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Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Region 5-AAA stocked with powerhouses
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A little less than a month ago, Inside Pitch broke down Region 5-AAAA and it’s top-heavy group of teams. This week, we drop down a classification to find another Region 5 with similar credentials. Led by unbeaten Dunwoody (9-0), Region 5-AAA has one of the better quartets in Class AAA, thanks to the presence of Riverwood, Westminster and defending AAA champion, Blessed Trinity.
Dunwoody’s equipped with two of the top arms in the region in seniors David Port and Chris Epps. Port is 6-0, allowing 13 earned runs in 35 2/3 innings (2.52 ERA), but Epps has been even better, going 8-0 and allowing just six earned runs in 34 1/3 innings. They’ve combined for 42 RBI at the plate, yet it’s fellow senior Dominik Almanzar whose had the most impact with the bat. Almanzar’s .519 average and 32 RBI lead the team; throw in senior Werner Stroehmberg (.429, 32 runs, 13 stolen bases), and it’s easy to see why Dunwoody is considered on a short list of Class AAA favorites. Plus, the Wildcats have survived two of their three big games in league play, defeating Blessed Trinity and Riverwood. Westminster comes calling a week from today.
“We’ve been fortunate,” said Dunwoody coach Tom Bass, who recently collected his 300th career win. “We’ve been able to beat all the teams behind us.”
Directly behind Bass’ team is Riverwood (8-1), which is led by one of the better all-around players in the region, Tyler Thornburg. The senior is scalding the ball at a .537 clip and has 54 total bases and 33 RBI. On the mound, he mixes a mid-80s fastball with a curveball that gives right-handers fits. Thornburg, fresh off a complete game win over North Atlanta, is 4-1 with a 3.09 ERA and has fanned 50 in 35 innings.
Blessed Trinity (8-1) suffered through one of the more brutal non-region schedules in the state, losing to teams like Collins Hill, Lassiter, Marist, Kell and Parkview. But since league play began, the Titans have looked like the defending Class AAA champions, losing only to Dunwoody, 12-9. Eleven players are hitting .300 or better, led by seniors Evan Tieles (.469, 6 HR, 30 RBI) and Jonathan Kolowich (.450, 24 RBI).
The youngest of the bunch is Westminster, which depends on two freshmen pitchers (Jake Taylor, 3-1, 2.21 ERA and J.D. DeYonker, 3-0, 2.38 ERA); and sophomore Ross Conway (team-high .463 average, .542 on-base percentage). The veterans are accounted for as well — senior Sam Payne is hitting .382 and junior starter Jay Lively has a 2.50 ERA in 36 1/3 innings.
Spartans spreading it around Greater Atlanta Christian is 15-5 and in second place behind Wesleyan in Region 6-AA, thanks to an assortment of able arms. Seniors Taylor Wood and Dillon Geraghty are leading the way on the hill, combining for 83 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched. Wood, who signed with Georgia Tech, is 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA, while Geraghty is 4-0 with a 1.52 ERA, and has driven in 17 runs at the plate. Junior Brent Burrows is 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 32 innings.
The Spartans are no slouch at the plate, hitting .330 as a team, led by sophomore Patrick Savage (.453 average with 22 RBI) and junior Mark Edwards (.418, 27 runs scored). Senior Landon Bennett, committed to Wofford, is hitting at a .394 clip with a team-best five homeruns and 21 RBI.
Welcome back South Forsyth senior pitcher Zack Ringel missed the first half of the season recovering from mono, but since his return hasn’t missed a beat. Ringel is 3-0 with a 0.88 ERA for the 16-7 War Eagles.
You’re a freshman? That’s what a few people might’ve asked Chapel Hill rookie Martin Catsro, who’s hitting a team-leading .517 and is 7-2 with 57 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings for the 12-8 Panthers.
No junior accomplishments; Six juniors having big years 1. Mark Pope, Walton. Pope is hitting .417, but on the mound he’s been marvelous: 6-1, 0.65 ERA. 2. Brandon Curson, Etowah. Has a 6-1 record with a 0.90 ERA; Also hitting a team-best .355, with six homeruns and 23 RBI. 3. Bruce Fennell, North Springs. In seven games out of the Spartans’ pen, Fennell is 1-0 with a 1.24 ERA. 4. T.J. Kerins and Kyle Putkonen, Walton. Like Pope, both are 6-1 on the mound for the Region 6A-AAAAA leading Raiders. 5. Shaun Ulrich, Luella. In just 14 2/3 innings, Ulrich is 4-0 with a 1.43 ERA. 6. Cody Davis, Redan. The first baseman has been above .450 for some time, batting in the middle of the Raider’s order.
Superstar performances 1. Grant Hillis, Dunwoody. The junior wasted little time against Therrell, hitting a grand slam and a two-run homerun in a 16-run first inning, helping Dunwoody rout the Panthers, 23-0 and get coach Tom Bass his 300th career win. 2. Heine Rivera, Whitewater. Like Jones, the Wildcat junior hit three homeruns and had eight RBI in a win over Westlake. 3. Thomas Hodo, M.L. King. Hodo beat Union Grove, 1-0, with a complete game, 10-strikeout gem.
Numbers game 27-for-27: North Cobb junior centerfielder Jonathan Taylor hasn’t been caught in 27 stolen base attempts.
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Camden Co. rich in no-hitters
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.
Camden County coach Jay Lasley knew his pitching would be solid, but the numbers the Wildcats have put up are eye-opening. The one that jumps out is four, the number of no-hitters Camden has thrown without the benefit of huge strikeout numbers.
While much of Region 3-AAAAA presents less-than-stellar competition, Camden coach Jay Lasley doesn’t discount the accomplishment.
“You kind of take it in,” Lasley said. It’s not often at any level that a guy can throw a no-hitter. You’re proud of those guys and you’re proud of your defense. A lot of ours is defense.”
The no-hitters:
• Brandon McDonald, in a 20-0 win over Beach: The senior left-hander struck out five and walked two in a game shortened to three innings under the mercy rule.
• Trey Ripley in a 10-0 win over Groves: A junior lefty, Ripley fanned seven and walked one in a five-inning game. Ripley also fired a one-hitter in a 2-0 win over Jenkins, which is likely to make the playoffs from the coastal region.
• Sid Cooper, Kris Dockery, Steven Voigt, in a 13-0 win over Johnson: Cooper and Docker tossed two innings each and Voigt one in a combined no-no over the Savannah school.
• Josh Joiner, Cooper and Dockery in a 14-0 win over Bradwell Institute: Cooper struck out three in his one inning of work in another combined no-hitter.
Camden, much as it has in football, has ruled the region, going 10-0 in league play while posting a 19-3 overall record, and the Wildcats have compiled a 1.88 team ERA. At one point Camden went 20 consecutive innings without giving up a run.
“We’ve got five guys that are solid and throw strikes,” Lasley said. “The big thing is they compete.”
Tough in the clutch: Lanier County has ridden the bats of Ethan McCrae and Greg Sealey to the verge of a Region 1-A playoff berth. McRae, a junior catcher, is hitting .585 with 36 RBIs, while Sealey, a senior third baseman, is at .550 with 14 doubles and 39 RBIs. They provide most of the power production for the Lakeland school, enough that the pitching of junior Nathan Bass (7-1, 1.89 ERA) and Ryan White (4-1, 1.99) gets them by …
Time to shine: Washington-Wilkes pitcher Demont Gresham carries a 7-1 record and a 1.11 into today’s Region 8-AA tournament opener against Rabun County, and he has team-highs with five homeruns and 23 RBIs while batting .481. Teammate Clete Wilson is batting .481 …
Lee .400 club: Brock Bailey, Thomas Nichols and Matt Bacon are all hitting better than .400 for Lee County, which is 13-8 overall and sitting in first place in 1-AAAA. Bailey (.400) has belted six homers, while Bacon (.426) has just three strikeouts in 59 plate appearances. Nichols (.440) has drawn 24 walks and also works as the staff pitching ace, compiling a 5-1 records with a 1.16 ERA …
Thieving sons: LaGrange outfielder Derek Branch, son of coach Donnie Branch, has 20 stolen bases, while Lincoln County’s Tyler Beale, son of coach Billy Beale, has 17. Branch is hitting .350, while Beale is at .545 …
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Pre-Preseason Gwinnett FB Rankings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, we can either break down the compelling region golf tournaments or pretend we have any form of an idea about which football teams will be the best this fall. Since I’m used to not having a clue, I vote for football. As most of the county’s school’s go through spring practice in the upcoming weeks, I present my Pre-Preseason Gwinnett rankings.
1. Norcross: Coach Keith Maloof doesn’t seem worried about having to replace quarterback Bryce Dykes and Alabama signee Darius Hanks. Having superstars Brice Butler and Devonta Bolton helps.
2. Peachtree Ridge: Defending champs boast tons of D-I talent.
3. Brookwood: Broncos have lost more than two games only once in Mark Crews’ tenure - last year.
4. Buford: The county’s best defense is made up of possibly five Division I recruits.
5. Grayson: Needs to take step as a program.
6. Parkview: Improvement is imminent after last year’s 5-6 mark.
7. Collins Hill: In need of a spark, defining win or playoff run.
8. Central Gwinnett: New coach Roland has had success in Gwinnett before.
9. North Gwinnett: Last year’s darlings hit hard by graduation
10. Berkmar: Plenty of athletes, but, as usual, lacking beef on both lines.
11. Duluth: Alex Hunt could be county’s best running back.
12. Dacula: Coach Kevin Maloof is worried about having to replace quarterback and star receiver.
13. South Gwinnett/Shiloh/Mill Creek: I’d have better luck putting these teams in a hat and drawing. Who knows?
14. Greater Atlanta Christian: Can’t beat Buford, but will be in thick of playoff race.
15. Meadowcreek: Does the ’Stangs losing streak end this year?
16. Wesleyan: Sophomore Zac Johnston is a budding superstar.
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