High school baseball is back in full swing in Lexington County and many teams are eyeing development this season. 

Five teams in the area are entering spring 2024 landing in the top 10 coaches poll in their respective classifications. Reigning 5A champion River Bluff returns ranked No. 1 in the 5A poll, with 2023 region champs, Lexington, behind at No. 9. 

Three other area teams stand alone in their classifications. Airport stands at No. 9 in 4A, Gilbert at No. 5 in 3A and Gray Collegiate at No. 2 in 2A. 

The Gators have their sights set on a second consecutive championship after capturing the title last season. They will be led by reigning state baseball Coach of the Year, Mark Bonnette, who will return for his 11th year. 

The Gators bring back a strong core of pitchers headlined by University of South Carolina commit Beau Hollins. Hollins, also an infielder, hit .445 and led the state with 18 home runs and RBIs last season. 

He was a perfect 4-0 on the mound before an elbow issue shut him down. 

Hollins plays with five other players committed to play at the collegiate level. He is joined by Garrett Sanders, Alex Robbins and Jack Rivers in the bullpen. Shortstop Myles Proffitt and catcher Colby Reynolds look to back up the Gator’s pitching on the offensive campaign. 

River Bluff finished with a 28-7 record last year and 9-3 in 5A Region 4, dominating through the playoffs. The team dropped just one game to Summerville in their championship run before sweeping Blythewood in the title series. 

The Lexington Wildcats finished as region champs, edging River Bluff, but were unable to make a successful run in the state playoffs losing in the Upper State Final to Boiling Springs. 

Lexington falls four spots in the coaches poll, retaining just a little over half of its roster from last season. The pair of Florence-Darlington Tech commits, third baseman Ryder Kellis and catcher/outfielder Jackson Cionek will lead the offensive campaign for the Wildcats. Will Burgess, a College of Charleston commit, will headline the bullpen. 

Staying in the same region, Chapin is another team hoping to turn around a mediocre season last year. The Eagles finished 15-14 behind both Lexington and River Bluff. 

Despite barely finishing over .500, the team has a few players to keep an eye on. Stetson commit Foster Apple showcased his versatility by hitting .367 with 12 extra-base hits, including two home runs and 17 RBIs, and pitching 21 innings with a 3.05 ERA. 

He will be accompanied by junior Troy commit Caden Reeves who launched five home runs and batted in 20 runs during his sophomore season. In the bullpen, the Eagles will rely on Francis Marion commit Jake Peterson who logged a 2.66 ERA last season. 

Airport is the only area team to sneak into the 4A coaches poll this preseason. Last year, the Eagles finished second in their region behind North Augusta going 11-6 overall and 5-2 in 4A Region 4. 

The Eagles were unable to make a playoff run in 2023 after being disqualified for postseason play after a player was found ineligible by the SCHSL. 

In 3A, Gilbert returns a very strong core of players this spring after finishing 20-8 last season. The Indians will rely on senior leadership in the bullpen from Limestone commit Scott Hardy accompanied by support from junior Matthew Bishop. 

Offensively, the team will be led by seniors Matt Edwards and Tanner Smith, junior Sam Woodyard and newcomer Peyton Comer. 

The Indians hope their returners can lead them further into the playoffs after losing to Beaufort in the Class 3A Lower District 6 Championship. 

Within the same classification, Brookland-Cayce finds themselves outside of the poll despite finishing first and undefeated in 2A Region 5 last season. 

The Bearcats find themselves lacking leadership experience, losing 10 seniors and the 2023 3A Region 5 Player of the Year, BJ Elridge, who transferred to River Bluff. 

Gray Collegiate will have one last run at the 2A championship before the program jumps to 4A starting next season. The War Eagles came close last season losing in the championship to Oceanside Collegiate. 

Gray finds itself in the same position in the preseason coaches poll, ranked no. 2 behind Oceanside. 

Senior Drew Webber leads the offensive campaign after leading in batting and on-base percentage, hitting .545 with a .737 OBP. 

Not far behind is senior Blaine Redmond who hit .410 leading the team in stolen bases, runs, hits, RBIs and slugging. He additionally added support in the bullpen finishing with a 1.45 ERA. 

The only player to top Redmond in ERA is junior Zeb Taylor with a 1.40. 

Most of the area teams are striving for development from last season, with a few in reach of a championship run. Tournament and out-of-region play has begun for many teams ahead of the start of regional play in April.