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DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia High School Baseball Blog - April 29, 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.
Don’t go breakin’ my… bat
Ever seen the bottom of an aluminum bat break off? That’s what happened when the Hardball staff took in Landmark Christian-Providence Christian last Friday. Landmark leadoff hitter Kyle Wren sawed off the bottom three or four inches of the bat with a first-inning single.
Kyle’s brother, Colby, later was involved in a 1-5-3-4 triple play from his third base position in a wild game that helped the War Eagles move a step closer to the Region 5-A title.
Afterward, winning pitcher Tanner Bryant, whose bat Wren broke in the first, sounded sad to see the piece of aluminum go.
“We’ve been using it a lot this year,” Bryant said. “That bat has hit 14 home runs this year.”
Had hit.
AJC All-Class Top 10
1. Brookwood (1) - Broncos No. 3 in national poll.
2. Harrison (3) - Seven straight wins for Hoyas, No. 15 in national poll.
3. East Paulding (7) - Raiders red-hot after Monday victory against Sequoyah pushed winning streak to eight games.
4. Columbus (2) - Blue Devils on short list of Class AAA favorites.
5. Holy Innocents’ (5) - Region 6-AA title game with Wesleyan looming.
6. South Effingham (6) - Mustangs battle Harlem Tuesday for Region 3-AAA crown.
7. Marist (NR) - War Eagles on 15-game winning streak.
8. Greenbrier (8) - Wolfpack battle Effingham County in Region 3-AAAA semifinals.
9. Heritage (4) - Patriots drop two straight, still control own destiny in 8-AAAA race.
10. Cartersville (NR) - Region 6-AAA champs averaging 11 runs per game during nine-game winning streak.
* Last week’s rankings in parenthesis
Class AA Profile: Westside-Augusta
We told you the Class AA profiles would keep coming. This week we take a look at Westside-Augusta. The Patriots, under long-time coach Gerald Barnes, are 18-1 and 12-0 in Region 3-AA. Westside is on a 16-game winning streak, trying to get back to the state finals after a two-year absence.
Westside has been winning with the home run. Seniors Sanders Commings (University of Georgia football signee) has hit 12, and Middle Georgia baseball signee Chandler Hall has added 13. Add 13 from junior shortstop Logan Gaines, and Westside has a trio of hitters who have hit the most home runs in Barnes’ 33 years.
Fire breathin’ Dragons
If you’re looking for a Class A favorite, you might want to try Region 8-A champ Jefferson. The Dragons have two excellent sophomore outfielders in Jake Fields (.600 average, 13 HRs, 36 RBIs) and Lucas Redd (.442, 18 RBIs) and solid pitching from senior Cameron Blinn and junior Chris Beck, who are a combined 11-0 with 123 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings.
Squeeze bunts
Pope has won six consecutive games, including victories against Holy Innocents’ and Kell. … Senior right-hander Cliff Carter has been the savior in the Parkview bullpen, compiling a 1.25 ERA with eight saves for the 19-6 Panthers.
April 29 results
Brookstone 16, Greenville 0
Chattahoochee 1, Roswell 0
Dalton 6, Southeast Whitfield 1
Dunwoody 13, Clarkston 1
Greenbrier 5, Effingham County 1
Griffin 16, Westside-Macon 4 (Game 1)
Griffin 15, Westside-Macon 4 (Game 2)
Harlem 10, South Effingham 5
Harrison 10, North Cobb 2
Hebron Christian 12, Prince Avenue Christian 1
Jones County 15, Forest Park 1 (Game 1)
Jones County 10, Forest Park 0 (Game 2)
Kennesaw Mountain 10, Murray County 0
Lee County 10, Valdosta 3
McEachern 4, Woodstock 3
Mundy’s Mill 15, Tri-Cities 0
Landmark Christian 13, Mt. Pisgah 1
Pace Academy 11, Walker 7
Pacelli 13, Chattahoochee County 0
Providence Christian 17, Mt. Paran 0
Screven County 8, Westside-Augusta 6
Wilkinson County 14, Glascock County 4
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.
Permalink | Comments (42) | Post your comment | Categories: Hardball
Comments
By Eddie
April 29, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
how bout them Cartersville Canes! 3a CHAMPS!
By Greg
April 29, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Kurt, it’s clear you’ve got a serious man-crush on the East Paulding, South Effingham and Heritage teams. I know you have to spread the ranking love but I think EP & SE are too highly placed on your pedestal. I don’t see either school beating a Marist, Shaw, Pike County, Pierce County or Woodward Academy. Put on your glasses, Kurt, these girls are ugly.
Heritage has also taken a couple of recent losses, albeit to local rivals, and definitely qualifies as tainted love. And, I think you’re simply infatuated with Greenbriar. Sans Belcher, the Greenbriars had a tough time with a modestly solid Ware County team.
Your only human, after all.
By John
April 29, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Greg, I’m willing to bet you havent seen East Paulding play for you to talk that way. They might have the best pitcher in the state in Zach Wheeler that no one is talking about and only a JR and sure fire Top round pick in the draft after next season. They also have 2 other players who many think will be drafted straight out of high school. That team is loaded and poised to make a deep run.
By bigtimesport
April 29, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
If a team breaks it’s favorite bat, has beaten five teams ranked in the top ten (in their classification), doesn’t it deserve to at least be ranked? Tanner Bryant, the Wren brothers, Blake Austin, heck the whole team can play. Give Landmark Christian some love.
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 29, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
Greg:
If you remember last week’s poll, nearly every team suffered at least one loss, including every team ahead of then-No. 7 East Paulding except Brookwood and Harrison, hence the No. 3 ranking. And I’m telling you, go see East Paulding play; they belong amongst the top 5 teams in the state.
South Effingham has been in the top 10 for a while and around 6 or 7 for a couple of weeks. The ‘Stangs staying at No. 6 was more about the aforementioned teams all losing (Heritage, Holy, etc….) than anything else. But they belong. Tell me - do you not think they have as good a shot as any to win AAA?
As for Heritage, I just think they are one of the top teams in the state; like EP, I suggest you go see Casey Teal’s bunch play.
On the Greenbrier side of things, I just have a feeling they will be one of the final 4 teams in AAAA come May 26.
Give me your top 10…always interested in reader’s opinion polls.
Bigtimesport:
Besides at the very beginning of this blog, I’ve given Landmark Christian some love:
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2008/04/26/hsbaseball0426.html
thanks everyone for reading
— Kurt
By bigtimesport
April 29, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Yeah and thanks for that Kurt. But why not rank them, nobody else will? You are the guru. Students at Landmark have been waiting for you to see this team. You did, so what do you think? Are they worthy of any ranking?
By bigtimesport
April 29, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
Sorry for not commenting on your top ten. Here goes: Brookwood - Number 3 in America? My Dad saw Brookwood when they beat Forest Park when they were No. 1 in U.S.A. 1986. Good choice having Brookwood No. 1
Harrison - Smoking
East Paulding - Are they good in everything?
Columbus - Better watch first round.
Holy Innocents - Will win region and possibly the best overall team in the state the last few years. joining Landmark Christians Region next year. Will probably duplicate.
South Effingham - When you get near Savannah and south of I-95 toward Camden County, football and basketball rule. Doesn’t leave much room for baseball.
Marist - Just a matter of time before they are ranked. State Champs?
Greenbrier - You will win the region. What’s next will get interesting.
Heritage - No pitching depth, right now, but they can get rolling and beat anyone.
Cartersville - Depending so much on your bats can get dangerous.
By Michael
April 29, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Kurt, Where do you rank Woodward, and what do they need to do to move in your Top 10?
By Region Standings and Schedules
April 29, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Is there a site to view standings for all AAAAA regions and team schedules?
By Levi
April 30, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
yes go to www.gasports.com and go to the coaches poll. it will give you all the different classes and the regions in them
By Shamrock Snagger
April 30, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
I broke my aluminum bat my junior year. Snapped it off at the handle too. It was a gold, old-style, old-school Louisville Slugger. Did it in BP of all things too.
By Greg
April 30, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
I’m still thinking about my current top ten. I don’t think it will deviate much from my earlier list, but I’ll be thinking and looking at records. Brookwood’s still numero uno, and I will see EP play. I’ll be back…
By Greg
April 30, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
TOP 10
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 30, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
bigtimesport:
Landmark impressed me, especially considering how young they are. It’s pretty much a sophomore-led team and they’ve got some future stars: Tanner Bryant, who was one of the better fielding pitchers I’ve seen at the high school level (and he didn’t do too badly with the bat or on the mound either).
Blake Austin is a good looking catcher who can flat out rake.
Good-looking infield with Wren, Leonard and McDuffie.
And it seems like when Phil Williams talks they listen. Good coaching…..If I had to rank them in a Class A poll, I’d say they’re definitely top 5.
Greg:
I haven’t seen Shaw play yet, tell me about them.
By gshawatch
April 30, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Thanks Kurt. You are awesome at getting information out there. I never knew Marist was on such a streak. Thanks for following the private schools, ELCA, Landmark Christian among others. Landmark will win the State.
By John
April 30, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Greg,
Again I have no idea why EP would be ranked so high??? They are ranked #1 in the Ga Sports poll as well, everyone just must be clueless besides you. Even though you have not seen them play!
By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
April 30, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
Baseball fans -
Just got back from a mini tour of Region 7-AAA baseball. Started at Gainesville and watched the Red Elephants defeat Gilmer 11-7, then hopped over to North Hall to catch the final 4 1/2 innings of Flowery Branch’s 8-5 win over North Hall. Some thoughts:
If you get a chance during the Class AAA playoffs, do yourself a favor and go see Flowery Branch shortstop/pitcher Patrick Henry. The Valdosta State signee followed his go-ahead 3-run home run Tuesday night against West Forsyth with a 2-run blast Wednesday to help the 7-AAA leaders hold off NHHS. Henry, who is in unbeaten on the mound, has got a rocket for an arm and is such a threat with the bat North Hall pitcher Josh Haymore intentionally walked him twice (the 2nd helped the Falcons pick up 3 big insurance runs in the 7th). The Branch can capture the 7-AAA crown Friday by winning over Lumpkin County or if Gainesville loses to Pickens.
Speaking of Gainesville….watched them hang on for an 11-7 win over Gilmer. Tough defensive night for the ‘Ville (5 errors) but Wayne Vickery’s club also belted three home runs, including two in a five-run 5th. UGA commit Robby Hefflinger finished up a wild game with a perfect 7th, striking out two Bobcats.
Finally, I’d keep my eye on North Hall shortstop K.J. McAllister. Only a sophomore, McAllister has got a great pair of hands and a great glove at shortstop and his swing is magnificent; his 2-run home run in the 7th inning was a line drive shot over the right-centerfield wall that was simply a thing of beauty.
How do you think R7’s 4 teams will do against the tough 5-AAA teams in the first round?
Tomorrow my Gwinnett duties send me to Wesleyan for the Wolves Region 6-AA Scramble match up with Greater Atlanta Christian. Let me know where you’re headed over the next few nights.
—- Kurt
By Yo
May 1, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
I’ll wait and see what the playoff matchups are for mainly Region 6AAAAA aince those are the most accessible games for me. Until then I am just going to finish up my last couple finals and be glad to ahve a short break before summer classes start end of May!
By Gary
May 1, 2008 2:02 AM | Link to this
who’s going to win AA? Wesleyan, Holy Innocents, Westside….??
My money is on a Holy Innocents’ repeat.
By Greg
May 1, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Kurt, call it a gut feel about the region (2-AAA) but I tend to think Shaw will be around in the third round of the state playoffs. The region is tough with Columbus, Shaw & Troup Co. all playing well against each other, particularly Columbus vs. Shaw.
If you add to the tough region schedule the fact that Columbus played Brookwood and Parkview close earlier in the year then I tend to think that the baseball PROGRAM will be a key factor in the playoffs.
Shaw has a good program. Like Columbus - they’ve been in the playoffs before. I’ve seen teams give away state playoff series with simple mental mistakes at key moments. I don’t see Columbus or Shaw doing that. This particularly seems to happen to schools that don’t have playoff experience, though not always. Bottom line is I think Shaw (& Columbus) may have a mental edge that gets them through a tough playoff series.
Disclaimer: I did not attend HS in region 2-AAA but did play on a team that beat Columbus in the state playoffs - over 30 years ago.
John now where is Paulding County?
By John
May 1, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
John,
You know its the school that just played in the Final 8 of Football, Final 4 last year. Has been to the elite 8 in Baseball numerous times the last couple years. Oh but your asking where are we at? Its the county next to Cobb right on the Cobb/Paulding line, closest schools to EP are Harrison, Hillgrove, and McEachern. Again remember this name Zack Wheeler, check him out, hes hittin 94 on the gun now.
By Greg
May 1, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
John thanks, I know you meant “Greg”.
I think if you read my prior post that I’m inclined to favor teams and not players per se in choosing who will make the third round of the playoffs. This is where region winners begin playing each other.
As an aside on pitching: Tom Glavine doesn’t break 85 mph on his fastball and the Braves sign him - Kyle Davis breaks 93 mph and he gets shipped to KC. Moral of the story: there’s a place for speed in a pitcher but a greater place for a pitcher on a team.
I wish your Zack Wheeler well but I rarely choose players over teams and programs.
By John
May 1, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
He’s the #1 pitcher on the East Cobb 17U team, you know the kids who always get drafted from one of the premier programs in the country.
I wasnt saying EP is good just because of him. They are a very good program and have been for the past 6 years. They have made deep runs for the past 6 years and have 3 seniors who have already signed to play on the next level. Their #2 pitcher is better then most teams #1 in Adam Hall. They have hitters at all positions, its an all-around great team. Every position has a stud, there are no holes on that team, evident by their record and how dominant they were in their region that boasted 3 teams ranked in the top 10 in AAAA.
By Greg
May 1, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Apologies, that would be Kyle “Davies.”
By Oscar P.
May 1, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
AA is a toss up. Holy Innocents and Cook seem to be the favorites. HI has had three good years and Cook looks loaded yet again. But watch out for Wesleyan, Westside, Pike, and Pierce, they’re good too. My pick to win AA, I’m going with Cook, they’re pitching is stacked and they also have Cowart, he’s one of the state’s best.
By Ben S.
May 1, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
With Holy Innocents getting 10-runned 15-5 by an average Walker team, I would say Cook High is the favorites to win state in AA. Cook’s having a dominant season with some young players. Cowart is the real deal, seen him in East Cobb ball in the summer and he’s definately going to be a 1st round pick a few years.
By Evan
May 2, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
I think one team that is being overlooked is Region 4A champs Pacelli down in Columbus. This is one of the best hitting teams I have seen all year and are sitting at 21-2 after reeling off 19 straight wins (including Landmark).
By yup
May 2, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
HI did in fact get spanked by Walker. But I still look for them to rebound, they played a very tough schedule this year and faired quite well. Two of their losses came against AAAAA schools, one being Lassiter. Also, they came from nowhere last year to win state, and have a very senior loaded team who’s been there before and knows how to play under pressure. That being said, Weseleyan has a very good team,and so does Cook county, Calhoun and I think at this point its probably a crapshoot in AA. AAAAA state tourney also looks like alot of fun to watch
By Bill
May 2, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
Probably the biggest news of the day is Kennessaw Mountain’s lose to North Cobb. The lose in and of itself is important, since K Mtn and Harrison were supposed to run away from the rest of region 5-AAAAA. More importantly, K Mtn needs to win and a loss by Woodstock (vs S Cobb) or McEachern (vs N Cobb) to advance to the play offs. A win or loss by all 3 teams creates a 3-way tie (possible 4 way in the all lose scenario) and K Mtn loses the tie breakers.
By Bill
May 2, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
I need to contradict myself…..
In looking at the 6-AAAAA standings, it appears that Walton would get knocked out of the play offs, if they lose to Pope. That scenario would create a 3 way tie for 3rd & 4th place. Head to head, Pope would have a 2-1 record, Alpharetta/Milton winner a 1-1 and Walton 1-2. Walton loses on tie breakers (assuming that the GHSA tie breakers would be enacted).
By Steve
May 2, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Wow, it would be interesting to see GA Sport’s #7 team (Kennesaw Mountain), not make the play offs.
By Shawn
May 3, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
The AAA title should be renamed the Columbus High School Championship Trophy. How is that 15 game winning streak Marist?
By Jeff Garrett
May 3, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
You guys spend so much time every fall with top 10 polls in football here in georgia. But when the high school baseball season comes around noone knows anything about who’s doing what. It’s virtually impossible to get any idea on how teams are doing in this state. Can you please put the same effort in other sports? Both Bowdon and Bremen are having tremendous years and I haven’t seen anything about them at all. I know there are other schools that feel the same way.
By Bill
May 3, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Jeff, I concur. Look at the page where you find this link. In the heart of play off races, there are more stories about spring football, than spring sports.
By gil
May 3, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
tanner bryant landmark is probably the best all-around player i have seen this year in any class.he will probably be named player of the year in class-a. gil
By Bill
May 3, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Did anyone notice that it took 10 innings for Harrison to beat an Etowah team that was out of the play offs? Seems it took 10 for them to beat a winless (in region) Campbell team too.
By Steve
May 3, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Etowah had Harrison on the ropes in the 10th. Their #4 hitter drove in the go ahead run and then scored an insurance run, from 1st, on a double but the Etowah catcher. Trailing bu 2 in the bottom of the 10th, Harrison scored 3 on 3 singles (1 of the infield variety), a walk and a fielders choice that didn’t record an out.
By Steve
May 3, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Last night, on the last day of the regular season a number of teams were playing for the chance to go to the state play offs (actually, teams could still play today, but to my knowledge, none were playing games that had any impact on the play offs). In AAAAA alone, K Mtn and Walton were facing elimination. How can there be zero news on any HS baseball games on this web site?
By EDDIE
May 4, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
MILL CREEK COULD WIN IT ALL—BUT COACH JONES WILL FINE A WAY TO LOST IT !!!LOOK OUT FOR NORCROSS—
By Steve
May 5, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Eddie, while I applaud your enthusiasm, I’m not sure that one team from 7-AAAAA advances beyond the first round. Mill Creek plays K Mtn and Norcross plays Woodstock, both region 5 teams have 3 solid starters, hit very well and make few mistakes in the field. North Cobb has been on fire (against some of the best teams in region 5) and Harrison has a team that will contend with Brookwood and the big 3 from region 6 for the state title. I applaud Norcross and Mill Creek’s season, but I wouldn’t bet on victories.
By bob sanders
May 9, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Shaw defeats OLA in first round of playoffs game (1) 10-0 Curt Shavers hit a walk off 2 run homer to end the game in 5 innings game(2) 8-1
By Neal
May 10, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
How Bout those Newnan Cougars over Redan! Top of the seventh, two out, two strikes, down by three and they scored five runs and hold off Redan to win the series.