FORT MILL – Berkeley High School’s bid to lock in its second state baseball championship in four seasons was successful. In fact, it broke out the brooms to end the season in style.
The visiting Stags cruised, 9-4, in Game 2 of the Class 5A Div. II series at Catawba Ridge High School, solidifying themselves as the top squad in the state’s second largest classification. Berkeley swept the best-of-3 series against the Upper State champion and capped the campaign on an 11-game win streak by going 7-0 in the playoffs.
While the first championship three years ago was somewhat expected, this crowning moment came from out of the Berkeley blue. The Stags were struggling to keep it above .500 at one point and inconsistent at best. One night, it was the pitching. Another it could be hitting or defense.
“This is absolutely unbelievable,” Berkeley coach Landy Cox said. “We were loaded in 2022. This is just a bunch of scrappy, hard-nosed kids, a bunch of dogs, a bunch of grinders. These are just a bunch of blue-collar kids. That’s all it is. It’s about the team.”
Berkeley caps another stellar season on the diamond with a 22-10 record.
While Game 1 produced a 10-inning, 2-1 nailbiter on Jim Bradley Field in Moncks Corner, the Stags built a 9-1 lead almost three hours from home to take the drama out of it.
The Stags scored twice in the top of the second inning and one more time in the top of third to go up 3-0.
Catawba Ridge tallied its first run in the bottom of the frame and still had the bases-loaded, but Berkeley squashed the threat with a 6-4-3 double play that was deflating for the home team.
The Stags then plated five runs in the top of the fourth inning to gain all the momentum it needed. Bryce Olheiser capped the uprising with a two-run single to right field, giving the Stags an 8-1 lead. The Stags also took advantage of some shaky defense by the Copperheads.
That was more than enough run support for Berkeley starter Keller Wofford, who earned the win from the bump. Wofford hurled 4.1 innings with five strikeouts, allowing four hits and three runs. Reliever Hunter Morris cleaned up at the end, going 2.2 innings with three hits and one run allowed.
Berkeley played a clean game behind their hurlers.
“Keller has outstanding stuff,” Cox said. “Ever since he’s been a little kid, he’s dreamed about this day. It’s been building. He struggled a little bit in the playoffs, but we told him tonight it's just a kid’s game. It’s just a game. We just told him to lock in to the mitt and don’t even look at the crowd. His whole family has gone to Berkeley and coached at Berkeley.”
The Stags accumulated 12 hits, several of the small-ball variety to frustrate Catawba Ridge. They were led by right fielder Devon Hogue’s 3-for-4 effort. Third baseman Easton Little went 2-for-4. Hogue, Little, first baseman Bryson Heath, outfielder Ryan Richardson and catcher Braylend Booker drove in runs, too, along with Olheiser’s two RBIs.
"Their kid was 8-0 and had a zero point something ERA," Cox said. "Once we found out they struggled with the small game, we just stayed with it. That's what we do."
Catawba Ridge finished 21-10. The Copperheads made three errors and ended up with seven hits. Designated hitter Tyler Causey led the Copperheads, going 3-for-3 with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh.
With the baseball team’s championship, 2024-25 became the first year in the school’s history that produced two team state crowns. Back in the winter, the girls basketball team won it all, too.
Berkeley 021 510 0 - 9 12 0
Catawba Ridge 001 020 1 - 4 7 3