The Chronicle has unveiled its 2023 All-County baseball team. It was another exceptional year of baseball in Lexington County as one local team (River Bluff) won a 5A state championship while another (Gray Collegiate) made it all the way to the 2A championship series. Five local teams made it to the Upper and Lower State brackets.

The 15 players on the All-County teams were nominated by their head coaches. 5A state champion River Bluff leads the way with five All-County selections. Gray Collegiate and Brookland-Cayce both had three and Lexington High School had four players on the list.

Honorable mention: Matt Edwards (Gilbert), Sam Woodyard (Gilbert), Zeb Taylor (Gray Collegiate), Garrett Blankenship (Gray Collegiate), Kendrick Wright (Gray Collegiate), BJ Etheridge (Brookland-Cayce), Tanner Staton (Brookland-Cayce), Colby Reynolds (River Bluff), Landon Knight (Lexington), Patrick Evans (Lexington), Brandon Cromer (Lexington), Reece Marcum (Lexington), Cam Sutton (Lexington), Jaiden Myers (Pelion), Noah Pegues (Pelion)

Brent Stukes - Gray Collegiate

Brent Stukes was a key member of the Gray Collegiate team and helped them make a deep run all the way to the 2A state championship series.

He contributed with his bat, hitting .319 and recording eight extra base hits to go along with 25 RBI and 12 stolen bases. On the mound, Stukes posted an earned run average of 2.13 and struck out 70 batters. He’ll continue his baseball career at North Greeneville next season.

Blaine Redmond - Gray Collegiate

Opposing teams struggled to keep Blaine Redmond off the basepaths this season. He hit a whopping .477 batting average and drew an additional 30 walks. He also knocked in 23 runs and recorded one home run.

Once he got on base, he usually made teams pay for it by stealing 30 bases on the season. Redmond was also spectacular on the mound with an earned run average of 1.78 with 48 strikeouts.

Austin Lloyd - Gray Collegiate

Like Redmond and Stukes, Austin Lloyd impacted Gray Collegiate at the plate and on the mound. He hit three home runs on the season and drove in 21 runs. His .388 batting average and 14 walks made him a regular on base.

When he pitched, he was effective. He struck out 27 batters this season and surrendered only 29 hits.

Ty Marshall - Brookland-Cayce

The Brookland-Cayce catcher hit .345 and posted an on-base percentage of .486 en route to an All-Region, All-State and All-County season. Marshall also launched a home run and drove in 28 runs.

Marshall’s big season helped lead Brookland-Cayce to the 3A Lower State championship series. Next season, Marshall will suit up to play ball at Clemson.

Hayden Thomas - Brookland-Cayce

Hayden Thomas will add All-County honors to his All-Region and All-State honors in 2023. He hit an impressive .348 with nine home runs and 34 RBI.

As a pitcher, Thomas was lights out. His earned run average was a low 1.29 and he only gave up nine runs in the 48 innings he pitched. His most impressive pitching stat might be his strikeout total of 86 while only walking 19 hitters. Next season, Thomas will continue his playing career at College of Charleston.

Parker Mergo - Brookland-Cayce

Parker Mergo is the third Bearcat to earn All-County honors after a solid 2023 season. Mergo posted a batting average of .341 and an on-base percentage of .486.

He also drove in 20 runs and drew 22 walks. Mergo was also named to the All-Region team and will play college baseball next season at Newberry College.

Beau Hollins - River Bluff

River Bluff’s Beau Hollins proved to be one of the most feared power hitters in South Carolina last season. His 18 home runs were only four shy of Preston Wilson’s state record. He also drove in 47 runs on the season. He also hit for consistent contact and got on base frequently with his .454 batting average.

Hollins has racked up awards as well, earning All-Region and All-State honors as well as being named the Diamond Prospect Player of the Year. His spectacular season was one of the big reasons River Bluff won their first ever baseball state championship.

Thomas Powell - River Bluff

Thomas Powell’s heroics at the plate and on the mound were vital to River Bluff’s 5A state championship. He hit an impressive .346 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI. Two of those home runs came in the crucial Lower State final against Summerville.

Powell stepped up on the pitchers mound admirably, going 7-1 as a pitcher. In that same Lower State final against Summerville, Powell got the start and slowed down a hot hitting Summerville team to punch the Gators’ ticket to the 5A state championship. Next year, Powell will play for the South Carolina Gamecocks at the collegiate level.

Walker Mitchell - River Bluff

Walker Mitchell was one of the most impactful infielders in the state this season with his glove. With the bat, he hit .394 with two home runs while also batting in 31 runs.

Mitchell was named to both All-Region and All-State teams. Next season, Mitchell will start his college baseball career at Coastal Carolina.

Andrew Vaughan - River Bluff

The River Bluff Gators closer joins his teammates on the All-County team after recording five saves and an earned run average of 1.28. Vaughan was also the winning pitcher in River Bluff’s state championship win over Blythewood.

Vaughan was named to the All-Region team for his efforts on the mound and will continue his baseball career at North Florida.

Matthew Garris - River Bluff

The final Gator on this list, Matthew Garris, was one of the team’s most reliable pitchers. He recorded seven wins and an exceptional earned run average of 1.33.

Garris will add this All-County selection to his postseason honors list alongside his All-Region selection. Next season, he will play college baseball at Columbia International University.

Tyler Floyd - Lexington

Tyler Floyd lands on the All-County list after a great 2023 campaign in every aspect. He hit for a good average (.468) he hit for power (nine home runs) and displayed speed on the basepaths (31 stolen bases).

Floyd also pitched well for the Wildcats, collecting four saves and posting an earned run average of 1.83.

Gabe Herold - Lexington

Herold makes the All-County team after his key contributions that lead to Lexington’s trip to the 5A Upper State bracket.

Herold hit .349 with four home runs while also stealing 21 bases. He also hit five doubles and scored 32 runs.

Jackson Burton - Lexington

Jackson Burton earns All-County honors for his pitching performance for Lexington. Burton was credited for seven pitching wins this season and gave up only eight earned runs.

Burton struck out 50 batters on the season and posted an impressive earned run average of 1.13 in his 50 innings of work.

Brayden Jeffcoat - Lexington

The final Lexington Wildcat to make the list is Brayden Jeffcoat. Jeffcoat put up some impressive hitting numbers this season including six home runs, a .325 batting average and 27 RBI in his 83 plate appearances.