The East Cobb Astros entered the Perfect Game/East Cobb Invitational not only as hosts of the tournament, but also as favorites to make a playoff run during bracket play in the 18u level. They got off to the right start on Thursday as they defeated the SE Reds by a score of 6-2 and came into Friday morning’s game looking to build off that win. The Astros won this tournament two seasons ago and Coach Jamie Crane understands the importance of the Astros representing not just themselves, but the entire East Cobb baseball program.
“We won this event two years ago,” said Crane. “Our name is attached to this event. It adds pressure but that’s what I hope the kids understand is that they’re representing their name.”
Crane was happy with his team’s effort on Thursday but added that there was room to improve. The offense is something that he feels has not been up to standard this summer and needs to be a point of emphasis in games going forward.
“I hope we build off (Thursday’s win),” said Crane. “We scored early yesterday but we ran flat. I’m hoping today to get a lead and continue to build off the lead. We have a short period of time to get it rolling and you have to build off it every day. This is our second event, we’ve done a tremendous job on the mound. Offensively, we’ve done okay but we’re trying to focus establishing a lead and building on a lead. The main thing this weekend is trying to focus on our offense and generating our runs to support our pitching.”
The baseball program has been a staple at Perfect Game events for over a decade and was founded by President Guerry Baldwin. During that time, East Cobb teams have won numerous WWBA, BCS, and other Perfect Game tournament titles and have had a heavy presence at National Showcases. Cody Greenhill, a 2017 Auburn commit, and Judson Ward, also a 2017 Auburn commit, will be heading to Fort Myers, Fla., in two weeks for the 2016 National Showcase. Crane realizes that although showcases are important at exposing individual players to scouts and coaches, tournaments can be just as valuable at highlighting individual abilities in a team setting.
“We really try to emphasize the team in this (tournament setting),” said Crane. “And in the showcase they have to play for themselves. That’s the identity of travel baseball sometimes; you have to step away from the team to showcase yourself, but if you’re doing your best in a team environment it will show.”
The Astros have 12 players who are currently committed to play baseball at the Division I level. The majority of the commitments are for SEC and ACC schools, so this team is certainly talented enough to win the tournament. Mason Meadows, a 2016 University of Georgia commit, says that playing with highly talented teammates not only helps the team win games but it brings out the best in their individual players as a whole.
“I’m going to Georgia,” said Meadows. “The other catcher is going to Clemson, and the third is going to Alabama. If you’re not stepping up to the plate then someone else is going to. Everyone pushes you, in a good way. It’s a positive thing that allows us to push each other.”
Even though the East Cobb team is loaded with talent, the players know that there is a lot of talent on other teams and even within their own pool. Tournaments like this often bring out the most talented teams with elite talent and Meadows knows not to take any opponent lightly.
“In high school there’s such a wide age group,” added Meadows. “But out here everyone’s the same age and they’re just as big as you. Out here it’s a little more competitive but also more relaxed. There’s a higher level of play that we’re expected to play at. There’s a good intensity.”
The Astros second game of this tournament would come Friday morning against Team DeMarini GA American. The Astros used a combination of elite pitching and timely offense to defeat Team Demarini by a score of seven to zero.
Jack Collins, a 2017 College of Charleston commit, was given the start today and looked to continue the dominant pitching that the Astros are used to. Collins throws a fastball, curveball and slider and uses all of his pitches in a good sequence to keep hitters off balance. His game plan today was to use his full arsenal of pitches, throw strikes, and limit walks.
“Come out and use all my pitches,” said Collins. “Throw a lot of strikes, and have my defense back me up.”
Collins stands tall on the mound and has an explosive delivery. He uses his lower half well to generate velocity and his up-tempo delivery keeps hitters off balance. Collins was mowing through Team Demarini’s lineup all day as he racked up eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 shutout innings. He was blowing hitters away with fastballs on two strike counts and only had two walks on the day. In addition to being dominant he was also efficient as he threw 90 pitches on the day including a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth where he only threw six pitches.
The offense came to play for the Astros as well as they drove in seven runs on seven hits. Christian Furr led the way as he has two hits, two RBI and one run scored.
Another player worth mentioning for the Astros is Luke Gray as he was the starting catcher today and is the only player from the class of 2018 on the roster. Gray shows that even on a team with a tremendous amount of collegiate and pro talent that there are just as many talented players rising through the ranks at the East Cobb program.
Those players will look to assert themselves as the program’s next wave of impact talent and are using experiences such as the ones the Perfect Game/East Cobb Invitational provides to get there.