2007 Game Summaries
Vikings, Wildcats chosen All-Region

Author: Christian Malone
Publication Date: May 17, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

Region 1-AAAAA Baseball Team
FIRST TEAM

IF - STUART DREW - COFFEE
IF - COREY DAVIS - COFFEE
IF - COLBY YATES - LOWNDES
IF - BLAKE LEE - WARNER ROBINS
OF - ISRAEL TROUPE - TIFT
OF - MICHAEL SWINSON - COFFEE
OF - BRIGGS SMOTHERMAN - VALDOSTA
C - GALEN SMITH - VALDOSTA
P - JAMES HAGER - LOWNDES
P - RYAN MAYO - COFFEE
P - EARL DANIELS - VALDOSTA
DH - MATT WEAVER - COLQUITT

 SECOND TEAM

IF - CHARLIE EDWARDS - TIFT
IF - CHANCE VEAZEY - TIFT
IF - CHRIS THOMPSON - HOUSTON
IF - TUZER CHISM -VALDOSTA
OF - JAKE GOWER - COFFEE
OF - JOSH PURVIS - LOWNDES
OF - CHRIS TESSANIAR - HOUSTON
C - RYAN BEITLER - HOUSTON
P - JACOB STINSON - TIFT
P - ANDREW WALLACE - COLQUITT
P - TANNER FUDGE - LOWNDES
DH - CHRISTIAN GLISSON - LOWNDES
HONORABLE MENTION

JESSE SCOTT - WARNER ROBINS
CARTER JONES - COLQUITT
JORDAN FARABOW - COFFEE
TAYLOR PRAIN - VALDOSTA
CHAD FENDER - LOWNDES

 CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR
BRAD PORTER - COFFEE
DANNY REDSHAW - LOWNDES

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MATT WEAVER - COLQUITT


TIFTON — With five first-teamers from one of the two schools and a repeat Coach of the Year, Lowndes and Valdosta were well-represented on the 2007 Region 1-AAAAA All-Region team.

Lowndes head coach Danny Redshaw was named the Region Co-Coach of the Year, after his team won its seventh region title in nine years. The Vikings went 10-2 in region play, and were 21-9 overall after their second-round playoff sweep of Savannah Jenkins. Redshaw shared the award with Brad Porter of Coffee, who took the Trojans from the bottom of the region to second place this year.

Two of Redshaw’s players made the first team. First baseman Colby Yates is batting .424 with four home runs and 24 runs batted in, and leads the team in all three categories. Yates, a senior, has a .512 on-base percentage and a .697 slugging percentage, and is batting .467 with runners in scoring position. Yates also is 3-1 with a 4.45 ERA on the pitcher’s mound.

Sophomore pitcher James Hager went 8-1 with a 4.36 ERA for Lowndes, and struck out 55 batters in 49 innings.

Across town, three Valdosta players were chosen all-region. Junior pitcher Earl Daniels was just 5-5, but had a 2.14 ERA and struck out 89 batters. Daniels also batted .281 with a team-leading 22 RBIs. Senior outfielder Briggs Smotherman batted .364, stole 12 bases, drove in 12 runs, and had a .441 on-base percentage. Junior catcher Galen Smith hit .333, with 12 RBIs and a .458 on-base percentage.

The Region Player of the Year was Colquitt County first baseman Matt Weaver, who batted .471 with three home runs, 38 RBIs and a .724 slugging percentage. In region play, Weaver batted an impressive .585, with 29 RBIs and a .927 slugging percentage.

The other first-team pitcher is Coffee’s Ryan Mayo, who went 6-2 with a 2.30 ERA and three saves, while striking out 75 batters in 54 innings. Mayo also batted .385.

Joining Yates and Weaver in the first-team infield are Warner Robins shortstop Blake Lee, Coffee first baseman Corey Davis and Coffee second baseman Stuart Drew. Lee batted .414 with four homers, 19 RBIs, 23 runs and a .549 on-base percentage. Davis hit .435 with a region-leading six home runs and 26 RBIs, and a .758 slugging percentage. Drew batted .366 with one home run and had a .578 on-base percentage.

Joining Smotherman in the first-team outfield were Tift County’s Israel Troupe and Coffee’s Michael Swinson. Troupe, who made the team a third time, batted .410 with four homers and 28 RBIs, and stole 10 bases. Swinson batted .476 with six home runs and 25 RBIs, stole 14 bases and scored 35 runs.

Lowndes also placed three players on the second team: left-handed pitcher Tanner Fudge, catcher Christian Glisson and outfielder Josh Purvis. Fudge went 6-4 with a 2.82 ERA and three saves, with 64 strikeouts, and was a workhorse for the Vikings, pitching a team-high 62 innings and appearing in 15 of the team’s 28 games. Glisson batted .367 with two home runs, 18 RBIs and a .519 slugging percentage. Purvis batted .359 with three home runs, 16 RBIs, and scored 18 runs.

Valdosta’s second-team selections was first baseman Tuzer Chism. Chism batted .381 with one home run, 20 RBIs and a .459 on-base percentage. He also was 4-3 with a 3.62 ERA on the mound.

Colquitt’s Andrew Wallace (6-2, 4.78 ERA, 66 K) and Tift’s Jacob Stinson (2.86 ERA) were the other second-team pitchers.

Also named to the second team were: Houston County catcher Ryan Beitler (.360, 4 HR, 24 RBI), Houston first baseman Chris Thompson (.373, 2 HR, 19 RBI), Tift third baseman Charlie Edwards (.354, 1 HR, 22 RBI), Tift shortstop Chance Veazey (.397, 2 HR, 16 RBI), Coffee outfielder Jake Gower (.364, 18 RBI) and Houston outfielder Chris Tesseniar (.341, 16 RBI).

Lowndes designated hitter Chad Fender (.415, 13 RBI) and second baseman Josh Reeves (.342, 14 RBI, 24 runs) were honorable mention selections, along with Valdosta utilityman Taylor Prain (.320, 10 RBI, .400 on-base percentage), Colquitt second baseman Carter Jones (.388, 18 RBI), Warner Robins third baseman Jesse Scott (.342, 23 R) and Coffee catcher Jordan Farabow (.327).

The Region 1-AAAAA Athletes of the Year were also announced.

Tift County gymnast Morgan Jones was the female Athlete of the Year, after winning each individual event at the state championships.

The male Athlete of the Year award was shared between Troupe, who was an All-State receiver for Tift’s football team and an All-Region center fielder for the baseball team, and Colquitt County’s Ryan Helms, the state diving champion.
Coweta indeed Home Sweet Home

Author: TOMMY CAMP
Publication Date: May 15, 2007 The Times-Herald, Newnan, Georgia

The home field "advantage" turned out to be exactly that for East Coweta, Newnan and Northgate in last weekend's first round of the state baseball playoffs.

All three teams, playing in front of the home folks, won.

Northgate swept Evans while East Coweta and Newnan beat Valdosta and Colquitt County in three games each.

But that came as no surprise to fans who have followed those teams all year. All three have been outstanding at home.

The first-round victories ran their combined "at home" record to 42-8.

Northgate is now 16-1 at home (25-3 overall), Newnan (22-7) is 14-3 at home and EC (21-8) is 12-4 playing on its home diamond.

The Vikings and Indians will have the opportunity to improve on those home marks when they host Westside Macon and Union Grove in the second round of the playoffs beginning Wednesday.

Newnan will go on the road to play Redan. The Cougars are 8-4 away from home.

Doubleheaders are slated for Wednesday with the "if necessary" game scheduled for Thursday.

The Vikings are averaging 10.6 runs per game at home, having outscored their opponents 181-51.

The Indians have scored at a seven-runs per game clip in Sharpsburg, outscoring visiting teams, 112-57.

Both EC and Newnan rebounded well after losses in their first round series. The Indians fell to Valdosta on Friday, 7-3, but bounced back with a doubleheader sweep on Saturday, winning 3-0 and 9-6.

Friday's loss marked the first time all season the Indians had lost back-to-back games although the defeats were a week apart.

EC lost its regular season finale at Troup, 4-1, on May 4. The Indians' record after losses now stands at 7-1.

Newnan, after beating Colquitt Co. 5-1 in Friday's opener, lost the rain-shortened nightcap, 2-1. Saturday's 2-1 win improved the Cougars' record to 5-2 after losses.

Northgate ran its winning streak to six in a row with a twinbill sweep over Evans on Friday, winning 3-2 and 11-0.

The Vikings are 1-1 after losses this year.

The three local teams will carry strong momentum into the Sweet 16 Round.

Northgate, in addition to winning six in a row, has taken 14 of its last 16.

Newnan has won seven of its last nine and 14 of 18 and EC has also won seven of nine and 15 of its last 19.

Westside Macon, the No. 2 team out of Region 4-AAAA, brings a 16-13 record to Northgate in what will be a rematch of last year's first round won by Northgate, 9-1 and 12-2.

Westside lost its first round series opener to Bainbridge last Friday at home, 9-3, but bounced back with two one-run wins, 10-9 and 7-6.

The win over Bainbridge was Westside's first playoff series win in 26 years. Union Grove, the No. 2 team out of 2-5A, is 18-10 after sweeping Groves in the first round, 8-2 and 11-1.

The Wolverines are no strangers to EC having played in Region 4-AAAAA for two years in 2004-05 and '05-06.

Redan, champions of Region 2-AAAAA, is 21-7.

The Raiders started slowly this year and were 2-4 after their first six games. They were 9-7 after losing to Brookwood on April 14, but have reeled off 12 straight wins since including an easy sweep of Johnson of Savannah in the first round, 12-1 and 17-0.

Union Grove and EC have played two common opponents this year.

The Wolverines lost to Sprayberry, 7-5, on March 12 and to Henry County, 7-2, on March 16.

EC lost twice to Sprayberry, 3-2 there and 14-5 in Sharpsburg and fell to Henry County at home on March 20, 3-2.

Newnan and Redan have faced three common opponents.

The Raiders beat Peachtree Ridge, 18-9, on March 10, downed Lakeside-DeKalb 8-4 on March 14 and topped Mundy's Mill, 8-5, on March 19.

Newnan split with Mundy's Mill, losing 5-4 there and winning 6-1 at home, lost to Lakeside, 2-1, here on March 3 and beat Peachtree Ridge there on March 9, 4-3.

Newnan and EC are the only two remaining teams in the playoffs out of Region 4-AAAAA.

Mundy's Mill lost twice at Lowndes on Friday, 10-4 and 8-7, while Hiram beat Coffee in game one, 2-0, but lost back-to-backs, 12-5 and 14-7.

Woodward Academy and Starr's Mill, along with Northgate, are still alive out of 2-AAAA.

Woodward won at Effingham County, 5-4 and 17-1 while Starr's Mill beat Brunswick at home, 7-5 and 3-2.

Whitewater was eliminated at Greenbrier, losing 5-1 and 11-0.
Valdosta earns 7-3 victory over Indians

Author: STUART CROSBY
Publication Date: May 12, 2007 The Times-Herald, Newnan, Georgia

SHARPSBURG – With several members of the 2003-04 state runnerup teams in attendance, the East Coweta Indians were hoping to rekindle those memories Friday night in a GHSA State AAAAA baseball matchup with the Valdosta Wildcats.

Unfortunately that hope was delayed as the visiting Wildcats took the first game 7-3 as the Indians left seven runners on base and committed three errors in the field.

The second game saw the Indians score three runs in the top of the second inning to take the lead after Cam Bedrosian went through the first three batters of the Wildcats order in the bottom of the first.

As the bottom of the second inning was about to start, East Coweta athletic trainer Lloyd Knott came on the field and informed the umpiring crew of lightning in the area and the game was stopped at that point.

With the weather conditions getting worse, the game was officially called an hour later as lightning continued to be seen in the county.

The two teams will start over today at 11 a.m. with game two and a possible third game would follow.

As for the game which was completed, the Wildcats scored three runs in the top of the second inning off Indians starter Rico Reid on a sacrifice fly and a two-run home run by Cameron Cain that barely went over the left field fence.

The Wildcats took a 5-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning as Justin Cowart led off with a double and scored on a one-out single by Andrew Moore who advanced to second on the play and eventually came home on a two-out single to left field by Taylor Prain.

The Indians did all of their damage in the bottom of the fourth inning as Jeremy Capshaw reached on a one-out single and moved to second on a throwing error.

Caleb Pulliam reached base on an error by the Valdosta shortstop and both runners came home when Josh Shiver hit a three-run home run to left field that cut the margin to 5-3.

After failing to score in the fifth, the Wildcats were able to take a 6-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning as Moore singled and eventually advanced to third after an error and wild pitch before scoring from third on a sacrifice fly to right by Prain.

The Indians had a chance to do some damage in the bottom of the frame as Pulliam singled and Shiver reached first on a fielders choice but the rally ended as Jarius Rhodes hit into a double play.

The Wildcats added on more run in the top of the seventh inning as Earl Daniels scored on a two-out single by Cowart.

Benefitting from the seven runs of support was Wildcats starter Kyle Rowe who pitched a complete game allowing only four hits and recording four strikeouts while inducing eight groundouts.

In seven innings, Reid allowed nine hits and recorded six strikeouts as the Indians dropped to 19-8 after the game.
GHSA playoffs begin today

Author: Christian Malone
Publication Date: May 11, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — The GHSA state baseball playoffs begin today for Lowndes, Valdosta and many other teams across the state.

Lowndes hosts Mundy’s Mill at 5 p.m. in the first two games of a best-of-three series. Valdosta goes on the road to face East Coweta.

“We’re ready to start the playoffs,” Lowndes head coach Danny Redshaw said. “We’ve played a tough region schedule so that we’d be ready for the playoffs. Now we want to play as long as we can.”

Lowndes (17-9), the Region 1-AAAAA champions, open the playoffs against Mundy’s Mill (14-10), the fourth seed out of Region 4-AAAAA.

The Vikings are ranked No. 7 in Class AAAAA, and won the region by two games. Though Redshaw admits it was an up-and-down season, he feels like his team is playing well heading into the postseason.

“I’m real proud of this bunch. We’re playing pretty well right now,” Redshaw said. “We won a tough region by two full games. We’ve played some tough teams this season to help us get ready for the playoffs.”

Lowndes is led at the plate by first baseman Colby Yates (.414, 4 HR, 29 RBI), catcher Christian Glisson (.349, 16 RBI) and first baseman Chad Fender (.436, 15 RBI). Left-hander Tanner Fudge (5-4, 3.18 ERA) will likely be the first-game starter, with right-hander James Hager (7-1, 3.62) throwing the second game.

Though favored in the series, the Vikings will not be looking past Mundy’s Mill. The Tigers finished fourth in the region, but lost twice to region champion East Coweta by two runs, and lost a 5-4 game to runner-up Newnan.

“Everybody I’ve talked to says they’re as good as Newnan and East Coweta. They lost some close games in their region,” Redshaw said. “They’re very athletic, and they have two good pitchers. They can hit it all through the lineup. Their 3-4-5 hitters have good power. There’s no doubt this will be a tough team to beat.

“We respect Mundy’s Mill. We know they’re a good team.”

Meanwhile, Valdosta (14-12) enters the playoffs as the fourth seed out of Region 1, which means they have to travel to Sharpsburg to face Region 4 champion East Coweta. The Indians are 19-7.

“They’re a big challenge for us,” Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman said. “They’ve been No. 1 in their region the last two years.”

Trying to upset a region champion is nothing new for the Wildcats. Last year, Valdosta knocked off Region 2 champion Redan in three games. Then they faced East Coweta in the second round. The Wildcats and Indians went three games, but East Coweta won the deciding Game 3, 10-0.

“They’ve lost a lot from last year, but they’ve still got a lot back,” Shuman said. “Their ace is Rico Reid, who is supposed to be a high draft pick. He throws about 91 (mph). We faced him last year, and he’s a very good pitcher. Steve Bedrosian (1987 Cy Young winner with the Philadelphia Phillies) is their pitching coach, and his son (Kyle) is their No. 2 pitcher. They’ve got some good hitters.

“East Coweta is a well-coached, solid baseball program.”

At the same time, Shuman has confidence in his own team. First baseman Tuzer Chism (.381, 1 HR, 20 RBI), left fielder Briggs Smotherman (.364, 12 SB), catcher Galen Smith (.333, 12 RBI) and third baseman Taylor Prain (.320) lead Valdosta at the plate. Earl Daniels and Kyle Rowe will start the first two games for the Wildcats.

“East Coweta’s a good team, but we’re going up there with all intentions of winning. You have to,” Shuman said. “If we play well, score some runs, play good defense and get good pitching, we’ll be able to compete.

“I feel good about our team. Our guys have battled all year, and they’re going to give it their best. If we play well, it should be a good series.”
Valdosta falls in 1-AAAAA finale

Author: Chris Walsh
Publication Date: May 5, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA – With their playoff seeding on the line, the Valdosta Wildcats fell 4-2 to the Coffee Trojans.

With the loss, Valdosta will be on the road for the first round of the playoffs. The Wildcats (14-12) will face Region 4-AAAAA champion East Coweta in the first round next Friday. Had they won Friday’s game, the Wildcats would have hosted the first round.

“It was a well-played game. They just got a couple of big hits that drove in runs,” Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman said.

Earl Daniels, Valdosta’s ace, started on the mound for the Wildcats and got some help to escape trouble early on. In the first inning, Trojans second baseman Stuart Drew reached on an error to start the inning. The next batter, Michael Swanson, doubled and it looked like the first run of the game was coming in.

But right fielder Thomas Lovett made a great throw to Tuzer Chism, who threw it to catcher Galen Smith, who reached back and tagged out Drew at the plate. The Wildcats ended the inning on the next at-bat, when Corey Davis hit into a 7-4 double play.

Valdosta got on the board first, in the bottom of the second thanks to two hits and two walks that led to a run. Smith reached base with a single and senior Kenny Green came in to pinch run. Green scored four batters later on a wild pitch.

The game then became a pitchers duel between Daniels and the Trojans’ starting pitcher, Ryan Whiddon. Daniels allowed only two hits through five innings, while Whiddon allowed only four.

Then in the top of the sixth, Coffee was finally able to break onto the scoreboard in a big way, scoring three runs.

With one out and two runners on, Swinson hit a deep double that looked like it would be for two runs. The first run scored, but as the second runner, Drew again, was coming around, left fielder Kyle Rowe made the throw to Taylor Prain, who in turn gunned it to Smith at the plate. Smith took Drew head on and held onto the ball to save the run and get the out.

But with one runner on and two outs, Davis came up to bat for Coffee. With the count 2-0, Davis took the pitch and drilled it to deep straight-ahead center field. The 400-plus foot shot cleared the fence and gave Coffee a 4-1 lead.

The Trojans added another run in the top of the seventh when designated hitter Burke Batten hit a lead-off home run to right field. Going into the bottom of the seventh, Valdosta was down 5-1.

The Wildcats, who stranded six runners throughout the game, had one more chance in the seventh. Andrew Moore got things started with a lead-off single for VHS. After two outs, third baseman Briggs Smotherman singled and the Wildcats had runners on the corners with two outs.

Chism came up next and hit a RBI single to right field to drive in Moore and close the gap for Valdosta. The Trojans escaped however, when relief pitcher Ryan Mayo struck out Daniels to earn the save.

Whiddon got the win for Coffee, giving up one run and three hits while striking out five. Daniels took the loss after giving up five runs and six hits while striking out five.

For Valdosta, Chism went 2-for-4 with one RBI and Moore went 1-for-2 with one run. For Coffee, Davis went 1-for-3 with two RBI’s and one run. Swinson went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run and Batten went 1-for-3 with one RBI and one run.
Wildcats outduel Vikings

Author: Christian Malone
Publication Date: April 25, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Usually the team that plays better is the one that wins. On Tuesday night, that team was Valdosta.

Valdosta rode the right arm of sophomore Kyle Rowe, got some key hits and played a mistake-free ballgame. That earned the Wildcats a 6-2 victory over No. 6 Lowndes at Noel George Field.

“This was a tremendous win,” Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman said. “This is a big game; it always is. But to get a region win was great for us. The kids played well.

“I don’t know if we could have played much better than this. We played a great game against a great team, and that ought to give us some confidence.”

“Give credit to Valdosta. They played well. They played a great game,” Lowndes head coach Danny Redshaw said. “They deserved to win.”

When the two teams met earlier this season, Lowndes sophomore James Hager shut down Valdosta’s bats. On Tuesday, Valdosta’s sophomore returned the favor against Lowndes. Rowe pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out seven.

“He pitched like a veteran,” Shuman said. “He was composed. He never got rattled. He stayed around the strike zone. Our defense played great behind him.”

It was Valdosta’s first victory over Lowndes since a 13-3 win in 2003, and the first for Wildcat seniors Tuzer Chism, Briggs Smotherman, Andrew Moore, Zane Sirmans and Kenny Green since they joined the varsity.

“I’m glad we won this one,” Smotherman said. “Since this is my senior year, and my last time to play Lowndes, it’s nice to come out with the W. This was a big one.”

Valdosta gave Rowe all the support he would need in the top of the third, scoring four runs. With one out, Andrew Moore walked, then Thomas Lovett singled. Taylor Prain followed with a single to center, scoring Moore. Then Smotherman’s infield single scored Lovett. Three batters later, with the bases loaded, Galen Smith beat out an infield single, and Prain crossed the plate. Cameron Cain drew a bases-loaded walk, and Smotherman scored to make it 4-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Lowndes’ Josh Purvis ripped into a Rowe fastball and knocked it over the Kentucky Fried Chicken sign in right center for his first home run of the season, making it 4-2.

Valdosta added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the sixth. Justin Cowart opened the inning with a single up the middle. One out later, Lovett grounded to second, but the umpire ruled the first baseman’s foot had come off the bag before he recorded the out, and Lovett was safe. Cowart took third on the play, and scored on Prain’s fielder’s choice, when Lowndes was unable to turn a double play. Then Smotherman ripped a Tanner Fudge pitch into the left field corner for a double, and Prain scored from first to make it 6-2.

Rowe then retired six of the final seven batters to close out the win.

“This team played a great game,” Shuman said. “They didn’t make many mistakes, and usually when that happens, we win.

Lowndes got on the board first, scoring a run in the bottom of the second. Purvis led off with a triple, and came home on Chad Fender’s single.

For Valdosta, Galen Smith went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, Prain was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs and Smotherman was 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs. Purvis was the only Viking with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a home run and a triple, and scored both Lowndes runs.

Despite the loss, Lowndes remains in first place in Region 1-AAAAA at 7-2. The Vikings (15-7) need just one win in their final three games to win the region for the seventh time this decade. The win improves Valdosta’s region record to 5-5 and keeps them right in the thick of the region playoff race.

“It feels good to beat Lowndes, but it feels better to win a region game,” Shuman said.


Valdosta High’s Briggs Smotherman (1) watches his fly ball during the Wildcats’ 6-2 win over Lowndes Tuesday at Noel George Field.
Pat Gallagher/The Valdosta Daily Times

Rowe comes up big for ’Cats in win
VHS sophomore holds Lowndes to six hits, two runs

Author: Bryan Fazio
Publication Date: April 25, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Just hours before his team defeated Lowndes for the first time in four years, Bart Shuman hadn’t yet tabbed a starting pitcher.

As sophomore Kyle Rowe, senior Tuzer Chism and junior Taylor Prain were all warming up in Valdosta’s bullpen, Shuman pulled aside the youngest of the three.

Rowe had pitched in three varsity games prior to Tuesday’s 6-2 win, and his coach was confident enough in the right-hander to stop him from his warm-ups and start him against Region 1-AAAAA’s best team.

Rowe put his sophomore nerves aside and aimed on proving his coach’s decision right.

“I just wanted to pitch good, and not let him down,” Rowe said.

Rowe (3-1) far and away succeeded in not letting him down, quieting Lowndes’ prolific bats to throw a complete game, while allowing just six hits.

“Kyle’s been throwing well,” Shuman said. “We just decided to go and give him a start, and see how he did.

“Little did we know, he’d pitch the game of his life.”

It all started in the first inning, when Rowe got Josh Reeves to ground to the shortstop, Christian Glisson to pop up to the second baseman and Colby Yates to fly to center.

During the one-two-three inning, Rowe’s instincts told him it was going to be no walk in the park for the Vikings.

“I just told myself I have to keep it up,” Rowe said.

He kept his composure throughout the game, rarely getting into trouble, throwing 55 strikes and 26 balls after the first inning. In seven innings, Rowe threw just 86 pitches.

Lowndes had only three batters reach past first base, and one of them was Josh Purvis, who hit a fourth-inning home run.

“He was in total command,” Shuman said. “He just had great composure.”

While Rowe kept the Vikings on their toes with six strikeouts, the Wildcats’ defense also played a big game.

Several ground balls were eaten up by Valdosta shortstop Earl Daniels, and first baseman Chism was stopping everything thrown in his direction.

“I have to credit our entire team,” Shuman said. “Our guys played great on the field defensively, and our dugout had a lot of energy.”

While Rowe factored heavily into helping the Wildcats beat the Vikings for the first time since 2003, that was two years before he even put on a VHS uniform.

Starting in the summer heading into his ninth grade season, Rowe made the transition from Wildcat hopeful to Valdosta’s biggest player in its biggest game.

“It feels good,” Rowe said.


Valdosta High pitcher Kyle Rowe (14) delivers to a Lowndes High batter Tuesday night at Noel George Field.
Pat Gallagher/The Valdosta Daily Times -----
Valdosta falls to hard-hitting Colquitt County

Author: Christian Malone
Publication Date: April 18, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Colquitt County can hit the baseball. Valdosta High found that out the hard way Tuesday.

Colquitt pounded out 12 hits and crossed the plate 14 times en route to a 14-6 victory over Valdosta at Bazemore Field. The Packers also benefited from eight VHS errors, seven of which contributed to Colquitt runs.

The loss makes things even tougher on the Wildcats in their chase to make the playoffs. Valdosta (12-9) is now 3-5 in the region. VHS plays Houston County on Friday.

The Packers broke the game open with three runs in the third and four in the fourth.

With the game tied 2-2, Colquitt started the third inning with a walk to Blake Cato and an Andrew Wallace single. Then Matt Weaver ripped into a pitch, and drilled it over the fence in right center, just to the right of the light pole. Weaver’s three-run homer gave the Packers a 5-2 lead.

Colquitt added to its lead with four more in the fourth. Javaris Jackson reached on an infield single, and John Michael Harrison singled to center. Then Cato hit a slow roller to third that went under the third baseman’s glove and rolled into short left field. What should have been an out instead turned into a Colquitt run. Then Wallace hit one right by the second baseman, which allowed Harrison to score, and when the center fielder didn’t field the ball cleanly, Cato came home as well, making it 8-2. Later Wallace scored on an errant throw, making it 9-2.

Valdosta briefly rallied, coming back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Wildcats benefited from a couple of Colquitt errors, which allowed Tuzer Chism and Earl Daniels to reach base. The second error allowed Chism to score. Then, with Daniels on third, the Colquitt catcher tried to pick him off, but instead threw the ball into left field, and Daniels scored to make it 9-4.

With two outs, Andrew Moore was hit by a pitch and Justin Cowart singled. Then Taylor Prain hit a slow roller towards second. The fielder tried to make a barehanded play, but couldn’t field it cleanly. Moore scored from second, and Cowart went to third. Then Prain intentionally got in a rundown, and stayed in the rundown long enough for Cowart to score, making it 9-6.

But Colquitt all but put the game away with five runs in the top of the sixth. With one out, Wallace reached on an error and went to third on another error. After a walk, Tyler Perryman doubled to the fence in right center, bringing home Wallace and Jones. Another error allowed Perryman to score, and later in the inning, Harrison’s two-run double made it 14-6.

In the first inning, Colquitt got on the board quickly, scoring two runs.

Valdosta tied the score with two runs in the bottom of the second. Daniels reached on a fielder’s choice, then Galen Smith lined a double down the right field line, putting runners on second and third. After a strikeout, Wallace uncorked a wild pitch, and Daniels slid home under the tag. Andrew Moore beat out a single, and courtesy runner Kenny Green came home to make it 2-2.

Wallace was the winning pitcher. Kyle Rowe took the loss.
Leon rallies past Wildcats in seventh inning, 4-3

Author: Chris Walsh
Publication Date: April 5, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Wildcats (9-7) hosted the Leon Lions for the last of their four games in three days on Wednesday. Valdosta held the lead through six innings before falling in the seventh, 4-3.

Kyle Rowe started on the mound for the Wildcats and had five good innings of work, but the first and seventh innings proved to be too much, and he suffered his first loss of the season. Rowe pitched seven innings, giving up seven hits and four runs, while striking out six.

The Lions jumped out early, putting two runs on base in the top of the first. After starting the game by striking out the first batter, Rowe gave up two hits, which led to two runs in the inning.

The second and third batters, Jordan Hoffman and Dallas Wilder, both reached base with a single. Then Marshall Lewis hit a deep fly ball to left field that was misjudged, and the error brought both runs in. Rowe escaped the inning with a strike-out to end it.

The Wildcats, however, answered right back in the bottom of the first with two runs. The first three Valdosta batters reached, loading the bases. Taylor Prain led off with a single, and Thomas Lovett followed suit with a single of his own. Briggs Smotherman drew a walk to load the bases.

Tuzer Chism came up next and grounded out, but Lovett was able to cross the plate for the run. Earl Daniels drilled a single to right center to drive in Smotherman. The 2-2 score lasted until the fourth inning.

Each team had trouble reaching base through the next three and a half innings, until the Wildcats finally took the lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Daniels started the inning with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a Galen Smith sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Justin Cowart singled to right center to drive in Daniels with the go-ahead run. Valdosta had another chance in the fifth inning, but couldn’t convert, as they left two runners in scoring position.

In the top of the sixth, the Lions had a chance to take the lead with the bases loaded and two outs. But Rowe struck the next batter out and got out of the inning.

Leon would have another chance in the seventh, and this time they would capitalize. With two outs and a runner on second, Wilder drilled a shot to right field that was misjudged by Cameron Cain, allowing the tying run to cross the plate.

The next batter, Lewis, hit an RBI single to drive in Wilder from second, and the Lions took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

Andrew Moore was hit by a pitch to start the inning, but the Wildcats were unable to score and the game ended with Leon winning 4-3.

For Valdosta, Daniels went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run. Smotherman went 2-for-3 with one run. Cowart and Chism each had an RBI.

For Leon, Dan Bennett started the game and got the win after going a complete game, allowing nine hits and three runs while striking out three.

Next up for the Wildcats will be a game on the road against Coffee, Friday at 7 p.m.


Valdosta High second baseman Briggs Smotherman (1) dives back into first base Wednesday against Leon High at Bazemore Field. Pat Gallagher /The Valdosta Daily Times
Justin Cowart of Valdosta High gets a base hit against Leon High Wednesday at Valdosta High’s Bazemore Field. Pat Gallagher / The Valdosta Daily Times
Valdosta splits Tuesday doubleheader

Author: Christian Malone
Publication Date: April 4, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

Wildcats rout Deerfield 12-1, fall to Statesboro 9-1

VALDOSTA — It was a tale of two games for Valdosta High’s baseball team Tuesday.

The Wildcats (9-6) routed Deerfield Beach 12-1 in the early afternoon. But 90 minutes later, they fell 9-1 to Statesboro at Bazemore Field.

“We hit the ball well the first game, but then the second game was a different story,” Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman said. “We’ll get ready for another game (Wednesday), and try to win again.”

Valdosta plays its fourth game in three days today, hosting Tallahassee Leon at 5 p.m.

“We’re out of school (for spring break), so we’re playing some baseball this week,” Shuman said. “Hopefully, this will help us get ready for Coffee on Friday.”

Valdosta 12, Deerfield 1

Valdosta had no trouble with Deerfield Beach on Tuesday. The Wildcats had a pair of five-run innings, and defeated the Bucks 12-1 in five innings.

“That was nice (to win 12-1), especially on a day when we’re playing a doubleheader,” Shuman said.

The onslaught began when Valdosta crossed the plate twice in the bottom of the first. After pitcher Gabby Savareno retired the first two batters, Tuzer Chism drew a walk, and Earl Daniels reached on an error. Galen Smith followed with a single, scoring Chism. When Savareno tried to pick off Smith at first, the throw went wide of the bag, and Daniels scored to make it 2-0.

Valdosta had its first big inning in the second. The Wildcats loaded the bases on a Jamie Turner single, a hit-by-pitch and an infield single by Taylor Prain. Thomas Lovett hit into a fielder’s choice, but Turner scored. Chism singled, scoring Kyle Rowe. Earl Daniels singled to left, and when the ball got away from the left fielder, Lovett scored to make it 5-0. Cameron Cain drove home Chism with an RBI single, and Daniels later scored on a wild pitch.

Deerfield scored its lone run in the third. Derek Natiello led off with a bunt single, took second on a wild pitch and scored when Rick Vesey singled to shallow center field.

But Valdosta put the game away with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Lovett drew a walk, then went to third on a Chism single. After Chism stole second, Daniels singled to right, and both runners came home to make it 9-1. Then Smith was hit by a pitch.

Up to the plate stepped Cameron Cain. The sophomore ripped into a Savareno pitch and knocked it over the fence in left center for a three-run homer, giving the Wildcats a 12-1 lead.

Valdosta pitcher John Mark Stephenson retired the side in the top of the fifth, and the game ended on the mercy rule.

At the plate, Cain was 2-for-3 with four RBIs. In Tuesday’s two games, he was 4-for-5 with two runs, four RBIs and three extra base hits.

“Cameron had a good day at the plate,” Shuman said. “He’s a guy that started the year on JV. We gave him a chance to play for us a few games ago, and he’s played well. He’s come on.”

Chism went 2-for-2 with an RBI and scored three runs. Daniels was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs. Lovett scored two runs. Stephenson (1-0) held Deerfield to five hits and one run, striking out three, to earn his first varsity victory.

“John Mark had a good game,” Shuman said.

Statesboro 9, Valdosta 1

Any joy Valdosta had from the rout of Deerfield was destroyed by a hard-hitting Statesboro ballclub. The Blue Devils pounded out 14 hits and crossed the plate nine times Tuesday.

“They’re a real good ballclub,” Shuman said. “They hit the ball hard today.”

The Blue Devils took the lead with a run in the first. With one out, Zach Taylor and Josh Ware put Statesboro on the board with back-to-back doubles.

Two more Statesboro runs in the third made it 3-0. Two singles and an error put men on second and third, then Ware’s sacrifice fly scored Trent Lewis. Tony Hill followed with an infield single, plating another run.

Statesboro doubled its lead with three runs in the top of the fifth. Singles by Lewis and Grason Wiggins put two men on with one out. Ware followed with a double to left, scoring Lewis. Then Hill knocked a two-run double to the warning track in center, bringing home Wiggins and Hill.

Valdosta finally got on the board with a run in the sixth. With one out, Cain, who had doubled to left center batting right handed earlier in the game, hit from the left side and lined another double to left center. Cain moved to third on a wild pickoff throw, and scored on Kyle Rowe’s single to left center, making it 6-1.

But Statesboro pretty much put the game away with three runs in the top of the seventh. Taylor singled to right, Wiggins doubled to left center and Ware tripled to right, bringing two runs across the plate. Three batters later, Landry Jones singled home Ware to make it 9-1.

Crawford Simmons was the winning pitcher for Statesboro, holding Valdosta to no runs and four hits in 4.2 innings. At the plate, Taylor, Wiggins, Ware and Lewis all had multiple-hit games.

Chism took the loss for VHS. Cain had another big game for Valdosta, hitting a pair of doubles and scoring the team’s only run.

Wildcats fall to Deerfield 8-7 in eight innings

Author: Chris Walsh
Publication Date: April 3, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Wildcats opened a long home stretch on Monday with an 8-7 eight-inning loss to the Deerfield Beach Bucks.

After Valdosta had tied the score in the bottom of the seventh, the Bucks took the lead back in the top of the eighth. Rosa got on base with a bunt single, then two batters later, Tony Russo drove him in with the winning run on a single to right field.

The Wildcats struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Thomas Lovett walked to get on first, and was driven in three batters later on a Tuzer Chism single. The 1-0 lead lasted until the third inning.

In the third inning, both teams had their best offense of the afternoon, combining for seven runs and eight hits. Deerfield scored four times, then Valdosta responded with three runs.

In the top of the third, the Bucks put up four runs on five hits. With one out, Deerfield put together three straight hits. The third hit, a double by Jarod Thomas, drove in two runs. Two batters later, Robby Alonso drilled two-run home run over the right field wall. The Wildcats would come back and tie it up in the bottom of the inning.

Thomas Lovett got the inning started with a single and Herb Reinhard followed with a walk. Two batters later, Chism came to bat and smacked a three-run homer over the right field fence. The inning ended with two runners on base, but the game was knotted at 4-4.

The Wildcats would take the lead back in the bottom of the fifth, when two hits led to two runs. Chism was hit by a pitch, and Galen Smith reached with a single to start the inning. Cameron Cain then came up and hit an RBI single to drive in Chism. Andrew Moore came up next and hit into a fielder’s choice that drove in Smith. Valdosta would hold the 6-4 lead until the seventh inning.

The Bucks struck back in the top of the seventh to take the lead. Russo started the inning getting hit by a pitch. Three batters later, Alonso was intentionally walked to put two runners on with two outs.

Greg Groshiem stepped to the plate and hit a deep home run to left field to drive in three runs and give Deerfield a 7-6 lead.

The Wildcats came back again in the seventh to tie the game and force extra innings. Chism led off with a single, and two batters later, crossed home plate on a Cain sac fly.

For Valdosta, Chism went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs. Cain went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Smith was 2-for-3 with two runs.

For Deerfield, Groshiem went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Alonso went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run.

The Wildcats return to action today with a doubleheader, starting at 2 p.m. The first game is a rematch with Deerfield. The second, which begins shortly after the first one, is against Statesboro.


Valdosta High first baseman Tuzer Chism (12) is congratulated by Earl Daniels (5) and other teammates after hitting a three-run homer in the third inning against Deerfield Beach. Paul Leavy/The Valdosta Daily Times

Valdosta High's Thomas Lovett (9) slides into third base and into Deerfield Beach third baseman Jared Thomas (5) Monday at Bazemore Field. Paul Leavy/The Valdosta Daily Times

Valdosta High's Herb Reinhard waits for a pitch during the Wildcats' 8-7 loss to Deerfield Beach Monday at Bazemore Field. Paul Leavy/The Valdosta Daily Times
VHS drops pitchers’ duel

Author: Christian Malone
Publication Date: March 31, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Tift County won a pitcher’s duel with Valdosta High Friday night at Bazemore Field.

Jacob Stinson pitched a seven-hit shutout, leading Tift to a 2-0 win. He outdueled Valdosta ace Earl Daniels, who allowed just one earned run and six hits, but received no run support.

“(Stinson) pitched a great ballgame,” Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman said. “Earl pitched well, but he walked too many guys, and we couldn’t score any runs for him.”

With the win, Tift moves into a tie for first in Region 1-AAAAA at 3-1 with Lowndes, which lost 5-4 to Warner Robins on Friday.

For three innings Friday, Daniels and Stinson traded zeroes on the scoreboard.

Then in the top of the fourth, control problems from Daniels and an error led to a Tift run.

Leading off the fourth, Tyce Moore hit a grounder to third base that went off Cameron Cain’s glove for an error. That wound up being the only fair ball the Blue Devils hit that inning. Daniels struck out Carson Tapp, walked Nick Prosiko and struck out Garrett Blalock, before walking Luke Bragg, the ninth hitter, to load the bases. Then a pitch got away from Daniels and hit Chance Veazey in the side, bringing home Moore with the game’s first run. After a visit to the mound by Shuman, Daniels came back to strike out Stinson to end the inning and prevent any more damage.

Tift added another run in the top of the seventh. Stinson led off the inning with a single. One out later, Israel Troupe ripped a Daniels pitch to deep center field for a double. Tift coach Chuck Beale waved courtesy runner Malcolm Dixon home, and when the throw to the plate was high, Dixon scored to make it 2-0. Troupe went to third on a ground out, but Daniels struck out Tapp to end the inning.

Each team had other opportunities to score. In the top of the third, Tift loaded the bases with two outs, after walks to Bragg, Stinson and Charlie Edwards. But Daniels got Troupe, the Blue Devils’ cleanup hitter, to bounce back to the mound to get out of the inning. Valdosta put runners on first and second in both the third and fourth innings, but couldn’t score either time.

Valdosta has staged a couple of seventh-inning rallies this season, and tried to rally Friday. The last three batters who came to the plate in the bottom of the seventh hit the ball hard. But alas, the Wildcats weren’t able to tie it. With two men on and one out, Blalock ran down Kyle Rowe’s fly ball in right, then fired to second to double off a runner and end the game.

“We got some hits, but we couldn’t get (several in a row), when they could’ve scored runs,” Shuman said.

Daniels struck out eight batters, but also walked six. Stinson fanned five batters.

Neither team had many offensive stars. For Tift, Tapp, who went 2-for-4, was the only player with more than one hit. For Valdosta, Cain was 2-for-3 and Galen Smith reached base three times.


Valdosta High baserunner Kenny Green dives back into first in the second inning Friday at Valdosta High. Tift County first baseman Carson Tapp (21) awaits the throw.
Pat Gallagher/The Valdosta Daily Times

Valdosta High pitcher Earl Daniels pitches to a Tift County batter Friday night. Daniels allowed just six hits and struck out eight batters in a 2-0 loss.
Pat Gallagher/The Valdosta Daily Times
Vikings conquer Wildcats, 10-7

Author: Christian Malone
Publication Date: March 28, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Lowndes High built a big lead in the first four innings Tuesday night, then held off a late Valdosta rally to defeat its crosstown rivals 10-7 at Bazemore Field.

The win was big for the Vikings, both in terms of the rivalry and more importantly, the region standings. Lowndes is now 3-0 in Region 1-AAAAA, and in sole possession of first place.

“It was a big region win for us,” Lowndes head coach Danny Redshaw said. “Any time you win a region game, it’s big.

“Just like we did against Coffee, we scored a bunch of runs early and got the lead, but then they came back late in the game, which you can’t let a team do.”

Sophomore right-hander James Hager shut out Valdosta for four innings, and Lowndes gave him plenty of run support.

Lowndes got going early and scored five runs in the first two innings.

With one out in the top of the first, Christian Glisson singled, Colby Yates was hit by a pitch and Jarrod Pass drew a walk to load the bases. Kyle Williams hit a grounder to second, but VHS could only get the force at second, and courtesy runner Chase Prine scored, giving Lowndes a 1-0 lead.

Then the Vikings put four runs on the board in the second. Matt Rowland and Parker Pridgen singled, putting two runners on with one out, then Josh Reeves’ sacrifice bunt put men on second and third, with two of Lowndes’ best hitters coming to the plate. Glisson followed with a line drive single to center, bringing home Rowland and Pridgen to make it 3-0.

Then Yates jumped on a Tuzer Chism pitch and ripped a double down the third base line and into the left field corner, and Prine came all the way around from first to score. Two batters later, Williams singled home Yates to make it 5-0.

Valdosta had its chances to score in the early innings. The Wildcats put two runners on in the first inning, two on in the second, and loaded the bases in the third. But each time, Hager bore down and got outs when he needed them, and all seven Wildcat baserunners wound up getting stranded.

“We got runners on base in the first three innings, but couldn’t get them in,” Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman said. “That can hurt you.”

The Vikings weren’t done. They increased their lead to 7-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth.

The inning began with a Glisson single, a hit-by-pitch and a walk to pass. Valdosta reliever Taylor Prain struck out the next two batters and appeared to be out of the inning when he got Rowland to hit a routine fly ball. But the left fielder dropped the ball, and Prine and Yates scored.

But Valdosta wasn’t out of it yet. The Wildcats staged a late rally and climbed back in the game with seven runs in the final three innings.

“Give credit to Valdosta. They didn’t roll over and quit,” Redshaw said. “They’re a scrappy ballclub.”

“I was proud of the way we rallied late. Our kids didn’t give up,” Shuman said.

Valdosta scored twice in the bottom of the fifth, making it 7-2. With one out, Galen Smith singled, and Kenny Green replaced him as a courtesy runner. After a balk, a pitch from Travis Bragg bounced in the dirt, and Green took off for third. Glisson’s throw sailed into left field, and Green came home for Valdosta’s first run. Three batters later, Andrew Moore singled to center, and Shuman sent Chad Prain home from second. The throw beat Prain to the plate, but he collided with Glisson and the ball came loose. Prain was called safe.

Lowndes came back with three runs in the top of the sixth. Williams and Josh Purvis hit back-to-back doubles to left, scoring a run. Three batters later, Parker Pridgen lined a triple over the center fielder’s head, scoring Purvis and Rowland to make it 10-2. Valdosta scored two runs in the bottom of the inning, making it 10-4.

Down by six entering the bottom of the seventh, the Wildcats made one last stand. Kyle Rowe and Smotherman walked to start the inning. One out later, Chism ripped a double to the fence in left center, scoring both runners to make it 10-6. Daniels followed with an RBI double, making it a three-run game.

But that was as close as the Wildcats would get. Lowndes’ Scott Wilson retired the final two batters, and closed out the win.

For Lowndes, Glisson was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, scored three runs, and reached base all five times he came to the plate. Rowland was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Pridgen was also 3-for-4 with two RBIs, as well as a run. Yates scored a pair of runs.

For Valdosta (8-4, 2-2 region), Daniels had three hits and an RBI. Chism had two hits, and Prain scored a pair of runs.

Wildcats win in the 8th

Author: Chris Walsh
Publication Date: March 24, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA – Tuzer Chism’s bases-loaded single in the bottom of the eighth gave Valdosta a 4-3 victory over Houston County Friday night at Bazemore Field.

The game was a pitching duel through five innings, the Wildcats pulled out the 4-3 win in the bottom of the eighth inning.

“We just held it together and bounced back,” said Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman after the game. “That was big for our team.”

Valdosta starting pitcher Earl Daniels had one of the best games of his young life, pitching a complete game for the win. He had a career-high with 16 strikeouts.

“Daniels stepped up tonight and became a top region pitcher,” said Shuman.

In the first inning, Daniels looked to be in trouble with two runners on and one out, but turned it around and struck out the final two batters to end the inning and escape the jam.

The Wildcats struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Taylor Prain led off with a single and advanced to second when Thomas Lovett reached on an error. Two batters later, Tuzer Chism hit a grounder to second, and on a bad throw to first, Prain was able to come around and score.

The Bears put two runners on with no outs in the second, but Daniels came through once again, throwing three straight strikeouts to end the inning. He continued his dominance in the third inning. Despite allowing a hit, Daniels got all three outs by way of strikeout.

Both teams struggled to get on base through the first five innings, as Daniels and Houston starting pitcher Blake Mullis were both dominating the hitters. Going into the sixth inning, Daniels had amassed 10 strikeouts, while Mullis had nine.

The Bears’ bats finally came alive in the sixth inning, as Houston scored and took the lead for the first time of the night. With one runner on and no outs, Ben Collins hit a deep double to drive in Chris Thompson from first base for the first Houston run. The next batter followed suit and drove in Collins. Going into the bottom of the sixth Valdosta was down 3-1.

The Wildcats bounced back and tied it up in the bottom of the sixth. The first run came across on a bases loaded walk and then Kyle Rowe hit a RBI single to knot the game up at three.

Valdosta had a chance to win it in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded, but was not able to get runners across and the game went into extra innings.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Wildcats once again loaded the bases, and with two outs, Chism came to the plate. Chism drilled a hard single and the winning run came across as Valdosta won 4-3.

“Kyle had a big hit for us and Tuzer, well can’t get any more dramatic than that. That was clutch,” said Shuman.

Next up for the Wildcats is the Lowndes Vikings. The crosstown rivals battle this Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Bazemore Field.


Valdosta High’s Tuzer Chism (12) slides safely into second base as Houston County's Steven Griffin stretches for the catch Friday night at Valdosta High. Pat Gallagher/ The Valdosta Daily Times
Diamond Pack falls to Valdosta 12-9

Author: Wayne Grandy
Publication Date: March 20, 2007 The Moultrie Observer

MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County High baseball team has scored 30 runs and had 29 hits in its two Region 1-AAAAA games over the last five days, but has only a pair of losses to show for them.

After losing 22-21 at Houston County on Friday, the Packers tried to scratch back from a 5-0 first-inning deficit but came up short on Tuesday at Ike Aultman Field at Packer Park, losing to Valdosta 12-9.

Colquitt is now 5-6 overall and 0-2 in the Region 1-AAAAA standings with Warner Robins planning to visit at 7 p.m. Friday.

Valdosta, which lost it region opener 2-1 to Warner Robins on Friday, is now 1-1.

Colquitt trailed 5-0 before recording an out and now has lost three straight games at Packer Park after defeating Crisp County in the first game played at the new facility.

Third baseman Taylor Prain did most of the damage for the Wildcats, going 5-for-5 with a double and a triple and driving in a run. Prain was involved in the Wildcats big innings: the five-run first, the three-run fourth and the three-run fifth.

The Packers scored three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings and brought the potential tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but the early deficit proved too big to overcome.

The Wildcats combined three hits and three Packers errors to take the 5-0 first-inning lead.

Colquitt got one back in the bottom of the first when John Michael Harrison singled, went to second on an error an scored on Matt Weaver’s hit.

Valdosta got its lead back to five runs in the top of the second on Tuzer Chism’s two-out, run-scoring single.

Colquitt cut the lead in half in the bottom of the third with two runs. Spenser Richardson, Matt Weaver and Carter Jones had hits in the inning. Blake Cato and Jones drove the runs home.

But Valdosta opened its lead again in the top of the fourth, scoring three times on a bases-loaded triple by Briggs Smotherman.

That was the last inning for Packers starter Andrew McDowell, who took the loss.

Sophomore Corey Hancock took over in the fifth and gave up the final three runs, all coming with two outs.

Prain drove in one with his double and Thomas Lovett followed with a double that drove in two more.

Hancock pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh.

The Packers scored three of their own in fifth after Chism, who went the distance on the mound for Valdosta, walked the first three batters to open the inning.

One out later, McDowell cleared the bases with a three-run double.

Colquitt scored three more in the bottom of the sixth when Richardson slapped his third straight hit and Cato drew a one-out walk.

Andrew Wallace drove in two runs with a double and scored himself on a single by Weaver.

But the Packers stranded Weaver to end the sixth and had two more base runners in the seventh, but failed to score.

Chism got the win for the Wildcats despite giving up nine runs and 11 hits. The right-hander walked five and struck out five.

In addition to Prain’s five hits, the Wildcats got two hits each from Smotherman an Chism and one each from Lovett, Earl Daniels, Galen Smith, Herb Reinhard and Kenny Green.

Daniels hit was a three-run, first-inning double.

Weaver and Richardson each had three hits for the Packers.

McDowell had two and Harrison, Wallace and Jones had the others. McDowell drove in three and Wallace and Weaver each drove in two. Cato had the other RBI.

The Packers will return to Ike Aultman Field two more times this week.

Warner Robins will visit for a 7 p.m. region game on Friday.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, Thomas County Central will visit.

Weaver, Harrison and McAlpin are scheduled to pitch for the Packers on Friday.

VHS Wildcats defeat Jenkins, fall to Lincoln

Author: Christian Malone and Chris Walsh
Publication Date: March 10, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Valdosta High won its fifth straight game, defeating Jenkins 10-4 Friday afternoon at Billy Grant Field.

But when the Wildcats returned to their home field for a night game, Lincoln handed them their first loss, 6-5.

Valdosta finishes the Wildcat Invitational 2-1. VHS was playing at Grant Field because another game was taking place on their field.

Taylor Prain had a big day for the Wildcats, going 4-for-5 at the plate and scoring four runs. On the mound, Prain earned his second win of the season, holding Jenkins to five hits and one run in five innings of work, striking out three.

“Taylor Prain pitched very well. He had great control,” Valdosta head coach Bart Shuman said. “He had four hits, and got us started in a couple of innings.”

Leading off the game, Prain singled. Briggs Smotherman sacrificed him to second, then Earl Daniels singled him home for VHS’ first run. Two batters later, Galen Smith doubled home Daniels, giving Valdosta a 2-0 lead.

Prain led off the third with a single, stole second, and came home on another Daniels hit for a 3-0 lead. Jenkins made it 3-1 when Joey Robertson doubled home Tyler Tuttle.

The Wildcats broke the game open with four runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth, turning a 3-1 lead into a 10-1 lead.

With one out in the fifth, Cameron Cain was hit by a pitch, followed by singles by Prain and Smotherman, scoring Cain. One out later, Tuzer Chism doubled, bringing in Prain and Smotherman. Smith’s RBI single scored Chism to make it 7-1.

The first two batters were retired in the sixth, but Kyle Rowe was hit by a pitch, Prain legged out a double to right and Smotherman was hit with a pitch, loading the bases. Daniels followed with a shot just inside the third base line. Rowe, Prain and Smotherman came around to score on the bases-clearing double, making it 10-1.

“Earl had the big hit with the bases loaded. Tuzer got a big two-out double,” Shuman said. “We hope our bats are warming up.”

Daniels was 3-for-4 with five RBIs, and Smotherman scored two runs.

Valdosta High’s Taylor Prain dives safely back into second base ahead of the tag of Jenkins shortstop Matt Oglesby Friday at Billy Grant Field. Prain was the winning pitcher and went 4-for-5 in a 10-4 Wildcat victory.
Paul Leavy/The Valdosta Daily Times / The Valdosta Daily Times

Lincoln 6, Valdosta 5

After beating Jenkins, Shuman pointed out that his team had started strong in 2005 and 2006, only to stumble against Lincoln. History repeated itself Friday.

Despite a seventh inning comeback, the Wildcats fell 6-5 to the Trojans at Bazemore Field.

Tuzer Chism started for the Wildcats, and despite pitching well for 4.2 innings, he took the loss thanks to a three-run third. Josh Nichols was the winning pitcher for Lincoln, despite allowing four runs and five hits.

Defensively, both teams struggled as Lincoln had three errors and the Wildcats had five, both through the first five innings.

In the bottom of the first, the Wildcats put an unearned run on the board. Briggs Smotherman doubled with one out and scored two batters later on a wild pitch. The 1-0 lead would be short lived, though, as the Trojans put up three runs in the top of the third.

In the third inning, with two runners on, Tye Buckley hit a deep triple to right field to drive in two runs. Buckley then scored on a fielding error by Zane Sirmans. Valdosta came right back and cut the lead in the bottom of the inning.

Thomas Lovett led off the inning with a single, but was put out when Taylor Prain hit into a fielder’s choice. Prain came around and scored two batters later on an Earl Daniels ground out. The next big offensive inning came in the fifth.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Trojans extended the lead with two runs, but the Wildcats came back and scored two runs of their own.

Tyler Everett led off the top of the fifth with a double and the next batter, Charles Basford, drove him win with a single. Basford came home two batters later on a wild pitch.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Wildcats put two runs on the board. Lovett led off the inning with a single and came in three batters later on a Daniels single. Smotherman was hit by a pitch and scored after a pick-off attempt at third base.

In the seventh, the Trojans scored what would be the deciding run. Basford led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch and he scored two batters later on a Buckley single. The Wildcats would get one more chance to come back from the 6-4 lead.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Smotherman tripled to left-center and scored on a Daniels ground out. With two outs, Chism came up and reached on an error by the second baseman. But on a steal attempt, Chism was tagged out and Lincoln held on to win.

For Valdosta, Daniels drove in three runs. Smotherman went 3-for-3 with two runs.

VHS Wins Wild Opener

Author: Chris Walsh
Publication Date: March 7, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

The Wildcats defeat Thomas County Central 4-3 in eight innings

VALDOSTA — The Valdosta High Wildcats opened their part of the Wildcat Invitational with an eight-inning victory over the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets, 4-3. VHS tied the game in the bottom of the seventh and won in the eighth on a wild pitch.

Earl Daniels started on the mound for the Wildcats, but did not earn the win. Daniels was impressive, allowing only three runs and four hits while striking out seven.

In the top of the first inning, Valdosta escaped a tough situation with the bases loaded and only one out. Daniels forced Yellow Jackets catcher Mitchell Herring into a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning. The Wildcats kept the excitement going by putting their first run on the board in the bottom of the inning.

With Daniels on first thanks to a fielder’s choice, Tuzzer Chism came up with two outs. Daniels stole second and then Chism drilled a single down the right field line to drive in the first run of the night. Despite a couple of hits from each team, the Wildcats held the 1-0 lead until the third when they expanded it.

With one out, Briggs Smotherman singled and advanced to third on a Chism single with two outs. Andrew Moore then came up and hit a grounder to the third baseman Gary Smith. Smith misplayed it, and Smotherman was able to cross the plate to give VHS a 2-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, the Yellow Jackets finally got on the board with three hits for two runs. Frank Burton hit an RBI single that drove in Chris Munroe for the first Yellow Jackets run of the night. Two batters later, Austin Taylor doubled down the right field line to drive in Burton.

The score remained tied at two until the top of the seventh when Thomas County took the lead. Munroe got on base to lead off the inning on a Smotherman error, and three batters later the bases were loaded with only one out.

Smith hit a soaring foul to right field, and Wildcats right fielder David Arnold made a sliding catch into the fence. The problem was that Munroe tagged up and crossed home before Arnold could make the throw. Going into the bottom of the ninth, the Yellow Jackets took a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, the Wildcats came through when it counted. Smith came in to pitch for the Yellow Jackets and struck out the first two batters before being hit by a line drive off the bat of Taylor Prain. Prain’s shot sent Smith out of the game, and Blake Williams came in to try and close out the game.

Smotherman came up to bat next, and with Prain on second, he hit an RBI single to tie the game up at three. The game went into extra innings, and the Yellow Jackets almost pulled off the win in the top of the eighth.

Chism came in to pitch and got into trouble looking at runners on first and second with two outs. Williams hit a deep single to right field, and Cory Harrell rounded third base on his way to home. Arnold fired the ball from right, and VHS catcher Galen Smith made the perfect catch and tag to end the inning.

The Wildcats started the bottom of the inning with a single from Chism and he got around two batters later when a wild pitch brought him in from third base.

For Valdosta, Chism went 3-for-4 with two runs and one RBI. Smotherman went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.

For TCC, Burton went 1-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Austin Taylor went 1-for-2 with one RBI.
Wildcats Repeat as Hornet Classic Champs

Author: Staff reports
Publication Date: March 5, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

ADEL — Valdosta High’s baseball team won the Dairy Queen Hornet Classic for the second straight year, winning all three of their games this week.

The Wildcats wrapped up the championship with a 3-2 victory over Worth County Friday night. Kyle Rowe was the winning pitcher, while Earl Daniels got the save. At the plate, Tuzer Chism had two hits, and Briggs Smotherman drove in two runs.

Valdosta hosts Thomas County Central Tuesday in their first game of the Wildcat Invitational.
Valdosta opens season with win

Author: Staff reports
Publication Date: February 27, 2007 The Valdosta Daily Times

ADEL — Valdosta High’s baseball team defeated Appling County 6-3 in the first game of the Dairy Queen Hornet Classic Monday.

The Wildcats trailed 2-0 going into the fifth, but scored six runs in the final three innings.

Earl Daniels earned the win, allowing no earned runs and striking out seven batters in 5.1 innings. Kyle Rowe got the final five outs for the save. Daniels and Leon Phillips each had two hits for the Wildcats.

Valdosta plays Cook on Wednesday and Worth County Friday, both in Adel.