East Coweta feast on Westlake five-inning win prior to Senior Night feast

SHARPSBURG-Jordan Lewis and Cole Amtmann each had two hits while three pitchers allowed three hits as the East Coweta Indians completed a Region 3-AAAAAA swep Thursday night after a 11-1 five inning win over the Westlake Lions.

The win on Senior Night for the Indians allowed them to clinch the region championshiop with an overall record of 24-2 and 14-1 in the region while the Lions will enter the state playoffs with an overall record of 13-10-2 and a region mark of 8-7.

The Indians took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when 10 batters went to the plate and six came home.

Geremy Walton led off the inning with a walk, Matthew Meyer reached on an error and Blake Lorow reached on an infield single to load the bases.

A walk to Travis Williams scored Walton from third base and Tim Manning followed with a two-run single and after Lewis was hit by a pitch, Bryce Gemmel hit into a force play that allowed Williams to score.

After Amtmann walked, Jonathan Banks hit a ground ball to second and Manning came home before Gemmel scored the last run when he reached home on a wild pitch.

Benefitting from the run support was Indians starting pitcher Brandon Ruston who made it through the first two innings untouched but had trouble in the top of third inning as he allowed a pair of walks and a bloop single.

Enter Jay Mann from the EC bullpen and after a sacrifice fly to Lewis in left field that scored the lone run for the Lions, the Indians' outfield was shutout as Mann retired the next five batters he faced with three by strikeout and two putouts by Meyer at first.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Indians added a pair of runs as Meyer led off with an infield single and with one out Williams reached on an infield error.

Another infield error followed to load the bases then Smith singled to right with Meyer and WIlliams coming home and Manning tagged out at the plate.

The bottom of the fourth inning saw the Indians score a pair of unearned runs to take a 10-1 as a ball hit by Lorow was misplayed by the Lions' shortstop with two outs in the frame. 

After a pair of solid starts against the Newnan Cougars last week, Zack McCurry was able to get an inning of work prior to a start in next week's playoffs and was effective as he induce three groundouts and allowed a walk.

The Indians were able to close the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as Manning led off with a walk and took third on a single by Lewis before coming home on a one out single by Amtmann.

 

Cougars win on Senior Night over Panthers

Brandon Dawson did it again on Senior Night for the Newnan Cougars as he allowed two hits and recorded nine strikeouts in five innings of work in the 9-1 victory over the Langston Hughes Panthers at Joe Pope Field.

Brandon Dawson had yet another strong outing as he allowed two hits and recorded nine strikeouts over five innings and had an RBI at the plate Wednesday as the Newnan Cougarsdefeated the Langston Hughes Panthers 9-1 in a Region 3-AAAAAA matchup at Joe Pope Field.
The Cougars (19-5, 12-2) and the Panthers (11-13, 4-10) will face each other Thursday night in the regular season finale at Fairburn with the Cougars taking the second seed in the playoffs and the Panthers needing to win the finale and hope for a Douglas County loss to carry the fourth seed.
The Cougars will host the Newton County Rams next Friday in the playoffs.
The Panthers took the first lead of the game as Eugene Freeman hit Dawson's second offering of the evening into right center field for a triple and scored on a two out single by Karl Marquez.
However, the lead lasted one inning as Charles reeves reached on a one out bunt single, stole second and advanced to third on a single by Rodney Tennie before coming home with the tying run on a wild pitch.
Tennie, who took second on the wild pitch that scored Reeves, advanced to third on an other wild pitch by Panthers starter Max Hyde and scored the go ahead runon a sacrifcie fly to center fiekld by Will Dreggors.
In the bottom of the fourth inning,  the Cougars added a pair of runs to take a 4-1 lead but not in a common manner as no one was credited with an RBI.
Reeves led off the inning by reaching on a walk and stole second base before Tennie reached via the same route.
Corey Cox hit a popfly to Marquez at second base and the latter was tangled wit Tennie as the Cougars center fielder tried to return to first.
Meanwhile, Reeves came home on the play and Tennie made it back to first and was granted second as Marquez was called for interference.
With Bryson Shoemake at the plate, Tennie advanced to third base on a balk call against Hyde and advanced home on a wild pitch for the second run of the inning.
The Cougars managed to pull away in the bottom of the fifth inning as they scored three runs to take a 7-1 lead.
Drew Morris made his father head coach Kenny Morris with a single to left and a subsequent steal of second base.
Beau Shelnutt reached on a walk the Sam Buchanan followed with a line shot into the outfield that became a two-run triple.
Dawson helped his own cause on the next bat as he a flyball to left field that brought courtesy runner Drew Oldham home from third base.
After five innings, Kenny Morris made several changes on defense including on the mound as Dawson was replaced by Grayson Stewart who held the Panthers scoreless in his two innings of work despite getting knocked around with a couple of hits and a pair of walks.
Getting an additional pair of runs didn't hurt the Cougars' cause as Cox led off the bottom of the sixth inning and after one out Zack Crawford reached first after being hit by a pitch then Morris reached on his second hit of the game.
Shelnutt hit into a fielders choice that forced Morris at second but allowed Cox to come home and on the play, a throwing error allowed Crawford to come home with the final run of the evening.
 

Indians defeat Lions, closer to clinching top spot

SHARPSBURG-Cole Antmann delivered in his first start of the season as he allowed three hits and recorded nine strikeouts Monday night as the East Coweta Indians defeated the Westlake Lions 7-4 in a key Region 3-AAAAAA matchup.
The Indians contuned to hold on to first place with a region record of 12-1 and a 22-2 overall mark while the Lions will finish third in the region with a current record of 8-5 and overall mark of 13-8-2.
The two teams play Wednesday in Fulton County before playing the finale in Sharpsburg on Thursday.
The Lions took the first lead of the game in the top of the second inning as Koran Coleman scored when Tre Kemp grounded out to shortstop.
However, the lead didn't last long as the Indians came back in the bottom ofthe inning with four runs to take the lead.
Geremy Walton led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a flyball hit to right field by Matthew Meyer before coming home with the tying run on a single by Stephan Cruver.
Travis Williams followed with a double that advancd Cruver to third and after Tim Manning was retired on a flyball, Cameron Smith reached on an error allowing Cruver and Williams to score.
Bryce Gemmel reached on an error that allowed Smith to advance to third before coming home with the fourth run of the inning on a single by Antmann.
The Indians had a chance to increase the lead in the bottom of the fourth as they loaded the bases but were unable to get the key hit and the score remained 4-1 as Antmann and Lions starter Xavier Lushington were locked in a solid pitching duel.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Indians scored three important runs as Manning and Smith  reached on consecutive singles before Bryce Gemmel reached on a fielders choice that forced Smith at second  to right field.
Antmann reached on an infield error allowing Manning to score and Gemmel to second for Jonathan Banks who was looking for an RBI after a solid series against Newnan.
During Banks at bat, Gemmel and courtesy runner Graydon Treadwell recorded stolen bases and Banks was able to bring to the duo home with a single to center field and the lead was 7-1.
After pitching effectively through in his longest stint of the year on the mound in the first six innings, Antmann struggled in the top of the seventh inning as Jamar Williams reached on a leadoff walk and with two outs, Montre Boyce walked and Malcolm Boyce followed with a single that scored Williams.
Both Boyces were in scoring position when Jamar Walton reached on an error that resulted in a run and cut the margin to 7-4 as both Boyces came home on the play with Walton advancing to second after Reese reached first on a dropped third strike.
The two Lions runners remained stranded on base as Antmann recorded his ninth strikeout of the game when Ryan Green was retired on a swinging to end the game.

 

Indians defeat Cougars to win series finale, move closer to region top seed.

East Coweta Indians saw a gamble work Saturday afternoon as Zack McCurry gave him five solid innings as the offense scored six runs in the top of the fifth inning en route to an 11-5 victory over the Newnan Cougars in the finale of their Region 3-AAAAAA series at Joe Pope Field.
By virtue of winning the series, the Indians improve to 21-2 overall and 11-1 in the region and will host the Westlake Lions Monday evening in Sharpsburg while the Cougars fell to 17-5, 10-2 and will face Langston Hughes Monday evening in Fairburn.
The Indians got on the board in the top of the first inning as Cameron Smith led off with a walk, advanced to third on a one out double by Cole Antmann and after an intentional walk to Jon Banks came home on a sacrifice fly to center field by Geremy Walton.
However, the Cougars tied the game at 1-1 off McCurry when Will Dreggors reached on an infield single and two outs came home on an infield error.
The Indians regained the lead after one out in the top of the second inning when Travis Williams singled, stole second and reached third on a balk call before scoring on a bunt single by Tim Manning.
Manning gave the Indians a 3-1 lead when he advanced to second on a single by Smith and came home on a throwing error that allowed Bryce Gemmel to reach base.
The margin was enough for McCurry who was named the starter after the game was rained out on Friday as he made it stand until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Cougars tied the game.
Sam Buchanan led off with a double and courtesy runner Drew Morris advanced to third when Brandon Dawson grounded out and after Charles Reeves was hit by a pitch Rodney Tennie followed with an RBI single.
Reeves came home with the tying run on an errant pickoff throw.
The Indians responded with 11 batters going to the plate in the top of the fifth inning with six runs coming home to take a 9-3 lead.
With Thomas Sumner on the mound for Newman, Gemmel led off with a double and Antmann followed with a single before Banks drove home the lead run with a single.
Antmann scored the second run of the frame on a wild pitch, then Walton was intentionally walked and after Meyer grounded out Stephan Cruver came off the bench to line a two-run single to right.
Williams reached on a walk and with two outs Gemmel had a two-run single as Cruver and Williams touched home plate.
Newnan tried to rally in the bottom of the frame as Dreggors and Nelson singled then Jonathan Swenson reached on an error before Buchanan was retired on strikes and Dawson was called out on an infield fly before reevs came to the plate with two outs.
The Cougar left fielder responded with an infield single as Banks made a diving stop at third base and Dreggors came home but a flyball to center ended the threat and the evening for McCurry on the mound after allowing seven hits, four runs (one earned), two hit batsmen while recording four strikeouts.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Indians scored their final two runs as Banks singled and stole two bases before coming home on a single by Meyer who was replaced by Austin Bellamy who came home on an RBI single by Manning.
Meyer returned to the game and replaced McCurry on the mound in the bottom of the frame allowing only a triple to Justin Groover but he would struggle in the bottom of the seventh as Swenson and Buchanan walked and Dawson was hit by a pitch to load the bases before he was replaced by Antmann.
Antmann threw a wild pitch that allowed Swenson to score but followed that with a pair of swinging strikeouts and ending the almost three hour game with a groundout.

Try try again for rivals in series finale

 

 

                              
After rain swept through Georgia on Friday, the East Coweta Indians and Newnan Cougars will try again Saturday afternoon at 4:00 at Joe Pope Field in the finale of their three-game Region 3-AAAAAA battle.
Both teams will neter with 10-1 region records and are tied for first place after each won on the other guy's field.
The Indians were 12-1 winners on Tuesday at Joe Pope Field while the Cougars were 6-2 winners on Thursday.
After the series, the two teams will have three games remaining as the Indians will play Westlake and the Cougars will face Langston Hughes beginning Monday evening.

Cougars gain split in series with win over Indians, Henry injured

Brandon Dawson held the Indians hitless for almost five innings until Austin Jones reached with a double. Dawson would allow four hits overall and record six strikeouts in the 6-2 win.

Devin Henry went 2-for-3 at the plate and deliver four RBIs before leaving the game in the top of the sixth inning with a leg injury.

SHARPSBURG-Brandon Dawson pitched a four-hitter and Devin Henry had four RBIs but at a price as the Newnan Cougars gained a split in their three-game Region 3-AAAAAA series Thursday night after a 6-2 victory over the East Coweta Indians.
The Cougars improved to 17-4 overall and regained a tie with the Indians (20-2) for first place in the region at 10-1 with the deciding game at Joe Pope Field scheduled for Friday at 6:00 but it is expected to rain in Newnan and the game could be pushed to Saturday.
Newnan had a chance to have get to Indians starter Austin Bellamy with one out in the top of the second inning as Dawson reached on a walk while Charles Reeves and Rodney Tennie reached on singles to load the bases.
The opportunity for Newnan to get on the scoreboard almost came to nothing as courtesy runner Drew Morris was forced at the plate after a ball hit by Jake Kniedel was hit to Indians first baseman Matthew Meyer who came home with a throw to catcher Austin Jones.
However, the Cougars were able to get on the scoreboard as Reeves scored from third on a passed ball while Tennie and Kniedel advanced a base for Henry who was at the plate when the run scored.
Henry, who is known more for his great speed, delivered with some power as he lined a double to left scoring both Tennie and Kniedel to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead.
Benefitting from the lead was Dawson who held the Indians in check as he retired the first 11 batters in order until Cole Antmann reached on an infield error in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Indians finally recorded a base hit with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning when Jones doubled to left field and almost had another hit as Travis Williams lined a shot to right field only to be denied by Henry who used his speed to get to the ball.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Cougars added to the lead as Dawson reached first after being hit by a pitch and Tennie followed with a one out double.
Kniedel followed by reaching first on a walk to load the bases then Henry singled to bring home Morris, who was running for Dawson, and Tennie to give the Cougars a 5-0 lead and signal the end of the evening for Bellamy as he was lifted from the game in favor of Bryce Gemmel.
The play also seemed to signal the end of the regular season for Henry who had to assisted from the field after he appeared to injure a hamstring while was running down the first base line.
The Cougars threatened to record a blowout of their own after the 12-1 loss Tuesday night as Will Dreggors hit by a pitch to load the bases but a force play and a groundout ended the threat and left the score at 5-0.
The Indians tried to rally in the bottom ofthe sixth inning as Tim Manning singloed and advanced to second on an infield error.
Gemmel hit into a force play that advanced Manning to third and Antmann followed by hitting a sacrifice fly to left that brought Manning home and get the Indians on the scoreboard.
Gemmel, who took second on the throw from the outfield on the sacrifice fly came home on a single to right field by Jonathan Banks who would steal second with Geremy Walton at the plate.
Walton followed by hitting a groundball to short but the play was mishandled but Dawson was able to pitch around the mistake as he induced Meyer to hit the first pitch to right field and end the inning.
The Cougars added one more run with two outs in the top of the seventh inning as Reeves reached on a walk and stole second before scoring on a single to left by Tennie.
Dawson, who would record six strikeouts in the game, allowed a single by Jones to start the bottom of the seventh inning giving the Indians hope for a rally.
However, Dawson dashed those hopes as he induced a flyball to right by Williams and a forceplay before retiring Smith on a strikeout to end the game.

Offense, McCurry lead Indians to victory in first game of Cougars series

The East Coweta bats provided the offense with 13 hits while Zack McCurry did his part on the mound  Tuesday at Joe Pope Field as the  Indians defeated the Newnan Cougars 12-1 in the first game of their Region 3-AAAAAA series.
The win improves the overall record to 20-1 and 10-0 in the region for the Indians as they will host the Cougars (16-4, 9-1) Thursday night in Sharpsburg.
McCurry and Cougars starter Thomas Sumner were locked in a scoreless battle through the first three innings of the game when the Indians broke through in the top of the fourth inning with a pair of runs.
Bryce Gemmel led off with a single and advanced to second when a ball hit by Cole Antmann was mishandled before Jonathan Banks hit a bloop single to right field that brought him home.
After Geremy Walton singled to load the bases, Matthew Meyer hit a deep flyball to left field that allowed Antmann to come home with the second run of the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Cameron Smith led off with a single and went to second on a wild pitch before Gemmel singled.
Smith was waved home as he rounded third but a one hop throw from Charles Reeves in left field for the Cougars made it home and catcher Sam Buchanan was able to apply the tag for the out.
On the play,  Gemmel took second and came home with the inning's lone run as Antmann hit a double to left and after a Banks was hit by a pitch, Cougars head coach Kenny Morris lifted Sumner in favor of Beau Shelnutt.
Meanwhile, McCurry was off to another quality start as he allowed one hit through his first four two-third innings on the mound.
He would run into a hiccup in the bottom of the fifth inning after retiring the first two batters of the frame as he hit pinch hitter Justin Groover who scored the lone run of the game as Devin Henry drilled a triple into right center field.
The Indians broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning as they batted around to score six runs and take a 9-1 lead.
With one out, Blake Lorow and Travis Williams reached on consecutive walks prompting the removal of Shelnutt from the mound in favor of Derrick Nelson.
An infield error allowed Tim Manning to reach first and load the bases for Smith who hit a sacrifice fly to center field allowing courtesy runner Graydon Treadwell to score.
A single by Gemmel scored Williams before Antmann followed with a single of his own for Banks who flirted with the long ball earlier when he hit a ball to center field.
Banks made amends with this at bat as he lined a 1-2 offering from Nelson over the left field fence for a grand slam and the lead was 9-1.
The Cougars tried to cut into the margin in the bottom of the inning as Nelson singled and advanced to second on a throwing error that also allowed Jonathan Swenson to reach first.
However, McCurry would pitch around the mistake as he retired Buchanan on strikes and induced flyballs from Brandon Dawson and Reeves to end the inning.
After the two outs in the top of the seventh inning, the Indians added three more runs as Williams reached on a walk and scored on a double by Manning who came home on a single by Smith.
Smith scored the final run of the evening as Gemmel laced a double into left center field to finish the evening by going 4-for-5 at the plate.
After six innings in which he allowed three hits hit a batter while recording four strikeouts, McCurry would be replaced by Meyer on the mound in the bottom of the seventh and the latter managed to end the game by retiring the side in order.