ELLAVILLE —
For the Schley County Wildcats, the 2012 baseball season was definitely one to remember. After finishing the regular season with a 19-13 overall record, including a 12-4 run through their Region 4-A schedule, the Wildcats began one of their most successful postseason runs ever. Senior Jett Coptsias and his Wildcats took down Johnson County in two games to advance to what would become a classic sweet 16 match-up with Seminole County. The ‘Cats would drop the first game of their set with Seminole before taking two dramatic games to come back and win their second round challenge and advance to the GHSA Class A Elite Eight, where they would finally be defeated by Charlton County.
The 2013 Wildcats will have a different look than the 12’ ‘Cats after losing four top players to graduation. Coptsias, center fielder Jamie Jacobson, shortstop Clayton Patrick, and first baseman Colton Satterfield will leave a big hole in the Wildcats lineup, but there is plenty of young talent to step in to those big shoes that need feeling.
Last season the Wildcats used a balanced attack on offense and defense to power their way the Elite Eight round of the GHSA Class A playoffs. Schley County had one of the most powerful and fast lineups in the region, and the balance throughout the batting order was a key to their run to the Elite Eight in 2012.
The Wildcats offense this season will start with leadoff hitter Justin Barnes. Barnes, who is also the Wildcat’s top pitcher, stole 25 bases last year for the ‘Cats, proving he is a dangerous threat on the base path that opposing pitchers must always keep in mind. Barnes will be followed in the lineup by outfielder Clint Collins, catcher/third baseman Brandon Thomaston, catcher/outfielder Jared Youngblood, second baseman/third baseman/outfielder Matt Corbin, third baseman/outfielder Chas Wurtz, and third baseman Mitch Holloway to once again give the Wildcats one of the most experienced and potent lineups in the region this season.
As stout as the Wildcat’s lineup is, the real strength for Schley County this season is expected to be on the hill. In 2012 Barnes was named to the Region 4-A All-Region First Team after posting a very impressive 1.47 ERA and striking out 79 batters in only 61 innings.
Barnes will not be alone on the mound for the ‘Cats this season, however. Joining him will be one 2012 All-Region Second Team pitcher in Collins, and two 2012 All-Region Honorable Mention pitchers in Holloway and Thomaston. Collins was selected to the All-Region Second Team last season after posting a 2.39 ERA and striking out 55 batters in only 41 innings of work. Holloway earned the Honorable Mention honor with a 2.16 ERA last season in 32 innings, and Thomaston joined him with 3.66 ERA despite missing part of the season with injuries.
“Justin will be our number one starter on the mound and Brandon will also be one of our key starters,” said Wildcat head coach Chuck Cheek. “Clint has great stuff on the mound and can be unhittable at times. Mitch has also really developed on the mound. He pitched some big games for us last year and really came through in the playoffs.”
Cheek is very excited about the upcoming season with all of the top talent returning on both the mound and throughout the lineup this season. “Our pitching has the potential to be pretty special this year. If our sticks can come around a little and we can be productive at the plate I think we can have a special year,” he said.
The Wildcats will open up the 2013 season with a road test today at Early County beginning at 4:30 p.m. Schley County will play their first home games of the season in Ellaville on February 26 when they battle Dooly County in a double header beginning at 4:30 p.m. The ‘Cats have been practicing hard and preparing for another deep postseason run, which Cheek thinks is a very really possibility. “We are working really hard every chance we get to be in the cage or on the field and I think it’s going to be a great year.”
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Senior Justin Barnes will lead a very talented Wildcat pitching staff in 2013. Scott Phillips
Schley County Wildcats ready to kick off 2013 baseball season
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