VALDOSTA — One of Bart Shuman’s goals for the Valdosta Wildcats in summer baseball is to find some pitching.
Well, the Wildcats’ head coach looks like he found at least one answer on Wednesday night.
Rising senior Kenyuntay Gatlin pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout in the Wildcats’ 9-0 win over the Crisp County at Bazemore Field.
Gatlin struckout 11 batters and walked three. Only one of his three hits allowed went for extra bases.
“I felt great,” Gatlin said. “I was changing up the two seamer and the four seamer and just trying to stay focused and let my defense held me. I actually didn’t expect to do that good because I had some soreness but it worked out. I felt pretty good today.”
Shuman said, “I’m very pleased with what he did today. He was around the strike zone and had great control.”
The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Chad Prain’s RBI sac fly to left that scored Harrison Waller.
The game remained 1-0 until the Wildcats scored five runs in the fourth, four of which were unearned.
With one out, Ryan Whilden reached on an infield single and came home on an RBI single by Taylor McQuaig after stealing second to make it 2-0. After a pop out for the second out of the inning, Devontae Foster reached on an error and McQuaig moved to third. Tanner Allen followed with a fly ball into short centerfield that was dropped by Luke Whitman and McQuaig scored to make it 3-0.
Waller then doubled home Foster and Brent Robison hit a triple to left that scored Allen and Waller to make it 6-0.
The Wildcats added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double by Whilden and a sac fly by Bo Wathal.
The Wildcats scored their final run in the sixth on an RBI double by Robert Wehling that scored Allen.
“I thought we hit the ball well,” Shuman said. “Devontae Foster is kind of a newcomer on this team and he’s tearing the cover off the ball. He’s in the running for a spot. Tyler Yelito is a new guy that’s hitting well and Harrison Waller and Brent Robison are kind of veterans now as juniors. We have to find a couple pitchers, but we’re coming together pretty quick.”
While the Wildcats built a big lead, Gatlin didn’t really need it. He pitched around a single in the third and a walk in the sixth by striking out the side both times. In the fourth he walked the leadoff hitter Chris Yawns but picked him off one batter later.
The Wildcats’ defense also helped Gatlin out. The defense committed one error and got five ground outs and three flyouts. Wathal, the catcher, threw out Rigdon Ring trying to steal second in the fifth. Ring reached on an error to leadoff the inning.
Gatlin is one several Wildcats auditioning for a spot at the top of the rotation for the 2010 season.
“I’m working as hard as I can to make it there,” Gatlin. “I thank God for keeping me strong this summer. I have some competition. Chad (Prain) is a little bit above me. I’m going to work hard. I mostly have to work on hitting my spots.”
Shuman said, “He’s in the running for the top two or three in the pitching rotation next year. He has a chance. It just depends on how he develops this summer. He’s in the mix.”
Later on Wednesday night, the Wildcats beat the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes, 13-0.
Both of Valdosta’s games on Wednesday were part of the Berrien/Cook baseball tournament. The Wildcats will continue the tournament Thursday when they take on Pierce County at home starting at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats will also play Jeff Davis on Friday at Berrien at 7:30 p.m.
Local Sports
Kenyuntay Gatlin throws three-hit gem for 'Cats
- Local Sports
-
-
VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
A shortened, diminished roster for the Valdosta State men's basketball team took another blow Thursday following the suspension of senior guard Sidney Harris.
-
Big weekend ahead for Lady Blazers
It might be an understatement to call this weekend’s two home games for the Valdosta State women’s basketball team a big deal, because that is exactly what they are.
-
Blazers fall to Albany State, 7-3
The Valdosta State baseball team was handed a third-straight loss Wednesday night, as the Blazers fell to in-state foe Albany State, 7-3.
The Blazers were held in check for much of the night, despite being aided by nine Golden Ram walks. With runners on base, the Blazers were unable to produce enough offense to score runs, leaving 12 runners stranded in the game. -
Wildcats rally for 50-40 win over Brooks
Valdosta’s boys basketball team came alive in the fourth quarter, and rallied for a 50-40 victory over Brooks County on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats outscored Brooks 24-9 in the fourth quarter, and turned a five-point deficit into a 10-point win. -
VSU soccer announces 2012 signing class
Valdosta State and Head Coach Melissa Heinz announced the signing of Blazer Soccer’s second recruiting class.
After bringing in a large class of 31 in its initial signing day, the now established program that went to the Gulf South Conference Championship match welcomes seven new players with a few more expected. -
Valdosta celebrates 2011 season
On Tuesday night, the 2011 Valdosta High football team was honored at the team’s annual awards banquet for a season that included the program’s first region championship since 2003.
The Wildcats went 8-3 in 2011, won their first Winnersville Classic in eight years and earned their 41st region title. -
Lowndes junior varsity tennis earns two wins
Lowndes High tennis opened up the 2012 season with a JV double-header in Waycross Wednesday afternoon
-
Lady Packers beat Lowndes, 55-48
The Colquitt County Lady Packers handed the Lowndes Vikettes a second straight loss Tuesday night, 55-48.
Jamesia Jones led Lowndes with 10 points, while Courtne Washington had nine. Tasia Brown finished with eight. -
Braves unveil another alternate home uniform
Hank Aaron recognized the look. Just not the feel.
The Atlanta Braves unveiled a new alternate home uniform Monday that is based on the attire worn when the team moved from Milwaukee in 1966, with Aaron as its biggest star. -
Valdosta native Garland named to Armstrong Atlantic HOF
Armstrong Atlantic State University has announced its latest induction class for the Armstrong Atlantic State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Among the six inductees and one Service Citation award winner is Valdosta native Nikki Garland, who ran cross county and track and field with the Pirates.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
VSU's Harris suspended indefinitely
