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Local Roundup: Devils earn state playoff berth
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    JESUP — Statesboro exploded for 21 runs over two games and swept Wayne County to earn a spot in the GHSA Class AAAA state baseball playoffs on Friday.
    The Blue Devils (13-10, No. 4 seed) put Wayne (14-8, No. 1 seed) away in the bottom of the fifth with a walk-off, 2-run homer from Tony Hill to mercy-rule the Jackets, 10-0.
    Josh Ware had a two-run double in a four-run second and Zack Taylor singled home a run to make it 5-0. Taylor added a solo shot in the fourth to push the lead to eight.
    Junior Crawford Simmons was once again impressive, winning his sixth game of the year in the shutout.     
    In Game One, Statesboro jumped out to a 7-0 lead.
    The Devils scored three in the first, three in the second and a single run in the third helped by three Wayne County errors.
    The Jackets came back with two in the third, two in the fourth and a solo homerun in the fifth.
    Aaron Cone and Ware provided some insurance in the seventh. Cone singled with a one-out single making it 8-5 and after another WCHS error made it 9-5, Ware doubled to make it 11-5.
    Hill got the complete-game win on the mound for SHS despite allowing seven runs and eight walks. He struck out 11.
    Wayne left the bases loaded  to end the game.

Shehan named to Howser watch
    DALLAS, Texas — The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, working in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, has released the watch list of 50 candidates for the Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in collegiate baseball.
    Georgia Southern junior outfielder Chris Shehan (Strasburg, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) is one of the 50 finalists on the ballot. The junior outfielder paces the Eagles offense in: batting average (.462), runs scored (60), home runs (14), slugging percentage (.840), on-base percentage (.582) and walks (39) while standing second hitting 13 doubles.
    This week Shehan was ranked among the ‘Top 25’ nationally in eight different categories, including a top ranking in on-base percentage. Shehan’s current .462 season batting average would tie Derrell Baker for first place in program history. A two-time Southern Conference ‘Player of the Week’, Shehan also earned national Player of the Week honors and was the SoCon’s top offensive player in the month of March. He is one of two players from the Southern Conference listed.
    The membership of the NCBWA will choose the Dick Howser Trophy based on three rounds of voting. The 2008 winner will be announced at the College World Series in Omaha on Saturday, June 14, at 10:00 a.m. CDT.
    The Dick Howser Trophy, given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987, is regarded by many as college baseball's most prestigious award.
    Criteria for consideration for the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life.
    The winner's name is inscribed on the permanent trophy, a bronze bust of Howser permanently displayed at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Both the winner and his school receive a special trophy to keep.

GSU volleyball releases schedule
    Two home tournaments highlight the 2008 Georgia Southern volleyball schedule announced first-year head coach Chad Callihan.
    The 2008 season marks the first time GSU has hosted two tournaments in the same year.
    The new campaign kicks off Aug. 29 with the Georgia Southern Invitational as the Eagles welcome Jacksonville, Presbyterian and Central Florida to Statesboro.
    GSU next ventures to Macon to participate in the Mercer Tournament Sept. 5-6 and return home Sept. 19-20 to host the Georgia Southern Bash in the Boro. Charleston Southern, UNC Wilmington and Eastern Michigan will provide the opposition.
    The final non-conference tune-up will be the South Florida Tournament, Sept. 19-20.
    Southern Conference play begins Sept. 24 at Davidson, followed by matches at home against Chattanooga (Sept. 27) and new SoCon member Samford (Sept. 28).
    The Eagles begin a four-match road swing Oct. 3 at Charleston, followed by The Citadel (Oct. 4), Western Carolina (Oct. 10) and Callihan’s former school, Appalachian State (Oct. 12).
    Oct. 14 sees the first of three straight at home with a rematch vs. Davidson and then Elon (Oct. 19) and UNC Greensboro (Oct. 20).
    Georgia Southern closes October with road tilts at Wofford (Oct. 25) and Furman (Oct. 26) then open November away from home at Samford (Nov. 1) and Chattanooga (Nov. 2).
    The regular season ends with a four-match homestand. GSU welcomes The Citadel (Nov. 7), Charleston (Nov. 9) Furman (Nov. 14) and Wofford (Nov. 15) to Statesboro.
    The 2008 Southern Conference Tournament will be held Nov. 21-23 in Greensboro, N.C.

Splash to host Youth Triathlon
    Splash in the Boro Family Waterpark and Aquatic Center will host the first Splashy’s Youth Triathlon on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. inside Mill Creek Regional Park in Statesboro.
    Boys and girls, ages 7 to 17, can compete in this triathlon. It is broken down into four age divisions to equalize the field while distances are adjusted to create a more safe and fun-filled experience.
    Ages 7 to 9 will swim 50 yards, bike two miles and run1⁄2 mile. Ages 10 to 12 will swim 100 yards, bike two miles and run one mile. Ages 13 to 15 will swim 150 yards, bike 3.5 miles and run 11⁄2 miles. Ages 16 to 17 will Swim 200 yards, bike five miles and run 21⁄2 miles.
    Triathlon’s incorporate swimming, biking, and running for a fun and exciting endurance race for all ages and skill levels. The swim portion will be held in the competition pool at Splash in the Boro, while the biking and running portions will be held inside Mill Creek Regional Park.  The younger age group will start at 2 p.m. with each older age group going in order once the group before them are finished.
    Registration for Splashy’s Youth Triathlon is being held at the Honey Bowen Building on Fair Road (M-F 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.), or online at www.splashintheboro.com. If there are still openings, race day registration will also be available between the hours of Noon and 1 p.m. only. Cost is $25 per athlete if registered by April 18. After this deadline, cost is $35 per athlete. There is a $5 discount for additional siblings.  Participants will receive a gift bag, T-shirt, and be eligible for door prizes during the event.
    For more information on Splashy’s Youth Triathlon, please call Steve Brown at (912) 489-9047 or visit www.splashintheboro.com.

Sav. Area Golf Classic to be held May 9th
    Georgia Southern University head football coach Chris Hatcher and Southern Boosters will host the 2008 Georgia Southern University Savannah Area Golf Classic, Friday, May 9th. The event will be held at the Crosswinds Golf Club in Savannah. The golfing event will benefit Georgia Southern University's Football program.
    The entry fee is $90 per player and includes a meal after the round and two drink tickets during the tournament. Hole sponsorships are available for $100. Signs acknowledging the sponsor will be located on each tee box. Tee-time is 1:00 pm. Awards and Coach Hatcher's remarks will be held at the conclusion.
    Players of all skill levels are welcome to participate in this event. The captain's choice format will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
    Those individuals or businesses interested in becoming a hole sponsor or playing in the event should call the Southern Boosters Office at (912) 681-5520. Deadline to sign up is May 1.

    If you have a score to report, please call the Herald Sports Desk at (912) 489-9408.