>> JOHN MILLEDGE ACADEMY
JMA has jumped out to an early 3-1 record with dominant wins over Tiftarea Academy, Thomas Jefferson Academy, Brentwood and one loss to Crawford County.
In the Trojans’ first matchup against Tiftarea, JMA got an early 1-0 lead in the second inning and that score lasted until game’s end. Pitcher Cooper Wilburn dominated opposing batters for five innings, giving up only two hits, zero walks and no runs.
Cohen Brooks pitched in relief duty for two innings, giving Wilburn his first win of the season on the bump for the Trojans.
In the Trojans’ matchup against the Jaguars from Thomas Jefferson Academy, JMA won in dominant fashion, run-ruling TJA 18-3 in five innings. Every Trojan batter got on base by either base hits or walks. A total of four JMA batters batted .500 or 1.000 against the Jaguars.
In JMA’s most recent matchup, Cooper Young was on the mound for the Trojans when they faced the Brentwood War Eagles. Young pitched five innings, allowing three hits, striking out four batters and allowing zero runs. Eight of the Trojans batters had a batting average of .333 or better against the War Eagles.
The JMA bats were hot all game long with the Trojans racking up 13 hits with eight of them being singles, four doubles and the third homer of the season for the team coming off the bat of Jackson Thomas to lead the Trojans to a 12-0 victory over Brentwood.
JMA head baseball coach Chad Starley said he was not surprised by his team’s early dominant performances.
“Our preparation and work that we put in at practice gets our guys ready to perform when the lights come on,” he said.
He added that their practices are mentally and physically tough, and that they do this so they can be ready to deal with in-game adversity during the season.
The Trojans will host Piedmont Academy this Friday at 4 p.m., and then face a home-and-home stand against region rival First Presbyterian Day School next Tuesday and Thursday.