Byrd one of best in 4-A

Chris Whitaker

May 07, 2008 10:14 pm

— ELLAVILLE — Schley County’s David Byrd and Will Gordon knew they had their work cut out entering the baseball season.
They were the only returning starters from a Wildcat team that won 27 games and reached the state quarterfinals in 2007.
Byrd started three games and pitched 31.2 innings and had an ERA of 3.45 while Gordon batted .246.
The two have excelled this season — Byrd as the team’s ace and Gordon as catcher after playing infield last season.
With a 6-2 record and a 1.45 ERA to go with 57 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched, Byrd was named Region 4-A’s Pitcher of the Year. Gordon, who’s batting .429 with 28 RBIs was named First Team catcher.
Jonathon Deriso and Jesse Colter also were named First Team, and pitcher Christopher Tondee was named to the Second Team.
Pacelli’s Stuart Wilkerson was named the Offensive Player of the Year, and coach Chris Leak was selected Coach of the Year after leading the Vikings to a region title and a 21-2 record (11-1 region).
“Region awards are very special because the players are receiving recognition from the other coaches in the region,” said coach Chuck Cheek. “That’s one of the biggest honors you can get — being recognized by your competition.”
Byrd has a three-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio on the season, and he’s come into games and recorded three saves. Cheek said he’s made a great transition from the bullpen to the team’s ace.
“He’s given us a chance to win every game he’s pitched in this year,” he said. “In baseball, pitching tends to even everything out. Even though we lost eight starters we knew we had David coming back and that we would be competitive. He’s had an oustanding year.”
Colter, Deriso and Gordon are 1-2-3 in the batting order and have been the spark for the offense, along with Byrd in the cleanup spot.
Colter’s batting .338 with 18 RBIs and 34 runs scored while Deriso is hitting .432 with 16 RBIs and five doubles. Colter also had 10 extra-base hits, including two triples and two home runs.
Tondee has pitched 26.1 innings and has a 6-1 record and 4.78 ERA.
The Wildcats are preparing for the first round of the Class A playoffs with a doubleheader date at Wilcox County on Friday.
Schley County lost both games to the Patriots this season by 6-5 and 4-3 scores.

2008 ALL-REGION 4-A
Coach of the Year: Chris Leak, Pacelli
Pitcher of the Year: David Byrd, Schley County
Offensive Player of the Year: Stuart Wilkerson, Pacelli
1st Team
P-Michael O’Neal, Pacelli
P-Brandon Maddox, Taylor County
C-Will Gordon, Schley County
IF-Jonathon Deriso, Schley County
IF-Neal Amos, Brookstone
IF-Charles Rossi, Pacelli
IF-James Miller, Pacelli
IF-David Miller, Pacelli
OF-Jesse Colter, Schley County
OF-Tyler Herndon, Brookstone
OF-Johnny Carter, Brookstone
OF-Matthew Rossi, Pacelli
Utility-Nico Hickey, Pacelli
2nd Team
P-Christopher Tondee, Schley County
P-Milton McCluskey, Brookstone
C-Tyler Newcomb, Taylor County
IF-Brewer Carter, Brookstone
IF-Jake Howard, Brookstone
IF-Joey Lewis, Brookstone
IF-Mike Morgan, Chattahoochee County
IF-Alex Wilder, Taylor County
OF-Danny Gordon, Brookstone
OF-Sammy Oates, Pacelli
OF-Ryan Redd, Pacelli
OF-Ricky Dixon, Taylor County
Utility-Kason Cox, Chattahoochee County