GSA 3 STATE FINALS GREAT BASEBALL ACTION! GSA PAST CAMPIONS Greetings, GSA baseball fans! Welcome to the 3 GSA Championship Series for Base- school year. Nearly four weeks ago these teams began the journey through the playoffs, and now they are poised the State Championship. The Georgia igh School Association is proud of the commitment to excellence that onstrated throughout the season, as the quality of play in high school baseball in Georgia continues to grow. We hope that you, the faithful fans, FIND US ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OFFICIALGSA will enjoy these games, and that you - The GSA is grateful for the generous contributions of our corporate Ralph Swearngin GSA Executive Director FOLLOW US ON TWITTER WWW.TWITTER.COM/OFFICIALGSA he 3 Georgia igh School Association A-6A Baseball State Championship Guide Tis published by Score Atlanta, in conjunction with the GSA. The guide was designed by DJ Galbiati Blalock, edited by Stephen Black and Fletcher Proctor and information and brackets were provided by the GSA. Photos on the cover are courtesy of Sonny Kennedy, Shine Rankin Jr./SGASports.net, S, J Photography and Jerry Novac. For more information on Score Atlanta, go to ScoreAtl.com or call 44-56-57. Year AAAA AAA AA A B C 946 947 948 949 95 95 95 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 96 96 96 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 97 97 97 973 974 975 976 977 978 979 98 98 98 983 984 985 986 987 988 989 99 99 99 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Newton Co. Griffin Lowndes Coffee Coffee Forest Park Brookwood McEachern Evans Evans Evans Newnan Walton Evans Evans Sprayberry Parkview Colquilt Co. arrison Lassiter Lowndes Parkview Parkview Colquilt Co. Milton Chattahoochee Lassiter Walton Brookwood Pope arrison Parkview Parkview Griffin Griffin Murphy Bendictine Griffin Murphy Avondale Lanier Dykes Tucker Therell Willinghm Dykes Jordan Sequoyah Glynn enderson Wheeler Savannah Kendrick Valdosta Winder-Barrow Coffee NW Whitfield Westside Westside Jones Co. Greenbrier Greenbrier Shaw enry Co. Greenbrier Greenbrier Loganville Northgate Loganville Miller Co. Campbell, Smyrna Rossville Rossville West Rome Crisp Co. West Rome East Rome eadland eadland Tucker Wayne Co. Walker Lakeview Lakeview Stephens Co. Calhoun Westminster Bradwell Institute arlem arlem arlem arlem Darlington ancock Central arlem Shiloh Berrien Washington-Wilkes Lovett Perry Cook Lovett Lovett Vidalia Thomasville Cook Year AAAAA AAAA AAA AA A Cartersville LaGrange Blessed Trinity Dunwoody Cartersville Cartersville Lanier West Fulton Decatur Newnan Avondale Thomasville Model Winder-Barrow Carrollton ughes Westminster Westminster ephizibah Irwin Co. arlem Irwin Co. arlem Gordon Lee Brookstone GAC Trion Gordon Lee Calhoun Co. Clinch Co. Clinch Co. Towns Co. Clinch Co. Bremen Clinch Co. Clinch Co. Pace Acad. Pace Acad. Pace Acad. Toombs Co. Irwin Co. North Forsyth Lovett Calhoun Cartersville Cartesville Vidalia Bacon Co. Calhoun Lovett oly Innocents Wesleyan Lovett Calhoun Buford Appling County Canton R.E. Lee Swainsboro Milton Tucker Model Model ughes ughes Perry Perry Norcross Fayette Co. Terrell Co. West Point Seminole Co. Terrell Co. Terrell Co. Wheeler Co. West Point Trion West Point GAC GMI Buford ML de Sales Walker Walker Clinch Co. Lakeview Acad. Calvary Day ELCA Calvary Day Pacelli Wesleyan Wesleyan ebron Christian Providence Chr. Meigs Ellingham Co. West Point Duluth West Point Glenwood Colbert Mt. Zion Shellman Dade Co. Dade Co. Twiggs Co. Coosa Mt. Zion Twiggs Co. Union Point Plains Union Puntnam Co. Clay Co. Safe at home. And on the road. That is our wish for our members. When you insure your home, auto and life with Farm Bureau, your premium dollars remain in Georgia and help support programs like GSA. Call your local county Farm Bureau agent for a quote today! GeorGia Farm Bureau mutual insurance company southern Farm Bureau annuity insurance company southern Farm Bureau life insurance company eorgia Farm Bureau casualty insurance company WWW.GSA.NET
MAY 5-7, 3 3 STATE FINALS 3 GSA FINALS PREVIEW No repeats as old, new powers enter finals By Craig Sager II Georgia will not see a defending state champion take the podium in 3. All looking to once again wear the crown. BACKYARD BRAWL... The GSA added Class AAAAAA this cation sets up a matchup between Region 5 been waiting since 986 to return the title to regions producing postseason success with battle-tested teams continues. (7-3, 6-). Will Jackson and Payton Smith ton s deep pitching staff includes Dylan Cease Games and 3 of the semis., meanwhile, handled the pressure of the postseason by winning three road to a Game 3, but the ornets loss in Game was a - decision in which they outhit the Raiders 7-3. In Game 3, Syd opkins had two doubles and a base hit in s 7-6 win. is a superb base-running team and - runners were in scoring position. CANINE CLAS... Greenbrier and Pope will battle for the ing team the entire playoffs and carries the solo home run and two-run double. In Game six of their runs in with two outs. In the series, all runs were scored with two outs. The lineup is deep with hitters and forces opposing pitchers into high pitch counts. aces Braden Zarbnisky and Nathaniel Lowe. Zarbnisky and Lowe will be be needed to minimize the Wolf Pack s knack for late in- extra innings. DEKALB DERBY... years and will host Redan in the Class AAAA after two outstanding pitching performances., Sean Guenther pitched a complete game, striking out 3 batters in a - decision. got solid pitching from its bullpen and timely hits from Trega Williams and Bakari Gayle. Williams bombed a three-run walkoff homer in the Raiders 9-8 Game win and Gayle TRIPLE-A TUSSLE... North all hosts perennial-power Cart- seasons. The Purple urricanes swept St. Pius ham pitched a one-hitter in Game. Colton Duttweiler and Preston Graham combined to toss a two-hitter in Game 3. BUCKEAD BATTLE... will square off in the Class AA championship. by winning three close games. In the postseason, the Wildcats are a per- perell. Conrad Cornell pitched a complete earned in the 5- Westminster win. batters in his Game win in the semis and Sean Reagan and Nick Boden lead the Lions batting lineup. Photo of North all s Andrew Smith courtesy of J Photography. Sager can be reached at csager@scoreatl.com. WWW.GSA.NET
GSA 4 3 STATE FINALS GREAT BASEBALL ACTION! WWW.GSA.NET
MAY 5-7, 3 3 STATE FINALS 5 GSA CAMPIONSIP BASEBALL ROSTERS AAAAAA - Milton vs. AAAAA - Pope vs. Greenbrier AAAA - vs. Redan AAA - North all vs. Cartersville AA - Westminster vs. Lovett CLASS AAAAAA Milton Eagles ead Coach: Joey Ray Steven Reale INF Ryan Gridley INF 3 Dalon Farkas INF/OF 4 Andrew Wood OF 5 Will Drennon B 6 Steven Barranca P 7 Dylan Cease INF/P 8 Alex Schnell OF/P 9 Payton Smith OF/P Jack Thompson B Dalton Ewing OF Nick Bradshaw C 3 Michael Messier P 5 Alec Miller C 6 Will Matthews P 7 Will Jackson P 8 Clayton Vaught OF Sean Ryan Brophy INF/OF Matt Geiger P 3 Alec Cease INF/OF 4 Matt Phillips P 7 Erik Petersen OF ornets ead Coach: Mike Power Lawson Dunkin OF Zach ald INF 3 Connor Johnstone P 5 Ryan Ritson OF 6 Nick Azimzadeh C 7 Adam Terrinoni OF 8 Scott Franklin INF 9 Syd opkins INF/P Matt Meeder INF Zach Chandler P 3 Alex Dickerson OF 4 Michael Mayuski P 5 Trent Corbett P 6 Drew Davis C/P 7 Jordan ovater INF 9 Austin Krzeminski OF/P Mitchell Benson INF 3 Devin Browning C/P Colin McCaulley INF Class AAAAA Pope Greyhounds ead Coach: Jeff Rowland Michael Chiara INF 4 arrison Siegal INF 5 Stephen Skruck C/P 6 Brett. Lyle P/INF 8 Carl Williams P/OF Chip Mattiford P Logan Taylor P/OF Chris abla P 3 Mason D. Shiflett INF 4 Nathaniel Lowe P/INF 6 Cameron Allison 9 P 7 Joseph Arcieri P Patrick Wiseman P/INF Wesley J. Smith C Johnny Flading INF 3 Kyle Armitage C 4 Jared Parker OF 6 Braden Zarbnisky P/OF 33 Brady Walsh INJ Greenbrier Wolf Pack ead Coach: Chris Wilkins Tim Powell OF/P Jake Rutt B 3 Nick Sandlin B 4 Knox Marchman 3B 5 Steven Maier OF 6 Davis Murray 9 C 7 Taylor Glover C 9 Connor ogan 9 P Clint ardy OF/P Connor oover SS Ty Snipes 9 B/SS 4 Chris Michals OF 5 Josh Bartlett OF 6 Grant Pagan C 7 Adam Grice OF/B/P 9 Travis Martinez OF Ryan Shead B/P 3 Adam Sasser B/P 4 Brett Lillis C 5 Christian ill OF/P 33 Austin Robinson P Class AAAA War Eagles ead Coach: Mike Strickland Steven Taylor INF 3 Marchant Young INF 4 Lott Gwin P/OF 5 Anthony Sherlag C 6 Parker Mathes INF 7 Michael Toner OF/P 8 Chandler Follis P 9 Matt McGee INF Rey Pascual C Patrick Anhut INF Matt Perez OF 3 Jordan Baker P/OF 4 Patrick Sullivan INF 5 Jackson Armstrong OF 8 John Simoneaux C 9 Nick Carrier INF Chris McGrath P Sean Guenther P Tyler ughes P 3 Liam Cotter P 4 Thomas Seitz INF 7 Sam Galanek C 8 Trey Oates P 3 Devin Kalil OF/INF Redan Raiders ead Coach: Marvin Pruitt Joseph Graves CF Bakari Gayle OF 4 Nick Solomon C 5 Marquise Glenn B 6 Corderius Dorsey P/OF 8 Miles Fore P/3B 9 James Nelson B Kendrick Elder OF Brandon Baker P Darian Osby P/B 3 D Anthony Baker C 5 Trega Williams 3B/P 6 Tyler Layton C 7 Wesley Jones SS Class AAA North all Trojans ead Coach: Trent Mongero Preston Graham P/CF Micah Strickland OF 3 Andrew Smith SS/P 4 Stephen Murray C 5 Corbin Lewallen P/B/OF 7 Drew Atha 9 SS/P 8 Brock Wingo B McCoy Savage OF 5 Griffin Olson 3B/P 6 Lincoln ewitt OF 8 Drew Coker 3B 9 Colton Duttweiler P/B Fowler Brooks 9 C 4 Adam Kelly P/CF 5 Zach Mize B/P Cartersville Purple urricanes ead Coach: Stuart Chester Clifton Dempsey B/SS Daniel Nally OF 3 Alex Chastain B 4 Beau Benefield OF 5 Brandon Wells 3B 6 Garrett Rutledge INF/P 7 Ty Fowler C/P 8 Lathem Postell P Mark Quattlebaum OF JoJo Underwood INF/P 3 Tripp Jamieson B 4 ayes Linn OF/P 5 Connor Justus SS/P 6 Austin Adams OF 8 Evan Cole OF 9 Drew Lawson C Will Landrum B Will Roberson C Elliott Anderson 9 P 3 Cole Anderson P 4 unter Osborn P 6 ouston Stewart C 7 Christian Demastus B Class AA Westminster Wildcats ead Coach: Russell Wrenn James Burton P 3 Robert degolian IF 5 Nick East C 6 Nelson Douglas P/IF 7 Connor Stutts IF 8 Kyle Murphy IF/OF 9 Conrad Cornell P/IF Kenta Yasuda P/IF arris Kirson P Jack Shelton P 3 unter Davis P/OF 4 Rankin Woley 9 P/C/IF 5 Chip Capper P 6 Luke Johnson B/OF 8 Jake Forte P/IF 9 Jake Johnson P/OF Merritt uber P/C 3 McClain Bradley OF 4 Dalton Light P/IF 5 Evan Roback P/OF 6 ays Meyer P/OF 7 Joseph Salwen P/OF 3 Will Benson 9 P/OF Lovett Lions ead Coach: Lance Oubs James Topping P/OF 3 Tyler Shiflett IF 4 Nicholas Cancelliere C 5 Grant aley OF 7 Mitch Stallings P Sean Reagan IF Mitchell Marino OF Conrad Kinzey P/IF 3 Pearce owell P 4 Willie Candler P/OF 5 Robbie Baker P 6 Drew Williams P/IF 7 Robert Winborne IF Jackson Lourie IF Nick Boden OF Aaron Schunk 9 P/IF 4 Brant Wells C 3 Will Geraghty P/IF 3 Clay DeYonker P/IF WWW.GSA.NET
GSA 6 3 STATE FINALS BASEBALL OTBED MLB standouts have Georgia on their mind By Fletcher Proctor E and stepped into the batter s box, the League Baseball s best talent. Players such as Wally Joyner, Ray Knight, Jackie Robinson, players once suited up for GSA action. FIRST-ROUND TALENTS... chael Barrett out of Pace Academy with the selecting one of the most decorated players to come from the Peach State in years. As a shortstop for the Knights, Barrett led Pace to three straight GSA Class A titles before winning the 995 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year Award. e was shifted from shortstop to catcher in an attempt to help him reach the parent club quicker, and on Sept. 9, 998, - ger award as the National League s best-hitting catcher. e also played for Team USA in the 6 World Baseball Classic. While Barrett won three rings during his time at Pace Academy, he had a decision to make after high school: Clemson or the another Peach State product chose the route thers to back-to-back Class AAAAA titles in and, as well as three football state championships. Before being selected No. 3 - clips on YouTube are the stuff of legends and chills talking about the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. Francoeur debuted with the - nize the name Gordon Beckham as the player just a few innings of a College World Series title, but Westminster Wildcats fans know eral football records and who is now in the school s hall of fame. Beckham started on the - e also won SEC Player of the Year honors at UGA in 8 after twice leading the Bulldogs to the College World Series. is 53 career home runs are the most in Bulldogs history. Chicago White Sox less than one year after Beckham was named the 9 American League Rookie of the Year by the Sporting BUSTING BIG... GSA state title, but he has seemingly won pitcher and shortstop for Lee County, setting - with a.6 ERA his senior season to go Posey s huge 5 was rewarded with the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year Player of the Year award and EA Sports and Baseball America All-American recognition. While at Florida State, Posey picked up the Johnny Bench Award, the Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year award, the Dick owser Trophy and the 8 Golden Spike Award. The Giants took Posey with the No. 5 pick in the 8 draft, and Posey would win the the NL ank Aaron Award, the Player of the Year Award. e has also won a pair of World Series titles with the Giants. Corey Patterson is a name that folks may recognize from his time with the Cubs, Orioles, Reds, Nationals and Brewers, but the arrison star led the oyas to the 998 Class AAAA state title with a dominating senior 38 stolen bases and 8 runs in 38 games. The Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year was also named to the Baseball America and USA To- also took home the USA Baseball Amateur Player of the Year and Baseball Coaches Association co-national high school player of GREAT BASEBALL ACTION! the year awards. The Cubs were impressed draft. e also won a World Series ring with the Cardinals in. OLYMPIC DREAMS... Dexter Fowler may be one of few Georgia baseball standouts to boast a GSA state championship and an Olympic medal on their Class AAAAA state title, and in the same year, was named Georgia Gatorade Player of - time in the minor leagues, Fowler was selected to the 8 U.S. Olympic team that earned a bronze medal in Beijing. e made his debut with the Rockies later that season. cess on the GSA diamonds as well as the lon Byrd and Kris Benson. Benson was named Gatorade Player of the Year in 993 as Sprayberry reached the GSA championship series. e attended Clemson to the 996 College World Series. e picked up multiple amateur awards that season as well as a bronze medal in the 996 Olympic Games draft. Byrd, meanwhile, would help Sprayberry win the 995 Class AAAA title before heading off to Georgia Tech. COMING SOON... Wheeler to be the best pitching prospect in the minor leagues after being selected No. 6 Giants. Wheeler was 95-36 in four years for East Paulding, including going 7-3 in his innings, only to better than with 5 strikeouts in 77. innings his senior season. is his senior season helped him earn the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year award. e has twice been a participant in the All-Star Fu- debut later this year. Photo of Buster Posey courtesy of the San Francisco Giants. Proctor can be reached at fproctor@scoreatl.com. Loganville s Clint Frazier has raised MLB scouts eyebrows over the past four years. Frazier is projected to be drafted in the top five picks of this year s MLB Draft. Like Frazier, Grayson s Austin Meadows is a projected top-five pick. Meadows, an outfield prospect, batted over.5 this year. Lucas Sims of Brookwood was the Braves first-round pick in the draft. Sims pitched the Broncos to the state championship series last season. Parkview s Matt Olson led the Panthers to last season s state championship before being drafted by Oakland in the first round of the draft. WWW.GSA.NET
MAY 5-7, 3 3 STATE FINALS 7 GSA AMERICA S SOURCE FOR IG SCOOL SPORTS Download MaxMobile on itunes Sportsmanship builds character owned and operated Electric Membership Corporations are proud to sponsor the Georgia igh School Association and to help our student Canoochee EMC Carroll EMC Central Georgia EMC Coastal Electric Cooperative Coweta-Fayette EMC Diverse Power Grady EMC GreyStone Power abersham EMC art EMC Irwin EMC Jefferson Energy Middle Georgia EMC Mitchell EMC Ocmulgee EMC Oconee EMC Okefenoke REMC Planters EMC Rayle EMC Slash Pine EMC Snapping Shoals EMC Sumter EMC Tri-County EMC Upson EMC Washington EMC WWW.GSA.NET
GSA 8 3 STATE FINALS GREAT BASEBALL ACTION! Luella Region - Team 3-, 6- Douglas Co. Region 3 - Team 4 Colquitt Co. Region - Team -, - Luella 5-4, 3- Colquitt Co. -3 GSA Class AAAAAA State Baseball Tournament Colquitt Co. Lowndes Lowndes -, 8- Alcovy Lowndes Region - Team -, 5-3 illgrove Region 4 - Team 4 Alcovy Region - Team -, 3- arrison Region 4 - Team 3 Parkview Region 8 - Team 6-, -7, 6-3 Etowah Region 5 - Team 4 Peachtree Ridge Region 7 - Team 7-, -3, 5- West Forsyth Region 6 - Team 3 3-, 4- Parkview Peachtree Ridge 6-, 7-3 Parkview Parkview -4, -, - Milton 5-3, 4-9, 5- Mill Creek 7-6, -8, -6 Friday May Westlake Region 3 - Team 3 Mill Creek Region 7 - Team -, 8-, 3- Alpharetta Region 6 - Team 4 Grayson Region 8 - Team -8, 9-6, 6-4 Region 5 - Team 3 D: 5/3 If: 5/4 D 5/8 If: 5/9 D: 5/4 If: 5/5 D: 5/ If: 5/ D: 5/5 If: 5/7 D: 5/ If: 5/ D: 5/4 If: 5/5 D 5/8 If: 5/9 D: 5/3 If: 5/4 East Coweta Region 3 - Team 3-, 6- Rockdale Co. Region - Team 4 Marietta Region 4 - Team -, - Camden Co. Region - Team 3 Milton Region 5 - Team -3 9in., - in., 4-3 Brookwood Region 8 - Team 4 Lambert Region 6 - Team 9-, 5-3 N. Gwinnett Region 7 - Team 3 7-3, 9- East Coweta 3-, 6-, 3- Thursday Marietta Milton Lambert East Coweta 7-4, - Milton Milton Sat., 4:3 pm Champion Runner-Up 7-, -, 7-6 Walton Tift Co. 8-, -, 5- Walton Tift Co. -, 5-6, 3-5 Friday May Newnan Norcross 6-5, 7-6 Walton McEachern Region 4 - Team 4-, -, - Tift Co. Region - Team 4 Newnan Region 3 - Team 5-9, - Newton Region - Team 3 Johns Creek Region 6 - Team 5-4, 3- Norcross Region 7 - Team 4 Walton Region 5 - Team 3-, 7-6, 5-3 S. Gwinnett Region 8 - Team 3 In ALL rounds, the higher seeded team will host. If both teams are the same seed, the () printed in the bracket will indicate the host school. (Note: A coin toss will decide the host team when same seeds meet in the Preliminary Round). Exceptions to the scheduled dates may be made with the approval of the Executive Director. WWW.GSA.NET
MAY 5-7, 3 3 STATE FINALS 9 GSA WWW.GSA.NET
GSA 3 STATE FINALS GREAT BASEBALL ACTION! WWW.GSA.NET
TE OFFICIAL BALL OF TE GEORGIA IG SCOOL ASSOCIATION ard work means you don t cut corners. Every practice and every game are an opportunity to improve, to push the limits and take your game to the next level. Wilson was chosen as the Official Ball of the Georgia igh School Association because we don t cut corners either. The materials and construction of the APRO ball will hold up rep after rep. APROGSA facebook.com/wilsonbaseball Wilson is registered trademarks of Wilson Sporting Goods Co.