LaGrange High Grangers & BlueSox Baseball: 2004/2003 Seasons Recap
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| 2004 CHAMPS (photo by Eddie Sherrer) |
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CANE DYNASTY ENDS
Todd Callahan
Sports Editor Cartersville Daily Tribune News
Published June 06, 2004 12:31 AM CDT
LAGRANGE ? They may not have put up the gaudy offensive numbers like in year's past, but this year's inexperienced Cartersville team was on the brink of making history.
With just three players having varsity experience prior to this year in the starting lineup in Game 3 of the Class AAA state championship series Saturday, the Purple Hurricanes saw their consecutive state championship streak come to an end, as the LaGrange Grangers won 13-10 for the school's first baseball state title.
Cartersville, trying to become the first school to win four straight titles in 50 years, finished an improbable state title run with a 32-7 record.
The Canes overcame a nine-run deficit in the deciding game and led by two runs early in the game, but defensive errors proved costly, as the Grangers, who outhit the Canes in the series, managed to get the victory.
"We were not supposed to be here," said Cartersville head coach Stuart Chester, who had three freshman in the starting lineup for Game 3. "This is the first time we have been here and lost. We've been here three years and three-peated and had an opportunity for four. You don't want to get greedy but when you get here, winning is all you do want."
The top-ranked Grangers (31-6) ended the Purple Hurricanes' 19 series winning streak dating back to 2001 and evened the team's series this season at three wins each.
Cartersville won two of three regular season games, but head coach Donnie Branch and the Grangers took two of three in the championship series.
While the first two games Friday were pitchers' duels LaGrange winning Game 1, 4-1 and the Canes taking Game 2, 2-1 the finale was a scoring fest, aided by bad defense for both teams.
The two teams combined for eight errors, and two Cartersville errors in the second inning led to an eight-run explosion for the Grangers.
Cartersville jumped on the scoreboard in the opening inning off LaGrange starter Brandon Monk when Zak Kesler had an RBI double and Aubrey Caverly hit a two-out single to score the senior third baseman.
However, LaGrange's Andrew Manning, who was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, led the second inning off with a solo home run off Cartersville freshman Benji Farr.
The Grangers would send 13 batters to the plate and take advantage of two errors in the infield to prolong the inning.
Korey Noles, who threw a four-hitter but lost Game 2, drilled a three-run home run off Cartersville reliever Zach Pritchard for the big hit of the inning.
Drew Murray capped the inning with an RBI single to put the Grangers up 9-2.
"In a series like this at this level, you can't give them extra outs," Chester said. "We did that in the second inning and again in the seventh inning. We had a couple of boots in the second inning that cost us and then again there in the last inning we gave them a couple of extra outs. You can't do that."
Cartersville trailed by as much as seven runs but began chipping away at the LaGrange lead and tied the game at 10-all in the sixth inning.
Following the big inning by LaGrange, sophomore Scotty Morris, who was 3-for-4 with four runs scored, led off the inning with his first home run of the year.
Cartersville still trailed by seven runs heading into the fifth inning but began rallying against Monk and LaGrange reliever Jeff Henderson.
Will Davis connected for a two-run home run in the fifth inning and the Canes took advantage of a throwing error by LaGrange's first baseman to cut into the lead again.
Matt Hightower, who entered the game in center field when Travis Henderson was injured, grounded out to second base but scored Lyle Allen, who reached on the error.
The Canes trailed 10-7 heading into the sixth inning and continued to cut into the Granger lead thanks to two LaGrange errors.
"I never had any doubt in our bats," Chester said.
Trey Carnes, who pitched a hitless fifth inning, led off the inning with a walk, and Morris also walked. Davis singled to score a run and cut the lead to 10-8 and ended the day for Henderson.
LaGrange ace Josh Edmondson, who was the winning pitcher in Game 1, came on in relief of Henderson and loaded the bases by hitting Kesler.
Gilreath hit a comebacker to the mound and Edmondson threw home to get the force-out, but catcher John Sherrer's throw to first base to complete the double play was offline, allowing Davis to score.
Caverly also hit a grounder into the infield. Shortstop Michael Manning threw to second base to get the second out, but Jon Kelton's throw sailed over the first baseman's head.
The error allowed Kesler to come home and complete the comeback.
However in the bottom of the sixth, an infield error with two outs, extended the Grangers' at-bat, and an RBI single by Justin Patterson and an RBI double by John Sherrer helped lift LaGrange to a state title.
"We get it 10-10, have momentum on our side and then we let them score, that turned it all around," Chester said. "My hat's off to coach Branch and his program. If we can't win it I couldn't pick anybody better in the state that deserves it more. It still hurts though."
The longest state baseball championship winning streak was extended for a night.
LaGrange won the opener 4-1 behind Edmondson, but the three-time state champions Purple Hurricanes took the nightcap 2-1 thanks to brilliant pitching from Michael Jacobs (13-1) and a stellar defensive play by Allen in right field.
Jacobs, who struggled in the state semifinals and lost his first game of the season to South Effingham, was solid in the must-win situation.
The junior right-hander scattered six hits and had a 2-0 shutout going into the seventh inning.
However, Jacobs hit Sherrer to lead off the inning and gave up a two-out single to Tyler Moffitt to put the tying run on base.
Moffitt advanced into scoring position on an error in the outfield, and Montoya Young, who had a home run in Game 1, laced an RBI single into right field.
Moffitt tried to score from second base, but Allen threw a strike to Caverly, who applied the tag for the final out.
"I just picked up the ball and threw it," said Allen, who was 2-for-9 with an RBI and a run scored. "I didn't think anything about it. I just threw it home."
While the freshman was not bothered by the pressure of a must-win, Jacobs admitted letting the pressure get to him.
"There late in the seventh it got kind of tough," Jacobs said. "I was feeling the pressure. I guess any guy would. We had a couple of guys get on base, but we came through. I mean I have all the confidence in the world in my right fielder. He is just a freshman but he doesn't play like one."
The Canes got on the scoreboard in the first inning of Friday's Game 2 on a Davis home run off Noles. It was the sophomore first baseman's first home run of the postseason.
Allen also provided some offense, hitting an RBI double in the second inning to score Joseph Harper, who was the courtesy runner for Caverly. Caverly led off the inning with a walk.
Noles took a loss despite throwing a three hitter and striking out six.
In the opener, Edmondson out-pitched Hightower, his future University of Florida teammate and roommate. Edmondson allowed a run on six hits and struck out 10. Hightower suffered his first loss of the postseason.
Noles, who led the Grangers with four hits and six RBI, was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a solo home run in the opener.
Young had a solo homer off Hightower in the third inning to put the Grangers up 2-0.
Hightower pitched six innings for the Canes, allowing four runs on six hits and struck out seven.
Kesler went 2-for-3 with a solo homer in the fourth inning.
The State Championship Games Friday June 4th see photos down below on page
GAME 1
LaGrange 4
Cartersville 1
GAME 2
LaGrange 1
Cartersville 2
State Championship Game Saturday June 5th
GAME 3
LaGrange 13
Cartersville 10
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| Noles HR vs Canes (photo by Kenny Pitts) |
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| photo by Eddie Sherrer |
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Friday, March 26
Josh Edmondson to Sign with Univ. of Flordia
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| Sr. Right Hander Josh Edmondson(photo by Eddie Sherrer) |
Another LaGrange High ace has found a home. Josh Edmondson has committed to the University of Florida, following in the footsteps of fellow pitcher Kory Noles, who signed a baseball scholarship with Columbus State University last fall. "It really feels like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders," Edmondson said. "I feel now I can concentrate on this season rather than next year."
Not that Edmondson can pitch much better than he has. Heading into Fridays Region 6-AAA opener against Pepperell, Edmondson had surrendered just one run in 12 innings of work while posting a 1-1 record with a save. It was Edmondsons performance in his loss that helped him attract Floridas interest. In the LaGrange Invitational, Edmondson performed brilliantly in a 1-0 loss to eventual champion Apopka (Fla.). One of the many scouts observed the game and called Florida pitching coach Ross Jones. The Florida coaching staff arranged a visit and soon earned a commitment from Edmondson, who also drew interest from Alabama, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Georgia Tech.
"I really enjoyed the campus and the coaches," Edmondson said. "I felt that the school and the team fit me." Edmondson is the complete package. To go along with his impressive physical tools, Edmondson has the steady demeanor necessary to succeed on the mound. "All of the college coaches Ive talked have said that thing that impresses them the most about him is his mental makeup," LaGrange coach Donnie Branch said. "His presence on the mound is something that we expect out of all of our pitchers." Edmondson has been clocked in the 90s with his fastball, but his changeup and curve have become potent weapons as well. "Im a fastball pitcher, so I feel that the fastball is my strikeout pitch," Edmondson said. "But Coach Branch has been working with me on my curve and it can really surprise a hitter expecting a fast ball." Edmondson is pitching better than he ever has right now, partly because hes healthy, something that wasnt the case a year ago. During the Grangers run to the Class AAA semifinals last year, bone spurs in his throwing elbow caused him to pitch in pain, although Edmondson downplays the seriousness of the condition.
"It was more discomfort than pain, but it really did not affect my control," Edmondson said. "The injury was due to overuse more than anything else." When Edmondson showed Branch what the surgeon removed from his elbow, the veteran coach was taken aback. "He showed the bone spurs to me and they were like teeth," Branch said. Edmondson hit the rehab hard, and now three months later, he is back to his old self on the mound. "In my first game when I was throwing around 92 mph with no pain, I felt really confident," he said.
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| photo by Eddie Sherrer |
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Grangers Jr. catcher John Sherrer doing what he does best, blocking the plate vs Lee Co. in the 2004 LaGrange Inv. Tournament.
LaGrange Grangers 31-6 (15-1) .938
Cartersville Purple Hurricanes 32-7 (14-2) .875
Pepperell Dragons 18-11 (8-8) .500
Cedartown Bulldogs 11-17 (8-8) .500
Central Carrollton Lions 9-15 (7-9) .438
Carrollton Trojans 12-13 (7-9) .438
Villa Rica Wildcats 14-11 (6-10) .375
Cass Colonels 12-13 (6-10) .375
Haralson County Rebels 5-21 (1-15) .063
CONGRATULATION TO THE 2003 SENIOR CLASS (26-7)(Final Four). THIS IS THE 2ND TEAM IN SCHOOL HISTORY TO WIN 20 GAMES IN THE REGULAR SEASON. THE OTHER TEAM WAS 1990. LAGRANGE HAS WON 20 GAMES IN A YEAR 9 OUT OF THE LAST 13 YEARS, HOWEVER THE SCHOOL RECORD FOR WINS IS 29 BY THE 1992 TEAM THAT WENT TO THE FINAL FOUR.
#17 Anthony Arrington
# 1 Pax Herrin
# 2 Dustin Jones
#22 Stewart McWhorter
#26 Timothy Morgan
#16 Matt Olson
#12 Billy Rutledge
2003
Freshman Record 9-6-1
2003
JV Record 10-5
Region 6AAA 2003
Region All
Games Games
Cartersville 14-2 20-5
LaGrange 13-2 20-5
Central-Carroll 13-3 21-4
Carrollton 9-7 14-11
Cedartown 6-9 13-11
Pepperell 7-9 11-16
Cass 3-11 5-17
Villa Rica 4-12 7-16
Haralson County 0-14 2-22
2003 Varsity Games
(20-5)(13-2) Regular Season
3/07/03 W LaGrange 12 vs Southside, Ala 1 @SUJC
3/07/03 W LaGrange 5 vs Southside, Ala 4 @SUJC
3/11/03 W LaGrange 10 vs Spalding Co. 0 @Granger Park
2003 LaGrange Invitational Tournament
3/14/03 W LaGrange 4 vs Lowndes 2 @Granger Park
3/14/03 W LaGrange 5 vs Munford, Tn 0 @Granger Park
3/15/03 PPD LaGrange vs Lassiter @Granger Park
3/15/03 PPD LaGrange vs TBD @TBD
3/19/03 PPD LaGrange vs Newnam @Granger Park
3/21/03 L LaGrange 3 vs Columbus 4 @Granger Park
3/22/03 L LaGrange 4 vs Troup 10 @Callaway
3/22/03 W LaGrange 2 vs Callaway 1 @Callaway
3/28/03 W LaGrange 3 vs Pepperell* 1 @Granger Park
3/31/03 L LaGrange 0 vs Cartersville * 2 @Cartersville
4/02/03 W LaGrange14 vs Haralson Co * 1 @Granger Park
4/04/03 L LaGrange 6 vs Carrollton * 8 @Carrollton
4/17/03 W LaGrange 9 vs Cedartown * 3 @Granger Park
4/09/03 W LaGrange 10 vs Cass * 7 @Granger Park
4/11/03 W LaGrange 10 vs VillaRica * 0 @Granger Park
4/14/03 W LaGrange 3 vs CentralCarro. * 1 @Carrollton
4/18/03 W LaGrange 1 vs Pepperell * 0 @Pepperell
4/21/03 W LaGrange 3 vs Cartersville * 2 @Granger Park
4/23/03 W LaGrange 13 vs Haralson Co. * 0 @Haralson Co
4/26/03 L LaGrange 5 vs Lassiter 10 @Granger Park
4/28/03 W LaGrange 14 vs Cedartown * 6 @Cedartown
5/02/03 W LaGrange 12 vs Villa Rica * 2 @Villa Rica
5/05/03 W LaGrange 12 vs CentralCarrollton * 2 @Granger Park
5/06/03 W LaGrange 10 vs Carrollton * 2 @Granger Park
5/10/03 ppd LaGrange vs Cass * @Cass
5/10/03 W LaGrange 6 vs Newnan 1 @LaGrange
State Playoffs
GRANGERS (26-7)
Season ends as Dublin wins two game in State Final Four Playoffs
4th round
DUBLIN 7 over LAGRANGE 6
DUBLIN 4 over LAGRANGE 1
3rd round
GRANGERS 10 over WASHINGTON CO 4
GRANGERS 10 over WASHINGTON CO 1
2nd round
GRANGERS 7 over WESTMINSTER 0
GRANGERS 3 over WESTMINSTER 2
1st round
GRANGERS 7 over WEST HALL 1
GRANGERS 4 over WEST HALL 2
...
2003 JV Games
(10-5)
3/06/03 PPD LaGrange vs Callaway @ Callaway
3/10/03 W LaGrange 10 vs Callaway 1 @ Granger Park
3/11/03 W LaGrange 16 vs Upson-lee 2 @ Upson-Lee
3/13/03 L LaGrange 2 vs Carrollton 3 @ Carrollton
3/17/03 PPD LaGrange vs Upson-Lee @ Granger Park
3/20/03 PPD LaGrange vs Carrollton @ Granger Park
3/22/03 L LaGrange 2 vs Newnan 3 @ Newnan
3/22/03 L LaGrange 0 vs Newnam 6 @ Newnan
3/25/03 W LaGrange 12 vs Shaw 6 @ Shaw
3/27/03 L LaGrange 3 vs Shaw 7 @ Shaw
3/29/03 W LaGrange 5 vs Columbus 3 @ Granger Park
3/31/03 W LaGrange vs Northside, Col. @ Golden Park
3/31/03 W LaGrange vs Northside, Col @ Golden Park
4/05/03 L LaGrange 0 vs Columbus 2 @ Columbus
4/07/03 W LaGrange 5 vs Troup 3 @ Troup
4/12/03 W LaGrange 6 vs Troup 5 @ Granger Park
4/14/03 W Lagrange 6 vs Cent.Carrollton 2@ Granger park
4/14/03 W LaGrange 8 vs Cent.Carrollton 1@ Granger Park
2003 Freshman Games
(9-6-1)
3/4/03 LHS 2 vs Carrollton 6 L
3/4/03 LHS 8 vs Carrollton 3 W
3/8/03 LHS 6 vs Newnan 5 W
3/8/03 LHS 1 vs Newnan 13 L
3/11/03 LHS 8 vs Shaw 1 W
3/12/03 LHS 4 vs Upson-Lee 4 T 7 innings
3/18/03 LHS vs Shaw PPD rain
3/19/03 LHS vs Upson-Lee PPD rain
3/22/03 LHS 7 vs Newnan 3 W
3/22/03 LHS 3 vs Newnan 7 L
3/25/03 LHS 11 vs Newnan 6 W
3/26/03 LHS vs Northside Col. PPD rain
3/29/03 LHS 5 vs Columbus 8 L
3/29/03 LHS 8 vs Callaway 1 W
4/5/03 LHS 2 vs Columbus 4 L
4/9/03 LHS vs Callaway PPD rain
4/12/03 LHS 4 vs Spalding 3 W
4/12/03 LHS 6 vs Spalding 1 W
4/16/03 LHS vs Callaway W
4/16/03 LHS vs Callaway JV L