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Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Inside 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.
Henry County puts three on its dance card
Henry County and Eagle’s Landing Christian grab a majority of the headlines in Henry County, and with good reason: both are veteran teams that look poised to take home state titles in Class AAA and Class A, respectively. But another Southside team — Union Grove — is making strides in coach Allen Franklin’s first season. The Wolverines went 4-7 during a tough non-region schedule, but since Region 2-AAAAA play began, they’ve taken control, going 8-1.
The main reason is workhorse Jeremy Riehn. The senior has logged 44 innings in compiling a 6-3 record and has struck out 66 batters. Riehn’s also helped at the plate, hitting .357 with a team-high 17 RBI. Junior catcher Marcus Smith has swiped 12 bases while hitting .328; and sophomore designated hitter Ryan Griffin is hitting .441 in 34 at-bats.
Rams playing well
Staying in Class AAAAA, Grayson has put together a 12-6 mark thanks to a strong senior class. Marc Nellist is 3-1 with two complete games and has walked one batter in 28 2/3 innings. Mound mate Matt Hill is 4-0 with a 2.46 ERA. Nellist and Robert Jones have also helped in the bullpen, collecting three saves each. Grayson, tied atop Region 8-AAAAA at 4-1, is steady at the plate with seniors Kenny Duckett (.333 average, 15 RBI) and Jhamel Williams (.367), and junior Josh Halford (.292, 14 RBI) leading the way.
Defending champs erasing slow start
The defending Class AAA champion Blessed Trinity Titans began defense of their title by going 4-6 through the season’s first month. Things have been much better lately at the Roswell school. During the San Diego Lions Tournament over spring break, Blessed Trinity defeated three California teams before losing to a fourth, Point Loma, in the semifinals. Since returning to the Peach State, the Titans have bombarded three Region 5-AAA opponents by a combined score of 40-2. Not surprisingly, senior Evan Tieles is setting the tone offensively. Tieles, who has signed with the University of Georgia, is hitting .447 with a team-high 17 RBI. Fellow seniors Jonathan Kolowich (.341, 11 RBI), Matt Batteh (.357) and Jimmy Coleman (.348) have contributed to an offense averaging more than eight runs per game.
Two teams’ two-way threats
1: Grayson Garvin and Ben Tucker, Wesleyan: Garvin has been the Wolves’ most dependable pitcher, gobbling up 45 2/3 innings and a 4-1 record in nine starts. He’s also struck out 64 batters and completed three games and at the plate, he’s hitting .381 with 12 RBI. Tucker is 5-0 on the hill and his .459 average leads the team.
2: Brandon Cumpton and Pat McGowan, Greenbrier: Cumpton has helped the defending Class AAAA champions on the hill (1.47 ERA, five walks in 19 IP) and with the stick (.421, 4 home runs). McGowan is a .350 hitter and has an 0.78 ERA in 18 innings on the mound.
Pitcher of the Week
Marietta starter Garrett Brown threw a complete game, one-hitter and drove in the only run in a 1-0 win over McEachern, the Indians first loss since March 22.
By The Numbers
7 — Number of North Gwinnett players hitting .375 or better, led by junior Jim Moreland (.475 with a .568 OBP) and senior Mitch Rider (.459, 27 RBI, 54 total bases).
Hack away: Got a team you’d like to see profiled here or just want to talk ball with Kurt? Send an e-mail.
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Rounding The Bases: State
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Each week, staff writer Jay Stone catches up with teams throughout the state. Who’s hot? Who’s not? Who’ll be a bear to contend with this season? Find out here in the state baseball report. Scroll down to comment on this blog.
Bright spot: It’s been an otherwise forgettable year for Benedictine. The Cadets, who lost seven starters from last year’s state playoff team, entered the week on a three-game losing streak. But the Savannah school has had bright spots. Senior Michael Patton, a left-hander who has committed to North Georgia College, struck out 17 batters in a 4-0 win over Burke County.
Gale force: Cartersville’s Lyle Allen is averaging two RBIs per game for the Hurricanes, who are 18-2 overall and 8-0 in Region 6-AAA. Allen leads the team with six homers while hitting .500 (35 for 70). Donavan Tate, son of former Georgia running back Lars Tate, is at .480 with three homers, while Benji Farr is 8-0 with 0.40 ERA, having allowed two earned runs in 35 innings of work.
Bright spot, II: Hardaway, usually a state playoff fixture, has also struggled this spring, but catcher Jake McCoy his hitting .407 with four homers and 17 RBIs for the Hawks, who play in perhaps the toughest region in Class AAA.
Bright spot, III: Shortstop Jody Hobbs is the lone senior starter for Vidalia, which fell to 8-11 overall in 3-4 in 4-AA with a 6-4 loss Tuesday against rival Toombs County. Hobbs leads the Indians with a .417 average and 12 RBIs, while a pair of juniors — third baseman Chris Dykes and leftfielder Michael Madison — are both hitting better than .380.
Heating up: In his last three starts, Social Circle pitcher Chris Anderson has allowed just one earned run, and teammate Tyler Jones is hitting .533 over his past two games.
Double streakin’: North Oconee’s Justin Roberts had an 11-game hitting streak, improving his average to .468. Meanwhile, on the mound he has put up a 14-inning scoreless streak covering three games. Teammate Bryson Smith is putting up one of the most complete offensive seasons in the state, hitting .551 with three homers, 28 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in 13 attempts.
Fearsome foursome: Ryan White, Nathan Bass, Greg Sealey and Ryan Allen are carrying the load for Lanier County, which is 14-5 and 8-1 in Region 1-A. Bass is 5-1 with 50 strikeouts and only four walks in 42 innings pitched, while White is 4-1 and Allen is 5-3. Sealey is hitting .561 with a team-high 28 RBIs.
Tiger, Tiger: Washington-Wilkes’ Demont Gresham is 5-1 with a 0.92 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched, according to coach Rob Jackson, whose club is 11-4-1 and 6-2 in Region 8-AA South. Teammate Clete Wilson his hitting .500.
Make your pitch. Got a team you’d like to see profiled here or just want to talk ball with Jay? Send an e-mail.
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