By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
The Woodruff baseball team is off to a tremendous start to the 2025 season, putting together a powerful showing in the prestigious Steve Sanders Tournament, which features many of the top teams in the Upstate.
The Wolverines finished the tournament with a 3-1 record and officially finished in 5th place with statement victories over two 5A powerhouses, Riverside and J.L. Mann. The only setback for Woodruff was a 5-3 loss to 5A Byrnes, though the Wolverines led the entire game until the final inning.
Woodruff started the tournament with a convincing 8-2 win over 3A St. Joseph’s. Senior Zach Kehn picked up the win on the mound. Jackson Richards went 2-3 with a double, Connor Kelley recorded two hits, and junior shortstop Kayden Barnaby hit a double.
The Wolverines followed that victory with an 8-6 win over perineal 5A power Riverside, paced by Kelley who earned the win. In that game, Connor Hitchcock was a perfect 3-3 and Luke Cooper added a big hit.
The only setback came against Byrnes, also ranked in the top five of 5A, when Woodruff took a 3-0 lead into the late innings only to see the Rebels club two home runs in the seventh to take a come-from-behind win. But the Wolverines would rebound two days later in perhaps their most impressive victory, not just in the tournament but in years.
Author: gmitchell85
