AAAA Bracket

Conway Tigers

 

Coach:  Anthony Carroll (90-54)

2007 Finish:  19-9(6-2)

Region:  VI-AAAA

Players to Watch:

Sr. Jeff Caskey

SS

R/R

6’1, 175

All-Region; Lander Commitment; .402, 37 H, 92 AB, 10 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 7 SB, 11 BB, 15 K

Sr. Mac Doyle

C

R/R

6’0, 190

All-Region; Wofford Commitment; .354 , 28 H, 79 AB, 9 2B, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 21 BB, 16 K

Jr. Colby Holmes

P

R/R

5’11, 190

.286, 18 H, 63 AB, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 1 SB, 7 BB, 14 K; 4-2, 2.21 ERA, 63.3 IP, 47 H, 30 R, 20 ER, 15 BB, 77 K

Jr. Bobby Watford

IF/P

R/R

6’3, 175

.309, 25 H, 81 AB, 2 2B, 13 RBI, 10 BB, 6 K; 6-3, 2.61 ERA, 40.3 IP, 31 H, 30 R, 15 ER, 20 BB, 38 K

Jr. Ryne Hardwick

C/1B

R/R

6’1, 165

.347, 34 H, 98 AB, 6 2B, 13 RBI, 3 SB, 8 BB, 12 K

Season Outlook:   As the Conway Tigers begin the 2008 baseball season, they are very excited about the potential for this team. Last years team was 19-9 and lost three players to graduation. All of the team’s pitching is back. The Tigers will be led on the mound by juniors Colby Holmes and Bobby Watford. Both are coming off very successful seasons a year ago. Also getting some time on the mound will be James Floro, Sport Rabon, Haddon Childs, Hayden Watkins, Matt Brown, Clay Altman, Jeff Caskey, Justin Harrelson, and Cameron Perry.  Offensively, the Tigers hope to improve upon last season. They will be led by Mac Doyle, Jeff Caskey, Ryne Hardwick, and Bobby Watford. These four lead the team in hitting last season and hope to improve their numbers this year. Also expected to contribute are Sport Rabon, Zach Yates, Carl Blain, Michael Frazier, Josh Hardwick, Cannon Jordan, and Allen Thompkins. Coach Carroll states, “We are truly excited about our upcoming season and for the opportunity to compete against the best teams in the South Carolina at the IP Classic.”


 

Hartsville Red Foxes

www.hhs.dcsdschools.org

Coach:  Jacob Shumate

2007 Finish:  29-4(7-1) – State AAAA Champions;ranked 21st by USA Today

Region: VI-AAAA

Players to Watch:

Sr. Jordan Lyles

P/OF

R/R

 

Spartanburg Methoditst Signee; All-State; All-Region; .403, 27 H, 9 R, 67 AB, 8 2B, 21 RBI, 12 BB, 10 K, 2 SB; 6-1, 0.95 ERA, 44 IP, 29 H, 10 R, 6 ER, 16 BB, 98 K

Sr. Trevor Cassidy

2B

R/R

 

All-State; All-Region; Erskine Commitment; .338, 26 H, 23 R, 77 AB, 4 2B, 13 RBI, 14 BB, 8 K, 12 SB

Sr. Andrew Turner

P/1B

R/R

 

All-Region; .329, 26 H, 14 R, 79 AB, 5 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 20 BB, 20 K, 3 SB; 3-1, 1 Save,  2.88 ERA, 24.1 IP, 27 H, 15 R, 10 ER, 12 BB, 23 K

Sr. Lee Tyner

C/1B

R/R

 

All-Region; Erskine Commitment; .330, 29 H, 9 R, 88 AB, 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 9 BB, 17 K, 2 SB;

Season Outlook:   The 2008 Hartsville Red Foxes come into the season as defending 4A State Champions and return most of the nucleus from the championship team. The 2008 Red Foxes will be an interesting combination of youth and experience. Pitching and defense continue to be the strength of the team while youth and inexperience in key positions is considered the weakness. Returning senior starters second baseman Trevor Cassidy, catcher Lee Tyner, first baseman Andrew Turner, outfielder Jordan Lyles, outfielder Wil Newsome as well as infielders Jas Skinner and Marshall Diven look to lead the way offensively this year.  Sophomore outfielder David Leeth, sophomore first baseman Will Lucas and sophomore shortstop Adam Peterson will be some of the young players that will play a significant role on the team this year. Lyles, Turner, Leeth, Newsome, Hunter Privette and Fred Henning will handle the pitching duties for the Red Foxes. Overall, the 2008 Red Foxes are looking forward to another successful campaign while defending their state championship crown!

 

 

 

Mauldin Mavericks

www.mauldinmavsbaseball.com

Coach:  Todd Robinson (21-9)

2007 Finish:  21-9 (7-5) – I.P. Classic Champions

Region:  II-AAAA

Players to Watch:

Sr. Cory Bishop

P/1B

L/L

6’0, 205

IP Classic All-Tournament Team; .348, 8 H, 5 R, 23 AB, 4 RBI, 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 K, 2 BB; 2-0, 3.32 ERA, 12.67 IP, 11 R, 6 ER, 15 H, 6 K, 6 BB

Sr. Robert Hardaway

P/3B

R/R

6’2, 195

.222; 1-2, 1 Save, 15.67 IP, 2.23 ERA, 9 R, 5 ER, 14 H, 16 K, 13 BB

Sr. Kevin Loucks

CF

R/R

5’11, 150

.250, 6 H, 6 R, 24 AB, 6 RBI, 1 HR, 4 K, 4 BB

Jr. Madison Younginer

P/OF

R/R

6’3, 205

All-Region; Clemson Commitment, .375, 24 H, 16 R, 64 AB, 21 RBI, 7 2B, 4 HR, 7 K, 13 BB; 4-1, 2.03 ERA, 31 IP, 18 R, 9 ER, 15 H, 40 K, 19 BB

Season Outlook:   Mauldin will be a team loaded with Juniors as only five Seniors return from last year’s squad.  Returning seniors are: Caleb Ayscue, Cory Bishop, Rob Hardaway,Brad Huffling,  and Kevin Loucks.  Bishop made the All-Tournament team at the IP Classic.  Loucks started most of the year in centerfield.  Hardaway is a hard thrower who should contribute heavily on the mound and at shortstop.  Huffling should start at second base and Ayscue will receive time behind the plate.  Madison Younginer was the only 10th grader on varsity last year.  He was the ace of the staff as well as the clean-up hitter. The junior class is deep in pitching.  Todd Gray, Phil Alexander, Ben Carlson, Kyle Logan, Austin Bullard, and Chris Cox should all contribute.  Colby Corn and Joe Jackson will battle for the catcher’s spot.  Max Rush will see time in the outfield.

 


 

North Augusta Yellow Jackets

www.northaugustahighschool.org

Coach:  Vic Radcliffe (45-15)

2007 Finish:  25-9(7-3) Midland Valley Invitational Champions, Forest Acres Classic Runners-up; State AAAA Runners-Up

Region: IV-AAAA

Players to Watch:

Sr. Marty Gantt

OF/P/1B

R/L

5’11, 160

USC Signee; State AAAA Player of the Year; All-Region;

Sr. Austin Stuart

SS/P

R/R

5’9, 150

College of Charleston Signee

Sr. Ben Clark

P/1B

R/R

5’10, 230

 

Sr. Rob Freitas

C/OF

R/R

6’0, 180

 

Sr. Todd Hatfield

P/OF/1B

L/L

5’9, 150

 

Sr. Steven Higdon

2B/OF

R/R

5’5, 130

 

Sr. Robbie Scaggs

3B

R/R

5’11, 200

Newberry College Signee

Sr. Jeff Wright

2B/SS

R/R

5’7, 145

 

Jr. Evan Darr

P/1B

R/R

6’0, 200

 

Jr. Taylor Rozier

OF/P

R/R

6’0, 195

All-Rookie Team

Season Outlook:  The Yellow Jackets are coming off of a very exciting 2007 season taking the Upper State 4A title and being runner-up in the State 4A Campaign.  North Augusta has strong senior leadership returning, including Marty Gantt (USC-signee/Mr. Baseball), Austin Stuart (College of Charleston signee), and Robbie Scaggs (Newberry College signee), Todd Hatfield,  Jeff Wright, Ben Clark, and Steven Higdon.  Additional players looking to make a big contribution to the '08 Jackets will be juniors Evan Darr, Taylor Rozier,  Steven Bleile, Dillion Grantham, Tripp Warrick, Chris Phillips and Kevin Hutchins as well as a group of other talented players.  The coaching staff is very enthusiastic about the upcoming season.  The Yellow Jackets have been working hard to prepare for the season.

 

 

 

AAA Bracket

A. C. Flora Falcons

www.acflorabaseball.com

Coach:  Andy Hallett (227-75)

2007 Finish:  29-4(14-0) – State AAA Champion; Region Champion; Forest Acres Classic Champion; Ranked 14th by Sports Illustrated

Region:  III-AAA

Players to Watch:

Sr. Jay Wilson

C/OF

R/R

6’0, 195

All-State by SCBCA and HSSR; All-Region;  .433, 90 AB, 39 H, 13 R, 8 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 34 RBI

Sr. Will Freeman

P

R/R

6’5, 175

All-Region;  7-1, 48.67 IP,

Sr. Robert Gibbes

OF

R/R

5’11, 190

3 year starter; .354, 82 AB, 29 H, 25 R, 5 2B, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 8 SB

Sr. Kevin O’Quinn

OF

L/R

6’1, 180

3 year starter; .367, 79 AB, 29 H, 23 R, 5 2B, 1 3B, 20 RBI, 6 SB

Sr. Adger Rice

OF/P

R/R

6’2, 200

.313, 16 AB, 5 H, 10 R

Season Outlook:   The 2008 A.C. Flora Falcons, led by head coach Andy Hallett (227-74); look to defend their Region and State Championships from 2007, where they finished the season with a 29-4 record.  Graduation took a lot of leadership and production from the ’07 squad and the class of 2008 has to step up into leadership roles left void by graduation.  On the mound, the Falcons bring back all region performer, Will Freeman.  Senior, Pat Sullivan looks to compete for the number one job with Freeman and juniors Joseph O’Steen and Alex Mitchell will compete for the remaining starting job.  Bennett Hipp, Alex Brown, Evan Brown, James Newman, Adger Rice and Vince Gehringer will compete for relief jobs. Behind the plate, the Falcons are solid with three year starter, Jay Wilson.  Jay earned All-Region as well as All-State honors as a junior.  Backing up Jay will be junior Corey Young.  The corner infield spots will be occupied by junior, James Newman at third base and sophomore, Connor Lewis at first..  The two middle infield spots will be manned by senior, Leland Shealy at short and sophomore, Duy Phan at second base.   Also competing infield spots are Alex Mitchell, Aaron Poole and William Strauss.   The outfield could be the team’s biggest strengths.   Returning starters, Kevin O’Quinn and Robert Gibbes will battle for center and Will Freeman, Pat Sullivan, Adger Rice and William Strauss will compete for the third outfield slot.  With graduation taking such a toll (Logan Munson-UNC, Brett Thomas-UNC, & Sean Sullivan-Winthrop), the Falcons look to reload behind strong starting catching and outfield play as well as  heavy hitting from returning players.  Coach Hallett comments,  “ We have to prove ourselves on the mound and up the middle, but it should be an exciting season.  It should be a fun  year, and the Falcons look forward to defending their region and state titles.”

 


 

Brookland-Cayce Bearcats

www.bearcatbaseball.com

Coach:  Brian Hucks (166-75)

2007 Finish:  20-12(8-2) – Lower State Runners-up; Region Champions

Region: IV-AAA

Players to Watch:

Sr. Adam Westmoreland

P

L/L

6’4, 260

USC Commitment; All-State; All-Region; All-Area; 6-4, 1.39 ERA, 70.33 IP , 44 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 114 K, 14 BB;  .267, 23 H, 21 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 21 K, 11 BB

Sr. To’Nel Legett

OF

R/R

6’0, 175

Spartanburg Methodist Commitment;

Sr. O.B. Johnson

OF

L/L

6’1, 180

All-Region; .391, 34 H, 29 R, 5 2B, 2 3B, 14 RBI, 11 SB, 5 K, 15 BB

Sr. Jacob Oren

C

R/R

6’1, 190

All-Region; .300, 30 H, 17 R, 7 2B, 20 RBI, 11 K, 11 BB

Sr. Justin Gross

SS

R/R

6’0, 170

All-Region; .360, 36 H, 28 R, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 4 SB, 15 K, 21 BB

Sr. Jeff Estep

2B/P

R/R

6’0, 160

6-3, 2.55 ERA, 44 IP, 43 H, 24 R, 16 ER, 31 K, 14 BB; .372, 35 H, 17 R, 5 2B, 11 RBI, 5 SB, 16 K, 7 BB

Season Outlook:   

The 2008 Brookland-Cayce baseball team returns 8 starters and 15 lettermen from last years 20 – 8 team that were Region 4 –AAA Champions, District 5 champions, and Lower State Runners up.  The Bearcats look to have solid depth on the mound as they return three of their top four starters including USC commitment Adam Westmoreland.  Westmoreland is rated the #1 Pro Prospect by Diamond Prospects.   The 6’5” lefty is an intimidating presence on the mound as he works with a fastball in the 88 – 92 mph range.  Westmoreland will also work at 1B, but is more likely to DH for the Bearcats when he is not pitching.    Senior RHP Jeff Estep is the early favorite to claim the #2 spot in the rotation.  Estep is the starting point guard on the basketball team, so he may be a little behind early in the season.  Estep will also start at 2B.  Junior RHP James Hall could push Estep for the #2 spot in the rotation with improved command of the strike zone.  Senior RHP Matt Boulware is a sidearm relief specialist for the Bearcats.  Senior LHP Ryan Brown is a “crafty lefty” who also works out of the pen.  Senior LHP Ryan Burt is coming off of Tommy John surgery from a year ago.  Burt could be a factor on the mound for the Bearcats as he continues to rehab.  Junior RHP Jeremy Brazzell could push for time on the mound as he was very good last year as the #1 on the JV staff.  Junior RHP Alex Nettles could be a factor out of the bullpen this year for the Bearcats.  Senior RHP Drake Glickman was moved from behind the plate to the mound as a junior.  Freshman LHP Michael Gilroy possesses electric stuff and could push the veteran staff for innings.  He will start the year on the JV but could find his way into the varsity rotation by the end of the year.

The Bearcats also return starters at all positions except first base and center field.   Senior Jacob Oren returns behind the plate after a solid junior season.  Oren is a converted 3B who developed very nicely for the Bearcats behind the plate.  Junior Austin Harris would start for most teams behind the plate.  Senior Justin Gross returns at SS for the Bearcats.  Gross has good actions and projects to hit in the 2 hole.  Senior Charles Martin will return at 3B for the Bearcats.  Senior Charles Martin will return at 3B for the Bearcats.  Martin is a solid defender and is a hard nosed competitor.  Senior Ryan Burt is the early favorite to claim the 1B spot.  Burt is a very intelligent player who hits from the left side.  Senior Ryan Brown will push for innings at 1B.  Brown is a very good situational hitter.  Junior Matt Martin is a scrappy player who will likely play 2B when Estep pitches.  Senior transfer Gaby Galvin transferred this fall from Miami and will provide excellent depth at SS, 2B, and 3B.  He will push all returners for innings.

Senior OB Johnson returns after a stellar junior campaign and will play left field or right field.  Johnson is getting a lot of interest from many schools and projects to be a very good player in college.  Senior To`Nel Legette returns after a year away from the program and will play centerfield.  Legette committed to play baseball for Spartanburg Methodist Junior College.  Senior Evan Chastain is a solid player and has been in the program for 5 years.  He provides leadership and will get early opportunities to win the spot.  Junior James Hall started in right field as a sophomore.  Hall is a very athletic outfielder with outstanding arm strength.  Senior Gaby Galvin may move from the infield and compete for a spot in the outfield.  Sophomore Kenyatta Castleberry could also see playing time in the outfield.  Castleberry, who also plays quarterback for the football team, is extremely athletic with a plus arm and could win one of the corner sports.

 

 

 

Georgetown Bulldogs

www.ghsbulldogbaseball.com

Coach:  Mike Johnson (668-373)