Crawford Simmons has become a strikeout machine.
In last Thursday’s 5-0 win over Lakeside, the junior lefty sat down 15 in just six innings, dealing hard fast balls and nasty change-ups to shut down the Panthers in Statesboro’s home finale.
“He was sick,” said teammate Luke Connell after the game. “I mean how good is he every night?”
Pretty good.
Simmons has racked up 76 strikeouts in 442⁄3 innings this season. He dropped his ERA to .50 and improved his record to 5-1.
“When Crawford’s pitching, we just feel if we get a handful of runs we’re in a good position,” said shortstop Josh Ware.
He’s right. Simmons has allowed just eight hits and four earned runs this year.
“Nothing against anybody else — but Crawford’s a good pitcher,” said SHS coach Chris Bishop last week. “(Simmons) and Tony Hill is what’s going to make us tough in a three-game series.”
Simmons has developed his fast ball largely due to an off-season workout to increase his velocity. When his change-up’s on, the curve ball is almost unnecessary.
Simmons and the Blue Devils travel to Wayne County for a doubleheader Friday starting at 4 p.m.
“I just hope I can keep fighting throughout the season and help us go as deep as we can,” said Simmons. “If me and Tony throw like we can we’ll be just fine.”
Girls: Blackburn leading SCHS tennis
By the looks of things, it was hard to tell Kate Blackburn was winning her opening round match of the state tournament against Cook County 6-0, 6-0.
“Kate! What are you doing?!” she could be heard yelling to her self Tuesday in Sylvania.
“If I don’t hit it in a certain spot I just get really frustrated,” said Blackburn. “When I feel like I could have hit it better that’s when I get frustrated.”
Blackburn’s efforts helped the Lady Gamecocks sweep Cook in the first round of the GHSA Class AA state tournament.
The consummate team player, Blackburn deflected praise to her teammates.
“I think our whole team should get the award and not just me,” she said. “We all come out here and practice hard every day.”
Blackburn has been a member of six region championship teams, two in softball and four in tennis. She improved her singles record over the past two seasons to 33-12. Blackburn also has a career doubles record of 31-3.
Blackburn and SCHS will look towards round two of the playoffs and ultimately hope to win a state championship.
“We’re going to do out best,” Blackburn said.
In last Thursday’s 5-0 win over Lakeside, the junior lefty sat down 15 in just six innings, dealing hard fast balls and nasty change-ups to shut down the Panthers in Statesboro’s home finale.
“He was sick,” said teammate Luke Connell after the game. “I mean how good is he every night?”
Pretty good.
Simmons has racked up 76 strikeouts in 442⁄3 innings this season. He dropped his ERA to .50 and improved his record to 5-1.
“When Crawford’s pitching, we just feel if we get a handful of runs we’re in a good position,” said shortstop Josh Ware.
He’s right. Simmons has allowed just eight hits and four earned runs this year.
“Nothing against anybody else — but Crawford’s a good pitcher,” said SHS coach Chris Bishop last week. “(Simmons) and Tony Hill is what’s going to make us tough in a three-game series.”
Simmons has developed his fast ball largely due to an off-season workout to increase his velocity. When his change-up’s on, the curve ball is almost unnecessary.
Simmons and the Blue Devils travel to Wayne County for a doubleheader Friday starting at 4 p.m.
“I just hope I can keep fighting throughout the season and help us go as deep as we can,” said Simmons. “If me and Tony throw like we can we’ll be just fine.”
Girls: Blackburn leading SCHS tennis
By the looks of things, it was hard to tell Kate Blackburn was winning her opening round match of the state tournament against Cook County 6-0, 6-0.
“Kate! What are you doing?!” she could be heard yelling to her self Tuesday in Sylvania.
“If I don’t hit it in a certain spot I just get really frustrated,” said Blackburn. “When I feel like I could have hit it better that’s when I get frustrated.”
Blackburn’s efforts helped the Lady Gamecocks sweep Cook in the first round of the GHSA Class AA state tournament.
The consummate team player, Blackburn deflected praise to her teammates.
“I think our whole team should get the award and not just me,” she said. “We all come out here and practice hard every day.”
Blackburn has been a member of six region championship teams, two in softball and four in tennis. She improved her singles record over the past two seasons to 33-12. Blackburn also has a career doubles record of 31-3.
Blackburn and SCHS will look towards round two of the playoffs and ultimately hope to win a state championship.
“We’re going to do out best,” Blackburn said.