Local Powers Catawba Ridge and Indian Land Headline Heavy Hitter Preseason Rankings

The crack of the bat is just around the corner, and if the preseason polls are any indication, the road to the state championship in multiple classifications will run squarely through our area. The South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association (SCBCA) has released its preseason rankings for the 2026 season, and local programs have secured top spots across the board.

Class 5A Division 2: A Loaded Field

Perhaps the most competitive bracket in the state this year is Class 5A Division 2, which features three local teams in the top 10 and a renewal of fierce rivalries.

Indian Land enters the season ranked #2, sitting just behind the defending state champions, Berkeley. The Warriors will be looking to build on a deep postseason run from 2025, which ended in a heart-wrenching semifinal loss to their neighbors, Catawba Ridge.

Speaking of the Catawba Ridge Copperheads, they open the season ranked #4. The Copperheads are coming off a stellar 2025 campaign where they finished as the state runner-up, falling to Berkeley in the South Carolina State Championship series. With Berkeley sitting at #1, Indian Land at #2, and Catawba Ridge at #4, the stage is set for a high-stakes rematch of last year’s playoff drama.

Not to be overlooked, Fort Mill has also cracked the top tier, earning the #8 spot in the preseason poll. Their inclusion ensures that this division will be a gauntlet of local talent, with every region game carrying potential playoff implications.

Class 2A: Andrew Jackson in the Hunt

In Class 2A, the Andrew Jackson Volunteers have earned respect statewide, debuting at #7 in the rankings. The Volunteers are looking to make noise in a bracket topped by Batesburg-Leesville and will be a team to watch as they navigate their region schedule.