2019 SCHSL 3A Preseason Rankings

1. Bishop England (2018 Record 31-2)

 3A SCHSL State Champion

 2018 IP Classic Champions

2018 H.I.T. Tournament Hatfield Division Champions

The Bishops won the 3A SCHSL state championship in two games over Seneca and finished the 2018 campaign 31-2. They return three of their top players in; Matthew Lobeck (2019, College of Charleston), Chris Dengler (2019, Old Dominion), and 2018 All-State player and Gatorade POY Geoffrey Gilbert (2019, Clemson). All indications point to another solid year in 2019 for Bishop England, the biggest question mark will be replacing innings lost on the mound to graduation.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 8 Champions, 2019 SCHSL State Champions, Record 25-6

2. Strom Thurmond (2018 Record 20-6)

The Rebels won Region 5 and advanced to the lower state semi-finals. They have potentially the most to look forward to next season only losing 3 seniors off the 2018 club. If they can find a way to replace 2018 All-State player Payton Smith (22nd Round, San Diego Padres) the Rebels could be set up to make another run to the Lower State finals.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 5 Co-Champions, Eliminated - Lower State Finals, Record 22-8

3. Seneca (2018 Record 22-10)

2018 SCHSL State Runner Up

The Bobcats made a solid run through the 2018 playoffs culminating in a loss to Bishop England in the 2018 state championship series. They scored 52 runs and allowed 16 during the districts, upper state, and state championship series. Seneca returns Matthew Burgess (2019, Lander), Walker Lathrop (2020, Furman) , and Trent Land (2020, Uncommitted)  to lead the offense and Ryan Moore as their top returning arm. This group will be hungry for another shot at the title in 2019, don’t be surprised if they get it.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 1 Champions, 2019 SCHSL Runner Up, Record 21-9

4. Gilbert (2018 Record 22-11)

2018 Sandlapper Invitational Champions

The Indians pushed Bishop England to a second game in the double elimination Lower State Championship bracket and were just one run away from a chance to win it all. Gilbert returns a strong group of younger players highlighted by Travis Elliott (2020, Uncommitted). Head coach Ashley Burnett will have this group playing well when it counts, the stock will only rise for this 2019 Gilbert team.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 5 Co-Champions, Eliminated Lower State FInals, Record 23-8

5. May River (2018 Record 20-6)

The Sharks program will be in its third year of existence improving from 9-10 in 2017  to 20-6 in 2018. They will lean heavily on 2018 All State selection Josh Patterson (2019, Florence Darlington Tech), but with the supporting cast of Cooper George (2021, Uncommitted), Jack Hegan (2019, Francis Marion), and Nick Bass (2019, Erskine) they will put plenty of skilled players on the field. If they can continue the upward trend look for them to be in the mix for the final spot in a talented lower state division.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 7 Champions, Eliminated - Lower State Finals, Record 21-8

6.  Powdersville (2018 Record 19-10)

The Patriots lose 5 seniors off of a team that won the 2018 Region 1 championship. The biggest question marks will be replacing 2018 All-State player Josh Bookbinder and how a very competitive region 1 shakes out. Keep an eye on Chris Osment (2020, Uncommitted) and Chase Grey (2019 Uncommitted), if these two can produce look for Powdersville to set the pace in region play and compete for a spot in the Upper State finals.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 1 Runner Up, Eliminated Upper State Finals, Record 18-11

7. Hanahan (2018 Record 22-8)

Hanahan finished last season 22-8 and came out of the losers bracket to win District 6. A new look Region 8 - 3A will make it tough to earn a top two seed and get a home playoff game. All is not lost though, the Hawks return 2018 All-State player Mac Toman (2019, Florence Darlington Tech) and catcher Jonathan Barham (2019,Coker) to lead a solid group of returners. If these guys get rolling, another 20 win season will be within reach.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 8 Runner-Up, Eliminated District Finals, Record 19-10

8. Mid Carolina (2018 Record 18-10)

The Rebels will look to improve on a solid 2018 in which they averaged 7.17 runs/game. They will have to replace SCBCA All Star selection Cade Ruff, but If they can find a way to come out on top of Region 3 and get hot at the right time it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Mid Carolina to play well into May.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 3 Champions, Eliminated Upper State Finals, Record 18-12

9. Pendleton (2018 Record 19-8)

The Bulldogs finished the 2018 campaign 19-8 and look to make a return trip to the 2019 upper-state finals. Next year has the potential to be even better for Pendleton, playing in a talented Region 1 will help prepare them for playoff baseball and coming off a season in which they averaged 6.8 runs/game means the Bulldogs will have the bar set high in 2019.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 1 3rd Place, Eliminated District Finals, Record 19-10

10. Waccamaw (2018 Record 20-8)

A shift in the region landscape due to realignment will make it tough on the Warriors in 2018. The positive side of the shift is that those Region 8 teams that make the playoffs will be battle tested and accustomed to high stakes baseball. Replacing 3A Player of the Year, Jarrett Montenery (2018, Winthrop) is no easy task, but Luke Montenery (2019, The Citadel) will lead the charge. The Warriors were 14-4 at home last season and if they can continue that trend and use their tough region to prepare for the playoffs they could quickly turn into contenders.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 8 3rd Place, Eliminated District Finals, Record 18-10

NEXT 5 - Indian Land, Broome, Swansea, Dillon, Camden

Top Storylines

 + CHESNEE - The SCHSL 2A state runners-up will make a jump to 3A and compete in Region 2.

+REGION 4 - after surprising many by putting two teams in the upper state bracket can they repeat that and if so who will it be?

+REGION 8 & REGION 1 - arguably the toughest regions in 3A; every night will feature a must win game and there will be playoff seeding on the line each time these teams take the field.

PBR Must See Players:

Geoffrey Gilbert, Bishop England (2019,Clemson)

Chris Dengler, Bishop England (2019, Old Dominion)

Matt Lobeck, Bishop England (2019, Charleston)

Jake Lewis, Crescent (2019,Clemson)

Mac Toman, Hanahan (2019, Florence Darlington Tech)

Josh Patterson, May River (2019,Florence Darlington Tech)

PBR Top 5 Games:

Bishop England vs. Hanahan

Powdersville vs. Seneca

Gilbert vs. Strom Thurmond

Waccamaw vs. Bishop England

Camden vs. Indian Land