VALDOSTA —
The Lowndes Vikings wrapped up a terrific summer of baseball on Saturday in their annual South Georgia Diamond Brawl.
After splitting games with Walnut Grove and Statesboro, the Vikings finished the summer with an eye-popping 20-3 record.
It was a great start towards the 2012 campaign.
“To be honest I don’t keep up with summer records,” Vikings head coach Danny Redshaw said. “Summer ball is about getting better and getting things done. But record wise it’s probably up there as one of our best summers.”
Lowndes was a break here or there away from a perfect 23-0 record. All three losses were by one run. The Vikings lost 4-3 to Milton and East Nassau and fell 8-7 to Statesboro.
On the other end, the Vikings had impressive wins over Collins Hill, McEachern, Cook, Crisp, Thomas County Central, Allatoona and Chiles. In a tournament at Mississippi State, they beat teams from Mississippi and Alabama. Overall, the Vikings beat teams from five different states this summer.
Redshaw said the key to the summer’s success started on the mound. Pitching depth played a big role for the Vikings. Dylan Roberts, Hank Davis, Seth Evans, Mason Brooks, Brandon Corbitt, Dalton Register, Martin Tucker and Logan Hutchinson all pitched well for Lowndes.
“We established pitching depth which is the No. 1 key,” Redshaw said. “We had a lot of guys step up on the mound. We came out of the summer with six or seven guys we feel confident about.”
Redshaw hopes the way the Vikings played this summer will translate onto the field next February when the 2012 season begins.
“The bottom line is a lot of these guys will continue to play throughout the summer and fall,” Redshaw said. “It’s just a matter of building on this summer throughout the fall and working to get better. That’s the barometer. We had a great summer but we haven’t accomplished anything yet.”
The coach added that he thinks the players gained confidence during the summer.
“They’re buying into what we’re teaching,” Redshaw said.
“Everyone likes to win. It’s a lot more fun when you win. They’re excited. They’ve had great attitudes, worked together and worked hard. When you do that and work together to accomplish something you can get some stuff done.”
Last season the Vikings went 15-15 and advanced to the second round of the AAAAA playoffs before being swept by Newnan.
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Related Photos
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Lowndes’ Dylan Roberts (18) tries to pick off an East Nassau player at first base at Noel George Field last Friday. Pat Gallagher
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Lowndes’ Mason Brooks (20) tries to tag out an East Nassau player at first base at Noel George Field last Friday. Pat Gallagher
Discussion
Lowndes Vikings go 20-3 in summer ball
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VSU teams hosting summer camps
