Atkinson County Baseball

ATCO OPENS SEASON WITH A SECOND PLACE FINISH IN THE SATILLA RIVER CLASSIC The Rebels went 3-1 in the Satilla River Classic at Ware County High School. In the first game ATCO defeated Bacon County, a very good class AA opponent, 6-2 behind the complete game four hit pitching effort of freshman Cam Newmans. Offensively, Michael Tucker had two hits with two RBI's. Shane Newmans and Jarred Morris each added RBI doubles. Bacon County starting pitcher Jeremy Taylor pitched well in the loss. In the second game ATCO defeated class AAA foe Appling County 7-0. Jarred Morris pitched a complete game two hitter while striking out ten batters. Michael Tucker and Kenneth Burch both had two hits including RBI doubles. The Rebels stole twelve bases in the game. In game three the Rebels moved to 3-0 on the season by defeating class AAA opponent Pierce County 8-4. Kenneth Burch picked up the win by allowing only 3 hits and no earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Shane Newmans came on to pitch 1 2/3 innings of no-hit relief for the save. Offensively the Rebels were led by Michael Tucker who was 2-4 with a massive opposite field homerun. Antonio Lott, Jarred Morris, Cam Newmans, Shane Newmans, and Henry Sheffield all added 1 hit each to the Rebel attack. In the championship game, ATCO suffered its 1st loss of the season 8-4 at the hands of class AAAAA Ware County High. Michael Tucker hit his 2nd homerun of the year and only allowed 5 hits and 4 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings on the hill. Shane Newmans got the final 2 outs on the hill allowing no hits. Jarred Morris, Shane Newmans, and Dale Spivey each had a hit in the game. ATCO OVER BERRIEN ATCO defeated Berrien County 8-6 at Valdosta State University. Michael Tucker was the winning pitcher and Shane Newmans picked up his third save of the season. Shane Newmans also led the Rebels offensive attack with a perfect 4 for 4 performance at the plate that included a single, 2 doubles, and a massive homerun. Jarred Morris added 2 hits for the Rebels and scored 3 runs. Kenneth Burch, Cam Newmans, Jake Rowe, and Dale Spivey each had a hit. ATCO OVER TELFAIR The JV Rebels rasied their record to 1-1 with an 8-5 victory over Telfair. Ricardo Rowles and Jesse Martinez combined for the win. In the Varsity game Jarred Morris pitched 5 innings for the 12-4 win. Shane Newmans pitched the last 2 inning striking out 5. Kenneth Burch had 3 hits for the Rebels including a homerun. Jarred Morris and Cale Spivey added 2 hits each. Telfair starting pitcher JoJo Batten pitched well until the Rebels broke the game open in the 4th inning. ATCO OVER ST.EDWARDS The 4th ranked Atkinson County Rebels took 2 games from St. Edwards (Vero Beach, Fl.) on Saturday at South Georgia College. In the first game of the double-header, ATCO came from behind in the 7th inning to win 5-4. With the score 4-3 the Rebels loaded the bases with no one out and Shane Newsmans delivered a 2 run double down the left-field line to put the game away. Jarred Morris pitched 7 innings in picking up the win. Morris is now 3-0 on the season. Michael Tucker and Kenneth Burch both added doubles for the Rebels and Antonio Lott scored 2 runs. In game 2 the Rebels won 5-0. Michael Tucker had 9 strikeouts and only 2 walks (1BB & 1 HBP) in the complete game victory. Shane Newmans and Jonathon Batten both doubled for the Rebels while 6 other Rebels had a single each. The Rebels are now 8-1 on the season. The baseball program would like to thank SGC for the use of their facility (it is really nice). Also, thanks to Coach Shaw and St. Edwards for traveling 7 hours to play. St. Edwards has a very good young team (no seniors) that will compete well for years to come in their region (a region that has produced the last 3 Class 2 state champs in Florida). ATCO OVER WILCOX The Rebels, now 9-1 on the season, defeated Wilcox County 18-6 in 5 innings Wednesday night. Cam Newmans (3-0) went the distant on the mound to pick up the win. He only allowed Wilcox 4 hits and 2 earned runs. Offensively, the Rebels pounded out 11 hits. ATCO was led by Jarred Morris who was 3 for 3 with 4 RBI's and Kenneth Burch who was 2 for 2 with 2 RBI's. Also, Jake Rowe belted a 2-run homerun and Shane Newmans, Michael Tucker, Henry Sheffield, Cale Spivey, and Dale Spivey each had a hit. Aside from the game, the Rebels' are praying for the Wilcox player who was hit in the eye by a line-drive in the batting cage. Coach Harris has a classy group of young men and his team is much better than what the scoreboard showed. ATCO OVER LANIER The #4 ranked Atkinson County Rebels beat Lanier County 10-0 in 5 innings on Friday in Pearson. On the mound, starter Michael Tucker did not allow a hit or walk while striking out 6 in 3 perfect innings of work. Shane Newmans pitched the final 2 innings and gave up Lanier's only hit of the game. Lanier starter Ashley Cooper took the loss. Offensively, ATCO pounded out 12 hits. 8 of the 9 Rebel starters each had at least 1 hit AND 1 RBI. Dale Spivey hit a 2-run homerun and Antonio Lott, Jake Rowe, Cale Spivey, Michael Tucker each had 2 hits. The Rebels are now 10-1 on the season and 2-0 in Region 1A. ATCO FALLS TO CLINCH The Atkinson County Rebels fell to Clinch County 5-4 on Tuesday night. Clinch singled in 2 runs with 2 outs and 2 strikes on the hitter in the 7th inning to come from behind and win. The Rebel helped Clinch's cause by making several key defensive mistakes and by leaving 7 runners in scoring position. Michael Tucker pitched well enough to win by striking out 11 and allowing only 2 earned runs in 6 innings. Shane Newmans did a fine job in relief striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Shane Newmans was 2 for 3 at the plate. Jarred Morris, Michael Tucker, Cale Spivey, Jake Rowe, and Jonathon Batten each had 1 hit. The Rebels stole 8 bases on the night. Clinch County pitcher Rance Morgan picked up the win in relief of Rhett Barber. ATCO OVER BACON The #4 ranked Atkinson County Rebels defeated Bacon County 12-0 in 5 innings on Wednesday afternoon in Pearson to up their record to 11-2 on the season. Jarred Morris pitched a complete game shutout to raise his pitching record to 4-0. Morris also led the offensive attack with 3 hits including a homerun and 3 RBI. Jonathon Batten (2 doubles) and Kenneth Burch each had 2 hits and 3RBI. Cale Spivey, Dale Spivey , and Antonio Lott each added a hit for the Rebels. ATCO OVER PELHAM On the first afternoon of spring break, the #4 ranked Atkinson County Rebels played JUST well enough to defeat Pelham 7-2. ATCO's record is now 12-2 overall and 3-1 in Region 1A. On the mound, Kenneth Burch and Shane Newmans combined to pitch a 2 hitter. Newmans picked up the win. At the plate, Cale Spivey had 2 hits and Shane Newmans, Kenneth Burch, Jake Rowe, Jonathon Batten, and Antonio Lott each had 1 hit. ATCO DROPS 2 IN FLORIDA The Atkinson County Rebels dropped 2 games in Florida over the weekend. On Thursday, ATCO's game with Arlington Country Day at Jacksonville University was rained out and not rescheduled. On Friday, the Rebels lost to Baldwin High School by the score of 7-5. Shane Newmans gave up his first earned runs of the year and picked up the loss in relief of starter Michael Tucker. Kenneth Burch was 4 for 4 at the plate with 2 RBI and Michael Tucker, Jonathon Batten, and Antonio Lott each had 1 hit. On Saturday, the Rebels lost to First Coast Christian School by the score of 6-5. Jarred Morris pitched well in the loss. Several defensive and offensive mistakes cost the Rebels. At the plate, Jarred Morris had 3 hits (3 singles), Jonathon Batten had 2 hits (1 triple, 1 homerun), and Ricardo Rowles had 2 hits (2 singles). Michael Tucker, Cale Spivey, and Jake Rowe each added 1 single also. The Atkinson County Baseball program would like to thank the people from Baldwin and First Coast Christian for their hospitality and willingness to play in poor weather conditions! Both teams played with alot of class. ATCO OVER WARE MAGNET The Rebels shutout Region 1A opponent Ware Magnet 15-0 in 3 innings on Tuesday afternoon in Pearson. The Rebels got back to their winning ways behind the perfect pitching effort of freshman Cam Newmans(4-0). Newmans did not allow a single Eagle baserunner in the game (mercy rule). At the plate, the Rebels were lead by sophomore Antonio Lott who was 2 for 2 with a RBI single and a 2-run inside the park homerun. Dale Spivey, Jarred Morris, Michael Tucker, and Shane Newmans each added a hit for ATCO. ATCO OVER WILCOX The Atkinson County Rebels defeated the Wilcox County Pirates 17-2 in 4 innings Thursday afternoon in Pearson. Jarred Morris picked-up the win on the mound to improve his record to 5-1 on the season. Cale Spivey led the Rebls at the plate by going 4 for 4 with a double and 4 RBI. Shane Newmans, Michael Tucker, Kenneth Burch, and Jonathon Batten each added 2 hits for the Rebels. ATCO FALLS TO CLINCH In the second outstanding game of the season between the 2 teams, the #7 Rebels were defeated by #6 Clinch County 10-7 on Friday afternoon. The Rebels 2 losses to Clinch are their only losses on the season to a Class A opponent. On the mound, Michael Tucker(6 1/3 IP) took the loss for the Rebels and Rance Morgan(1 2/3 IP) picked up the win for the Panthers. Tucker was relieved by Shane Newmans(2/3 IP) during the 6th inning and returned in the 7th when the score was 7 to 7. Morgan relieved Rhett Barber(5 1/3 IP) in the 6th after ATCO went ahead 7 to 6. At the plate, ATCO had 10 hits to Clinch's 9. Jonathon Batten (2-4), Jake Rowe(2-2), and Antonio Lott(2-3) each had 2 hits for the Rebels. Jarred Morris(1-4), Michael Tucker (1-3 w/HR), Kenneth Burch(1-4 w/HR), and Dale Spivey(1-4) added 1 hit each. Clinch was led by Edwards (3-4 w/HR), Dupree (1-4 w/HR), and Douglas (1-3 w/HR). Also, Corbitt(1-4), Barber(1-3), Tolle(1-3), and Mathis(1-3) each had 1 hit. ATCO OVER PELHAM The 9th ranked Rebels won at Pelham Tuesday afternoon by the score of 12-2. Freshman Cam Newmans picked up the win to move his record to 5-0 on the season as ATCO was led by the efforts of its under-classmen. Ricardo Rowles, Jesse Martinez, Cam Newmans and Jonathon Batten all played well for the Rebels in their 5th Region 1A win of the year. Shane Newmans, Kenneth Burch, Jonathon Batten, and Cale Spivey each had 2 hits in the game for ATCO. ALSO, Telfair has forfeited their contest with ATCO on Tuesday, April 24, in order to save pitching for their region games this final week. ATCO OVER ECHOLS The Atkinson County Rebels celebrated Senior Day on Friday with a 7-3 victory Echols County. ATCO is now 17-5 overall and 6-2 in Region 1A. On the mound, 3 senior pitchers combined to throw a 2-hitter. Starter Jarred Morris pitched 3 innings, striking out 5 and allowing 3 unearned runs. Michael Tucker picked up the win by pitching 3 innings and striking out 6. Closer Shane Newmans pitched the final inning and struck out 2 Wildcats. At the plate, senior Michael Tucker and Shane Newmans led the Rebels. Tucker went 3 for 4 with a long homerun and 3 runs scored. Newmans was 2 for 2 with 3 runs scored. Henry Sheffield, Dale Spivey, Cam Newmans, Jonathon Batten, and Cale Spivey each had 1 hit for the Rebels. ATCO OVER LANIER Senior pitcher Michael Tucker threw a no-hitter for the 9th ranked Atkinson County Rebels as they defeated Lanier County 20-2 in 5 innings on Tuesday night. Despite not having his best stuff, Michael Tucker picked up the win for the Rebels by throwing his first no-hitter of the year (got the entire game on 2 different videos MT). The Bulldogs were able to score 2 unearned runs on a base on balls and 3 first inning Rebel errors. At the plate the Rebels had 18 hits and were helped by a number of Bulldog errors. Shane Newmans and Cale Spivey each had 4 hits to lead ATCO. Cam Newmans, Jarred Morris, and Henry Sheffield added 2 hits each, while Kenneth Burch, Jake Rowe, Dale Spivey, and Jesse Martinez had 1 hit each. ATCO OVER WARE MAGNET The Atkinson County Rebels defeated Ware Magnet 15-0 in Manor on Thursday afternoon. The win put the Rebels' record at 19-5 overall and 8-2 in Region 1A. On the mound, starter Jarred Morris picked up the win. Reliever Jonathon Batten also pitched well. Every Rebel team member saw action and all but 2 of them reached base safely during the game. ATCO SWEEPS IN 1ST ROUND OF PLAYOFFS The Atkinson County Rebels defeated the McIntosh County Academy Bucs twice on Thursday in Pearson to advance in the Georgia Class A High Championships. Every Rebel starter had a hit as ATCO pounded out 15 total hits and took the first game 9-2. Michael Tucker pitched a complete game to pick up the win. Tucker allowed 1 earned run on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 9. Tucker was also the offensive leader going 3 for 4 with a homerun. Shane Newmans, Jonathon Batten, Kenneth Burch, and Jake Rowe each had 2 hits for the Rebels. Jarred Morris, Cale Spivey, Dale Spivey, and Cam Newmans each contributed 1 hit. MCA pitching ace Lamb took the loss and Rowe had 2 singles for the Bucs. In the second game, the Rebels produced 12 more hits on the way to a 10-5 victory. Starter Cam Newmans pitched 5 2/3 innings to pick up the win. Reliever Shane Newmams did not allow a run while securing the fianl 4 outs. The Rebels were led at the plate by Dale Spivey (3 for 4 with a HR and 4 RBI), Kenneth Burch (3 for 4), Shane Newmans (2 for 3 with 2 HR and 2 BB), Jonathon Batten (2 for 3 with a BB), Cale Spivey (1 for 4), and Jake Rowe (1 for 3). Bucs starter Boone took the loss. Phillips and Boone each hit 1 homerun for MCA. ATCO will travel to Columbus on Wednesday to face Region 2A member Pacelli High who advanced by defeating Wheeler County. All Rebel fans need to plan to travel to Columbus to support the team. The Rebels are now the ONLY Region 1A team still alive in the playoffs after Clinch County lost to Metter(3A), Lanier County lost to Calvary Baptist(3A), and Ware Magnet lost to Long County(3A) in the first round. (Region 3A has proven to be a tough and even baseball region; ATCO's opponent MCA defeated Calvary once and Metter twice this year during region play.) ATCO SWEEPS IN 2ND ROUND OF PLAYOFFS The Atkinson County Rebels won 2 games aganist Pacelli High on Wednesday to advance in the Class A state playoffs. Michael Tucker and Cam Newmans were the winning pitchers. Jarred Morris (2 HR's in 1st game), Shane Newmans, and Cale Spivey all hit homeruns for ATCO. ATCO FALLS TO STATE CHAMP WALKER The Aktinson County Rebels were defeated by the Walker Wolverines in the third round of the GHSA Baseball playoffs. Congratulations to the Rebels on a great season! Also, congratulations to Coach Tidwell and the entire Walker team! Walker won their 2nd straight state championship in 2002 after defeating ATCO. The Rebels concluded their season with a 23-8 record.

The 7&8 Grade Rebels won Monday afternoon in Pearson against the Clinch County Panthers by the score of 20-10. The Rebels played without starter Justin McClellan who was hit in the eye with a ball against Lanier on Friday (The entire ATCO program sends our prayers and best wishes to Justin during his recovery). 7th grader Colt Day pitched a complete game for the win. Several Rebels had 3 hits each. The win gives the Rebels a 5-2 conference record and a 6-4 overall record. The baseball program is proud of these young men for their play on the field and high standards of discipline and academics in the classroom! The next game for the 7&8 Grade team is a double-header Friday (3/29) at Ware Magnet. Good Luck Rebels!

**PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH JV (HOME & AWAY) GAMES AGAINST LANIER CO. AND CLINCH CO. WERE CANCELLED BEFORE THE SEASON ON 2/20/02 DUE TO PLAYER GAME LIMITATIONS. THE CORRECT ATCO JV SCHEDULE IS POSTED.

The girls and boys basketball teams both lost very close games Saturday in the opening round of the state playoffs. Coach McGowan and Coach Hughes did outstanding jobs with their teams this year and ATCO looks for big things in the future. Go Rebels!

The 2002 season should be an exciting one at ATCO. The Rebels return three All-Region players from last year in Kenneth Burch, Micheal Tucker, and Shane Newmans, the 2001 Region Offensive Player of the Year. The Rebels also return a host of others including last year's #1 pitcher Jarred Morris and DH Jake Rowe. All of these young men will be under the leadership of new head varsity coach Brad Porter who comes to ATCO from North Florida Community College where he served as the head assistant coach for the past three years. Also, new to the coaching staff is assistant varsity coach Mike Martinez. Martinez comes to ATCO from Taylor County High (FL) where he served as head coach. These two new coaches will join veteran ATCO varsity assistant coach Ken Pack and first year head middle school coach Roy Burkett this spring. The Rebel players and coaches feel they are up to the task of improving upon a good tradition established here by coaches Ben Snipes and Ken Pack. At this time, no positions have been filled because of the new coaching staff’s desire to evaluate each player's ability. February 11th will be everyone’s first chance to see what this year’s team will look like. Each player will have to earn his spot on the team and on the field regardless of previous years. Battles for spots and positions will be very intense. For a preview of the other teams in Region 1A please click on the links below to go to that team's website. Also, the complete Region 1A Baseball schedule is listed under the "schedules" link on the left. Click on that link and then on "Region 1A" Clinch County Panthers Echols County Wildcats Lanier County Bulldogs Pelham Hornets Ware Magnet Eagles