Claxton pitcher Matthew Rogers is in the same boat with the rest of the Tigers. They’re in the Top 10 in the state (Class A), and they’ve never played a postseason game.
“It’s a new experience for everybody,” said Rogers. “I’m glad we could do it with (seniors) Kelvin (Goodson) and Harley (Hendrix) and all them. I’ve been playing with them since my freshman year.”
Working his way into the cleanup spot, Rogers is leading the team in homeruns (6) and is second on the team in batting average (.439).
Hurling a fastball in the mid-80’s, the CHS junior is also 5-1 on the mound, and leads the team in strikeouts with 53.
“He’s our gas,” said Claxton coach Donny Sikes. “If we like our matchup with somebody who can’t catch up with the heat, that’s our guy. When he’s really dangerous is when he has that ‘deuce’ working. In that game against Portal when he had 14 strikeouts … he really had (his curveball) working for him.”
Helping the Tigers to their first region championship since 1954, Rogers is excited to be one of the leaders into the first playoff appearance of all of their young careers. Never mind the fact that they split the title with Calvary and ended up with a No. 2 seed after coming up on the losing end of a coin flip.
“Either way, we’re going to have a chance to go all the way,” said Rogers. “Being a No. 2 seed (puts) more pressure on us. (If we) get it done, we’ll get more respect.”
Screven relay team wins state
The Screven County 400-meter relay team of Kayla Parrish, Stephanie Scott, Brittany Lawton and Lauren Lipsey took home a state title this past weekend in Albany, Ga. The girls ran a time of 48.805.
The Lady Gamecocks finished almost a full second ahead of second place Early County in the race.
The girls actually fell behind ECHS in qualifying, and SC track coach John McAfee sensed a little nervous energy from his girls prior to the final. But the Lady Gamecocks took over the race in leg 2 and led the rest of the way for the win.
“It’s a new experience for everybody,” said Rogers. “I’m glad we could do it with (seniors) Kelvin (Goodson) and Harley (Hendrix) and all them. I’ve been playing with them since my freshman year.”
Working his way into the cleanup spot, Rogers is leading the team in homeruns (6) and is second on the team in batting average (.439).
Hurling a fastball in the mid-80’s, the CHS junior is also 5-1 on the mound, and leads the team in strikeouts with 53.
“He’s our gas,” said Claxton coach Donny Sikes. “If we like our matchup with somebody who can’t catch up with the heat, that’s our guy. When he’s really dangerous is when he has that ‘deuce’ working. In that game against Portal when he had 14 strikeouts … he really had (his curveball) working for him.”
Helping the Tigers to their first region championship since 1954, Rogers is excited to be one of the leaders into the first playoff appearance of all of their young careers. Never mind the fact that they split the title with Calvary and ended up with a No. 2 seed after coming up on the losing end of a coin flip.
“Either way, we’re going to have a chance to go all the way,” said Rogers. “Being a No. 2 seed (puts) more pressure on us. (If we) get it done, we’ll get more respect.”
Screven relay team wins state
The Screven County 400-meter relay team of Kayla Parrish, Stephanie Scott, Brittany Lawton and Lauren Lipsey took home a state title this past weekend in Albany, Ga. The girls ran a time of 48.805.
The Lady Gamecocks finished almost a full second ahead of second place Early County in the race.
The girls actually fell behind ECHS in qualifying, and SC track coach John McAfee sensed a little nervous energy from his girls prior to the final. But the Lady Gamecocks took over the race in leg 2 and led the rest of the way for the win.
