Wilson Hall’s 3-time defending softball state champion trying to rebuild

           Sumter – Wilson Hall has won three consecutive SCISA softball titles, doing it with a core of players who were on the team for the entire run. Those players are gone to graduation this season.

          The Lady Barons lost six starters from last season’s AAAA state championship team. That means they are trying to break in a lot of new players this season, and it hasn’t been easy.

          “I have played four games so far this season, eight when you count the four 1-hour, 15-minute mini-games all in one afternoon at the Pee Dee Pitch-Off,” said WH head coach Teresa Alexander. “The weather has been extremely uncooperative for us.”

         Wilson Hall was 5-3 in those games, but Alexander is still trying to figure out who needs to be where.

         “We continue to focus on improving and polishing and figuring out the combination of players that makes us the best defensively,” she said. “We look forward to seeing how much we can grow as a team in preparation for playing in May (in the state tournament).”

        The three returning starters are seniors Marybeth Van Patten, Sullivan Jarecki and Talan Griffin. There are two returnees from last year who are now starters in junior outfielder Abby Bradley and sophomore leftfielder Addie Griffin. Alexander is very complimentary of Griffin’s defensive play.

       Alexander has been pleased with the production of the first five in the batting order. Bradley is leading off with eighth-grader Mary Paisley Geddings batting second. Van Patten is in the 3 hole with Jarecki batting cleanup and Talan Griffin fifth.

      Alexander pointed out that freshman Madelynn Davis has been performing well at the plate.

     The Lady Barons have four pitchers vying for innings in Talan Griffin, Van Patten, freshman Jenna Greene and eighth-grader Lily Grace Pryzbyla. Handling that quartet is freshman catcher Caroline Moorman.

     Also seeing some time at first base is senior Olivia Beasley. She has missed a few seasons due to injuries.

     “We are rebuilding but our new players are good and learning quickly under the leadership of our outstanding seniors,” Alexander said.

     Wilson Hall has a number of games against some of the best teams in SCISA throughout April.

     Wilson Hall will face Laurence Manning Academy, the team it beat for the AAAA title last year and the AAA crown the season before, four times. It also has games scheduled against defending AAA state champion Pee Dee Academy, AAA state runner-up Orangeburg Prep and AA state runner-up Calhoun Academy.