HOME	DIRECTIONS	OFFICERS	COMMITTEES	PRAYERS	SAL
EVENTS	MISCELLANEOUS	AUXILIARY	PROGRAMS	LINKS	POW/MIA
PHOTOS	LEGION RIDERS	NEWSLETTER	VETERAN MEM. PARK		ABOUT US

BASEBALL ARCHIVE

8/9/2009 12:01:00 AM

Ninth-inning rally stuns Conyers
Post 77 faces elimination game today after 7-4 loss to Tuscaloosa

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

SUMTER, S.C. - Pinch-hitter Terrance Dedrick hit a go-ahead, three-run home run off David Lockwood in the top of the ninth inning as Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Post 34 stunned Conyers 7-4 in the winner's bracket final of the American Legion Southeast Regional at Riley Park.

After starter Brandon Thomas pitched eight innings of three-run ball, Conyers gave the ball to Lockwood rather than regular closer Brandon Crumbley. And it cost the Georgia state champions dearly.

Hunter Trawick led off the ninth with his third hit of the night, a double to left field and Lockwood hit Jon McKinney with a pitch. Christo Sullivan struck out, but Dedrick ran the count full before depositing Lockwood's fastball over the left-center field wall. Three batters later, Tuscaloosa added an insurance run on Rob McWhirter's run-scoring single.

"They feel a little kicked in the gut," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said.

Trailing 3-1, Conyers had taken the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning on two clutch hits. Travis Tarleton roped a two-out, two-run triple to tie the game, and following a walk to Crumbley, Taylor Jackson reached on an infield single that scored Tarleton and gave Post 77 a 4-3 lead. The rally also hurt Conyers as it kept Crumbley on the base paths and didn't allow him to warm up before the ninth.

"I'm not happy with what happened," Bagwell said. "Frankly, we should've had Crumbley warmed up but we didn't. That's my fault."

Thomas was knocked around in the first inning as Chase Fields, Jake Vickerson, McWhirter and Carmen Carlisle had consecutive hits to start the game, the last two of which produced runs.

Trawick later added an RBI-groundout and Tuscaloosa led 3-0.

Thomas settled down after that, surrendering four hits in his final seven innings. Post 34 starter Alex Aultman was even better, allowing Thomas' sacrifice fly in the second and little else before giving up the lead in the eighth.

Conyers had plenty of chances to cut into Post 34's lead. Thomas led off the fifth inning with a single, but Nick Woodward popped up a bunt attempt and Aultman, one of the top fielding pitchers in the tournament, doubled Thomas off first. Aultman made another nice play to end the sixth, throwing out Chunk Smith on a bunt attempt. Conyers loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but Aultman induced a double play out of Woodward to end the threat.

With its first loss in nearly a month, Conyers now faces the difficult task of having to win three consecutive games to capture the region crown. Post 77 plays Rowan County (N.C.) Post 342 in an elimination game at 1 p.m. today.

"We can't come in tight. The pressure is on them just like it's on us," Bagwell said. "If we still linger on today's game, that's not going to do us any good. We have to put it behind us and move on."

8/8/2009 12:01:00 AM

Special Photo
Conyers’ Kelvan Diaz pitches during Friday’s game in the American Legion Southeast Regional in Sumter, S.C.

Diaz continues Conyers' great pitching
Right-hander throws six-hit shutout in 2-0 win

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

SUMTER, S.C. - Kelvan Diaz watched mound-mate Anthony Bazzani throw a shutout Thursday evening. On Friday, he equaled his former Heritage teammate.

Diaz tossed a six-hit shutout, striking out eight in Conyers' 2-0 victory over Bayamon (Puerto Rico) Post 48 in the second round of the American Legion Southeast Regional at Riley Park. Diaz, who is half-Puerto Rican, retired 11 consecutive batters at one point and admitted to being excited about facing Puerto Rico.

"I was just looking up at my dad, he was cheering for me. He's Puerto Rican, I'm half-Puerto Rican," said Diaz, who hasn't allowed a run in his last 102⁄3 post-season innings. "I was so ready to pitch when I heard (Puerto Rico) was in the tournament."

"That's the best game he's pitched all year long," coach Eddie Bagwell said. "We've had two days in a row (where) our pitchers calmly went about their business."

While Diaz was in the midst of shutting down the Bayamon lineup, Conyers finally got to Post 48 starter Gabriel Hernandez (7 IP, 1 ER) in the seventh. After two groundouts, Beau Thomas walked and stole second, and Ross Roberts drove a run-scoring single to put Post 77 up 1-0.

"I fought off some pretty good pitches. I got the good part (of the bat). I was pumped," Roberts said.

Bayamon had baserunners in each of the last three innings, but Diaz made big pitches and escaped each jam unscathed.

In the seventh, Juan Natal walked and Melvin Rodriguez singled with one out. Diaz challenged Gabriel Roa and got a strikeout before inducing a fielder's choice from Kelvin Arroyo to end the threat.

Jose Rivera ripped a one-out single in the eighth, and Diaz got a fly out and a strikeout to keep it a one-run game.

Conyers added an insurance run in the ninth as Nick Woodward walked, went to third on a fly out and scored on an error by Bayamon shortstop Roberto Ponce to make it 2-0.

Diaz worked around a leadoff single in the ninth, striking out Arroyo to close his 121-pitch performance.

"From the scouting reports, they sit on fastballs," Diaz said. "I kept them off-balance."

"He just pitched against a heck of a team and shut them down," Bagwell said.

Conyers, whose starters have allowed two earned runs in the last 321⁄3 postseason innings, will play the winner of Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Post 34 and Rowan County (N.C.) Post 342 in today's winner's bracket final. Brandon Thomas, a winner in the state title game against Douglasville July 26, is expected to get the starting nod.

"The most important game of the tournament; that's the key to everything," Bagwell said. "We're going to go (with) all we've got. The tougher the pressure, I think (Thomas is) better."

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

8/7/2009 12:01:00 AM

Bazzani strikes out 8 in Conyers win at regional

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

SUMTER, S.C. - It's safe to say South Carolina's state champion saw all it wanted to see of Anthony Bazzani on Thursday.

Bazzani pitched a complete game three-hitter and struck out eight, dominating Chapin Post 193 in a 3-0 first-round victory in the American Legion Southeast Regional at Riley Park.

Bazzani, an Eastern Kentucky signee, was masterful from the start and didn't allow a runner past second base in a 111-pitch gem.

"The weather was nice. I stayed loose, I just went out there and tried to have fun," said Bazzani, who followed up his eight-inning, 11-strikeout performance in the state tournament against Canton with the win.

"Unbelievable performance. ... Game 1, Southeast Regional ... (Bazzani) pitched his tail off," coach Eddie Bagwell said. "You can't say enough. He's the MVP of the day."

While Bazzani was carving up Post 193's lineup, Conyers got to starter Chad Balderman in the fourth inning for the only run it would need. Ross Roberts laced a double to start the inning, and Cameron Gibson followed with a double of his own to make it a 1-0 game.

In what has become a staple of the Conyers club, the defense was excellent behind Bazzani. Shortstop Nick Woodard made a heads-up play in the third, throwing out Garrett Driscoll at third base on a ground ball. In the fifth, catcher Chunk Smith gunned down Chapin leadoff hitter Alex Kirby trying to steal to end the inning. After a six-pitch sixth inning, first baseman Brandon Crumbley made a pretty feed to a covering Bazzani to end the frame, and Woodward made a dazzling play up the middle in the eighth to throw out Michael Huff by a step at first base.

"We demand out of ourselves to play good defense," Bagwell said. "They're stepping it up."

"We take pride in our defense," Travis Tarleton said. "It's exciting because you know 'Ant' has so much movement, you're going to get ground balls."

Conyers, which hasn't lost in nearly a month, added to its lead late in the game with a handful of slump-busting hits. In the sixth, Tarleton, just 3-for-17 in the state tournament, roped a two-out single to put runners at first and third. Crumbley (3-for-14 at the state tournament), followed with a run-scoring single to give Conyers a 2-0 cushion. An inning later, Tarleton ripped an RBI single to make it 3-0.

"I felt good doing it for 'Ant' because he pitched his butt off," Tarleton said.

"A different Travis from state to the Southeast Regional," added Bagwell. "He's back to where we want to see him. Good sign for the rest of the tournament."

With the win, Conyers stayed in the all-important winner's bracket and next plays Bayamon (Puerto Rico) Post 48 at 5 p.m. today. Right-hander Kelvan Diaz, who threw one-run ball in 72⁄3 innings against Douglasville in the state tournament, is scheduled to pitch.

"One game down and it's a relief," Bagwell said. "Puerto Rico tomorrow; we'll see what happens."

Kurt Ascherman Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

8/6/2009 12:01:00 AM

Shortstop stepping up for Conyers
Heritage senior Woodward batting .461 in tournament at No. 9 spot

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - Conyers Post 77 heads into the first round of the American Legion Southeast Regional at 5 p.m. today in Sumter, S.C., with an unsung hero leading the way.

Nick Woodward has had his best stretch of the long legion season, culminating with a .461 average and five RBIs in the state tournament in which Conyers went 4-0. Woodward, a senior at Heritage who started the season at the top of the order, has thrived lately near the bottom.

"We started with him as our leadoff hitter and we stuck with him and stuck with him and it was becoming very obvious that he was struggling in the leadoff spot," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said. "We moved him to the nine spot to relieve the pressure. He adjusted a little bit more and we saw him perform extremely well. He stepped up and had a great state tournament."

At shortstop, Woodward is also the anchor of a solid infield defense. In Post 77's first victory over Douglasville, Woodward injured a finger on his throwing hand while fielding a ground ball. He was replaced by pinch-hitter David Lockwood in the seventh inning, but the injury turned out to be minor.

"Nick played his tail off (and) in the third game got a busted finger; you never knew it," Bagwell said. "He didn't complain, but in private he said, 'Hey coach, I'm worried about throwing the ball and I don't want to hurt the team.' You give me a team of that kind of attitude and we're going to be competitive. And he's a great team guy."

Gibson starring on big stage

The rise to stardom of center fielder Cameron Gibson has come at the perfect time for Post 77. Gibson, a junior at Salem, hit .461 with two home runs - one a 415-foot blast - and seven RBIs and along with Woodward, second baseman Brandon Thomas and catcher Chunk Smith, has helped strengthen Conyers' defense up the middle.

"He made tremendous improvement from his freshman to his sophomore year," Salem coach Chad Kitchens said. "I know it was like a 100-point jump (in batting average). And this summer he's just continued to improve. We're just proud, he's really a special individual."

Late runs key

Conyers showed an uncanny ability to score runs late in games during the state tournament. In four games at Douglasville's Hunter Park, Post 77 scored 17 runs in the seventh inning and eight more in the eighth. On the flip side, the Conyers bullpen - Lockwood, Jimmy Gerard, Brandon Crumbley and Travis Tarleton - allowed two runs in 62⁄3 innings, part of a staff-wide effort of four total runs allowed in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

Opening night

A win in today's opening-round game against South Carolina state champion Post 193 would put Conyers in a winner's bracket game at 5 p.m. Friday. A loss relegates Post 77 to Friday's 10 a.m. loser's bracket game.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

8/4/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers wields potent pitching rotation

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

Following its first American Legion state championship since 1989, Conyers now prepares for the Southeast Regional in Sumter, S.C., on Thursday.

In our continuing coverage of Post 77's regional playoff run, Citizen sports writer Kurt Aschermann Jr. talked with head coach Eddie Bagwell on Monday as the team prepares to take on the South Carolina state champion, Irmo/Chapin Post 193, at 5 p.m. Thursday.

KA: The starting pitching was very good in the state tournament (each starter went at least six innings and picked up a victory). Do you expect it to continue at the regional level?

Eddie Bagwell: I think our starting pitchers gained great confidence (in the state tournament) throwing strikes, knowing they had a defense behind them. Every single pitcher got a bullpen (session) yesterday, (and) I like the frame of mind, the attitude. They're excited about this opportunity.

KA: Anthony Bazzani has been somewhat of an ace for your team, and after the state tournament, Kelvan Diaz and Brandon Thomas are playing the parts of a great No. 2 and No. 3. Left-hander Beau Thomas pitched well in the state tournament as well. What's the starting pitching plan for the regional?

EB: Nothing in stone yet, but Bazzani and then Diaz or Brandon Thomas in Game 2, Diaz or Thomas in Game 3. Obviously Beau Thomas still figures into this mix. We feel real comfortable whether we roll Diaz in Game 2 or Brandon. ... It's just phenomenal what they've been able to do for us. (Brandon) Crumbley, (Travis) Tarleton, (David) Lockwood, Tyler Austin - guys with a lot of experience and can give you that one or two innings or even one or two batters that you need. We're going to the Southeast Regional with 10 pitchers, (and) we're going in very comfortable with our first seven, eight guys.

KA: A handful of your best hitters, including Bazzani, Travis Tarleton and Brandon Crumbley, struggled in the state tournament. Any concerns?

EB: We preach to them all year long, "If you want to survive in this game, you've got to put bad days behind you, bad weekends behind you.' Hopefully they'll come out of it. At the end of the day, these guys are still 17, 18 years old.

KA: One of your players isn't 17 or 18 years old - catcher Chunk Smith. His absence (by tournament rule) left a big void, both on the field and in the leadership department, during a 1-2-2 run through the World Wood Bat Tournament in early July. What's it been like having Smith back the past month?

EB: Chunk is a very emotional player, but he's also ... upbeat and supports his teammates in the dugout. Take Chunk out of the mix, you have a different mind-set in the dugout. He's also a big bat (and) a good catcher. We're glad that was only one week long we didn't have Chunk.

KA: How are you and the coaching staff dealing with the week leading up to the Post's first regional tournament in 20 years?

EB: We're just being relaxed, we were loosey-goosey, encouraging. I think (the players are) very loose; that starts with us. If we're uptight, they're going to be uptight.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

Unsung heroes help carry Conyers

When discussing some of the reasons Conyers captured its first American Legion state title in 20 years, names like Cameron Gibson, Chunk Smith and Kelvan Diaz fall easily off the tongue.

But another group of players may not have grabbed headlines, but their performances went a long way in helping Conyers to a dominant, 4-0 mark at Hunter Park last weekend.

• The bullpen: While each starting pitcher put together at least six innings of work in each of the four games, the Post 77 bullpen was no slouch.

David Lockwood, the only pitcher to throw more than once in the tournament, relieved a tiring Beau Thomas in the seventh inning of the opener against Alpharetta and tossed two scoreless innings.

Jimmy Gerard, one of the more recent additions to the pitching staff, finished the win with an eight-pitch ninth inning.

After Anthony Bazzani pitched eight innings of four-hit ball against Canton, Brandon Crumbley pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

In the championship game, Travis Tarleton relieved Brandon Thomas with the tying and winning runs aboard in the seventh and got a ground out, then worked around a leadoff single in the eighth to pick up the save.

Overall, the bullpen allowed five hits and two earned runs in 62⁄3 innings (2.71 ERA).

"We are comfortable that we can score if our pitching and defense can keep us in ballgames," said coach Eddie Bagwell. "And we did it. The individual pitching, the relief guys (all pitched effectively)."

• Bottom of the order: The Nos. 7-8-9 hitters came up with big hits the entire tournament, led by shortstop Nick Wooodward (.461 average).

In the four games, the bottom third of the order, which included Crumbley, Brandon Thomas and Taylor Jackson, hit .318 with 11 RBIs.

• Solid defense: Before the summer season began, Bagwell preached defense, and his players responded in the state tournament.

In the opener against Alpharetta, right fielder Ross Roberts made three dazzling plays to help starter Beau Thomas.

In the two wins over Douglasville, the defense turned four double plays and in the four games, Conyers only made errors.

"We played great defense," said Bagwell.

7/25/2009 12:01:00 AM

Legion teams score big wins at state

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
AP Sports Writer

Conyers and Rockdale each faced a late deficit in their American Legion State Tournament games Friday at Hunter Park. Both came out with an improbable victory.

No. 2 seed Conyers scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and defeated No. 3 seed Canton 6-4, while Rockdale exploded for an 11-run seventh inning in a 17-8 losers bracket victory over Albany Post 50.

Canton starter Chris Wakefield had his way with Conyers through seven innings. Wakefield, who struck out 11 in a 99-pitch effort, allowed Cameron Gibson's solo home run in the fourth and Nick Woodward's run-scoring double in the seventh and led 4-2.

The eighth was a different story.

Gibson led off with a double, and Chunk Smith followed with a run-scoring single to make it a 4-3 game. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Beau Thomas reached on an error that scored Smith and tied the game at 4-4 and chased Wakefield.

Brandon Crumbley laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt and Brandon Thomas ripped an opposite field, two-run single to put Conyers up 6-4.

"We were down all game, (but) we started chipping away," Crumbley said. "It all came together."

"We got a big win and feel very fortunate," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said. "I'm real proud of (Brandon Thomas), proud of the team effort. Canton probably deserved to win that game and we snatched it."

Canton grabbed an early lead thanks in large part to second baseman Matt Stephens. He tripled and scored on an error in the second inning and laced a two-run single in the third that gave Post 45 a 3-0 lead. In the sixth, Stephens answered Gibson's earlier home run with a solo shot of his own to make it a 4-1 game.

Conyers starter and winning pitcher Anthony Bazzani, who threw 132 pitches and struck out 11 in eight innings, allowed only one other hit. Crumbley walked two batters with two outs in the eighth, but caught Cam Pearson looking to end the game and pick up the save in perhaps the biggest victory of Conyers' season.

"I was over-throwing a little; I was pumped up," Crumbley said. "Got the job done."

"Crumbley came in and slammed the door," Bagwell said. "(The win) puts us in the driver's seat. We control our destiny."

Rockdale had a different kind of come-from-behind win against top seed Albany Post 50.

Trailing 8-5, Rockdale sent 17 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs in a marathon seventh inning. Albany, which lost a heart-breaking, 1-0 game to Gainesville on Thursday, used three pitchers in the frame, none of which had any luck.

Joseph Lester and Ryan Griffin had consecutive singles off starter Michael Schlegel (6 IP, 7 ER) to begin the inning, and Cole Peoples followed with a three-run home run that tied the game at 8-8. The opposite-field shot could prove to be the biggest hit of Rockdale's season.

"I was on deck and I was thinking, 'If I get a fastball, I'd like to tie it up,'" said Peoples, who reached base in all six plate appearances. "He pitched me out and I hit it that way. After the home run, it kind of got things going."

Peoples' shot ended Schlegel's day, but Rockdale was just getting started. Kale Blackshear ripped a go-ahead single off losing pitcher Lance Shenusky, and six other players drove in runs in the inning, capped by Jake Parker's two-run single off Adam Coffey that made it 17-8.

"The wind had been knocked out of our sails, Cole hits one (and) it filled everybody back with life," Rockdale assistant coach Jason McElroy said. "Hopefully that'll stick with us."

Rockdale immediately erased an early 1-0 lead, scoring four runs in the first inning on a wild pitch, Micah Jones' sacrifice fly and Parker's two-run double. Off Rockdale starter J.C. Dunagan (4 IP, 7 ER), Albany answered with two runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth on consecutive RBI hits by Garrett Landreneau, Casey Wilcox and Zach Hood to go up 7-5.

Rockdale's bullpen was excellent in relief of Dunagan. Nick Hembree, recently added to the roster, allowed one earned run in three strong innings to pick up the win. Cameron Griffin struck out three in two scoreless innings.

"We were up 4-1 ... and then it just came unraveled," McElroy said. "J.C. hit that 75-pitch mark and lost it. Nick did an oustanding job (and) Cameron stepped up big today. He's going to have to do it again (in the state tournament), maybe more than once.

Rockdale, which still needs to win three losers bracket games just to reach the championship series, plays Canton at 9 a.m. today. Conyers, two wins away from the state title, plays at 4 p.m. against the Gainesville-Douglasville winner.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

7/21/2009 12:01:00 AM

Squads eye state tournament
Conyers sweeps Rockdale in final game before contest

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - Conyers certainly looked like a state championship contender, Sunday at Henson-Carr Legion Field.

In its final tuneup before the 10-team state tournament begins Wednesday, Conyers Post 77 swept a doubleheader against Rockdale, 7-6 and 15-3.

Conyers, which after a successful regular season earned the league's No. 2 seed, spent the entirety of the doubleheader giving each of its pitchers work in preparation for Thursday's opener against the Alpharetta/Albany 512 winner.

In game one, a 7-6 victory, the offense exploded for a seven-run fourth inning, highlighted by doubles from Brandon Crumbley and Ross Roberts.

It was a rally coach Eddie Bagwell had to miss. The Post 77 skipper arrived late and said he was changing clothes and looked out and saw third baseman Travis Tarleton single. He quickly returned to the changing room and watched the remainder of the big inning, which at one point included seven consecutive base runners.

Conyers went up another level in the nigthcap, scoring 12 runs in the second inning to cruise to its fourth victory in as many games against Rockdale in 2009.

Bagwell was happy to see the offensive production, but the main objective Sunday was to get the pitchers work.

In the opener, Anthony Bazzani and Brandon Thomas, two important pieces of the pitching staff, fired three innings of scoreless work. Though middle reliever Jimmy Gerard allowed three runs, Chase Ware and David Lockwood finished off the surprisingly close game.

In game two, Kelvan Diaz, Gerard, Ware, Travis Tarleton and Brandon Crumbley all pitched well.

"We got what we wanted - two innings for all our starters, one inning out of our setup guys and one inning out of our closers," Bagwell said. "We're pleased at where our pitching is at the moment."

Bagwell's crew returned to work immediately, working mostly on defense during a Monday workout. Post 77 will workout again today, before Thursday's 4:30 p.m. game.

"We're focusing our practices on defense; first and foremost, we're catching a lot of ground balls," Bagwell said. "They worked hard today, I was real pleased with the effort out of everybody."

Bagwell also talked about the team's focus (all about game one) and possible starting pitching assignments for the tournament, held this season at Hunter Park in Douglasville.

The game one start should come from a group that includes left-hander Tyler Walker, Austin and Thomas. Bazzani is scheduled to make the second start, and if Conyers gets to game three, Bagwell and pitching coach Jody Gilbert will go with Diaz.

"Tyler Walker, Tyler Austin and Brandon Thomas - that's the debate for game one," Bagwell said. "(But) all bets are off; everybody is available. Our focus ... is ... whoever we match up with in that first game. We're going all out for game one, then we'll focus on game two."

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

/16/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers looks for more success on the mound
Diaz throws four no-hit innings in tune-up for state tournament

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - If Conyers Post 77 can keep getting Kelvan Diaz to perform like he did Tuesday night, those preseason goals of a state championship might come to fruition.

Diaz pitched four no-hit innings in his first appearance since July 3 and his last tune-up before the state tournament, which begins Wednesday, as Conyers defeated Canton 6-3 at Henson-Carr Legion Field.

"He was rusty, it was obvious; he looked pretty good having not pitched in a week and a half," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said. "We're real pleased."

Post 77 got on the board early as Brandon Crumbley and Ross Roberts delivered run-scoring hits in the first and Jimmy Gerard added an RBI-single in the third to make it 3-0. Chunk Smith, one of the team's hottest hitters, drove in two more runs with doubles.

"We didn't try to do anything fancy; we dropped the bat head on the ball," Bagwell said. "We were patient at the plate (and) I saw three (Canton pitchers), they were all bonafide, real deal pitchers."

Diaz took the run support and turned it into perhaps his finest performance of the season. With Anthony Bazzani, who closed Tuesday's win with two scoreless innings, looking like an ace each start, Bagwell likes what he sees with the state tournament right around the corner.

"We feel like our pitchers are going to show well (and) Bazzani, Diaz, are 1-2 in (the) state tournament," Bagwell said. "I think it boils down to focus and being mentally tough."

Conyers, which wrapped up the No. 2 seed - Canton is No. 3 - finishes up regular season play Sunday with a doubleheader against Rockdale at Henson-Carr.

7/15/2009 12:01:00 AM

Rockdale overpowers Gainesville

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - Rockdale rode the arm of Nathan Fawbush and flexed its muscles at the plate in a 13-3 win over Gainesville on Monday at Henson-Carr Legion Field.

Fawbush, a rising sophomore at Walter Community College (Tenn.), took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a single and a two-run home run. The big right-hander struck out five and walked two.

"He got a little tired there in the sixth, (but) he had a good outing," Rockdale manager Jack Murphy said.

J.C. Dunagan, a rising sophomore at Toccoa Christian College, knocked in five runs in his return to the lineup. Dunagan ripped a two-run double in the fourth inning, had a two-run single in the fifth and hit a walk-off, RBI double in the eighth.

"This is the first time (Dunagan has) really shown it; most of the time he's pitched, and we use the DH for him," Murphy said. "He came from college ball and had not done anything but pitch, so this is really his first opportunity to get some action as far as swinging the bat. Last night was a big night for him. It was good to see him step up and have the kind of night he had."

It wasn't all about Fawbush and Dunagan on Monday night, as Cole Peeples and a healthy Cameron Griffin each had a big night. Peeples ripped a two-run shot to get the scoring started in the second. He now has six RBIs in the past two games after a four-RBI outing against Alpharetta on Saturday.

Griffin, making his first appearance of the summer after having a bone removed from his hand, surrendered a solo home run but struck out six in two innings.

"Cole is coming along, he's doing a lot better than we anticipated when we first asked him to come play with us," Murphy said. "We were looking for a guy to catch the pitchers in the bullpen and (had) not anticipated him being as good as he's been because he's ... the youngest player on our ball team and he's pretty much become a regular on our team. We put (Griffin) on the roster and have been carrying (Griffin) to hope to have him ready to go this season. The doctors have just released him to catch and throw a ball, (and) we think there may be a situation where we can use him for two, three innings."

Rockdale gets a long break before returning to action Sunday in a doubleheader against Conyers to close the regular season. The 10-team state tournament begins July 23 at Douglasville.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

7/12/2009 12:01:00 AM

Rockdale cruises to big win
Post 77 crushes Alpharetta 15-4

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - Rockdale got an offensive contribution from just about everybody and Drew Rogers pitched five solid innings in a 15-4, seven-inning win over Alpharetta on Saturday at Henson-Carr Legion Field.

Alpharetta jumped out on top 1-0 in the first inning on Brad Mattox's RBI-double, but it was all Rockdale after that.

In the home half of the first, Post 77 went up 2-1 on run-scoring singles by Ryan Griffin and Cole Peeples and added two more in the second on Joseph Lester's two-run single to go up 4-2.

It was enough for the soft throwing left-hander Rogers, who struck out nine and scattered five hits in a 95-pitch effort.

"I thought (Rogers) did a great job," said Rockdale head coach Jack Murphy. "Our pitching is coming around."

"I think he looked good (and) he hasn't gotten a lot of work this year," added assistant coach Jason McElroy. "He likes to be away, away, away, kind of like Tom Glavine. We're going to rely on him heavy at state."

Rockdale didn't rest on its early lead, taking advantage of ineffective Alpharetta starter Cody Carpenter, who surrendered nine earned runs and walked seven in four innings pitched.

Post 77 batted around in both the fourth and fifth innings to pad its cushion. In the fourth, Griffin and Peeples were at it again, delivering consecutive two-run doubles, and, two batters later, Josh Stevenson roped a run-scoring single to make it a 9-2 game.

Stephen Drisaldi didn't fare any better in the fifth as Lester, Josh Flippen, Peeple and Stevenson had run-scoring hits, the last of which put Rockdale up 13-2. Nathan Fawbush added a two-run double in the sixth.

"If we can hit like that against above-average pitching, we can put up 10 runs a game, we're going to be tough to beat," said McElroy.

"We had some help, but we had a lot of good hits," Murphy said.

Since dropping both games of a doubleheader to Conyers, June 28, Rockdale has won seven consecutive games. Murphy and his staff are pleased with how the team has come together, just in time for the American Legion State Tournament, which opens July 23.

"Our guys are starting to feel good with each other; I'm pleased with where we're at," Murphy said. "I was worried about our chemistry, but we're coming together. I started feeling (like the team was gelling) last week. Winning always cures everything."

Rockdale (16-9) returns to action on Monday at Henson-Carr against Gainesville, then takes five days off before its final doubleheader of the regular season against Conyers on July 19.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com

7/4/2009 12:01:00 AM

Fast start fizzles for Conyers
Carolina pitching eliminates Post 77 from tourney playoffs

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

MARIETTA - What started off so promising, now looks to be a wasted week for Conyers Post 77.

Zack Godley pitched five strong innings and Daniel Palka had three hits and drove in three runs to lead the Carolina Cyclones to a 7-2 victory at the 18-under World Wood Bat Tournament, eliminating Conyers (1-2-1) from a chance to play in today's playoffs. Conyers won its first tournament game 5-0 over the East Cobb Titans, but is 0-2-1 since.

"Beating the East Cobb Titans was big for us and I don't think we've been able to get (back) to that level," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said.

Carolina jumped out to an early lead on Conyers starter Kelvan Diaz, who made his first start in nearly a month and struck out six in six innings. After Post 77 turned an unconventional 1-5-2-8 double play, Palka ripped a two-out single to put Carolina up 1-0. In the third inning, the Cyclones touched Diaz for three consecutive doubles, including Tyler Jackson and Palka's run-scoring hits to make it 3-0.

"No. 1: the Carolina Cyclones is full of Division I signees," Bagwell said. "They didn't try to do anything fancy, bat on ball, and (Diaz), I thought, pitched extremely well."

Godley, meanwhile, retired the seven batters he faced before Brandon Crumbley hit a one-out single in the third. The right-hander worked around a number of jams in a 76-pitch effort, stranding five base-runners in the middle innings to preserve Carolina's lead.

"(Godley) pounded the strike zone; his curve ball was nasty," Bagwell said. "We didn't respond very well and our guys did a poor job of adjusting."

Conyers' struggles extended to the defense, which had been the most consistent aspect of its game throughout the wood bat tournament. In the sixth, Palka reached on an error by normally sure-handed second baseman Nick Woodward and scored on Diaz's balk to give Carolina a 4-0 lead.

"We had some defensive lapses; I don't know if we're tired (but) we're playing like it," Bagwell said.

Tyler Austin, making his first appearance for Conyers in the wood bat tournament, ripped a double down the leftfield line in the sixth, which put Post 77 on the scoreboard and made it a 4-1 game. After Chase Ware came on in relief in the seventh and served up Chance Veazy's two-run home run to push Carolina's advantage to 6-1, David Lockwood followed Crumbley's double with a single to cut the lead to 6-2.

"We're taking way too many strikes. ... We sure don't teach that. We want to be aggressive," Bagwell said. "I just think we're in a funk; that happens."

Conyers wraps up pool play at 9 a.m. today against the Florida Surge at North Cobb Christian School.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com

Post 77 2009 Legion Baseball Schedule

Team Date Time Opponent Games Location/Field

Rockdale May 30 To be re- Dawsonville 1-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Conyers May 30 scheduled Dawsonville 1-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale June 2 7:00pm Canton 1-9 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale June 4 7:00pm Gainesville 1-9 Inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Conyers June 5 6:00pm Duluth 2-7 inning Away @ Henson-Carr

Conyers June 7 2:00pm Gainesville 1-9 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Conyers June 9 6:00pm Loganville 2-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale June 12 6:00pm Duluth 2-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Conyers 6/18 – 6/21 POW/MIA Tournament in Douglasville Hunter Park

Rockdale 6/18 – 6/21 POW/MIA Tournament in Douglasville Hunter Park

Conyers June 23 6:00pm Douglasville 2-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale June 27 1:00pm Douglasville 2-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Conyers June 26 6:00pm Duluth 2-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Conyers June 28 2:00pm Rockdale 2-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale June 28 2:00pm Conyers 2-7 inning Away @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale June 30 6:00pm Duluth 2-7 inning Away @ Henson-Carr

Conyers July 4 2:00pm Rockdale 2-7 inning Away @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale July 4 2:00pm Conyers 2-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Conyers July 5 2:00pm Alpharetta 1-9 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale July 7 6:00pm Loganville 2-7 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Conyers July 11 2:30pm Canton 1-9 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Rockdale July 11 11:00am Alpharetta 1-9 inning Home @ Henson-Carr

Team Rockdale Coached by Jack Murphy

Team Conyers Coached by Eddie Bagwell

7/4/2009 12:01:00 AM

7/3/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers settles for 2-2 tie vs. Calif.
Post 77 now 1-1-1 at World Wood Bat Tournament

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

MARIETTA - Conyers' bats went silent for much of Thursday's tilt with ABD California, and by the game's end time had run out.

Post 77 and ABD played to a 2-2 tie in a pool game at the 18-under World Wood Bat Tournament at Kell High School, each failing to end the stalemate before the tournament-mandated two-hour time limit was reached.

Post 77 managed only two hits against ABD starter Connor Garelick, none in a game-tying, two-run sixth inning.

A clearly fatigued Garelick walked five in the frame, including Nick Woodward and Ross Roberts, who each scored a run to knot the score at 2-2. But left-hander Travis Mitchell induced a pop-up from Taylor Jackson with the bases loaded to end the inning, and retired all four batters he faced to preserve the tie.

Conyers got effective pitching as well.

After lefty Tyler Walker walked the first two batters in the top of the seventh, David Lockwood relieved and struck out the side to give Conyers a final chance in the last of the seventh. Starter Brandon Ward allowed two earned runs and struck out five in six innings.

"We just didn't swing the bats," said Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell. "Lockwood came in and was lights out. Brandon Ward pitched his tail off; deserved to win. We should've won that game."

ABD had grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Mark Strazzeri hit a one-out triple and Joseph Famalette walked. One batter later, the pair executed a double steal with Strazzeri sliding home ahead of the tag for a 1-0 lead. Bo Kreitenberg followed with a run-scoring single to give ABD a two-run cushion.

"We messed up that play," Bagwell said of the double steal. "We could be tired; I think we've played a lot of games the last two weeks. I think we're tired (and) it's finally starting to catch up."

Conyers' offense has struggled in the team's 1-1-1 start to the tournament, hitting just .181 (13-for-72). The pitching, though, has been good enough to win, allowing five earned runs in 202⁄3 innings.

"We're just not swinging the bats," said Bagwell. "I think it's wood bats; us not adjusting to wood bats, get the sweet part of the bat to the ball. I don't know what button to press. At some point pride has to take over, if it doesn't, we'll have a short life (in this tournament and beyond) and we're way too good of a team to have a short life."

Post 77, which needs to win its final two games and get help from a handful of other teams in its pool to advance to Sunday's bracket play, plays today at 2 p.m. at the East Cobb Complex in Marietta against the Carolina Cyclones.

7/2/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers gives up late rally
St. Louis edges Post 77

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

KENNESAW - For 61⁄2 innings on Wednesday afternoon, everything was going well for Conyers Post 77. They held a 4-2 over the St. Louis Pirates and a rested bullpen was preparing to close out the team's second consecutive victory to open the World Wood Bat Tournament.

That's when things unraveled.

Ryan Huck's two-out, bases-loaded single capped a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Pirates nipped Post 77, 5-4.

Chase Ware started the seventh in relief of Anthony Bazzani and gave up a bunt single and a walk before being lifted for Kelvan Diaz.

The right-hander, who was pitching for the first time since June 9, had a seventh inning to forget. He walked Sam Lett to load the bases, then on Brandon Alexander's grounder to first, dropped the toss from Brandon Crumbley which allowed the tying runs to score. After another walk and two strikeouts, Diaz served up Huck's game-winner.

"We thought he was the right guy to go to," said Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell of the Diaz move. "That bunt was big; that put us on our heels a little. You get that out, it changes the inning completely. Tough, (but the) beautiful thing is, we get to play again (today)."

In the second, Bazzani led off with a single and scored on an error by Cody Higgs to put Conyers up 1-0. Tied at 1-1 in the fifth, T.J. Cash had a hustle double when Higgs blooped a hit between the left fielder and third baseman. Two batters later, Ross Roberts drove in Cash with an infield single. An inning later, Travis Tarleton had a run-scoring single before David Lockwood drove him in with a pinch-hit single to put Conyers up 4-1.

Bazzani didn't have his best stuff, walking seven and hitting a batter, but was able to get out of several jams to preserve the lead. He walked the bases loaded with two outs but got Josh Scharff to fly out in the second inning.

After the Pirates tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth on a wild pitch, Bazzani got a fly out and a strikeout to strand the potential go-ahead run at third. In the sixth, he surrendered his second and last hit, a solo home run to Matt Borgschulte that made it 4-2.

"(Bazzani) wasn't as sharp as he would've liked (but) we thought he settled in very nicely," Bagwell said. "I think he pitched good enough to win."

St. Louis starter Jake Powers went the distance and picked up the victory, striking out eight and allowing seven hits and three earned runs.

"I think (Powers) threw extremely well; threw the ball hard (and) over-powered some of our guys. This team...we preach, preach, preach short memories. Put it behind you and move on. That's the way you've got to play."

Conyers continues pool play against ABD California today at 11:30 a.m. at Kell High School.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com

7/1/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers blanks East Cobb in tournament
Busenitz pitches gem in 5-0 victory

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

MARIETTA - If Tuesday afternoon was an audition for new Conyers pitcher Alan Busenitz, it's safe to say he earned at least start No. 2.

Busenitz pitched a complete game shutout and allowed three infield singles in a 5-0 victory over the East Cobb Titans in the opening game of the World Wood Bat 18-under National Tournament at Dominion Christian School.

Busenitz, a rising sophomore at Perimeter College, got ahead in counts with a good fastball (he threw a first-pitch strike to 17 of 23 batters) and put East Cobb's potent lineup away with an excellent curve ball.

"(Busenitz) got ahead and stayed ahead," said Conyers pitching coach Jody Gilbert. "The key to hitting is timing and we were upsetting (East Cobb's) timing ... he came out and challenged the hitters and looked good."

Busenitz, who had eight strikeouts and retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced, was aided by some solid Conyers defense. Catcher Taylor Jackson threw out a runner trying to steal in each of the first two innings and the infield defense was steady, including shortstop Nick Woodward, who made four smooth plays to help Busenitz get his first win.

"Taylor was huge; he stepped up big," said Conyers head coach Eddie Bagwell. "This was the best game Taylor (has) caught for us. Nick Woodward ... played great defense."

On the flip side, East Cobb's defense faltered in the first inning and it allowed Conyers to score all the runs it would need. With two outs, Cameron Gibson reached on a fielder's choice and Travis Tarleton ripped a single. Anthony Bazzani followed with a grounder that East Cobb third baseman John Frost couldn't handle and Gibson scored to make it a 1-0 game. Jackson reached next on a dropped throw by first baseman Alex Edwards, which allowed Tarleton to score, and Brandon Crumbley followed with an RBI-single to put Conyers up 3-0.

"We took advantage of their mistakes, which is what you're supposed to do, and (we) don't apologize for it either," Bagwell said. "That put (East Cobb) on their heels."

East Cobb starter Luke Bole pitched effectively after the rough first inning. The left-hander didn't allow a hit until Crumbley served a two-run double to the opposite field in the sixth that put Conyers ahead 5-0. Bole, a Hartselle, Ala. native, scattered four hits and struck out two in a 92-pitch effort.

"Great start to a great tournament," said Bagwell.

Conyers continues pool play in the 190-team tournament, today at Mt. Paran Christian School. Post 77 is scheduled to start Anthony Bazzani against the St. Louis Pirates 18-under team.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com

6/30/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers edges Rockdale on walk-off homer
Late rally helps Post 77 to 8-6 win

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - No one said things were going to be easy for Conyers Post 77. Trailing 6-5, Conyers scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, capped by a walk-off home run by Taylor Jackson, to slip by Rockdale 8-6 in the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep, Sunday at Henson-Carr Field.

"I thought it had a chance, but I thought the right fielder was going to catch it," said Jackson, referring to 6-4 Micah Jones.

"It kept going," said Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell. "Taylor came up big; he's got great bat speed."

Rockdale took the seventh-inning lead on Josh Flippen's RBI-double, but winning pitcher Anthony Bazzani got Rockdale's Taylor Jackson to strike out looking, ending the threat and setting up a bizarre bottom of the seventh. Bazzani led off the inning with a single and two batters later, Chunk Smith doubled into the left-field corner. Rockdale left-fielder Drew Rogers, just into the game for defensive purposes, hooked up on a perfect relay with third baseman Jake Parker to nip Bazzani at the plate.

Down to its final out, Conyers didn't quit. Smith, after moving up to third on the long relay, scampered home on a wild pitch with the tying run that made it 6-6.

"This team has shown some intestinal fortitude; they really do think they can win any ball game they play in," said Bagwell. "I've never had a team like this before."

Brandon Crumbley, who started game two and gave up five earned runs in 62⁄3 innings, polished off a great at-bat with a single and Jackson followed with his opposite-field game-winner off losing pitcher Nathan Fawbush (complete game, 12 hits, 8 earned runs).

Conyers (19-3) won 8-5 in the opener, getting a 10 strikeout, complete game from Brandon Thomas. The right-hander struggled early, surrendering two runs in each of the first two innings, but allowed just a solo home run to Cole Peoples in his final five innings of work. That allowed Conyers to mount a comeback, taking the lead for good with a five-run fourth. Thomas helped himself with a two-run single, which gave him nine RBIs in the last three games, and Chunk Smith capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly that made it 6-4.

"We were very fortunate ... very, very lucky to get two today," Bagwell said. "What sticks out to me is that ... (Thomas) made his pitches; got big strikeouts."

Brandon Ward was the tough-luck loser for Rockdale (11-11), allowing eight runs, though just three were earned thanks to four Rockdale errors.

"Both games were disappointing," said Rockdale coach Jack Murphy. "Too many errors; unforced errors. We're not focused. If it was one thing, I could fix it."

Conyers returns to action today in the World Wood Bat 18-under Tournament at Dominion Christian School. Conyers, perhaps a dark horse in the weeklong tournament, will open pool play at 4:30 p.m. against the East Cobb Titans. Rockdale will essentially play three games against Duluth today at Henson-Carr, first completing a suspended game from June 12 before playing a doubleheader.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com

6/27/2009 12:01:00 AM

Pitching, bats help Conyers sweep Duluth

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - Brandon Thomas must have taken personally Duluth's plan to pitch around the No. 9 hitter to face him instead.

Thomas drove in five runs, including a go ahead two-run single in the fifth inning and an RBI-single in the sixth, which both followed intentional walks to Chunk Smith, and lifted Conyers to a 13-9 win and a two-game sweep of Duluth at Henson-Carr Legion Field.

Duluth went on top early, grabbing a 2-0, first inning lead off Conyers starter John Muirhead (31⁄3 IP, 4 ER). Lighting-quick Marc Fenner led off the game with a triple and scored on Kyle Bailey's RBI-single. Zack Dale followed with a single and scored on the back end of a double steal to put Duluth ahead 2-0. Conyers answered on Travis Tarleton's run-scoring double in the bottom of the first, then took its first lead on Thomas' first two-run single of the game in the second inning to make it a 4-2 game.

The lead changed hands several more times, including Duluth's last lead at 7-5 after Bailey roped a two-run single in the fifth off winning pitcher David Lockwood (11⁄3 IP, 3 ER, 2 K). Duluth reliever and losing pitcher Jeffery Lanier allowed eight earned runs in three innings and in the fifth, served up Lockwood's sacrifice fly that made it a 7-6 game. Thomas followed two batters later with his clutch hit. For good measure, Nick Woodward added an RBI single and followed Thomas' hit in the sixth with a two-run single that made it 13-9.

Brandon Crumbley struck out the side in the ninth to finish off the sweep.

Conyers had no trouble in the first game, winning 12-0 in five innings thanks to the pitching of Beau Thomas and an early offensive outburst. The left-handed Thomas left two men on base in each of the first three innings, then struck out the side in the fourth and two more in the fifth (part of an eight-strikeout night) to wrap up a four-hit shutout.

Post 77 wasted no time getting to Duluth starter Jay Underwood, sending 11 to the plate in a five-run first inning. Travis Tarleton and Brandon Crumbley each drove in a run before Thomas helped his own cause with a two-run single that made it 4-0. Conyers went right back to work in the second, again scoring five runs in a 10-batter frame. Taylor Jackson, Thomas, Ross Roberts and Brandon Thomas each had run-scoring singles to give Conyers a 10-0 cushion.

Later, David Lockwood curved a solo home run around the foul pole in left field to make it 11-0.

Underwood took the loss, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned) and 10 hits in two innings of work.

Kurt Aschermann can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com

Pure Hitter

Alcovy's Ross Roberts powers Conyers Post 77 to split

June 25, 2009

By Luke Banks

Alcovy's Ross Roberts has taken his deft swing to Conyers in helping Legion Post 77 to a 15-3 record so far this summer. Roberts' 2-run home run against Douglasville capped a two-hit, 3-RBI performance in Post 77's 8-2 win in game one of a doubleheader split.
Brittany Thomas

Conyers Post 77 (15-3) looked like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Tuesday in its doubleheader against Douglasville Post 145. Conyers won the first game 8-2 in its normal fashion of dominant pitching, monster hitting, and immaculate defense. But, the second game was almost the complete opposite as Conyers failed to produce runs while at the same time committing a slew of errors, resulting in a 7-3 defeat.

"First game — good game. Second game — bad game, pretty simple," said Post 77 head coach Eddie Bagwell.

In the first game of the night, Anthony Bazzani gave a stellar pitching performance. Bazzani held Douglasville to only one hit and one run — a solo home run in the fourth — while striking out seven batters in six innings of work.

Nick Matteen pitched the rest of the way and allowed only hit and one unearned run.

"We were happy with the pitching," Bagwell said. "Anthony [Bazzani] threw extremely well. That’s what we wanted from him, and Nick [Matteen] did a good job of coming in and closing it out for us."

Conyers’ offense hit the ball well as usual, but a lot of its runs came because of Douglasville errors. In fact, Conyers scored its first run without a single hit. In the bottom of the first inning, Nick Woodward led off with a weak grounder, which should have been an easy out. Instead the short stop from Post 145 threw the ball clear over the first baseman’s head and over the fence resulting in a two-base error. Woodward moved to third on a ground out then scored after another errant throw went high over the third baseman’s head.

In the bottom of the second inning, Conyers scored four more runs, two of them unearned. Brandon Crumbley walked then advanced to second on a bad pick off attempt. Beau Thomas then singled to put two men on base before his Alcovy teammate, Ross Roberts, hammered the ball up the middle for a two-RBI double. Woodward followed with another single and Brandon Thomas pushed Roberts home with a ground out RBI. After Cameron Gibson walked, a pop up by Travis Tarleton in shallow left field was misplayed, resulting in another easy score.

In the third inning, with Conyers already leading 5-0, Roberts did what he does best. After Thomas reached first base on a single, Roberts, Alcovy’s all-time home run leader, jacked a two-run homer into the parking lot and nearly all the way to Interstate 20, increasing Conyers’ lead to 7-0.

Roberts is the newest edition to the Post 77's already power-laced team.

"I was really excited about picking him [Roberts] up," said Bagwell. "He’s a true outfielder. He’s a pure hitter. He’s not just a power hitter — he hits the ball where it’s pitched. I like him all ready."

Douglasville finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Bazzani threw his first bad pitch of the night and Dusty Davis made him pay. Davis smacked the ball over the left field fence for the home run, spoiling the shutout.

Conyers tacked on one more run in the fifth with an outfield error from Douglasville followed by an RBI by Thomas. Douglasville managed to scrape out one more unearned run in the sixth to make the final score 8-2.

"We played a good ball game," said Bagwell. "We pitched well, we caught well, and we hit well."

The second game was a whole different story. Bagwell switched things up by starting David Lockwood and closing with Crumbley. Lockwood’s success on the mound was hard to gauge. While Lockwood defiantly had the velocity, his control wasn’t always there. In one at-bat, he threw two pitches completely behind a batter, but then managed to fight back in the count and strike the batter out. He struck out nine, but also walked four, hit three, and gave up two home runs to the same player. But, the poor run production and errors made by his team didn’t help things either.

The first inning was erriely similar to the first game, as Douglasville scored their first run without a single hit. Douglasville’s lead off batter was slightly grazed in the head by Lockwood’s wild fastball sending him to first base. After shaking the cobwebs out, the runner proceeded to steal second and third base before jogging home after a bad throw by Conyers’ catcher.

Post 145 went up 5-1 in the second inning with a three-run shot over the left field fence. The same player hit another solo shot in the fifth inning to make it 6-1, and then Douglasville used a delay steal in the sixth to increase their lead to 7-1.

Because of a lot of walks and a few hits, Conyers was able to get plenty of men on base, but its bats fell silent in the clutch. Conyers also spoiled good opportunities to score with poor base running.

"I think we pitched the game well. I think David [Lockwood] deserved a better fate than he got," Bagwell said. "We just made too many errors and we left to many men on the bases. I think we left 13 base runners stranded.

"I still think we have; as much talent as anybody, we just need to work on not taking any game lightly. We have to get out of this mindset of we can just show up and win. It’s not true. We cannot expect to win ball games if we don’t play defense and if we run the bases poorly. That’s the bottom line."

6/25/2009 12:01:00 AM

Staff Photo: Manny Fils
Rockdale catcher Cris Jackson controls a pitch in the ground against Loganville on Tuesday.

Staff Photo: Manny Fils
Kale Blakesmith dives back to the bag before the pickoff throw as Chris Scott waits for the ball.

Rockdale earns split
Squad loses first game, but comes back in second

By Manny Fils
Sports Writer

LOGANVILLE - No two games could have been more different for Rockdale Post 77 in its doubleheader with Loganville Post 233 on Tuesday.

Rockdale had three hits in its 9-3 loss to start the doubleheader before bringing the bats to life in the second game, a 10-hit explosion that led to an 11-4 win and the split.

"All you can do is play them one at a time and hope the guys show up to play," Rockdale manager Jack Murphy said. "The first game we didn't show up."

Marcus Smith paced Post 77 at the plate with four hits, all in the second game, including a double and a home run.

Also getting multiple hits were Joseph Lester, who had three with two doubles in the first game, and Jake Parker, who went 2-for-2 in the second game.

Getting the win for Rockdale was Nathan Fawbush, who threw all seven innings. He fanned 10 batters, walked four, hit two and allowed six hits - three coming in the first inning.

"The secret we found to Nathan is that if we let him get a little tired, like play him in the first game and bring him in to pitch in the second, he's much more effective," Murphy said. "He pitched a good game and kept his composure after we made those two errors in the first inning. He could have blown up in the dugout, but he's matured a lot."

In the bottom of the first inning of Game 2, an error extended the inning and allowed Loganville to take a 3-0 lead.

Smith cut the lead in the third with a two-run blast before Loganville made it 4-2 in the home half.

Fawbush kept Loganville off balance for the rest of the game, while Post 77 got it together in the sixth scoring six runs.

Two of the runs came on walks with the bases loaded. Another came as a result of a wild pitch.

"They made the mistakes we did in the first game and gave it back to us," Murphy said. "I think we started feeling a little bit good about ourselves when we came back and scored those six runs and got ahead."

Rockdale scored three more in the top of the seventh to finish the scoring.

In the first game, Loganville pitcher Justin Hughes kept Rockdale from getting the ball in play. Of the 21 outs recorded by Loganville, 16 were from pop-ups handled by the infield or high flys into the outfield.

It wasn't Hughes' power that did Rockdale in, it was his slow, high-arched breaking balls that kept Post 77 from hitting.

"That's the second time we've faced somebody that's pitched like that. We have to learn how to hit some of that slow stuff," Murphy said.

Rockdale got on the board in the top of the first on a two-run Cole Peeples homer.

However, Loganville responded, scoring three to take a 3-2 lead. Loganville later added to its tally, making the score 7-2 after two innings.

Lester's double plated Smith in the third, but Post 233 was able to respond with a run of its own.

Loganville closed the game hoping to make a statement for the second game, scoring three runs in the final two innings.

"To their credit, they came out and hit the ball real good in that first game," Murphy said. "They didn't look like a team that had only won one game. We were talking (after the first game) and we were putting the ball down the middle of the plate. You just can't do that. You still have to work the corners a little bit and have something on the ball.

"We're happy to get out of here with a split. I'm hoping that when we did it together, sometime by the state playoff, we'll be OK."

Manny Fils can be reached at manny.fils@newtoncitizen.com.

Conyers takes momentum into second half

What a way to head into July.

Conyers Post 77 picked up two consecutive last at-bat wins in the POW/MIA Tournament at Douglasville, further solidifying them as a legitimate state title contender.

In the semifinal win over Rockdale, Anthony Bazzani drove in the go-ahead runs in the top of the seventh with a two-run single, then shut down the heart of the Rockdale lineup from the mound in the bottom of the inning to preserve the win.

In the championship, Conyers rallied from 5-2 down to score four runs in the bottom of the seventh, highlighted by Brandon Crumbley's run-scoring single that wrapped up the tournament title.

"Our guys stepped up and delivered," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said. "They understand that when they play ball together as a team, they can do something special. It's a good group of young men and they're coming together."

Conyers played a doubleheader Tuesday against Douglasville. The team will host Duluth for a doubleheader Friday before playing two games against Rockdale on Sunday at Henson-Carr Legion Field.

Whitenton signs with Kennesaw State

Former Heritage High School and Darton College star Taylor Whitenton has signed a baseball scholarship with Kennesaw State University.

Whitenton, a right-handed pitcher, was drafted in the 39th round by the New York Mets, but will head to Cobb County after two successful seasons at Darton.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

6/21/2009 12:01:00 AM

Staff Photo: Manny Fils
Conyers’ Cameron Gibson powered the ball out of the park two times, including a grand slam, in their 24-4 win over Dothan (Ala.) in the POW-MIA Tournament at Hunter Park on Saturday.

Post 77 gets big win
Conyers runs over Dothan 24-4

By Manny Fils
Sports Writer

DOUGLASVILLE - Conyers Post 77 combined hitting, pitching and fielding to secure a No. 1 seed in their side of the bracket of the POW-MIA Tournament with a 24-4 win over Dothan (Ala.), at Hunter Park on Saturday.

"We just got a win over the best ball club in the southeast, in my opinion, in Dothan (Ala.)," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said. "Coach (Larry) Tubbs does a great job with that team. They are very well prepared and they don't make very many mistakes."

Post 77 pitcher Brandon Thomas held a very good hitting team to nine hits while fanning three batters in three innings of work.

"Brandon Thomas pitched an unbelievable game," Bagwell said. "He did as good a job as he could to keep them off balance. He gave us a big game."

Another big part to Thomas' time on the mound, which resulted in the win, was that he did not give up any walks.

"I always try to throw strikes and make them hit grounders," Thomas said. "If you give them a walk, that's like a freebie. So I make them beat me with their bats instead of giving them a free pass to the base."

Conyers took a lot of pressure off Thomas, scoring 14 runs in the top of the first inning and sending 19 batters to the plate.

Helping put runs on the board was a Cameron Gibson grand slam and a three-run dinger by Chunk Smith.

Post 77 finished the game with 16 hits of which only five were for extra bases.

"What we've been working on trying to get through their minds is not to live off the long ball. Let's get hits back-to-back and then come up with a big clutch hit, which we did. We did what we think we're capable of doing game in and game out," Bagwell said.

Also having a big day at the plate were Tyler Austin (4-for-4) and Ross Roberts (2-for-2, double). Also getting an extra-base hit (double) was Brandon Crumbley.

"Tyler's (bat) is huge and Ross Roberts is one of the newest guys we picked up. He's finally coming around getting his timing back. He had a good day," Bagwell said. "Cameron Gibson had a good day and Chunk Smith had a good day. We're swinging the bats the way we thought we were capable of."

Dothan was not willing to go down quietly as it scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

However, Conyers answered back the next inning scoring four more runs while allowing one in the home half of the second.

"You have to throw strikes. Because when we're winning 14-0, I could give up 10 runs and still be leading," Thomas said. "It makes it a lot easier."

Making sure to have a run-rule victory, Conyers padded its lead crossing the plate six times while keeping Dothan off the scoreboard.

"We hit the ball extremely well early, we scored 14 in the first inning. That gives you a lot of breathing room. It takes a lot of pressure off when you put that many up the first inning. I just hope we haven't scored all of our runs (Saturday) for (today)," Bagwell said.

Conyers plays the No. 2 seed from the other side of the bracket, Rockdale Post 77 or East Alabama, today at 1 p.m. with the winner advancing to the tournament championship game at 4 p.m.

Manny Fils can be reached at manny.fils@newtoncitizen.com

6/19/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers Post 77 falls to Douglasville

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

DOUGLASVILLE - Post 145 closer Dalton Acord was laboring in the top of the seventh inning. After walks to Travis Tarleton and Anthony Bazzani, which followed Cameron Gibson's run-scoring single, Acord had a bases loaded, no out situation and a lead that had been 8-1 was trimmed to 8-6.

But that's just when Acord got going. The right-handed fireballer struck out three consecutive batters to preserve Douglasville's 8-6 victory over Conyers Post 77 in the opening game of the POW/MIA Tournament at Hunter Park.

"(Acord) just bowed his neck, man," Douglasville coach Kent Quinn said. "He's just a very tough kid, never gives up, and that's what (is) so great about him."

"(We) had our chance, bases loaded nobody out," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said. "Give (Acord) credit, he battled back. This kid throws good."

Douglasville built its big lead against Conyers starting pitcher Brandon Crumbley and ineffective reliever Nick Matteen, thanks to great production from the meat of its order. Following consecutive two-out walks in the first inning, No. 5 hitter Avery Miller laced a two-run double to put Post 145 up 2-0. In the third, No. 3 hitter Jordan Quinn's RBI-double made it a 3-1 game and cleanup hitter Michael Goodman and No. 6 hitter Montana Dowda each had a two-RBI double in a five-run sixth off Matteen.

"Our 3-4-5-6 hole guys are on fire right now, absolutely," Kent Quinn said. "I don't want to jinx it."

Conyers' offense, which was without big bats Tyler Austin and Chunk Smith, missed opportunities through the first five innings before breaking out in the sixth off starter and winning pitcher Alex Wilson, who struck out six in 51⁄3 innings. Wilson allowed a fielder's choice RBI to Matteen and was chased following David Lockwood's opposite field, three-run home run that cut the lead to 8-5. Acord, a rising sophomore at Middle Georgia College, came on in relief and worked around shortstop Bradley Mills' second error of the day by getting two strike outs to end the frame.

"You miss (Austin and Smith's) bats. We're playing short-handed, but we've got to battle with the ones you've got," Bagwell said. "We didn't take advantage early. Tough loss."

Crumbley allowed four earned runs and walked five in four innings, retiring five of the final six batters he faced. Conyers now faces the probable task of having to win each of its final two pool games to reach Sunday's championship semifinals.

"Brandon Crumbley threw a good game," Bagwell said. "He gave us a chance. (The loss) puts us in a situation where we've got to win (today) and win Saturday."

Baseball notebook: Post 77 offense clicking

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - It's no surprise what's carrying Conyers Post 77 through the early part of its season: The offense is clicking on all cylinders. Conyers swept a doubleheader from Loganville, Monday, out-scoring the home team 26-11 and displaying the kind of thunder that has the team poised for a successful summer.

The part that jumps out is the amount of extra-base hits Post 77 gets on a nightly basis. Monday night was no different as Conyers had 13 extra-base hits in the two games, including eight doubles and four home runs.

"I thought we were lazy in the first game; second game we turned it on," Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell said. "(They) hit the ball a lot better and consistently."

Though it's been a team effort, two players have stood out lately. Bagwell had trouble remembering any outs Cameron Gibson as the rising junior at Salem has been on fire. Against Loganville, Gibson reached base seven of eight times, including a double, two singles and a three-run home run in the opener and Tarleton hit a two-run home run and had three doubles on the evening.

"Cam Gibson is the hottest hitter in the flippin' state (and) he's the best hitter we've got on the team," Bagwell said. "Travis is swinging the bat real well and turning into quite a third baseman as well."

Wood bat tourney packed with locals

The World Wood Bat Association's 18-under tournament is coming to Cobb County and more than two dozen area players will participate.

The Conyers Post 77 team will field a team that includes current and former Heritage players Tyler Austin (C), Anthony Bazzani (P/INF), Kelvan Diaz (P), Nick Matteen (OF/P), Tarleton (INF), Brandon Thomas (INF/P) and Nick Woodward (INF), along with Salem's Gibson (OF), Augusta State commitment Brandon Crumbley (INF/P), Dustin Dunlop (INF/P) and Logan Singleton (OF/C). Newton County players Taylor Jackson (C/INF) and outfielder/pitcher Beau Thomas, both from Alcovy, and pitcher/infielder Cameron Davenport (Eastside) are also on the Post 77 team that should compete for the wood bat national title.

Heritage also has Trey Griffin, an outfielder/first baseman, on the East Cobb Braves 17-and-under.

New Level Training Cardinal, based in Conyers, has three local players-Newton's Chris Moss (INF/P) and Travis Rape (3B/OF) and former Salem pitcher/outfielder Alex Yorkman.

Rockdale has four players - Georgia Tech commitment Buck Farmer (INF/P) of the East Cobb Yankees; East Cobb Rebels SS/OF Nakeem Forte and C/1B Kevin Dawkins; and Big Stix Gamers' outfielder Terrence Hutcherson, who's joined on the Gamers by Alcovy's pitcher Cody Bala.

Salem's Kelsey Rudolph, an outfielder/second baseman, will play for the Mentium Athletics, while Newton's David Hill (3B/IB) will occupy a spot on the Atlanta Bluejays.

Kurt Aschermann be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com

6/14/2009 12:01:00 AM

Ward's no-hitter sparks Rockdale
Post wins 10-0, second game halted by lightning

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - Before the lightning came, Friday night was all about Brandon Ward.

The Rockdale right-hander tossed a five-inning no-hitter in a 10-0 win over Duluth in game one, and the two teams battled to a 2-2 tie before lightning suspended the nightcap until June 30, when Duluth returns to Henson-Carr Field.

Ward dazzled in the opener, striking out nine and walking one in a 63-pitch gem.

With two outs in the second inning, Duluth starter Aaron Parks, who surrendered 12 hits and nine earned runs in three innings and took the loss, reached on an error and Austin Parks followed with a walk. But Ward caught Jeffery Lanier looking to end the frame, then retired the final nine batters he faced.

"(Ward) pitched a hell of a game," Rockdale coach Jack Murphy said. "Brandon was throwing strikes and getting outs. I can't say enough about the kid; he's pitched better than anyone on the team."

The Rockdale bats got Ward a big lead early, sending 11 to the plate and scoring in a variety of ways in the bottom of the first. Josh Flippen and Joseph Lester had RBI-singles to start the scoring; Micah Jones scored on a wild pitch, while Jake Parker scampered home on a passed ball. Later in the inning, Kale Blackshear and Marcus Smith added run-scoring singles to put Rockdale up 6-0.

Rockdale added four runs in the third when Blackshear ripped a two-run single and Cris Jackson followed with an RBI-double that missed leaving the park by a foot.

"That first game, everything we wanted to do offensively (they did)," Murphy said.

Duluth took a quick lead in the nightcap off Rockdale starter Micah Jones, scoring two unearned runs in the first inning. But after Alan Stanford scored on a errant throw to first and Tim Scott scored on a double steal to make it 2-0, Jones didn't allow a hit in his final 41⁄3 innings.

Rockdale tied it in the bottom of the first when Lester scored on a wild pitch and Parker ripped a tying single.

Duluth starter Joseph Tuohy pitched effectively, allowing two hits and hitting a batter after the two-run first.

Jones ran into trouble in the fifth inning, loading the bases with one out before striking out Scott and getting Justin Bowen on a ground out to the end the inning. Then the lightning came, suspending the game until Duluth's next visit to Conyers.

"You can't take a chance on some kid getting electrocuted," Murphy said.

6/11/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers remains unbeaten
Crumbley, Diaz toss gems in sweep of Loganville

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - Conyers Post 77 remained unbeaten with a doubleheader sweep of Loganville, 10-0 and 6-0, Tuesday night at Henson-Carr Legion Field. In his first game with the team, Augusta State commitment Brandon Crumbley pitched 51⁄3 innings of one-hit ball and struck out seven to win the nightcap.

After hitting Loganville right fielder Luke Baker with a pitch in the second inning, Crumbley retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced.

Meanwhile, the Conyers bats gave the big right-hander plenty to work with. Cameron Gibson crushed a two-run home run in the third to make it a 3-0 game and Nick Woodward ripped an RBI-double in the fifth to put Conyers up 4-0.

"Brandon just got back from vacation; he was a little rusty," said Conyers coach Eddie Bagwell. "He settled down in the fourth (and) fifth. He did a good job; he's going to be one of our guys we rely on."

Taylor Jackson launched a two-run home run in the sixth inning off Loganville starter Justin Hicks, who allowed six earned runs in 52⁄3 innings.

Conyers cruised in the opener, 10-0 in a game shortened by the mercy rule. They jumped out early on Loganville starter and South Georgia College commitment Trey Culpepper (41⁄3 IP, 7 ER), getting a run in the first on Brandon Thomas' RBI-double, and two more in the second on run-scoring hits by Chunk Smith and Crumbley to go up 3-0.

That was plenty for Kelvan Diaz, who threw only 54 pitches in a five-inning, two-hit shutout.

"We made it very clear that we're building our team on pitching and defense," Bagwell said. "What we like about our pitching, we challenge them to pitch to contact; that's our theory behind pitching."

"Hats off to (Conyers), they hit their spots," said Loganville coach Jimmy Hughes. "We're going home with our tails between our legs."

With Diaz on cruise control, the Conyers bats continued to add to the lead. In the third, Gibson missed a home run by two feet and settled for a two-run double that made it 5-0. In the fifth, Post 77 continued to batter Culpepper with Travis Tarleton's RBI-double, Smith's three-run triple and a game-ending RBI-double from Crumbley.

"We feel like we can score some runs," Bagwell said. "We're not great offensively, but we're above average. We're happy with our team. The biggest thing we like about our team is they're coming together. We're real pleased with the way the personalities are coming together."

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com

6/9/2009 12:01:00 AM

Two different Sundays for Post 77 teams
Conyers wins a game, but Rockdale drops twin bill

From Staff Reports

CONYERS - Post 77's baseball teams had their share of excitement and agony splitting their games Sunday.

Conyers Post 77 easily defeated its opponent with and 8-2 win over Gainesville, while the Rockdale Post 77 team lost a doubleheader, 8-0, 9-3, to Douglasville.

Anthony Bazzani led the Conyers team on the mound throwing six hitless innings.

In his time on the mound, Bazzani fanned eight batters while walking three and hitting one batsman.

Another aspect of the game that Conyers Post 77 head coach Eddie Bagwell was the limited errors committed so far this season.

The Conyers team has committed a low four errors in their past five games.

If Conyers is to have a good season, according to Bagwell, a lot of it is going to depend on good pitching and good defense, two things Bagwell has been able to get out of his team.

"So far, pitching has held up well. We've had a good start and we've had good relief (pitching), that's the key to the game," Bagwell said. "That's how to build a team, with pitching and defense.

"We've really come together as a team. We're getting good leadership from our returning players, Chunk Smith and Nick Matteen. Everyone is really upbeat about it."

Conyers opened up a commanding lead for Bazzani against Gainesville A's scoring a run in the first inning, two in the third, one in the fourth and two in the sixth.

Providing a lot of the hitting for Conyers were Brandon Thomas (3-for-4), Cameron Gibson (3-for-3) and Smith who went 4-for-5 with two doubles.

"We didn't hit the cover off the ball," said Bagwell. "But we got good clutch hitting with runners in scoring position."

Coming in relief were Cameron Davenport, David Lockwood and Matteen.

Conyers will be at home today in a doubleheader against Loganville starting at 6 p.m. at Hanson-Carr Field.

"This will be our last home game for at least two weeks," Bagwell added.

Be it overconfidence or one of those days, the Rockdale team did not play to their potential against Douglasville, something that Rockdale manager Jack Murphy is not used to.

"I'm not used to losing to Douglasville," Murphy said. "I told them after the game that even though it counts on our record, we have to forget it and move on. Sometimes in baseball and basketball, the better team doesn't always win.

One thing that Murphy and the team learned is that it's hard to score when you're not hitting the ball.

Rockdale combined for six hits in the doubleheader, with one coming in the first game.

The other aspect of their game which contributed to their loss was errors.

"We have solid baseball players but they showed up flat. We just couldn't get it going. We made an error or two when we had a chance to get out of the inning," Murphy said.

"The score's not indicative of how bad we played."

6/7/2009 12:01:00 AM

Conyers improves to 4-0 with easy sweep
Post 77 plates 33 runs in twin bill

By Pat Wheeler
Special to the Citizen

CONYERS - Using a balance offensive attack and consistent pitching, Conyers Post 77 easily swept a doubleheader from visiting Duluth 18-0 and 15-2 Friday evening at Henson-Carr Legion Field.

The talented team coached by Eddie Bagwell is now 4-0 in Area 2 American Legion play.

"We swung the bat real well all night," Bagwell said. "And we pitched well and just seemed to jell as a team."

From the beginning on a pleasant evening for baseball, Duluth seemed overwhelmed by the Conyers team, as evidenced by giving up five runs in each of the first three innings while having nothing to show offensively. The first game ended after five innings, as did the second game, because of a 10-run rule.

"They are a young team and it's tough," Bagwell said. "I've been there before and you just have to keep working hard. They will get better as the year goes on."

Conyers standout Tyler Austin led the way in the first game as both the winning pitcher and contributor of two doubles and three runs batted in while going 4-for-4 at the plate. He was followed up in the pitching duties by Cameron Davenport as the duo combined to allow only one hit by Duluth and one walk with three strikeouts.

The offensive output by the Post 77 batters in the first game was impressive with a total of 20 hits. The other extra base hit during game one came off of the bat of catcher Chunk Smith and it accounted for two runs batted in.

While Conyers sprayed singles all over the field in the first game, the long ball came into play during the second game with Austin getting the first one on a towering fly ball that was lost in the twilight and landed over the left field fence. His shot drove in Travis Tarleton to give Post 77 a 7-0 lead in the top of the third inning.

Duluth got its only runs of the night in the bottom of that frame with two singles and the benefit of a throwing error by Conyers.

Finishing off the evening with style, Conyers got home runs from Anthony Bazzani in the fourth and Tarleton in the fifth. Bazzani's was a smash to dead center that brought home teammates Austin and Patrick Jansen, while Tarleton's was a line drive over the left field fence for a solo run.

Conyers got good pitching in the second game from starter Brandon Thomas, who got the win, and relievers Tarleton and Jansen.

The defense looked strong for the Post 77 team, led by shortstop Nick Woodward. The fielding in the twilight hour proved to be difficult for both teams but there were few errors resulting.

"I am real excited about this team and how we have started coming together," Bagwell said. "We had good performances by a lot of different players tonight."

Conyers plays again today when it hosts Gainesville at 2 p.m.

Post 77 squad features talented cast
Bagwell pleased with team’s make-up

By Kurt Aschermann Jr.
Sports Writer

CONYERS - Perhaps no baseball coach believes in the team concept more than Eddie Bagwell. The Conyers Post 77 head man said as much when talking about his team, which opened its season Tuesday at Douglasville.

"I have 18 guys that I count on; I've got 18 guys that will pull their weight and do their jobs," Bagwell said. "One of the challenges we have as legion coaches, in my opinion, is merging these players together."

Bagwell won't have to work too hard merging the six Heritage players on the roster. Rising senior Tyler Austin, the team's catcher, is one of the top professional prospects in the nation, while the top two starting pitchers on the Patriots' state playoff team - Anthony Bazzani and Kelvan Diaz - will help anchor the pitching rotation. Infielders Travis Tarleton, Nick Woodward and Brandon Thomas are also on the roster.

"I do have several of the Heritage kids; they play a role," Bagwell said. "Tyler is a bonafide power threat; good as any player in the state of Georgia in my opinion. He works really hard ... we're getting to reap the benefits of it."

Conyers should benefit from a wealth of talent from other surrounding schools. Three players that played on Salem's 2009 team - pitcher Brandon Crumbley, who is headed to Augusta State in the fall, and catcher Logan Singleton, along with rising junior Cameron Gibson, a potential superstar, will play important roles for the Conyers this summer.

"Cameron Gibson, my centerfielder, I got to see him all spring; I like him a lot," Bagwell said. "(He's) got a great future academically and baseball-wise."

Add in Eastside's Tim Roton and Alcovy duo Beau Thomas and Taylor Jackson and Bagwell has a virtual all-star team of local players to plug into the lineup.

"I think I've got 18 guys right now that are learning to play together and willing to make sacrifices; they've done everything I've asked them to do," said Bagwell. "These young men represent Rockdale and Newton County very well."

Conyers' home opener is scheduled for this evening, a doubleheader against Duluth starting at 6 p.m at Henson-Carr Field.

Kurt Aschermann Jr. can be reached at kurt.aschermann@rockdalecitizen.com.

HOME	DIRECTIONS	OFFICERS	COMMITTEES	PRAYERS	SAL
EVENTS	MISCELLANEOUS	AUXILIARY	PROGRAMS	LINKS	POW/MIA
PHOTOS	LEGION RIDERS	NEWSLETTER	VETERAN MEM. PARK	@650 Members	ABOUT US