Race for AA softball title is wide open

Green Wave tops AAAAA Divison I poll; Catawba Ridge No. 1 in DII poll

After winning AA softball title last year, War Eagles after another two classes higher

Runner-up Aynor, defending champ BHP 1-2 in HSSR poll

Lions sit atop High School Sports Report Class A poll

These players are some of the best talent South Carolina has on the softball diamond. Since the switch to fast pitch ball, student athletes playing softball are stepping up to the next level play. We salute these ladies and wish them all the best in the future. (Coaches please Nominate your Players at hsreport@aol.com ) HSSR 2025 SC Senor Softball Prospects 1. Ainsley Bennett-Summerville-P- SC (2 Time Gatorade POY) 2. Maddie Johnson-Aynor-RHP-67 MPH-CLEMSON 3. Sarah Rocheleau-Catawba Ridge-OF-(All-State) CLEMSON 4. Mandy Wells-Clarendon Hall-SS (35 Career HR/.531 career) 5. Melanie Edwards-Summerville-1B- (All-State) UNC-C 6. Ellanie Yarrell-Byrnes-P-C-(’24 R-POY) SC State 7. Abby Driscoll-Summerville-C-(All-State) C of C 8. Jaidyn Devore-Barnwell-P-(538 Career K’s)-HOWARD 9. Maddie Wiant-Byrnes-P-(Mid 60’s)-Winthrop 10. Addison Miller-Oceanside Collegiate-3B—(.468, 30-RBI) TOWSON 11. Maddie Berry-Latta-P-(All-State-65 MPH) Wofford 12. Cierra Grice-Dillon -3B/C-(3X All-State)-PC 13. Kaylee Hannon-Byrnes-P-1B-(5 Yr. Starter) Winthrop 14. Sydney Rollins-Lewisville-CF 15. Larosia Sanders-Colleton County-P/SS-SC State 16. Maddox Long-Gray Collegiate-P/3rd- 17. Peyton Perry-South Florence-P-COKER 18. Laila Landrum-Woodmont-CF/P-USC Upstate 19. Cassidy Neves-Woodmont-OF-(L-L)-USC Aiken 20. Lauren Childress-Woodmont-1B-SMC 21. Kara Davis-Byrnes-CF (L-L) (2X All-Region) Anderson 22. Brooklyn Amble-Byrnes-LF-(All-Region) North Greenville 23. Madison Thieke-Riverside-OF-(.442)-Wofford 24, Ella Sheorn-Lugoff-Elgin-1B-OF- 25. Calli Yount-Clarendon Hall-P 26. Ariana Evans-Sumter-CF- 27. Grace Terry-Oceanside Collegiate-UTIL-(.382/35RBI)COKER 28 Allie Simpson-Dixie-1B-(22 RBI) 29. Grace Terry-Oceanside Collegiate-C-(.382/35 RBI) COKER 30. Carter Shumate-Hartsville-1B-(Academics-SC) .584/24 RBI 31. Laila Landrum-Woodmont-RHP-OF- 32. Jenna Cecere-Mauldin-OF 33. Jaysha McCullough-Hartsville-OF-(current/.622) 34. Jaylin McGee-Easley-RHP 35. Hannah Andrews-Fox Creek-CF (.459,25 RBI) Columbia 36. Blair Elliott-GSF-C- 37. Maggie Harrington-Clarendon Hall-CF 38. Jasmine Grant-Fox Creek-1B-(.351) Lander 39. Hannah Andrews-Fox Creek-CF- (.459/25RBI) 40. 34. Addyson Snellings-Fox Creek-RHP 41. Sydney Rhodes-Sumter-RF- .451 42. Jordyn Miller-Lewisville-C-(.425/4 HR) 43, Alainia Brown-Aynor-SS-LANDERR 44. Ruby Powell-Ridge-Spring-Monetta-C-(.431/18 RBI) 45. Dacey Phillips-Gaffney-1B/3B-North Greenville 46. Claire Eskridge-Pee Dee Academy—OF- 47. Hollie Scott-Lake View-1B-(.403-All-Region) 48. Jaden Jones-Hannah-Pamplico-SS- 49. Riley Rabon-Aynor-C-ERSKINE 50. Hannah Lewis-Aynor-C-ERSKINE Best Of The Rest In 2025 SC Softball Class (No Particular Order) Caroline Gaskins-Aynor-OF-BELMONT ABBEY Savannah Gerald-Aynor-1B-Columbia Inter. Allie Bailey-Hartsville-P-(12-4/2.51/ERA) Brooklyn Moon-Berkeley-C-Chatt St. Reese Watson-Berkeley P— Madison House-Spartanburg-Utiity Lillian Fowler-Dorman-SS Holly Carnes-Branchville-P Janiyah Squire-Ninety-Six-P Emma Timmons-Buford-SS/2B Caroline Plyer-Buford-/B/P (8th grade) Maya Van Zyl-Blythewood-C Emma Timmons-Buford-SS/2B Maya Van Zyl-Blythewood-C HSSR SC Class of 2026 Softball Prospects (Jr.) 1. Caroline Davis-Union County-3B (467 9 HR) 2. Katie Guilliam-Summerville-SS- (.463, 5 HR) MISSOURI 3. Olivia Miller-Indian Land-P-SC (12-4,88-K’s) 4. Myah Harvey-Hartsville-SS-(.583/5/HR) WOFFORD 5. Prestan Schurlknight-Orangeburg-Prep-SS (.756/9HR) Lander 6. Alivia Hess-Aynor-P-(10-1/.48 ERA) Tenn Martin 7. Daphne Frady-Summerville-2B/3B-(.442/14 RBI) 8 Memory Melton-Byrnes-RF-(L-R) Strong Arm 9 Sarah Owens-Lewisville-P-(195 K’s, 1.64 ERA) 10. Korbyn Lydia-Gaffney-SS- (All-State)-USC Upstate 11. Kadence Poston-Hannah-Pamplico-P-WESTERN Car. 12.. Maddie Coward-Pee Dee Academy-P- Wofford 13. Maddie Hutto-Bamberg-Ehrhardt-P-(62-plus) 14. Logan Thomas-Indian Land-C-USC Aiken (.378/4HR) 15. Maliyah Campbell-Woodmont-P/DP-SC State 16. Frances Laughlin-Heathwood Hall-IF/OF-WOFFORD 17. Hailey Carguile-Woodmont-C-USC Union 18. Brooklyn Holmes-Colleton County-IF/CF (.651) 19. Natalie Regan-Riverside-OF-Western Carolina 20. Allie Royer-White Knoll-CF-North Greenville 21. Levi Warran-Lexington-OF- (.500-plus) 22. Emily Geddes-North Augusta-2B-SS-(.357/4HR) 23. Emerson Riddle-Dixie-C-(.630/27RBI) 24. Ariana Evans-Sumter-CF-2024-All-State 25. Addison Price-Dixie-SS-(.448/24 RBI) 26. Hannah Lambrecht-Orangeburg Prep – C 27. Garner Lanford-AC Flora-P/OF-(.463) 28. Hanah Lambrecht-Orangeburg Prep-INF-(.619/14RBI) 29. MaKenzie McElrath-Dixie-P –(All-State) 30. Maliyah Campbell-Woodmont-RHP (10-4) 31. Kylie Wilson-TL Hanna-Catcher 32. Dallas LaChance-Woodland-SS- 33. Saddie Parris-C-Boiling Springs HSSR 2026 Junior Class Best Of The Rest (No Certain Order) Maria Sialmas-Hillcrest-Catcher Kylee Hooker-Wagner-Salley-Pitcher Jadin Dandy-Travelers Rest-CF-All-State Elle Lockhard-Dreher-C (.469) Elena Mathys-Colleton Prep-P-(All-State) Hope Fowler-Greenville-Utility Kinley West-C-Byrnes Mackenzie Bradley-White Knoll-C- Kenzie McCoy-Loris-OF Mia Roseburg-Oceanside- P/SS Annie Storm-AC Flora-CF-(.372) Eryn Wright-Spring Valley-OF/SS-(2027) HSSR Class of 2027 Softball Prospects (Sophomores) 1. Aspen Boulware-Gray Collegiate-INF-(.651/40 RBI) 2. Kensley Vicars-Powdersville-INF- (.444/27 RBI) 3. Ayla Holmes-North Augusta-C-3B-1B-(.486/19 RBI) 4. Addy Waters-Byrnes-2B/SS-2 Yr. Starter 5. Emma Williams-TL Hanna- P-OF 6. Lillie Ivey-Sumter-P-(8-3,1,79ERA) 7. Maddie Loftis-TL Hanna-OF 8. Bailey Ardis-Sumter-C/OF- 9. Key-Lee Jennings-Union County-CF-(.382 15 SB) 10. Summer Knight-Summerville-OF- 11. Lillie Ivey-Sumter-P (2.31 ERA) 12. Madalyn Tigert-North Augusta 13. Laney Grubbs-Barnwell-P- 14. Mackenzie Melton-North Central-P 15. Kenleigh Epps-Whitmire-P 16. Riley Murphy-Indian Land-OF 17. Brynley Gaa-Legion Collegiate-P-1B 18. Brylie Harpe-Chesterfield-2B- 19. Addison Skipper-Marlboro County-SS-3B top 3 20. Azeleigh Arnette-Pee Dee Academy-2B- HSSR Class of 2028 Softball Prospects (Freshmen) includes Classes of 2029 -2030 (Note: If grade not noted they are 9 th ) 1. Addison Sharp-TL Hanna-RHP-246 K’s, 1.92 ERA 2. Maeven Morino-Summerville-2B-(.447/16RBI) 3. Kinsley Terrapin-Barnwell-SS/P-(.577) 7 th Grade 4. Maeven Moreno-Summerville-Utility- 5. Anna Grace Lee-Union County-RHP-17-3, 220 K’s 6. Tori Smith-Andrew-SS/P (.524) 7. Hanna Davis-TL Hanna-1B- 8. Addison Woodward-Fox Creek-Catcher 9. Garrison Aiken-Byrnes-SS/C/2B - 7th Grade 10. Wren Gaines-Byrnes-C- 8th Grade 11. Shalayah Badger-Barnwell-SS/P/C-(.500) 7th Grade 12. Mindy Veler-White Knoll-OF - 8 th Grade 13. Hanna Coburn-Lake View-2B-(.338/9 RBI) 14. Peyton Summers-Dixie-2B-(.486) 15. Stella Eichhorn-Ware Shoals-P-SS-(.619/16RBI) 16. McKenzi Pearson-Sumter-C-(arm) 17. Pressli Reynolds-AC Flora-P/SS-(.404,6-1) 18. Reece Yelton-Williston-Elko-OF 19. Addison Hasty-Pee Dee Academy-SS- 8th Grade 20. Cayden Crawford-May River-P-(51-K,5-1) 21. Bre Gerad-Colleton County-P/3B- 8th Grade 22. Gracyn Waiksnis-Indian Land-2B-(.395/9SB) 23. Kylie Powell-Powdersville-P-(R-R) 24. Calee Hartzog - Orangeburg Prep - 8th Grade (IF) 25. Josie Mitchum-Woodland-Util.-(.500)

Andrews softball looking to capture region 6 AA title.  By Neill Kirkpatrick Special to the HSSR Andrews – When you think High School softball in the state one school that probably does not cross your mind: the Yellowjackets of Andrews High School. Andrews is fifth all-time in state history with five state championships (Last one in 2018), they have also finished runners-up three times and in fact won the first two class AA state championships (80&81) over 19 times state champions Crescent. The 19 titles is a national record. Last season the Yellowjacket’s finished second in region 8 AA which earned them a spot in the district 8 tournament where they finished 1-2 to end their season. Head coach Joy Weisner only lost three seniors from that team so expectations are higher heading into this season with a lot of talent returning. “ My expectation for this team is to continue to build a strong program, and to play further in to May than we did last year,” said coach Weisner. Andrews is currently ranked sixth in the HSSR class AA poll and can wrap up the region 6 AA title with wins over Woodland in their next two games. They are loaded with underclasswomen talent as the entire starting line up is made up of that talent. Starting in the circle is junior Addison McCants. She continues to get better each game and leads the team in innings pitched and strikeouts. She has a solid been solid at the plate hitting around .300. Junior Addyson Davis and freshmen Tori Smith have also started pitching some games. Which gives coach Weisner a solid rotation. “They both work hard and bring competitiveness to the mound that is unmatched,” coach said. Davis and Smith’s man the left side of the infield and shortstop and third, respectively. Davis led the team in almost every offensive category last season and has picked up where she left off. She is hitting at a .500 clip and has a team high four doubles. She is tied for the team led in runs scored with 11. She is tied for the team lead with Smith in runs scored. In the field she has been solid and a team leader. Smith has been on fire at the plate this season, leading the team with a .611 average. She has also been solid in the field committing only one error this season. She led the team in steals as a freshmen and is tied for the team high in steals with Davis and the team’s lone senior Samiya Holloway. The right side of the infield is held down by freshmen second basemen Emalyn Cooper and sophomore first basemen Karaline Gainey. Both are hitting over .300. They have been a great surprise in their first year on the varsity level. Behind the dish is the team’s leader in sophomore Chloe Skipper. She is hitting .474. She has been almost flawless behind the plate committing just one error all season. The outfield consists of all juniors in Sarah Jennings (CF), Emmalee Lambert (LF) and Briana Walker (RF). They have been on fire at the plate with all hitting over .500. Lambert leads the group at .611 while Jennings leads the team in RBI’s, triples and is tied with Walker in home runs with two. She is tied for the team lead in hits with Lambert and Davis. “We are hitting the ball well and we are playing great defensively to back up our pitchers. I feel that Andrews High School can compete for the region championship, but we have to keep working hard and getting better every day to achieve it,” said coach Weisner.

AJA Lady Warriors Softball Team Hoping To Earn Spot In SCISA Play-offs By Billy G. Baker Publisher Ehrhardt— As of April, 10 the Andrew Jackson Academy softball team (2-7, 1-2) was focused on a strong finish to the 2025 season, and a possible berth in the upcoming SCISA softball play-offs scheduled for Sumter in mid-May. “Our defense does decent, but our hitting has been very inconsistent this season,” said head Warriors coach Denise Duncan . “We have hit better in some games. We are hoping to work together better as a team and focus on correcting mistakes in the field.” To date, the Warriors have been led at the plate by senior left-fielder Sam Stevens who is hitting .600 with three RBI’s and a very impressive .714 on base percentage. Talented sophomore McKinnley Beard is the team’s ace pitcher and she is not in the circle she plays center field. Beard is currently hitting .583 with 8 RBI’s. Beard has also pitched 28 innings to date with 32 K’s. “McKinley’s pitching has improved throughout the season,” said Coach Duncan. Sophomore center fielder/catcher Carrigan Moore continues to play well and she is batting .423 with six RBI’s and four stolen bases. Next on the hit index is senior second baseman Sydney Crosby and sophomore third baseman Mary Gray Hiers at .400 each. Crosby has six RBI’s and Hiers five to date. Senior right fielder Riley Roe is batting .389 while senior catcher Ryleigh Trivette is currently batting .333 with four RBI’s. Freshman Harlo Sease is batting .286 with six RBI’s starting at either shortstop or first. Sophomore first baseman/shortstop Braelyn Hall has a double and triple to her credit and she is batting .250. Key reserves include freshman back-up pitcher Mariya Hiott , junior out-fielder CJ Ulmer , and junior out-fielder Alexandra Johnson . The team has a .386 team batting average with a .470 on base percentage. “Our last win was over Thomas Heyward Academy (22-4) on March, 12 so we have been struggling some,” said Coach Duncan. “We have been trying to pick up some games late in the season.” The team’s five remaining regular season games are with Holly Hill Academy , Branchville , Jefferson Davis Academy , Dorchester Academy and a region game against the Cross Schools at the end of the regular season on May, 5.  Coach Duncan is assisted by Chad Johnson and Carmen Mixon .

Blythewood, Hanna head up AAAAA rankings By David Shelton Senior Writer Moncks Corner – Just for fun, let’s take all of the schools in class AAAAA and break them into two divisions and have to sets of playoffs and two state champions. Oh wait. That’s already been done. The South Carolina High School League took care of that at last winter’s school realignment. All good. I have no real issue with giving more teams a viable shot at a state championship. I would add one thing, however. It will never be done but I would like to see the two state championship winners play each other, either a one game winner take all, or a three-game series after both teams have had proper rest and can line up the pitching rotation. You may think it’s a crazy notion, and it probably is, but I would like to see one state champion. The teams that win titles in the two divisions can keep their trophy but how cool would it be to see one final champion. Depending on how the two divisions ended up I would bet there are several Division II teams that would beat the Division I champion. Okay, I got that out of the way. Let’s talk about the top contenders for the two titles. In Division I, Blythewood s its in the not so coveted No. 1 spot in our latest rankings. The Bengals have shown to be a quality team that executes the fundamentals and takes advantage of the talent they have on the roster. The Bengals are 14-3 overall and on their way to a region title with a 6-0 mark. They won the prestigious IP Classic to start the season, but two inexplicable losses came recently to Sumter. Amare Counts, a junior, is a proven offensive threat with a .429 batting average and 14 RBI’s. Jackson Bottar is hitting .421 with 17 RBIs and also is one of the better arms on the pitching staff. Other key arms for the Bengals include Johnny Collins and Andrew Blackwell . More offense comes from Sammy Franklin (,441), Mason Leppert (.401) and Alex Myers (.353). James Island won the Class AAAA state title last season and coach Matt Spivey returns a bevy of offensive firepower. The 14-3 Trojans are off to a 9-0 start in region 8-AAAAA, well on their way to a title. The Trojans may have to state’s top four hitting lineup with junior Taj Marchand , seniors Stow Rogers and Jake Amman , and sophomore Trip Ostergard . That foursome has made a habit of scoring runs early, putting the pressure on the opponent from the get-go. In terms of pitching, Stratford has one of the top group of arms, including juniors Jarrett Wagner and Jachin Davis , and seniors Jacob Deacon and Bryce Herpolsheimer . Davis also rates as a top offensive threat with a batting average hovering around.500. River Bluff , Dutch Fork and Lexington can never be counted on come playoff time. The trio are locked in a battle for the region four title and any of the three could end up winning it. Lexington and River Bluff are 6-2 while Dutch Fork is 6-3. Buckle up. In Division II, T.L. Hanna is the top-ranked team as of mid-April. With shortstop Will Craddock and pitchers Seth Manning and Easton Thomas , and hitter Zach Dillard , the Yellow Jackets have the championship pieces. Hanna is 13-3 overall and 8-0 in region play. Despite losing their top four pitchers from last year’s 26-4 team, the Chiefs of North Myrtle Beach will be back in the hunt. Catcher CJ Oxendine is among the state’s elite players. Juniors Gabriel Priest and Sawyer Smith have been lights out on the mound. Indian Land is 15-2 overall and 10-0 in region play. Fort Mill is 13-3 with a talented roster that includes several college commits.  Chapin is a team that could make a strong run in Division II. Led by all-state catcher Caden Reeves , the Eagles have wins over James Island, Hanna and Daniel. The potential in a playoff format is there for the Eagles. Key arms include Griff Harper, Ty Harper, Cooper Derrick and Tyler Graham. Class AAAAA (Division I) Top 10 (Apr. 13) 1. Blythewood 2. James Island 3. Dorman 4. Stratford 5. Dutch Fork 6. Summerville 7. River Bluff 8. Lexington 9. Clover 10. Byrnes Class AAAAA (Division II) Top 10 (Apr. 13) 1. T.L. Hanna 2. North Myrtle Beach 3. Indian Land 4. Fort Mill 5. West Florence 6. Chapin 7. Eastside 8. Lucy Beckham 9. St. James 10. Berkeley

Fountain Inn is new kid on the block in AAAA baseball By David Shelton Senior Writer Moncks Corner – The latest rankings of Class AAAA teams by the High School Sports Report has some of the state’s more traditional winners among the top 10. Schools like A.C. Flora, Gilbert, Hartsville, Airport and Bishop England have all won or contended for state championships in recent years. Flora, Gilbert and Bishop England have each won multiple state champions in other classifications. Recent realignment of schools by the South Carolina High School League has brought them all together in Class AAAA this year. However, sitting atop the rankings is the new kid on the block. Fountain Inn has not been open long enough to contend for a state championship but, in this their third year, the new kid on the block will seek to change that. Blake Roland started the baseball program in 2021 as a junior varsity team. Their first varsity season of 2022 yielded 12 wins and people began to take notice. Last season, the Fury won 18 games and got a good taste of playoff action. This spring, Fountain Inn already has 17 wins in their first 20 games. With what is now a veteran varsity roster, the Fury has entered the realm of state title contender. At 9-0 in region one, the Fury is set to claim the region championship with bigger and better things on their mind. Key seniors leading the way include infielder Miles Barbrey (.341), outfielder Zac Madden (.400) and first baseman Nick Saddler (.286). Sophomore Carter Kelly is hitting .345. Anchoring the pitching staff are senior Joel Irizarry (1.43 ERA) and junior Luke Tanner (1.81 ERA). The winning should come as no surprise as many of the players came from Hillcrest High, already a state championship program, when the new school opened. One should fully expect the Upper State to be highly competitive. Seneca, Daniel and A. C. Flora will be chief among the contenders. Flora is led by Andy Hallet in his 28 th season. The coach felt this year’s team had a chance to be among his best and the Falcons have been good so far at 12-4. Among the key returners from last season is junior middle infielder Roper Wentsky , an all-state performer in 2024. Infielders Jack Chetwood , Zach Snead and catcher Tyler Hernandez also return to provide key leadership. Charlie Scott is the leader of the outfield while the anchors on the mound are junior Sam McCutcheon and senior Carter Harrington . Region three is a three-way dogfight between Greer, Seneca and Daniel. Entering the final two weeks, Greer and Seneca have a loss and Daniel has two. Seneca (15-4) and Greer (10-5) play a key two-game series in mid-April. Seneca is led by Will Cutshall , who is hitting .580 with 26 RBIs through 19 games. He also is 4-0 on the mound with a 1.02 earned run average. Tyler Vassey and Luke McGuffin also have been solid on the mound and Kade Scruggs has contributed a .345 batting average. Seneca has a team ERA of 1.94 this season. Seniors Lee Turnipseed and Spencer Conn set the offensive pace for the Daniel Lions. Turnipseed is hitting .483 with 17 RBI while Conn is hitting .433 with 13 RBIs. Ian McCrary has been among the top pitchers this season but pitching is not a strength overall. Gilbert and Airport of region four are the favorites in the Lower State. Gilbert is 17-2 and 11-1 in region play while Airport is 15-3 overall and also 11-1 in region play. Gilbert is led by catcher Sam Woodyard and outfielder Cooper Price , while Kitt McLauchlin heads up the pitching staff. Airport has a veteran team, led by seniors Hunter Epps (.400, 6-1, 0.90 ERA) and Bryce Gillette (.396, 29 RBI). Sophomore Cash Epps has been effective on the mound as well with four wins and a 1.24 ERA. Hartsville and Bishop England are certainly capable teams if their pitching holds up. Bishop England (12-6, 9-3) lefty Jackson Winer is the ace of the Bishops’ staff and also a terror at the plate. He is hitting .629 with six homers and 20 RBIs . Finn Corley adds a .442 batting average and Wyatt Lynn is hitting .409 with 19 RBIs. Hartsville (13-3, 8-0) has a very solid offensive lineup, paced by Bryce Oliver (.583, 19 RBI) and Jackson Moore (.538, 17 RBIs). Casey Hawkins is hitting .472 with 24 RBIs and Web Barnes adds a .478 average with 18 RBIs.  Brandon Anderson has been the ace of the staff with six wins and 1.08 earned run average, Class AAAA Top 10 Baseball (Apr. 13) 1. Fountain Inn 2. Airport 3. A.C. Flora 4. Gilbert 5. Seneca 6. Daniel 7. Hartsville 8. Greer 9. South Florence 10. Bishop England