Solid pitching, hitting key to ECJV sweep at Heard tourney

Jada Savage tossed a three hitter in East Coweta's 4-2 win  
over Heard County. At the plate during the series,
she was 6-for-8 with a HR and three RBIs.

FRANKLIN-Solid pitching by Jada Savage, Maggie Stubbs and Mckenna Holmes was aided by strong hitting as the East Coweta Lady Indians junior varsity squad swept three games Saturday in the Heard County JV Day.
In game one, Savage allowed three hits and recorded 13 strikeouts in five innings and had an RBI double as the Lady Indians defeated the hosts 4-2 on Saturday, while Stubbs recorded a three-hitter as EC defeated Harris County 9-0.

In the finale, Holmes walked one batter as the offense did most of the damage in 15-0 three-inning domination of Mt. Vernon.

The opening game was tied at 2-2 when EC took the lead in the top of the fifth with two runs in the top of the fifth inning.

Stubbs led of the frame by reaching on a  

 walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch before going to third as Riley Ratzlaff grounded out to second base.

A wild pitch allowed Stubbs to score and Payton Roberson, who reached on a walk went to second before scoring on a had hit double by Savage.

Savage retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame with two of her baker's dozen in strikeouts.

The Lady Indians took the initial lead in the third inning  as Stubbs reached on a bunt single and Ratzlaff on a double before Roberson singled home Stubbs with the first run.

Ratzlaff scored from third as a throw from the Lady Braves' catcher was able to retire Roberson on an attempted steal of second.

The Lady Braves scored both of their runs in the bottom of fourth inning on a wild pitch and a throwing error.

Savage and Roberson each had two hits in the contest.

In the second game against the Lady Tigers, Stubbs received run support early as EC had to work to scored three runs in the game's opening frame.

Ratzlaff opened the contest by reaching on a walk, Roberson was hit by a pitch and Savage reached on an infield single that loaded the bases with nobody out.

However, back-to-back force plays at the plate produced two outs and the Lady Tigers looked like they were going to escape the frame unscathed.

Enter Elizabeth Austin who showed some toughness as she was hit by a pitch that scored Savage for the first run and Gabriella Gopie followed with a single to center field that brought home two runs to give the Lady Indians a 3-0 lead.

That was enough for Stubbs who got through the first inning with solid defense behind her as Harris County had two runners stranded.

For good measure, Stubbs would receive more offensive support as EC added five more runs to take an 8-0 lead.

Stubbs aided her own cause with a single and moved to second when Ratzlaff grounded out.

After Roberson was awawarded first on catcher's interference and Savage singled, Sami Whitewall doubled to left with Stubbs and Roberson scoring and Savage motoring into third.

A sacrifice fly by Jenna Helmly scored Savage from third and Austin followed with an RBI double and the final run scored as an error allowed Gopie to score.

The final run of the game came in the top of the fourth as Savage finished a 3-for-3 game at the plate with a solo home run over the right field fence.

Stubbs was never in a tough spot during the game as she retired 11 in a row at one point.

Game three will be one that Mount Vernon may forget as EC sent 16 batters to the plate with 13 coming home.

The scoring began as Ratzlaff walked and stole second before scoring as Roberson doubled to left field who came home after a double by Savage.

The remainder of the frame saw RBIs from Whitehall, Ratzlaff and Roberson in the second at bat for both in the frame and Helmly.

Other runs came through a couple of wild pitches and infield errors.

Holmes, who allowed one hit and one walk while in the circle, finished the EC scoring with a two run single in the bottom of the second inning.

  

 

Dominating pitching by Savage, Holmes lead ECJV to win

Jada Holmes pitched the first three innings
of East Coweta's 6-3 win over Northgate in
Monday's junior varsity game.

The junior varsity version of the East Coweta Lady Indians hoped to open their 2021 season a week ago but Mother Nature stepped in with lightning.

The Lady Indians tried again Monday and despite the rain, recorded a 6-3 win over the Northgate Lady Vikings with dominating pitching from Jada Savage and McKenna Holmes.

East Coweta took the lead in the top of the second inning when Carlie McElroy doubled to center field off Northgate pitcher Cassidy Sechrest and came home on a one out single by Jenna Helmly. 

Helmly stole second and eventually came home on a two out single to left field by Samantha Whitehall for the second run of the frame.

The Lady Indians took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning when Riley Ratzlaff reached on a one out triple and came home on a sacrifice fly to left field by Mallory Lumpkins.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Lady Indians added to their lead as Payton Roberson reached on a leadoff single and scored on a triple by Helmly who came home on a sacrifice fly by Savage.

Helmly was 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs.

After three perfect innings which included seven strikeouts, Savage was replaced by Maggie Stubbs.

Stubbs would struggle as the Lady Vikings rallied for three runs to cut into the lead before Holmes took over in the circle.

In three innings, Holmes allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts.

The Lady Indians got one of the runs back in the top of the fifth inning as Roberson reached on a leadoff single, stole second and scored on a single by Savage.

Roberson was 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored in the game.

Chelbi McElwaney went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead the Lady Vikings in hitting.

NOTE: The varsity game that was scheduled between EC and Northgate will be played September 13 at 5:30.

Both junior varsity teams will play this weekend in the Georgia Dugout Club tournament at Hunter Park with the two meeting on Saturday morning at 9:00.

The varsity version of the Lady Vikings will play Wednesday at Newnan against the Lady Cougars at 6:45. 

Panthers split playoff series with Gators

Daniel Courtney allowed two hits in Starr's Mill's
12-2 six inning win over Ware County in Game Two
of their semifinal playoff series.

FAYETTEVILLE-After dropping game one of their Saturday evening AAAAA semifinal playoff series with the Ware County Gators, the Starr's Mill Panthers would need a solid effort in game two in order to extend their season. 

Mission accomplished for the Panthers as they overcame a 2-0 deficit with runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to come away with a 12-2, six-inning win over the Gators in the nightcap as Daniel Courtney tossed a two-hitter.

The Panthers (28-11) will face the Gators in the rubber game Monday afternoon at 4:00 with the winner slated to advance to the final series and face the survivor of the series between Loganville and St. Pius X which begins Monday.

The day started with the Gators scoring twice in the top of the seventh inning to reclaim the lead in a 6-5 win as three players had at least two hits.

The nightcap started in the favor of the Gators when Caleb Stewart opened the bottom of the first inning and eventually came home with the initial run as he scored from third on a groundout by Trey Jeffars.

The Gators extended their lead in the bottom of third inning as Stewart walked and after advancing around to third base, came home on a sacrifice fly by Noah Hooks.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Panthers scoring barrage began as White singled to left field and advanced to second on an error and Chay Yeager followed with a single that sent courtesy runner Austin Killingsworth to third.

A sacrifice fly to center field by Eli Jones scored Killingsworth from third and the Panthers were on the scoreboard.

After Courtney retired the Gators in order in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Panthers' scoring attack continued with three runs in the top of the fifth inning.

Heath Whitlock walked to open the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Evan Harrah before scoring the tying run on a double by Thad Ector.

Josh Tate followed with a single and both came home as White lined a double to center field and the Panthers had a 4-2 lead.

The Panthers broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning as Whitlock, Tate, White and Courtney were among those who contributed to the frame.

Courtney retired the side in order ion the bottom of the inning to end the contest.

In the opener, Ware County opened the scoring when Caleb Stewart hit the first pitch of the game over the right field for a solo home run.

Starr's Mill came back to tie the game in the bottom of the first as Josh Tate reached on an infield error and eventually scored when starting pitcher lined a single to right field.

The Gators regained the lead in the top of the third inning as J Aspinwall walked and Jett Justice singled to right field with Stewart following by hitting a double to right that brought Aspinwall home.

Justice advanced to third on the Stewart double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Trey Jeffars to give the Gators a 3-1 lead.

The Panthers tried to rally in the bottom of the fourth inning as White doubled to left field and after Eli Jones reached on an error, Courtney grounded into a fielder's choice allowing courtesy runner Killingworth to score from third base.

Ware County reclaimed a two run advantage in the top of the sixth inning as Jeffars reached on a one out single to center field and with two

 outs 

Shi Christmas hit a mishandled pop fly that allowed courtesy runner Weathersby to score.

The lead was short lived as Starr's Mill came back in the bottom of the frame with three runs to assume a 5-4 lead.

With one out, 

Jones reached on a bloop single to center field that allowed courtesy runner Bo Walker to reach second and Courtney followed by reaching on an infield error that loaded the bases.

Ryder Wagenknecht tied the game at 4-4 when he lined a double to right that allowed Walker and Jones to score. 

Courtney, who advanced to third on Wagenknecht's double, came home with the lead run when H Whitlock reached on a bloop single to center field and Panther fans were ecstatic.

Yeager, who went six innings, allowing four runs on five hits and recording five strikeouts, was relieved in the top of the seventh inning by Josh Tate.

The frame began well for Tate as he retired Aspinwall on strikes, but a double by Justice, a single by Stewart and a sacrifice fly to right field by Gators starting pitcher Hooks followed the game was tied at 5-5 as Justice scored.

The go ahead run scored as Jeffars doubled to left field allowing Stewart to scores and the Gators threatened to add to the lead as Barnes singled and Weathersby tried to scored but he was tagged out at the plate to end the frame.

Hooks would keep the Panthers from reclaiming the lead in the bottom of the frame as he allowed a single by White on the way to a seven-hitter.

White went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Starr's Mill in hitting while Stewart, and Jeffers each had three hits for Ware County. 

2021-2022 GHSA Football Schedule released

Submitted for your approval, the 2021 high school football schedule as released by the Georgia High School Association.

While changes could come at anytime, the Coweta area schools will have almost the same schedule as they did a year ago but the locations will change.

Newnan made one change that wasn't really a change as Carrollton is on the schedule this year and was on last year's schedule.

However, due to a COVID situation, that game was cancelled and Martin Luther King took the Trojans' place.

The Northgate Vikings will also be a mirror image of last year's campaign.

The Fayette-Coweta challenge will take place at Starr's Mill with the Panthers (9-2) hosting Newnan (9-2 in 2020) with East Coweta (10-2) facing Whitewater (5-6) and Northgate (4-6) facing Sandy Creek (2-4).

The Heritage Hawks have one change to their schedule as they will play Chattahoochee County and not Our Lady of Mercy of Fairburn.

Trinity Christian, the runnerup in Class A-Private, will have almost the same scheudle as a season ago with the exception of Hampton who is being replaced by Fellowship Christian.

Fayette County schools McIntosh Chiefs (0-10) and Fayette County Tigers (7-3) will also see no changes in their schedule while Sandy Creek will look to play a full 10-game schedule after only playing six a year ago due to COVID problems.

To look at all of the schedules click the link below.

2021-2022 GHSA Football Schedule

Play at the plate seals EC Freshmen win

Maddox Bridges is shown pitching to an Ola batter
in the first inning of Monday's game. Maddox pitched
three and two-third innings of the 9-8 win.

 SHARPSBURG-A throw from center fielder Tyler Coe to catcher Cale Fenimore ended a close game as the East Coweta Indians defeated the Ola Mustangs 9-8 in a freshmen baseball game played Monday.
 With on base, EC pitcher Avery Butts pitched a offering to Ola hitter who single to center field where Coe picked up the ball and threw a strike to Fenimore who applied the tag that ended the game.

Butts recorded the save after two innings of relief in which he allowed three hits. 

The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Nate Norman scored on an error in the outfield with one out in the frame.

However, the Indians came back in the bottom of the first after several players were hit by pitches which led to a pair of runs.

With one out, Hand singled and Tyler Coe reached on a double to put runners in scoring position.

After Conor Goltermann hit a line drive to first, the "hit parade" started as CJ Rivera, Fenimore and Carson Kish were hit by pitches that forced home the two runs.

In the bottom of the second inning, EC added to the lead as they scored four times Coe and Rivera were hit by pitches that forced home runs while a walk to Fenimore and Kish was hit again to force home the other two scores.

The Mustangs were responsible for a combined nine EC batters that were hit by pitches.

Ola narrowed the margin to 6-3 in the top of the third inning with a pair of runs and threatened to add more as they loaded the bases with one out but starting pitcher Maddox Bridges was able to get out of trouble after inducing a foul pop to Goltermann at first and recording a strikeout.

The Mustangs tied the game at 6-6 as they took advantage of an infield error and three hits that led to the end of the game for Bridges who was relieved by Dylan Nemeth who ended the frame by inducing a flyball to right field.

The Indians regained the lead in the bottom of the inning as a walk to Cub Beasley scored a run while Butts had a two-run single that scored two-run single to center field.

Ola scored two unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning against Nemeth who would become the winning pitcher and record two strikeouts in an inning and one-third.

NEXT GAME

Northgate at East Coweta 

Thursday afternoon 

Freshmen 4:30

JV 6:30 

 

  

Newnan freshmen win game with winning run in the seventhj

Tony Coe pitched the first three and one-third innings
Monday for EC in the 5-4 loss to Newnan

 A throwing error on a sacrifice bunt brought home the winning run with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Newnan Cougars a 5-4 win over the East Coweta Indians in a junior varsity baseball played Monday at Joe Pope Field.  

The game was scoreless entering the frame when Welsh opened by reaching on a walk while a throwing error allowed him to advance to second.

Another sacrifice bunt followed that was fielded by pitcher CJ Rivera who pulled first baseman Conor Goltermann off the base allowing Welsh to score.

The game started in favor of the Indians as Kris Colton led off by getting hit by a pitch and advancing to second after a one-out walk to starting pitcher Tony Coe.

Goltermann followed with a single to center field that scored Colton and advanced Coe to third base and a throw home allowed Goltermann to take second..

Coe would come home with the second run of the game as he came home from third on a wild pitch while Goltermann took third on the play.

Goltermann scored the final run of the frame when Rivera grounded out to shortstop.

The Cougars came back in the bottom of the first inning as Gilmore reached on a one out single to right field and eventually scored on a two-out single by Scott.

A two-out double in the bottom of the second inning by Wooten scored Welsh and a courtesy runner to tie the game at 3-3.

Newnan took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Kilby scored on a fielders choice that saw the runner behind him get tagged out at the plate.

However, that 4-3 lead went quickly as EC scored the tying run in the top of the fifth inning as Reece Davis scored on a two-out single by Dylan Nemeth who had relieved Coe in the bottom of the fourth inning on the mound.

In three and one-third innings, Coe allowed six hits and recorded three strikeouts while Nemeth held the Cougars hitless and recording a strikeout.

Rivera took over in the bottom of the sixth inning allowing a hit and recording a pair of strikeouts.

Cannon tossed three inning for Newnan allowing three hits before yielding in the fourth inning.