EASLEY — The roster for 2016’s Big League World Series South Carolina District I was announced June 17 and includes players from Pickens, Anderson and Oconee counties.
Seventeen players, including six who were members of last year’s team that advanced to the semifinals, were announced at a press conference in front of Hendricks Honda in Easley.
Easley High School placed seven players on the team.
“Easley came within two games of going to the state championship,” manager Gregg Powell said. “So they’ve got some really good players.”
T.L. Hanna, Westside, Seneca and Powdersville high schools each placed two players on the team while Walhalla had one representative, as did Anderson University.
The District I host team has won four Big League baseball world titles but none since 2007. Powell wants to change that this year.
“We have a rich tradition here in District I,” Powell said. “But there has been a drought and we want to bring that title back here in 2016. It’s time.”
Returning players include Seth Holcombe (Walhalla), Chase Christopher (Hanna), Tyler Kirkland (Hanna), Alex Medlin (Seneca), Andrew Stanifer (Easley) and Mason Stewart (Easley).
“We’ve got a young team, but we’ve got some good pitching and we’ve got a lot of people who can play different positions,” Powell said. “We’ve also got some power this year that we’ve not had in the past.”
According to records, the host team has compiled a 47-15 record since the current coaching staff took over in 2003 and has posted only one losing record in the entire history of the event.
“I want to congratulate these guys more making this team,” BLWS Tournament Director Jon Humphrey said. “This team has a long history of success, and we’d like to see them be successful again.”
The BLWS is being held at the J.B. “Red” Owens Recreation Complex from July 26 through Aug. 2. The championship game will be televised live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2.
BLWS DISTRICT I host team roster
• Seth Holcombe, Walhalla High, OF-LHP-1B
• Andrew Stanifer, Easley High, OF
• Chase Christopher, Hanna High, OF
• Tristen Hudson, Seneca High, RHP-SS-OF
• Gavin Agin, Powdersville High, INF-OF-RHP
• Tyler Kirkland, Hanna High, OF-LHP-1B
• Trevor Weisner, Easley High, INF-OF-C
• Logan Chapman, Easley High, RHP-3B-1B-OF-DH
• Mason Stewart, Easley High, LF-INF-DH
• Ryan Powers, Powdersville High, OF-RHP
• Chase Stephens, Easley High, INF-DH
• Aaron Schaff, Easley High, RHP
• Alex Medlin, Seneca High, RHP-INF-DH
• Austin Morgan, Easley High, C-RHP-1B
• Jordan Gibert, Westside High, 1B-3B-OF-DH
• Bryce Austin, Westside High, RHP-SS-3B
• Carson Barrett, Anderson University, 1B-DH
• Manager: Gregg Powell
• Coaches: Bobby Youngblood, Todd Freeman
