SC softball playoffs Midlands team breakdown: local favorites and toughest draws

The softball playoffs for both the South Carolina High School League and the S.C. Independent Schools Association begin this week.

The schedule is back to normal after having an abbreviated playoff last season due to COVID restrictions. In 2020, the spring sports championships were wiped out totally.

The SCHSL will begin playing on Wednesday. The championship series is expected to be May 23-27. SCISA teams will begin the playoffs May 13, with the championship series set to begin May 16.

Here is a look at a couple of key storylines heading into the playoffs.

Midlands favorites

▪ Lexington has been the most consistent team all season. The Wildcats lost twice in the regular season — once to Class 4A power North Augusta and in the regular season finale to Chapin. Lexington (20-2) won it all in 2019 and have four players in 2022 — three of them starters — who were members of that championship team.

The Wildcats do own convincing wins over playoff teams North Augusta (split two games), Chapin (split), White Knoll, Blythewood, Spring Valley, Lugoff-Elgin and Pelion.

The Wildcats open with Sumter and have Cane Bay and Fort Dorchester in District 5.

▪ Chapin (17-6) might be the hottest team in the area. The Eagles have won eight in a row to close the season. That included wins over White Knoll and Lexington to secure the No. 2 seed from Region 5-5A. Chapin opens with Carolina Forest in District 7. No. 1 seeded Berkeley and No. 4 seeded West Ashley round out the group.

▪ Defending Class 4A champion Lugoff-Elgin (18-8) got hot at the right time last year and hopes that repeats this season. They open the playoffs against Indian Land at home. Travelers Rest will be at Greenwood in the other District 1 contest.

▪ In Class 3A, not much separates Gilbert and Swansea. The Indians won the region, but the teams split during the regular season. Gilbert (18-3) will host Georgetown on Wednesday in District 5. Camden will host the No. 3 team from Region 8-3A.

▪ Swansea (15-2-1) has a home date with Dillon in District 8. The winner from Region 8-3A will be the No. 1 seed and host Manning in the first round.

▪ Gray Collegiate (17-4) will head into the Class 2A playoffs as one of the favorites. The only losses have come against Dorman, Legion Collegiate, Chapin and Summerville. They have two teams with a losing record in District 2. They will have Central on Wednesday. Landrum will host the No. 3 team from Region 1-2A in the other game.

Toughest road for local teams

▪ Blythewood (15-5) won Region 4-5A and will be at home as long as they keep winning. But a potential second round matchup with Dorman (17-5) could be down the road. The Bengals will have Nation Ford in the opening game of District 4 with the Cavaliers playing host to T.L. Hanna.

▪ Spring Valley (12-11) opens at home with Gaffney with a potential second matchup with powerful Byrnes. The Rebels face J.L Mann on Wednesday. Ridge View (10-7) earned the No. 4 seed from Region 4-5A and must face Fort Mill on the road Wednesday.

▪ In Class 4A, both Westwood (12-8) and A.C. Flora (11-15) open on the road. The Redhawks face Catawba Ridge, with Laurens at Westside on the other side of District 3. The Falcons head to Lancaster in District 2 with Greenville at Easley on the other side of that district.

▪ Irmo (12-4-1) is in the state playoffs for the first time in eight years. The Yellow Jackets finished second to Lugoff-Elgin in Region 4-4A and will play host to York in the first round. Greer will host Pickens in the other game from District 4.

▪ The SCISA brackets will be announced at a later date. The regular season does not conclude until next week, with double-elimination format being held at Sumter. The winners of each bracket meet in the state championship series beginning May 16.

This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 8:08 PM.