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Thursday, May 29, 2008
Georgia High School Baseball Blog: State Finals Preview
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Step up to the plate: 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.
Finals Friday: Spotlight
• Georgia popping with MLB prospects
The final weekend of the 2008 baseball season has arrived, and the Hardball staff couldn’t be happier with the five matchups. Here’s a look at the final 10:
Class AAAAA
Walton at Brookwood, Friday, 5 p.m.
Game 3 (if needed), Saturday, 6 p.m.
A dandy of a Class AAAAA title series between Walton and Brookwood will take place at the Dave Hunter Complex. The Raiders are looking to win consecutive state titles with a virtual carbon copy of the 2007 team that took down Kennesaw Mountain in three games for the school’s second state championship. This year’s opponent is Brookwood, ranked No. 3 nationally, which has a lineup that includes seven hitters averaging better than .300.
Class AAAA
Loganville at Griffin, Friday 4:30 p.m.
Game 3 (if needed), Saturday 2 p.m.
Show us a single person who thought Loganville and Griffin would be playing for Class AAAA’s top prize and we’ll show you a genius. The Red Devils ended Greenbrier’s two-year state title run in the quarterfinals before winning consecutive one-run games against region foe Salem.
Everyone knows about Griffin shortstop Tim Beckham - he’s projected as one of the top two picks in the upcoming major league baseball draft - but the rest of the Bears can hit, too (nearly eight runs a game). The offense and underrated pitching staff helped the Region 4-AAAA school reach the state championship round for the first time since 1981.
Class AAA
Stephens County at Cartersville, Friday 4 p.m.
Game 3 (if needed), Saturday 2 p.m.
Call this series the “Battle of the Bats.” Both teams can score in a hurry and both benefit from the long ball. Stephens County has hit a school-record 57 home runs, and Cartersville had seven in its semifinal sweep of South Effingham. The Indians are making their first trip to the finals since 1973. Cartersville has been a regular this decade, winning three crowns from 2001-2003 and appearing in the 2004 championship series.
Class AA
Lovett at Wesleyan, Friday 4 p.m.
Game 3 (if needed), Saturday 2 p.m.
Lovett and Wesleyan not only will renew Region 6-AA acquaintances, but will be going head-to-head in the Class AA final for the second time in three seasons. The Lions swept the 2006 series but face a stiff challenge in a Wolves team that boasts Georgia Tech-bound Connor Winn, Vanderbilt signee Grayson Garvin and a blossoming Devin Stanton.
Class A
Pacelli at Landmark Christian, Friday 4:30 p.m.
Game 3 (if needed), Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Can anyone stop Landmark Christian? We’ll find out when the stout Pacelli pitching staff looks to stop the red-hot War Eagles, who are averaging nearly 12 runs a game in eight consecutive postseason victories. Landmark had never even reached the state semifinals before this season, and Pacelli last played for a state title in 1991.
Step up to the plate: 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.
