Braves and Argos split on day one
Carrollton, Ga. – April 2, 2005 – The torrential rains that hit Carrollton Friday night didn’t deter the West Georgia Braves’ series with the West Florida Argonauts Saturday afternoon. Tyler Meigs continued his domination of all comers in game one with a 3-0 win and UWF’s Fred Fosson turned the tables in a 5-4 game two win.
Meigs came out firing in game one, holding West Florida to just two hits in nine innings of work. Four of his 10 strikeouts came in the second and third innings of the contest.
The big junior got all the offensive help he would need in the first inning when Corey Consuegra homered to right field. It may have been wind-aided, but the 340-foot shot still cleared the fence in right field for a 1-0 lead early in the game.
Meigs’ line on the day was impressive, going nine innings and allowing no runs on two hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked just one. The Bowdon native has been dominant the entire season, but Saturday’s shutout was his first of the season.
In game two, the Argos’ bats woke up, touching starter Michael Kierce for four runs in the top of the first. UWF took advantage of a West Georgia error in the inning, forcing three of the runs to be unearned.
The Braves came back and scored four runs late, but West Florida shut the door in the fifth by bringing in Fosson to close out the game. Fosson pitched 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit to collect his GSC-leading 10th save of the season.
Adam Pritchard was 4-for-8 on the day with a run and an RBI to lead the Braves. Kierce went seven innings in game two, allowing five runs on five hits. Only one of the runs was earned.
The Braves move to 22-14 on the year and 4-4 in the GSC East. West Florida is 26-16 with a 6-2 record in conference action. The two teams meet tomorrow for the rubber game in the series.
West Georgia steps up, wins rubber game
Carrollton, Ga. – April 3, 2005 – A ninth-inning, bases-loaded walk of Daniel Powell scored Jared Rolen and put West Georgia over the top in Sunday’s series finale with West Florida. The 6-5 win gave the Braves the series and new life in the Gulf South Conference tournament race.
The game was a see-saw battle for the first five innings, and with one out in the bottom of the sixth, it was time for Adam Pritchard to step to the plate. The junior blasted the 1-2 pitch into the top of the pine trees in right field, giving West Georgia a 5-3 lead.
West Florida came back in the eighth, scoring two runs to tie the game at five, setting up the dramatic ninth.
Facing the leading late-inning pitcher in the GSC, Fred Fosson Rolen and Jason Parker led off the bottom of the inning with back-to-back singles. Alex Parker struck out and the Argos intentionally walked Steve Ryan to get to Tyler Meigs. Meigs struck out, bringing Powell to the plate with two-outs and the bases loaded. Fosson’s four pitches didn’t catch the plate and Rolen came home for the winning run.
Pritchard was huge on the day and the weekend, going 4-for-5 Sunday with two RBI and a run scored. On the weekend, Pritchard was 8-for-13 with three RBI and a run scored.
The Braves move to 23-14 on the year and 5-4 in conference action. West Florida falls to 25-16 and 6-3 in the GSC East.
UWG ace earns conference honor
Carrollton, GA – April 7, 2005 – For the third time this season a West Georgia Braves performer has received honors from the Gulf South Conference.
UWG ace Tyler Meigs has been honored as the GSC East Pitcher of the Week for his efforts a week ago. For Meigs, the award provides a bookend for the player of the week honor he captured in March. It also marks the third individual league award of the season for a West Georgia player. Catcher Jared Rolen was named the league’s top player for his efforts in the Braves’ series win last month over North Alabama.
Meigs’ first honor was captured due to big numbers at the plate. This time, it was his powerful right arm that drew the attention. The junior from Bowdon last Saturday authored a masterpiece in a shutout of West Florida. Meigs surrendered but two hits and struck out 10 Argonauts, while allowing only one walk in UWG’s 3 0 win.
For the season, Meigs’ numbers are overpowering. His record now stands at 7 0, with a staggering 1.51 ERA. Meigs has struck out a GSC-best 90 hitters, while allowing only 12 walks. Also, opponents have posted a .168 batting averaged against his offerings.
Meigs and his Braves teammates next take the field Saturday. UWG visits state and division rival Valdosta State for a three-game series. Saturday¹s double header begins at 1:00, while Sunday¹s single game starts at 1:30 at Grant Field on the VSU campus.
Braves come back after game one loss
Valdosta, GA – April 9, 2005-Over the course of a season, in any sport, a team can often look back and point to a game that served as a crossroads. For the West Georgia Braves baseball team, SaturdayÕs dramatic second game win over Valdosta State could be just such a crossroads.
Led by the clutch bat of Adam Pritchard, the Braves climbed off the mat to whip the Blazers, 4-2, in nine innings. The win secured a split for West Georgia, following Valdosta StateÕs 9-3 win in the opener of the double header.
PritchardÕs first huge blow came, hoary cliche aside, with the BravesÕ collective backs against the wall. Trailing 2-1 with two out in the top of the seventh, the junior from Griffin drilled a one strike pitch over the left center field wall. It was PritchardÕs third homer of the season, and his biggest ever in a West Georgia uniform.
Both teams later had chances with men in scoring position, VSUÕs came in the bottom of the seventh, while West GeorgiaÕs ooprtunity was in the top of the eighth. However, the game remained tied until Pritchard stepped to the plate in top of the ninth.
With one out, pinch hitter Jay Austin singled to right. Pritchard then roped a double to right center, scoring Austin with the go ahead run. After a ground out, Jim Bauemel followed with a double to center, plating Pritchard with a vital insurance run.
While PritchardÕs heroics were the dayÕs most dramatic, no less of a key performer was pitcher Michael Kierce. The senior right hander from Albany turned in the most impressive performance of his career. He went the distance, scattering but six hits, pushing his record on the season to 7-3.
Game one belonged to the Blazers from almost the outset. VSU punched across a pair of first inning runs off Braves starter Tyler Meigs. The Blazers kept the 2-0 lead until the bottom of the fifth, when they hung a six-spot on the board and chased Meigs from the game.
UWG rallied back for three in top of the eighth. Singles by Robert Cooper and Pritchard, followed by a walk to Cory Consuegra started the inning. With one out, Jared Rolen drove in the first run when he was hit by a pitch. Jason Parker collected the second RBI on a ground ball, while Steve Ryan was plunked by a pitch to plate the final run of the inning. Valdosta State added a run in the bottom of the inning to plate the gameÕs final run.
For Meigs, now 7-1, the game marked his first loss of the year. It was also the first time the junior right hander was knocked out of a game early. However, of the eight runs Meigs surrendered, only three were earned. Clay Dykes relieved Meigs in the fifth, and worked three and one-third innings of mostly effective relief.
SaturdayÕs split left both West Georgia and Valdosta State with identical 6-5 records in the GSC East Division. Overall, the Braves are now 24-15 on the year, while Valdosta State is 20-16.
The three-game weekend series concludes Sunday with a 1:30 single game at Grant Field on the VSU campus.
Braves fall 7-4 in Valdosta
Valdosta, Ga. – April 10, 2005 – On Sunday in Gulf South Confernce baseball, anything can be expected. The West Georgia Braves led 4-0 early in Sunday’s contest at Valdosta, but the Blazers scored seven unanswered runs to take the rubber game of the series 7-4.
It has become a familiar scenario for the Braves of late, with the offense leaving runners on base. In Sunday’s contest, the Braves left 13 runners on, including eight in scoring position. The other scenario was in the fifth, when starter Tim Grubbs was tagged with four runs on four hits. Grubbs has struggled in middle innings this season and had allowed just one run on three hits in the first four stanzas.
The Braves’ runs came in the second inning. After a pair of walks, Steve Ryan blasted his second home run of the year, this one a three-run shot.
Corey Consuegra and Jim Baeumel were the only Braves with a multi-hit game Sunday. Consuegra was 3-for-4 with an RBI and Baeumel was 2-for-4 on the afternoon.
The Braves fall to 24-14 on the season and 6-6 in the GSC East.
West Georgia wins home run derby with Kennesaw
Carrollton, Ga. – April 12, 2005 – The ball was flying out of Cole Field in extraordinary fashion Tuesday. The West Georgia Braves and Kennesaw State Owls combined to hit eight home runs in the afternoon. But it was Jay Austin’s 10th inning, bases-loaded walk that gave the Braves a come-from-behind 12-11 win.
Jim Baeumel was the hero of the afternoon for the Braves, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored. Both of the junior’s RBI came in the first on a head-high screamer down the left field line to give life to the Braves.
The hit was a huge boost for West Georgia after the Owls opened the contest with a three-spot in the top of the first. Kennesaw peppered West Georgia for four more runs in the next five innings, taking a 7-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
Baeumel led off the bottom half of the innings with a double and Jared Rolen followed suit with a double of his own. Three batters later, Tyler Meigs blasted the 1-1 pitch from John Robbins over the center field wall to pull the Braves within a run a 7-6. Before the dust could clear, Daniel Powell joined the hit parade with his first homer in a West Georgia unifrom, tying the contest at seven.
Both teams added three runs in the seventh and couldn’t get a run across in the final two innings to send the game into extra innings.
The Owls scored a run in their half of the tenth, causing the Braves to have to score in their half of the inning. With two outs, Baeumel came up big again with a single, then moved to second on a failed pickoff attempt by KSU catcher Derrick Tucker
Corey Consuegra, Alex Parker and Robert Cooper all walked, scoring the tying run with only one hit in the inning. With the bases still loaded, Austin walked, bringing home the winning run.
Clay Dykes was the most effective pitcher on the afternoon for the Braves, going three innings and allowing just one run on four hits while striking out one batter.
The 25-16 Braves host Montevallo this weekend in a crucial three-game Gulf South Conference series.
Braves drop doubleheader to Montevallo
Carrollton, GA – April 16, 2005 – The West Georgia BravesÕ hopes of earning a berth in next monthÕs GSC Tournament suffered a major blow here Saturday. UWG dropped both ends of its GSC East double header to Montevallo, 11-3 and 2-1.
Game one belonged to the Falcons from almost the outset. Montevallo struck for a pair of runs in the second, then added a three more in the third against UWG starter and loser Tyler Meigs. AN Alex Parker homer in the second left the Braves with a 5-1 deficit heading into the middle innings.
West GeorgiaÕs only other offensive outburst came in the bottom of the seventh. Trailing 7-1, Cory Consuegra, who went four-for-four, led off the inning with a double. He later scored a Jared Rolen ground out. Next, Jason Parker for the BravesÕ final run of the game.
MeigsÕ worked six innings, surrendering seven runs (five earned) while picking up his second loss of the season. Zach Andrews got the win for Montevallo with 4 2/3 innings of solid relief work.
In game two, Michael Kierce deserved a better fate for the Braves. The senior right hander turned in his second straight complete game effort, but this time to no avail. He allowed a single run in both the first and second innings, each scoring on a wild pitch.
West GeorgiaÕs run came in the bottom of the sixth. Jim Beaumel led off the inning with one of the seasonÕs stranges at bats. The junior from Dublin lined a pitch off the left field foul pole, only to be told, after a lengthy argument, the ball was foul. After eventually working a walk, Beaumel advanced on a Jared Rolen single and an RBI hit from Alex Parker.
Next to the plate was Meigs. After falling behind in the count, Meigs fouled several pitches and eventually worked the count to 2-2. He then lofted a deep fly to right center, a shot caught by MontevalloÕs Brantly Clay while leaning against the fence, some 380 feet from the plate.
The loss dropped dropped Kierce to 7-4 on the season, while Rusty Mask picked up his sixth win for the 20th ranked Falcons. The Braves fell to 25-18 on the season, 6-8 in the GSC East. Montevallo is now 30-15, and 7-7 in the division.
West Georgia and Montevallo close their three-game series here Sunday at 1:00.
Braves fall to Montevallo in series finale
Carrollton, GA – April 17, 2005 – A painful weekend came to a touch conclusion here Sunday for the West Georgia Braves. UWG suffered a 6-3 loss to Montevallo as the Falcons completed a sweep of their GSC East series.
SundayÕs loss had similarities to the 2-1 heartbreaker suffered by the Braves in SaturdayÕs second game. UWG received a solid effort from its starting pitcher, this time from Tim Grubbs. However, the Braves left 11 runners stranded on base as they continually needing the one big hit to get back into the game.
Montevallo struck first, scoring a run in the top of the third. UWG then countered on a Daniel Powell homer in the bottom of the fourth. The Falcons countered with a pair of runs in the fifth to take the lead for good.
After the Falcons added a tally in the eighth to go up 4-1, the Braves tried to rally. Tyler Meigs drilled a two-run homer to left to cut UWGÕs deficit to 4-3, and giving them a shot in the ninth. However, UM added a pair of insurance runs to account for the final margin.
The loss dropped West Georgia to 25-19 on the season, 6-9 in GSC East play. Montevallo is now 31-15, 8-7 within the division. Also, UM is ranked 20th nationally in NCAA Division II.
West GeorgiaÕs next action is Wednesday in a non-conference contest at Kennesaw State.
Braves fall to Owls
Carrollton, GA – April 20, 2005 – An early deficit was more than the West Georgia Braves could overcome in Kennesaw Wednesday. The BravesÕ comeback efforts fell short in a 6-4 loss to the Owls of Kennesaw State.
Kennesaw State jumped to an early, 4-0 lead. The home-standing Owls pushed across a single run in the first and third innings, with a two run, second inning rally sandwiched in the middle.
UWG rallied back with single runs in each of the middle innings. Jim Beaumel stroked a leadoff homer in the fourth to begin the BravesÕ scoring. Adam Pritchard doubled in Daniel Powell with a run in the fifth, while a Jason Parker double scored Beaumel with a run in the sixth.
With their lead whittled to 4-3, the Owls rallied for a pair of runs in the seventh. West Georgia countered with a solo run in the ninth on a Kevin Benton homer, but it wasnÕt enough to prevent the Braves from suffering their fourth consecutive loss.
Cason Britt, the first of three UWG pitchers, suffered the loss to drop to 1-1 on the season. Joe White and Clay Dykes also sound mound duty for the Braves.
The loss dropped West GeorgiaÕs record on the season to 25-20. Kennesaw State improved to 26-18 with the win.
Next on the schedule for the Braves is this weekendÕs GSC East home series vs. Alabama-Huntsville. The teams play a Saturday double header, followed by a Sunday single game. Action begins both days at 1:00 at Cole Field.
West Georgia walks off a winner on Senior Day
Carrollton, GA – April, 24, 2005 – Senior Day ended on a happy note for the West Georgia Braves here Sunday. UWG erased a five run deficit, capped by an Alex Parker walk-off homer, to secure a 10-9 win over Alabama-Huntsville in the final GSC East home game of 2005.
ParkerÕs ninth inning shot was culmination of a BravesÕ comeback that ranks among their most dramatic of this, or any recent season. West Georgia entered the bottom of the eighth inning trailing UAH 9-4, and was in danger of being swept at home for the second consecutive weekend. However, two weeks of nothing going right, plenty went right for the Braves in this inning.
Senior DH Jared Rolen began the rally with a long home run to right center. Jason Parker then singled to left, which was followed by Alex ParkerÕs first homer of the game.
Now down 9-7, the BravesÕ rally continued as Jay Austin and Daniel Powell followed with back-to-back doubles, the second of the game for each. Following an out, a walk to Adam Pritchard and single by Cory Consuegra loaded the bases for UWGÕs hottest hitter of late, Jim Beaumel. The junior third baseman picked up the game-tying RBI in painful fashion as he was plunked on the hand by a 2-2 fastball, forcing home Powell to tie the score at 9-9.
Junior lefty Derek Fine came on to pitch the top of the ninth, and promptly gave up a single to the UAH leadoff hitter, Ryan Cox. However, Trai Meadows then grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, and when Fine retired the next hitter, the Braves came to the plate with momentum.
Following a Steve Ryan fly to center, Alex Parker drilled a 2-1 offering over the fence in right center to end UWGÕs six-game losing streak.
Beyond being his second homer of the day, ParkerÕs walk-off rocket was the fourth homer of the game for UWG. Rolen had a deep shot in the eighth, while Jason Parker led off the sixth inning with a deep shot to left, one of his four hits on the afternoon. Also, West GeorgiaÕs 16 hits matched its highest total in a GSC East game this season.
FineÕs scoreless ninth inning effort allowed him to pick up his third win of the season. Joe White also worked two innings of relief after Tyler Meigs pitched the first six.
MeigsÕ performance ranks among the most courageous ever by a West Georgia pitcher. The junior from Bowdon threw 120 pitches, striking out seven and walking one. He gave up seven runs, however, three were unearned. The effort came one day after he suffered a serious injury to the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee, an injury suffered while playing the outfield.
SundayÕs win pushes West GeorgiaÕs season record to 26-22, 7-11 in the GSC East. Alabama-Huntsville fell to 16-24, while their GSC Tournament hopes suffered a major blow as their league dropped to 8-10.
West Georgia returns to action Wednesday in a non-conference game vs. state rival Columbus State.
Braves fall out of tournament race at UWA
Carrollton, Ga. – April 30, 2005 – The West Georgia Braves needed several things to happen this weekend in order to get to the Gulf South Conference tournament. The first was to sweep West Alabama in Livingston. The Tigers took care of that early, with a 10-0 win in game one of the doubleheader. The Braves made in interesting in the nightcap, but fell 6-5 in 10 innings.
In the first game, West Georgia starting pitcher Michael Kierce struggled with his control early, hitting five batters in the first four innings of the contest. The Tigers turned those hit batsmen into runs, notching four in the first four innings.
Game two was a much more hotly contested battle, as the Braves hung a five-spot on West Alabama in the first inning. After four batters in the inning, West Georgia had three runs. Adam Pritchard led off the game with a home run, followed by a Corey Consuegra double. After Jim Baeumel grounded out, Jared Rolend blasted his 10th home run of the year. That gave him the most on the team in 2005.
But the Tigers answered right back in the bottom of the first. UWA played small ball, collecting four runs on five hits in the inning.
Tim Grubbs, in his final outing of the season, was masterful in the contest, going nine innings and giving up just three more hits outside of the first inning. The junior struck out 10 batters, but walked the first batter of the 10th inning, bringing an end to his night. Clay Dykes came on, but a Roberts single with two runners on brought home the winning run for West Alabama.
The two teams finish up their respective regular seasons on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.