Page 10 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD May 2, 2012 Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports T www.townscountyherald.net • E-mail: [email protected] Indians’ baseball season ends on the downer against Prince Avenue

Jake Mullins triples in his final home at bat. Photo by James Reese.

Vonya Baldwin drives home a pair as the Indians rally against Tal- lulah. Photo by James Reese.

Dillon Diehl scores on a Jake Mullins Triple. Photo by James Reese. By James Reese runs in the top of the fourth in- Bradley Smith singles to keep a Indian Rally alive. Towns County Herald ning seeking to put the game Photo by James Reese. [email protected] out of reach 9-1. Athens – The Towns In the bottom of the County Indians baseball season fourth, the Towns County In- abruptly came to a merciful end dians’ bats came to life and re- Thursday. The Indians were on sponded by loading the bases. the wrong side of the score- Jake Mullins plated two runs Harrison Hobbs delivers against Tallulah. Photo by James Reese. board dropping a Region 8-A cutting the Tallulah lead 9-3. contest 19-3 in seven innings to Both pitchers were settled in for the Prince Avenue Eagles. a scoreless fifth inning. Howev- Earlier in the week, the er, Tallulah Falls added another Indians came up just a bit short run in the top of the sixth push- in their comeback bid against ing its lead to 10-3. the Tallulah Falls Indians with The Towns County Indi- 10-8 loss in their final home ans responded with a big sixth game of the season. inning sparked by a leadoff Seniors Brad Smith and Boone Moss walk. Cruz Shook Jake Mullins would suffer their doubled deep to centerfield final home defeat but became leaving runners at second and key players in a Towns County third base. Indians’ rally. Vonya Baldwin doubled Harrison Hobbs took the in two runs to cut the Tallulah hill for the Towns Indians. lead 10-5. Dillon Diehl stepped The Tallulah Falls Indi- to the plate and singled in ans came prepared to avenge Baldwin closing in on Tallulah an earlier 4-0 season defeat 10-6. from the Towns County Indians Tallulah Falls Head touching up Hobbs for five runs Coach Patrick Mayfield had in the first inning. The Tallulah seen enough determining start- Falls Indians added a couple ing pitcher Thomas Hand had more in the second inning to run out of gas; he went in favor Dillon Diehl gets the sign from Vonya Baldwin. chase Hobbs. of reliever Sam Roberts. Photo by James Reese. Looking at a 7-0 deficit, The outburst continued However, Roberts found Towns Head Coach Chris Vardo for the Towns Indians on a Mul- the zone and struck out the looked to his bullpen and called lins triple scoring Diehl nar- side to end the sixth inning. Lady Indians travel to Columbus on Dillon Diehl to put out the rowing the gap to 10-7. The hit That would prove to be the fi- fire. In the bottom of the second parade continued for the Towns nal score as Roberts closed the the Towns County Indians man- Indians when senior Brad Smith door on the Towns Indians in with hopes of soccer Gold aged to load the bases but plate singled up the middle to score the seventh inning ending the By James Reese only one run. Mullins drawing the Towns In- comeback bid and the Towns Towns County Herald The Tallulah Falls Indi- dians within two 10-8 with no County Indians’ final home [email protected] ans tacked on a couple more outs. game. The Towns County Lady Indians have their work cut out Towns 4-H BB Team looks forward to next season for them on Friday. They were preceded to Rock They face the Brook- Eagle by their coaches, Gene stone Lady Cougars out of Blackburn, A.T. Sorrells, Bill Region 2-A in Columbus. Christine, Ruby Rhinesmith, Coached by Courtney Nor- Diane Hamilton and Ed Jones, ris, the Lady Cougars have an all of which are members of overall season record of 10-5. the Chatuge Gun Club. They boast a conference record Saturday morning they of 6-3. were met by a host of parents The Lady Cougars start- and family as they took to the ed off season 3-3 before going range to fire 40 shots for re- on a tear, winning six in a row. The face the Lady Indians' soc- Some of the competitors in the state championships. cord; 10 shots each from the Taylor Vardeman brings an abundance of energy to the Lady Indians prone, standing, sitting and cer team at 5 p.m. on Friday in soccer attack. Photo by James Reese kneeling positions. Sounds the Class A play-in game be- easy but it takes all day. The fore the Class A state playoffs teams fired scores a bit bet- begin. ter than their daily scores and The Lady Indians made placed in the upper third of the it this far by weathering a rain total competitors. The com- storm and visiting Georgia petitors were: Alexis Ledford, Military Academy a week ago. William Lovelady, McKen- However, Senior Day zie Henderson, Kyler Garrett, Magic happened like the light- Cody Bowman, Emma Wat- ning that struck the team’s kins, Journey Waiters, Tyler scoreboard. Senior Ali Bleck- More of the competitors in the state championships. Sisco, Brett Hooper, Devin ley would score a pair lead- They say “all good things Championships. Hunter, Zandra Churchill, ing the Indians to a 6-1 play- come to an end”. This is appro- Fifteen competitors, 2-7 Brandon Shirley, Chase Rog- off clinching victory over the priate for the Towns County person teams and one person ers, James Norton and Phillip GMA Lady Bulldogs. 4-H BB gun teams who after shooting as an individual left Lovell. Kayla Reece kicked in nineteen weeks of practice and Hiawassee on Friday the 13th Well, next year is com- the initial go ahead goal early a qualifying match last month; with Marlene and Reggie at ing and we will be looking in the contest. Mackenzie Moss traveled to Rock Eagle 4-H the helm and spent that night in forward to another enjoyable followed shortly thereafter Center in Eatonton to com- the cabins at Rock Eagle along season. T(May2,G1)SH with the Indians second goal. pete in the 2012 BB Gun State with 567 other contestants. Senior Ali Bleckley kicked a pair of back to back goals, two Young Harris College to host annual Clay Dotson Open of her three on the day. Reece fired another goal prior to the possible without the help of a half giving the Lady Indians scholarship, so I am incredibly a commanding 5-0 halftime appreciative of the people who Ali Bleckley is an important cog in the Lady Indians pursuit of a state lead. soccer title. Photo by James Reese. give to scholarships in order to Returning from the make it happen.” break, the Lady Bulldogs were Players will enjoy morn- awarded a penalty kick and ing and afternoon flights, a com- successfully converted. The plimentary continental breakfast, goal would be the only one al- lunch and/or snack, an awards lowed by Indians’ goalkeeper ceremony with prizes for low net Alex Fagin on the day. Fagin YHC President Cathy Cox (far right) presents the 2011 Clay Dotson in each flight, a putting contest would deny all other shots Open Alumni Challenge award to Young Harris College alumni Lar- with prizes and a complimentary on goal. Bleckley would boot ry Kimsey, ’65, Jimmy Stewart, ’89, Jerome Burch, ’94, and Michael team photograph. one passed the GMA goalie at Kimsey, ’96. The tournament will roughly the 8-minute mark re- The annual Clay Dot- I have received have enabled also feature the Alumni Team maining in the contest giving son Open golf tournament to me to obtain a quality educa- Challenge in which teams of the Lady Indians the 6-1 vic- benefit student scholarships tion as I prepare to pursue a four YHC alumni receive a tory and insuring them a spot at Young Harris College will career in communications and special discount and compete in the state playoffs. be held on Friday, May 18, at business,” said Matt Wilmer, a to win a special award for the The Lady Indians now Brasstown Valley Resort. junior communication studies lowest score. The award will have to keep relying on the grit More than 90 percent of major from Conyers, Ga. “I am be presented at a special recep- and determination that have YHC students receive some thankful for the opportunities tion for all alumni on Friday kept their 2012 season alive form of financial assistance, the scholarships have afforded evening at Brasstown Valley and driven to the state play- and all proceeds from the Clay me and am proud to be part of Resort. offs. Dotson Open are used toward the Young Harris family.” The deadline to register Head Coach Peter Byrne scholarships for Young Harris “There’s no place like for the Clay Dotson Open is said he felt like the team College students. Generous the Enchanted Valley, and I Friday, May 4. stepped up for their seniors. support of this annual event am grateful that my scholar- For player registration “They have really played allows a new generation of ship has allowed me to spend and sponsorship opportunities hard and give a little extra,” students to achieve their aca- my college years at YHC,” at this event, contact Director Coach Byrne said. “We’re demic pursuits and become added Emalyn Cork, a junior of Development Mark Dotson, going to play our hearts out. part of a 125-year legacy. biology major from Marietta, ’88, at (706) 379-5355 or mc- That’s all you can ask.” Makayla Underwood will contribute some fancy footwork to the Lady “The scholarship funds Ga. “This would not have been [email protected]. NT(May2,N1)SH Indians' soccer game. Photo by James Reese. May 2, 2012 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD Page 11 Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports T www.townscountyherald.net • E-mail: [email protected] Senior Center goes to playoffs in National Wii Bowling Senior League The Towns County Se- nior Center bowled in recent National Senior League tourna- ments for Wii bowlers. The Se- nior Center had two teams. The Hiawassee Hotshots was in the Elite Divisiona nd bowled in the Georgia State Championships. The Rolling Pins were in the Master Division and bowled for the Eastern Region Champion- ship. After seven weeks of hard competition both teams were L to r: Lucy Aparo, Kathy Potts, Eugene Hedrick, Murlene Bradley in the playoffs. Both teams lost and Tina Cataldo. out the second week of play- offs after a hard-fought battle. The finals were held at Brass- town Valley Resort with the Bradley Smith and Jake Mullins bid farewall to the Indians Baseball team. Photo by Lowell Nicholson. Heavy Rollers and Pin Crush- ers of Atlanta competing. The Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games June 8 - 10 Pin Crushers prevailed and a onstrations, Falcons and other wonderful time was had by all. raptors will be demonstrated, At the present, the Hiawassee Highland cattle and children’s Hotshots are ranked 6th and the L to r: Nancy Ferguson, Ann Adams, Annette Adams, Gladys Stevens games. Saturday evening a Rolling Pins 9th in the NSL of and Pat Horton. Celtic Concert will be held fea- over 100+ teams. Eugene He- turing Uncle Hamish and The drick and Murlene Bradley rank Lucy Aparo and Tina Cataldo. of all of them. The next tour- Hooligans... great party! in the top 100 bowlers out of Rolling Pins were Annette He- naments for the NSL will be in Sunday morning brings 600+. Eugene ranks 48th, av- drick, Pat Horton, Gladys Ste- August. With the fever catch- a worship service and Kirkin’ eraging 261.71. Murlene ranks vens, Ann Adams and Nancy ing on, more new players are O’ the Tartans. Then all the 71st, averaging 247.93. Hotshot Ferguson. joining forces to make Towns aforementioned activities are players were Eugene Hedrick, Great effort was made by County Senior Center an even available again. Murlene Bradley, Kathy Potts, each player and we are proud stronger team. T(May2,H2)SH We have a great vari- ety of food vendors and many Scottish/Celtic goods are avail- able for purchase on both Sat- urday and Sunday. Mark your Pipes & drums band calendar for a fun weekend! NASCAR 2012 The Blairsville Scottish Parade of Tartans with all the For information, see our By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter Festival & Highland Games pipe and drum bands and other website: blairsvillescottishfes- Busch Brothers the racing surface in order to will be hosting its 9th an- participants. There will be six tival.org E-mail: bsfhg1@ya- Sweep Richmond return the racing to its original nual festival in the beautiful outstanding pipe & drum bands hoo.com or phone Chamber of Kyle Busch took advan- style. mountains of North Georgia and many other musical groups, Commerce at 1-877-745-5789. tage of a late caution to win in Blairsville, June 8-10. Our Highland dancers, SSAAA Mail: Blairsville SF&HG, His decision not to seek venue in Meeks Park is superi- heavy athletics, Historic Re- P.O. Box 766, Blairsville, GA Saturday night’s Cup race at driver input on how to fix the or and BSFHG has been named enactors, Gordon Setters and 30514. N(May2,Z5)gg Richmond, while his brother track didn't sit well with sever- one of the Top 20 Events in the Border Collie and sheep dem- Kurt won Friday night’s Na- al drivers. And not all drivers Southeastern US by the South- tionwide race. are convinced the decision by east Tourism Society for the The Cup race turned on Smith to grind the top groove 5th straight year. Kids’ summer Performing Arts Camp the last caution, which was will return racing at the half- Friday morning brings The Peacock Playhouse 15 years old. Each year, chil- called because of a plastic mile track to the bumping and the Kilted Golf Tourney at is the new home of Ms. Rob- dren have come from as far water bottle in Turn 2. Tony grinding it was known for be- Butternut Creek Golf Course. bie’s Hiawassee Performing away as Atlanta, Asheville and Kyle Busch celebrates his Rich- Friday night’s Ceilidh is truly Arts Camp. This camp is a even Florida for this unique Stewart, the leader and Busch fore the 2007 reconfiguration. 2-week, 9 AM to 3 PM camp, camp. If your child loves to pitted for fresh tires. mond Cup win “I think they're wasting memorable with lots of food, Scottish ceremony and enter- with a full musical/theatrical- perform, you won’t want them Busch’s team got him Kurt wins their time,” said Greg Biffle. production at the end “The to miss this. Scholarships may out of the pits ahead of Stewart. Nationwide Race for brother Some drivers point to tainment at the new Commu- nity Center Banquet Hall. Amazing Adventures of Pi- be available. On the restart with eight-to-go Kurt Busch beat Denny the uniformity of the car de- nocchio and Friends.” Audi- Call for more informa- in the 400-lap race, Stewart Saturday’s activities will Hamlin to the checkered flag sign as the culprit. include Opening Ceremonies tions are being held now for tion, Ms. Robbie Dernehl at spun his tires. Dale Earnhardt by .062 seconds to win Fri- “The Car of Tomor- in which all clans march in the boys and girls 5 years through 706-897-1041. NT(May2,F1)SH moved into second, but did not day night's Nationwide race at row has brought a lot of great have the car to catch Busch. Richmond. things for us,” said Jimmie “I don't know where that Busch delivered the Johnson. “But I don't think we last caution came from, but it first-ever Nationwide Series can look at the garage area for was our saving grace,” Busch victory to the team owned by the next change. I think the said in Victory Lane. “It was his brother, Kyle Busch. The change comes with the ven- a gift. We came down pit road win was Busch's fourth in the ues. The change comes with and (crew chief) Dave Rogers series and his first on a short the resurfacing of tracks and DO YOU NEED and the guys went to work and track. Hamlin came up two reconfiguring tracks to make gave us a great pit stop, got me feet short after a phenomenal more side-by-side racing. out front.” drive from the rear of the field “And then there's also Earnhardt, who took over after a pit road mistake. the argument of tracks that second in the standings -- five “To get KBM (Kyle create more cautions that some COPY PAPER? points behind series leader and Busch Motorsports) its first people want to see. From a 18th-place finish Greg Biffle -- win -- this is unbelievable,” competition side, NASCAR experienced brake problems for Kurt Busch said in Victory has created a very level play- much of the race, but used the Lane. “It's harder than you ing field, which we were all late restart to improve his posi- think, putting a program to- after. And now we need to tion after Stewart fell back. gether. You think you can look at the venues and try to “We had some brake come in here and muscle your put on a better show based on problems all race long,” Earn- way to the top, but you have to the tracks.” hardt explained. “I had a great think your way to the top.” Two track examples restart, and I ran really great Pole-sitter Kevin Har- would be California and Texas. for one lap, and the pedal went vick ran third, followed by At California the race ran 124 back to the floor. I just had to defending series champion caution-free laps. Two weeks pump it up all the way down Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Sam later at Texas, there was a 219- the straightaway and I didn't Hornish Jr. Elliott Sadler fin- lap green flag run. have any front brakes getting ished sixth, followed by Ryan Then came Kansas. into the corner, so I couldn't Blaney, Michael Annett, Autin There were three cautions for get in real hard.” Dillon, and Kasey Kahne. a total of 18 laps. One came Tony Stewart, the race “This is the most emo- when Clint Bowyer spun, and leader before the final caution, tional I've ever been for a the other two were for debris. lost ground on the restart and win,” said Kyle. “Man, this is In 2011, there were 18 finished third. cool. When you're behind the cautions. This year there were “That’s the best car I’ve wheel, it's a lot easier to do. only five. had here at Richmond in a long, Kurt ran him really tough, and This is not the type rac- long time,” said Stewart. “It was then Denny ran us clean.” ing fans are accustomed to. something I felt really comfort- Top-10 leaders after 7 Racing is an emotional sport. 20# Copy Paper • 92 Brightness able with today. We were where of 33; 1. Sadler-285, 2. Sten- Except for a couple brief fin- we needed to be at the end of house-283, 3. A. Dillon-262, ishes, where the leaders made the day. When the caution is 4. Hornish-232, 5. Annett-220, contact, fans haven’t been for a plastic (water) bottle on 6. Whitt-207, 7. Allgaier-192, treated to much excitement. $ 80 the backstretch, it’s hard to feel 8. Malsam-182, 9. Bayne-180, Hopefully, the next three per 500 Sheets good about losing.” 10. Bliss-174. races, Talladega, Darlington, 3 Denny Hamlin ran fourth, Lack of cautions a no-no and Charlotte will see the ac- followed by Kasey Kahne, Jim- There have only been 43 tion pick up. Fans not only de- mie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, yellow flags this season,- go serve it, but demand it. Mark Martin, Brad Keselows- ing into the Richmond race. At Weekend Racing: The ki, and Carl Edwards. this same point last year there Sprint Cup and Nationwide $ 00 Jimmie Johnson, came were 80. The last caution for a cars will be at the 2.66-mile per Case of 5000 Sheets to pit road during a caution multicar wreck came April 1, Talladega Superspeedway, the 36 on lap 319, but was penalized at Martinsville. longest track on the circuit. for a tire violation on his pit Blame it on the cars, The trucks do not race again stop, after one of his crewmen tracks, safer racing, or more until May 18. rolled a tire unattended toward caution on the drivers part, the Sat., May 5, Nation- the pit wall, and had to restart lack of action hasn’t made for wide AARON’s 312, race 8 of from the tail end of the field. an exciting year of racing. 33; Start time: 3 pm ET; TV: That same restart proved It’s left many fans want- ABC. disastrous for Carl Edwards, ing more. Sun., May 6, Sprint Cup who led the most laps. He was Wrecking, crashing, and AARON’s 499, race 10 of 33; West black-flagged for jumping the bumping and rubbing, has al- Start time: 1 pm; TV: FOX. start before reaching the restart ways been an inherent part of Racing Trivia Question: lines on the outside wall. the sport of racing. What ancient site was the Talla- Printing Company Top-12 leaders after 9 But not in 2012. dega Superspeedway built on? of 36: 1. Biffle-338, 2. Earn- Bruton Smith, owner of Last Week's Question: hardt-333, 3. Hamlin-329, 4. Bristol Motor Speedway is in Who drives the No. 3 truck in Kenseth-328, 5. Truex-316, 6. the process of tearing up parts the Camping World Truck Se- 266 Cleveland St., Blairsville Johnson-314, 7. Harvick-313, of the track pavement, after ries? Answer. It is Ty Dillon. 8. Stewart-307, 9. Edwards- the dismal attendance at this You may contact the 287, 10. Newman-278, 11. Kyle year’s Spring race. He plans to Racing Reporter at hodges@ Busch-265, 12. Bowyer-264. grind down the top portion of race500.com. N(May2,Z11)gg 706-745-6343