Evans comes in first in poll

Any Columbia County sports fan knows the county can hold its own against any other in the state when it comes to baseball.

On Monday, the rest of the state confirmed that notion.

Three of the county's four public school teams were listed in the State Preseason Rankings when they were released.

Evans topped off the list, entering the season as Class AAAA's No. 1 ranked team in the GaSports.com Coaches Poll.

"Talk about putting a bullseye on your back," said Evans coach Ricky Beale when he was informed of the ranking. "I don't know if that's a good thing. We'll do what we can to attain those goals. The (rankings) don't mean anything right now."

The Knights dropped down from Class AAAAA and have immediately reaped the benefits of playing down a classification.

"On paper, they are loaded," Lakeside coach Jay Matthews said recently. "Their pitching staff is as good as anybody's."

Greenbrier checked in at No. 5 in the poll after finishing last season with a state semifinals appearance and a No. 3 ranking. Lakeside landed on the poll as the No. 7 team.

The Georgia Dugout Club also released rankings with Greenbrier at No. 3 and Evans at No. 4.

STANDINGS

GaSports.com

Coaches Poll

1. Evans

2. Lee County

3. Hardaway

4. Marist

5. Greenbrier

6. Effingham County

7. Lakeside

8. St Pius X

9. Henry County

10. Loganville

Georgia Dugout Club

1. Hardaway

2. Marist

3. Greenbrier

4. Evans

5. Alexander