Nathan Camp is expected to be Ringgold’s top starter this season, but the Tigers’ rotation includes left-handers Wyatt Tenant and Holden Tucker. Ringgold hopes to advance further into the playoffs this year after stalling in the quarterfinals in recent seasons.More Info
THREE TEAMS TO WATCH1. Heritage. The Generals, who won 30 games a year ago and reached the Class AAAA state semifinals, return a solid core of players led by pitcher/first baseman Cole Wilcox, infielders Brody Campbell and Johnathan Hickman and outfielders Lance Dockery and Luke Grant.2. Gordon Lee. The Trojans, fresh off a runner-up finish in Class A public a year ago, lost six starters, but last year’s depth will keep them strong. Senior catcher Dylan Minghini and pitcher Austin Thompson were postseason stars in 2017.3. Calhoun. Chip Henderson’s team graduated six seniors from last year’s surprising Class AAA semifinalist, but led by left-handed pitchers Davis Allen and Brett Potts, the Yellow Jackets should again contend.THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH1. Cole Wilcox, Heritage. The 6-foot-5 pitcher is a projected MLB first-round draft pick after a 2017 prep season in which he won nine games and an offseason that led him to Canada, where he helped Team USA to a Gold Cup championship.2. Andre Tarver, Ringgold. Still just a junior, the Mississippi State-committed outfielder has added 15 pounds to his 6-foot-2 frame, a scary proposition for teams coming into cozy Bill Womack Field.3. J.P. Tighe, Dalton. The catcher, who recently committed to Georgia Southern, led the Catamounts into the Class AAAAAA state semifinals with a .457 average and 45 RBIs last season.
RINGGOLD, Ga. – Brent Tucker summed up his accomplished baseball program’s mindset with GHSA teams set to open the season Monday.
“Well, we’re still pretty angry from last year, to be honest,” the Ringgold coach said. “A lot of programs with three straight region championships and three times in elite eight would be happy. We’re sick of that. We want to go further this year.”
Many projections a year ago had Ringgold winning the Class AAA title, but spotty defense and a hot North Hall team derailed those plans in the state quarterfinals. So while the Tigers sat home and licked their wounds after finishing the season 29-8, fellow region members Calhoun and Coahulla Creek were competing in the semifinals.
“We are hungry, and you could see that hunger in August when we opened the weight room,” Tucker said. “This is a very talented team at every position. We have athletic kids with high baseball IQs.”