Ross Couch
The Union-Recorder
Mon, May 12 2008
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GMC 5, Glascock 2
The Georgia Military College Prep varsity baseball team continued to rebound from a slow start to the season Friday, defeating region foe Glascock County 5-2 on the road.
The Bulldogs have struggled at the plate this season, but head coach Garry Couch said the bats are starting to come around.
Corey Ellison had a big day at the plate Friday for the Bulldogs, going 2-for-3 with a double, single and two RBIs. Stephen Wheeler and Jake Makes each went 1-for-2, and Clint Crawley, who has been recovering from knee surgery, picked up a hit in his first at bat of the season.
“We’re swinging a lot better,” Couch said. “We’re starting to string together a few more hits, we’re starting to put a few more runs on the board and we’re starting to win some games. It’s all coming together.”
GMC Prep never trailed in Friday’s game, scoring its five runs on eight hits. The Bulldogs scored one in the second, one in the fifth and three in the sixth. Glascock knotted the game at one in the third, but the Panthers managed only a single run over the final four innings.
Mech Melder picked up the win for GMC Prep, giving a complete-game effort. He allowed two runs on three hits while striking out 13 and walking two.
“Mech had a great day on the mound,” Couch said. “He hit his spots, he had good velocity and he just kept Glascock off balance all game.”
GMC Prep (5-3-1) returns to action Tuesday, playing host to region foe Lincoln County. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
“We’re starting to get into our region schedule a bit now, so we have to play better,” Couch said. “We have to be patient at the plate, play error-free baseball in the field and just keep working hard.”
Stratford 6, JMA 1
Things are starting to click for the John Milledge Academy varsity baseball team, but not enough for a victory.
The Trojans fell to 0-6 Friday, losing to Stratford 6-1.
“We just didn’t hit the ball as well tonight as we have been,” JMA head coach Gary Sanders said. “Defensively we played well, but we just didn’t have enough offense to go with it.”
Jonathan Martin was credited with the loss, lasting 2 2/3 inning. He gave up six run on seven hits and four walks, striking out three. With pitchers Ben Prestwood and Blake Thomas nursing arm problems, Sanders said he is giving his other arms some work.
“We’re just working on getting some of the younger guys some time on the mound,” he said. “We’re just trying to get them some innings, get them some experience and get them a little bit better. So far, they are showing improvement.”
Stratford went up early in the contest, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Four more runs crossed the plate in third, capping off the Eagles’ scoring. The Trojans plated one in the top of the seventh to break up the shutout.
Josh Meeks and Jase Stubbs each went 1-for-3 on the day.
“We’re starting to put things together,” Sanders said. “These guys are getting better. We just have to get together for region. That’s what we’re looking forward to.”
John Milledge returns to action Saturday, hitting the road to take on Mount de Sales at 1 p.m. The Trojans’ next home game is Monday at 4 p.m. against Gatewood. JMA (0-6) lost to both opponents earlier in the season.
“We had had our chances against both these teams,” Sanders said. “Hopefully we’ll come out swinging the bats better. We’re going to go after it. We’re going to take advantage of opportunities and score some runs.”
Putnam 12, BHS 10
The Baldwin High School varsity baseball team had its three-game winning streak snap-ped by its coach’s former team Friday, falling to Putnam County 12-10.
BHS head coach Donnie Coburn had the same position in Eatonton before moving to Milledgeville.
“It was a good game,” Coburn said. “We were down by six, but we battled back. We gave them a good run for it, but they just snatched it away.”
Putnam led 9-3 headed into the fifth inning, but Baldwin’s bats came alive. The Braves put up six runs in the top of the frame and another in the seventh, but two in the fifth and another in sixth was enough for the win.
Ian Verbal started the game for Baldwin but earned a no decision. He lasted two innings, giving up seven runs on three hits and three walks, striking out one. K.C. Carswell was credited with the loss, going three innings. He gave up four runs on four hits and two walks, striking out two.
Braxton Hurt pitched the sixth, giving up one run and walking one.
“Our pitching was just off tonight,” Coburn said. “I’m sure I could have brought Trevor [Boyer] or Chris [Bradshaw] in, and we could have shut them down, but we have region starting next week. We need those two guys then.”
The hits came in spurts Friday. Caleb Scoggins led the way, going 4-for-4 with three RBI’s and a walk. Boyer and Verbal each went 2-for-3, and Hurt went 1-for- with two RBIs.
“We made a gallant comeback,” Coburn said. “It was just a great way for us to prepare for Westside. We had nine hits tonight, and we put ourselves in a position to win but didn’t get the big hit at the end.”
BHS (6-4) returns to action Monday, hitting the road to take on Westside. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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