Walton takes lead in 5-AAAAAA
Sixth-ranked Walton (15-3, 8-1) took the lead in Region 5-AAAAAA this week with a pair of one-run victories. In a 7-6 win over Pope, cleanup hitter Tyler Heinrichs broke a 5-5 tie in the fifth inning with an RBI double, then scored for a 7-5 lead. Heinrichs, who has signed with Tulane, had homered earlier in the game. He also hit a home run in Walton’s 10-9 victory over Woodstock – which lost despite five home runs of its own.
Starr’s Mill rides 13-game win streak to No. 1
On a 13-game winning streak, Starr's Mill (17-1, 8-1) is the new No. 1 team in Class AAAAA. Georgia signee Adam Goodman is the team’s top pitcher. He allowed his first earned run of the season last week. He has an 0.23 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 30 innings. The team’s ERA is 1.17. ‘’Offensively we don't have one or two standout hitters,’’ said coach Brent Moseley. “We just have a bunch of guys that battle at the plate to put the ball in play. We are pretty much a young team with only four seniors, so some of the year we have called on a lot of juniors and sophomores on the mound and at the plate.’’ Starr’s Mill made the state quarterfinals last season.
Louisville Slugger tournament continues
The Louisville Slugger Select, which features a mix of Georgia and out-of-state teams, resumes Friday and Saturday at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson (Bartow County). Saturday's schedule includes King's Ridge Christian (No. 1 in Class A), Milton (No. 4 in AAAAAA) and East Paulding (No. 6 in AAAAA). The tournament is the fourth in a series played over spring breaks in March and April.
Jones County goes for lead in 2-AAAAA
Jones County is the only team from middle or south Georgia in the top 10 of AAAAAA or AAAAA, and the Greyhounds are only No. 10 in AAAAA. Jones County is 17-2 overall, 7-1 in Region 2. Jones actually trails Houston County (11-7, 8-1). The two teams play for a third time Friday at Houston County. They’ve split their first two meetings. Jones County’s rotation of Jacob Walden (4-1, 0.88 ERA), Keaton Gordon (4-0, 1.81) and Chandler Ramage (2-0, 0.79) has been stout. All three are batting over .325. Walden is at .407 with eight extra-base hits and 23 RBI. Walker Juhan has four home runs and 26 RBI.
Westlake about to get its chance
Westlake (10-5-1 overall, 9-1 in Region 3-AAAAAA) might be the third wheel in Region 3-AAAAAA behind No. 9 Newnan (15-4, 8-1) and No. 10 East Coweta (12-5, 9-1), but the Lions will get their chance next week when they play two games against both. Westlake junior Ramon Laster has a 0.00 ERA through 31 innings. He’s allowed three unearned runs. He has 44 strikeouts in 31 innings. He’s also batting .464. Matthew Reed (.312) has the team’s only two home runs. Jerome Holmes (.405) is the only other regular over .300.
Liberty County turns program around
Seventh-ranked Liberty County (13-3, 6-2) has won five straight games entering Friday’s big Region 3-AAAA home game against eighth-ranked Wayne County (13-5, 7-1). Liberty was 3-18 last season and 0-11 in the region. Liberty’s best player is probably junior first baseman Colby Rhea, who is hitting .444 (20-for-45) with 17 RBI. He’s also 5-1 with a 2.60 ERA as a pitcher. He has 58 strikeouts in 35 innings. Jacari Roberts (6-2, 230 linebacker in football) is hitting .500 with 21 RBI and 19 runs scored. Sophomore Vincent Brunelli (6-1, 3.28)
Whitefield Academy on the rise
Whitefield Academy (13-3, 7-2) trails only No. 1-ranked King’s Ridge Christian in the Region 6-A standings. The Wolfpack has won eight of nine games, losing only to King’s Ridge last week. Whitfield has made the state playoffs only once in its history. Three senior pitchers lead the way. They are Bailey Combs (3-2, 3.59), Matt Olson (2-1, 3.44) and Ryan Wesley (3-0, 045). All three are good hitters. Combs is hitting .375 with five home runs; Olson is batting .357; Wesley is hitting .387. The top hitter has been Bradley Davidson (.390, seven extra-base hits).
