Midlands Top 10: The best high school baseball teams in the area for 2022 are ...
The high school baseball season across South Carolina is under way. To help you keep up with the season, The State is releasing its inaugural Midlands Top 10 power rankings for the season. Records are as of March 27.
1. Blythewood (11-1) — The top-ranked team in the S.C. Baseball Coaches Poll started off the season by winning the IP Classic and hasn’t slowed down since. The Bengals have played a tough non-region schedule and have a loaded roster with seven college signees on it.
2. Lexington (6-3-1) — The Wildcats are coming off a big Region 5-5A series win against River Bluff and have the makings to be contenders in Class 5A with a roster that includes USC commit Reese Marcum and Clemson signee Nathan Hall.
3. A.C. Flora (7-2) — The defending Class 4A champions are the favorites to do it again. The Falcons’ roster includes two South Carolina commits Zander Buchan and Grant Loggins along with college signees Phillips Daniels, Davis Rivers and Jake Sears.
4. River Bluff (7-3) — The Gators’ only losses have come against Lexington, including one in the NaturChem championship. River Bluff has two USC commits in Beau Hollins and Thomas Powell, Liberty signee Todd Hudson and will be a contender in 5A.
5. Brookland-Cayce (5-3) — The Bearcats lost Arkansas commit Hayden Thomas (Tommy John surgery) but are the No. 2 ranked team in Class 3A in South Carolina and are off 3-0 start in Region 5-3A. The Bearcats have a strong group of returnees with Skylar King, Parker Mergo and BJ Etheridge.
6. Gray Collegiate (12-0) — The War Eagles are unbeaten and running away with Region 3-2A so far. They are primed to make a deep run in the postseason.
7. Airport (7-4) — New coach Casey Bradwell has taken over for Tim Perry and the Eagles got a win over A.C. Flora and 3-1 in region play.
8. Gilbert (7-3) — The defending 3A champions will be a factor in the title picture again. The Indians have a big region series with Brookland-Cayce this week.
9. Dutch Fork (5-4) — The Silver Foxes lost a big portion of last year’s squad but are off to 2-1 start in Region 5-5A play.
10. Hammond (10-0) — The defending SCISA 3A champions have future MLB Draft choice Tucker Toman and cruised early in the season. The Skyhawks are on spring break this week and the schedule gets tougher coming up with a series against Cardinal Newman and playing in Forest Acres Classic.
Others to consider: Chapin, Cardinal Newman, Newberry
Matchups to watch this week
Brookland-Cayce vs. Gilbert: Two of the top teams in Region 5-3A will play Tuesday at B-C and Thursday at Gilbert.
Chapin vs. Dutch Fork: Region-opening series for Chapin with Monday and Friday games at Chapin, and Wednesday game at Dutch Fork.
Lexington vs. White Knoll: Wildcats face another county foe in a three-game series with home games on Monday and Friday.
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 5:14 PM.
