Atkinson County Baseball

Many of the schools in region 1A should benefit from the increased number of summer recreational teams in their communities. In addition to summer baseball teams, many of the players from region 1A will attend camps. Ware Magnet players are attending a team camp at Auburn University while Atkinson players are attending Florida State Advanced and Georgia Southern. All of this baseball will raise the competition level in each community. Good luck to all teams the rest of the summer. Teams in Atkinson will conclude in early July so the athletes playing baseball can begin (or continue in most cases) preparations for another playoff run in football and basketball. {Atkinson teams use only local players so we do not take opportunities for development away from our locals. Also, we have no interest in recruiting kids to move in to benefit the high school program at the expense of our local youth. GHSA has clear "undue influence" (recruiting) and eligibility rules that ACHS and region 1A follow closely.}

The Atkinson County High School Baseball program celebrated the 2003 season and yet another state playoff berth with an end of the year BBQ and awards ceremony Saturday afternoon. Members of the Rebel's 7&8 Grade team, Junior Varsity team, and Varsity team were recognized for their committment and acheivements. Jonothan Batten, Jonothon Guthrie, Jesse Martinez, and Cam Newmans were honored for making the All-Region 1A team. ATCO Varsity team awards were: Pitcher of the Year: Cam Newmans Outfielder of the Year: Jonothan Batten Infielder of the Year: Cam Newmans Most Improved: Jonothon Guthrie Offensive Player of the Year: Cam Newmans

Cam Newmans was selected Region 1A Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a total of four Atkinson County Rebels were selected All-Region 1A for the 2003 season. Here is a complete list of the 2003 Region standings and awards. FINAL REGION STANDINGS 1) Clinch 12-0 2) Pelham 10-2 (2-0 vs. ACHS, ECHS, LCHS, SCHS, WMS) 3) Seminole 7-5 (2-0 vs. ECHS, LCHS, WMS -- 1-1 vs. ACHS)** 4) Atkinson 7-5 (2-0 vs. ECHS, LCHS, WMS -- 1-1 vs. SCHS) 5) Echols 3-9 (2-0 vs. WMS -- 1-1 vs. LCHS) Lanier 3-9 (2-0 vs. WMS -- 1-1 vs. ECHS) 7) Ware Magnet 0-12 **Seminole defeated ATCO in a mini-playoff game for 3rd place. STATE PLAYOFF TEAMS - Clinch, Pelham, Seminole, ATCO 2003 CLASS A STATE CHAMPS - Clinch County Panthers REGION 1A PLAYER OF THE YEAR Rhett Barber (Clinch Co.) REGION 1A CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Rance Morgan (Clinch Co.) AND Josh Ward (Seminole Co.) REGION 1A C0-DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Cam Newmans (Atkinson Co.) AND DJ Jackson (Pelham) ALL REGION 1A TEAM -------------------------- ACHS: Jonathon Batten, Jonathon Guthrie, Cam Newmans; CCHS: Rhett Barber, Rick Corbitt, Lee Douglas, Todd Dupree, Rance Morgan, Adam Tolle; ECHS: Adam Greene, Jose Palacios; LCHS: BJ Lucky, Derek White; PHS: Brandon & Stephen Harrelson, DJ Jackson, Marc Logue, Ronnie Thompson; SCHS: Shawn Kirkland, Jason Roberts, Josh Ward, Matt Weaver; WMS: Joseph Haymon HONORABLE MENTION ---------------------------- ACHS: Jesse Martinez; LCHS: Sam Hill; SCHS: Kalom Smith, Mason Mosley; WMS: David Sherrod

JV ROSTER Head Coach: Ken Pack Daniel Clement(8th), Derrick Clement(9th), Jacob Dalton(10th), Colt Day(8th), Zack Harper(8th), Ryan Mason(9th), Jake Relihan(9th), Clint Sheffield(9th), Brandon Spivey(9th), Andrew Taft(9th), Garret White(9th), Keegan Wilkinson(9th), Chaz Wood(10th) 7&8 GRADE ROSTER Head Coach: Roy Burkett (2nd season), Asst. Coach: Dale Spivey Sean Burch(8th), Justin Carver(8th), Lee Chancey(7th), Cole Chaney(7th), Daniel Clement(8th), Cory Crews(7th), Mason Davis(7th), Colt Day(8th), Bobby Garrity(7th), D.J. Giddens(7th), Chris Guest(7th), Zack Harper(8th), Aaron Morris(7th), Zane Neugent(7th), Ethan White(7th), Timmy Wood(7th)

2003 ATCO BASEBALL OPENS AT HOME!(3/3) The 2003 ATCO Rebels kicked-off the 2003 season at home on Monday with a 6-1 loss to Berrien County. The Rebels started 7 underclassmen, including 6 freshmen or sophomores, in the game. ATCO trailed 2-1 into the 6th inning when Berrien County capitalized on a Rebel error and expanded its lead. ATCO was led offensively by sophomore Jonathon Guthrie (2 for 3 with double and a run scored) and freshman Justin McClellan (1 for 2 with a double). Sophomore Cam Newmans had 8 strikeouts and allowed only 5 hits and 1 walk in the loss. ATCO enters the season ranked 9th in the pre-season state poll and region 1A opponent Clinch County is ranked 4th. ATCO FALLS TO APPLING (3/10) ATCO fell to class AAA opponent Appling County on Monday afternoon. Offensively, the Rebels were lead by Cam Newmans, Jonathon Batten, Jesse Martinez, Jonathon Guthrie, and Josh Reynolds who all contributed hits. Freshman Ryan Mason took the loss on the mound in his first varsity outing. Freshman Justin McClellan also pitched for the first time on the varsity. ATCO JV & VARSITY WIN AT ECHOLS COUNTY (3/11) ATCO's varsity opened their region schedule with a 10-4 win. Rebel starting pitcher Cam Newmans allowed only 3 hits and no earned runs. Echols collected all of their hits and runs in the 3rd inning with ATCO helping them by committing 3 errors. Newmans allowed a baserunner in only 1 other inning. Echols' starting pitcher J. Palacios took the loss. Offensively, Jonathon Batten hit a 3-run homerun in the first inning. Also, Jesse Martinez doubled and Cam Newmans and Ryan Mason each added hits. The Rebels are continuing to improve. Echols County is going to beat some region teams this year when they put it all together. They have a much improved team behind seniors Adam Greene and J. Palacios. VARSITY SPLITS A DOUBLE-HEADER AT #6 WILCOX CO. ATCO lost game 1 by the score of 13-3. Jesse Martinez took the loss on the mound in the first game of the double-header in Rochelle. ATCO was led offensively by Cam Newmans (2 for 3, 2B) and Jonathon Guthrie (1 for 3, HR). ATCO won game 2 by the score of 7-4. Jonathon Guthrie picked up the win in the 2nd game by allowing just 2 hits. Offensively the Rebels were led by Jonathon Guthrie (2 for 3), Justin McClellan(2 for 3, 2B), Jonathon Batten(1 for 2, HR), and Jesse Martinez(1 for 2). ATCO FALLS TO PELHAM (3/25) The ATCO Rebels loss their first region game of the season Tuesday to the Pelham Hornets by the score of 8-2. ATCO is now 1-1 in region 1A and Pelham is 3-0. The Rebels were lead offensively by Cam Newmans (2-3 with a 2B), Keegan Wilkinson (2-3 with a 2B), and Chaz Wood. Pelham was led by Logue and Jones (2 hits each). ATCO BEAT BY CLINCH (3/28) The Rebels were beaten by Clinch County 14-1 Friday in a 5:00 start. ATCO's arch rivals moved their region record to 3-0 on the season while the Rebels fell to 1-2. Clinch's senior lefthander Rhett Barber pitched a 1-hit complete game and homered twice off Rebel starter Jesse Martinez. Freshman Jake Relihan had the Rebels lone hit. ATCO BEATS WARE MAGNET (4/1) The Rebels jumped out to a commanding 9-1 lead after 3 innings and held on to beat Ware Magnet 9-6 in Pearson Tuesday. The win raises ATCO's region record to 2-2. Freshman Keegan Wilkinson picked up the win for ATCO in his first ever start on the mound at any level for the Rebels. Cam Newmans earned the save. Jonathon Batten, Jesse Martinez, Jake Relihan, Chaz Wood, Newmans, and Wilkinson all had hits for the Rebels. The Rebels are playing alot of young players who are getting better everyday. All this experience now and all the games they will play this summer will help alot in years to come. ATCO FALLS TO BROOKS COUNTY 7-2 (4/3) Freshman Ryan Mason took the loss in the game despite allowing only 1 earned run. Freshman Justin McClellan and Sophomore Cam Newmans eached doubled in the varsity game. ATCO DOWNS LANIER COUNTY (4/4) ATCO defeated Lanier County 13-6 in a region 1A contest Friday afternoon in Pearson. The Rebels exploded for 10 runs in the 6th inning to secure the comeback win. The Rebels are now 3-2 in region play and the Bulldogs fell to 0-4. Sophomore Cam Newmans picked up the complete game victory on the mound. Newmans did not give up an earned run in the game while striking out 11 and allowing 4 hits. The Rebel's defense committed 5 errors on the day. At the plate, Newmans doubled twice and freshman Ryan Mason was 2 for 3. Senior Jesse Martinez and junior Josh Reynolds added big RBI singles. 9 different Rebels scored runs. ATCO WINS @ LANIER COUNTY (4/11) The varsity Atkinson County Rebels won 12-2 in Lakeland on Friday afternoon. Cam Newmans collected 8 strikeouts while picking up the complete game victory (6 innings due to the 10 run-rule). Newmans, Jonathon Guthrie, and Jonathon Batten each had 2 hits in the game. Ryan Mason, Jesse Martinez, and Justin McClellan added 1 hit each to the Rebel offensive attack. 7 different Rebels scored runs in the contest. ATCO DROPS A GAME TO BROOKS COUNTY (4/14) In the 1st game of a JV/Varsity double-header, the varsity Rebels lost 18-8. Both Rebel pitchers, Ryan Mason and Jesse Martinez, got hit hard. Ryan Mason allowed 7 runs in 2 1/3 innings on 4 hits and 1 walk. Martinez allowed 11 runs in 2 2/3 innings on 8 hits and 7 walks. At the plate, Cam Newmans and Jonathon Guthrie each had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Jesse Martinez, Jonathon Batten, and Justin McClellan added 1 hit each to for the Rebels. ATCO DROPS A GAME AT PELHAM (4/18) The Rebels dropped a region contest at Pelham on Friday afternoon despite giving up only 4 hits and no earned runs. Sophomore Cam Newmans had 10 strike-outs before he reached his pitch limit at the end of the 5th inning. Freshman Ryan Mason finished the game on the mound for ATCO and did not allow a hit. ATCO committed 7 defensive errors to help Pelham to the victory. At the plate, Newmans hit his first high school homerun in the 3rd. Also, Mason doubled while senior Jonathon Batten, sophomore Jonathon Guthrie, and sophomore Jacob Dalton all singled. ATCO FALLS TO CLINCH COUNTY (4/22) ATCO dropped a region 1A contest to Clinch County Tuesday. Sophomore Cam Newmans hit his second homerun of the season in the 3rd inning and added a double in the 5th inning. Senior Jonathon Batten singled in both the 1st and 6th innings. Freshman Ryan Mason, sophomore Jonathon Guthrie, and senior Jesse Martinez pitched for the Rebels. ATCO FALLS TO JEFF DAVIS COUNTY (4/24) The Rebels dropped a game on Thursday at South Georgia College against Jeff Davis County by the score of 13-4. Freshmen Ryan Mason and Keegan Wilkinson pitched for ATCO. At the plate sophomore Cam Newmans, freshman Jake Relihan, and senior Jonathon Batten each had 2 hits. Sophomore Jonathon Guthrie had 1 hit. ATCO DEFEATS WARE MAGNET (4/28) ATCO secured at least a tie for the 4th playoff spot with a 16-11 victory over Ware Magnet in Manor on Monday afternoon. Cam Newmans picked up the win on the mound. He allowed only 2 hits and no earned runs over 4 innings before giving way to Jesse Martinez and Keegan Wilkinson. Newmans left the mound after 4 complete with the score 12-2 ATCO. At the plate Newmans and Martinez each had 3 hits, Ryan Mason and Justin McClellan each had 2 hits, and Jonathon Guthrie had 1 hit. The Rebels played this game without senior captain Jonathon Batten who his out with a knee injury. We wish him a speedy recovery! ATCO DEFEATS PIERCE COUNTY (4/30) ATCO defeated Pierce County 12-2 in the Rebels final non-region contest of the season. Freshman Ryan Mason picked up the complete game victory on the mound. Mason allowed just 5 hits and no earned runs while striking out 5. Cam Newmans led the offense with 2 hits and 2 runs scored. ATCO WINS AT SEMINOLE COUNTY(5/1) Atkinson County defeated Seminole County 5-2 on Thursday afternoon in Donalsonville. The Rebels took advantage of the Indian's only 3 errors of the game to jump out to a 3-0 first inning lead; a lead ATCO never relinguished. ATCO's Cam Newmans pitched a complete game 3-hitter (9 strikeouts) for the win. Rebel senior Jonothan Batten homered. Jonothon Guthrie, Jonothan Batten(2), Ryan Mason, and Derrick Clement all scored for the Rebels. ATCO did not commit an error during the game. Seminole pitcher Kalom Smith took the complete-game loss. Jason Roberts, Matt Weaver, and Mason Mosely collected Seminole's hits. ATCO CELEBRATES SENIOR DAY WITH REGION WIN(5/6) The Atkinson County Baseball Program celebrated Senior Day by honoring the contributions of seniors Jonathan Batten and Jesse Martinez and by defeating region 1A opponent Echols County 13-2 in 5 innings. Freshman Ryan Mason, who combined with Martinez to throw a 2-hitter, picked up the victory on the mound. At the plate ATCO was led by Mason(1B,HR,2RBI,2R), Batten(2B,RBI,1R), Martinez(1B,RBI,1R), Josh Reynolds(1B,RBI,1R), Jonathon Guthrie(1B,2RBI,2R), Cam Newmans(3B,RBI,2R), and Chaz Wood(2RBI,1R). Adam Greene and James Lett collected Echols' 2 hits. ATCO FALLS TO SEMINOLE IN EXTRA INNINGS(5/7) ATCO dropped a region 1a contest to Seminole County in 9 innings Wednesday by the score of 9-4. Rebel pitcher Cam Newmans and Indian pitcher Josh Ward battled toe-to-toe with the score tied at 4-4 through 8 innings. However, in the 9th Seminole was able to put 5 runs on the board and ATCO did not answer. ATCO made a couple crucial base running mistakes and failed to get several key bunts down that helped Seminole's cause. The 2 teams will meet again Thursday in Donalsonville to play a region seeding tie-breaker game. At the plate for ATCO, Sophomore Cam Newmans had 2 singles (+2BB), Sophomore Jonathon Guthrie homered, Freshman Justin McClellan doubled, and Freshman Ryan Mason singled. SEMINOLE DEFEATS ATCO IN MINI PLAYOFF GAME(5/8) ATCO was defeated 5-2 by Seminole County in a 5 inning region mini playoff game in Donalsonville on Thursday afternoon. Freshman Ryan Mason took the loss on the mound. Mason allowed only 5 hits. Jesse Martinez drove in the Rebels first run with a single in the 1st inning and Cam Newmans scored the 2nd run on a wild pitch. Indian Josh Ward had the game winning RBI with a 2-run homer. ATCO had the tying run at the plate with 1 and 2 outs in the final inning, but failed to capitalize. PACELLI AND ATCO HOLD TUNE-UP GAME @ABAC(5/13) In a tune-up game for the playoffs, ATCO fell to Pacelli Catholic 6-5 on Tuesday at ABAC. The Rebels and the Vikings used alot of different pitchers during the game. ATCO out hit Pacelli 11-7. ATCO FALLS IN THE 2003 STATE PLAYOFFS TO TAYLOR CO. Click here for the Complete State Playoff Brackets The ATCO Rebels lost a double-header to the Region 2A Champions Taylor County in the first round of the state playoff Friday night in Butler. The game 1 score was 2-0 and the game 2 score was 13-10. ATCO's sophomore pitcher Cam Newmans pitched a complete game 4-hitter with 8 strikeouts in the 1st game loss. Taylor's senior Eddie Colley also pitched a complete game 4-hitter and had 7 strikeouts. At the plate for the Rebels Cam Newmans had 2 hits, sophomore Jonothon Guthrie had 1 hit, and senior Jesse Martinez had 1 hit. The Rebels left 5 men in scoring position during the game. Freshman starter Ryan Mason took the loss in the second game by giving up 8 runs in 1 1/3 innings. Jesse Martinez held the Vikings close over the final 5 2/3 innings by allowing 5 runs and collecting 11 strikeouts. Taylor County used 5 pitchers during the game. At the plate ATCO collected 14 hits (Ryan Mason and Jonothon Guthrie had 3 hits; Cam Newmans and freshman Jake Relihan had 2 hits; and senior Jonathan Batten, Jesse Martinez, freshman Justin McClellan, and junior Jacob Dalton each had 1 hit). These 2 losses signify the end of our 2 senior's high school careers. We are very proud of both of them! Thank you Jesse and Jonathan for the leadership you showed this very young Rebel baseball team!