Four Southland Academy Raider baseball players receive post-season accolades
Published 12:20 pm Wednesday, July 27, 2016
- ATR File Photo: Southland’s Reed Dillard launches a fastball down the pipe during a 2016 contest in Americus. Dillard was named All-Region and All-State for his senior season with the Raiders.
From STAFF REPORTS
AMERICUS – Four members of the Southland Academy Raiders 2016 baseball team recently received post-season awards for their performances on the diamond over this past season.
Southland seniors, Hoyt Gurley and Reed Dillard, were each named All-Region, with Dillard adding an All-State appointment to his post-season accolades. Freshman, Parker Weldon, and sophomore, Harrison Bell, were each named Honorable Mention All-Region.
Dillard a pitcher, who recently signed a scholarship agreement with the University of West Georgia, was also tapped to be a participant in the Senior All-Star game. During his 2016 season with the Raiders, Dillard amassed an impressive .520 batting average while belting seven doubles and four homeruns. Dillard batted in 19 runners and crossed the plate 19 times himself.
In a recent press release, Raider head coach, John Brady said, “Reed was our number-one pitcher and, in 53 innings pitched, he struck out 60 batters, walked 12, and posted a 2.77 ERA. Reed led us by example and by words if he needed to. He threw a lot of big games for us over the years and has been a tough as nails competitor. He also has had a ton of big hits. We look forward to seeing what he will accomplish at West Georgia in the fall.”
ATR File Photo:
Southland’s Hoyt Gurley winds up to swing during a 2016 contest in Americus. Gurley was named All-Region for his performance on the diamond last season.
Gurley, a catcher, shared team captain duties with Dillard during the 2016 season. During his final spring with the Raiders, Gurley held onto a .330 batting average en route to four doubles and a pair of homeruns. Gurley contributed 10 RBIs to the Raider cause and completed 10 trips around the bases, himself.
“Hoyt played great at catcher,” Brady said. “He was outstanding in controlling the running game. He also played great at third when we needed him there. He served as our number-two pitcher and, in 32 innings pitched, he struck out 38 opponents. Hoyt was also a great leader for us.”
ATR File Photo:
Southland’s Harrison Bell recovers from a powerful swing during a 2016 contest in Americus. Bell was named All-Region honorable mention for his role on the Raiders’ baseball team during the 2016 season.
Bell, a versatile infielder, racked up a .333 batting average in the spring of 2016 and belted a pair of home runs for the Raiders. Bell brought in 16 runners for the Raiders and crossed the plate 11 times, himself.
“Harrison played third and first for us,” Brady said. “He hit in the middle of our batting order and did a great job. He also did good work in relief on the mound for us with 15 strikeouts in 16 and two-thirds innings.”
ATR File Photo:
Southland’s Parker Weldon takes a mighty swing during a 2016 contest in Americus. Weldon was named All-Region honorable mention for his role on the Raiders’ baseball team during the 2016 season.
Weldon racked up a .340 batting average during his freshman season, contributing one home run and eight RBIs to the Raider cause. Weldon scored 11 times in 2016.
“Parker played very well for us in the outfield,” Brady said. “He really came on in the second half of the year with some big hits.”
“All these guys are very deserving of these honors. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to coach them. We will miss Hoyt and Reed next year dearly,” Brady concluded.
