The Blazers overran the opposition by a combined margin of 55–14.

Whipping Lower Richland 20–1, scuttling highly ranked Lexington 9–7, blowing away Brookland–Cayce 12–2, and rolling past Batesburg– Leesville 14–4, the Blazers showed why they are one of SC’s top teams.

“Things have really been good for us so far,” Bowers said. “Good hitting and pitching helps.”

The records of senior Jeff Francis (5–0), freshman Richard Mounce (4–0), seniors Tyler McBride (4–0, 4 saves), and Matt Barcus (3–1, 4 saves) prove the coach’s point.

Effective mound work combined with good fielding and hitting of senior Wes Platts (.519, 2 HR), junior Alex Lee (.482, 3 HR), senior Ryne Turner (.456, 1 HR), McBride (.389, 6 HR), R.C. Washington (2 HR), Mounce (2 HR), Matt Hill (1 HR), and Michael Morrison (1 HR), helped them win 16–1.

The only smudge on their record is losing to Richland Northeast 12–6 in Region 5 play. The RNE loss was a “get back” for an earlier 10–0 drubbing.

In their bracket of the Sandlapper tournament, RNE won the opener but then dropped games to Chapin and Clinton prohibiting them from qualifying for a championship.

Bowers replaced Kirk Burnett, who left his combination positions of Ridge View HS head baseball and football coach to become athletic director and head gridiron mentor at Airport. As a result, Bowers inherited a team of ten players from 2004. Eight returning are starters.

“He left us with a really good group,” Bowers said. “I think most have college careers ahead of them. We will have some good players coming up next year. That’s one reason I feel good about what we have at Ridge View.”

The final regular season game is scheduled for April 18 with the post–season action starting the following week. Ridge View has the look of a team that can go all the way to the pinnacle.