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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia High School Baseball Blog - April 15, 2008
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Step up to the plate: Pitch YOUR all-class Top 10 Kurt’s way. Hardball is the place to talk high school baseball on ajc.com. We’ll be posting scores as they become available, but if you’ve got the scoop, please feel free to post scores, recaps and highlights. Thanks.
Big bats come out to play
Fans of the low-scoring pitchers’ duels might have cringed more than once last Friday evening. Four teams were involved in two high-scoring affairs totaling 69 runs and more.
The North Forsyth Raiders outlasted North Gwinnett, 20-14. The Raiders hit a school-record six home runs. Tyler Slaton had two, and home run leader Bones Dalken’s grand slam was his sixth of the season. Trice Riddle, Steven Hester and Jacob Otwell (team-high 22 RBIs) also added homers.
While North Forsyth was holding off the defending Region 7-AAAAA champion Bulldogs, South Effingham and Richmond Hill were locked in a slugfest of their own. South Effingham trailed 10-0 after one inning and 15-10 heading into the seventh until Jace Daley ripped a game-tying, two-run double. In the eighth inning, Chris Zittrouver hit a three-run home run, and No. 7 South Effingham added two more in an improbable 20-15 victory.
AJC All-Class Top 10
1. Brookwood (1) — Broncos have won 10 straight, scored 10 or more runs in nine games this season.
2. Columbus (2) — Blue Devils winning the close ones and the laughers; unbeaten in 2-AAA.
3. Harrison (3) — Hoyas sweep double-header from Pope, are 17-1.
4. Heritage (4) — Pitching staff has allowed 24 runs during 18-game winning streak.
5. Holy Innocents’ (5) — 10-game winning streak.
6. Greenbrier (6) — A 4-5 record since 10-0 start.
7. South Effingham (7) — Catcher John Roberts still hitting — 12 home runs and 38 RBIs.
8. East Paulding (8) — Raiders look like top dog in 5-AAAA again.
9. Dunwoody (10) — No losses vs. Georgia teams since March 5.
10. Kell (NR) — Longhorns have won seven straight.
* Numbers in parenthesis are last week’s ranking
Class A notables
• Has anyone noticed 15-2 Claxton? The Region 3-A Tigers, who struggled last season to a 2-10 finish and a sixth-place finish in league play, have won nine consecutive games and are tied atop 3-A with Calvary Day. The diminutive Harley Hendrix, 5-foot-11,155-pounds, picked up a victory against Calvary and improved to a staff-leading 7-0.
• It probably would be hard to find a single member of the Clinch County baseball team who won’t be sad to see Lanier County’s seniors graduate. Lanier defeated Clinch, 2-1, giving the Bulldogs graduating class eight consecutive victories against their Region 1-A rivals.
• Opponents have had a hard time keeping Hebron Christian outfielder/second baseman Bobby Cole off base. The senior has a .750 on-base percentage and a .640 batting average.
Squeeze bunts
Union Grove right-hander Nathan Fawbush has 55 strikeouts in 35 innings for the Wolverines, 7-1 in Region 2-AAAAA. … Cherokee’s Chris Wakefield has 64 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings, and opponents are hitting .135 against the senior right-hander. …Valdosta State commitment Patrick Henry is hitting .614 with 23 RBIs and is 6-0 with a 1.65 ERA for 15-2 Flowery Branch. … Junior outfielder David Carter has been red-hot for Sprayberry, getting hits in 14 of his last 16 at-bats to improve his average to .521 with a team-high 27 RBIs.
Step up to the plate: Pitch YOUR all-class Top 10 Kurt’s way. Hardball is the place to talk high school baseball on ajc.com. We’ll be posting scores as they become available, but if you’ve got the scoop, please feel free to post scores, recaps and highlights. Thanks.
Friday’s Scores
Alexander 18, Lithia Springs 5
Armuchee 18, Temple 5
Brookwood 6, Shiloh 0
Butler 1, Hancock Central 0
Callaway 3, Heard County 1
Cass 11, Villa Rica 1
Chattahoochee 6, Wheeler 4
Coffee 8, Wayne County 4
Dalton 4, Northwest Whitfield 1
Druid Hills 13, McNair 0
Etowah 10, Murray County 1
Gilmer 15, Johnson-Gainesville 0
Greenbrier 13, Evans 0
Harlem 7, Thomson 1
Henry County 3, Ola 2
Hillgrove 7, Sequoyah 6
Kell 8, Roswell 1
Jackson 2, Woodland-Stockbridge 1
Jefferson 11, Hebron Christian 1
Lakeside-DeKalb 6, Southwest DeKalb 1
Lassiter 4, Milton 1
Loganville 9, Winder-Barrow 5
Lovejoy 9, Forest Park 6
Manchester 15, Macon County 5
Miller County 14, Calhoun County 7
Miller Grove 13, Mays 2
Monticello 7, Hancock Central 0
Mundy’s Mill 12, Morrow 4
North Gwinnett 11, Collins Hill 6
North Forsyth 7, Peachtree Ridge 1
Pacelli 16, Greenville 1
Pike County 13, Marion County 5
Pope 6, Centennial 2
Redan 13, Newton 3
Ringgold 8, Ridgeland 6
Sandy Creek 16, Haralson County 0
Savannah Christian 13, Charlton County 8
Shaw 18, Kendrick 0
South Forsyth 7, Duluth 4
St. Pius 13, Cedar Grove 2
Tattnall County 7, East Laurens 5
Taylor County 4, Brookstone 2
Telfair County 7, Montgomery County 5
Tucker 18, Columbia 6
Wesleyan 13, Paideia 0
Wesleyan 12, Cross Keys 0
Wilkinson County 17, Glascock County 4
Westminster 17, Carver-Atlanta 1
Woodstock 17, Marietta 0
Permalink | Comments (37) | Post your comment | Categories: Hardball
Comments
By matthew
April 15, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Why is there nothing about AA? The Putnam County War Eagles play Greene County today. The war eagles can still make the playoffs if they win out and Morgan County lose their 3 remaining region games.
By patrick
April 15, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Why is there nothing about AA? The Putnam County War Eagles play Greene County today. The war eagles can still make the playoffs if they win out and Morgan County lose their 3 remaining region games.
By Eagles Landing High School
April 16, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Keep your eye on ELHS in the region 4-AAA region playoffs. They beat No. 7 ranked Henry County yesterday after getting a 13-strikeout performance from freshman pitcher Sam Bell.
Young squad with mostly sophomores and a couple of freshman.
By Bill
April 16, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
How does Greenbrier get a #6 ranking when they are 4-5 in their last 9? At the same time you leave Ken Mtn off the list completely?
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 16, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Matthew/Patrick/ -
AA gets a mention every week because Holy Innocents’ is in the top 5 every week ;0….
no, I don’t leave out any classification on purpose, it just happens that way sometimes. I felt a few Class A teams needed some mention so that’s what took up a majority of the space after the mention of the two wild games. Plus, I can’t write 1,000 words a week (though I’d love to).
ELHS - thanks for the heads up on the Eagles. Any time a freshman k’s 13 and beats Henry County, that’s noteworthy. I’ll keep my eye on ELHS in the next few weeks.
Bill - I probably kept Greenbrier that high because I still feel they are one of the top 6 or 7 teams in the state and one of the two or three best AAAA teams; we’ll find out in the next few weeks. But one thing I am sticking to - I believe Heritage will win the Class AAAA state title.
Who do you like in AAAA?
As for Kennesaw Mountain, they’ve been impressive both times I’ve seen them, I just feel, at least for this week, Kell deserved a top 10 ranking. In my head (which is also filled with the question ‘why would my Yankees ever pitch to Manny Ramirez with a base open?’), it was between Kell and K.Mtn for the No. 10 spot, I went with Kell but that could all change next week. Stay tuned.
By ELHS
April 16, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Kurt**, you are truly a wise and insightful man.
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 16, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
ELHS - appreciate the compliment. I believe you’re the first person to ever say that besides my mother.
Baseball fans - where are you headed this weekend? I’ve found a couple I like - Harrison at McEachern, Friday and Carrollton at Dunwoody, Saturday.
What games have you circled for the weekend?
By Bill
April 16, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
For a 3 game series, in the state play offs, E Paulding will win AAAA because they are more than 1 deep at starting pitcher and have some solid offense. At the beginning of the year, I would have said the same about GB. My argument against GB is the fact they are playing so poorly over their last 9.
Regarding the Kell vs K Mtn, I understood your write up to be the best 10, regardless of class. Keeping GB and forcing a decision regarding those two (who are clearly playing better ball than GB), goes against the stated purpose of the top 10 list.
By Bill
April 16, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Kurt, How about the demise of Walton? Virtually the entire team that won AAAAA, last year returns and there is a very real chance that they won’t make the play offs.
By Bill
April 16, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
McEachern is the only 5-AAAAA team to beat K Mtn (seems like they woke a sleeping giant). Their game vs Harrison will let us know if they are a contender or pretender.
By Bill
April 16, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
btw… In addition to being a rivalry game, Woodstock vs Etowah, next Tuesday, will probably be one of the top pitching match ups this year (Sr-Sean Fream vs So-Kent Emanuel; both of whom have thrown no hitters this year).
By baseballman
April 16, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Kurt, does anyone know the longest active playoff streak? I know way down south Cook High has made it to the playoffs 17 years in a row, a remarkable run that includes several Elite 8’s and Final Four appearances, and a few State Championships. This is amazing considering the small area to choose talent from and with all the recruiting so forth going on this day and time. With an undefeated record in region, and pitcher ranked #1 in the nation, looks like Cook will be back in the playoffs for year #18 in a row. WOW
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 17, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this
Bill:
I see where you’re coming from with the Kell/KMtn/GBrier argument. I guess when it came down to it, I kept Greenbrier No. 6 because I expect big things out of them coming playoff time. Maybe it’s not the best way to go about picking a top 10 but I really expect them to turn it on in May and that’s where their ranking comes from - remember they are still a 14-win team and 2-time defending AAAA champs.
Good call on Walton; it’s a pretty astounding story. I really don’t know what’s happened to the Raiders because you’re right, it’s pretty much the same team. I still think they squeak into the playoffs but AAAAA is brutal, they may get in but it may be 2 and out.
Harr - MCH should be a great one (is 5-AAAAA tough or what?)…..I was hoping to see Fream when I went to see Etowah play Kenn Mtn but he didn’t pitch..should be a great one.
Baseballman: interesting topic of discussion and I honestly don’t know the answer but I will find it and look for some info in next week’s blog (hint, hint).
I caught the Mill Creek - Collins Hill game Wednesday evening and let me say two words: Jake German. Only a junior and has one of the quickest releases and one of the stronger, more accurate throwing arms I’ve seen of any catcher at the high school level. Look out for him in the AAAAA playoffs and this time next year colleges/pros will be breathing down this kid’s neck.
By MMHS Tiger Fan
April 17, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Some love for MMHS pitching staff. They’ve only allowed 22 runs in 15 games. Defense is stellar and the bats are starting to come alive. Don’t count us out in 5-AAAAA.
By Greg
April 17, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Ranking the top ten GA baseball teams across the classifications is similar to the college BCS rankings. Given, most of the teams never compete head-to-head, there’s an unsatisfying quality to it. No way to determine the ultimate winner of our game. And, a contest with no winner - very un-American (maybe Japanese, they like “tie” games).
On the other hand, your rankings, my rankings & bill’s rankings all have merit in this world. We get to play a game of chance, that doesn’t require a serious ante, where you never lose. I’m at least feeling richer now.
Here goes.
.Brookwood .Woodward Academy .Columbus .Harrison .Valdosta .Heritage .Shaw .Mundy’s Mill .Pike County .Pierce County .Aquinas (#11)
By Bobby F
April 17, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
By Michael
April 17, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Where would your rank Woodward Academy?
By Gregg
April 17, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Kell at #10 please why shun Lassiter Oh I forgot the AJC always does.
By nameless
April 17, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
what about Marist? Beat Greenbrier, Heritage, alpharetta? Bats are getting hot, i don’t know how you can leave them out with all the senior experience
By Bill
April 18, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Greg & Bobby F…. Not 1 team from 6-AAAAA (A or B bracket), which is the toughest region in the state (regardless of level)?
MMHS, MM isn’t in 5-AAAAA, but they appear to be the cream of the crop in 4-AAAAA, which is impressive given the fact that East Coweta was a pre-season top 10. They aren’t on anyone’s radar because they don’t have any big wins against big name programs (with the notable exception of EC, which appears to be having a very down year). They could be a VERY scary team in the play offs.
By Bill
April 18, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Kurt, I understand your point regarding GB. I expect them to turn it on in the play offs too, but right now, on 4/18/08, they may not be top 10 in AAAA, let alone all classes.
By Bill
April 18, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Anyone know the outcome of last night’s S Cobb vs McEachern game? (I’m reasonably sure as to how it turned out, but S Cobb tends to pull off 1 or 2 surprises per year).
By Bill
April 18, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
baseballman,
seems to me that the longest playoff streak probably would go to a team or teams from region 1-AAAA (Lee County, Bainbridge, Americus-Sumter & Thomas County Central). A region with only 4 teams (Ware Co was a 5th team a couple years ago), so all of them go to the playoffs each year (wouldn’t you like to be #1 or #2 in region 3-AAAA :-).
By Greg
April 18, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Mea maxima culpa, bill
I didn’t exclude Ken. Mtn. on purpose but they give up a significant enough number of runs that I think their pitching staff MAY BE inconsistent or not very deep.
It’s a judgement call because Woodward gives up a lot of runs also. I’ve seen the Mustangs in the state playoffs so I have respect for the program but I haven’t seen them play this year.
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 18, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Gregg:
funny you should mention Lassiter. I had a graph on the Trojans ready to go for our Friday page, but it was cut. It happens; here it is:
*Come one, come all
By Greg
April 18, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
nameless
Point well made. Marist has earned some ‘Top 10’ street cred by beating those teams although they lost seriously (early in the season) to Kennesaw Mountain.
Where’s your complete list?
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 18, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Not sure what happened there…going to try again.
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 18, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Well, for some reason it won’t let me paste my Lassiter info that was cut from Friday’s paper. But I assure you, Gregg, it exists.
Lassiter’s on the brain and I’m looking forward to seeing them come playoff time.
By Bill
April 18, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Kurt, I’m going to beat this horse to a pulp :-)
Marist losses by 10, early in the season (Feb to be precise) to a very good K Mtn team (before they had injury problems) and doesn’t make your list. ALmost a month later, GB gets pounded (15 run margin) by a very good Brookwood. Even more recently, GB loses convincingly to Parkview as well as a Florida team not to mention loses head to head to Marist, a couple weeks ago and they still deserve to be on the list, while Marist is left off?
By baseballman
April 21, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this
Hey Kurt, Cook has now made it 18 seasons in a row, they are currently 15-4 on the season and 12-0 in region play, quite an impressive streak that dates back to 1991…and their pitching staff is loaded, led by Kaleb Cowart who is #1 in the country for the class of 2010.
By thebull
April 21, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
It seems as if you haven’t taken as good a look at the hidden gem that is right here in the inner-city. The North Atlanta Warriors are sitting atop the very brutal 5AAA standings after handing your #8 team, Dunwoody, their first region lost. They are now 14-4, winners of their last 6 games, and winners of 10 of their last 11 games. They are led by All American, Jay Austin, who has 13 HR, 37 RBI, .757, 22 for 22 in the stolen base department, and shut down Dunwoody ot the tune of 5 IP, 10 K, 3 ER. This team will make an unprecidented run through the state playoffs this year, just as the last two state championship teams have done from this talented region.
By Bill
April 21, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
bull, it seems that two teams are ahead of them, in the region standings. One of the teams appears to have dominated N Atlanta by a score of 11-3. In addition, they are tied with Blessed Trinity. Beat them convincingly and you may get a few people to join your band wagon. I’m not sure that I’d count on that cake walk, just yet.
btw… 3 ER in 5 innings, while a good performance (excellent, if the team is an offensive power), it isn’t “shut down”.
By thebull
April 21, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, Austin left th game with an 8-3 lead. North Atlanta won the game 10-9
By Greg
April 21, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
the bull& baseballman
The record at Cook Co. & N. Atlanta is admirable but both speak of an issue with many high school teams. That issue is a lack of depth at pitching or defensively or offensively or mentally or coaching, or…,etc. Some programs face continuous high-quality baseball opponents in some years (e.g., Region 1-AAAAA in football) and others move through their region easily only to have their weaknesses exposed in the state playoffs.
The ‘Top 10’ as I see it is a best guess at the winners in the state playoffs. While I’m impressed with Cook Co.’s & N. Atlanta’s region performance, it’s really state championships that speak volumes about the overall quality of a program (e.g., Valdosta, Lowndes in football). While I complement your players for their individual skills, the rankings are a TEAM assessment since that’s the program that survives the state playoffs.
I don’t think either program survives into the third round of the state playoffs - but I could be wrong, and that’s the fun of the rankings.
By ehsman05
April 22, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
baseballman, I think Evans has a longer streak than Cook. They made the finals in ‘85, won 3 straight from 88-90, won 2 more in 93 and 94, and have not missed the playoffs this decade, including a Final 4 trip my senior year in 2005.
By baseballman
April 22, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this
Survive into the third round, Cook should be there but if they’re not, no biggy, they only have one senior starting and the rest are sophomores and a few juniors. They lost 8 seniors from last season, so this is suppose to be a rebiulding year. I wasn’t really talking about what they’ll do this year, but talking about their playoff streak, which sits at 18 years in a row now, and does include State Championships, and enough Final Fours and Elite 8 to make any program happy. Cook has one of the richest traditions in Georgia, see for yourself at [http://www.eteams.com/cookhornets].
By Bill
April 22, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
baseballman,
A couple years ago Mt Paran went to the finals with 1 senior. Expectations were high that they would win it all. The reality is that they barely made it into the play offs and were easily dispatched in the first round. Last year, Walton won the AAAAA title, with only 2 seniors that made real contributions to the team. Given the wealth of talent that returned from a very good team, this year, they were ranked in the top 25 in the pre-season national polls. Their current reality is that they are fighting with 4 other teams for the 3rd & 4th spots out of region 6-AAAAA. The point is: success this year doesn’t necessarily lead to success next year, even if 90+% of the team returns.