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DEL.ICIO.USRegion 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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By Joggy17
April 26, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Catsro is the man!
Go Chap!
By Steve Barton
April 29, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
6 RBI in the first inning for Grant Hillis — whoa! Well done.
By George
April 30, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
Baseball America has Cartersville, region 6AAA champions, ranked 19th in the country