story by Patrick Yost • photos by Patrick Yost

MCHS team to solidify with junior talent

By Jessica Blomquist
Staff Writer

    The Diamond Dogs went 2 for 2 at a tournament in Rome last week.
    The team started out strong in their first contest of the tournament on June 20, besting Cass High School with a final score of 7-4. Drew Stapleton led off the bottom of the first with a solo homerun. After reaching base, J.D. Hawkins scored on a sac fly from Eddy Diaz to finish up the bottom of the first inning. Pitcher Dylan Jaskowiak showed outstanding pitching effort by throwing for 5 2/3 innings to pick up the win. Clay Duvall pitched the final inning, picking up the save. The Dogs fell to Pierce County High School in their second game.
    The third game of the tournament, against Rome High School, was “a pitcher’s duel,” said Varsity Coach Brandon Patch in an e-mail interview.
    “Clay Duvall was outstanding on the mound.”
    Duvall threw a complete game to pick up the win, only allowing three hits, walking two, and with no earned runs. The Dogs won with a final score of 2-1.
    Dylan Peppers was the starting pitcher in the final game of the tournament against Grayson High School.
    He pitched three innings before Eddy Diaz came in as relief. Both pitchers did a good job of getting several ground ball outs, said Patch.
     Offensive leaders for the game were Caleb Duvall, who went 2 for 4 with one run scored, and Wesley Barrett who went 2 for 2 with one walk.
    Despite being down 8-3 in the final inning, the Dogs rallied to score four more runs, ending the game with a score of 7-8 against Grayson.
    “The Grayson game was a great test for our mental toughness,” Patch said. “Our guys stayed focused and never quit.”

story by Greg Sullivan
 photos by Angelina Bellebuono

By Greg Sullivan
Sports Editor

The Diamond Dogs returned from their tournament trip to Oconee County last week with some good results, picking up three wins in four contests.
"I was really pleased with our pitching throughout the weekend," said Diamond Dogs Head Coach Brandon Patch. "And our defense was improved."
The team started off on the right foot, beating Monroe Area last week 11-6 behind five strong innings from pitcher Clay Duvall.
The Dogs also got a boost from a six-run fifth inning. Offensive leaders were J.D. Hawkins, who went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI, and Dusty Mines who went 4 for 4.
The wins continued on Friday as the Dogs handled Hebron Christian 8-1.
Drew Stapleton picked up the win after a solid six inning outing.
The Dogs' lone loss in last week's action was a game that was called short against West Forsyth due to time limits. The team lost 12-9, despite putting seven runs in the fifth inning before time was called, stifling their rally.
The Dogs got things going in the right direction again on Sunday when they picked up a 6-2 win over Oglethorpe, a team that had Morgan County's number in the spring.
Caleb and Clay Duvall combined for a three-hitter in the win. Caleb went five innings, striking out four batters and allowing just two hits.
Clay Duvall allowed just one hit in his two innings of relief.
Also, notably, the Dogs only gave up one error combined in the course of their three wins.
The team heads to Rome next weekend for another tournament which Patch said should put his team to the test.
"We're really excited and I'm excited about it," he said of the looming trip. "I look forward to the competition."

story by Jessica Blomquist • photos by Greg Sullivan