Last season, the Dillon Wildcats went undefeated in Region 8-2A and claimed the District VIII title before falling to Loris and Wade Hampton in the lower state playoffs.
This season, the Wildcats are back in the chase for a state baseball title with much of their core team returning. But Head Coach Gregg Dozier, in his 21st year with the Wildcats, is focusing on conference play first, and says his goal for the season is to “try to finish in the top four in the region.”
The Wildcats lost three seniors from last year’s team, including Weston Bailey, who helped lead the Wildcats with 39 hits, 26 RBI, and 21 stolen bases at bat and 53 outs in 39 innings on the mound.
But Dillon is returning some key players, including Patrick Herring, who had 30 hits with 25 RBI and 13 stolen bases, and Duncan Callahan, who had 24 hits with 20 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Callahan has verbally committed to USC, while Herring signed with the Florence-Darlington Stingers.
The returning roster also includes Omar McCollum, who had 19 hits last season; Joseph Scott, with 16 hits; Austin Moody with 19 RBI; and Kaleb Page, who had 11 stolen bases.
Dozier says he will be looking to fill key spots at short stop, center field, and first base this season. He says the Wildcats have an experienced middle infield but may be weaker in the out field. Rising players, including Cody Johnson, should help fill some of the gaps.
Most of the coaching staff will be returning as well, with the addition of Keith Coward to replace departing coach Johnny B. Dew IV.
Dozier says the Wildcats will add East Clarendon to the schedule this season, and will be looking at tough region competition. Last season, the Wildcats went 18-4 and were undefeated in the region. But Aynor, Waccamaw, and Loris all advanced the district championships, where Loris shut out Waccamaw.
Dillon defeated Aynor in the second round of the district playoffs, but fell to them in the championship to force a third game, where the Wildcats earned an 11-6 win for the title. Loris then downed Dillon in the first round of the lower state bracket, and the Lions went on to claim the lower state title. The Wildcats will face Loris again as Dillon opens region play at home on Tuesday, March 17.
Dillon will open regular season action next Monday, March 9, at South Florence at 6:30 p.m.
