Since arriving from Columbia in 2014, the Lexington County Blowfish have embraced its title as the “Hometown Team”.

This season, the team has taken that local pride to the next level. With the season-opener Wednesday in an exhibition against the Catawba Valley Stars, the Blowfish debuted its 2021 county-themed jerseys.

This year’s jersey will display the words Lexington County on the front. On the back above the number will be a small Blowfish flag logo and a Lexington city or town name.

Carolina Comfort Heating and Air and the Lexington County Farm Bureau will serve as sponsors and the jerseys will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting a designated Lexington County charity.

Bidding for the special team jerseys began on the team’s website (www.blowfishbaseball.com) Wednesday. It will conclude at 9 pm at the July 31 home finale (Fan Appreciation Night) against the Savannah Bananas, “We are all about Lexington County,” Bill

“We are all about Lexington County,” Bill Shanahan said. “What we love to do is promote each and every town, city and community and special event that we can. We’re proud to be in Lexington County. We’re Lexington County’s home team. This is Lexington County’s home stadium.”

Shanahan also hopes to work with officials from the Lexington towns and cities to hold special game nights in their localities’ honor with proceeds going to the charity of their choice.

Hometown Heroes

The jerseys are not the only way the Blowfish are representing Lexington County. The team is once again blessed with baseball talent from players who attended county high schools and are more than happy to spend their summers close to home.

Lexington High graduate and University of South Carolina outfielder David Cromer practically grew up around Lexington County Baseball Stadium. Just last summer, he and fellow Gamecock pitcher Cade Austin of Chapin played baseball for Lexington Post 7 across the street at Ballpark Road.

Before becoming the home of the Blowfish, the baseball stadium was Wildcat Hallow where Cromer used to watch high school football games growing up and his father played there as well. “It’s awesome,” Cromer said.

“It’s awesome,” Cromer said. “It’s just like a stepping stone for me. I’ve been watching the Blowfish my whole life and I’m really excited to play for them this year.”

Cromer and Austin hope to emulute the success of last year’s South Carolina players on the Blowfish. Current Gamecock home run leader Wes Clarke, infielder Brennan Milone, outfielder Brady Allen and pitchers Will Sanders and Brett Kerry were major contributors to last year’s 23-13 team.

This marked the Blowfish’s 1st winning season since 2016.

“They’ve been mentors for me all year and they’re like my best friends, so I can’t wait to do what they did last year,” said Cromer about last year’s Gamecock players on the Blowfish

Other local talent making its way back to Lexington County includes Clemson pitcher Ty Olenchuk, a multi-sport state champion at Dutch Fork, and Ricky Williams of River Bluff, pitchers Aaron White (Irmo), Dalton Mims and Parker Whittle and (both of Airport) and infielder Travis Elliott (Gilbert).

College of Charleston catcher Jared Kirven of Lexington will not play this summer after suffering a torn meniscus.

New Leadership

Along with new jerseys, the Blowfish will have a new head coach for the 3rd consecutive year in Fico Kondla.

The former Coker College standout and Newberry College assistant wants to continue building on the team’s winning tradition and hopes, by playing the right way, we’ll “win a lot of ballgames.”.

“I’m excited to have guys that know the meaning of Lexington and who grew up and were born and raised here in Lexington and played right across the street over there (at Ballpark Road) and take a little pride in Lexington, that it’s not just a normal town to them” Kondla said. “They have their heart poured into this town and I’m excited for these guys to come out here and showcase their talents.”

Joining Kondla is assistant coach Matthew Ribera, who has helped recruit talent from the University of Texas in pitchers Caden Noah and Will Swope.

“I think we’ve got a good group coming in,” Kondla said. “Obviously, everyone likes their roster on paper. But I think we’ve got a lot of talented kids coming in. Whether they’re local, whether they’re coming from out of state, I’m really excited for the product we’re going to be able to put on the field.”

Increased Seating Capacity

Last season saw the Blowfish open play without fans following an executive order from Gov. Henry McMaster which barred fans from sporting events.

Lexington County Council passed a resolution 2 weeks later which reclassified the Blowfish as an amateur youth sports team. Even after reopening, the team still followed rules regarding capacity and social distancing.

The club announced last week it has increased seating capacity and was close to selling out the season-opener. Fans can call (803) 254-3474 for more information.

Schedule, Division Breakdown

This year’s Coastal Plain League will have 2 Divisions (East and West). Lexington County will compete in the 8-team West Division with Macon, Savannah, Martinsville, newcomer Spartanburg, Asheboro, Forest City and High-Point Thomasville.

The 2 top division finishers in the 1st and 2nd halves of the season will compete in the Petitt Cup playoffs.

The divisional playoffs will be a Best-of-3 series taking place Aug. 1-3, followed by the Best-of-3 championship Aug. 5-7.

UPCOMING GAMES

(All Games Start at 7:05 pm)

THURSDAY - at Spartanburgers

FRIDAY - at Savannah

SATURDAY - SAVANNAH

TUESDAY - SPARTANBURGERS