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DEL.ICIO.USCamden 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 …
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Baseball, State Report
Comments
By Shamrock Snagger
April 26, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Don’t be fooled by Camden’s no-no’s. They play in a very weak league and these have been run-rule, short inning no-no’s. Not taking away from the kids, but let’s see what they do when the competition gets ramped up come playoff time.
By For Love of the Game
April 26, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with Shamrock Snagger. Camden Co. plays in a weak region where most of the teams are at best 3AAA level teams. My children attend Bradwell and we are about the best comp that Camden has and we are not where we should be to be honest. The team we play in Savannah concentrate on basketball and nothing else and that is the plain truth.
By Ashley
April 27, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this
After struggling with a brutally tough early season schedule, defwnding AAAA State Champion Greenbrier is rred hot heading into today’s Region 3-AAAA Playoffs. The Pack graduated several big time players from a year ago Rich Poythrsss (Freshman starter @ UGA) Chris johnson .445 w/ 13 hrs in 2006 Starter @ middle Ga. Rafael Parks No. 9 hitter but drafted by Astros in 2006 Just to name a few. They started 3-4, but have won 14 straight and have outscored their opponents 111-17 in those 14 games. They have only lost 2 games in Georgia…a 3-2 losss to AAAA no. 1 Heritage and a 5-2 losss to AAA Cartersville.
By The Truth
April 28, 2007 5:00 AM | Link to this
Thats nice and all in 3-AAAA. But the Real Deal is in 2-AAAAA Redan Raiders is one of those teams that people are sleeping on. The roster alone is something serious. But, the seniors are ready to prove something this year. They are the Region Champs of 07 and the best in Dekalb County.
By Ashley
April 28, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
After recording 2 shutouts (5-0,6-0) over Ware Co. in the 3-AAAA Region Tournament Greenbrier now has 16 straight wins (outscored opponents 122-17). Gm. 1 Brandon Cumpton 2-hitter w/ 8 K’s Gm. 2 Nolan Belcher 2-hitter w/ 12 k”s
By James McGowan
April 29, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Jay, Just trying to see if you played college baseball with me or see if this name is one that i know. Pleaes respond back.
By The Truth
April 29, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Redan Raiders are 3 Time 2-AAAAA Region Champs again in 07. They finished the tie between them and Luella and won. 30 mins later they started a new game between Redan vs Jenkins. Once again they won 8 to 2. Shawn Payne was 2 for 3 with a HR, and 4Rbi’s, and 2 Runs scored. He’s batting over .450 for the Raiders.
By aj
April 29, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
wow, what difference does it make about how many innings are played or what region your in? jeez, give the guys some credit instead of discounting what they’ve done this year…and yeah, i played for camden and yeah, i am biased towards them obviously, but no matter what you shouldn’t dog any high school team on this blog!
By win
April 29, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Camden County does have a great baseball team but as several people have said they have played no one. After a tough 3 losses at the begining of the season (2 of which they should have won), they’ve settled down into the calming mantra of playing the same nobodies they always play. Jenkins is the only in-region competition and their out-of-region record hardly makes them noteworthy. The only “good” team that Camden County has played since the begining of the season has been Lowndes, a team which is clearly overrated. Despite their lack of any real tests as of late, Camden will easily mop up their first round date against region 2 AAAAA’s number four and will likely go deep into the playoffs. Only time will tell if they have what it takes to win in the later rounds
By win
April 29, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Camden County does have a great baseball team but as several people have said they have played no one. After a tough 3 losses at the begining of the season (2 of which they should have won), they’ve settled down into the calming mantra of playing the same nobodies they always play. Jenkins is the only in-region competition and their out-of-region record hardly makes them noteworthy. The only “good” team that Camden County has played since the begining of the season has been Lowndes, a team which is clearly overrated. Despite their lack of any real tests as of late, Camden will easily mop up their first round date against region 2 AAAAA’s number four and will likely go deep into the playoffs. Only time will tell if they have what it takes to win in the later rounds
By 93CamdenAlum
April 29, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
We win in football, we don’t get credit. We win in baseball we don’t get credit. How about for a change you give credit where credit is due. Camden can’t control the competition of their region. All they can do is play to the best of their ability no matter what the sport. Just once I’d like someone to praise those kids for playing their best and give them their just rewards instead of trying to make excuses why the other teams lose.
By For Love of the Game
April 30, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Let me give props where props are do. I did not mean to take anything away from the kids. I have spoken with a couple of coaches from Camden and have a good friend whose son plays for the football team there. Camden Co has an excellent middle school feeder program to the high school and more importantly the parents and community support those kids. I think its great. I only wish that Bradwell Inst would do the same. Go Tigers.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
As good as Camden has been I believe they will have way more trouble in the 1st rd than people think. Luella (which is who they are matched up with) way underachieved this year. And Luella has played a much tougher schedule this year and still has a very decent record. They have beaten top 5 North Gwinnett at North Gwinnett and I think they could suprise Camden because they are very deep pitching wise.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
As good as Camden has been I believe they will have way more trouble in the 1st rd than people think. Luella (which is who they are matched up with) way underachieved this year. And Luella has played a much tougher schedule this year and still has a very decent record. They have beaten top 5 North Gwinnett at North Gwinnett and I think they could suprise Camden because they are very deep pitching wise.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
As good as Camden has been I believe they will have way more trouble in the 1st rd than people think. Luella (which is who they are matched up with) way underachieved this year. And Luella has played a much tougher schedule this year and still has a very decent record. They have beaten top 5 North Gwinnett at North Gwinnett and I think they could suprise Camden because they are very deep pitching wise.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
As good as Camden has been I believe they will have way more trouble in the 1st rd than people think. Luella (which is who they are matched up with) way underachieved this year. And Luella has played a much tougher schedule this year and still has a very decent record. They have beaten top 5 North Gwinnett at North Gwinnett and I think they could suprise Camden because they are very deep pitching wise.
By Shaun
May 1, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
As good as Camden has been I believe they will have way more trouble in the 1st rd than people think. Luella (which is who they are matched up with) way underachieved this year. And Luella has played a much tougher schedule this year and still has a very decent record. They have beaten top 5 North Gwinnett at North Gwinnett and I think they could suprise Camden because they are very deep pitching wise.
By Keith
May 2, 2007 4:11 AM | Link to this
I lived in Camden and coached several little teams for years. They are a great team and I wish them lots of luck. Kris keep striking them out. I have to say now I am a Grayson Ram but a Wildcat at heart.
By kriddi
May 2, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
its nice that camden county has thrown all those no-hitters, but how about some love for peach county’s trent franzago. the peach county senior, and georgia southern signee, has thrown to no-hitters this season! now, thats impressive!
By slider
May 4, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Speaking of camden and trent, camden infielder vince smith will be playing behind trent at georgia southern the next couple years