Prep baseball preview capsules

Here's a capsule look ahead at Pee Dee high school baseball teams:

CHERAW
Braves
Coach: David Byrd (222-77, 12 years)
Last year’s overall record: 16-8
Last year’s region record: 7-3 Region 8-2A
Key players lost: SS Gray Stafford (.455 avg., 7 HR, 29 RBI); 3B Ben Hutson (.333 avg., 3 HR, 17 RBI)
Key players returning: SS/2B Johnathan Stokes (.481 avg., 10 2Bs, 7 HR, 28 RBI); DH/1B Kameron Chapman (.455 avg.); OF Aaron Miller (.418 avg., 4 HR, 38 RBI); OF/1B Jonathan White (.360 avg., 3 HR, 15 RBI); C/OF Brandon Tweed (.342 avg., 2 HR, 11 RBI); P/OF Garrett Forman (5-1, 3.84 ERA, .319 avg., 7 2Bs, 6 SB); P/2B/3B Robbie Slack (.341 avg., 11 RBI); P/1B Ben Tillman (7-3, 3.95 ERA, .390 avg., 6 2Bs, 14 RBI
Impact newcomers: Sr. OF Chad Wilkes; Jr. 2B Taylor Lung; So. P Dylan Barnhill; Jr. C/1B Brad Baxley; So. P Mykal Cue
Coach’s outlook: The 2010 season is one of optimism. We have a lot of returning players with a couple years experience at the varsity level. I think if we can continue to improve with our pitching and get quality starts, then we have a chance to compete for a region championship and make a run into the playoffs.

CHESTERFIELD
Rams
Coach: Chris Lloyd (1st year)
Last year’s overall record: 22-9
Last year’s region record: 10-2 Region 3-A
Key players lost: Terrance Burch; Dakota Croxton; Timmy Pratt; Ty Weatherford
Key players returning: Jr. P/1B Kelley Butler (11-3, 1.75 ERA, 114 K, 84 IP); Jr. P/1B/3B Seth Truesdale (7-3, 2.65 ERA, .375 avg., 12 HR, 45 RBI); Sr. CF Paul Robson (.385 avg., 11 2Bs, 38 RBI)
Impact newcomers: Fr. P/IF/OF Taylor King; Jr. OF Travis Williams
Coach’s outlook: If our young players can continue to develop as the season progresses, we have a chance to be very competitive in our region.

FLORENCE CHRISTIAN
Eagles
Coach: Scotty Keefe (136-65, 15 years)
Last year’s overall record: 9-7
Last year’s region record: 3-5 SCISA Region 3-2A
Key players lost: P/3B Matthew Prosser; P/1B Robert Lahwon; RF David Waring; CF Ethan McDonald
Key players returning: Sr. SS Michael Wilson (.391 avg.); Sr. C Teddy Allred; Sr. CF Justin Wisnoski; Jr. 1B Caleb Roth
Coach’s outlook: We only return four starters from last year’s squad. Due to a couple of key injuries, we will be asking a lot of our younger players to step up and contribute right away. Our defense and offense will be anchored by Michael Wilson.

HANNAH-PAMPLICO
Raiders
Coach: Adam Brown (15-7, 1 year)
Last year’s overall record: 15-7
Last year’s region record: 8-2 Region 7-A
Key players lost: CF/1B Patrick Ward (.474 avg.); 2B Josh Akerman (.372 avg.)
Key players returning: P/2B/3B Spencer Allen (4-2, .364 avg.); P/1B Pierce Turner (4-1, 2.79 ERA, .471 avg.); P/3B Windell Tisgett (.300 avg.); C Griffin Sullivan (.333 avg.)
Coach’s outlook: Pitching, defense and experience should allow us to be very competitive this season.

HARTSVILLE
Red Foxes
Coach: Toney Gainey (17-10, 1 year)
Last year’s overall record: 17-10
Last year’s region record: 7-1 in Region 6-4A
Key players lost: P/3B Hunter Privette (6-2, .333 avg.); P/OF Jent Jones (.302 avg.)
Key players returning: Sr. P/OF Brandon Beans (.404 avg., 29 SB); Sr. 1B Will Lucas (.352 avg.); Sr. SS Adam Peterson; Sr. C Seth Lowe
Impact newcomers: Sr. David Leeth; Jr. Cody Mincey
Coach’s outlook: We have the fortunate situation here of returning six starters from last year’s team that finished as co-region champions. Our defense should be solid and we are counting on the defense to carry us in the close games. If we get some timely hits and some solid pitching, we should enjoy a successful season.

LAKE CITY
Panthers
Coach: Matt Apicella (1st year)
Last year’s overall record: 17-7
Last year’s region record: 4-6 Region 7-3A
Key players lost: IF/P Reggie Weatherford (.506 avg., 34 RBI, 7 HR); Shane Miles (.479 avg., 26 RBI, 4 HR)
Key players returning: Jr. INF/P Shon Carson (.421 avg., 22 RBI, 9 HR, 21 SB); So. INF/P Justin Owens (.351 avg., 18 RBI, 5 HR); Jr. OF Antwon Wallace (.385 avg., 11 RBI, 3 HR); Sr. OF Sheldon Robinson (.364 avg.)
Coach’s outlook: In this region, we will need to grow up quickly at the plate to compete. The region is stacked and we cannot afford the inconsistency that plagued us last season.

LATTA
Vikings
Coach: Daniel Little (6-12, 1 year)
Last year’s overall record: 6-12
Last year’s region record: 5-7 Region 8-A
Key players lost: SS/P Philip Bethea (.315 avg.); 1B Matt Ivey (.286 avg.)
Key players returning: Sr. P/1B/3B Nick Grimsley (2-3, .456 avg.); Fr. CF Chandler Morrell (.318 avg.); Jr. P/3B Guyton Hicks (4.61 ERA)
Impact newcomers: Eighth-grade 1B Donell Stanley; Eighth-grade OF/P River Owens
Coach’s outlook: With seven returning starters and a lot of hard work getting bigger, stronger and faster in the off-season, we are looking to have a much improved season.

MANNING
Monarchs
Coach: Keith Stewart (1st year)
Last year’s overall record: 7-11
Last year’s region record: 3-5 Region 7-2A
Key players lost: RF Shledon Billups
Key players returning: Sr. SS/CF Michael Keels .358 avg.); Sr. P/CF Cody Witherspoon (.278 avg.); Sr. C/RF Blair Moore (.325 avg.); Fr. P/2B Jamal Keels (.289 avg.)
Impact newcomers: Jr. UTL Mils Adams; Fr. C Justin McArthur
Coach’s outlook: I have been an assistant coach at MHS the past two seasons and I can say this is the first year I’ve been here in which we had plenty of depth on our team. We have a strong batting order one through nine which will be highlighted this year by Michael Keels. We also have a lot of team speed and play solid, all-around defense. Our one weak spot will be the pitching rotation, but I believe the guys I put out there will compete and do their best to give us our chances to win ball games. Overall, I am very excited to get this season going and look forward to what we believe will be a successful year.

THE KING’S ACADEMY
Lions
Coaches: Gary Long and Barry Dean
Region: SCISA Region 4-2A
Key players lost: C Ryan Hewitt
Key players returning: Jr. INF/P Aaron Dean; Jr. INF/P Nick Long; Sr. C/P Christian Watts; So. 1B/P Hampton Langston
Coach’s outlook: We have a young, but talented team. Hopefully, this is a good indicator of things to come at TKA with its baseball program.

WILSON
Tigers
Coach: Rodney Barr (60-42, 5 years)
Last year’s overall record: 10-9
Last year’s region record: 5-5 Region 6-3A
Key players returning: Jr. P Chipper Smith; Sr. Daniel Coleman (.345 avg.); Sr. Jeremiah Gandy; Jr. Telvin McCants; Sr. Maxie Dunham
Impact newcomers: Sr. OF Paul Mason; Sr. 1B Broddrick Jones; So. P John Hall
Coach’s outlook: Last year was a rough year for us, so we are really focusing on trying to get better each day as a group. I think if we continue to put the work in, then everything else will take care of itself.