Former local standouts behind Bobcats ' success

Earlier this year I did a column which detailed the hot start for former Evans High School standout Shawn Ward and Lakeside product Sean Harrell at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville.

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The duo has not cooled off all season. As their squad gears up for the Peach Belt Conference tournament next weekend, the team sits at 33-12, ranked No. 12 in the nation, and clinched the Peach Belt Conference regular season crown.

The main reason for the Bobcats success has been the stellar play of Harrell and Ward.

Ward, a junior outfielder, was recently named the PBC Player of the Week for a four-game stretch that saw him hit .647 with five homers and 13 RBI in just 17 at bats for the Bobcats.

In the Bobcats' victory over No. 14 Valdosta State, Ward blasted two home runs, scored three runs and drove in four.

For the season, Ward is hitting .374 and ranks second in the conference with 15 homers and 70 RBI. He also ranks in the PBC top 10 in batting, doubles (16), slugging percentage (.711) and total bases. He is perfect on steal attempts, going seven for seven. Ward has started all 45 games for Georgia College &State this season.

Harrell is having an even bigger year.

He is flirting with the all-time Peach Belt hitting mark.

Harrell is currently hitting an eye-popping .486. That mark leads the Peach Belt by .58 points and is good for fifth- best in the nation.

Harrell also leads the PBC in several other categories. Here is a look at his incredible stat sheet:

Batting average: .486 (first in the PBC, fifth in the nation)

Hits: 85 (first in Peach Belt, seventh in the nation)

Runs: 69 (first in Peach Belt, eighth in the nation)

On base percentage: .561 (first in PBC, ninth in the nation)

Slugging percentage: .794 (second in PBC)

Total bases: 139 (second in PBC)

Triples: 4 (sixth in the PBC)

Stolen bases: 19 (sixth in the PBC)

Sacrifice flies: 8 (first in PBC)

Walks: 34 (fifth in PBC)

He is also in the top 10 in the conference in homers with 11 and in RBI with 51.

To say he is having a great year is an understatement.

Congratulations to Sean and Shawn on their tremendous seasons, and good luck to the duo in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament May 8 as they take on the host team (USC Aiken) at Roberto Hernandez Stadium at 6 p.m.