It's time to hit the diamond
Few counties in the country look forward to spring like we do in Columbia County.
Back
Over the past 20 years or more, schools in the county have built one of the finest baseball reputations around. Year in and year out our teams are among the top programs in Georgia.
Last season was no different.
Greenbrier advanced all the way to the Final Four. The 'Pack lose some big-time players like Scott Wandless, Brooks Robinson, Jeremy Armstrong and Michael Newman. However, they still will be a team to watch in AAAA.
Evans returns more talent than any team in the county. Ricky Beale's team is loaded this season. They have more pitching depth than any team in the county, led by the return of Brad Freeman, Hank McCladdie, Zack Baker and Tim Steflik.
Lakeside also returns some major talent led by pitcher/outfielder Carl Burrow youngsters Paul Bordon (shortstop) and Jeff Rowland (centerfield).
Augusta Christian second baseman Jonathon Herriman tags Home-school's Justin Hendricks. Herriman will be team leader this spring.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Harlem, as always, will find a way to win. Nobody gets more out of his players than Bulldogs coach Jimmie Lewis.
At Augusta Christian they are having a youth movement. The Lions are loaded with talented underclassmen.
Actually, that is true throughout the county. Look for a large number of names you may not know much about to break through this season. Especially keep an eye on shortstop Kevin Millward at Evans and pitcher Brandon Crumpton for Greenbrier.
Now with all of this said, I have the difficult task of choosing who I think will be the best of the best. So here goes: my 2005 Pre-Season All-County Baseball Team.
First Team
Catcher - Chris Banker Sr. (Lakeside)
Banker is a quiet leader for the Panthers. He also is their top clutch hitter, and one of the more underrated players in the CSRA.
1B - Rich Poythress Jr. (Greenbrier)
Greenbrier first baseman Rich Poythress could become the second player in the history of Columbia County to be named All-County in four consecutive seasons. The only other player to do this was Bradley Key.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Poythress, at 6-3, 225 lbs, has college size already. Don't forget he is still only a junior. He could become only the second player in Columbia County history to be named All-County four consecutive seasons (joining Bradley Key). Poythress blasted eight home runs and drove in 29 runs last season as a sophomore.
2B - Jonathon Herriman Sr. (ACS)
Herriman will bat clean up for the Lions this spring. He will be a leader of a young squad. Should put up big numbers at the plate.
3B - Ken Raborn Sr. (Evans)
Raborn is an overachiever. Last season he was among the county's top run producers as he drove in 32 runs. He also hit for average at .357. Quick bat.
SS - Chris Johnson Jr. (Greenbrier)
At press time Johnson was awaiting MRI results from a knee injury suffered in the Pack's final basketball game. If healthy, Johnson will be one of the top talents in the county.
Paul Bordon Jr. (Lakeside)
It was a close call with Bordon Johnson at shortstop. Bordon had a huge sophomore season for the Panthers. He hit .350 and played like a savvy veteran.
OF - Brad Ramsbotham Sr. (Greenbrier)
Zack Baker is a pitcher, infielder and outfielder for Evans. Last season his batting average was .324. As a pitcher, his record was 5-1 with an ERA of 3.32.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Ramsbotham was solid all season for the Pack in 2004. He hit a sizzling .432 with 29 RBIs. He has already signed to play at USC Aiken. The Pack will count on Ramsbotham heavily this season to produce runs.
OF - Carl Burrow Sr. (Lakeside)
Burrow will also be a top pitcher in the area this season. Terrific athlete. He hit .329 as a junior, but expect much more from him this season. Also, has some serious pop. Burrow has signed to play for Middle Georgia College, and he has an outside chance to be selected in the amateur baseball draft this summer.
OF - Jeff Rowland Soph. (Lakeside)
Best defensive outfielder in the county. Watch him roam the outfield just once and his instincts and ability jump out at you. Has extremely bright future.
DH - Josh Whitaker Soph. (ACS)
Whitaker was outstanding as a freshman a year ago. Played catcher last season but will move to shortstop this spring. I'll put him at designated hitter because he deserves First Team honors. Had 4 home runs and 26 RBI a year ago.
Utility - Zack Baker Sr. (Evans)
I'm not sure if I've used this category before, but Baker had to be on the first Team. He hit .324 for the Knights as a junior. He also compiled a 5-1 record with a 3.32 ERA. He will pitch, play outfield and infield this season.
Pitchers - Hank McCladdie Sr. (Evans)
Lakeside's Carl Burrow has signed on to play with Middle Georgia College in the fall. He also has an outside chance of being selected in the amateur baseball draft this summer.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
McCladdie leads a very experienced Evans pitching staff. Last season he was 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA. He usually faces the opposition's top pitcher. He will also play in the Knight's outfield.
Ben Dukes Jr. (Greenbrier)
Dukes was outstanding as a sophomore, going 7-1 with an ERA of 2.32. He will be the ace of the staff for the Pack this season. Should have no problem settling into that role.
Brad Freeman Sr. (Evans)
Freeman led the Knights last season with an ERA of 2.86, so don't let his 5-4 record fool you. He had some tough breaks along the way. He will be a leader on the mound and at second base or shortstop.
Hunter Hensley Sr. (ACS)
Hensley had an outstanding junior campaign. He was 6-2 on this season with a 1.52 ERA. He will lead a very young but talented Lions staff this season.
Second Team
C - Barrett Davis Sr. (Harlem) Led the Bulldogs in extra base hits last season.
1B - Ryan Pressley Sr. (Evans) Hit .333 with 4 home runs last year
2B - Jimmy Johnson Sr. (Lakeside) Tough competitor
3B - Wayne House, Jr. (ACS)
SS - Rusty James Sr. (Harlem) Solid talent for Jimmie Lewis' Bulldogs. Will also pitch.
OF - Matt Lewis Sr. (Harlem) Bulldogs top hitter in 2004.
OF- Toby Brown Sr. (ACS) Will be one of the Lions top run producers.
OF - Shawn Ward Jr. (Evans) Outstanding defensively and solid at the plate as well.
DH - Kevin Millward Fr. (Evans) This kid can play. Unproven at this level but has special ability.
Pitchers - Sean Harrell Sr. (Lakeside)
Greenbrier outfielder Brad Ramsbotham has already signed on to play for USC Aiken in the fall. His team will rely on him this season to produce runs.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Tim Steflik Sr. (Evans)
Brandon Cumpton Soph. (Greenbrier)
Nolan Belcher Fr. (ACS)
Trey Minor Sr. (Augusta Prep)
Top Pitcher - Hank McCladdie and Brad Freeman (Evans)
Top Hitter - Brad Ramsbotham (Greenbrier)
Team Rankings
1. Evans
2. Lakeside
3. Greenbrier
4. Harlem
5. ACS
6. Augusta Prep