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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia High School Baseball Blog - April 25, 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.
Mea culpa: Unintentional pass on Class AA
A handful of readers have pointed out that Hardball is not giving enough love to Class AA. While the omissions have been unintentional, we’ve decided to make peace by giving you one Class AA title hopeful each week.
Class AA profile: North Oconee
Coach Dwayne Sapp has built quite a program in just four years in Bogart. In each of the program’s first three years, the Titans reached the Class AA playoffs, finally getting past the first round last season. This year’s team has 15 consecutive Region 8-AA victories and will head into this weekend’s region tournament as the favorite.
“It has been a fun year so far, and we’ve won our 15 straight region games, but it won’t mean too much if we don’t take care of our business Friday,” Sapp said. Sapp’s team is hitting .370. His pitching staff has a 2.40 ERA. Justin Driscoll is hitting .481, and two-way threats Michael Vogel (.465 average; 4-1 on mound) and Taylor Hicks (6-1; 9 HR, 40 RBIs) have been sensational.
AJC All-Class Top 10
1. Brookwood (1) — Class AAAA Broncos keep rolling; shut out against Grayson extends winning streak to 13 games.
2. Columbus (2) — Blue Devils wrap up Region 2-AAA title with rout of Northside-Columbus.
3. Harrison (3) — 19-1 Class AAAAA Hoyas get Wednesday chance to avenge only loss to Kennesaw Mountain.
4. Heritage (4) — Shut out of Dacula puts winning streak at 20 games for Class AAAA power.
5. Holy Innocents’ (5) — Bears head into Thursday’s Region 6-AA round-robin as top seed.
6. South Effingham (7) — 3-0 week runs Mustangs’ winning streak to 10 games in Class AAA.
7. East Paulding (8) — Like Harrison, Class AAAA Raiders get a Wednesday chance at avenging only in-state loss to Alexander.
8. Greenbrier (6) — Wolfpack snap losing streak with trouncing of Evans Class AAAA matchup.
9. Kell (10) — Class AAAAA Longhorns face tough Lassiter-Pope-Walton stretch with 10-game winning streak on the line.
10. Kennesaw Mountain (NR) — Last year’s Class AAAAA runner-up has won seven consecutive games.
* Last week’s ranking in parenthesis
Squeeze bunts
No. 4 Heritage looks like one of the top Class AAAA title contenders after its 20th consecutive Region 8-AAAA victory Monday against Dacula. Sophomores Tyler Austin (.700 average, 10 home runs) and Travis Tarleton (nearly .500 average) have been catalysts and run-producers at the top of the lineup. … In North Gwinnett’s 15-5 victory against Norcross, Taylor Forrester hit three home runs and drove in eight. … A year after hitting six home runs, Jeff Davis outfielder/pitcher Kelly Williams already has nine for the Yellow Jackets. … After a 4-6 start against a brutal non-region schedule, Lassiter has allowed 16 total runs in winning its first 11 Region 6-AAAAA games.
Where we will be
On Wednesday, we travel to Dallas for a big Region 5-AAAA game between Alexander and No. 7 East Paulding. On Friday, we head to Lilburn as Landmark Christian and Providence Christian try to get a leg up on the Region 5-A crown. Let us know where you’re headed.
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 9, South Paulding 0
Alpharetta 5, Chattahoochee 0
Aquinas 7, Hancock Central 0
Butler 11, Glenn Hills 1
Chamblee 13, McNair 3
Cherokee 12, Lithia Springs 0
Dunwoody 11, Carver-Atlanta 1
East Paulding 8, Chapel Hill 4
Etowah 11, McEachern 1, 5 innings
Gainesville 6, White County 5
Greenbrier 11-8, Ware County 0-10
Harlem 6, Cross Creek 5
Jefferson 14, Social Circle 4
Lakeside DeKalb 8, Southwest DeKalb 5
Lakeview Academy 20, Athens Academy 3
Landmark Christian 2, Providence Christian 2
Loganville 9, Heritage 7
Mill Creek 9, Forsyth County 1
Milton 17, Roswell 9
Mundy’s Mill 12, Tri-Cities 1
North Springs 17, Tucker 4
Redan 8, Lithonia 7
Screven County 11, Josey 0
Shaw 15, Spencer 0
Shiloh 12, Central Gwinnett 7
Walton 12, Lassiter 0
Westside-Augusta 6, Southeast Bulloch 4
Woodstock 10, Kennesaw Mountain 5
Permalink | Comments (50) | Post your comment | Categories: Hardball
Comments
By Yo
April 22, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
YEah, Lassiter’s non-region was very tough, but it is like that every year. They have played 5 games against teams in your all-class rankings and still have to play Kell once more tomorrow. Wish I could go to tomorrw’s game, though it doesn’t look like (from waht I ahve heard) that it wil be a Palazzone vs. Spruil matchup. If that were to happen, imagine the scouts there…
By Stephen
April 22, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Still a surprise that Calhoun High School is not included. They did have 3 guys get drafted (2 in first 2 rounds), but they still have a heck of a team this year.
By Bill
April 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
How is Lassiter omitted? They have an 11 game win streak and have allowed less than 1.5 runs per game (total, not earned runs), in those games.
I see Greenbrier is still getting a lot of love, even though they have 5 losses in their last 10 games. One game doesn’t prove that they’ve decided to be the team that they could be….
btw… Harrison and K Mountain play tonight.
By Vince
April 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I also hear Lassiter is saving Palazzone for Walton on Friday, which is totally insane! You have a 1 game lead over Kell and a 4 game lead over Walton with 5 to play. Am I missing something here? The only way this works is, if you’re Lassiter and lose to Kell tomorrow, you better hope you beat Walton on Friday and have Walton beat Kell next Monday. That’s asking a lot! Walton will probably start Pope against Lassiter and Palazzone on Friday, so it should be a classic.
By Yo
April 22, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
I get the reasoning though… Even of Kell and them tie with 1 region loss each, the runs scored (or differential?) is the deciding factor. So what if Lassiter and Kell have a 2-1 game in what would have ebeen an insane pitching matchup with Kell winning…then LHS has to pitch a less experienced pitcher against Walton going against their ace. That leads to the possibility that you burn your best pitcher in a tight game and then turn around to face another very talennted pitcher.
Will be interesting to see if this strategy pays off. Either way LHS can’t dip past #2 in the region so.
By Vince
April 22, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
I understand the scenerio, but I still would rather try and go another game up on Kell. Without Palazzone and Link on the mound LHS could have trouble holding Kell to under 6 runs, (LHS won the first meeting 7-1). IF Spruil does throw for Kell, scoring runs will be a premium for Lassiter.
By Yo
April 22, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
I am hoping Handler and the Stephens bros can be effective. At least that is what I assume Coach Mc will trot out there…
By joeshmoe
April 22, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
Lassiter hands down has been the best team in the state since region play has started i think all of there pitchers can go out there and give Kell a run for there money and from seeing Kell play outside of Stolz they really cant hit the ball
By Doody Fleeners
April 23, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
the Cobb teams-Harrison, Lassiter, Kennesaw Mountain-all are good enough to be a final 4 team but I’m not sure anyone’s beating Brookwood this year.
who’s going to win A?
By Baseball Fan
April 23, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
North Gwinnett is hitting the ball really well right now. The Forrester kid had a career night against Norcross on Monday. They are playing very well right now. Good luck to everone as region play rapes up in the next couple of weeks.
By Bill
April 23, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
I see that Lassiter took Kell to the proverbial woodshed and beat them 11-1. Did Spruill pitch for Kell? Who pitched for Lassiter?
By Yo
April 23, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
I am trying to find out too. It would appear that Palazzone pitched for LHS and Spruill did not for Kell. But…
By Bill
April 23, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
YO, I saw Spruill get lit up last year, so he has his moments when he’s not effective (from what I hear and to his credit, the game that I saw might be the last time that it happened). In addition, Lassiter is more than 1 deep at pitcher (they’ve given up a total of 17 runs in the last 12 games), so it’s not a guarantee that Palazzone pitched.
By Yo
April 23, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Spruill did indeed pitch for Kell and Handler pitched for the Trojans. I guess the Lassiter bats came out smoking again. Sets up a good pitching matchup on Fri between Lassiter and Walton with Palazzone for LHS and I assume Pope for the Raiders
By Bill
April 23, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
It’s also not a guarantee that Spruill pitched, but Kell’s other starters are very good (both would be #1’s on 90% of the teams), so 11 runs is a shocker either way.
By Bill
April 23, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
On Sunday, it looked like the Lassiter-Walton game on Friday was going to be a live or die proposition for Walton. Since then the teams leading the B bracket for region 6-AAAAA have lost games to drop a game behind Walton and Walton owns the head to head tie breaker against all 3 teams, as well as Pope (in the A bracket), which effectively gives them a 2 game lead with 4 to play.
By joeshmoe
April 23, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Like i said hands down Lassiter might be the best team in the state they went out and threw there #4 and kell threw there number #1 it just goes to show you those boys over there have been winning for years and it really doesnt matter who throws
By Bill
April 23, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
From the Lassiter website: “The Trojans came out smoking in the second round of Cobb subregion games, as they sent 11 batters to the plate and put up seven runs on Kell ace, Zeke Spruill, in the first inning to run away from the Longhorns, 11-1.”
By Bill
April 23, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
In addition, Handler threw a complete game, 3 hitter.
By Bill
April 23, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
shmoe with their hitting it really doesn’t matter who throws. It’s too bad that Brookwood and Lassiter can’t meet in the finals (R8 #1 and R6 #1 are in the same side of the bracket, so they would meet in the semi’s). The way that it sits right now, you could have Lassiter vs K Mtn (who lost to Harrison last night), in the 2nd round.
By Yo
April 23, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
There are gonna be some interesting mathups come playoff time…a few of which could be state finals matchups.
Surprised the game was won by that margin given the rivalry between the 2 schools. Sounds like Handler pitched himself a heck of a game though!
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 24, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this
Up late, dissecting some of Wednesday’s action. Haven’t had a chance to speak with Lassiter or Kell yet, but from what I’ve heard Lassiter really took it to Spruill and the Longhorns.
Can I take a mulligan on my Lassiter omission?
Got a chance to see East Paulding’s Zack Wheeler tonight against Alexander…very impressive, 14 ks…the normally sure-handed Andy Almonte at SS cost East Paulding a few runs early but Almonte had a big opposite field double during a 6-run Raiders 6th inning that sealed a 7-4 win.
Salem 4-1 over Heritage - surprised at that final. Honestly didn’t think the Patriots would lose another regular season game but that team is still as solid as any in AAAA.
My top 5 in AAAA (look for our AAAA report in Friday’s AJC)
Headed to Providence Christian, Friday for Landmark-Providence in a big 5-A duel.
By Bill
April 24, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Kurt, For a single game, I’d probably have GB and Marist in the spots that you have. For a 3 games, in 2 days series a la the state playoffs, I’d switch Marist & GB.
By Greg
April 24, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Kurt
Interesting assessment of Nolan Belcher - maybe you’re correct. What criteria did you use to grade this young gun against his highly esteemed peers like Palazzone, Spruil, et al.. And, more importantly, against the likes of Kevin Brown, Tim Hudson, Adam Wainwright & Kyle Davies.
If I agree with your criteria, I’m going to see him pitch.
By Bill
April 24, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Greg, I have to agree with Kurt, regarding Belcher. I believe that he’s 19 years old and for the past 3 years, he’s done an almost perfect lefty impersonation of Greg Maddux (pinpoint accuracy with his pitches; makes the ball move on every pitch; simply gets outs). Palazzone, Spruill, Davies, et al are more prominent on the radar because they have the proto-typical pitcher’s build and throw gas. I saw a preseason write up where the author said that Belcher would be his #1 prospect, if he were 6’ tall (and changed nothing else). I’m not sure when baseball decided that a player’s size should be included in criteria for assessing who is best, but it’s nuts (just because you are 6’5” doesn’t make you a better pitcher; being a better pitcher - getting outs etc is what makes you a better pitcher).
By Greg
April 24, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Bill
Thanks for the insight. I understand the need for durability in major league pitchers but I also like watching the artistry of a pitcher like Maddux - someone who understands the greater gain of a three-pitch inning over any other kind.
I have to say that unless you can throw over 90+ mph in HS or at a showcase, it’s hard to gain interest from D-1 programs or major league scouts. In the meantime, I’ll watch for an opportunity to see him throw in the playoffs.
By Greg
April 24, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
UPDATE:
I read a South Carolina HS blog that mentioned that Belcher had committed to USC. Also mentioned that he topped 90+ mph after his junior year. Kurt may be on to something.
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 24, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Bill/Greg -
I haven’t unearthed any great mystery here with Belcher. He’s well-known and the things I always hear about him are: he’s small and it doesn’t matter because he’s that good. It’s true, there isn’t much to him size-wise but his curveball is just filthy and you just don’t see his type of command at the HS level very often.
I’ve got one piece of advice for the upcoming playoffs - go see him pitch. There are a lot of great pitchers that will be on display in the next month or so, but Belcher’s the best.
Friday is a great night to see Belcher and Ware County’s Cecil Tanner as GB and WC go at it in a 3-AAAA playoff game.
Preliminary Top 10 for next week:
By Levi
April 25, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this
I’m assuming that game will be at Greenbrier? Either way that will be a great match-up between two hard throwers. Cecil Tanner has already hit 97 on the radar this season. I think at one game he had around 20+ scouts watching him pitch.
By Levi
April 25, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this
I’m assuming that game will be at Greenbrier? Either way that will be a great match-up between two hard throwers. Cecil Tanner has already hit 97 on the radar this season. I think at one game he had around 20+ scouts watching him pitch.
By Mark Glover
April 25, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this
Kurt …..great shot and article for East Paulding team …hope we can live up to the challenge…we have the talent and a great coaching staff, but anybody can take it on any given day. Thats why we play the game….Thanks again and you are welcome anytime at EP
By Hoya Fan
April 25, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Let’s go Hoyas!
AAAAA state champs!
By Yo
April 25, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
What are the bigger/more intriguing matchups tonight?
By Bill
April 25, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Yo, In addition to Walton-Lassiter (as discussed a few days ago) and GB-WC, there is Woodward Academy vs Loganville. If Kent Emanuel is pitching for Wooodstock, you may see a big upset of K Mtn.
Levi, Ware County has a pitcher who’s been clocked at 97? Their game results don’t reflect that kind of pitcher. They only have 4 games where they’ve given up 2 or fewer runs and two of those were to single A teams.
By Yo
April 25, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Cool, thanks. I can follow the Region 6 matchups and stuff well given that I live in the area, but don’t know much about any of the other regions or classifications.
I would love to get to the LHS game if possible…
By Levi
April 25, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
his biggest problem is that his other stuff isn’t incredible. his offspeed pitches are adequate but not spectacular. baseball america does have him in their top 30 i believe btw, at least when he signed with georgia he was.
By Bill
April 25, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Upset alert: Last that I heard, Woodstock is leading K Mtn 9-4.
By Bill
April 26, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
so, the day after Lassiter takes Kell to the proverbial woodshed, Walton spanks Lassiter 12-0 (and supposedly Palazzone, one of the top pitchers in the country starts for Lassiter)? WOW!
By Prep-Sport Fan
April 26, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
How is Brookwood #1? Seven of Brookwood wins were against five “AAA” and two “AAAA” schools. I’m not saying the smaller schools don’t have outstanding players but they are limited in the resources and pool of kids to pick from. If this wasn’t true there wouldn’t be 5 classes of schools and everybody would be in the same class. Brookwood’s region play has only two teams better than .500 win percentage. Harrison has played 1 “AAAA”, Hillgrove, which the kids were pulled from McEachern, Kennesaw Mountain and Harrison when they opened a couple of years ago. Their region play has 6 teams above .500 win percentage. You have to look at strength of schedule in those wins not just the “W” in the win column. I think you are “Brookwood Bias”
By Bill
April 26, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Prep-Sport Fan, you seem to neglect to mention that 4 of the wins are against outstanding teams from AAA (Columbus and Cartersville) and Greenbrier, all 3 of whom would be in most knowledgeable people’s top 25 teams in the state (regardless of classification) and their out of region AAAAA opponents include Walton (the preseason odds on favorite to win it all), K Mtn and McEachern. I’m not sure that you can knock their SOS. That group would annihilate Cenntennial, Hiram, Peachtree Ridge, Sprayberry, Grayson and Shiloh.
I’m in no way a Brookwood fan, but their schedule is every bit a strong as Harrison’s.
By Prep-Sport Fan
April 27, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this
The 4 “AAA” teams you mention are a combined 3-11 against “AAAAA” schools and Columbus has 2 of those wins. So my point about resources and pool of players is sort of valid. Preseason predictions (Walton) doesn’t carry much weight and Harrison plays KM and McEachern twice each plus Woodstock, N. Cobb, Etowah, Lassiter and Pope. Bwood plays Grayson and Shiloh twice each so since they are not elite teams (as you put it) that gives Brookwood 4 more “W’s”.
Hopefully Harrison and Brookwood can meet in the championship game since they should be in opposite brackets.
My comment of “Brookwood bias” was in response to Kurt’s column a week or so ago.
By Bill
April 27, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
hmmm, seems that I didn’t mention 4 AAA teams. I mentioned 2 who are 2-5 vs AAAAA teams (.285 win pct). If you look at the AAAAA “powerhouses” who are Harrison’s non-region opponents, you will see the best of them aren’t .500 teams and their records are padded with games vs AA and AAA teams. No one argued that on average AAAAA teams will be better than AAA and AAAA teams, but that doesn’t mean the AAA and AAAA opponents can’t compete. Brookwood scheduled the best of those lower classifications, Harrison scheduled the worst of AAAAA and you want to claim that there is a bias against Harrison (your original post said nothing about last week’s column). You neglect to mention that Harrison was top ranked and then lost to Kennesaw Mountain. As a rule, when you are ranked #1 and lose, you drop in ranking unless everyone below you loses too. I wouldn’t mind seeing a Harrison vs Brookwood match up, but I seriously doubt that Harrison will make it to the finals.
By Shane
April 27, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Brookwood is ranked by the USA Today #3 in the NATION. Pretty sure the #3 team in the nation is probably #1 in Georgia.
By Shane
April 27, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Brookwood is ranked by the USA Today #3 in the NATION. Pretty sure the #3 team in the nation is probably #1 in Georgia.
End of argument.
By Steve
April 28, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
Belcher pitched a 5 inning perfect game against Ware Friday. 10 strikeouts. Won 12-0 mercy rule. Tanner took the loss. 12 scouts at the game. Nolan sat on 89 and 90 fourth and fifth inning.
By Greg
April 28, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Consider me a Nolan Belcher convert. I still don’t know whether they can win state, but I be they beat Heritage again.
By MJ
April 28, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
What happened to class A???? looks like it should be a good race..
By ashley`
April 29, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
Belcher is now 43-1 in his career with an era under 0.75 and 3 State Titles. He was 10-0 as a Freshman at Augusta Christian before transferring to Greenbrier. He was 15-0 as a Soph, and 10-1 last year. His only He has never lost to a Georgia Team. His soph year may be the best in georgia History 15-0 156 k’s in 91 innings and an era of 0.73.
By afanofthegame
April 29, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Kurt, I would hold up on your ranking of Lassiter. After the Kell game they got “thumped” pretty hard themselves by Walton 12-0 and then lost to Sprayberry last night 5-4. Meanwhile Kell and Walton had a great duel last night with Kell coming out on top 9-8 with an overall record of 20-4 on the year. Region 6-AAAAA is a nightmare. I would say at least 8 teams make the playoffs in ANY other region. It’s just a shame that the others don’t advance in this region. Once agian this year, it’s down to the stretch to secure the final playoff positions.
By bob jones
May 3, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
go alexander!!!