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Robinson To Spend Summer On The Cape
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Each summer college baseball's best migrate to the Northeast to take part in one of baseball's best and richest traditions. The Cape Cod Summer Baseball League is a unique opportunity for a very select group of college baseball players to further their skills, and in the process, hopefully improve their status for the Major League Baseball draft. This summer, the Cape will have a new face that is sure to make a big impact. Young Harris Head Coach Rick Robinson will take the reigns of the Hyannis Mets in hopes of leading them to a Cape Cod League championship. Armed with a roster filled with talented players from top tier Division I schools such as Clemson, Georgia and Vanderbilt; the Mets are sure to be a force with Robinson at the helm. Robinson joins the Mets at an exciting time for the organization. The Mets are in the process of a $400,000 renovation that has already seen the addition of new lights to their facility. With an obvious commitment to excellence and winning, it is sure to be an exciting summer for Hyannis. You can follow Coach Robinson and the Mets by visiting www.hyannismets.org and at www.capecodbaseball.org. With Coach Robinson out of town, he can be reached rrobinson@yhc.edu and at 706-379-5175 for any questions regarding Young Harris Baseball.
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While the 2008 baseball season will not include a trip to Grand Junction for the Mountain Lions, the bitter finish cannot compare to the sweet ride that was the season.
2008 saw the Mountain Lions achieve both individual and collective success. Take for instance the 10 sophomores who will continue their academic and athletic careers at four year institutions, eight of which being at the NCAA Division I level. Shortstop Michael Hornsby and pitcher/first baseman Stephen McCray will be joining the Volunteers of Tennessee. Grimes Medlin will follow his teammates to the SEC where he will suit up for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Mark Swanson will be taking the hill for Liberty University, where he will be reunited with former Mountain Lion coach and all time great Jeremy Boles. Stephen Jenkins will now pitch for the Mercer Bears, and Ryan Moore will head to Atlanta to become a Georgia State Panther. Third baseman Michael Glantz will head north to Penn State University. Outfielder Trevor Collias will continue wearing purple, but it will now be for Western Carolina University. And finally, Justin Smith and Mike Markakis will remain teammates in Carrollton, GA as they join the West Georgia Wolves.
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2008 Region XVII Champions |
In addition to their commitments to four year schools, Young Harris players garnered individual recognition at the conference, region and district levels. Eight Mountain Lions were named to the 2008 GJCAA All-Conference team, including a team record six on the first team. First team selections were Micheal Hornsby, Michael Glantz, Kenny Swab, Mark Swanson, CJ Smith, and Derrick Lowery. Trevor Collias and Grimes Medlin were named to the second team. After winning the Region XVII tournament, six Mountain Lions were selected to the All-Tournament team. CJ Smith, Trevor Collias, Michael Glantz, Derrick Lowery, and Mark Swanson were honored, and Daniel Warzon was named tournament MVP after his walk-off, tournament winning home run. Finally, Michael Glantz and Mark Swanson were named All District for the East Central District.
The individual success was not limited to just the players. Head Coach Rick Robinson was named Coach of the Year by his peers in the GJCAA. This honor came in a year that saw Robinson win his 500th career game, and lead his team to a 50 win season.
Though the team did not achieve its ultimate goal of returning the NJCAA World Series, there are plenty of milestones it can view proudly. As mentioned earlier, the 2008 squad became just the fourth team in school history to reach the 50 win plateau. Along the way, they garnered the GJCAA regular season crown and the Region XVII tournament championship.
All good things must come to an end, and such is the case for the 2008 Young Harris Mountain Lions baseball team. However, 2009 looks to another promising year as the Mountain Lions will be returning 19 freshmen, who will be joined by a talented class of recruits.
Finally, Young Harris Baseball would like to thank all of its families, fans and supporters for their contribution to the 2008 season. We look forward to another great year of Mountain Lion baseball with you in 2009!
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| Mountain Lions Ranked #2 In Latest Poll |
Perfect Game Crosschecker's latest Junior College Top 25 poll has the Young Harris Mountain Lions ranked #2 in the country, their highest ranking this year. Furthermore, the poll has the Walters State Senators, the Mountain Lions' opponent in this weekend's East Central District championship series, sitting atop the poll at #1. The poll's publication couldn't have come at a better time as it sets the stage for what is sure to be an action packed and drama filled series between two great teams with the winner punching their ticket to Grand Junction, CO and the NJCAA World Series. For the complete poll, please click here.
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Mountain Lions Capture Region XVII Title
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Tournament MVP Daniel Warzon |
Entering Sunday's championship game of the Region XVII tournament, the Young Harris Mountain Lions appeared to be in the catbird seat as they faced the South Georgia Tigers. Needing to win only one from the Tigers, who would need to defeat Young Harris twice to claim the crown and having already defeated them just two days earlier, Young Harris looked to have the clear cut advantage both psychologically and in terms of pitching depth. Someone forgot to tell the Tigers to care. In what proved to be a grueling war of attrition, Young Harris and South Georgia went back and forth for ten innings before Daniel Warzon sent a three run, walk-off homerun over the left centerfield fence to claim a 15-12 victory and the 2008 Region XVII Tournament championship. The blast was Warzon's second of the game. Trevor Collias would also contribute two dingers, and Clay Remole added a grand slam. The Mountain Lions would use a total of seven pitchers on the day, with CJ Smith pitching a scoreless tenth to earn the win. While a total team effort was required; Trevor Collias, CJ Smith, Michael Glantz, Derrick Lowery and Mark Swanson were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Daniel Warzon being named Tournament MVP.
The road to Grand Junction will now pass directly through Young Harris as the Mountain Lions will host 2008 Tennessee champion Walters State for the district championship this weekend. The best two out of three series is tentatively set to begin Friday night at 6 pm. Please continue to check here for updates.
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Mountain Lions Place Eight on All-Conference Team
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The GJCAA has announced its 2008 All-Conference baseball team and eight Young Harris Mountain Lions have been honored, including six on the first team. The eight total and the six first teamers both rank as all-time highs for Young Harris baseball. Representing Young Harris on the first team are shortstop Michael Hornsby, third baseman Michael Glantz, catcher Kenny Swab, pitcher Mark Swanson, designated hitter Derrick Lowery, and closer CJ Smith. Outfielder Trevor Collias and pitcher Grimes Medlin were both selected as second team. Click here for complete list of GJCAA All-Conference Teams.
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Billy Buckner
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Buckner Optioned Back to Triple A
Just two days after the Diamondbacks called up right-hander Billy Buckner, he was optioned back down to Triple-A Tucson to make room for another righty, Leo Rosales. Click here to read more.
Season Statistics
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