The Greater Atlanta Christian School has a long tradition of baseball excellence, including 18 Region Championships (8AA champions 2001 thru 2004), 4 State Runners-Up (Class "A" '87, '92, '99, Class "AA" in 2003) and 2 State Titles (Class "B" 1975 and Class "A" in 1982). The Spartans are led by Cliff Shelton, who enters his 26th season as head coach in 2008.
 

April 19: vs. Providence: 

April 19 vs. Cross Keys: GAC wins 1-0 in a forfeit victory

April 17 vs. Pace: Pepper throws complete game in 12-3 win
Stephen Pepper threw a complete game on 94 pitches, giving 7 hits, 4 walks while striking out 4.

Justin Ernest went 2 for 2 with 3 RBIs from a single and a home run that still hasn't hit the ground (a monster shot over the right field wall, road, two fences and a wild forest);  Its unclear if the home run ball on the Ernest fireplace mantel is the real ball or store-bought).

The Spartan offense was led by Colten Chapple (4 for 5 with a double and 3 singles), Steckenrider (2 for 2 with a single and a home run) and Patrick Savage (another home-run).

April 15 vs. Lovett: Graham breaks out to lead Spartan offense in 12-3 win
Ian Graham tore it up, with a double to the fence and 2 singles to lead a well balanced Spartan offense attack. Drew Steckenrider pitched 7 innings, striking out 8 and walking 1 in another complete game win.

GAC took advantage of Lovett pitching (184 balls) and defense miscues (5 errors) and cruised to an important region victory. Steckenrider went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs, Pat Savage had singles and Michael Hoeft and Mark Edwards both had good key timely hits and 2 RBIs each.

Hoeft started a sweet 5-4-3 double play to keep Lovett from scoring in the bottom of the 6th and the Spartans played solid defense behind another strong pitching effort from Steckenrider. 
 

April 4 vs. Decatur: Burrows pitches complete game in 10-8 win
Brent Burrows threw a complete game, striking out 10 allowing 4 hits and walking 8 batters for a key region win over a much improved Decatur team.   

The Spartan offense was led by Michael Hoeft who went 3 for 4 (3 singles) and 3 RBIs and scored a run; Drew Steckenrider who went 2 for 3 (with a double) with a walk and Justin Ernest who went 2 for 4 (2 singles) with 2 RBIs and scored a run.

April 3 vs. Creekview: Steckenrider pitches complete game; Petee honors grandparents

Drew Steckenrider pitched another complete game shutout and Colton Chapple smashed a granny slam in honor of GAC grandparents day (today) to lead the Spartans over Creekview 6-0 on a cold, blustery night. Stephen Pepper had 2 doubles (to both rightcenter and leftcenter field gaps) for the Spartans only other hits. Steckenrider gave up only 2 hits and struck out 7.

Tonites game was brought to you by Ernest Savings & Loan & Golf Club -- they can reshaft your clubs and shaft you with a subprime loan all in the same day.

April 1 vs. Avondale: Spartans Rebound for 15-4 Ugly Win
In a must win region game, the Spartans were not on top of their game but played well enough to win as Riley Rue went four strong innings for the win, giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. Robby MacPherson went two innings in relief, giving up 1 one hit, 2 walks and no earned runs.

The offense was led by Ian Graham (2 for 3, 3 RBI's and 2 runs scored), Michael Hoeft (2 for 3 with 2 walks), Stephen Pepper (2 for 4 with 2 doubles, a walk and 3 RBIs), Colton Chapple (2 for 4 with a walk, 4 RBI's and 3 runs scored).  Avondale supplied some of the Ugly as five Spartans were hit by pitch and 2 Avondale errors helped the Spartans cruise to the 15-4 victory.

March 29 vs. Holy Innocents: Spartans unable to comeback after 40 minute weather delay
In a tale of two games, the Spartans were tied 1-1 with before appearing to feel the affects of a long delay by giving up 10 runs in the final two innings against the AA defending champs for a 11-1 final. GAC battled hard but finished a tough region rival week 1-2.

Brent Burrows started and was cruising along until the 4th inning when control problems led to HI's first run before lightening in the area forced a 40 minute delay.  A Burrows single, Justin Ernest SAC and Ian Graham RBI single tied the score 1-1 in the top of the 5th to end the "first game".  Burrows tried to come back for the 5th inning but struggled to find the strike zone after the long delay and Stephen Pepper came in with bases loaded in the 5th inning with 1 out as HI scored 10 runs on 8 hits of the "second game" for an 11-1 score.

Graham (2 singles, RBI), Chapple (single), Burrows (single) and Pepper (single) led the Spartan attack.

March 27 vs. Walker: Steckenrider pitches complete game in Spartans in 5-2 win
Drew Steckenrider went 7 innings with five strikeouts, giving up five hits and 1 walk in a complete game victor over region rival Walker. A lively and boistrious crowd was on hand to see the Spartan offense take advantage of some early game wildness from Walker pitching to score 5 runs on only 3 hits.  Cooler heads prevailed as both Stephen Pepper and Colton Chapple went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs to lead the Spartans.

March 25 vs. Wesleyan: McPhearson battles in relief role; keeps Spartans in game
Robby McPhearson pitched 3 scoreless innings, keeping Spartan chances alive while the offense battled back from an early deficit only to fall short 12-10 against region rival Wesleyan.

It would have been easy to get down after falling behind early 12-0 but this team showed some grit as they battled back for two runs in the top of the 4th inning on a leadoff double by Colton Chapple and a 2-run HR to deep center field by Drew Steckenrider. In the 5th, Justin Ernest lead off with a single and advanced to scoring position on a passed ball. Mark Edwards kept the game alive with an RBI single up the middle to make it 12-3 after 5 innings. High marks to Riley Rue for standing tall and battling hard without any give-up.

Edwards again kept Spartan chances alive in the bottom of the 5th with a game saving dive and flip to Chapple for the 3rd out on a sure single up the middle with the bases loaded. The Spartans kept the momentum alive by scoring 7 runs in the top of the 7th, capped by a grand slam to deep center field by Pat Savage that put some serious stress on the Wesleyan fans, players and coaches only to fall short, 12-10. Ian Graham (solid defense behind the plate and single, 2 RBIs), Michael Hoeft (single) and Stephen Pepper (single) also contributed to the effort.

It was nice to see some spartan alumni at the game - thanks for your support!!! Chuck McPhearson must have spent time with Terry as he as alledged to have been seen walking aimlessly behind the dugout, talking to himself with an occassional grunt and grimace while Robby was pitching.   

March 22 vs. Paidea: Pepper Power Pitching Provides Plenty

Stephen Pepper started and pitched 5 strong innings, giving up 4 hits, striking out 8 with NO walks and 2 earned runs to lead the Spartans to a 12-2 five inning win over an overmatched Paidea team.

Pat Savage went 3 for 3 (two triples and a single), a walk and 3 RBIs; Michael Hoeft went 2 for 2 (two singles) and a walk. Walks and Hit-by-Pitch were common and the Spartans got solid contributions from their bench late in the game -- Luke Pipkin, Kevin Heard and Robby McPherson all reaching base (McPherson with an RBI single to end the game).

Charlie "Speilberg" Graham kept the camera rolling throughout the game and between innings. Apparently, there is film of Joe "Cobbler" Chapple sneaking out the back-door of the concession stand with a private tray of cobbler under his jacket, only to return 10 minute later with an empty tray and traces of cobbler crumbs on his right cheek. "Its not what it seems -- I was attacked by fanatic crowds at the math tournament; I swear, I'm innocent". Joe, just come clean and you'll feel alot better (like Pete Rose after admitting his weakness).      

March 20 vs. Buford: Power pitching & defense dominates Buford in 8-1 win
Brent Burrows started and went four strong innings giving up 4 hits, with 5 strikeouts, 2 walks but no runs. Drew Steckenrider came in and finished the job, going 3 innings while spreading out 3 hits along with 2 strikeouts and 3 walks for the win.  Graham was solid behind the plate throwing 3 runners out trying to steal and Edwards made a likely game saving backhanded stop on a hard one-hop liner in the hole at SS, flipping to Chapple for the 3rd out to end a bases loaded threat in bottom of 6th.

A balanced Spartan offense kept putting pressure on Buford's defense via a barrage of singles all game. Things finally paid off after Buford went to the bullpen as the Spartans scored all 8 runs in the last 2 innings, with timely RBIs from Edwards and Savage; RBI doubles by Chapple and Graham and a "no-doubt" 3-run towering home run by Drew Steckenrider over the trees in left-center field made the fat lady sing.

There were apparent but unconfirmed sightings of some high profile Spartan alumni in the stands (T-Wood, you are welcome back anytime). There were also reports of static on the line and chirping heard in down the left field line as Mark Wood was thought to have been released from the Gwinnet County Center for Dysfunctional but Recovering & Loveable Baseball Dads. 

March 13 vs. Berkmar: Steckenrider leads Spartans to run rule victory over Berkmar

Drew Steckenrider homered twice, (once from each side of the plate), added a single and a walk with 7 RBIs to lead the Spartans to a 17-2 three inning victory. Edwards (single, double, 2 BB and 5 RBIs), Chapple (2 singles, a triple and BB) and Savage (2-4 with 2 RBIs) also led a balanced Spartan offense.

Brent Burrows pitched 3 strong stress-free innings, giving up 5 hits and recording 4 strikouts. According to un-named sources, Pat Burrows was seen walking aimlessly around the tennis courts each inning while Brent was pitching.

March 11 vs. Shilo: Pepper pitches complete game 12-2 victory over Shilo
Stephen Pepper pitched a complete game and Drew Steckenrider led a Spartan offense with a double, HR and two BB. The Spartans dominated Shilo in all phases of the game. Pepper allowed only 3 hits and kept Shilo off-balance all night.

Once again, the Spartans displayed a very balanced offensive attack, with key contributions from Ernest (2-4 with 2 RBIs), Ripkin (single in his first AB), Edwards (2 singles, 2 RBI and 3 BB) and Pepper (4 BB to help himself).

March 7 vs. Fellowship Christian: Rained out (not currently rescheduled)

March 6 vs. Providence Christian: Savage leads Spartan offense to comeback victory
Pat Savage went 2-2 with a double, single and SAC fly and 3 RBIs to lead a very balanced offense with some timely hitting in a home victory over Providence Christian. Tom Savage, on the other hand, is in some serious need of professional help -- unconfirmed sources alledge to have seen him rubbing his lucky Auburn Tiger mascot and sitting in the same position for all of Pat's at bats (we'll take it!!!).

Others making key contributions were Chappel (single and 2 runs scored), Edwards (RBI single, SB, run scored and two defensive gems at SS), Ernest (clutch single on hit and run, run scored), Hoeft (single and RBI SAC fly) and Graham (single and strong defense behind the plate). The Spartans put pressure on the Providence defense by putting the ball in play and aggressive baserunning.

Brent Burrows started and bounced back after a rough first inning to keep the Spartans in the game (4 2/3 innings, 4 runs, 3 earned). Drew Steckenrider closed things out with 2 1/3 strong innings (4 strikeouts).   

February 29 vs. North Oconee: Strong pitching and ugly offense propels Spartans in home opener

Riley Rue and Drew Steckenrider pitched 7 strong innings (no earned runs) to lead to Spartans in their home opener, evening their season record at 1-1. Down 4-1, the Spartans manufactured 3 runs by putting the ball in play and putting pressure on the N. Oconee defense. GAC tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the 5th and then scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th to take a 7-4 lead. Steckenrider pitched 3 scoreless innings to close out the victory but Rue started and pitched 4 innings, allowing 4 runs (none earned) and contributed the game winning hit on single to right, scoring 2 in the bottom of the 6th.   

The defense was led by Savage (2 double plays) and Steckenrider (put out from CF on play at home). The offense was a true team effort, led by Chappel, Edwards, Rue, Savage and Pepper with almost everyone reaching base via BB, SAC, FC or HBP.

February 25 vs. St. Pius: Spartan offense shows rust in season opener

A strong effort but frustrating loss in the season opener against St. Pius. Brent Burrows pitched three strong innings and the defense played well enough to stay close but the offense was snake bitten snake bitten by lack of timely hitting, stranding 13 runners and 10 in scoring position with less than 2 outs. Spectacular defensive putout on a rope from CF to home plate by Steckenrider.   

Offense was led by Edwards (2B and RBI), Pepper (2 hits) and Chapple (towering shot traveling 5 feet).