Five local programs found their way into the GHSA State Playoffs this season, with two teams (Dawson & Union) advancing past the first round.
Leading the locals was Union County, who fell in two games to Lovett in the Class 2A quarterfinals (Elite 8). Dawson County advanced to the Sweet 16, while Banks County, Rabun County and Commerce all earned state playoff berths before being defeated in the opening round.
Habersham Central (3-22)
The Raiders, under head coach Chris Akridge, were led by guys like Grant Belback and Brandon Mitchell in a season that saw them go 3-22 overall. A new region next year should make a world of difference for Hab Central.
White County (11-14)
Struggling to find an identity, the Warriors had a roller-coaster year, finishing sixth in 8-AAAA, missing out on the playoffs for the second straight season after making it four of the five previous seasons. Having three coaches in as many seasons doesn’t help, but they’re building up to where they were a couple of years ago. Senior catcher Parker Applewhite led White County with a .372 average and 18 RBI.
Dawson County (22-9)
Perhaps one of the greatest turnarounds from a year ago were the Tigers. A 9-16 team in 2015, they made a statement this year with a Sweet 16 run that saw them state-ranked throughout most of the season. It certainly helped bringing in two transfers in senior outfielder Tucker Maxwell (UGA commit) and sophomore shortstop Palmer Sapp, as well as bringing in a veteran head coach in Dwayne Sapp. Maxwell hit .518 with 5 homers and 37 RBI, scoring 51 runs to go with 14 doubles and a mind-boggling 37 walks. He showcased his speed as well, swiping 38 stolen bases.
Sapp had a sensational sophomore season, hitting .423 with 6 homeruns and 41 RBI, adding 43 runs, 9 doubles and 18 stolen bases. Sapp’s pitching (5-3, 3.40 ERA, 40 K) was key to the Tigers’ success. Other guys like junior outfielder Austin Young (.427-4-34) and senior third baseman Brody Chester (.356-4-36) helped make this Dawson offense historic.
Dawson’s runner-up finish in 7-AAA led the way to the Sweet 16, where the Tigers fell in heartbreaking fashion to Westside-Augusta after winning game one and dropping the last two.
Banks County (10-17)
The Leopards’ state playoff run was only possibly by Banks playing well down the stretch and edging out Lumpkin County for the fourth place finish in the region. Banks County was bounced quickly by Ringgold in the tournament, but the pitching talent for the Leopards can’t be overlooked.
Consider that three Leopards pitchers signed to play at the collegiate level in Taylor Boisclair (Gordon), Dylan Patrick (Toccoa Falls) and Cody Parker (Toccoa Falls). Patrick (6-5, 2.38 ERA, 56 K) was the ace on the staff.
Lumpkin County (11-14)
Despite winning more games than Banks County, the Indians were edged out with their record inside region play. Led by senior shortstop Sebastian Dunn (.434, 6 RBI, 27 R, 28 SB) the Indians nearly earned a third consecutive state playoff berth. Dunn also was a staple on the mound, going 3-2 with 5 saves and a 1.48 ERA, striking out 43.
Union County (19-9)
The Panthers fell to Lovett in the state quarterfinals, and were led by senior pitcher and first baseman Joseph Mancuso. The Richmond Spiders football QB commit was 6-1 with a 1.57 ERA and 70 striketouts to just 30 walks in 62.1 innings pitched. He also led the offense, batting .356 with 4 homers and 24 RBI. First year head coach Robby Roxbury has a lot to be excited about, as Union has now gone to state four straight years, and three times advancing to at least the Sweet 16.
Rabun County (11-16)
The Wildcats, under first year head coach Justin Clutter, stole a TON of bases, and by that we mean 102 of them…no joke. There were many standouts, such as senior infielder Eli Gipson (.519, 1 HR, 16 RBI), who struck out only twice all year and added 41 runs and 17 stolen bases. Freshman outfielder/pitcher Austin Jones (.347, 19 RBI, 33 R, 20 SB), senior Jack Johnson (.306, 21 RBI, 18 R, 18 SB) and junior Trey Wilcox (.407, 22 RBI, 27 R, 12 SB) were also key players in the state playoff run.
It wasn’t the region title season they had a year ago, but the Wildcats made the playoffs for a third straight year, and were bounced at Bremen in the first round.
Commerce (16-12)
The Tigers, behind senior catcher Drew Hulsey (.406, 4 HR, 16 RBI) made it for a third straight year as well to the GHSA State Playoffs. Commerce promptly fell to Taylor County.
Towns County (5-21)
The Indians won a few region games, which is a step forward. Junior pitcher Will DeVries (4 wins, 2.38 ERA, 49 K) contributed largely on offense as well, batting .379 with 12 RBI and 9 stolen bases.
BLITZ Player of the Year Nominees & Finalists
Nominees for BLITZ Baseball Player of the Year award included:
Palmer Sapp (Dawson), Tucker Maxwell (Dawson), Dylan Patrick (Banks), Eli Gipson (Rabun), Joseph Mancuso (Union), Drew Hulsey (Commerce), Will DeVries (Towns), Parker Applewhite (White), Sebastian Dunn (Lumpkin) and Honorable Mentions: Ben Brown (Lumpkin), Austin Jones (Rabun), Jack Johnson (Rabun), Trey Wilcox (Rabun), Austin Young (Dawson), Taylor Boisclair (Banks), Zane Millwood (Banks), Walker Rogers (Banks), Brody Chester (Dawson), Grant Belback (Habersham), Brandon Mitchell (Habersham)
Finalists up for the award (voted on by the BLITZ voting panel) are:
Sapp and Maxwell from Dawson, Gipson from Rabun, Mancuso from Union and Dunn from Lumpkin.
