The Chapin baseball team clinched its twelfth state championship on Thursday, defeating TL Hanna 4-3 in a best‑of‑three series that capped a whirlwind week for the school’s sports programs. The victory follows hard on the heels of the girls’ soccer team’s recent title, underscoring a period of sustained excellence across Chapin athletics.
A rapid ascent under new leadership
First‑year head coach Dell Lever, who previously served as an assistant at Lexington, White Knoll, Irmo and Dutch Fork, steered the squad through a flawless 7‑0 playoff run. Lever inherited the program after the retirement of hall of fame coach Billy McLeod, who amassed 556 wins and four state titles during his tenure.
Key contributions came from several players who stepped up when it mattered most. Felix Flecha Ruiz launched two home runs, including a two‑run blast in the opening inning and a solo shot in the fourth, while right‑hander Griff Harper delivered 5.1 innings of work, allowing just two earned runs and striking out six batters.
Relief pitcher Brewer Haggard sealed the win with a strikeout of the final batter, preserving the narrow lead and sparking a jubilant celebration that saw the outfield and football bleachers filled with cheering fans.
The championship also highlighted the program’s depth, with a roster that included Luke Cromer, Reese Oakley, Cesar Ochoa, Kayden Harris, Connor Brooks and Lou Bezjak all contributing to the team’s defensive and offensive balance throughout the postseason.