Baseball season begins at DEA
By ANDY CALLAWAY

The long awaited 2007 baseball season has finally begun at David Emanuel Academy. With a new head coach at the helm and six of the starting nine coming off a state basketball championship the opening week for the Eagles was a little hectic.

Operating on just one day of full squad practice the Eagles traveled to Curtis Baptist in Augusta on Tuesday, March 6 for a non-region season opener. With the sun setting in the West the game was called in the fifth inning due to darkness with the Eagles behind 15-10. Head Coach Michael Childs was extremely pleased with the performance.

"Having had the entire team together for one day, I am excited by what I saw on the field" said Childs. "I had six of my starting nine not being able to throw a baseball until yesterday. Their winning the state basketball championship was phenomenal, but it has had its effect on the baseball program. I have an extremely talented team of athletes but it shows that the practice field is still needed."

After a couple of more days of practice the Eagles headed to a mini tournament at Thomas Jefferson Academy in Louisville on Friday to face a competent Class AA Gatewood squad. Errors plagued the Eagles as they lost 12-6.

On Saturday the Eagles again were on the road to face AA rival Bulloch Academy in Statesboro. With only three days practice and two no-region games under their belt the Eagles were able to walk away with their first win of the young season in a 5- 2 victory. Behind a strong pitching performance by junior Joseph Sparks and nearly errorless ball the Eagles put together their best effort of the season.

This years DEA seniors are Clifford Byrd, Logan Salter, Chad Durden and Houston Holloway. Juniors are Joseph Powell, John Mark Sweat, Brandon Blount, Joseph Sparks, and Michael Holloway. Sophomore Hudson Johnson, and Freshmen Evan Simmons, Miles Patterson, Chase Brannen and John Mitchell Hensley round out the team. Michael Childs is the head coach and Riley Kingery assists him.

The Eagles, 1-2, will travel to Louisville to take on Thomas Jefferson this Friday in the first region game of the year.

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