Geraldine and JSU Standout Headed to the White Sox SPORTS LEDGER July 2023 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 8 The
A former standout baseball player has officially made it to The Show. Amos Willingham, 24, of Rome, Georgia, is a relief pitcher prospect for the Washington Nationals. The organization selected him in the 17th Round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Georgia Tech, by way of Snead State Community College. Willingham was recently called up to join the Nationals during the team’s series against Seattle after working his way up in the minor leagues for the last several years. On Wednesday, June 28, 2023 Willingham made his debut against the Mariners, becoming the first-ever Snead State Baseball player to play in an MLB game. Washington took down Seattle 4-1 with Willingham pitching in the eighth. Facing four batters, he threw 17 pitches, of which 14 were strikes and gave up just one hit that was unfortunately a solo homerun. His fastballs averaged between 96-99 MPH. “This is such a huge moment for Amos, and we can’t duly express how proud we are for him to get this opportunity,” said Snead State Head Baseball Coach Casey Underwood. “He’s such a great guy and tremendous baseball player. Amos’ success also marks a major milestone for our program, as he’s the first former Parson to ever pitch or play in the MLB.” Willingham starred for the Parsons from 2016-2018. Over two seasons, he appeared in 26 games including 12 starts. Pitching a total of 103.2 innings, tallied 87 strikeouts and posted a 4.77 ERA. At Georgia Tech for the 2018-2019 season, Willingham posted an 8-2 record in 18 appearances and 13 starts, pitching 69.1 innings of work for a 5.19 ERA. He finished with 42 strikeouts and an opponents’ batting average of .285, while also pitching a part of a combined shutout. He was instrumental in leading Georgia Tech to a 43-19 record and No. 3 National Seed in the NCAA Tournament where Atlanta played host to the NCAA Regional. In the minor leagues, Willingham pitched 145.1 innings to record 139 strikeouts and post a 3.84 ERA. This year alone, he went 4-1 and picked up five saves (on six save opportunities) with a 1.90 ERA. He tallied 25 strikeouts in 23.2 innings of play. Former Geraldine High School and Jacksonville State University pitcher Jake Peppers has been selected by the Chicago White Sox in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft. Peppers was taken by the White Sox with the 269th pick of the draft and marks the highest drafted Gamecock since former Jax State standout Todd Cunningham was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2010 MLB Draft. The Geraldine, Alabama junior becomes Jax State's 67th player to be selected by one of MLB's organizations. He becomes the fourth Gamecock picked by the White Sox, joining former players Christian Edwards (2021), Todd Altaffer (1990) and Roger Mayo (1975). Peppers was a staple in the Jax State bullpen for most of the 2023 season and transitioned to a starting role midway through the season due to injuries in the weekend rotation. The hard-throwing righty finished the season with 18
appearances on the mound, including nine starts. Peppers posted 50 strikeouts in 58.0 innings of work and allowed 31 earned runs. A pair of starts highlighted his junior campaign with a midweek outing against Auburn in March and in his final appearance of the season against Eastern Kentucky in the 2023 ASUN Baseball Championship. In the start versus the Tigers on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium, he worked 5.1 innings with five strikeouts and scattered four AU hits. He did not allow a run in the contest. He allowed just one run with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings against Southeastern Conference opponents. Against EKU in May, Peppers tossed a gem to help lead the Gamecocks to securing the Pool B of the championship format and a berth in the semifinals of the conference tournament. He turned in a career-high 6.2 innings on the mound, fanned eight Colonels and limited EKU to three runs on four hits.
During the recent 2023 SEC football media days in Nashville, several SEC Players earned preseason All-SEC honor from the media members. The players earning first team preseason honors are: FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB - Jayden Daniels, LSU All-SEC Preseason Media Selections Georgia Head Football Coach Kirby Smart speaks with ESPN during the 2023 National Championship game. During the recent SEC Media Days, UGA was predicted to win the SEC Championship this coming fall. The Bulldogs received 181 first place votes, while Alabama was second with 62 votes. SEC Champions? Photo by Courtesy of UGA Athletics
Former Snead State Baseball Star Makes It to "The Show"
RB - Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss RB - Raheim Sanders, Arkansas WR - Malik Nabers, LSU WR - Ladd McConkey, Georgia TE - Brock Bowers, Georgia OL - JC Latham, Alabama OL - Amarius Mims, Georgia OL - Tate Ratledge, Georgia OL - Will Campbell, LSU C - Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia DL - Mekhi Wingo, LSU DL - Mykel Williams, Georgia DL - Maason Smith, LSU DL - Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia LB - Dallas Turner, Alabama LB - Harold Perkins, LSU LB - Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia DB - Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama DB - Malaki Starks, Georgia DB - Kamari Lassiter, Georgia DB - Javon Bullard, Georgia P - Kai Kroeger, South Carolina PK - Will Reichard, Alabama LS - Kneeland Hibbett, Alabama KOS - Mitch Jeter, South Carolina RS - Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama AP - Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
Photo Courtesy of Snead State
Amos Willingham throws for Snead State.
The Geraldine High School football program recently held its annual picture day. Members of the varsity and JV football teams, along with the coaches, band and cheerleaders took time for a large group picture. Geraldine's varsity team is set to open the 2023 high school football season with a home game against Coosa Christian on Thursday, August 24. Be sure to check out next months print edition for more high school football coverage and be sure to follow along during the upcoming season online at www.thesportsledger.com Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger 2023 Geraldine High School Football Program
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease