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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/2/2018

Hodges dazzles in 643 DP win

Nate Schweers     
Photo: Davis Hodges (Perfect Game)

See also: PG/East Cobb Days 1-2 Scout Notes

EMERSON, Ga. – The 643 DP Cougars improved to 2-0 at the 14u Perfect Game/East Cobb Invitational on Saturday with a 12-0 win over Five Star National Wilson. In a pivotal game for the Pool A standings, 643 DP used excellent starting pitching and timely hitting to cruise to victory.



Lefthander Davis Hodges was nearly unhittable on Saturday, tossing five strikeouts on just one hit in a complete game effort. Hodges was consistently in the strike zone, and his defense made every play behind him in what was a very clean game. On a beautiful day at LakePoint, Hodges made sure not to let the big stage get the best of him.

“Especially out here it’s easy to get lost in the craziness of it being LakePoint, but you know, coming out and hitting spots was the goal and I did that,” said Hodges, who was able to keep hitters off balance with a good four-seam and two-seam fastball mix. “I feel like on a couple of strikeouts it was running away from them, and they had to make a late decision if it was going to be a strike or not.”

Hodges’ day didn't stop on the mound however, as he roped a hard-hit single into left field during his first at-bat of the day. Playing both ways is something Hodges has always done, and he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.

“It’s [hitting] been a big part of my game forever, and just recently being able to see good pitches and time up good pitchers has been big for me in getting some hits.”

After a scoreless first inning, 643 DP used a bunt single, an error and a laced two run double from Hayden Smith to break the tie in the second. The Cougars would wind up scoring three in the inning after a sacrifice fly from Yannis Rembert.

The Cougars were able to do a great job of changing their approach the second time through the order Saturday, and head coach Jamaal Hawkins believes that was a big key to offensive explosion during innings 2-4.

“Our hitters made an adjustment against a good pitcher for them, and we were able to put some good swings on him,” said head coach Jamaal Hawkins. While Hawkins was happy with his team’s effort, he knows there is still work to do for the Cougars to reach their end goal.

“This next one is huge. We’ve got a few guys banged up, but I think our guys are really rallying behind each other and just kind of grinding through this time. We definitely have a huge one coming up at four o’clock against a good Redstitch team.”

With two games on a hot Georgia day, it can be important to try and finish games early, and that is just what the Cougars did Saturday morning. With a 5-0 lead in the fourth inning, 643 DP put together an impressive seven-run inning to win the game.

Another bright spot for the Cougars has come in outfielder Andruw Jones. Jones, who went a rare 0-for-0 Saturday has been swinging a hot bat all tournament.  After a two-run double yesterday, Jones is finding a way to influence the game in any way he can.

“Its weird because I like to get hits, but that's fine as long as the team wins its cool with me,” said Jones. “I’ve been trying to make contact and make adjustments against each pitcher, just trying to do whatever I can to get on base.”

Whether it’s on the mound or at the plate, this 643 DP group has used a team effort to put them in the drivers seat in Pool A.  With one more big game this afternoon, the Cougars find themselves one win away from Sunday’s playoffs.
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