Sports

By Jessie Pruett
May 10, 2017, the Indians hosted the Toombs County Bulldogs in the Elite 8 round of the GHSA state playoffs. In the first game, Craig Barton was the starting pitcher. Barton went six and one third innings, allowing nine hits, walking three and striking out two. Gary Pittman came on to pitch two thirds of an inning, facing two batters, but allowing no one to reach base. Toombs was able to score six runs, but had help with five Dodge County errors. Offensively for the Indians, Chandler Davis was two for three with a double and an RBI, Tyler Pruett was two for four with a double, Craig Barton was one for three with a double, Alize King was one for three, Ethan Rice was one for three and Gary Pittman was one for four with an RBI. Toombs takes the first game 6-3.
The second game of the double header had Tyler Pruett on the mound. Pruett would throw seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking two and striking out seven. Gary Pittman would come on to pitch the eighth inning, surrendering a run on three hits and a walk. For the Indians, Gary Pittman was three for four, Craig Barton was two for four with a double and an RBI, Chip Burch was two for four with a double and an RBI, Alize King was one for three, Ethan Rice was one for three, Chandler Davis was one for four, and Tyler Pruett was one for four. It took eight innings to sort this one out, but Toombs steals a heart breaker, winning 3-2 to end the Indians’ season.
The Indians had a great season and showed a lot of improvement from the 2016 season. Team batting average went up over 50 points to .343, with a team on base percentage of .457. Team ERA (earned run average) dropped from 3.14 in 2016 to 1.96 in 2017. Most importantly their record went from 9-14 to 24-9. The Dodge County coaching staff did a great job with the team and we look forward to watching them build on that next season.
Congratulations to the following players who received all region recognition this year: Craig Barton, region pitcher of the year, Chandler Davis, all region catcher, Chip Burch, all region first base, Tyler Pruett, all region shortstop, Ethan Rice, all region second team outfield and Gary Pittman, all region honorable mention infield. Congratulations also to Craig Barton, who has signed to continue his baseball career with Truett-McConnell University in Cleveland.

The Dodge County Indians baseball program will be hosting its 2017 Dodge Summer Baseball Camp on June 19, 2017 through June 20, 2017. Camp sessions will be from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., for players ages 14 and under. There is a cost for camp, and all campers will receive a camp T-shirt. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. All camp activities will be held at the Dodge County High School baseball field. Camp participants will have access to the playing field and batting cages.
The goal of Dodge Summer Baseball Camp is to help improve the performance of baseball players of all ages and skill levels. Campers will receive instruction from the Dodge baseball coaching staff as well as current Indian players. Dodge Summer Baseball Camp offers a setting that will provide an opportunity for individuals to learn and improve their fundamental skills.
Participants should bring a bat, baseball cleats and tennis shoes, glove and catcher’s gear (if needed). Water and snacks will be provided.
If you have any questions, please contact coach Matt Herring at 229-560-7068.

Dodge County High School sent three athletes to the state track meet most recently, and they have done very well. Clayton Scarborough set a pair of new school records. He ran a 4.36 minute mile that was good for a third place finish in AA. His second school record came in the two mile run in 10.01 minutes, winning him a second place finish in AA.
Larry Johnson also had a big day at the state meet. He finished fourth in the long jump competition with a 22-foot jump. He also finished fourth in the 110-meter hurdles with a 15.05.
Europe Brown also had a big day, setting a new school record in the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.50. She came in sixth in the state in the 400-meter run and seventh in the 200-meter run.
These performances gave Dodge County High School a ninth place finish in the state.

“The Wind blows where it wants to. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.” That familiar quote from John 3:8 may have crossed the minds of many of the competitors in the 25th Annual Eastman-Dodge County Kiwanis Club golf tournament.
The day of the tournament was beautiful, but the winds were persistent, and skill was required to compensate for the effect of the wind on the ball. Regardless of the circumstances, those that competed had a great time and helped make the tournament a successful fund raiser for the Kiwanis Club.
The mission of the Kiwanis International is to serve the children of the world and money raised from this local tournament will go toward helping children and families in our community.
The tournament could not be a success without the many businesses and individuals who support the Kiwanis Club as a Tournament Hole Sponsor. The Eastman-Dodge County Kiwanis Club wishes to thank the following for their sponsorship: Affordable Storage, The Bank of Eastman, Bug House Pest Control, Chasmar Home and Garden, Chic King, Citizens Bank and Trust, Coleman Paint and Body, Colony Bank, Dairy Queen and Brazier, Earl W. Rogers Jr., CPA, Easter Seals Middle Georgia, Eastman Drugs, Eastman Equipment Company, Eastman Fast Lube, Eastman Insurance, Ethridge Plastics, Peggy Wilson/Farm Bureau, The Floor Plan, Globalnet, Tony Goodman Auto Sales, Ocmulgee EMC, SS&M Insurance, Flash Foods, Sonic, Guide One, Hartley Tire, Jackie’s Gun and Pawn, Legacy Flexible Packaging, Little’s Forklift, Martha Sheldon Florist, McDonalds, Ocmulgee Animal Care, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Pruett Heating and Air, Rhine Drugs, Sawtooth Ranch/Zack and Debbie Mercer, SFMC, Jones Farms/Mark and Sheila Jones, Shorty’s Quick Stop and Used Cars, Attaway’s Sidetrack Cafe, Stamps-Walker Agency, State Farm Insurance, Stuckey Timberland, The Prescription Shop, Tommy Thomas Realty, Village Pizza, Wayne’s Lawn and Equipment, Wholesale Builder’s Supply, Tripp’s Barber Shop, Five Otter’s Olive Orchard, Dublin, Ford, Dublin Chevrolet, Paul’s Tire, Patty Henley State Farm. Eastman Pediatric, Eastman Lion’s Club, Lakeside Assembly, Dodge Baptist Association, Bohannon Wrecker, Lauren’s County Lockout.