Indians welcome former players with win over Tigers

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Friday night was alumni night for the East Coweta Indians as many former players returned Sharpsburg to past glory for one more game, but the current Indians had business with the Douglas County Tigers in the conclusion of their Region 3-AAAAAA series.
Thomas Leone delivered another solid outing in his young career on the mound while Jaquez Williams had a quality evening at the plate including a home run as the Indians were 12-1 winners in a game called in the bottom of the sixth.
The win was the 10th straight for the Indians who improved to 14-5 overall and 9-0 in region play while the Tigers dropped to 6-9, 0-5.
The Indians got on the board in the bottom of the first inning as Cam Smith led off with a single stole second and Nick Pippin followed by reaching on a walk.
A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position and eventually the duo would score on sacrifice flies by Bryce Gemmel and Austin Jones.
The Tigers cut the margin to 2-1 in the top of the second inning as David Ihrig reached on a one out double and scored on a single by Cousin.
The answer by EC was two more runs in the bottom of the third inning as Pippin doubled and scored on a single by Gemmel who would eventually come home on a one out double by Stephan Cruver.
The 4-1 advantage grew by a pair in the bottom of the fourth inning as Devonte Brown walked and advanced to second when Smith was hit by a pitch before the former scored on a single by Pippin.
Smith, who advanced to third on Pippin's hit, came home with the second run of the frame when Gemmel had his second sacrifice fly of the game.
Meanwhile, Leone was in control allowing five hits and the lone run while recording a walk and five strikeouts during his six-inning stint.
However, his teammates gave him more runs to play with as they added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Cruver and Williams reached after being hit by pitches.
A passed ball allowed Cruver to eventually come home while a two out single by Devonte Brown brought pinch runner Austen Russell plateward.
The game came to an end in the bottom of the fifth inning as Pippin singled and eventually coming home by Jones then Williams hit the game ending blow with a three-run shot over the right center field fence.
After Williams' blast, Indians of years past took to the field with a good time had by all.
Among those participating were a number of players who were part of the 2003 and 2004 state runnersup including Brad Emaus (class of 2004) who had his number 27 retired prior to the game, Jamie Spear, Brett Butts, Jonathon Maxwell, Lee Heaberlin, Hank Askew, Taylor Walker, Brett Mitchell, Kieron Pope, Kyle Bedrosian and Josh Mitchell.
Other former EC players who participated were Joey Johnson (class of 1999), Kevin Stephenson (class of 1995), current assistant Mark Bowles (class of 1998), Joseph White (class of 2002), Brian Regan (class of 1986), Jake Smith (class of 1996 and draft choice of the Montreal Expos), Felton James (class of 2010), Ben Baugh (class of 2006), Cale Foster (class of 2010), Jordan Lewis (class of 2013), Tommy McCharge (class of 1999) and EC community coach Morris Milner (class of 2007).
Prior to the game, a former EC player was honored posthumously with a presentation of a jersey as well as other items to his widow and other family members.
Another former player was also honored as Coweta County Deputy Sheriff David Sepanski (class of 1999) was recognized for his military service.
Sepanski served in the Marine Corps for several years with tours of duty in Afghanistan.