Michael Young - Sports Editor

Brittany Wyndham will return to the mound next season for the Lady Warhorses.

Michael Young - Sports Editor

Senior Andi Hogg is playing her final year in softball for Barnwell High.

Michael Young - Sports Editor

The Barnwell High girls softball team wrapped up its season with a 4-1 loss to Cheraw High May 12 during the playoffs.

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The Barnwell High School varsity softball team had a good run this season.

Barnwell High had its most successful campaign in more than 20 years with a season of 20 victories.

The Lady Warhorses also won a school record 17 straight games and collected region and district crowns for the first time since 2006.

However, the journey to Barnwell High's record setting season came to an end May 12 in the second round of the class 2A Lower State playoffs.

Taking on the Cheraw High Lady Braves, Barnwell High was hoping to advance to the state playoff for the first time under coach Carol Massengale.

Barnwell High seemed to be on its way to victory, leading Cheraw High 1-0 going into the seventh inning.

Needing only three outs to keep its season alive, Barnwell High School was unable to maintain its lead as Cheraw High stormed back in its last at-bat with four runs for a 4-1 victory.

The crucial play in the seventh inning came with runners on first and second base and one out.

On the play, the batter grounded a ball to Barnwell High's second baseman Ciera Bell, who seemed to get interference from a baserunner as she attempted to make a play on the ball. There was no call on the play, which allowed Cheraw to load the bases.

"That was a tough break for us, but that's not the reason we lost the game," Massengale said.

"This is the best pitcher we faced since the Midland Valley tournament last February. We just couldn't do anything with her fastball today. It was a tough game all the way through. We had our chances, but its tough to win when you don't put the ball in play."

For Barnwell High, the hitting came early with the team getting two of its four hits in its first at-bat.

In the first inning senior Andi Hogg singled, then scored from second off an RBI double by Taylor Roberts to put Barnwell High ahead at 1-0.

"We had a very tough day with our bats. This was the worst we've hit the ball all season," Massengale said. "We are usually a good hitting team. However, today, we just couldn't get the bat on the ball. It very hard to win a softball game when you have as many strikeouts as we had today."

On May 8 in the opening round of Lower State, Barnwell High suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to Hanahan High School.

In the game, the Lady Hawks of Hanahan came out on fire at the plate, soaring to a 2-0 lead in its first at-bat.

Down, but not out, the Lady Warhorses plated two runs in the bottom half of the first inning to tie the score at 2-2. For BHS, Hogg and Roberts scored. Devan Davis and Hillary Zorn were credited with RBIs.

After Hanahan High surged ahead at 5-2, Roberts scored from second base off an RBI single by Dray Davis to cut the lead at 5-3.

Down by two runs, Barnwell High continued to chip at the lead in the fifth inning.

Dray Davis led off with single, then advanced to third base off a hit by Taylor Priester.

One batter later, Ashley Frank clocked a liner to left center, scoring Davis.

With one out and runners at first and third, Barnwell High had a chance to tie the score with another hit.

Unfortunately for the Lady Warhorses, the Lady Hawks turned a double play on the next batter to end the threat.

"That was very disappointing to end the inning that way. It looked like we had all the momentum. Then it was sucked out of us by the double play," Massengale said.

Down 5-4 in its last at-bat, Barnwell High had the tying run at second base with two outs.

The comeback attempt, however, quickly ended when the next batter hit a fly out to end the game.

"We would like to have gone farther in the playoffs, but we did our best," Massengale said.

"It's been a great season for Barnwell High softball. They girls did an outstanding job this season and I'm extremely proud of all of them. We're going to be missing four solid seniors in Dray Davis, Devan Davis, Andi Hogg and Ashley Frank. This group meant a lot to this program over the years. They will be missed."