Top-ranked Bears, No. 2 Aggies set for title runs
SPORTS REPORT BY CHRIS SHERMAN SA Sports Writer

I guess you can say it is becoming the norm for state championships to run through our neck of the woods whether it's football, softball, baseball or anything elsein which our schools participate in. This spring has been no different with Millry's softball team and Jackson and Leroy's baseball teams hanging out near the top of the ASWA polls all year.

Currently, Leroy and the Lady Wildcats hold the top spot in 2A and 1A while the Aggies sit comfortably at No. 2 in 4A. All three teams could be considered favorites in their classifications to bring home the blue trophy. But for now we will focus on baseball, with the playoffs beginning this week. I will preview softball in the coming weeks.

Let's start off by taking a look at the defending 2A state champion Leroy Bears. Coach Danny Powell's squad has spent the majority of the season ranked atop the 2A polls until a brief setback last week against Bayside Academy cost them the top spot briefly.

The Bears regrouped and one week later regained their throne at No. 1. LHS seized another area championship last week finishing up with a 7-1 mark in area play. "We have had a good season," coach Danny Powell said. "We are 25-3 and that is a pretty good percentage. We have beaten the No. 2 team (Jackson) in 4A a few times and that says something."

With possibly one of the best hitting clubs in the state, Leroy is almost a shoe-in for a deep run in the playoffs. Clint Moseley has had an incredible junior season in which he leads the team in batting average (.532), RBIs (42), is second in home runs with six and has posted a 7-1 record on the mound with a team-high 64 strikeouts. Brandon Jones has had an equally impressive campaign with a perfect 8-0 record on the hill while batting .478 with 26 RBIs. Sophomore Phillip Ervin, coming back from an injury, steps into the third spot in the pitching rotation. Slugger Chris Weaver has regained his 2007 form and leads the team in homers with seven, while Aerick Davis (.442) and Grant Brown (.419) round out an extremely dangerous batting order for Leroy.

After going 37-7 with a state championship last year, Leroy (25-3), will be a force again starting Friday at 4 p.m. at home against Red Level in the first round of the playoffs.

The Jackson Aggies, ranked No. 2 in 4A, may be the deepest team the area has to offer.

With an extremely talented roster that features University of Alabama signee Kent Myers, coach Jason Jones has to be licking his chops at the chance to bring home a championship trophy to Jackson.

The Aggies are batting .349 with 30 homers, 236 runs scored and 60-64 in stolen bases while posting a 3.46 team E.R.A.

Myer leads the team in batting (.516), home runs (8), RBIs (35), E.R.A. (2.72) and stolen bases (18). He is 6-2 on the hill.

Cody Bayles may be the biggest surprise of the season for JHS, rotating with Myer as the Aggies' top pitcher. His performance has been huge with the absence of one of last year's stars, Jamie Eckstein, out with an injury. Eckstein returned to the mound recently and could be a contributor if needed.

"We don't really have a true number one," Aggie coach Jason Jones said. "We feel comfortable with either Kent or Cody on the mound. We aren't sure who will start against Andalusia Friday night." Bayles is 6-1 with a 3.81 E.R.A and 44 strikeouts. Jeremy Armstead and William Taylor are other options on the mound.

Freshman Windham Jackson is second on the team in hitting with a .485 average with four home runs and 23 RBIs. Armstead is hot on his heals with a .413 average with six bombs. Jackson has been deadly on the bases this season, stealing 60-64.

The road to Montgomery will not be easy for the Aggies, but they are primed to make some noise beginning Friday at 4 p.m at home against Andalusia.

Jackson and Leroy are your top bets on making it to River Walk Park in Montgomery for the state championships but there are several other teams that also have a shot.

The Millry Wildcats (11-13) have played a brutal schedule and it has hurt coach Shane Hendry's overall record. But the Wildcats are getting some key players back from injury and do not be surprised if they make a return trip to Montgomery. They travel to J.U Blacksher Friday in first round action.

The Clarke County Bulldogs (16-10) have been a pesky club all year and could be a team to watch out for. CCHS travels to Straughn Friday for their first round game.

The Thomasville Tigers are a traditionally strong baseball club and will travel to Brewton to face-off with W.S. Neal Friday. McIntosh has been somewhat of a surprise this season and will travel to Sweet Water for a shot at advancing past the first round Friday.

With the season winding down and the playoffs approaching, let's sit back and see if once again our area can bring home a state championship. Good luck to all the teams!

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