Spring sports are just around the corner. There will still be a winter chill in the air for several weeks but pretty soon baseball fields will be turning green and the sounds of batting practices will echo from high school facilities in our area. Head varsity baseball coaches are gearing up for the 2017 season which is bound to produce some stellar performances by some outstanding athletes. In The Game High School Sports Magazine asked local coaches to give an inside the ballpark look at Columbus Valley teams. Fourteen coaches responded with a little background and also a forward look at the season ahead.
Name: Vince Massey
Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia
Education: Parkview High School, Middle Georgia College, Columbus State University
School: Brookstone School, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Cougars
Region/Classification: Region 4/Class A
2016 Overall Record: 20-7
2016 Region Record: 10-2
Career Record: 210-97
Highlights from last season: Finished second in our region Sweet Sixteen in the state playoffs. Culver Norred broke the school record for wins with 22. Drew Webb signed to play at CSU and Preston Campbell signed with Andrew College.
Expectations this season: A team that will grow up and get better as the season progresses.
Coaching staff: Asst. Coach, Scott Pethtel
Three major goals: For our team to develop the chemistry we had in 2016; To challenge for a region championship; To compete in the state playoffs
Biggest challenges: Our inexperienced players need to perform even though they have limited at bats and innings at the varsity level.
Greatest strengths: Even though many of our players are inexperienced, we will have seven seniors on the roster, so it is a mature group.
Key players to watch: Daniel Amos, Walker Cottrell, Trey Lingo, Banks Massey
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? The impact you can have on a teenagers’ life in a positive manner. These guys will never forget their experiences of being on this team and competing together. They are creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Name: Steve Smith
Hometown: Granby, MA
Education: Granby High School (Massachusetts), Holyoke Community College, Troy University
School: Calvary Christian School, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Knights
Region/Classification: GICAA-Division I/South Region
2016 Overall Record: 25-8
2016 Region Record: 3-1
Career Record: 63-23
Highlights from last season: Setting school record with 25 wins; winning 3rd straight Region Title; advancing to game 3 of Final Four
Expectations this season: Our goal each season is to win our region and compete for a state title every year. 2017 is an important year for our team as we return a very talented core that has experienced success of the last three seasons, specifically coming off 24 (2014) and 25 (2015) wins seasons and getting within 1 run of winning a state title.
Coaching staff: Rodney Rutherford, Scott Donohoe, Brandon Walker, Jackie Lyles, Steve Davis, Caleb Davis and Brent Wright
Three major goals: Contrive to build depth within our baseball program (middle school, JV and High school); win our 4th consecutive region title; win the first male sports state championship in Calvary’s history
Biggest challenges: Our biggest challenge each year is ensuring we have the depth to withstand a 30+ game season and overcome injuries that occur within the season.
Greatest strengths: We look for our pitching to be our greatest strength this year. We return all but one of our pitchers from 2016.
Key players to watch: Cody Russell, Jon Jon Brown, Nick Baker, Chris Wright, Kyle Ammons, Hunter Qualls, Bryce Andrews, Troy Anthony, Zachary Garcia, Stephen Smith, Jackson Conner, Will Dyer
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? Our coaching staff puts just as much emphasis on building these young men to be strong leaders with Christian values as we do on building a winning program. We try to be an extension of CCS as we try to teach the whole child the whole truth. Nothing is better as a coach than seeing a kid succeed both on and off the field.
Name: Andy Hicks
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
Education: Hardaway High School, CVCC, Columbus State University
School: Carver High School, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Tigers
Region/Classification: 1-4A
2016 Overall Record: 5-18
2016 Region Record: 1-17
Career Record: 1-1
Highlights from last season: Beat Shaw the last game of the season to win our first region game in 2 years, went 4-1 out of region
Expectations this season: I expect for us to build on our last win from last year and perform better than in previous years. I expect our guys to compete every game and possibly get to the state playoffs for the first time in school history.
Coaching staff: Patrick Creech and James Bennett, assistant varsity coaches; Brian Saccomano, Head JV coach and assistant varsity coach
Three major goals: Make it to state tournament; have at least one guy represent on All Bi-City/All-Region; have all of my seniors go to college
Biggest challenges: Playing in our region, lack of experience
Greatest strengths: Have a lot of seniors, should have good leadership, building on what we started last year
Key players to watch: Eric Jenkins, Dajon Davis, Karim Davis
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? Teaching kids lessons that apply on and off the field and that will stick with them their entire lives.
Name: Chad Mathis
Hometown: Tifton, Georgia
Education: Peach County High School, Andrew College, Columbus State University, Troy State University
School: Columbus School High, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Blue Devils
Region/Classification: 1-AAAA
2016 Overall Record: 25-8
2016 Region Record: 13-5
Career Record: 41-17
Highlights from last season: Making it to the 3rd Round (Quarter-Finals) against defending state champs (Houston County)
Expectations this season: Be really good every day at practice with all the little things that don’t take talent. Always take care of the minor details.
Coaching staff: Robert Morgan, McLendon Hill, Matt Rossi, Cam Greathouse, John Randall Lasseter
Three major goals: Develop team chemistry; communicate to develop leadership skills, sacrifice personal glory for the Team goal
Biggest challenges: Adopting the new pitch count rules and replacing 7 starters.
Greatest strengths: Pitching rotation and solid defense
Key players to watch: Gage Dempsey, Trent Grantham, Jonathan Brand, Clayton Duncan, Austin Foster
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? The ability to make an immediate impact on a young life!
Name: Tim Fanning
Hometown: Smiths, Alabama
Education: Jordan High School, Marshall University, Troy University (Masters)
School: Glenwood School, Phenix City, Alabama
Mascot: Gators
Region/Classification: Region 1/AAA
2016 Overall Record: 46-5
2016 Region Record: 6-0
Career Record: 453-124
Highlights from last season: State Champions, #24 Nationally
Expectations this season: Build on last year’s success, returning 12 seniors
Coaching staff: Josh McConnell, Tommy Claridy, Phil Stillwell, Matthew Barbston, Matt Saylor
Three major goals: Win region, play for a state championship, play with desire to improve throughout the season
Biggest challenges: Complacency
Greatest strengths: Pitching, speed, and defense
Key players to watch: Daniel Holley, Chase Dennis, Brandon Moseley, Josh Brown, Carson Allison
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? The opportunity to teach young men to be better fathers, husbands and servants to their community
Name: Chris Gilstrap
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
Education: Hardaway High School, Young Harris College, Columbus State University
School: Hardaway High School, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Hawks
Region/Classification: 1/AAAA
2016 Overall Record: 13-10
2016 Region Record: 9-9
Career record: 84-54 (five seasons)
Highlights from last season: Only team to defeat Northside (region champs), 2 of 3 game series, gained lots of experience
Expectations this season: Compete every game and be in position to play for a region championship at the end of the season
Coach staff: Mike Getkin, Blair Harrison, Eric Anthony
Three major goals for 2017: Win more games than last season, win Region 1-AAAA Championship, make deep playoff run
Biggest challenges: Lack of depth, not as many players in program as others
Greatest strengths: Pitching, returning 7 starters
Key players to watch: Mykel Page, Chandler Griggs, Chris Black, Jordan Manibusan, Ryan Anderson, Alex Beniss, Jonathan Manibusan, Hunter Duke, Tristan Driver
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? Teaching and coaching young men, teaching baseball and life lessons.
Name: Steve Westmoreland
Hometown: LaGrange, Georgia
Education: LaGrange High School, Central Alabama Community College, University of West Georgia
School: Harris County High School, Hamilton, Georgia
Mascot: Tigers
Region/Classification: 1/AAAAA
2016 Overall Record: 14-15
2016 Region Record: 10-7
Career Record: 173-113
Highlights from last season: 4th seed from Region 1-AAAAA. Lost in the first round of the state playoffs
Expectations for season: We expect to show up every day, compete, do things the right way, have fun while we’re doing it and hopefully, win a lot of games in the process.
Coaching staff: Tracy Powell, Matt Ward, Adam Bright, Wade Pirkle, Jamie Fox and Sammie Mathis
Three major goals: Compete and represent the Harris County community to the best of our abilities, Improve the physical and mental mistakes we made last season, and win the region championship.
Biggest challenges: We have really struggled to find guys that are willing to lead the right way through the good times and the bad. Our guys are learning and we hope someone steps forward.
Greatest strengths: Our strengths should be depth on the mound. We feel like we have 10-12 guys we can use at some point this season.
Key players to watch: Ross McKibben, Justin Brooks, Harry Rich, Brett Griffin
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? I think the best thing about coaching is the opportunity to witness the growth of our student athletes from their freshmen year through graduation.
Name: Tony Dimitri
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
Education: Jordan High School, CVCC, Columbus State University
School: Jordan Vocational High School, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Red Jackets
Region/Classification: 5-AA
2016 Overall record: 12-15
2016 Region Record: 9-7
Career Record: 77-56
Highlights from last season: Made playoffs 4th year in a row
Expectations this season: We have a good group of kids and the expectation is always to win the region.
Coaching staff: John Dimitri, Brandon Masters, Mike McCraine, Freddie Vazquez
Three major goals for 2017 season: Win Region, Win more games than year before, Advance in the state playoffs
Biggest Challenges: The long season of now 30 games plus playoffs; the new pitch count
Greatest strengths: We will have some good arms this year on the pitching staff
Key players to watch: John Kropaczewski, Bryce Long, Hunner Boswell, Austin Sanders, Sidney Phillips, Darius Stokes
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? Teaching kids how to play the game. Becoming leaders and understanding what it takes to compete at a high level.
Name: Trey Reeves
Hometown: Gainesville, Georgia
Education: Gainesville High School, Georgia Southwestern State University
School: Marion County High School, Buena Vista, Georgia
Mascot: Eagles
Region/Classification: 4-A
2016 Overall Record: 11-12
2016 Region Record: 3-9
Career Record: 11-12
Highlights from last season: We won a 16 inning game against Manchester 5-4. We were able to get may different players experience.
Expectations this season: I expect us to have a mixture of youth and experience.
Coaching staff: Monty Howard, Scott Colter
Three major goals this season: A winning record; compete within the region; make the playoffs
Biggest challenges: Our biggest challenge will be our youth.
Greatest strengths: We have two good senior leaders, Ryan Howard and JJ Fuller, who have both started for three years.
Key players to watch: JJ Fuller, Ryan Howard, Tyler Bearden, Austin Conner, Harrison Humbo
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? Being able to teach the game to the young players who are eager to learn. Being able to teach life through the ups and downs of the game.
Name: Dee Miller
Hometown: Winder, Georgia
Education: Winder-Barrow High School, Columbus State University, West Alabama (EdS Special Education)
School: Northside High School, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Patriots
Region/Classification: 1/AAAA
2016 Overall Record: 22-9
2016 Region Record: 14-4
Career Record: 57-27
Highlights from last season: Region Champs; 5 homeruns in one game against LaGrange
Expectations this season: I expect some guys with little or no varsity experience to step up and give us a chance to win some games.
Coaching staff: Steve Sparks, Derek Branch, David Buchanan, Greg Stotser, Chase Slocumb, Blake Cooper
Three major goals this season: Develop our players into a competitive team; Win Region; Win State
Biggest Challenges: Replacing 14 seniors that accounted for 594 plate appearances and 167 2/3 innings on the mound.
Greatest strengths: Returning senior starters
Key players to watch: Dalton Bradford, Seth Shadiz, Kenny Harrell, Chantler Valero, Connor Willis, Camden Mathis, Logan Coley, Josh Sayers
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? The relationships with the kids and the ability to work with them daily to become better baseball players, students and young men.
Name: Hart Mizzell
Hometown: McRae, Georgia
Education: Telfair County High School, Columbus State University
School: St. Anne-Pacelli, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Vikings
Region/Classification: 4-A West
2016 Overall record: 4-21
2016 Region Record: 3-9
Career Record: 4-21
Highlights from last season: (W) 2-1 Walk off homerun vs. Marion County at home
Expectations for this season: Compete for a sub-region title
Coaching staff: Assistant coaches, Chandler Guy and Carlo Brena
Three major goals for this season: Winning record; compete for sub-region title; make the playoffs
Biggest challenges: Young players and depth
Greatest strengths: Senior leadership
Key players to watch: Avery Ross, Warner Adcock, Max Eikelberry
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? Being able to positively impact kids in a formative time in their life; mentor kids, teach in the classroom, etc.
Name: Pat McGregor
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
Education: Columbus High School, Columbus State University
School: Shaw High School, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Raiders
Region/Classification: 1/AAAA
2016 Overall Record: 11-15
2016 Region Record: 6-12
Career Record: ??
Highlights from last season:
Expectations this season: To continue to work hard and improve
Coaching staff: Ben Hudson, Rad Mitchell, Mark Hemmings, Chuck Stamey
Three major goals this season: Work hard; improve; be competitive in 1-AAAA
Biggest challenges: The depth and quality of the programs we face in our region and in the bi-city area.
Greatest strengths: Players work hard and are coachable; great coaching staff around me
Key players to watch: Wesley Johnson, Alex Marguard, Andrew Tillery, Brian Trepanier, Liam Corbose, Kaleb Podger, Bubba Pearson, Iam Udy, Owen Lokerman
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? The relationships with the players, coaches and other members of the baseball community.
Name: Dave Kovalik
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Education: Mount Pleasant High School, PA, Lock Haven University, PA
School: Spencer High School, Columbus, Georgia
Mascot: Greenwave
Region/Classification: 2/AA
2016 Overall Record: 0-17
Career record: 1st Year Coach
Highlights from last season: N/A
Expectations for this season: I expect a lot of hustle and determination.
Coaching staff: Coach B. Hubbard, Coach A. Ciaccio
Three major goals for this season: To be competitive in the region; To rebuild the baseball program at Spencer; To have my seniors recruited by colleges
Biggest challenges: Depth in my pitching rotation; Competing in a non-region schedule
Greatest strengths: Senior Leadership; Support from my administrative AD
Key players to watch: Fred Abrahms, Issiah Austin, Tito Barboza
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? Being a part of a team of coaches and players that want to succeed on and off the field.
Name: Bobby Howard
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
Education: Jordan High School, Columbus State University, Georgia Southwestern, Troy State University
School: Central High School, Phenix City, Alabama
Mascot: Red Devils
Region/Classification: 7A
2016 Overall Record: 27-14
2016 Region Record: 5-0
Career Record: N/A
Highlights from last season: Made the Area Playoffs for the first time in three years.
Expectations for this season: We like our club. We have six returning starters.
Coaching staff: AJ Kehoe, Greg Mathis, Will Howard, Seth Gorman, Don Bice, Eric Skinner Bart Butler, Hunter Dawkins, Cody Walker and Larry Knox
Three major goals for this season: Be as good as we can be; Be better than last year; Make another run at the playoffs
Biggest challenges: We have got to get better defensively.
Greatest strengths: Experience on the mound, top three hitters are back and we have six returning starters.
Key players to watch: Evan Baber, Slade Gorman, Tanner Belcher
What is the best thing about coaching high school baseball? You are trying to coach baseball but it’s really the young men you are trying to help through the game of baseball to be successful. Coaching the game of baseball gives you the opportunity to help young men become successful.
Columbus Valley/January 2017
Area Varsity Baseball Coaches
Columbus Valley
By Beth Welch
Photos by Jerry Christenson
Play Ball!
