The grass is cut, the dirt has been raked and baseball season is here again. Lambert enters the season as the number one ranked team in not only Class AAAAAA, but in the entire nation. Perfect Game and MaxPreps are two of many baseball outlets that have recognized Lambert as their number one ranked team after winning the state championship going 36-2 last season. A dearth of college commits lead the Longhorns. Georgia Tech-commit Kyle McCann gets the nod behind home plate, while Georgia Southern-signee Eric Furphy slides over to shortstop. Ian Kimbrell and JD Dutka man the corners of the infield. Seth Beer will be relied upon to have another big year. The No. 12-ranked player nationally in the Class of 2016 finished 6-0 with a 0.53 ERA while smacking .589 with 10 long balls and 56 RBIs.
After losing to Houston County in the state championship last season, Whitewater looks poised to make another deep run into the state tournament this year. Through three games the Wildcats have outscored opponents 28-3. In an 8-0 win over Griffin, pitchers Ethan Gillis (KSU-commit) and Jake Lee (GT-signee) combined to strike out 14 batters.
Carrollton won its first state title since 1962 and will try to replicate its success. Roury Glanton, Jackson Hesterlee, Mitch McLendon, and Cooper Criswell were all named Pre-Season First Team All-Region. After going 26-9 last season, Veterans has started off slow dropping three of its first four games, each loss by one run.
AAA’s defending champion Blessed Trinity shutdown West Forsyth on opening night this Monday. Brad Spinner, Francis Sugrue, and Cody Roberts combined for a 1-hit shutout of the Wolverines. Roberts along with Jake Bogosian plated the lone two runs scored. Pierce County has come out of the gates strong after a successful season saw the Bears make it to the quarterfinals a year ago. Every starter returns this year with great postseason experience. Stetson Smith, an Armstrong State-signee, returns as the ace after finishing 10-1 with a 1.85 ERA. Kyler Allen calls the game from behind the plate and has a powerful stick to carry the Bears offense, batting .457 last season. Pierce County currently is 4-0 with its latest victory a 10-2 win over Berrien County.
In AA, Lovett shutout Appling County 1-0 on opening day. UGA-commit Aaron Schunk pitched well and also hit the eventual game-winning homerun. Defending champ Benedictine sits at 1-3 after losses to Woodstock and Glynn Academy. Wesleyan has used its pitching to start 2-0 this year while allowing just two runs. In the Wolves’ opening game, Christian Stark drove in two runs and Will Collins knocked in the other to lift Wesleyan to a 3-1 win over Jeff Davis.
Former Major Leaguer Dallas McPherson leads defending Class A Private state champ King’s Ridge into another season with lofty expectations. Much like Lambert, the Tigers have a plethora of college talent. Georgia Tech-signee Brandt Stallings anchors the offense after hitting .545 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs. Ace Austin Higgenbotham (Austin Peay), Adam Moore (Mercer), and Tarez Miller (Georgia Southern) all star on the diamond and make the Tigers the odds on favorites to repeat.
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