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Admin
 
GACS
1575 Indian Trail Road
Norcross, Georgia
30093
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 2001 Review |
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Tuesday, May 15
Hurricanes End Spartans Season
The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes put on a power hitting display as they ended the Spartans 2001 season with a two game sweep at GAC. Cartersville won 14-5 and 7-1. The Hurricanes pounded out 18 hits in Game 1, and added 9 more in Game 2. The Hurricanes hit 6 homeruns in the 2 games.
In Game 1, Doug Cunningham and Clay McCord both went 2-4 and Donnie Smith had 2 RBI's for GAC. Doug Cunningham homered and Garrett Cook doubled in Game 2.
The Spartans complete an outstanding season at 24-6.
Friday, May 11
GAC SWEEPS W-W; ON TO SWEET SIXTEEN!
The GAC Spartans swept the Washington-Wilkes Tigers 4-2 and 12-6 at GAC to advance to the next round of the AA State Tournament.
In Game 1, Matt Handley picked up the win, going 5 1/3 innings, and improving his record to 10-0 on the season. Michael Handley relieved in the sixth to pick up the save. Donnie Smith, Michael Calano, and Garrett Cook all knocked in runs in the 3rd inning for GAC as they overcame an early 1-0 deficit.
In Game 2, the Spartan bats struck early, as GAC jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the 1st inning. The big blows were a 2 run shot by Clay McCord and a grand slam by Joseph Thomas. Donnie Smith and Michael Calano each had 2 hits in the game, and Matt Handley added 2 RBI's. William Bond picked up the win, striking out 9 Tigers in 5 innings. Michael Handley again closed out the game and the series.
The Spartans next play at home on Tuesday, against either Pace or Cartersville.
Wednesday, May 9
SPARTANS WIN 7-0 ON SENIOR DAY!
GAC defeated the White County Warriors 7-0 as Senior Right Fielder Garrett Cook, Senior Second Baseman Doug Cunningham, Senior Shortstop Michael Calano, and Senior Catcher Jake Blount each played their final regular season home game.
During the past 4 years at GAC, these seniors have won 3 Region Championships, finished as State Runner-up once, have been ranked #1 in state 2 separate seasons, and are currently 22-4 and ranked #1 in Class AA going into the 2001 State Tournament.
In this game, Michael Calano homered while going 2-3 at the plate. Doug Cunningham was 3-4, Garrett Cook 2-3, and Ty Morris went 2-3. Matt Handley, Thomas Bush, and Ty Morris combined to shutout the Warriors while allowing only one hit.
GAC now moves on to host Washington-Wilkes in the first round of the AA state tournament this Friday.
Wednesday, May 9
Region 7AA and 8AA Standings
Final standings:
7AA
1. Morgan County
2. Oglethorpe Co.
3. Monticello
4. Washington-Wilkes
8AA
1. GAC
2. Banks Co.
3. East Hall
4. Lumpkin Co.
These 2 regions meet each other in the first round of the state tournament. Team 1 will face Team 4 and Team 2 will face Team 3 from the opposing region.
Monday, May 7
2001 REGION 8AA CHAMPIONS!
Final record: 18-2 Region 8AA, 24-6 overall.
Sunday, May 6
Spartans Clinch Share of Region Title with Win at Dawson!
Donnie Smith hit 2 home runs and Jeff Fambrough, Garrett Cook, and Joseph Thomas each homered once to lead GAC to the 18-7 Region 8AA victory over the Dawson County Tigers.
William Bond picked up the win with 5+ strong innings, striking out 7 Tigers. Michael Handley closed out the game for GAC.
GAC is now 17-2 in Region 8AA, 21-4 overall.
Thursday, May 3
Spartans Edge Towns County 7-5 in Extra Innings!
Matt Handley smacked a game winning 2-run homer in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Spartans their 20th win of the season. GAC overcame a 3 run deficit in the 6th to send the game into extra innings.
The Towns County Indians put up a gallant fight, getting superb pitching for 8 innings from their big right handed starting pitcher. GAC got great pitching from their starter as well, as Thomas Bush went 7+ strong innings, striking out 15 Indians. Michael Handley picked up the win in relief, upping his record to 5-0.
Doug Cunningham was 2-5 for GAC, Ty Morris 2-4, Michael Calano 3-5, and Matt Handley was 2-4, including the game winner.
GAC is now 16-2 in Region 8AA.
Sunday, April 29
Top Ranked Spartans Defeat Lumpkin County 3-0!
Matt Handley won a pitcher's duel between two hard throwing lefties, as GAC defeated the Indians 3-0.
Matt struck out 9 batters and allowed only 5 hits, as he improved his record to 8-0 for the season.
The win moves GAC closer to the Region 8AA title with 3 region games left in the schedule. Current Region 8AA standings (as compiled from various sources, believed to be reasonably accurate) are as follows:
1. GAC 15-2
2. Banks County 13-3
3. East Hall 12-4
4. Lumpkin County 11-5
5. Union County 10-6
6. Dawson County 8-8
7 -11. Rest of Region with more than 8 losses each
The Spartans are now 19-4 overall. They go for their 20th win of the season Monday at home against Towns County.
Saturday, April 28
GAC 14, Apalachee 2
Michael Calano homered and Michael Handley pitched a five inning complete game as GAC won at Apalachee.
Michael Handley improved his record to 4-0 as he struck out 8 Wildcats.
Michael Calano was 2-3 with 2 RBI's and William Bond doubled with the bases loaded to pick up 3 RBI's.
The Spartans are now 18-4, 14-2 in Region 8AA.
Thursday, April 26
SPARTANS TOP LATEST STATE AA BASEBALL POLL!
The latest (4/26/01) Georgia State High School Class AA Baseball rankings:
1. GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
2. Cartersville
3. Calhoun
4. Pike Co.
5. Vidalia
6. Pace Academy
7. Crawford Co.
8. Banks Co.
9. Early Co.
10. Northgate
Tuesday, April 24
GAC Blanks Rabun County 14-0!
Thomas Bush pitched a shutout and struck out 6 in a 5 inning run rule complete game against the Wildcats.
Spartan batters combined for a 14 hit attack. Clay McCord was 3-3 with 6 RBI's, Doug Cunningham went 2-4, Ty Morris 3-3, Garrett Cook 2-3, and Joseph Thomas 2-3.
GAC is now 13-2 in Region 8AA, 17-4 overall.
Saturday, April 21
Banks County 7, GAC 4
Banks County jumped on GAC early, with a lead off homer and 3 unearned runs in the 1st, as uncharacteristic defensive mistakes by GAC helped the Leopards hand the Spartans their second region loss.
Donnie Smith remained hot at the plate for the Spartans, hitting a 3-run homer. Doug Cunningham was 2-4 and Michael Calano 2-3.
The Spartans are now 16-4 overall, 12-2 in Region 8-AA.
Wednesday, April 18
Calhoun, Cartersville, GAC Remain 1,2,3 in Latest Poll!
The latest Class AA Baseball Poll (4/18/01):
1. Calhoun
2. Cartersville
3. GACS
4. Bacon Co.
5. Pike Co.
6. Brantley Co.
7. Northgate
8. Pace Academy
9. Crawford Co.
10. Vidalia
Wednesday, April 18
GAC 13, East Hall 8
GAC got back in the win column with a 13-8 victory at East Hall in Gainesville.
Donnie Smith led the way offensively with a 4-4 night, including a homer and 5 RBI's. Michael Calano, Garrett Cook, and Joseph Thomas were all 2-4 at the plate.
On the mound, Matt Handley picked up his 7th victory of the season. Michael Handley pitched the final two innings to close out the win.
GAC is now 12-1 in region play.
Saturday, April 14
Union Co. Edges GAC 6-5
Friday the 13th proved to be bad luck for the Spartans, as GAC spotted Union County six early runs in a 6-5 home loss. The Spartans pecked away at the Panther lead throughout the game, but saw their comeback bid fall just short at the end.
Garrett Cook had 2 hits and Donnie Smith added a 3 run homer for the Spartans, but Union County held on to hand GAC it's first region loss on the season.
Saturday, April 14
GAC Beats White County 8-0
Matt Handley notched another victory, pitching 6 scoreless innings and striking out 7 Warriors. Michael Handley preserved the shutout with a scoreless 7th inning in relief.
At the plate, Michael Calano was 2-3, Donnie Smith was 2-5, Ty Morris was 2-4, and Matt Handley went 2-3 for the Spartans.
The Spartans look to continue their winning ways into the second half of the Region schedule on Friday vs. Union County at GAC.
Wednesday, April 11
SPARTANS RANKED 3rd IN LATEST (4/11/01) POLL!
The latest Georgia State High School Class AA Baseball rankings:
1. Calhoun
2. Cartersville
3. GACS
4. Bacon Co.
5. Pike Co.
6. Brantley Co.
7. Northgate
8. Pace Academy
9. Crawford Co.
10. Vidalia
Tuesday, April 10
GAC 3, Dawson County 2
Matt Handley struck out 10 and allowed only 2 hits in running his record to 5-0.
Jake Blount was 2-2 and Donnie Smith was 2-3. Donnie knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning.
GAC is now 14-2 overall, and 10-0 in Region 8-AA.
Tuesday, April 10
Chattahoochee Ends Spartan Win Streak
The Chattahoochee Cougars handed GAC a 6-1 loss on Friday afternoon despite another excellent outing by starting pitcher William Bond. The loss ended a Spartan 11 game win streak.
Timely hitting was the culprit as the Spartans couldn't come up with the critical hits when runners were on base. Many baserunners were left stranded, as GAC outhit Chattahoochee 7-6.
William struck out 9 Cougars in 6 innings. Ty Morris went 2-4 at the plate for GAC.
Tuesday, April 10
Spartans Keep Rolling, Defeat Apalachee 10-1
Ty Morris held Apalachee to one run and picked up the victory for GAC. Ty moved to 2-0 on the season and limited the Wildcats to 2 hits over 5 2/3 innings. Matt Handley closed the game out for the Spartans.
Donnie Smith homered for the Spartans as they rolled to their 8th regional victory against no losses. Doug Cunningham was 3-3 and Michael Calano and Garrett Cook both had 2 hits each. Jake Blount added a single and 2 RBI's.
Thursday, April 5
GAC Beats Towns Co. 15-1
Thomas Bush turned in another great Spartan pitching performance in a 15-1 rout at Towns County. Thomas went the complete 6 innings in the run-rule shortened game.
Stellar defense continued to benefit the Spartans in support of the pitching staff. Micah Johnson turned in a spectacular diving stab of a sinking liner up the middle to highlight the defensive effort.
The Spartans pounded out numerous hits in hammering the Indians. Michael Calano homered, Donnie Smith had another huge day at the plate, and Kyle Smith, William Bond, and Micah Johnson all collected base hits for the Spartans.
Thursday, April 5
Lake Chatuge (Towns County) Fishing Photos are Posted!
See the "Albums" section for more team photos, a Seniors page, and some fishing photos from Towns County!
Saturday, March 31
GAC REMAINS UNDEFEATED IN REGION WITH 8-3 WIN AT LUMPKIN CO.
In a Region 8AA game played at Lumpkin County Park in Dahlonega, Michael Handley pitched the Spartans to the win, going all 7 innings to pick up his 3rd win of the season. Michael struck out 5 Indians in the contest.
Donnie Smith was 3-4 with 2 RBI's for the Spartans. Garrett Cook homered, Ty Morris went 2-3, and Michael Calano was 2-3 with 3 RBI's.
GAC is now 11-1 on the season and 7-0 in Region 8AA.
Saturday, March 31
GAC WINS AT RABUN COUNTY, 13-2!
Garrett Cook and Donnie Smith homered and Joseph Thomas added a 7th inning grand slam to put the game out of reach as the Spartans won their 6th Region 8-AA game without a loss.
Thomas Bush started on the mound for GAC, but was forced to leave the game in the 1st inning when he aggravated a pulled back muscle. William Bond relieved and went the distance, striking out 10 Wildcats to earn the victory.
Cook had 4 RBI's and Thomas and Michael Calano were both 2-5 at the plate, as the Spartans totaled 13 hits in moving their record to 10-1 on the season.
Wednesday, March 28
Spartans 2, Banks County 1
Michael Calano hit a solo homer and Matt Handley threw a 14 strikeout no hitter as GAC edged the Banks County Panthers 2-1.
Banks County scored their lone run on a perfectly executed suicide squeeze, after getting a runner aboard with a walk and moving him around to third.
With the score tied at 1-1, Matt Handley doubled for the Spartans and William Bond came in to pinch run. William scored from second base on a throwing error by the Banks County catcher to give GAC the go ahead run. Handley closed the scoring down from there.
On yet another chilly night for baseball, the Spartans moved to 9-1 overall and 5-0 in Region 8-AA.
Monday, March 26
SPARTANS ROUT RIVERSIDE 14-0!
Michael Handley struck out seven and pitched a complete game shutout for the Spartans. The game was shortened to five innings due to the run-rule.
Donnie Smith went 3-3 with 3 RBI, Michael Calano was 2-3, and pitcher Michael Handley went 2-3 at the plate with an RBI in the Region 8AA opener for GAC.
Monday, March 26
GAC 11, RIVERSIDE 3
At Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Joseph Thomas homered, doubled, and added 2 RBI's to power GAC to the region win. Donnie Smith, Doug Cunningham, and Ty Morris each added two hits for the Spartans.
Michael Handley won his second game of the season and struck out 10 Eagles, allowing only 1 hit and walking none in 5 innings of work. Clay McCord came on to pitch the final two innings and close out the GAC win.
GAC now moves to 8-1, 4-0 in Region 8-AA.
Saturday, March 24
CLASS AA GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS (3/10/01)
The preseason State AA baseball rankings by the Georgia Dugout Club:
1. Cook
2. Calhoun
3. Cartersville
4. Rockmart
5. Brantley
6. Pike Co.
7. Northgate
8. Bacon Co.
9. GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
10. Morgan Co.
Saturday, March 24
NEW CLASS AA BASEBALL RANKINGS (3/23/01)!
The latest State AA baseball rankings by the Georgia Dugout Club:
1. Calhoun
2. Cook
3. Cartersville
4. Rockmart
5. Brantley
6. Pike Co.
7. Northgate
8. Bacon Co.
9. GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
10. Morgan Co.
Saturday, March 24
GACS DEFEATS EAST HALL 11-0!
Michael Calano homered and went 2-2 with 4 RBI's while Thomas Bush continued the string of excellent pitching outings for the Spartans. Thomas struck out 4 batters and threw a 1-hitter over 5 innings work. The game was shortened due to the run rule.
GAC moves to 7-1 overall, 3-0 in Region 8-AA.
Wednesday, March 21
SPARTANS 13, UNION CO. 8
Matt Handley won his third game of the season and the Spartans moved to 2-0 in region play with a win in Blairsville at tiny Meeks Park.
Matt went 6 innings and struck out 10 Panthers. Matt also had a big day at the plate, going 3-4 with a line drive home run and 4 RBI's. Doug Cunningham also homered for the Spartans, while going 2-3 with 3 RBI's. Garrett Cook had an RBI and was 3-5 at the plate.
Michael Handley relieved in the seventh inning and closed the game out on a very chilly night in the North Georgia Mountains.
Sunday, March 18
GACS DEFEATS PACE 6-3
Matt Handley upped his season record to 2-0 with a victory at Pace Academy. Matt struck out eight batters in five innings.
Ty Morris pitched the final two innings to close the win and pick up the save.
Garrett Cook went 2-3 with 2 RBI's and Matt Handley added a solo home run for the Spartans.
Sunday, March 18
SPARTANS HOLD OFF BOWDON 6-5!
GAC held on to defeat Bowdon in a battle between the two state ranked schools. Bowdon came in undefeated and ranked 6th in Class A.
William Bond pitched brilliantly for GACS, giving up no hits through 6 innings, as GACS lead 5-0. Ty Morris made a spectacular diving catch in centerfield to help preserve the no-hitter.
Morris came on in relief of Bond in the seventh, but he struggled to find the strike zone. John Dobson relieved Morris and ended the Bowdon uprising, but the Red Devils had evened the score at 5-5.
Jake Blount came up with two on in the Spartan seventh and sent the GAC fans home happy with a game ending RBI double. Doug Cunningham had a 2-run homer and Garrett Cook was 2-3 with 2 RBI's for GAC.
Sunday, March 11
Chattahoochee Nips Spartans 2-1!
Chattahoochee pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning in a pitchers duel at Chattahoochee. Thomas Bush pitched 5 strong innings for the Spartans. William Bond relieved for the final two innings.
Clay McCord knocked in the Spartan run with a single to right in the fourth inning.
Sunday, March 11
GACS 12, Providence 2
GAC moved to 2-0 on the season with a 12-2 victory at Providence. Ty Morris started and got the win for the Spartans. Michael Handley pitched four shutout innings in relief.
John Dobson went 2-3 at the plate while Garrett Cook and Joseph Thomas each hit home runs for the Spartans.
Sunday, March 11
SPARTANS WIN SEASON OPENER 12-1!
GAC defeated Blessed Trinity 12-1 at GAC's home field in Norcross on Wednesday. Matt Handley struck out seven batters in three innings and recorded the win. Thomas Bush and William Bond pitched shutout relief. Michael Calano and Donnie Smith both went 2-for-3 for the Spartans.
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