Savannah makes a Triple Play Friday in NCAA Baseball

Savannah makes a Triple Play Friday in NCAA Baseball NCAA Division I Baseball Championships

Benedictine Military School has two Cadets marching into two different regionals, and both are true freshman who got some key innings pitched for their respective schools. Up first is Stevie Powers as his Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (40-18) take on South Alabama (40-20) in Tallahassee Florida at noon on ESPN3.

Powers appeared in seventeen games on the season and started 5, had an earned run average of 3.69, a 1-1 record, and struck out 23 batters in 31 innings pitched.

Next Cadet who is ready to make his mark is a true freshman Al Pesto for the Duke Blue Devils. Duke (33-22) will take on UNC Wilmington (39-17). The game will be right up the road in Columbia South Carolina at the #1 seed University of South Carolina's Ball Park at 1 p.m. on ESPN3.

Pesto made 15 appearances all out of the bullpen. Al had 19.2 innings pitched with an era of 1.83, struck out 21 batters, and held opposing teams to a .190 batting average against him.

As he was coined by The Advocate Newspaper in Louisiana, “Lights Out” Newman will be another former Savannah prep baseball player making a mark for his team. Calvary Day School will be represented by red shirt junior Hunter Newman for the #1 seed regional host the Louisiana University Tigers. LSU  takes (42-18) on Utah Valley (37-21) at 3 p.m. on ESPN3.

On the season, Newman pitched in 25 games and leads the Tigers with 6 saves, and Hunter’s earned run average is 2.12. Newman, furthermore, has struck out 37 batters in 34 innings. All games played in the Regional’s are double elimination. Good luck to our boys “Straight Outta Savannah.”

Schedule Friday, June 3

Tallahassee, FL Regional

12 noon on ESPN3: South Alabama vs. Southern Mississippi

Columbia, SC Regional
1 p.m. on ESPN3: Duke vs. UNC Wilmington

Baton Rouge, LA Regional

3 p.m. on ESPN3: Utah Valley vs. LSU 

Savannah Bananas Peel the Banana 2016 Roster

Savannah Bananas Announce Full 2016 Roster

SAVANNAH, GA. May 27, 2016 – The Savannah Bananas are excited to announce the highly anticipated roster for the 2016 season. Both veterans and underclassmen from Division I schools across the country have committed to playing with the Bananas for their inaugural season.

Joining previously announced pitchers Garrett Lovorn, Addison Albright, Adam Goodman, and Drew Moody are Sam Fichthorn (So. RHP Dartmouth), Paul Kirkpatrick (So. RHP Western Kentucky), Marcus McKoy (Fr. LHP Winston Salem State), Steve Theetge (Fr. LHP Bryant), Greg Hollman (So. RHP Savannah State), Jacob Howell (Jr. RHP Delta State), Adam Scott (So. LHP Wofford), and Coby Weaver (Fr. LHP Dallas Baptist).

“Our pitching staff is sure to have success this summer, especially against wood bats. Our philosophy on the bump is simple; I want to see them compete every single pitch, every single inning, and every single game all summer long,” said Coach Sean West.

Middle Infielders include Jeff Nellis (Jr. Long Beach State), Christian Hollie (So. UTA), Cal Baker (Jr. GA Southern), Rylan Bannon (So. Xavier), and Clay Dungan (Fr. Indiana State).

In addition to Logan Moody, Garrett Nelson (Fr. 1B/OF Long Beach State) and Angel Camacho (Fr. 3B Jacksonville U.) will be joining the roster as utility players.

For outfielders, the Bananas have signed Josh Ragan (Fr. Dallas Baptist), Jameson Hannah (Fr. Dallas Baptist), Will LaRue (So. Xavier), Connor Stephens (Fr. Jacksonville U.), Jackson Ware (So. Mercer), and previously announced Nick Choruby.

“Grayson Stadium is a large ballpark, so we will force the other team to beat us with their bats and will rely on the speed of our OF’s to cover ground and track balls down,” comments West, “We will have the fastest OF in the league. Three of our OF’s run a 6.5 second 60 yard dash, which is flying! Our remaining OF’s are also 6.7/8, which is moving as well.”

Adam Gauthier (RS Jr. Dartmouth) and Joey Thomas (So. Cincinatti) will be joining Dayne Sommer at catcher.

Rounding out the roster are temps Elliot Forde (RHP Misericordia), Hunter Bening (1B Mercer), Tanner Johnson (OF Denison), Josh Knies (RHP Mercer), Ryan Wieligman (MI Cowley County JC), Ryan Hagen (MI Mercer), Jesse Bogacz (LHP Kenyon), Ryan Flores (RHP Richland JC), Beau Sulser (RHP Dartmouth), Kyle Rogalski (RHP Miseridcordia), Clint Hardy (UTL Augusta U.), Christian Vann (LHP Chatt Valley), and previously announced Braden Shewmake.

West also expects the team to be strong on offense, “We will be amongst the league leaders in stolen bases, and fans will see their Bananas playing small ball, especially early in the game.”

Not only are these players great athletes, they are also upstanding members of their communities. They plan on immersing themselves in Savannah’s unique culture and contributing to their summer home through community service projects. Says West, “All of our players are quality young men that will not only represent their families well, but their coaches, respected universities, and in return, the great city of Savannah.”

The Savannah Bananas team will be available for a special meet and greet at the Fan Fest on May 30^th at Grayson Stadium from 5:00-7:00PM with members entrance at 4:00PM.  The Fan Fest is free with free food and free Sun Country Amusements Fun Zone for kids.

Opening Night is set for June 2^nd and very limited tickets remain.  For more information and to purchase tickets fans can visit www.TheSavannahBananas.com or call 912-712-2482.

The Savannah Bananas are owned by Fans First Entertainment who also owns and operates the Gastonia Grizzlies of the Coastal Plain League.  The Grizzlies have led the league in attendance the past three seasons, been named Organization of the Year and recognized regionally and nationally for unique from promotions and their fan experience.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 20th season in 2016, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had nearly 1,300 alumni drafted and 82 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.

Basketball Finals Moving to UGA & Georgia Tech

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 26, 2016

GHSA ANNOUNCES NEW VENUE FOR 2017 GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL FINALS

University of Georgia and Georgia Tech to Share Hosting Duties

THOMASTON, GA. – The Georgia High School Association, in conjunction with the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, today announces that agreements have been reached allowing the two schools to share the hosting of the sixteen championship games of the 2017 GHSA state basketball tournament. These March 2017 games will mark the return of the basketball finals to Georgia Tech for the first time since 2003 and will be the first ever for the University of Georgia.

"The University of Georgia and Georgia Tech have two of the premier basketball complexes in the state," said GHSA Executive Director Gary Phillips.  "Both schools worked tirelessly with the GHSA to devise a schedule that eliminates any conflict between the state championship games and the Bulldogs’ and Yellow Jackets’ own use of these marvelous facilities.  The primary goal of the GHSA is to promote the best interests of Georgia’s high school student-athletes, and we are thrilled at the experience these venues will offer to the teams, their schools, and their fans."

UGA's Stegeman Coliseum will host eight championship games on Wednesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 9, 2017.  Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion will be the site of the eight remaining championship games on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11, 2017.  The first of the four games on each day will tip-off at 2:00 p.m.  The specific order and facility assignment for the sixteen championship games have not yet been determined. 

Teya Ryan, President and CEO of Georgia Public Broadcasting said, "For more than 20 years GPB has been an enthusiastic supporter of Georgia's high school athletics. The relocation of the high school basketball state championships will give the students the opportunity to play on the storied courts of the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets.  All of us at GPB wish the GHSA continued success with the move."

About the GHSA

The GHSA is a voluntary organization composed of over 450 public and private high schools. The GHSA strives to promote education in Georgia from a mental, physical, and moral viewpoint; to standardize and encourage participation in high school athletics; and to promote sportsmanship and an appreciation for and study of music, speech, and other fine arts through Region and State competitions.

CONTACTS

Steve Figueroa, GHSA Director of Media Relations (stevefig@ghsa.net or 706-647-7473 Ext. 26)