Mountain View (16-6, 8-2) has hit only three home runs and three batters over .300, but those aren’t worries for a team trying to defend its championship in Region 7-AAAAAA.
The Bears have played one of the state’s toughest schedules – with victories over nationally ranked Gainesville and Buford - thus the ordinary batting statistics. Plus, they hit only three homers last year, when they went 22-6.
‘’We’ve played what has to be one of the toughest schedule in the state this season, most of the
time during non-region facing others’ No. 1 [pitchers],’’ Mountain View coach Jason Johnson said. “We saw a lot of great arms and played a lot of great teams.’’
The .300 hitters are second baseman Chandler Powell (.322), catcher Logan Irvine (.412 in only 13 games) and shortstop/pitcher Robert Kwiatkowski (.328).
First baseman/outfielder Luis Vilchez stands at 399 with a team-leading 18 runs. Catcher/outfielder Bradley Weaver (.294) has a team-best 14 RBI.
The team has four good pitchers - Brendan Munson (4-1, 2.69), Cameron Hankins (4-1, 1.79), Kwiatkowski (3-1, 4.25, 40 strikeouts) and reliever Zak Tyler (1-2, 1.66).
Mountain View is just ahead of North Gwinnett (14-7, 7-2) in the region. Mountain View beat North 6-5 last week in eight innings. The teams play again next week, probably for the region title.
Lakeside, Tucker head for showdown
Region 3-AAAAAA figures to be decided next week when Tucker (13-5, 8-1) and Lakeside-DeKalb (18-3, 9-1) play a three-game series. Both have region player-of-the-year candidates. Tucker’s Jake Lovvorn (.431 avearge, seven home runs, 20 RBI) and Lakeside’s Darius Sewell (.407-6-27) are having region player-of-the-year seasons. Lovvorn (4-1, 1.87 ERA) also pitches. Lakeside’s pitching rotation is made up of juniors Cole Howard (5-0, 1.22) and Cole Chisolm (4-0, 1.53) and freshman Charlie Ludwick (5-1, 4.88).
Stephenson puts up big HR, SB numbers
Stephenson has been an offensive powerhouse in its 12-2 season. The Jaguars have hit 19 home runs and stolen 75 bases. Dexter Neal (.567) and Bakari Gayle (.432) have five homers apiece. Neal has 21 steals. Gayle has 14. Kameron Armstrong is hitting .548 with 17 steals. Stephenson is 8-0 in Region 6-AAAAA.
Perry moves toward region title
Perry, just a 13-13 team a year ago, appears headed for a title in Region 2-AAAA under first-year coach Lorne Tucker. The Panthers are 16-5 overall and 9-0 in region play with three games left. Third baseman Jake Farrell, a senior, has been the best all-around hitter. He’s batting .464 with 12 doubles, 11 stolen bases and a team-leading 28 runs and 22 RBI. Other top hitters are outfielder Parker Stahlman (.500, 10 stolen bases), catcher J.W. Gentry (.373, seven doubles) and infielder/pitcher Cal Gentry (.383, 11 stolen bases). Cal Gentry also pitches. He’s 3-3 with a 1.63 ERA. Junior Drew Martens is probably the ace. He’s 7-0 with 53 strikeouts in 42 innings. Luke Parks is 4-0 with a 1.89 ERA).
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