The 1989 Evans High School baseball team finished with a perfect 29-0 mark in Class-AAAA, (Georgia’s highest classification at the time) and claimed the school’s second consecutive state title. The team was led by former veteran big leaguer Todd Greene.
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Greene had one of the finest seasons in Georgia baseball history. He blasted 17 home runs (the previous school record was seven) and drove in a state-leading 55 runs at the plate. On the mound, despite not pitching until his senior year, he was unhittable and finished with a perfect 10-0 record.
Over the last 32 years, no other public school in Georgia has been able to complete a perfect season. There have been close calls. As a matter of fact, Greenbrier’s 2006 squad (which boasted four future SEC and ACC players and three future draft picks) won the state title, but they were one game away from perfection, finishing 35-1. Evans’ record will stand for at least one more season, as the nation’s No. 1 team was knocked off this week.
Buford High School entered the state playoffs 29-0, ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 1 nationally. They feature the nation’s top ranked player in the Class of 2023 in junior righthander Dylan Lesko, who approaches 100 miles per hour with his fastball. Buford rolled to a first round sweep and entered their round two matchup with Pope at 31-0. The Wolves took game one 8-1 to improve to 33-0. However, Pope took game two with a score of 1-0 in 11 innings to keep Evans’ mark intact. The next day, Pope ousted Buford 5-3 to eliminate them from the playoffs.
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Two Traditional Powers Making Deep Playoff Run
Both Harlem and Greenbrier have established tremendous reputations as baseball powerhouses. They each have enjoyed stellar campaigns in 2021 and have advanced to the Elite 8 in their respective classifications. The Bulldogs rode a hot-hitting Trystan McCladdie to get past a solid Mary Persons squad two games to one.
The game three victory improved Harlem’s record to 28-6 and earned the Bulldogs a spot in the Class-AAA Quarterfinals. Greenbrier is also headed to the Quarterfinals in Class-AAAAA. The Wolfpack swept baseball powerhouse Calhoun High School and now stand at 26-5 on the season. Greenbrier righthander Tyler Rowland ran his record to 10-0 with a complete game shutout in game two of the series.
Here is a look at their Round Three matchups.
Class-AAA
Ringgold (27-6) @ Harlem (28-6)
Class-AAAAA
Starr’s Mill (25-9) @ Greenbrier (26-5)
Do not let the nine losses for Starr’s Mill fool you. They played a brutally tough schedule and feature seven early college signees.
Both matchups will feature a doubleheader on Monday, May 10 and a decisive third game, if necessary, on Tuesday, May 11.
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No Sports Illustrated Curse Here
All sports fans have heard of the ‘Sports Illustrated Curse.’ For years, athletes that would be featured on the cover of the magazine seemed to be dealt a terrible fate. Whether it be injuries, a slump, or off the field issues, something bad seemed to follow the notoriety of being on the cover. Well, the opposite seems to be happening for the athletes we have featured in The Augusta Press.
Here are some updates on a few of our previous stories.
Zep Jasper (Laney HS)
Jasper helped lead Laney to a state title during his incredible prep career. Now, he is headed to the SEC. Jasper elevated his game this season at College of Charleston to become an All-Conference performer. He was already known as one of the best defensive guards in the country, but this season he showcased his ability to score.
Jasper poured in a career high 15.6 points per game along with 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest. Following his breakout season, Jasper entered the NCAA’s transfer portal. After sifting through nearly a dozen major offers, Jasper chose to sign with Bruce Pearl at Auburn.
Jasper will likely wear #12 for the Tigers, but he will not be the first Richmond County player to suit up for Auburn with that number. Former ARC star Gerald White was a four-year starter for Auburn from 1984-1987 and led the Tigers to the 1987 Elite 8.
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Nick Sandlin (Greenbrier)
The side-armed righthander pitched so well in spring training, I featured him in a story about local players who may start the season in the big leagues. Well, Sandlin did not make the opening day roster for Cleveland. But the Indians, who drafted him in the second round in 2019, did not waste much time in calling him up. Sandlin made his big leagues debut last Friday in Chicago.
With his family and a host of friends in attendance, Sandlin pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning, which included a strikeout. In his second outing, he retired all four batters he faced in another Cleveland win. Sandlin does not appear to be fazed by pitching at the highest level. Do not be surprised if he has a home for a long time in Cleveland’s bullpen.
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D’Ante Smith (Grovetown)
A few weeks ago, we chronicled the impressive week that offensive tackle D’Ante Smith had at the Senior Bowl. The former Grovetown standout was already on the radar of NFL teams, but that week he guaranteed himself a shot at being drafted. That indeed happened last week for the East Carolina product, as the Cincinnati Bengals selected Smith in the fourth round. He will wear #70 for his new team and will join a squad that is being talked about as a sleeper pick for the playoffs next season out of the AFC.
Ashley Brown is a sports columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at ashley.brown@recteq.com.
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