Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Starr’s Mill and Landmark advance to second round of state playoffs

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

Starr’s Mill was a busy place Friday as it was the setting for two baseball playoff games and a state soccer championship.

The Starr’s Mill varsity baseball team hosted Valdosta and took care of business, winning the first game 4-0 and the second game, 13-5. The wins move Starr’s Mill into the second round of the state playoffs and set up a doubleheader against Jonesboro on Wednesday afternoon.

Nick Terry took the mound for Starr’s Mill in the first game Friday. He and the Panther defense were dominant. Terry pitched six innings and struck out eight batters. Valdosta went hitless through the first three innings and only ended up with six hits on the afternoon.

Starr’s Mill’s offense got going in the third inning when they scored all of their four runs. Andy Myers, Blake Nation, Danny Hartpence and Carter Scurry each drove in a run. Myers went 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple. Nation picked up the save, pitching the seventh inning and striking out one batter.

Game two started with Starr’s Mill batting first. Kyle McCreary led off with a hit, stole a base, advance to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch. Andy Kragor then belted a two-run home run to give Starr’s Mill a 3-0 lead. In the second inning, McCreary hit a sacrifice fly to drive in a run and Joey Lewis hit a home run to create a 5-0 lead for pitcher Andrew Robinson. Robinson gave up five runs on five hits and struck out four batters. Alex Hunt and Levi Futo each pitched an inning, both earned a strikeout.

Starr’s Mill will now host Jonesboro in a doubleheader beginning at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. Jonesboro advanced by defeating Effingham County, previously ranked first in the state, 5-4 in the first game and 3-2 in the second game.

Landmark Christian School hosted Gordon Lee and advanced to the second round in two games, winning the first one 10-5 and the second one 9-8. The War Eagles had 26 hits in the two games and Rome Smith worked behind the plate for 14 innings. ‘He was a warrior,” said coach Kevin Nix. Blaine Gable and Trey Strickland had their best offensive performances of the year to lead Landmark. Tidwell hit a homerun in game one to seal the victory and played strong defense alongside Kyle Thompson in the middle. Landmark will now host Georgia Military this afternoon with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

Fayette County split the doubleheader with Lee County last Thursday. They lost the first game 5-3 with Brent Moss hitting a solo homerun and then won the second game 4-2 with Ri’Chard Davis hitting a solo homerun and pitcher Phillip Robinson giving up five hits and striking out 10 batters. On Friday, the Tigers lost the deciding match to Lee County 4-0.

Info box

Starr’s Mill v. Jonesboro

Starr’s Mill

Wednesday, May 19, 4:30 p.m.

Landmark Christian v. Georgia Military

Garwood Field, Landmark Christian School

Wednesday, May 19, 2 p.m.