Summerville Post 21, the American Legion Baseball franchise that dominated its league last summer, is gearing up for another shot at the state title. The team finished the previous season undefeated in league play, sweeping all opponents to claim the championship, and the coaching staff is confident that the same level of performance can be achieved again.
Optimism in the Dugout
Coach Nick Pinckney, who led the squad to that league sweep, says the team is eager to repeat the feat despite losing several key contributors. Pinckney Thompson, the team’s manager, and Mickey Dugan, his assistant, have both returned to the bench, bringing continuity to the leadership group.
The roster blends seasoned veterans with a wave of younger players. A deep pitching staff includes Daniel Schenk, Alexis Zapata, Samuel Spickard, Bradley Edwards, Brian Shelton, Shepard Cadwell and Preston Maloy, while Cadwell, Cannon Corder and Cooper Gaskins will shoulder most of the catching duties.
Early in the schedule the team posted two victories by mercy rule before dropping the next two, a pattern that highlights both the squad’s potential and the growing pains of a young lineup. Infielders Nathan Clark, Jaxson Johnson, Avin Harrison, Zachary Welch, Nathan Good and Jeremiah Alford, together with outfielders Garrett Blankenship, Carter Gullotti, Grady Fuller and Brady Truncale, provide a versatile mix of speed and power.
Upcoming contests against Florence Post 1 and Moncks Corner Post 126 are being circled as must‑wins, as those games could determine the team’s seeding for the state playoffs, which are scheduled to begin in the second or third week of July. The coaching staff believes that maintaining consistency will be the key to translating early‑season flashes into a deep postseason run.
Community support and local partnerships also play a role in the team’s preparation, with local schools and organizations rallying behind the effort as the state playoffs approach.