You are hereVarsity / Tough loss for Kell as Norcross nips Longhorns 4-3 in late innings.
Tough loss for Kell as Norcross nips Longhorns 4-3 in late innings.
March 8, 2010 Norcross 4, Kell 3 - Tough loss for Kell as Norcross nips Longhorns 4-3 in late innings. Leaving runners on base in key situations is often the problem when a team is struggling to break through with a win. Such was the case for Kell in this contest against Norcross. In 4 different innings the Longhorns left a total of 10 men on base, twice ending innings with the bases loaded, and twice grounding into double plays. A key hit in one or two of those innings, and surely the score would have ended in Kell's favor. The Longhorns are showing signs of improvement on defense and that is a key ingredient for keeping all games close and competitive. Starting pitcher Chris Goershel went 3 innings and allowed only 1 earned run. Trailing 1-0, Kell struck for 2 runs in the third inning. Kevin Tramble singled, but was erased on an Austin Petrik fielders choice. Petrik stole second however, and Parker Madden walked. Both runners scored on a double from Jordan Dwyer for a 2-1 Kell lead. In the fifth, Kell got its last run on a double from Jacob Brabon, and after pinch runner Jamari Moore stole third, Ben Hofmeister delivered him home with a double. Hitting - Madden BB R, Dwyer BB 2B 2BI, Brabon HBP 2B, Hofmeister 2B 1BI BB, Taylor BB, Seewoester 2CI, Selcer 1B, Tramble 1B HBP, Petrik SB BB 1B R, Pitching - Goershel 3IP 2H 1ER, Morgan 3IP 2H 2ER, Brabon 1IP 1H 1ER 2K LP 0-1
March 6, 2010 - Lovett 10, Kell 8 Kell traveled to Lovett on Saturday and wound up in an afternoon shootout with the host team before falling by a 10-8 score. Trailing 2-0 after 2 innings, Kell struck back with its best inning of the season in the top of the third. Austin Petrik started it with a ground ball single. He stole second, and scored on another single from Jake Jensen. Ben Hofmeister then unloaded a 2 run blast to left center for a 3-2 Longhorn lead. Those digits only momentarily graced the scoreboard because the next batter Bradley Taylor followed with another home run, giving Kell a 4-2 lead. Sensing that no lead is safe in this hitters park, Lovett struck back with 5 runs in their half of the inning leaving the Longhorns with another comeback challenge. Kell added a strange run in the fifth on 3 walks and a balk to close the gap to 7-5, but Lovett responded again with 3 runs in their half of the inning. Now trailing 10-5, Petrik again started a rally with a base on balls followed by singles from Parker Madden and Jensen which scored Petrik. Jacob Brabon then walked, and Madden and Jensen scored when Lovett made an error on a ground ball off the bat of Taylor. That made it 10-8 but Kell would score no more. The pitching was affected by the smaller park, but was also compounded by a 'strange' strike zone. Stranger still, was a game that featured a combined 5 balks between the teams. Evan Koch and Madden each worked 3 innings on the hill. Hitting - Madden HBP 1B R, Jensen 21B 2R 2BI, Brabon 2BB R, Hofmeister HR 2BI, Taylor 1B HR 2BI, Michalek HBP, Goershel BB, Seewoester 1B, Petrik 21B SB BB 2R. Pitching - Koch 3IP 6H 7ER 5K, Madden 3IP 6H 3ER 3K
March 5, 2010 - Harrison 7, Kell 3 Kell drops its third straight but received a strong pitching performance from senior Chris Snipes. Snipes threw shutout ball for 4 innings until a solid Harrison team finally broke through in the 5th inning with 4 runs. Kell responded in their half of the inning with a 2 run home run off the bat of Adam Seewoester. Ben Hofmeister added an rbi single, for the Longhorns final run, but the Hoyas kept up the pressure and pulled away for a 7-3 victory. Defensively, Kell showed signs of improvement in the young season. Kevin Tramble and Jacob Brabon eached worked an inning of relief. Parker Madden with 2 walks and a double and a Brabon single were the other offensive bright spots for Kell. Kell travels on Saturday for a 1pm game against region 6AA opponent Lovett. Hitting - Jensen BB, Madden 2BB 2B, Brabon 1B, Taylor R, Hoffmeister BB 1B 1BI, Seewoester HR 2BI, Korzonowski BB Pitching - Snipes 5IP 6K 4ER LP 0-1, Tramble 1IP 2ER, Brabon 1IP 1ER
March 4, 2010 - Hillgrove 7, Kell 5 Kell struck hard and early with a 5 hit, 4 run first inning, but couldn't finish the deal, as costly miscues allowed the Hillgrove Hawks to comeback and post a 7-5 win. After turning a smooth infield double play in the top of the first to back up starting pitcher Chris Goershel, the Longhorns responded with their best offensive inning of the year. Singles by Parker Madden, and Jacob Brabon, were followed by an rbi double from Bradley Taylor, a run scoring single from Reid Michalek, and a 2 run double from Goershel. The 4-0 lead was not enjoyed for long, as Hillgrove, aided by defensive mistakes, bounced back with 5 runs in the top of the second. Kell tied it up in their half of the inning as Austin Petrik scored after singles by Jake Jensen, and Brabon. That was all the scoring that the Longhorns could muster as they only managed 1 hit from then on. Next up for the Longhorns will be the Harrison Hoyas on Friday night. Hitting Petrik 1B R, Jensen 1B, Madden 1B R HBP, Brabon 21B R 1BI, Taylor 2B 1BI R, Michalek 1B 1BI R, Tramble 1B, Goershel 2B 2BI Pitching Goershel 4IP Morgan 3IP LP 1-1
February 27, 2010 - Northview 9, Kell 3 Playing on the road against Northview, Kell had a rough time as the host Titans took advantage of several Kell errors to pull away from the Longhorns. Kell led early in the game 2-1, but defensive problems helped the Titans pull away for victory. Starting pitcher, Evan Koch went 4 innings and allowed only 2 earned runs, but left trailing 5-3. Grant Morgan, and then Parker Madden finished up with an inning apiece. Offensively, Kell had some encouraging signs, as they banged out 11 singles, lead by Madden and Jacob Brabon with 3 each, Kevin Tramble with 2, and Ryan Moran, Bradley Taylor, and Angel Galarza each with one. Taylor knocked in all 3 runs, 2 with a single and another with a fielders choice. Pitching - Koch 4IP 1K 2ER, Morgan 1IP 1K 2ER, Madden 1IP 2K. Hitting - Jensen 2BB, Madden 31B 2R Brabon 31B R, Taylor 1B 3BI, Moran 1B, Galarza 1B, Tramble 21B.
February 26, 2010 - Kell's 2010 home season opener goes down to the wire with a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Sprayberry Yellow Jackets. Decided in extra innings, Kell nursed a lead for much of the game only to squander it with defensive miscues. Fielding its youngest team ever, coupled with little field practice due to weather conditions, the Longhorns fought through it for a narrow win. Starting pitcher Chris Snipes was flawless in the first 2 innings retiring 6 in a row. He pitched 4 complete innings allowing 2 runs, both unearned. Chris Goershel picked up from there and went 3 innings, striking out 5 Jackets. Fresman Grant Morgan pitched the final inning and picked up the win. Austin Petrik, twice hit by pitches, stole 2 bases, scored 3 runs, including the game winner. He was plated by Parker Madden, who struggled all night, but came through when it mattered most. Preceding Madden's game winning single, was a clutch game tying single by Bradley Taylor in the bottom of the seventh with 2 outs. Other contributions to the Kell offense came from Jake Jensen who walked twice, stole a base, and smacked a 2 run triple. Freshman Jamari Moore scored 2 runs, had a double, and a sacrifice bunt. Reid Michalek knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Ben Hofmeister, ailing from a bad hamstring came up with a key pinch hit. It was a game that at times was 'pretty', and at times was 'ugly'. So, this may be counted as 'pretty ugly' but a win is a win, and Kell will find a way to improve. Next up is Northview on Saturday afternoon at 1pm. Pitching - Snipes 4IP 2K, Goershel 3 IP 5K, Morgan W 1-0 1K Hitting - Petrik 2HBP 1B 3R 2SB, Jensen 2BB 3B SB 2BI, Madden 1B 1BI, Seewoester HBP, Michalek SF BB, Dwyer HBP, Taylor 1B 1BI, Tramble BB, Moore 2B 2R Sac, Hofmeister 1B
February 19, 2010 - Even at its highest level, the sport of baseball realizes that paid professionals need to nourish their abundant skills with a routine called 'Spring Training'. And so, another season begins for the Kell Baseball program, but not under the soothing sunshine and soft breezes of Florida or Arizona, experienced professionals are privy to. No, early season baseball in Georgia is often accompanied by bitter cold and damp rain. So it is not surprising that teams with very little outdoor practice will struggle initially until the repetitive routines of Kell practices take full effect. Couple that with the loss of every starting position player but one due to graduation, and therein lies Kell's challenge for the 2010 season. Like last year however, there are skilled players waiting for their chance to move up. Seven pitchers got a chance to show their stuff led by the strong returning arms of Chris Snipes and Evan Koch. They were followed by Chris Goershel, Jacob Brabon, Grant Morgan, Parker Madden, and Kevin Tramble. All seven went one inning. Combined, they held the Etowah hitters to just 2 hits and the 4 runs that Etowah scored were all unearned. Not bad for an effort considering that for 5 of these pitchers it was their first action against Varsity hitters. On the offensive side the lack of real field practice was evident also. Because of the poor weather conditions this spring, players have seen very little 'live' pitching. That was reflected in the 14 strikeouts we experienced but again, Kell found a way to win a ballgame by 1 run, which the Kell squad experienced last year on 11 different occasions. Austin Petrik spanked a first inning hit to left field scoring Parker Madden, for a 1-0 lead and Kell never lost it from there. Reid Michalek lead off the 6th inning with a sharp double down the left field line to start the clinching rally. Next up for Kell is the Home Season Opener versus crosstown opponent Sprayberry on Friday, February 26th.
May 9 - " It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"...In a perfect world, the last game of the season would be a reflection of the entire season. Such was not the case for the Kell Longhorns. This elimination game against East Paulding, was an affair that looked nothing like any of Kell's previous contests. All season long, Kell had refused to be overmatched by anyone on its schedule. Time and again, the Longhorns found a way to win by a lot, or win by a little. But even in losing, Kell found a way to take it down to the wire. Not this time. Playing as the 'visiting team' on its own home field, it seemed like nothing could go right once things started to go wrong. Taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, Kell's Reid Turner walked. Austin Petrik as a pinch runner, stole second, moved to third on a single by John Duran, and scored on Zach Grillo's sac fly. Starting pitcher Evan Koch easily retired the side in order in the bottom of the first. The second inning saw Kell load the bases but fail to score. East Paulding broke through with their best inning of the year. Still, Kell refused to give up, and third inning singles by Taylor Glakas, and Alex Edwards prior to Zach Engesser's home run, gave Kell hope for a comeback. In the fifth, Kell inched closer as Zach Grillo singled, Glakas reached on an error, and Engesser singled to load the bases. Will Dougherty knocked in Grillo with a single, but the rally stopped there. East Paulding pulled away and it was too much for the Longhorns. The season is now ended at 21-7. Kell however, can look back with a degree of satisfaction. Picked to finish near the bottom of the 10 teams in Region 6, Kell finished as the number 2 seed and qualified for the GA State playoffs for the 4th straight year. In doing so, they beat each of the other nine teams in the region at least once. The streak of 20 win seasons is now at 4, and very few programs can match that. The eleven seniors moving on have been a part of a great winning tradition, and they will be sorely missed next year. They responded to the challenge of replacing many exceptionally good parts from last years team, and the result this year, was a team greater than the sum of its parts. Nice job guys, good luck to all of you in the future! Jason Knight, Justin Taylor, Kenny Strack, Reid Turner, Alex Edwards, Ben Grillo, Zach Engesser, John Duran, Kyle Ciotti, Will Dougherty, and Mike Kauss. Batting - Turner 2BB R, Duran 1B SB, Kauss HBP, Edwards 1B R, Z.Grillo SF 1BI 1B BB R, Glakas 2 1B R, Engesser HR 3BI 1B, Dougherty 2BB 1B SB 1BI Pitching - Koch 1.2IP 1K, Engesser 3.1IP Strack .2IP 1K
May 8 - Hoping to complete the sweep in the best of three series, Kell instead found itself having to come from behind again. Trailing 3-0 in the seventh inning, Kell almost rallied for another thrilling win. It started when Zach Grillo led off the seventh with a single. Alex Edwards followed with another single, and Kyle Ciotti did the same to load the bases. With 2 out, and the runners moving on contact, Will Dougherty got the crowd on its feet with a bases clearing double that scored Grillo and Edwards easily before Ciotti slid in just beating the catchers tag. Reid Turner was then hit by a pitch, but Kell could not get either home. Now in extra innings, Mike Kauss almost hit one out to take the lead, but had to settle for a double. Unfortunately, he could advance no further, and in their half of the inning, East Paulding ended it with a 3 run home run. Jason Knight and Chris Snipes each pitched 4 innings for Kell and they combined for 9 strikeouts. Batting - Turner BB HBP, Kauss 1B 2B, Z.Grillo 2 1B R, Edwards 2 1B R, Ciotti 3B 1B R, Dougherty 1B 2B 3BI, Pitching - Knight 4IP 1R 2K 6H, Snipes LP 4IP 5R 7K 4H
May 8 - Zach Engesser kick started the Kell offense with a 2 run Home Run, and John Duran finished it with another walk off hit in the bottom of the seventh, as Kell took game one of the best of three Playoff series by a score of 5-4. Justin Taylor settled down after a tough first inning and pitched a complete game for the win. Trailing 3-0 in the first inning, Taylor allowed only 1 run the rest of the way, and Kell found a way once again to fight back for a victory. In between Engesser's bomb and Duran's clincher, Kell added 2 runs on a Will Dougherty single, a passed ball, a walk to Reid Turner, a stolen base by pinch runner Austin Petrik, a walk to Zach Grillo, and a single by Alex Edwards. That put Kell ahead 4-3, and after East Paulding tied it 4-4 with 2 outs in the top of the seventh, Kell responded when Reid Turner walked, and pinch runner Austin Petrik scored on Duran's walkoff in the bottom of the seventh. Batting - Turner 1B 2BB 2R, Duran SB 2B 1BI, Z.Grillo 2BB, Edwards R 1B 1BI, B.Grillo BB, Engesser HR 2BI, Dougherty 1B R, Pitching - Taylor WP 7IP 4R 5K
May 1 - Faced with a defeat that would have thrown Region 6 into a three way tie for second place, Kell instead, chose to occupy this position in singular fashion. It did so by taking another late thriller from Centennial 5-4. With the regular season now complete, Kell has earned a 2 seed in perhaps Georgia's toughest region, as it prepares for the upcoming GA State 5AAAAA Playoffs. This one took nine innings, and the Longhorns had to come from behind twice to claim victory. The extra inning game added more time and memories for Kell's seniors playing their last regular season home game on Senior Night. Down to its last 4 outs and trailing a feisty Centennial team 2-0, Will Dougherty started the comeback with a 2 out double in the bottom of the sixth. After a Reid Turner single, John Duran showed his value once again by smacking a game tying double to left center. Mike Kauss barely gave fans time to sit as he laced a single to right while Duran, waved around third, slid some fingers across the plate to avoid the catchers tag. Kell takes the lead 3-2, but Centennial fights back to tie it in the top of the seventh. Hits by Alex Edwards and Ben Grillo in the bottom of the 8th threaten to end it, but Centennial holds on when Kyle Ciotti, already with 2 hits, is denied a third as his sharp liner gets snared for an inning ending double play. Two hits and a costly error in the top of the ninth put Centennial on top again 4-3. Down to its last 2 outs, Kell started its winning rally with a Zach Grillo single up the middle, Alex Edwards did the same, and on the next pitch Zach Engesser singled sharply to left to load the bases. This set the stage for pinch hitter Parker Madden and the Sophmore made the Seniors Night special with a single to right just past the second basemen's glove. Grillo scored easily from third to tie and Edwards followed quickly behind to win. Jason Knight went 4.1 innings and Evan Koch went 4.2 innings for the win as Kell's pitchers again made big pitches when they had to. Batting Turner 2 1B R, Duran 1B 2B 2BI R, Kauss 3 1B 1BI, Z.Grillo BB SAC 1B R, Edwards BB 2 1B R, Engesser 1B B.Grillo HBP 1B, Ciotti 2 1B, Dougherty SAC 2B R Madden 1B 2BI Pitching Knight 4.1IP 4H 2K 2R, Koch WP 4.2IP 3H 2R 4K
April 30 - Kell does an about face as it turns the tables on Campbell just 24 hours after this seasons most dissapointing performance. Taking no chances on watching another team celebrate two upset wins in a row, Kell made its mark early and often as it scored in each of the first 4 innings. Reid Turner led off the bottom of the first with a single, and John Duran promptly made it 2-0 by sending one over the left field fence. In the second inning, Will Dougherty made it 3-0 when he deposited another Home Run over the left field screen. In the third, Duran singled, stole second, and scored ahead of a Mike Kauss Triple. Alex Edwards delivered Kauss with a single, and the Longhorns leading 5-1, never looked back. Kell completed it's scoring in the 4th inning. on walks to Turner and Duran. After a double play, Zach Grillo walked, stole second, and Alex Edwards then knocked in Turner and Grillo for a 7-1 lead. Justin Taylor pitched he first 4 innings picking up the win and Kenny Strack finished up the last 3 striking out 4. Batting Turner 1B 2BB 2R, Petrik SB, Duran HR 1B BB 2R SB, Kauss 3B 2HBP 1BI R, Z.Grillo BB SB, Edwards 1B 2B 3BI BB, B.Grillo BB, Ciotti 2HBP 2SB, Dougherty HR Pitching Taylor WP 5-1 4IP 4H 4K 1R, Strack 3IP 4K 2R
April 29 - Kell stumbles on the road as Campbell rallies for a comeback win. Trailing most of the game, Kell rallied late to take a lead in the seventh inning and it looked like another one run victory was on the horizon. Reid Turner with a double, 2 walks, 2 runs and Zachary Grillo with 2 hits and an RBI led the way for Kell offensively. Mike Kauss had a triple, Kyle Ciotti walked twice, Parker Madden with a single, and Ben Grillo with a pinch hit double rounded out the hitting for Kell. Chris Snipes pitched 4.1 innings striking out 6 Spartans. Zach Engesser and Taylor Glakas finished up. Batting Duran SB, Turner 2BB 2B 2R, B.Grillo 2B R, Z.Grillo 2 1B 1BI, Glakas R 1BI, Petrik R SB, Dougherty R, Madden 1B, Kauss 3B, Ciotti 2BB, Pitching Snipes 4.1IP 6K, Engesser 1IP, Glakas LP 1.1IP
April 27 - Kell maintains its number 2 seed position in Region 6 with a 5-4 victory over Wheeler. Winning pitcher Evan Koch settled down after giving up 2 runs in the first inning and posted 4 consecutive shutout innings after that as Kell continued getting key mound performances. Kenny Strack and Taylor Glakas finished up for the Longhorns with Glakas notching a save. It marks the 8th time this season, Kell has won by the slimmest of margins. Kell got key RBI hits from Zach Grillo, Mike Kauss, John Duran and Alex Edwards. Batting Duran BB 1B SB 1BI, Turner 1B BB, Edwards HBP BB 1B 1BI, Z.Grillo 1B 1BI SB, Glakas 1B, Engesser 2BB HbP R, Hofmeister Sac, Ciotti BB R SB, Kauss 1B SB 2R, Petrik SB Pitching WP Koch 5IP 5K 6H, Strack 1.1IP, Glakas .2IP 1K
April 24 - Kell clinched a berth in this years Georgia 5AAAAA Baseball tournament with its win over Region 6 foe Milton by a score of 7-3. Jason Knight pitched a complete game victory for the Longhorns. Knight scattered 5 hits and struck out 4 Milton batters. At one point, he retired 13 straight between the third and seventh innings. Kell stranded 7 base runners in the first 4 innings and trailed 3-0. Breaking out of their lethargy in the fifth, Kell sent 10 men to the plate and scored all 7 runs in the inning. Reid Turner started it with a walk, and Alex Edwards put the Longhorns on the scoreboard with a double plating Turner. Zachary Grillo then singled, moving Edwards to third, and stole second. Taylor Glakas drove in Edwards with a single, and Zach Engesser walked to load the bases. Will Dougherty also walked with Grillo scoring to tie it at 3. Mike Kauss knocked in the lead run and 2 more scored on a Milton error before John Duran completed the damage with an rbi single. Will Dougherty supported Knights pitching efforts with a sensational diving catch in rightfield during the Milton 6th. Kell moves to 17-4 overall and 11-3 in Region 6 and will play Wheeler next on April 27. Batting - Duran BB 1B 1BI, Turner 2BB R, Edwards 2BB 2B 1BI R, Z.Grillo 1B SB R, Glakas BB 2H 1BI R, Engesser BB R, Dougherty BB 1BI R, Ciotti HBP, Kauss 2H 1BI R Pitching - Knight WP 7IP 5H 4K 1ER
April 22 - Nine game winning streaks in Region 6 Baseball are extremely rare and hard to come by. And so it ends for Kell, as Lassiter delivers a 5-2 defeat to the Longhorns. The game started as if number 10 was in the making. Kell staked out a lead in the bottom of the first. Reid Turner walked and moved to second on Alex Edwards single up the middle. Zachary Grillo then doubled to right center, scoring Turner and moving Edwards to third. But Lassiter's Link worked out of the first inning trouble with no further damage. Kenny Strack started for Kell and worked 4 plus innings, shutting them out in 3 of them, and striking out 4 along the way. Lassiter broke through in the third for 3 runs, and it was too much for Kell. Chris Snipes relieved him and struck out 6 in 3 innings of work. Kell, never quitting, battled back in the bottom of the seventh, as Will Dougherty launched a Home Run over the left field wall and pinch hitter Parker Madden singled up the middle. Austin Petrik and Reid Turner both hit bullets, but unfortunately they were right at Lassiter players to end the game. Kell is now 16-4 overall and 10-3 in Region 6. Batting - Turner BB 1B R, Edwards 1B, Z.Grillo 2B 1BI, Dougherty 1B HR 1BI R SB, Petrik SB, Kauss HBP, Madden 1B, Pitching Strack LP 4IP 7H 4K, Snipes 3IP 2H 6K
April 20 - For those who thought that the excitement level of Kell's thrilling Turner Field win over Walton couldn't be topped, check the pulse of some of the fans leaving Pope's Greyhound Park after another knucklebiter won by the Longhorns 3-2. It becomes Kell's 7th victory this year by a single run and it was done against the State's 2nd ranked team. Kell hit well against one of Pope's aces, banging out 11 hits. They also pitched well, holding Pope to just 3 hits and 2 runs. But, there is no doubt, Kell's defense made the difference. Infield play has been superb all season long and John Duran's pirouette double play and Alex Edwards lunging stab to rob Pope of a hit with 2 men aboard were big highlights for sure. But the outfield stepped up in a big way also. Mike Kauss and Zach Grillo ran down warning track smashes, and Grillo and Will Dougherty also made fabulous diving catches taking hits from the 'Hounds. Dougherty's dive ended the game but not until he showed the umpire the ball was in his glove. Kell's pitchers made just enough good pitches to stay out of trouble. Taylor Glakas, Jason Knight, and Evan Koch combined to pitch the first 4 innings. Each has stepped up in big games this year, but this night was big for Zach Engesser. He worked the last 3 innings allowing only 1 bloop hit and retired nine of the eleven batters he faced. Kell scored all 3 of its runs in the 3rd inning. Singles by Kauss and Duran allowed both to be moved over by a Reid Turner sac bunt. Alex Edwards knocked in Kauss, and Duran scored on an error. Zach Grillo then doubled to left and knocked in Edwards with the eventual winning run Batting - Duran 3H R, Turner 1B Sac, Edwards R 1BI 1B, Z.Grillo 2B 1BI 1B, Engesser 2BB, B.Grillo 1B, Dougherty 1B Ciotti 1B Sac, Kauss 1B Sac Pitching Glakas 1.2IP 2BB 1K 1R, Knight 1 IP 1H 1R, Koch 1.1 IP 1K, Engesser 3 IP 1H 2K Save
April 18 - Winning by one run is becoming a habit for Kell as it registered its 15th victory overall and its 6th this season by the slimmest of margins. In games that are "thisclose", or "thatclose", it often boils down a teams execution in critical moments. Many such moments occured in this encounter as Kell edged Walton 3-2 on the greenest of grass at TURNER FIELD. John Duran continued his hot pace with three hits and 2 runs. He doubled in the first inning and scored the games first run as Alex Edwards brought him home with a fielders choice. In the third inning, Mike Kauss tripled to right with one out, and Reid Turner singled him home to give Kell a 2-1 lead. In the fifth inning, Duran doubled to right with 2 outs and scored the games eventual winning run as Reid Turner singled sharply to left. Kell snuffed out Walton attempts to score by throwing out 2 runners at the plate. With 2 outs in the second inning, Walton produced a double and a single, but a perfect throw to catcher Reid Turner by left fielder Zachary Grillo nailed the Walton runner and ended the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Grillo's relay to John Duran and his throw to Turner again quelled a Walton scoring attempt. Both plays deflated Walton spirits and buoyed the Longhorns. Once again Kell's pitching made a good accounting of itself. This was a staff effort as Jason Knight worked 2 innings Evan Koch went 3, Kenny Strack went 1 and Chris Snipes finished by closing in the seventh. They scattered 8 hits and struck out 6 batters. Batting - Duran 2 2B 1B 2R, Turner 2H 2BI, Edwards 1BI, Z.Grillo BB, Engesser BB, B.Grillo 1B, Kauss 3B 1B R, Petrik SB Pitching - Knight 2IP 3H 1K 1R, Koch WP 3IP 3H 4K 1R, Strack 1IP 1H, Snipes 1IP 1H 1K Save
April 15 - Trying to avoid a letdown after a big win, Kell worked late to pull away from Alpharetta for a 9-4 win. After evening the score at 1 on a Zach Engesser single in the bottom of the third inning, Kell burst through for 5 runs in the fourth inning. Singles from Ben Hofmeister, Reid Turner, Alex Edwards, and Taylor Glakas sandwiched around walks to Mike Kauss, Zach Grillo and a Zach Engesser HBP led the way. Alpharetta bounced back with 3 runs in the fifth, but Kell responded to that when pinch hitter Ben Grillo lead off Kell's fifth with a bomb over the fence in rightcenter. Duran and Turner scored after walking and singling. Justin Taylor worked 4.2 innings for the win, and Chris Snipes and Kenny Strack finished up. Batting - Duran BB R, Turner 3H 1BI 2R, Edwards 2H 3BI 2R, Z.Grillo 3BB 1BI 1R, Engesser 2B 1B HBP 1BI, Glakas BB 1B, Hofmeister 1B R, Dougherty SB, B.Grillo HR 1BI R, Ciotti Sac, Kauss BB R, Pitching Taylor WP 4-1 4.2IP 4K, Snipes 1.1IP, Strack 1 IP
April 14 - Good pitching, good defense and timely hitting are necessary ingredients to beat good teams. Kell got all of that as it nipped Georgias top ranked team Roswell, 3-2. It was done in dramatic fashion as the Longhorns last inning comeback was capped by a walkoff single from Zachary Grillo. Trailing 2-1 and down to their last at bat, Kell's Taylor Glakas started the inning with a single. Kyle Ciotti worked Roswell's Andrew Smith for a key base on balls. Mike Kauss then executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners, and leadoff hitter John Duran was intentionally walked. Reid Turner walked to even the score, before Grillo ended it with a line drive to left. Jason Knight pitched a solid game for Kell going 5.1 innings and Chris Snipes finished up to get the win, his fourth of the season. Solid defense highlighted by catcher Reid Turner throwing out 3 would be base stealers kept Roswell from sustaining a big inning. Batting Duran BB, Turner 1B BB 1BI, Z.Grillo 2H 1BI, Engesser 1B, Dougherty 2B BB R, Glakas 2H R, Ciotti 1B BB R, Kauss Sac, Pitching - Knight 5.1IP 2R 3K, Snipes WP 4-0 1.2IP 1K
April 11 - Kell delivered some clutch hits and played power ball as they triumph over the Wheeler Wildcats 11-5. 3 home runs paved the way for Kell, as Mike Kauss, John Duran, and Alex Edwards each went deep. Wheeler helped the Longhorns cause by walking 7 batters, hitting 2 more, and commiting some untimely miscues. Kell scored in 6 of its 7 innings and the five run outburst in the second was the big difference. Will Dougherty reached on an error, stole second, and later scored on a passed ball. Kyle Ciotti walked, stole second and scored ahead of Kauss's Home Run. The new ball thrown in didn't last long as John Duran hit the first pitch out himself. Reid Turner then walked and scored from an Edwards double. Edwards would go 3-4 leading an 8 hit attack. Evan Koch worked 3 innings and Chris Snipes worked 4 as they scattered 11 Wheeler hits, making big pitches when they had to. Batting - Duran 2R SB SF HR 2BI, Turner 2BB HBP 2R, Edwards 1B 2B HR 4BI R, Petrik 2SB, Engesser BB, Dougherty 2R 2SB, Madden BB, B.Grillo 1B, Hofmeister R, Ciotti BB SB Sac R, Glakas 1B R, Kauss HR 2BI 1B Pitching - Koch 3IP 2K 6H 3R, Snipes WP 4IP 5H 4K 2R
April 10 - Kell explodes early with an 8 run first inning and never let up as the Longhorns cruised to a 13-1 victory over Georgia's 6th ranked 5AAAAA team. John Duran who had a perfect 3-3 day at the plate, led off with a single and Reid Turner and Alex Edwards reached on an error and a walk. Zachary Grillo knocked in Duran with a sharp single and Zach Engesser highlighted the inning with a Grand Slam for a quick 5-0 lead. A walk to Ben Hofmeister, and singles by Kyle Ciotti, Mike Kauss, and Duran closed out Kell's biggest inning of the season. Duran hit a solo Home Run in the third inning to lead the 12 hit attack. Justin Taylor won his third straight game as he scattered 5 hits, allowed only 1 run, and struck out 8 batters. Kenny Strack retired the last 2 batters for Kell. Batting Duran 3H HR 2R 3BI SF, Turner SF 2R 1BI, Edwards 2H R BB 1BI, Z.Grillo 1B 1BI R HBP, Engesser 1B HR 5BI R, Dougherty HBP, Hofmeister 2R BB H, Ciotti 2H 2R, Kauss 2H 1BI R Pitching Taylor WP 3-1 4.1IP 8K 1ER, Strack .2IP
April 9 - Back from Spring Break, Kell began its second half of the season with a 6-3 win over the Cherokee Warriors. Six pitchers got some much needed work in as they combined for the victory. After a scoreless first inning, Kell jumped out in front in the second inning when Zachary Grillo singled, stole second, and scored on Ben Hofmeisters Home Run. In the fourth inning, the Longhorns broke it open when Austin Petrik walked, Taylor Glakas was hit by a pitch and Parker Madden knocked in Petrik with a single. John Duran then delivered Glakas and Madden with a clutch double down the left field line. Ben Grillo walked and scored in the sixth to round out the scoring. Batting - Duran 1B 2B 2Bi, Turner 2BB, B.Grillo BB R, Z.Grillo 1B SB R, Dougherty BB, Hofmeister HR 2BI 1B, Ciotti 1B, Petrik 1B BB R SB, Glakas 2H R HBP, Madden 1B 1BI R, Pitching - Snipes 1IP 0R, Koch 1IP 0R, Knight 1IP 1R, Glakas 1IP 1R, Engesser 2IP 1R, Strack 1IP 0R
March 31 - Getting back to back shutouts in Region 6 baseball is no easy feat. But Kell's staff almost turned the trick in a 5-1 win versus traditional foe Lassiter. Jason Knight turned in a fabulous performance for 5 innings and Kenny Strack and Chris Snipes finished the job as Kell allowed the Trojans to only 2 hits and one run. Good errorless defense once again supported fine pitching, as John Duran and Zach Engesser turned 2 double plays, Kyle Ciotti robbed a Lassiter batter of a double with a fabulous play, and Will Dougherty ran down an inning ending fly ball despite slipping on some rain soaked turf. Kell scored all 5 of its runs in the 5th inning, and as it happens so often, it all started with a base on balls. With one out, Ben Grillo worked the count for a free pass, well executed bunt singles by Dougherty, and Ciotti loaded the bases, before Duran ripped a single to left scoring Grillo and Dougherty. Mike Kauss followed with another bunt single and the pitcher threw it away, allowing Ciotti and Duran to score, before Alex Edwards finished it with an rbi single. Kell moves to 9-3 overall and 4-2 in Region 6 Batting - Duran 1B 2BI R, Kauss 1B R, Edwards 2H 1BI, Z.Grillo 1B, Turner 1B, B.Grillo BB R 1B, Dougherty 1B R Sac, Ciotti 1B R Pitching WP Knight 2-0 5IP 2K, Strack 1.2IP Snipes .1IP Save 2
March 30 - After 4 days of rain, Kell got back to playing baseball, and Justin Taylor didn't miss a beat. Taylor threw a complete game, 3 hit shutout as Kell beat Milton 3-0. Taylor got some early support as Kell scored in each of the first 2 innings. John Duran led off with a single and scored on Alex Edwards double to deep right field. In the second inning, Kell struck for 2 more runs after 2 were out. Ben Grillo doubled and scored on a triple by Kyle Ciotti. Ciotti alertly scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0. Errorless baseball by Kell and 2 double plays kept it that way to support Taylor's pitching. Kell improves to 8-3 overall and 3-2 in Region 6 Batting - Duran 1B BB 2SB R, Edwards 2B 1B 1BI, Z.Grillo 1B, B.Grillo 2B R, Madden BB Ciotti 3B 1BI R Pitching - Taylor WP 2-1 0ER 4K
March 24 - Kell went toe to toe with Georgia's third ranked team Tuesday night but fell short as Pope pulled away late for an 8-5 victory. Evan Koch held the Greyhounds to a single run over the first five innings. In the bottom of the fifth Kell took a 2-1 lead as designated hitter Adam Dupuis led off with a double. John Duran knocked in Dupuis and later scored on 2 Pope infield miscues. Pope busted through for 6 runs in the sixth inning, but Kell fought back again on a Zach Grillo double and an rbi single from Ben Hofmeister. This continued in the seventh as Alex Edwards singled and scored on Zach Engesser's home run over the left field fence. Engesser continued his hot hitting by adding 2 doubles also, but it was not enough to overcome Pope. Kell is now 7-3 overall and 2-2 in Region 6, but both losses are to the states 1st and 3rd ranked teams. Batting - Duran BB 1B R, Kauss Sac 1B, Edwards 2BB 1B R, Engesser 2 2B HR 2BI R, Z.Grillo BB 2B R, Dupuis 2B R, Hofmeister 1B 1BI Pitching Koch 5.1IP 3K, Strack .2IP, Glakas .1IP, Engesser .2IP
March 23 - In a battle of complete game pitching efforts, Kell's Justin Taylor made all the pitches he needed to make in twirling a 5 hit shutout. Taylor struck out 9 Walton batters and finished strong by striking out the side in the seventh inning. Walton's Chris Knauf pitched well also and allowed only 2 hits to the Longhorns. Both of Kell's hits came off the bat of Zach Engesser. Engesser's second hit, in the bottom of the fourth inning spelled the difference. After Zach Grillo reached on an error, Engesser drilled one over the leftfielders head and Grillo raced home from first with the games only run. Taylor received some solid defensive support as John Duran and Engesser turned 2 infield double plays and Reid Turner threw out a would be base stealer thwarting Walton scoring opportunities. Batting - Duran BB, Edwards BB, Z.Grillo R, Engesser 1B 3B 1BI Pitching - WP Taylor 7IP 0ER 9K
March 20 - Kell traveled to Alpharetta and returned with a 5-2 victory. The Longhorns starting pitcher Jason Knight allowed only one run, and got some solid relief help from Kenny Strack and Chris Snipes, who earned a save. Alpharetta trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the third and had a man on third with just one out when rightfielder Will Dougherty snared a well hit fly ball and fired a perfect strike to catcher Reid Turner for an inning ending double play. Kell had jumped on top in their half of the third when Zach Grillo doubled with the bases loaded scoring John Duran and Alex Edwards. In the fifth, Duran doubled and Edwards singled and both scored on rbi's from Dougherty and Zach Engesser. Duran scored again in the sixth on a single by Edwards. Batting Kauss BB, Duran 2BB HBP 2B 3R, Edwards 3H 2R 1BI, Turner BB HBP, Z.Grillo 2B 2BI, Dougherty BB 1BI, Engesser H,SF,1BI, Dupuis BB Pitching Knight 2.1 IP 1K, Strack WP 1-0 2.2 IP, Snipes 2 IP Save 4K
March 18 - Kell drops it's first Region 6 game to Roswell by a score of 6-3. Trailing 1-0 in the 4th inning Kell tied it up on an Alex Edwards single, a double from Reid Turner, and a sacrifice fly from Justin Taylor. Roswell regained the lead in their half of the inning, but Kell tied it again in the 5th inning on singles by Zachary Grillo, and Zach Engesser. Mike Kauss knocked in Grillo to knot it at 2-2. Roswell pulled away again, and Ben Grillo blasted a solo Home Run for Kell, but it was not enough to make up the difference. Batting Kauss 1BI, Edwards 1B R, Turner BB 2B, Taylor SF, Dougherty 1B, Z.Grillo 2H BB R, Engesser Sac 1B, B.Grillo HR R 1BI Pitching Taylor LP 5IP 3K, Snipes 1IP 1K
March 13 - Kell suffered its first loss of the season in a non-region contest with Woodstock by a score of 8-3. Kell took a 1-0 lead in the first as John Duran doubled and later scored when Reid Turner reached on a fielders choice. Woodstock scored 7 of their 8 runs in 2 innings as they combined some timely hitting with a few Kell mistakes to pull away. Evan Koch, who was impressive in his previous 2 pitching appearances, struggled a bit, but Chris Snipes, provided 3 plus innings of solid relief. Kell's 7th inning scoring was highlighted by an Austin Petrik triple knocking in Ben Grillo, who had singled. Petrik scored as Zach Engesser knocked him in with a fielders choice. Batting - Kauss H, Duran 2B 1B R, Turner 1BI, B.Grillo R H, Z.Grillo BB, Petrik 3B R, Engesser 1BI Pitching Koch LP 1.1IP, Snipes 3.2 IP, Glakas .1IP, Strack .2 Ip, Engesser 1IP
March 11 - With one swing of the bat, John Duran turned imminent defeat into victory as he knocked in the tying and winning runs of yet another thrilling late game rally from the Longhorns. Trailing 3-2 and down to their last 2 outs, Ben Grillo, and Ben Hofmeister both reached on infield miscues. Mike Kauss then moved both runners up a base with a ground out to first. Duran didn't waste any time, first pitch - Walkoff 2B - followed by a team party at home plate! The exact moment of victory, also represented the first lead of the night for Kell. Facing E. Paulding's ace, Zack Wheeler, Kell's hitters fought back from an early 2-0 deficit with 2 runs in the fourth inning. Several hitters worked the count late. Duran's walk was followed by a triple to right by Reid Turner and Alex Edwards delivered him with an RBI single. Justin Taylor pitched very well and came within one out of a complete game, striking out 7 along the way. Chris Snipes faced one batter, struck him out and picked up the win in relief. Batting - Duran R 2B BB 2BI, Turner 3B 1B R !BI, Dougherty SAC, Alex Edwards H 1BI, Zach Engesser H, Kyle Ciotti HBP, B.Grillo R, Ben Hofmeister, R Pitching Taylor 6.2IP 7K, Snipes .1IP WP 2-0 1K
March 10 - Jason Knight and Kenny Strack held Norcross hitters to just 4 hits as Kell pulls away for a 7-3 win at Norcross. Cruising through 4 innings, Knight retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced. A shaky fifth inning saw Knight and Strack struggle as Norcross tied it up at 3. However, Strack settled down to record a perfect sixth and seventh inning for the win. Mike Kauss and John Duran continued to set the table at the top of the lineup, reaching base a combined 7 of 8 appearances. Kyle Ciotti snapped the tie in the top of the sixth with a sacrifice fly plating Zachary Grillo. Two out hits from Kauss and Duran scored Zach Engesser and Kauss, as Kell pulled away late, ending with a solid 10 hit attack. Batting - Kauss 3H 1HBP 2R 2BI, Duran 2H 2B SB R 2BI, Edwards 2H, Turner 1BI, Will Dougherty BB H SB, Z.Grillo BB R, Taylor H BB, Dupuis SAC, Zach Engesser 2BB SACB H R, Ciotti SF 1BI Pitching - Knight 4IP 1K Strack WP 1-0 3IP 4K
March 7 - Zach Grillo lifted a sacrifice fly scoring Will Dougherty with the eventual winning run in the bottom of the sixth, as Kell rallied for 2 runs and fought back for a tight 4-3 win over visiting Peachtree Ridge. Ben Grillo started the inning with a single prior to Dougherty's triple. Trailing 3-1 in the fifth, Kell got one back on a Zach Grillo double and a single by Reid Turner, setting up the late rally. Kell got 4 solid innings of 1 run pitching from Evan Koch. Taylor Glakas relieved for 2 and Justin Taylor notched a save with a scoreless 7th inning. Batting - Kauss BB, Duran H, Edwards 2B, Turner H 1BI, Ciotti H 2SB, B. Grillo 2H SF R 1BI, Zach Engesser H, Will Dougherty 3B R 1BI, Z. Grillo 2B R 1BI Pitching - Koch 4IP 2K 1ER, Glakas WP 1-0 2IP Taylor Save 1 1IP 1K
March 4 - Kell's 2009 home opener results in tight 5-4 victory over the Redan Raiders. Getting only 4 hits off of Redans Patrick Smith, the Longhorns capitalized on base running opportunities generated from 5 walks and 1 hit batter. With 5 stolen bases resulting from the free passes, Kell took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Chris Snipes in relief of Justin Taylor, pitched well with 3 solid innings of relief and 5 strikeouts. Kenny Strack finished up for the save. Batting - Kauss 2B SF 2R 2 SB, Duran H SB R, Edwards BB H 1BI, Turner 1BI, Dougherty H SB, Hofmeister 2BB 2R, Madden SB, Pitching - Taylor 2.2IP 1K, Snipes WP 1-0 3IP 5K, Strack 1.1 IP Save 1K
March 3 - Kell Drills South Paulding 11-3. On a cold night, Kell had some hot bats and jumped on South Paulding with 5 runs in the first 2 innings. The Longhorns pounded out 11 hits, 5 of them doubles from Mike Kauss, John Duran, Zach Engesser, Zach Grillo, and Will Dougherty. Starter and winner Jason Knight cruised into the 4th inning and Evan Koch and Taylor Glakas finished up. 2 infield double plays highlighted the defensive effort. Batting - Kauss 3H 2B BB SB 4R, Duran 2B BB R 2BI, Edwards Sac R, Turner 2H R 2BI, Taylor H 1BI, Engesser SACF 2B SB 1BI R, Z.Grillo 2B 1BI, Ciotti 2BB 2SB 2R, Dougherty 2B 1BI 1R, Petrik 1H Pitching - WP Knight 1-0 3.2IP, Koch 2IP, Glakas 1.1IP
