Douglasville Bulls: News

A post-season blog from Bulls communications director Andy Norton
For each of us, there are moments in life that will be forever be etched in our memory, and the 2011 summer season with the Bulls is one of those. While Los Toros came up short in the final series, they had an unbeliveable run, finishing as the league’s regular season champs with a record of 23-3, and finished the series at 26-6.

I will conclude my second season covering Douglasville nine with this posting. But rather than giving the game recap, which you can get on the stats page, I would rather focus on the great ride through the summer.

The Bulls opened the season going 3-1, with a minor stumble against the Bearcats in week two. They rallied to win 13 straight, and then finished the regular season with a final nine-game win streak and a first round playoff seed.

We got to see Matt Johnson get back-to-back homeruns. Brian York go yard for three times in single game. Glisson, Jones, Wright, and ‘Krob’ all hit above .330.  Ezell, Barger, Morris, and Hutson all with ERAs below 1.85. And how great was it to see Hutty get the shutout in his final game as a player at Cool Ray to win game one of the final series?

While getting the series final would have been the ultimate finish, I for one, am not going to let two games spoil it for me. The Bulls had an unbelievable run. Coach Pratt has the field in nearly major leage condition, and I have been impressed by this great group of young men – in their skills and more importantly their character.

So farwell to the 2011 regular season champs. I for one thank you for giving me a season to remember.

Hutty gets the shutout.

“I am so proud of Hutty,” said Bulls head coach Todd Pratt. “He left it all on the field for us tonight and threw one heck of a game.”

Brad allowed only four hits and struck out eight batters with three walks in what proved to be a difficult to determine strike zone.

The Bulls jumped out early after lead-off hitter Brett Wright was hit by a pitch, and then Terrell Jones popped a lazy fly ball that was dropped by the Tides and got Wright across the dish.  Later, Wright led off with a standup double, and scored again as Christian Glisson drove him in with a sacrifice ball.

Glisson did his part again in the eight with a fielders choice, followed by Brian York with a base knock. Slugger Terrell Jones drove in the Bulls catcher for the final run.

Game two in the best of three series will be Saturday, at the Bulls home field in Douglasville with a first pitch time of 4 p.m. Game three, if needed will immediately follow.

Photo Gallery

Jones walk-off swing.

In a true battle from the mound, each team only managed to squeeze out four hits, and used three pitchers in the duel.

The Bulls sent the lanky righty and Valdosta State Blazer Justin Lott to the hill for the start. Lott threw six innings and allowed one run off four hits. Coach Todd Pratt made the call to the pen in the seventh in order get a fresh arm and to challenge the Braves with another look from Jake Ezell (.042 ERA) who held them off in the seventh and eighth.  The towering south paw Matt Barger (1.47) came in during the ninth, facing four batters for no hits, and earning the win.

The game was scoreless through the sixth inning when Brave Tyler Hannah was hit by a pitch to reach first with two outs. Base hits by Hooper and Carroll allowed Hannah to score and put them in the driver’s seat with the lead.

In the seventh, Christian Glisson got his lone  hit of the night and put himself in position to tie it up. With two out, Bulls veteran and clutch man Matt Johnson was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second, bringing up Robinson. The @DvilleBulls Twitter post pleaded “We need that KRob homerun swing here.”

Instead of a homerun, Robinson simply put the ball in play, driving in Glisson to even the score.

“Robby executed flawlessly – just like he has done all season,” said Pratt.

With Barger shutting the door, Douglasville had the heart of the order coming up. The Bulls skipper told the team to finish it up and leave no doubt in the final frame.

From the leadoff spot Andy Waldrop got a break when the second baseman couldn’t make a play on a hard line drive. “I felt good after Andy’s shot ate up the second baseman,” said Pratt.

The speedy Micah Thompson was called in to pinch run for Waldrop. The next pitch to Glisson was a swinging strike, and then the Braves chose to intentional walk him in hopes of rolling up the double play.

Raper lays it down.

Former Chapel Hill Panther Terrell Jones now had one job to do – drive it, and drive it deep.  On the third pitch, he sent the ball sailing high into the right field night as the dugout came alive and coached Thompson to “WAIT, WAIT, WAIT ON IT . . .GO, GO, GO!”

Despite a great throw from the right field, both Thompson and the dugout reached the plate in celebration before the ball to send the Bulls to the championship game for the third time in as many seasons.

The Bulls will face defending SBL champs Berkley Lake in game one on Friday night at Cool Ray Field, home of the Gwinnett Braves.  Games two and three (if needed) will be played Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m. at their Norton Field home. Admission Saturday is $3. Children 12 will receive free admission and complementary hot dog.

Photo Gallery

The 23-3 Douglasville Bulls dropped game one 5-3 to the Windward Braves in the semi-final round of the 2011 Sunbelt League Championship Series. In game two, the Bulls bats came charging back to life with a 14-3 victory.

The Bulls are headed into the final game of the semi-finals tonight at home with a 7:05 pm start. A victory at Norton Field will put the Bulls into the final series against the Berkley Lake Tides. Game one of the finals will be held Friday night at Cool Ray Field in Gwinnett. Games two and three (if needed) will be played at the highest seeded team’s location.

The Bulls current number one seed and a victory tonight will bring the game to Douglas County. Please come out and show your support of these local NCAA baseball players and help the Bulls bring home the 2011 title.

The Douglasville Bulls ended the regular 23-3. That record brought the regular season championship to Douglasville.  While winning the scheduled play title is certainly rewarding, it’s not enough though to satisfy the Bulls thirst.

After, missing the championships two years ago on an extra-inning routine play and missing out on winning the Sunbelt title last year by a foot, the Bulls are looking for the Championship title that has been elusive over the past two seasons.

“We have been so close it hurts. A play here or a deep fly ball that needed just a foot more and we could be playing for a three-peat,” says Coach Pratt. “We are not though and I have explained to these guys that we cannot let this year’s championship slip us again.”

This team has been so dedicated and they have been grinding out wins all summer. Their record shows the relationship they have with each other.

I don’t think there will ever be another 23-3 team in the Sunbelt League during the regular season,“ said the skipper. “We just have to finish it now.”

The Bulls received a first round bye as the top seed in the Championship Tournament that began last week. The second round starts Monday night and the Bulls will be at home against the Windward Braves - a team they swept 3-0 during the season.

The Lineup

The Bulls offense is led by local talent Terrell Jones. The Chapel Hill High graduate hit .420 on the season and had 22 RBI’s. Jones is a line drive hitter that rarely misses. He had only four strikeouts all summer.

“Terrell has been terrific in the fifth slot all season. He is a switch hitter that hits the ball all over the field.” said Pratt.

Starting catcher Christian Glisson is only a few points behind Jones in batting average and is a candidate for the Sunbelt MVP. Glisson ended the regular season with a .394 AVG, 4 HR’s and 21 RBI’s. The Valdosta State product has been a rock hitting in the third position for almost the whole season. “ I cannot say enough about Christian, he has lightning hands and he has been a leader on this squad. He has improved on his defense and has led our pitching staff through some grueling games,” says Pratt.

The Bulls leadoff hitter Brett Wright has been a spark plug for the team, leading the Sunbelt League in runs and stolen bases. Wright ended the regular season with a .366 AVG, 28 runs, and 19 stolen bases. “You cannot ask for a better lead off hitter. Brett has done a wonderful job at the top of the order,” says coach.

When the Bulls look for power all they need to do is keep the U.S.S. Yorktown in the cleanup spot. Brian York earned his nickname through his powerful bat. The Lithia Springs High School product led the Sunbelt League in homeruns (7) and RBIs (26). “York just hit’s bombs. His teammates came up with the name last year after his play-off run and he just continued his power show this summer. The three-homerun night was a great night to watch baseball. He looked like a big leaguer that evening” said Coach Pratt.

The Bulls offense has been steady all season and they will need to stay that way for one more week. “We just have keep putting the pressure on the opposing pitchers and keep our pitch selection on course. We were successful with the philosophy of being patient and grinding away at the pitch count,” says Pratt.

The Bulls pitching staff is full of workhorses. Travis Morris from Hiram High School, led all starting pitching in the Sunbelt League with a microscopic ERA of 0.92. Travis is a power pitcher and he has been the Bulls Ace for two seasons’ now. “Travis has been great. He is a big strong right hander that can dominate if he is on his game,” says Pratt.

Morris will start game one of the playoffs for the Bulls but are not showing their cards yet as to who will start game two. The stable, however, is full. Brad Hutson has been great all summer. Hutson a grad from Southern Poly ended the season with a 2.02 ERA with 34 K’s and only 6 BB’s in 35 2/3 innings. “Brad is a veteran and he just has nasty stuff and knows how to use it. He is calm and in control of the game every time he is out there.” said Coach Pratt.

C.J Lusted could be another starter that might get the nod for game two. Lusted was All-Conference this year at East Georgia College. “C.J. has been great since he jumped on board. His first outing was rough and we did not play great defense behind him. He has gotten stronger and his velocity is up. He is in perfect shape for this playoff run.” said Coach Pratt. The right hander ended the season with a 1.42 ERA and 17 K’s in 19 innings pitched.

Devin Rents and Justin Lott are also available to start if the Bulls need them. “Lott and Rentz are both reliable and we may need to go to them. The Bulls pen also is strong has never given up a lead all season. Jacob Ezell lead the bullpen with a 0.50 ERA. “Jacob is just an animal. A nasty sinker and breaking ball. Middle Georgia will be happy to see him in one of their uniforms,” notes coach.

Matt Barger also deals some nasty pitches. The left hander from Southern poly has been unhittable all season. “Lefties, righties, it just does not matter. Hitters just do not get good swings off him. Heck we could not hit him last when he pitched for the Braves.” explained Coach Pratt. Barger ended with a 1.65 ERA with 20K’s in 16 1/3 innings. When the Bulls need to close the game, Christian Turnipseed gets the call. Turnipseed has been outstanding in the closing role. “Christian has that football mentality. He played football at Columbus State and he carries that background to the mound. He is not scared of any situation.” said Coach Pratt. 

The Bulls have the players and the coaching staff to finally grab that title that has passed by them two years in row. Will this be the season the Bulls finally achieve their goal? Well, they have the talent but it is played on the field and not on paper.

The first game Monday night first pitch 7:15pm. Kids under 12 get a free hot dog, So come on out and watch the Bulls try to bring the Sunbelt Title back to Douglasville. “I just want to thank the community for all their support. The fans, the businesses, the school board , the DCHS Tiger Dugout Club, and most of all the kids that have attended our games. Without all of you, these young men and the Bulls organization could not achieve the goals and standards we set to make Douglasville proud. We sincerely thank you!” expressed Coach Pratt