Softball started this month for high schools across Lexington County, and many area programs see 2024 as a year of opportunity.

A few Chronicle teams made a strong playoff push in 2024, but none made it past a state semifinal game. Coaches see this season as a year to get better and move towards making a deeper run.

“We are really excited about the 2024 season,” Gilbert head coach Sarah Minchew said. “We have an awesome group of hardworking players and supportive parents, who are all dedicated to the team, each other, the program and the community. Our goals are to compete and get better every day we step on the field.”

Gilbert had an impressive 2023, going 15-9 overall, including a 10-0 record to finish first in their region. The Indians were upset in the playoffs though, losing twice to Loris in the district playoffs.

The roster includes three key pieces that will help guide the team. Senior Ayden Leaphart will command the left side of the infield, playing shortstop and third base. The Southern Wesleyan signee finished last season with a .472 batting average and 18 RBIs.

The other two players are sophomores and had breakout campaigns as freshmen. Catcher Carley Melton and third baseman Miley Baty are back after each hitting for over .400. Baty hit close to .500, sitting at .498, while adding 26 RBIs.

Another team starting this season trying to build on the success from last season is Lexington. The Wildcats went 24-4 last year and won their region after going 7-0.

The playoffs started well for Lexington. The team won their district championship and won the final game over Blythewood 15-0. Lexington got within one game of the upper state final but fell short after back to back losses against Byrnes and Dorman.

Lexington returns a lot of that group, including multiple All-Region selections, and hopes to build each other up as a team instead of individually.

“The motto of this year is ‘we is greater than me’ as we push to motivate and compete each and every day,” head coach Laurie Epps said. “The Wildcats will look to returners both on the infield and outfield to be leaders at the plate as well as on defense.”

Second baseman Maggie Hinz, catcher Maya Drennon and outfielder Livi Warren are expected to make major contributions as former All-Region players. 2023 All-State selection Livi Warren is also back.

Lexington will have to fight for their fourth consecutive region title. Their opponents also bring back a lot of talent and hope to develop their fresh faces.

Chapin finished second in the region last season, losing its only two conference games to Lexington. The Eagles made a deeper postseason run though, advancing to the lower state championship game before losing to the eventual state champions, Summerville.

“We lost some great players due to graduation, but we planned for this and got a lot of players ready for this season,” Chapin coach Calvin Sayger said. “We have hopes of competing for a region championship. If we can handle that, then we set up our other goals of hosting in the playoffs. We are counting on some of our leaders to get us there.”

One of those leaders is senior pitcher and Tusculum commit Ella Majchrzak. Sayger said she can play multiple positions.

Another expected leader is Michigan commit Andee Dircks. She is a “weapon on both offense and defense,” Sayger said. Aspen Mayers and Eason Davis are two other players mentioned as having potential breakout years.

Rounding out the All-Lexington County 5A region, White Knoll, Dutch Fork and River Bluff will all look to improve upon years where they finished under .500 in region games.

Much like Chapin, Swansea and Brookland-Cayce will be playing catchup in their region to Gilbert. The two teams finished behind the Indians last season with (7-3) and (7-4) records.

Swansea finished second in 2023 and will look to compete for the top spot this season, returning an experienced group with many seniors.

Senior pitcher and first baseman, Kailee Smith, and eighth-grade pitcher McKenzie Sease are expected to hold a lot of responsibility this year.

In 4A competition, Irmo and Airport look to have bounce back years after doing some rebuilding. The Yellow Jackets finished fourth in their region last season, but returned six starters, including five seniors this year.

Irmo will feature two of the state’s best softball players Precious Boss and Lyrical Bennett. Boss is a Georgia commit and former two-time All-State shortstop selection. Bennett is in her first year at Irmo and is committed to play at Campbell after pitching for the Yellow Jackets.

At 2A, Gray Collegiate is gearing up for its final run in the classification. The War Eagles made a deep run in the postseason in 2023, advancing to the upper state final.

Pelion and Batesburg-Leesville are seeking improvement in the 2A Region 3 standings.

Batesburg-Leesville would like to move on from last season’s 2-12 and 0-8 region performance.

Pelion finished second place in 2023 after 5-3 behind undefeated Strom Thurmond. The team struggled in the playoffs, losing both of its games.

With the season just starting, all of these teams’ goals are still well within reach. Time is short though, and when region competition starts, teams will need to be at their best.