BASEBALL UPDATE
By Joey Marchant
The baseball update is that as of press time there really is no update. Georgia schools remain closed through March 31st by order of Governor Brian Kemp in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I do not think anyone believes that schools will or should reopen anytime soon. The GHSA has not given any clue to the public about how it will proceed.
The GHSA Facebook page still refers to the stoppage in play as a postponement. There is a petition at www.change.org urging the GHSA to try to salvage the spring sports season with over 30,200 signatures. However, the reality is that sports are secondary right now. The number of new coronavirus cases continues to rise as more people are tested. Georgians are dying. Businesses are shut down. Government offices are closed to the public. Stocks have plummeted. About the only thing that hasn’t changed in our world is that Republicans and Democrats in Congress cannot agree on anything.
I do have one correction from last week. The run allowed by Landin Crummey in the fourth inning to Bleckley County was unearned as the run was scored by Jack Fernandez whom Crummey had struck out only to have Fernandez reach safely when the ball got away from the catcher. I incorrectly wrote that Stephen Knighton who Crummey had walked scored the run. Knighton was left on base. Crummey’s stat line was five and two-thirds (5 2/3) innings pitched allowing 3 runs (1 earned run) on 5 hits. He struck out 7 batters and walked 3 batters.
Hopefully, we will have an update next week. Also, I am working on an article about a former Dodge County pitcher who once struck out Babe Ruth.
RUSS"S SPORTS REVIEW
By Russ Ragan
The sports world has never been as quiet as it is now, but it has been an eventful and I think productive one for the Falcons. They started the week with the trade that brought them Hayden Hurst from Baltimore. It should be a good one but they didn’t stop there. Let me start by saying the trade is official but everything else is pending physicals. Atlanta came in horrible cap space, so I am not real sure how they got these other deals done. There are reports that Ryan and Matthews both re-structured their contracts to open up more cap space.
The biggest move of the week came when they signed defensive end Dante Fowler from the Rams. He got a three-year 48 million dollar deal. It is pending physical. He had a great 2019 with 11.5 sacks. He was the number one pick of Jacksonville. Things never got going as he blew out the ACL in his knee on the first day of practice. If he can stay healthy he could make a huge impact for Atlanta.
Speaking of the Rams, congratulations to Dodge Counties own Leonard Floyd. He signed a one year ten millions dollar deal with Los Angeles right after the Fowler deal was announced. He will probably play outside linebacker for the Rams.
Perhaps the most popular deal came Friday morning as the birds signed former UGA star Todd Gurley to a one year deal. The one year five million dollar deal is an absolute steal if he is healthy. That is a huge if, but he was better than Devonta Freeman with one good leg. He won’t be a workhorse but he can bring depth to a running back crew that needed it. Of course, he will also sell a bunch of jerseys that I am sure will go on sale as soon as he passes a physical.
Can you believe that they still weren’t enough? I can’t. On Sunday, they signed their third former first round pick of the week as they picked up wide out Laquan Treadwell. He played four years with the Vikings and it didn’t work out. He will probably be the third or fourth receiver for Atlanta. He has piles of upsize and he might work out.
Yes, it was a productive week as they up four former first round picks and they had one other thing in common, they were all former SEC players. Hurst played at South Carolina, Fowler at Florida, and Gurley at Georgia and Treadwell at Ole Miss. These are quite the pickups for a franchise that for some reason doesn’t draft the SEC conference very much. I like the changes that are coming to the offense. I think it’s safe to say this year’s college draft will be strong on defense.
Barring something major WrestleMania 36 will be a big topic of discussion next week. For sports contest players it might be a good idea to watch wrestling this Monday and Friday night.
Sports - Topics from March, 2020
Dodge County baseball season is postponed
By Joey Marchant
For the first time this season, we had a beautiful week of weather that did not interfere with baseball practice or scheduled games. However, a new obstacle has arisen. The COVID-19 virus has made its way to Georgia. On Thursday March 12th, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), “strongly recommended” that Georgia high schools suspend all sports activities for the next two weeks. According to GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines, this recommendation was the result of Governor Brian Kemp’s earlier press conference, in which he recommended all schools close for two weeks.
At that time, the ball was left in the court of the Dodge County School System. All sports competitions with other schools were immediately postponed. However, at that time, the team could still practice. The ability to practice ended when Dodge County Schools opted to close indefinitely on March 16th. Later that day, Governor Kemp issued an executive order closing all schools through March 31st. That is where we currently stand. [Full Story »]
For the first time this season, we had a beautiful week of weather that did not interfere with baseball practice or scheduled games. However, a new obstacle has arisen. The COVID-19 virus has made its way to Georgia. On Thursday March 12th, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), “strongly recommended” that Georgia high schools suspend all sports activities for the next two weeks. According to GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines, this recommendation was the result of Governor Brian Kemp’s earlier press conference, in which he recommended all schools close for two weeks.
At that time, the ball was left in the court of the Dodge County School System. All sports competitions with other schools were immediately postponed. However, at that time, the team could still practice. The ability to practice ended when Dodge County Schools opted to close indefinitely on March 16th. Later that day, Governor Kemp issued an executive order closing all schools through March 31st. That is where we currently stand. [Full Story »]
Dodge County baseball season is postponed
By Joey Marchant
For the first time this season, we had a beautiful week of weather that did not interfere with baseball practice or scheduled games. However, a new obstacle has arisen. The COVID-19 virus has made its way to Georgia. On Thursday March 12th, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), “strongly recommended” that Georgia high schools suspend all sports activities for the next two weeks. According to GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines, this recommendation was the result of Governor Brian Kemp’s earlier press conference, in which he recommended all schools close for two weeks.
At that time, the ball was left in the court of the Dodge County School System. All sports competitions with other schools were immediately postponed. However, at that time, the team could still practice. The ability to practice ended when Dodge County Schools opted to close indefinitely on March 16th. Later that day, Governor Kemp issued an executive order closing all schools through March 31st. That is where we currently stand.
Now let us look back at the action on the field. Dodge hosted West Laurens on March 9th. West Laurens sent its ace Bradley Wilson to the mound. He is committed to play collegiately for Mississippi State. Wilson’s Perfect Game Baseball profile shows his fastball has been clocked at 90 miles per hour. I would estimate he was around 88 mile per hour for this game as I watched him pitch Friday at Jeff Davis where he was clocked at 88. He kept his fastball down against Dodge and used a nice curveball to keep the Dodge lineup off balance. Parker Dixon got the only hit off Wilson for Dodge as he stroked a double over the head of the West Laurens centerfielder. Davis Marchant squared Wilson up twice, but was robbed of a hit both times when West Laurens made nice defensive plays. Noah Mincey had an infield hit off Tyler Franks who relieved Wilson. Other than that, there was no Dodge offense of which to speak. Brendan O’Connor started on the mound for Dodge where he made his fifth appearance in as many Dodge games. O’Connor pitched four and one-third (4 1/3) innings surrendering five runs, all earned, on six hits. He walked two and struck out one. Garrett Durden relieved O’Connor. Durden pitched one and two-thirds (1 2/3) innings allowing three hits. He was charged with two runs allowed, both earned. He walked one batter and hit one batter. Noah Mincey relieved Durden. Mincey pitched one inning allowing two runs on two hits while walking one batter. West Laurens defeated Dodge 9-0.
Dodge hosted Bleckley County on March 10th. Landin Crummey started on the mound for Dodge and pitched well. Crummey breezed through the first three innings. Meanwhile, Dodge blew a golden opportunity to take and early lead in the second inning. Davis Marchant led off with a base hit to centerfield. Noah Mincey followed with a base hit to right field. Brodie Woodard laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third. Coach Herring called for the suicide squeeze, but Dodge could not get the bunt down in fair territory. A strikeout and a fly out ended the threat for Dodge, as the game remained scoreless. This failure to score would loom large at the end of the game.
[Full Story »]
For the first time this season, we had a beautiful week of weather that did not interfere with baseball practice or scheduled games. However, a new obstacle has arisen. The COVID-19 virus has made its way to Georgia. On Thursday March 12th, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), “strongly recommended” that Georgia high schools suspend all sports activities for the next two weeks. According to GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines, this recommendation was the result of Governor Brian Kemp’s earlier press conference, in which he recommended all schools close for two weeks.
At that time, the ball was left in the court of the Dodge County School System. All sports competitions with other schools were immediately postponed. However, at that time, the team could still practice. The ability to practice ended when Dodge County Schools opted to close indefinitely on March 16th. Later that day, Governor Kemp issued an executive order closing all schools through March 31st. That is where we currently stand.
Now let us look back at the action on the field. Dodge hosted West Laurens on March 9th. West Laurens sent its ace Bradley Wilson to the mound. He is committed to play collegiately for Mississippi State. Wilson’s Perfect Game Baseball profile shows his fastball has been clocked at 90 miles per hour. I would estimate he was around 88 mile per hour for this game as I watched him pitch Friday at Jeff Davis where he was clocked at 88. He kept his fastball down against Dodge and used a nice curveball to keep the Dodge lineup off balance. Parker Dixon got the only hit off Wilson for Dodge as he stroked a double over the head of the West Laurens centerfielder. Davis Marchant squared Wilson up twice, but was robbed of a hit both times when West Laurens made nice defensive plays. Noah Mincey had an infield hit off Tyler Franks who relieved Wilson. Other than that, there was no Dodge offense of which to speak. Brendan O’Connor started on the mound for Dodge where he made his fifth appearance in as many Dodge games. O’Connor pitched four and one-third (4 1/3) innings surrendering five runs, all earned, on six hits. He walked two and struck out one. Garrett Durden relieved O’Connor. Durden pitched one and two-thirds (1 2/3) innings allowing three hits. He was charged with two runs allowed, both earned. He walked one batter and hit one batter. Noah Mincey relieved Durden. Mincey pitched one inning allowing two runs on two hits while walking one batter. West Laurens defeated Dodge 9-0.
Dodge hosted Bleckley County on March 10th. Landin Crummey started on the mound for Dodge and pitched well. Crummey breezed through the first three innings. Meanwhile, Dodge blew a golden opportunity to take and early lead in the second inning. Davis Marchant led off with a base hit to centerfield. Noah Mincey followed with a base hit to right field. Brodie Woodard laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third. Coach Herring called for the suicide squeeze, but Dodge could not get the bunt down in fair territory. A strikeout and a fly out ended the threat for Dodge, as the game remained scoreless. This failure to score would loom large at the end of the game.
[Full Story »]
Dodge sweeps Dublin in doubleheader
By Joey Marchant
Dodge kicked off the 3AA Region schedule by taking two games from Dublin last week in what should be the last time we see these two old rivals play on the diamond for a while. The baseball rivalry between the two towns dates back to at least 1898. Dublin High has a proud baseball history. The fence at Bush Perry Field is adorned with the names of several former college and professional players from Dublin High as well as recognition of several Region Championship teams. However, as kids have fled the City School District in favor of Laurens County Schools, enrollment has dwindled and many of the Dublin High athletic programs have suffered. Dublin Baseball has not posted a winning season since 2015. With Dublin dropping down to the Single A classification, there is no reason for Dodge and Dublin to continue playing in baseball as these matchups do nothing to challenge Dodge. This is my personal opinion only. We will see what happens. I am sure the rivalry will continue in football and basketball.
The coaches worked hard to get these games in. Dodge was scheduled to travel to Dublin on March 3rd and host Dublin on March 6th. Due to the weather forecast for the week, the first game was relocated to Dodge and moved up a day to March 2nd. Light rain started to move in just as the first game was supposed to start. However, the light rain moved through leaving just enough of a window to complete the game before three days of heavy rain moved in.
Landin Crummey started on the mound for Dodge seeking to put behind him the uncharacteristic lack of control that plagued him in his last relief appearance against Crisp County. Crummey did that to some degree as he pitched five and one-third (5 1/3) hitless innings while striking out 12 Irish batters. Crummey did issue 5 walks. Crummey may well have completed the no hitter as he had a pitch count in the high eighties, but there was no sense in stressing his arm this early in the season after he had pitched in relief two days earlier.
Brendan O’Connor continued to be a great table setter for Dodge as he led off with a walk. Garrett Durden also walked. Cole Cranford continued to swing a hot bat as he singled to right field to load the bases. Noah Mincey drew a walk to drive in O’Connor and give Dodge a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, Dodge was unable to break the game open as the next two batters filed out leaving the bases loaded. Dodge added two more runs in the third inning. Cranford reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and ended up on third on the play courtesy of a throwing error by the first baseman. Noah Mincey reached on an error by the shortstop as Cranford had to hold at third. Davis Marchant hit a fly ball on the infield that should have been easily caught but was allowed to drop. Mincey was forced out at second on the play as he had to assume the ball would be caught. Likewise Cranford remained at third. Davis Marchant stole second, and Dublin foolishly threw to second allowing Cranford to trot home easily from third. Marchant advanced to third on a wild pitch. Crummey drew a walk. Cossett came in as a courtesy runner for Crummey. Cossett intentionally broke for second early to try and draw a throw from the pitcher, which worked as planned. Meanwhile, Marchant trotted home from third. Dodge led 3-0.
Dodge scored gain in the fourth when O’Connor had a base hit. He moved to second on a botched pickoff attempt. Brodie Woodard hit a fly ball to left field allowing O’Connor to tag and advance to third. Garrett Durden drove him in with a single giving Dodge a 4-0 lead.
Dodge added to the lead in the fifth. Mincey hit a routine fly ball to left, which the left fielder dropped allowing the hustling Mincey to make it into second base standing. Mincey advanced to third on a passed ball and was driven home by a sacrifice fly from Crummey. Dodge led 5-0.
Dodge scored its final run in the sixth. Woodard led off with a walk. Garrett Durden reached on an error. Cranford grounded out to advance the runners to second and third. Mincey reached on an error allowing Woodard to score. Dodge led 6-0.
Crummey was removed after allowing a one out walk in the sixth. O’Connor came on in relief. The first batter he faced was called out for interfering with the Catcher Parker Hardin as he was attempting to throw out the runner stealing second base. O’Connor struck out the next batter to retire the Irish in the sixth. The Irish did manage to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the final margin 6-3 Dodge County. With all the help from Dublin, this game should not have been close. Dodge could manage only four hits in the game. [Full Story »]
Dodge kicked off the 3AA Region schedule by taking two games from Dublin last week in what should be the last time we see these two old rivals play on the diamond for a while. The baseball rivalry between the two towns dates back to at least 1898. Dublin High has a proud baseball history. The fence at Bush Perry Field is adorned with the names of several former college and professional players from Dublin High as well as recognition of several Region Championship teams. However, as kids have fled the City School District in favor of Laurens County Schools, enrollment has dwindled and many of the Dublin High athletic programs have suffered. Dublin Baseball has not posted a winning season since 2015. With Dublin dropping down to the Single A classification, there is no reason for Dodge and Dublin to continue playing in baseball as these matchups do nothing to challenge Dodge. This is my personal opinion only. We will see what happens. I am sure the rivalry will continue in football and basketball.
The coaches worked hard to get these games in. Dodge was scheduled to travel to Dublin on March 3rd and host Dublin on March 6th. Due to the weather forecast for the week, the first game was relocated to Dodge and moved up a day to March 2nd. Light rain started to move in just as the first game was supposed to start. However, the light rain moved through leaving just enough of a window to complete the game before three days of heavy rain moved in.
Landin Crummey started on the mound for Dodge seeking to put behind him the uncharacteristic lack of control that plagued him in his last relief appearance against Crisp County. Crummey did that to some degree as he pitched five and one-third (5 1/3) hitless innings while striking out 12 Irish batters. Crummey did issue 5 walks. Crummey may well have completed the no hitter as he had a pitch count in the high eighties, but there was no sense in stressing his arm this early in the season after he had pitched in relief two days earlier.
Brendan O’Connor continued to be a great table setter for Dodge as he led off with a walk. Garrett Durden also walked. Cole Cranford continued to swing a hot bat as he singled to right field to load the bases. Noah Mincey drew a walk to drive in O’Connor and give Dodge a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, Dodge was unable to break the game open as the next two batters filed out leaving the bases loaded. Dodge added two more runs in the third inning. Cranford reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and ended up on third on the play courtesy of a throwing error by the first baseman. Noah Mincey reached on an error by the shortstop as Cranford had to hold at third. Davis Marchant hit a fly ball on the infield that should have been easily caught but was allowed to drop. Mincey was forced out at second on the play as he had to assume the ball would be caught. Likewise Cranford remained at third. Davis Marchant stole second, and Dublin foolishly threw to second allowing Cranford to trot home easily from third. Marchant advanced to third on a wild pitch. Crummey drew a walk. Cossett came in as a courtesy runner for Crummey. Cossett intentionally broke for second early to try and draw a throw from the pitcher, which worked as planned. Meanwhile, Marchant trotted home from third. Dodge led 3-0.
Dodge scored gain in the fourth when O’Connor had a base hit. He moved to second on a botched pickoff attempt. Brodie Woodard hit a fly ball to left field allowing O’Connor to tag and advance to third. Garrett Durden drove him in with a single giving Dodge a 4-0 lead.
Dodge added to the lead in the fifth. Mincey hit a routine fly ball to left, which the left fielder dropped allowing the hustling Mincey to make it into second base standing. Mincey advanced to third on a passed ball and was driven home by a sacrifice fly from Crummey. Dodge led 5-0.
Dodge scored its final run in the sixth. Woodard led off with a walk. Garrett Durden reached on an error. Cranford grounded out to advance the runners to second and third. Mincey reached on an error allowing Woodard to score. Dodge led 6-0.
Crummey was removed after allowing a one out walk in the sixth. O’Connor came on in relief. The first batter he faced was called out for interfering with the Catcher Parker Hardin as he was attempting to throw out the runner stealing second base. O’Connor struck out the next batter to retire the Irish in the sixth. The Irish did manage to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the final margin 6-3 Dodge County. With all the help from Dublin, this game should not have been close. Dodge could manage only four hits in the game. [Full Story »]
Dodge defeats Crisp County and Dublin
By Joey Marchant
After having a game at Vidalia rained out, Dodge traveled to Cordele on February 29th for a doubleheader with Crisp County High and Southland Academy of Americus. It was a beautiful day, but the wind was terribly strong and affected the play on the field at times.
Dodge got off to a good start against Crisp as Brendan O’Connor led off the game with a single to right field. Brodie Woodard got down a sacrifice bunt, but with the first baseman charging, the second baseman was late rotating over to cover first and could not handle the throw from the pitcher. Garrett Durden hit a sacrifice fly to score O’Connor from third. Parker Dixon hit into what should have been a fielder’s choice, but the second baseman did not have his foot on the bag when he received the throw leaving Woodard safe at second and Dixon safe at first. Andrew Lowery later served a single into right field scoring both Woodard and Dixon. Dodge led 3-0.
Lowery pitched another great game as he went 5 scoreless innings striking out 7 and giving up 1 hit and 1 walk. Lowery has now pitched 19 innings and given up only 1 earned run giving him a miniscule ERA of 0.3684.
Dodge added a run in the fourth. Garrett Durden led off with a base hit by a diving third baseman. Dixon grounded out advancing Durden to second base. Noah Mincey doubled, but Durden had to hold at third. Lowery got down a suicide squeeze bunt, and Durden was safe at the plate sliding under the tag. Dodge led 4-0.
Dodge added to the lead in the fifth. Griffin Durden and Davis Marchant each drew walks to start the inning. Landin Crummey would hit a sacrifice fly to score Durden. O’Connor would hit a sacrifice fly to score Marchant. Dodge led 6-0, and it appeared the Indians were headed for an easy victory. However, the wheels were about to come off for Dodge.
In the top of the sixth, after Garrett Durden reached on an error and Dixon singled, Lowery got down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. As Lowery hustled down the line, he appeared to tweak something. It is unclear if the decision had already been made to pull Lowery off the mound and save him for the region schedule starting this week, but he was definitely done pitching now.
Crummey came in from right field to start the bottom of the sixth on the mound as Lowery replaced him in right. Crummey just didn’t have good command on this day. Garrett Durden came in to relieve Crummey, and he struggled as well. By the time the inning was over, Dodge had issued 7 walks and hit another batter in the inning allowing the Cougars to close the gap to 6-4 without a single hit recorded in the inning. Dodge could have easily squandered the entire lead, but with the bases loaded and one out, Durden got a sharp ground ball to Dixon who fielded it and alertly stepped on third base for the second out before firing across the diamond to complete the double play at first base.
Dodge got some much needed insurance in the top of the seventh. Bases on balls were now the order of the day as Parker Hardin, O’Connor and Woodard all walked to load the bases. Garrett Durden then walked to score Cole Cranford who had entered as a courtesy runner for Hardin. Dixon grounded out to shortstop to drive in O’Connor giving Dodge an 8-4 lead.
[Full Story »]
After having a game at Vidalia rained out, Dodge traveled to Cordele on February 29th for a doubleheader with Crisp County High and Southland Academy of Americus. It was a beautiful day, but the wind was terribly strong and affected the play on the field at times.
Dodge got off to a good start against Crisp as Brendan O’Connor led off the game with a single to right field. Brodie Woodard got down a sacrifice bunt, but with the first baseman charging, the second baseman was late rotating over to cover first and could not handle the throw from the pitcher. Garrett Durden hit a sacrifice fly to score O’Connor from third. Parker Dixon hit into what should have been a fielder’s choice, but the second baseman did not have his foot on the bag when he received the throw leaving Woodard safe at second and Dixon safe at first. Andrew Lowery later served a single into right field scoring both Woodard and Dixon. Dodge led 3-0.
Lowery pitched another great game as he went 5 scoreless innings striking out 7 and giving up 1 hit and 1 walk. Lowery has now pitched 19 innings and given up only 1 earned run giving him a miniscule ERA of 0.3684.
Dodge added a run in the fourth. Garrett Durden led off with a base hit by a diving third baseman. Dixon grounded out advancing Durden to second base. Noah Mincey doubled, but Durden had to hold at third. Lowery got down a suicide squeeze bunt, and Durden was safe at the plate sliding under the tag. Dodge led 4-0.
Dodge added to the lead in the fifth. Griffin Durden and Davis Marchant each drew walks to start the inning. Landin Crummey would hit a sacrifice fly to score Durden. O’Connor would hit a sacrifice fly to score Marchant. Dodge led 6-0, and it appeared the Indians were headed for an easy victory. However, the wheels were about to come off for Dodge.
In the top of the sixth, after Garrett Durden reached on an error and Dixon singled, Lowery got down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. As Lowery hustled down the line, he appeared to tweak something. It is unclear if the decision had already been made to pull Lowery off the mound and save him for the region schedule starting this week, but he was definitely done pitching now.
Crummey came in from right field to start the bottom of the sixth on the mound as Lowery replaced him in right. Crummey just didn’t have good command on this day. Garrett Durden came in to relieve Crummey, and he struggled as well. By the time the inning was over, Dodge had issued 7 walks and hit another batter in the inning allowing the Cougars to close the gap to 6-4 without a single hit recorded in the inning. Dodge could have easily squandered the entire lead, but with the bases loaded and one out, Durden got a sharp ground ball to Dixon who fielded it and alertly stepped on third base for the second out before firing across the diamond to complete the double play at first base.
Dodge got some much needed insurance in the top of the seventh. Bases on balls were now the order of the day as Parker Hardin, O’Connor and Woodard all walked to load the bases. Garrett Durden then walked to score Cole Cranford who had entered as a courtesy runner for Hardin. Dixon grounded out to shortstop to drive in O’Connor giving Dodge an 8-4 lead.
[Full Story »]
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