By Thomas Grant Jr.
Dell Lever has big shoes to fill as the new head baseball coach at Chapin High School.
The former Lexington and Dutch Fork assistant takes over for longtime coach Scott McLeod, who amassed 556 career wins, 12 region championships, and four state titles during more than three decades at the helm. Lever also steps into what is widely regarded as one of the most competitive regions in South Carolina baseball.
Region 4-5A has produced three of the past six Class 5A state champions, a fact reflected in the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association (SCBCA) preseason rankings.
Chapin is one of four Region 4-5A teams ranked across the two Class 5A polls and the only one included in Division II, where the Eagles check in at No. 5.
The Eagles are coming off an 18–7 season in McLeod’s final year. Lever is scheduled to make his head coaching debut Feb. 20 on the road against defending Class 2A state champion Batesburg-Leesville.
SCBCA Preseason Baseball Poll
Class 5A – Division I
- James Island
- Dorman
- Lexington
- Blythewood
- Boiling Springs
- River Bluff
- Fort Dorchester
- Mauldin
- Dutch Fork
10 (tie). Stratford & J.L. Mann
Class 5A – Division II
- Berkeley
- Indian Land
- Eastside
- Catawba Ridge
- Chapin
- North Myrtle Beach
- St. James
- Fort Mill
- Lugoff-Elgin
10 (tie). Hillcrest & West Florence
Photo by Edward Walker
