By Thomas Grant Jr.
The start of the baseball playoffs will mark an end of an era in Chapin baseball.
Head coach Scott McLeod told his players prior to last Friday’s game against Spring Valley his intentions to retire at the end of the post-season. The Eagles finished the regular season tied with River Bluff for third place but will be a top seed in the Class 5A Division II playoffs.
In an interview, the 67-year-old said after 31 seasons, 556 victories, 12 region titles and four state championships, “it is time”. He cited a health scare April 3 before a matchup with River Bluff. He was taken to the hospital where doctors shocked his heart back into rhythm.
Back in 2017, McLeod received a kidney transplant and did not return to the dugout until January. Chapin went on to win the Class 4A title.
“That was a special team. I came back and we got better and better and things took off,” McLeod said. “God is good. He found me the kidney at the right time and I’ve got the best wife in the whole world. She has been my rock. Anything I have done is because of her and God.
McLeod is a member of both the S.C. Baseball Coaches Association and Chapin Halls of Fame. Over the years, he has seen several players advance to college and Major League Baseball. The most notable was Dwayne Wise, who went on to play 11 seasons in the majors.
LACROSSE
Both Chapin lacrosse teams saw their playoff runs end at the hands of Lucy Beckham.
Last Friday, the Lady Eagles saw their quest for a repeat championship end in a 10-8 loss in the Class 5A Division II Lower State semifinals.
On Monday, the Eagles fell 11-1 at Cecil Woolbright Field to the Bengals in the Lower State final.
SOCCER
A total of four Chapin soccer players were selected to participate in the Clash of Carolinas and North-South All-Star soccer matches.
Grace Benson was named to the South Carolina team facing North Carolina June 21 at the OrthoCarolina Sportsplex in Pineville, N.C. Wyatt Jordan and Aksel Sogaard were named to the North boys team.
Photo by Ed Walker
