What a difference a summer makes for West Columbia Post 79.

A year ago, the team had a losing record in American Legion play.

Fast forward to 2020 and the West Columbia team after 1 of the biggest surprises in the S.C. American Baseball Summer League. It’s a perfect 6-0 against league teams and 3-0 in Midlands Division play entering Wednesday’s showdown with co-leader North Augusta at Midlands Sports Complex.

“It feels good to keep surprising teams because they come out here, a lot of times they might not throw their best pitcher, but they end up putting them in after the 1st couple of innings,” said Sam Lafrage of Airport, who had a team-high 3 hits in the 4-0 win over Rock Hill on July 9 at Segra Park.

The West Columbia is rich in Chronicle Country talent from Lafrage and Winthop signee Parker Whittle (both of Airport), University of South Carolina signee Kameron Dunlap, College of Charleston commit Alex Lyons, USC-Sumter freshman Matthew Dooley, Dylan Johnson, Andon Dodds, Levin Dunn and Reign Lybrand (all of White Knoll) and Dylan Williamson and Alex Pegues (both of Pelion).

Head coach Dargan Lybrand said this year’s early success has succeeded his expectations.

“Coming off a losing season last year and just wanted to be competitive and wanted to make the playoffs,” Lybrand said. “So I couldn’t be more excited with these young men how they’ve played and moving forward.”

West Columbia scrimmaged Monday against Columbia International University, the only team to defeat it this season. Such contests are necessary to prepare it for future critical games against North Augusta and Lexington Post 7.

Lexington (6-3, 3-1) and West Columbia meet July 20 at Roscoe Frye Field and July 22 at Midlands Sports Complex. West Columbia swept its 2 games against Chapin/Newberry (1-2, 2-1), who face Lexington for the 2nd time this season Thuat Segra Park Thursday in Columbia.

“We’ve just got to keep working hard,” Lybrand said. “Keep working hard, keep pitching, getting the kids here and my job is keep them motivated. That’s what I want to do to move forward and try to get some more wins.”