1. Latta (2018 Record 24-8)

2018 2A State Champions

It’s almost impossible not to have a team who has reached the state finals in 6 consecutive years at the top. Head Coach Don Cribb has this group rolling. 2018 All-State player Dylan Brewer (2019, Clemson) leads a host of talent back for the Vikings which includes Hunter Sawyer (2019,Uncommitted), Russ Rogers (2019,Uncommitted), and Deonte Stanley (2019, Uncommitted). If they can stay healthy,  expect Latta to make its 7^th consecutive appearance in the state finals.

PBR Prediction: 2019 Region 7 Champions, SCHSL 2A State Champions, 2019 Record 27-5

2. Blacksburg (2018 Record 14-8)

The Wildcats return some talented players who got some much needed experience in last years run to the upper state tournament. With the return of the 2018 2A POY Kirby Connell (2019,Tennessee) and his 0.26 ERA Blacksburg will have a trusted frontline arm to lead them through the regular season and into the playoffs. They also didn’t give up a run in last years’ district round and will not have to contend with Cheraw or Chesnee (moved up to 3A) in 2019.

 PBR Prediction: Region 1 Champions, Eliminated 2019 Upper State Finals, 2019 Record 20-8

 3. Fox Creek (2018 Record 12-11)

Don’t let their 2018 record fool you, this Fox Creek team will be a solid group. After playing 3A playoff team Strom Thurmond, 4A playoff team Aiken, and playing in the Red Bank Invitational championship game against eventual 4A state champion Chapin, this group is tested. Returning 2018 All-State Player Hunter Steger (2019,Florence Darlington Tech) will also help the cause. After losing two one run games in the 2018 playoffs, expect the Predators to be on the hunt when the playoffs roll around.

 PBR Prediction: Region 2 Champions, Eliminated Upper State Finals, 2019 Record 15-8

  4. Chesterfield (2018 Record 16-10)

The Rams are coming off a season in which they scored 114 runs and only allowed 84. With the addition of perennial top 10 from the 1A classification in Lewisville, it could muddy the waters in a competitive region 4. Chesterfield returns a pair of 2018 All-State players to help the cause in 2019. Landon Mills (2020,Uncommitted) brings back a 1.36 ERA and 61 Ks to lock down the top spot in the rotation and Cameron Harvey’s (2020,Uncommited) .414 batting average and 16 stolen bases will pace the offense. If these two get rolling they could lead this bunch to new heights next season.

 PBR Prediction: Region 4 Champions, Eliminated Upper/Lower State Finals (Hybrid Region), 18-8

 5. Johnsonville (2018 Record19-7)

The Flashes have one of the most interesting story lines to follow in SCHSL Baseball this season. Region 7 has added two of the top 10 teams from the 2018 1A classification in Hannah Pamplico and East Clarendon in addition to already having the defending state champions, Latta. Johnsonville scored an astounding 53 runs in the 2018 playoffs and will look to keep that trend going.

PBR Prediction: Region 7 Runner-Up, Eliminated Lower State Finals, 19-10

 6. Landrum (2018 Record 16-9)

The Cardinals only lose 4 SRs from a team that went to the district 2 final in 2018. This group returns to a tough region in which they managed to score 153 runs. With some power arms to contend with in Region 1, runs will be at a premium next season. If Landrum can match last years run total they will have a chance to make 2019 all about the Cardinals.

PBR Prediction: Region 1 Runner-Up, Eliminated District Finals, 19-7

 7. Barnwell (2018 Record 19-8)

The Warhorses went 11-2 at home and advanced to the Lower State finals bracket in 2018. They lose a solid group of seniors but return a good mix of players who gained some much needed experience in 2018. If their ability to play well at home can continue and they earn home field advantage in the playoffs, be on the lookout for this group in 2019. 

PBR Prediction: Region 5 Champions, Eliminated Lower State Finals, 17-10

8. Batesburg-Leesville (2018 Record 17-7)

The Panthers were in the driver’s seat in 2018 before dropping two games and being eliminated by Academic Magnet in District 7 last season. Expect this team to come out ready to avenge last seasons ending. Payton Dawkins (2019, Newberry) returns for his SR season and looks to lead a Batesburg-Leesville team into the playoffs in 2019.

PBR Prediction: Region 2 Runner Up, Eliminated District Finals, 16-9

9. Abbeville (2018 Record 16-9)

Abbeville averaged 7.72 runs/game in 2018 and pushed a very talented Cheraw team to a second game in the District 4 championship. If the Panthers can find a way to replace Bryce Jackson (2018, College of Charleston)  and Zach Overholt (2018, Erskine) they could replicate their 2018 success in 2019. Expect Tyler Overholt (2021, College of Charleston) and Matthew Ellis (2020, Winthrop) A talented Region 2 will test this group but if they get hot at the right time and manage to come away from the regular season with home field advantage they could make some noise. 

PBR Prediction: Region 2 3rd Place, Eliminated District Finals, 2019 Record 17-8

 10. Hannah Pamplico (2018 Record 18-11)

2018 1A State Runner-Up

The Raiders biggest challenge will be moving up into the 2A classification. HP lost last years 1A state title game to McBee in two games. After a potent offensive effort last season (185 runs and 111 stolen bases) the biggest question mark will be how they follow it up. Region 7 won’t be a walk in the park with the likes of Latta and Johnsonville, but the run to last years state title game should give this team the confidence it needs for postseason play.

PBR Prediction: Region 7 3^rd Place, Eliminated District Finals, 15-10

 

NEXT 5: Bamberg Erhardt, Calhoun County, Andrew Jackson, Gray Collegiate, Mullins

 

Top Storylines:

+ There will be some shuffling to the landscape of 1A & 2A Baseball next season…power houses Chesnee, Cheraw, and Academic Magnet are moving out (going up to 3A) but there won’t be any breaks on the other teams in 2A with the addition of 1A top 10 teams Hannah Pamplico, Lewsiville, and East Clarendon.

+ Can 2018 POY Kirby Connell (2019,Tennessee) repeat his performance from this past season?

 

 PBR Must See Players:

Kirby Connell, Blacksburg (2019, Tennesee)

Dylan Brewer, Latta (2019, Clemson)

Hunter Steger, Fox Creek (2019, Florence Darlington Tech)

Tyler Overholt, Abbeville (2021, College of Charleston)

Matthew Ellis (2020, Winthrop) 

Brett Percival, Andrew Jackson (2019, Clemson)

PBR Top 5 Games:

Fox Creek vs. Batesburg Leesville

Blacksburg vs. Landrum

Andrew Jackson vs. Chesterfield

Barnwwell vs. Woodland

Latta vs. Johnsonville