Hopes are high for Dillon, Lake View, and Latta as the 2013 baseball season gets underway this week.
The Dillon Wildcats were ranked second in the state in preseason polls from the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association. The Wildcats advanced to the lower state bracket before being eliminated, finishing the season with a 17-4 record.
The Wildcats had two MLB draft picks from last years team: Jamie Callahan, who signed with the Boston Red Sox, and Kwinton Smith, who declined an offer from the Texas Rangers to play football for USC.
But the Wildcats are returning much of the team, including Kyle Britt, Weston Bailey, Tripp Wallace, Patrick Herring, and Callahan’s younger brother, Duncan. Coach Gregg Dozier is also back for his 19th year at the helm. His record heading into the season is 304-141.
After a bit of preseason tournament action, the Wildcats are scheduled to begin the regular season on Wednesday, March 6, when they will host Darlington at 6:30 p.m.
In Class A, Lake View was ranked third in the SCBCA preseason polls behind St. Joseph and Lamar. The Wild Gators advanced to the lower state bracket last season before being eliminated, with St. Joseph claiming the state title and Lamar finishing as runner-up.
The Wild Gators finished 2012 with an 18-8 record, and will be returning much of the team for 2013. Chris Ford, Eric Munoz, and Darius Leonard are all returning, and pitchers Hunter Walters and Nate Lewis will be back as well. Last season Lewis had a 6-2 record with a 1.58 ERA. The Wild Gators will also be adding Carson Rogers and Weston Rogers to the pitching roster.
Kip Herlong remains at the helm for his 20th year. His record with the Wild Gators is now 385-92.
The Gators were scheduled to open the regular season against Mullins on Monday night and will host Dillon Christian on Friday, March 8, at 6:00 p.m.
The Latta Vikings will also be returning eight starters from 2012, including Donell Stanley, Travis Power, John Kever Love, and Josh Bowen. Stanley had four home runs and 30 RBI in 2012, and Power went 5-2 on the mound with a 2.20 ERA and 64 outs. Love also earned 30 RBI and had a 2.06 ERA on the mound, and Bowen stole 24 bases for the Vikings.
The Vikings finished the 2012 season with a 19-7 record and were ranked seventh in the 2013 preseason polls. Coach Daniel Little said Latta will be looking to build upon the strong starting roster. Little is in his fifth year with the Vikings and has a 57-37 record.
Latta will opened the regular season at Mullins on Tuesday and will host Lamar at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
In SCISA, the Dillon Christian School Warriors will be looking to improve on a rough 2012 season. The Warriors were scheduled to face Fairmont last Thursday and will be on the road tonight to take on Williamsburg Academy.
