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DEL.ICIO.USInside Pitch: Metro
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Each week, staff writer Kurt Aschermann Jr. blogs about who’s hot and who’s not in the metro Atlanta baseball scene. Scroll down to comment on this blog.
Bats bolster Warhawks’ surge
After Henry County followed its Class AAAA state championship in 2005 with a disappointing 12-16 record and second-round exit in 2006, the McDonough school fell a bit below the radar. Then came reclassification, and a drop to Class AAA under new coach Jason Shadden. It’s safe to say the Warhawks are back.
Thanks to a potent offense that averages more than eight runs per game, Henry County (15-2) has rolled to nine consecutive wins and a 6-0 mark in Region 4-AAA. Led by senior first baseman/outfielder Jason Heyward (.432 average, five home runs, 22 RBI), senior catcher Tyler Norton (22 RBI) and junior outfielder/pitcher Jeremy Boyd (.525 OBP, 17 RBI), the Warhawks’ only losses have come to Alabama schools Cullman and Russell County. Shadden said Boyd’s production hitting behind the dangerous Heyward, who has been intentionally walked 16 times, has made a big difference.
“[Boyd’s] making it hurt [pitching around Heyward],” Shadden said. “[For the 2007 season] I had high expectations; I was pretty confident.”
Shadden has called on the services of nine different pitchers, including senior Mitchell Lee, a four-game winner, and junior Shawn Gallagher, who has won three games and saved three others.
Eagles hanging with the big boys
Mt. Paran’s 3-3 mark in a tough Region 5-A that includes defending Class A state champion Eagle’s Landing Christian has a lot to do with two-way threat Donovan Brown. Brown is 3-2 with a 2.15 ERA and holding opponents to a miniscule .175 batting average. At the plate, he’s hitting .475 with 11 RBI, but is just one of a quintet of hitters helping the Eagles stay in the playoff race. Austin Gibbs (.400, 13 RBI); Jeremiah Clark (.383, 12-12 SB); Daniel Bennett (.382, 12 RBI) and Will Thompson (.333, 10 RBI) have been steady with the sticks all year.
Devils feasting on Class A pitching
Bremen has won six consecutive games, three in Region 6-A, and averaged more than 13 runs per game during the streak. Andrew Gray (.566 average) and Chris Lambert (5-1 on mound) have led the way for the Blue Devils.
Pitchers of the week
Will Casey, Kennesaw Mountain: In a dominating 10-0 win over South Cobb, the southpaw allowed one hit and struck out 13 in six innings to improve to 4-1 and lower his ERA to 0.43.
Tim Jones, Redan: The senior right-hander no-hit Luella, 8-0, striking out 16 in the gem.
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Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Baseball, Metro, State Report
Comments
By Redan Rowdy
April 11, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
Tim Jones is an underrated pitcher, look out for him come playoff time. He dominated Luella, as you can see.
By CoachRob
April 12, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
We all know that Redan will cruise through the regular season with all their All-Stars and Recruits, but will once again not get the job done in the playoffs. Just like last year and their star studded roster and then go out and lose in the 1st round to the #4 seed, come on, you have to do better then that if you are going to take Dekalb County’s best talent every year from all the other schools. At least make a run at the state title!
By Real deal
April 12, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
If you want to post some real impressive stats. You should post what the Northgate offense is doing. They probably have at least six players hitting aound .400 or better, and proably seven with right around 20 RBI or more. Now that’s impressive.
By The Truth
April 12, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
First of all Redan did lose the first round of the playoffs last year, but come on thats last year. Tim Jones, Shawn Payne, and Kelvin Clarke will get the job done in 07. You best believe this will be a year to remember Redan Raiders Baseball. We don’t take players from other schools they wanna come to play for a powerhouse school for baseball…. MARK MY WORDS REDAN WILL RISE TO THE TOP.
By Chief Knockahoma
April 13, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe they let just anyone be a staff writer at the AJC. My condolences to all the readers of the AJC who’ve spent any amount of time reading Kurt’s garbage — OLIN
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 13, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Well, Olin, it wasn’t just ANYONE, it was me. But enough about me, let’s hear about you…..
By Devil 15
April 14, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Loganville High School Red Devils region 8AAAA finishing strong in 8AAAA. Blake McCullers,James Hickey lead this powerhouse team along with excellent coaching. Great facility also! Student support sucks though. Go Red Devils!
By Nick
April 14, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
yeah Will Smith of Northgate struck out 14 against McIntosh and improved to 7-0 and doesnt even get a mention?!
wow AJC step up your game…
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 15, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
Devil 15, Nick - thanks for reading.
Agree on Loganville, solid team in a solid region (Heritage unbeaten in league play, Dacula, Salem, etc…) I’ve actually mentioned Will Smith and N’Gate quite a bit this season. They were mentioned in the season online preview (where I was hammered for putting Smith in my top players list), they’ve had several mentions in our Friday baseball print page, as well as a feature story and other notebook items in the now defunct Fayette/Coweta print pages. So, there you have it.
—Kurt
By Devil 15
April 15, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
James Hickey 6-4 RHP throws in mid to upper 80s is 5-0. Batting around 385 has signed a national letter of intent with the South Ga. Panthers J.C. Makes unbelievable plays at 1st base his natural position. McCullers is a pure catcher with 5 or 6 bombs batting around 475 and only a junior,he”got a lazer arm and know the game,a field general. Austin Boyce a Sr. RHP and late reliever is really coming on and gets the outs. 2nd baseman Sr. Darryl Thomas is the offensive spark as of lately and has a solid glove, he has become the go to guy.Eric pease C.F.has a gold glove and he is a senior.Ben Oberman R.F. signed with Frosbergg college and remains solid.J.T. Donald a Sr. our catcher in the first part of the regular season, has a knee injury but has pinch hit as needed and has done a great job..
By The Truth
April 21, 2007 2:30 AM | Link to this
Beware: The Redan Raiders in 2AAAAA Baseball has what it takes to go all the way. Don’t take them lightly. Tough, you havn’t seen nothing yet!!!!