play-off Run in 2024

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Lewisville — Blake Barron is starting his 5th season as the head baseball coach at Lewisville High, a Class A school who has won seven state baseball titles in their storied history.

Last year, the Lions won two playoff games and they were 6-0 region champions after posting an over-all record of 17-11.  Coach Barron, who graduated from East Clarendon in 2003, is only the third head baseball coach at Lewisville High since 1983, following in the footsteps of Bennie McMurray and Billy Keels. Keels coached the last state title in baseball at the school in 2017.

“Our number one goal is to play well-enough to win a state title,” said Coach Barren. “My next goal is for our players be the best players they can be, and to excel in all three phases of the game. We need to improve on defense, and that was a major weakness of ours last season.”

 Lewisville returns four starters from last year’s team, but Clover transfer and Clemson baseball signee, Dion Brown gives them a 5th starter returning. Brown will bat lead-off and start at shortstop for the Lions. He is also the team’s ace (R-R) pitcher. As a junior, Brown batted .464 with six RBI’s and three doubles with a .929 fielding percentage. His fast-ball topped out at 89 mph last season and so far in pre-season scrimmages he has been in the 85-87 range according to this coach. 

“Thus far, in my coaching career,  Dion Brown is the smartest baseball player I’ve been around,” said Coach Barron. “I mean, he see’s things in real time, and in the moment, and processes reactions and what to do very quickly,” said Coach Barron. “He is literally like having a coach on the field.”

One unfortunate football injury could potentially hurt the team’s chances at a coveted Class A state title this season. South Carolina LHP pitching prospect signee, Cade Pilgrim (low 90’s) was injured early in the football season and may or may not be cleared to return to baseball around April, 1. Pilgrim transferred to Lewisville from Clover also.

“We were hoping to get Cade cleared by the start of the season but he has not been cleared yet by the doctors and to be honest we do not want to rush him back into the game until he is 100 per cent ready,” said Coach Barron. “Of course, we would love to have him at some this season but we are not counting on it.”

After two games of the season Lewisville is 1-1. They defeated South Pointe (10-7) and lost to Lancaster (10-0).  They will play Andrew Jackson on February, 29 before playing two games against Union County and former coach Billy Keels on March 5 and 7.

The team’s number two pitcher will be senior righty Joaquan Howze, who has been in the program all four years.  Howze earned all-region honors as an outfielder last year when he batted .316 and scored 26 runs. The number three pitcher is freshman Dylan Good who will also start at catcher.

Trey Smith will bat in the three hole and start at first base after batting .304 with 16 RBI’s last season. Sophomore Silas McFadden, who batted .373 with 15 RBI’s a year ago, will start at second base. Gavin Reynolds returns to start at third base after producing 23 RBI’s last season.

The outfield has four regular starters that varies depending on pitching assignments.  Senior Curtis Brown, a four-year team member, is a gold glove who also runs bases very well. Junior newcomer Jon Seegars sees time in left field and he is also a relief pitcher. Junior Zack Rogers last played two years ago but is back seeing action in right field. Howze also starts a lot in right filed when not pitching.

Junior Ian Grissom, who recently visited Marshall on a football visit, is the team’s DH. Sophomore Bryson Shavers, the team’s 5th infielder, should start every third game.

  Sophomore Ethan Currence is a reserve outfielder while Caithen Flores is a reserve sophomore catcher. Junior Tanner Good is a reserve infielder along with freshman Ty Orr.  Aiden Smith is a junior reserve outfielder.

Coach Barron is assisted by Brian Good, Rusty Ruff and Jamie Harris.