– 4A Overview –

This classification is loaded this year. With the overhaul of 3A powerhouses that have been doused into this year’s 4A baseball flames, realignment will take on a brand new meaning in 2011. Quality talent emerges each season but this spring opens up a brand new realm of uncertainty. Both of 3A’s State Championship participants are now in 4A to create a logjam of teams to try and pour into a pre-season poll. This year’s 4A has star power all over the diamond and depth from school to school, it is as good as there has been in recent memory. We are not certain that things will play out the way we predict, but it is a given that the 4A playoffs will be a dogfight this spring!

Best of the Rest: Ashley Ridge, Carolina Forest, Gaffney, Irmo, James Island, JL Mann, Lugoff-Elgin, Mauldin, North Augusta, Riverside, Summerville, Stratford, TL Hanna, Wando 

-4A Awards-

State Champion: Byrnes Rebels

Upper State Champion: Byrnes Rebels

Lower State Champion: Sumter Gamecocks

DP Sleeper Team:  Upper State-JL Mann/Riverside, Lower State-Wando/Ashley Ridge

Player of the Year: Hunter Cole (Dorman) 

Pitcher of the Year: Taylor Guerrieri (Spring Valley)

Underclassman of the Year: Stephen Duggar (Byrnes)

Newcomer of the Year: Lorenzo Wright (Ashley Ridge)

Top Prospect: Taylor Guerrieri (Spring Valley)

Coach of the Year: Dwyane Haun (Byrnes)

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DP Note: Rankings and awards are based on a survey of college and high school coaches along with the Diamond Prospects staff. With the team rankings, we place an emphasis on overall talent while taking into account players lost, starters returning, newcomers, last year’s record and recent playoff performances.