1. River Bluff (2018 Record 25-9)

2018 SCHSL Runner-Up

The gators are coming off of back to back appearances in the SCHSL 5A state championship series. After losing both trips the past two seasons, 2019 may be River Bluff’s year to get it done. Replacing 7 SRs off the 2018 team will be no easy task, however All-State and UA Area Code Games player Alex Urban (2020,Clemson) will have something to say about that. With Ricky Williams (2020, Clemson) and Brayden Fowler (2019, Francis Marion) helping to solidify the pitching staff and Noah Lebron (2019, Southern Wesleyan) helping boost the offense this team could easily make a return trip to the title game in 2019. 

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 5-5A Champions, 2019 SCHSL 5A State Champions, Record 29-5 

2. Dutch Fork (2018 Record 18-10)

Dutch Fork should feel as good as anyone about the 2019 season. Losing only 6 seniors and returning 3 top talents is enough to get anyone excited. However, a tough region 5 will make for an interesting path to the playoffs. If Crosby Jones (2019, Spartanburg Methodist), Noah Jackson (2019, Uncommitted), and 2018 All-State player Ty Olenchuk (2020, Clemson) can play at a high level look for the Silver Foxes to make some noise in 2019.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 5-5A 2nd Place, Eliminated 2019 Lower State finals, Record 19-9

3. Riverside (2018 Record 18-9)

The Warriors lose only 5 SRs off of a team that made it to last seasons Upper State Finals bracket. They return one of the most dynamic players in the state in 2018 All-State LHP Caden Grice (2020, Clemson). Fighting their way out of a crowded Region 2 could be the toughest thing for the Warriors to do all season. With a strong group of seniors, including Landon Shaw (2019, Presbyterian),  Grant Belanger (2019, Limestone), and Adam Koelsch (2019,  North Greenville) Riverside will be trending up in 2019.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 2-5A Champions, SCHSL 5A State Runner Up, Record 24-6

4. T.L. Hanna (2018 Record 19-14)

The Yellow Jackets made a run to the upper state finals last season winning their first but then dropping the second of two must win games against eventual state champion, Dorman. Regan Reid (2019,Clemson), Jackson Bryant (2019, Lander), and Barrett Winter (2019, Erskine) will lead a hungry T.L. Hanna team into the teeth of what would seem to be a tough 5A Upper State division in 2019.

PBR Prediction: Region 1-5A Champions, Eliminated Upper State Finals, Record 22-11

5. JL Mann (2018 Record 17-7)

JL Mann returns a strong group led by Tomas Frick (2020,UNC) and Myles Daniels (2019, The Citadel) and a dynamic supporting cast that includes Peyton Nelson (2021, College of Charleston),  and Ed Moman (2020, Uncommitted) Dropping two closely contested playoff games to Spartanburg and Mauldin was somewhat of a surprise for this group in 2018. Expect this team to learn from the past and come back stronger in 2019.

PBR Prediction: Region 1-5A Runner Up, Eliminated Upper State Finals, Record 18-8

6. Nation Ford (2018 Record 

The Falcons added a front line starter in Magdiel Cotto (2020, South Carolina) who transferred in from Pennsylvania over Christmas break. With Tyler Causey (2019, North Carolina) and Bradley Bott (2019, UNC Greensboro) returning it will give them a solid lineup that will be able to pitch, defend, and score runs. Expect the Falcons to contend for the region 3 championship and a #1 playoff seed. 

PBR Prediction: Region 3-5A Champion, Eliminated Upper State Finals, Record 20-7

7. Boiling Springs (2018 Record 14-10)

The Bulldogs only lose 5 SRs and return a stable of LHPs in Dawson Taylor (2019,South Carolina), Tristan Smith (2022, Uncommitted), and Ashton Smith (2022, Uncommitted) from a team that competed in a talented region as well as the 2018 IP Classic. Boiling Springs averaged an impressive 6.7 runs/game last year, with Aaron Thomas (2020, Wofford) back in the middle of this lineup they could duplicate last years offensive success. Add a years experience to the bulk of their roster and it could be a recipe for success in 2019.

PBR Prediction: Region 2 Runner Up, Eliminated District Finals, Record 18-12

8. Blythewood (2018 Record 15-12)

Banks Faulkner’s teams are always competitive. His 2018 campaign featured one of the toughest schedules in the state with trips to the IP Classic and Diamond Invitational in the same season. With very little roster turn over in 2019 the Bengals will have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. Having a frontline player like 2018 All-State selection Landon Lucas (2020, College of Charleston) doesn’t hurt either, add a two way player like John Lanier (2019, The Citadel), and a quality arm in Nate Hinson (2019, North Greenville)  and this roster shapes up very nicely. 

PBR Prediction: Region 4 Champions, Eliminated Lower State Finals, Record 20-10

9. Lexington (2018 Record 22-8)

Lexington reached the Lower State finals and if not for River Bluff, would have been competing for their own state title. It is tough to predict another 22 win season for the Wildcats with the loss of so many seniors, however Coach Hucks always seems to have his team competing at a high level in the playoffs. With David Cromer (2020, South Carolina) back and a strong group of younger players anything is possible in 2019.

PBR Prediction: Region 5 3rd Place, Eliminated District Finals, Record 17-11

10. Dorman (2018 Record 25-8)

2018 SCHSL 5A State Champion

The Cavaliers played their best baseball when it mattered the most, winning the 2018 SCHSL State Championship. They return Dylan Rogers (2019, Kentucky) but lose a strong senior class highlighted by All-State players Tanner McCallister and Jack Hennessy. There are some big shoes to fill for the Cavs but don’t count them out when May rolls around.

PBR Prediction: Region 2-5A 3rd place, Eliminated District Finals, Record 16-10

NEXT 5: Chapin, Wando, Fort Mill, Spartanburg, Sumter

Top Storylines:

+ How will solid 4A programs Lugoff-Elgin and Chapin fair after reclassifying into 5A?

+ With heavy losses in the 2018 SR classes how do 2018 top 10 schools such as Northwestern, Dorman, and Lexington bounce back?

PBR must see Players –

Ty Olenchuk, Dutch Fork (2020,Clemson)
Landon Lucas, Blythewood (2020,College of Charleston) 
Dylan Rogers, Dorman (2019,Kentucky) 
Dawson Taylor, Boiling Springs (2019, South Carolina) 
Tyler Causey, Nation Ford (2019, North Carolina) 
Caden Grice, Riverside (2020,Clemson)

PBR Top 5 Games:   

Chapin vs. Dutch Fork
Lexington vs. River Bluff
Riverside vs. Dorman
JL Mann vs. TL Hanna
West Ashley vs. Summerville