Tyler Altman and James Flanagan were both instrumental in Kell's win on Friday evening.  Altman continued his torrid hitting pace with a double, two singles, 5 stolen bases, 2 runs scored, and an RBI.  In addition, he was solid in the field and recorded the final out of the season.  

Flanagan was the starting pitcher, pitched 4 strong innings, struck out 3, gave up only 4 hits, and allowed only 1 run.  Steven Summey relieved Flanagan and struck out 3 in his 3 innings of work.

Altman led off the game for Kell with a single, stole 2nd and 3rd and scored on Bradley Taylor's RBI double.  Jordan Dwyer advanced Taylor to 3rd with a fielders choice.  Brady Smith drove in Taylor with an RBI double, Benjie Grifenhagen walked and stole 2nd.  Brice O'Brien then delivered a 2 out base hit for 2 RBIs and a 4-0 lead for the Longhorns at the end of 1.

Altman again ignited the 'Horns in the 2nd with a single and two stolen bases.  Taylor walked and stole 2nd and Reid Michalek delivered a 2 RBI double for a 6-0 lead after 2.

Kell's bats came alive against Osborne Thursday night to produce a 13-2 win in a 5 inning game.   The Longhorns scored 12 runs in the 1st inning as 7 consecutive batters reached base.  Jamari Moore led off with a hit, Bradley Taylor singled and Jordan Dwyer plated the 1st run with a base hit.  Reid Michalek drove a deep double to centerfield to knock in two more runs.  Brady Smith walked, both Benjie Grifenhagen and Brice O'Brien followed with RBI hits.  Kyle Korzonowski drove in another run with a sacrifice fly.  Tyler Altman singled to keep the rally going.  Moore then walked to force in a run.  Taylor followed with an RBI ground out and Dwyer drove in two more runs with a base hit.  Michalek collected his 2nd double of the inning producing another RBI.  Smith then doubled and plated another run.  Grifenhagen and O'Brien both singled again and Grifenhagen's hit put the Longhorns up 12-0 at the end of 1/2 inning. 

The Longhorns added to their lead in the 5th when Ryan Losito walked, Adam Pedraza reached on an error, Korzonowski singled, and Altman reached on an error.

Avery McReynolds started for Kell, pitched two scoreless innings, did not allow a base runner, and struck out one.  Bryer Brookshire was solid in relief and retired 6 of the 7 batters he faced including closing the 4th inning with two strike outs.  Chris Himmelberg pitched the final frame and struck out two.

 The Longhorns trailed the entire game, but battled back to tie Villa Rica in the bottom of the 7th.  Bradley Taylor led off the inning with a double down the left field line, Jordan Dwyer walked and Brady Smith singled to knot the game at 4.  Carson Hughes was intentionally walked to load the bases.  Brice O'Brien then delivered a double off the left field fence for the walk off win.

Steven Summey was the starting pitcher and worked 3 innings, striking out 3.  Avery McReynolds pitched a scoreless 4th and 5th inning and only allowed 2 runners to reach base.  Brady Smith relieved McReynolds and did not allow a base runner in his two innings of work.  Outstanding relief pitching from McReynolds and Smith enable the Longhorns to stay within striking distance.

The Longhorns initial run was scored when Jamari Moore walked, Taylor walked, and Reid Michalek doubled home Moore.  Kell closed the gap to 4-2 in the 4th inning when Smith singled and moved to 2nd and 3rd on pass balls.  O'Brien scored Smith with a sac fly to left.  Michalek hit a long home run in the bottom of the 5th to move the Longhorns to within one. 

The Longhorns were out hit 16 to 8 and outscored 14 to 1 in a loss to East Paulding on Saturday afternoon.  Grant Morgan, Avery McReynolds, and Chris Himmelberg all threw strikes; however, the Raider hitters continued to find gaps.

Kell had a chance to take an early lead in the 1st inning when Jordan Dwyer singled, but was thrown out attempting to score on Reid Michalek's double.  The Longhorns scored their only run in the 3rd when Jamari Moore, Dwyer, and Michalek singled.  Brady Smith then collected the lone Kell RBI with a single. 

Other highlights for Kell included:  Moore reached base in both of his at bats with a walk and single, Dwyer was 2 for 2 with two singles, Michalek was perfect at the plate with a single and double, Brady Smith had base hits in his two at bats and drove in a run. Kerrigan McManigal singled in his only plate appearance.  Alec Stockton came back from his injury with two nice plays in the field. 

 Kell plays again at home vs. Villa Rica on Tuesday 4/24/12.

From The High School Baseball Web

by: Bob Howdeshell
High School Baseball Web

The statement above is a common one used on this web site. It means that a player should hustle and give his best effort every time he steps on the field. That includes practice and games.

Because You Never Know Who’s Watching

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be allowed to sit with several college coaches as they evaluated talent at a very good high school baseball tournament. This was a small tournament with only six invited teams, held at a major division 1 college campus. A “showcase” tournament.

No player’s names are being used, no teams are being mentioned and I will try to stay as generic as possible with the description of these players. The focus of this article is to make a point, not to embarrass any particular player. 

The following are some of the comments and discussions that I was allowed to listen in on: