B-L track, Airport baseball standouts voted spring sports athletes of week
The votes are in, and Batesburg-Leesville’s Keira Frye and Airport’s Rylan Bullis won the vote for The State’s Midlands High School boys and girls Athletes of the Week.
Thanks for all who voted. There will be a new poll up on Tuesday. Coaches can send nominees to Lou Bezjak at lbezjak@thestate.com by noon on Tuesdays.
Congrats to all the nominees.
Girls Player of Week Nominees
Ashleigh Fonden, American Leadership softball: Fonden went 6-for-11 with 3 RBIs in three games at the Grand Strand Softball Classic.
Blythewood 4x400 relay team: The relay team of Olivia Taylor, Alexandra Francique, Hayley Hightower, and Peyton Hightower ran the fastest team by SC team at the Wavelight All-American Classic in helping the Bengals to the championship. It was first SC school to win the event since 2019.
Keira Frye, Batesburg-Leesville track & field: Junior was named MVP thrower for Wavelight All-American Classic after winning the discus with a school record throw of 145-2 and a second-place finish in the shot put.
Miller Martin, Saluda softball: Martin went 2-0 in three games including an 18-strikeout performance against Mid-Carolina. She struck out 31 in 18.1 innings pitched.
Mackenzie Melton, North Central softball: Junior went 2-0 including a perfect game in the 5-0 win over Camden. She struck out 28 in 14 innings. At the plate, Melton was 4-for-7 with a double and two stolen bases.
Boys Player of Week Nominees
Colt Babic, Hammond baseball: Junior went 7-for-12 with a home run, 7 RBI, 3 doubles and 6 stolen bases in four games.
Johnny Collins, Blythewood baseball: Senior was MVP as the Bengals won their bracket at the H.I.T. Tournament last week. The College of Charleston signee was 5-for-15 with a HR in title game, 3 RBI and struck out 7 in four innings on the mound.
Rylan Bullis, Airport baseball: Junior went 6-for-8 with a home run, double, 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored and a stolen base at the Forest Acres Classic.
Cross George, Lexington baseball: Junior outfielder was 6-for-12 with a home run and 8 RBIs in the Wildcats’ three games at Forest Acres Classic. George hit a walk-off HR against Airport.
Jacob Powell, Blythewood track & field: Powell won the 3,200 at the Wavelight All-American Track Classic at Spring Valley HS.
Cooper Price, Gilbert baseball: Senior center fielder went 6-for-9 with 5 runs scored, a double and an RBI at the Indians Spring Break tournament.
Charlie Scott, AC Flora baseball: The senior hit .500 at Forest Acres Classic with 3 doubles, 4 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.
Tanner Shell, Mid-Carolina baseball: Shell went 4-for-5 with 4 runs scored and a stolen base.
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 4:33 PM.
