(Photo by Batesburg-Leesville) – Kate Shealy and Ainsley Minchew
By Thomas Grant Jr.
If Batesburg-Leesville are to make a run at the Class 2A title, it will rely upon the historic play of pitchers Kate Shealy and Ainsley Minchew and Kate Shealy.
In addition to helping reverse the program’s fortunes from a year ago from four to 13 wins, the sophomore duo has established new high standards. With 11 home runs and over 50 for her career, Shealy is among the state leaders and the Lady Panthers’ single-season record-holder.
“I’m really proud of Kate’s growth both on and off the field as a leader,” Lady Panthers’ head coach Amber Hartley said. “She’s had a record-breaking year offensively and has been instrumental in driving our team’s success.”
In the case of Minchew, the Gilbert transfer’s impact has been “undeniable” for the Lady Panthers, according to Hartley. She’s accounted for 13 victories on the mound and has immediately meshed well with her new teammates.
“She’s been a genuine game changer,” Hartley said. “But her success is also a reflection of the outstanding teammates around her who’ve supported her every step of the way. The combination of her talent, their backing, and everyone’s hard work has truly been the key to our success this season.
On April 30, Minchew etched her name into the S.C. High School League record books.
With just 96 pitches, 74 for strikes, Minchew fanned 20 of the 23 Lady Trojans faced in seven innings. She had five innings in which she recorded three strikeouts.
Only the 21 batters fanned by Andrew Jackson’s Alison McAteer in 2002 and West Florence’s Somer Bigham in 2003 rank higher than Minchew.
“Ainsley is a true competitor who’s been averaging double-digit strikeouts per game all season,” Hartley said. “I’ve watched her put in the work day in and day out, and it’s clear that every accomplishment she earns is the result of her dedication and drive. I’m incredibly proud of her for reaching this milestone—she’s absolutely deserving of this recognition.”
For the season, she has 182 strikeouts, only 14 earned runs allowed and an ERA of 1.14.
The Lady Panthers open Wednesday at Chester in the Upper State District 1 playoffs. They are paired with North Central and Chesnee with the winning and losing teams facing each other Friday.
In Upper State District 3, Mid-Carolina plays host to Liberty in the first round. The two teams are paired with Fairfield Central and Ninety-Six in the winner’s and elimination bracket.
Rivalry rematch
For the third time this season, Lexington and River Bluff will meet in a high stakes game.
River Bluf against Lexington
The Lower State District 4 second-round matchup was moved to Tuesday. The Lady Wildcats had a first-round bye, while the Lady Gators rallied for a 7-6 win over Stratford.
Trailing 6-3 in the Bottom 6th, River Bluff got an RBI triple by Alexis Jodie who then scored off an error. With two outs in the Bottom 7th and runners on first and second, Annslee Crumpton belted a walk off 2-run triple to win the game.
Lexington has won the last 10 meetings in the series dating back to 2018. The last meeting saw the Lady Wildcats rally from five runs down to defeat the Lady Gators 16-15 in eight innings and win the Region 4-5A title.
White Knoll also had a walk off victory over Socastee to open the Lower State District Four playoffs. After taking an early lead on a 2-run homer by Lillian Priest, the Lady Timberwolves gave up five runs in the Top 2nd inning.
Down 7-6 in the Bottom 7th, White Knoll tied the game after Dakota Jenkins scored off an error. Melanie Veler than singled home Gracie Fisher for the 8-7 victory.
The Lady Timberwolves next traveled to Berkeley on Wednesday.
BASEBALL
Both River Bluff and Gilbert won their respective first-round games in different fashion.
The Gators rolled past Wando 13-3 in five innings in Game One of the Best-of-Three Class 5A Lower State District 4 series.
Dominick Norton had three hits and Mason Iser went 2-4 with 3 RBI. River Bluff was also boosted by five players (Walker Godwin, Mac Raines, Ashley Powell, Andrew Rye and Nate Turner) each drove in two runs.
Game Two was scheduled for Tuesday with Game Three, if necessary, returning to The Swamp. The winner travels to Carolina Forest on Saturday.
Co-Region 4-5A champion and third seed Lexington will await the series winner between Sumter and West Ashley.
In Class 4A, Gilbert needed a late rally against Hilton Head Island to force extra innings and pull out a 7-6 win.
Down 6-1, the Indians got a 2-run double by Connor Price and 3-run double by Trace Crumpton to tie the game.
In the Bottom 8th, Landon Sox reached with a double and scored the game-winning run.
Up next for the Indians was a Tuesday matchup at Hartsville in a winner’s bracket matchup.
In Class 5A Division II, White Knoll dropped its Game One matchup to Lugoff-Elgin 4-1 on Monday. Game Two was scheduled to take place in Red Bank on Tuesday.
Defending Class 2A champion Batesburg-Leesville opened play at home against Fairfield Central. The winner would face either Mid-Carolina or Brashier MC Thursday in the winner’s bracket.
Saluda was a top seed in the Upper State and faced Buford on Tuesday in District 4. The winner would face either Pelion or Landrum Thursday.
In Class 3A, Newberry played host to Georgetown in the Lower State. The winner faces either top-seed Oceanside Collegiate Academy or Loris on Thursday.
