(seated) Mark Ashmore, Austin Ashmore and Lauri Ashmore. (standing) Greer Coach Bob Massullo

Senior outfielder Austin Ashmore signed with the University of South Carolina. Ashmore verbally committed to Coach Ray Tanner and the Gamecocks last spring but made it official today. The Yellow Jackets look to contend for a Peach Blossom Conference title in 2008.



 

Congratulations to Austin Ashmore, Alex Burke, Will Coker and Taylor Johnson for being named to the 2007 All Region team. These players were recognized at the team banquet. The Greer baseball team had a great year as they made it into the upper state finals before being eliminated by Pickens.

Austin Ashmore was also named to the All-State team....congratulations to these players on being recognized for their outstanding play this season.

Greer would take a 3-1, in the second inning, on a two-run homerun by freshman catcher Tyler Montgomery. It was a game of ups and downs for both teams as Blythewood would capitalize on a pair of errors and close to within a run. A sacrifice fly by Taylor Johnson (3-4, 2 RBI) would score Austin Ashmore and extend the lead to 4-2.

The fourth inning saw the Bengals put a scare on the Yellow Jackets faces as they plated three runs and retake the lead 5-4. Head Coach Bob Massullo would replace Palka with Sophomore Jeff Witt in the fifth when Blythewood put runners on first and second with only one out. Witt would come in and strike out the side to keep the Jackets within striking distance.

Ashmore would begin the bottom of the fifth with a double followed by three consecutive singles, including another RBI single by Johnson. With the two runners on and the score tied at 5-5, Montgomery (2-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI) would come to the plate and send the full count pitch over the left center field fence for his second homerun of the game and put his team up 9-5. The Yellow Jackets scored a total of seven runs in the inning on seven hits. Witt would get the win in the relief role as he went the remaining three innings.

Greer pounded out 16 hits on the evening and scored more than 10 runs for the third consecutive game. Following the game, Coach Massullo was excited for his players. "We came out a little tight tonight but once they took the lead in the fourth, our guys turned it on and we came out on top. We are looking forward to going on in the playoffs."

The Yellow Jackets will travel to Riverside on Saturday afternoon to take on the Warriors. The two teams split their regular season contests, with each team winning at home.

                     Alex Burke hit the first of two grand slams on the day for the Jackets.

On a beautiful day for baseball, the bats for Greer continued to heat up as they defeated Blythewood 14-1. After a scoreless first inning, the Yellow Jackets put four runs on the scoreboard. With two outs in the second, Tyler Mongomery and Jeff Witt came up with back to back singles and a Zac Fry walk loaded the bases for Alex Burke (2-3, 3 R, 4 RBI). The first pitch to Burke was blasted over the left field wall for a grand slam. 



Greer hurler Taylor Johnson was able to get out of a jam in the third inning after the Bengals strung together a couple of base hits, but he came back and struck out the final two hitters. Blythewood was able to break through in the fourth inning, using a walk and single to centerfield to score their only run of the game. It did not take the home team long to get that run back along with a couple more to extend the lead to 7-1. The Bengals defense committed a couple of costly errors in the inning that allowed all three runs.



The bottom of the fifth inning proved to be the best inning of the season for the Jackets as they plated 7 runs. Austin Ashmore (1-2, 4 RBI) hit a walk-off grand slam as the game was stopped due to the 10-run rule. Greer sent eight to the plate, with seven of them reaching base safely.



Johnson (5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 7 K) picked up the win as he recorded the second consecutive complete game for the Yellow Jackets. With the win, they now advance into the championship game of District II and will face the winner of Blythewood/Camden on Wednesday night at the Greer Baseball Complex. The game is slated for 6:00 p.m.

Notes: Seniors Alex Burke and Bo Watson have committed to play college baseball at Bluefield State College. Burke has also been selected to play in the North-South All Star baseball game in Myrtle Beach, SC.

           Will Coker talks with Asst. Coach Jay Abercrombie...Coker went 2-4 with 2 rbi's

The Greer Yellow Jackets won their playoff opener tonight 10-1 over the Camden Bulldogs. Greer (17-11, 9-5) will host the Blythewood Bengals tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the winners bracket.

Freshman Daniel Palka pitched a complete game, allowing only one run while striking out 10. The offense, which had struggled a little bit lately, did not waste any time getting on the scoreboard. They scored two runs in the first inning after collecting three hits off of the Bulldog pitcher. The run barrage continued in the second inning when they scored four runs on two hits and took a 6-0 lead after two innings. The big hit in the inning came was Zach ShafferÂ’s triple over the right fielders head, he later scored on a Zac Fry fielders choice. Three Jacket runners scored later in the inning thanks to another Bulldog error off the bat of Will Coker.

Camden (13-12) was not able to muster much offense off of the Greer pitcher and the defenese made some nice plays behind him. The fourth inning started with an Alex Burke single, then Austin Ashmore plated him after mashing a fastball into the gap in right center field for a double. He came in to score thanks to an another rbi single by Coker.

The final runs of the evening came in the sixth inning when junior Taylor Johnson belted a pitch over the right center field fence for a 2-run homer. The win sets up another match-up with the Bengals, which the Jackets defeated last year in the playoffs.

Congratulations to the Yellow Jackets and hope everyone will come out tomorrow and support them against Blythewood.

Official State Playoff bracket...

         Teammates congratulate Austin Ashmore following his homerun on Tuesday night...

In a battle of Yellow Jackets, the home team Jackets of Greer was looking to send their seniors out with a win. However, the visitors from Union came to town with some really good pitching and left with a 2-1 victory. Junior hurler Taylor Johnson took the mound for Greer and held Union to only 2 runs on 7 hits but the Yellow Jacket bats were just not able to get timely hits.

The game was scoreless until the 6^th inning when Union got on the scoreboard thanks to a single, walk and then a RBI double. Greer came right back in bottom of the inning as junior centerfielder Austin Ashmore took a pitch out of the ball park to tie to score at 1-1. Just as the previous night, the game was decided in the final inning, this time it was the team in the visiting dugout that was celebrating after manufacturing a run to hold on to win 2-1.

Greer will now finish the regular season with two road games (Wednesday @ Clinton and Friday @ Blue Ridge). They can wrap-up second place in the conference by winning either of those games. You can always stay up-to-date with baseball games right here on yellowjacketsports.net.

                                  Taylor Johnson scored the winning run on Monday night.

On a cold night at the Greer High baseball complex, the Yellow Jackets overcome a two run deficit and remains in second place in the Peach Blossom Conference. Wade Hampton was seeking revenge for a 10 run loss to the Jackets earlier this season and it looked early on like that night just happen. The Generals jumped out on top in the opening inning thanks to a couple of hits along with a Greer error to take a 2-0 lead.



For more than half of the game, the home team was unable to cross home plate as they left 7 runners on base through four innings. After a leadoff walk to Austin Ashmore in the bottom of the 5th, Daniel Palka and Josh Howard each singled. Howard's rbi single brought Ashmore to the plate and cut the lead in half, 2-1. A balk call on the Generals pitcher would tie the score up as Palka scored from third base.



Wade Hampton would pose a serious threat to retake the lead in the 6th but starting pitcher Bo Watson (6 innings, 1 ER, 7 K's) would work out of a bases loaded jam. The Yellow Jackets would score the game winning in their last at-bat for the second time at home this year. Taylor Johnson reached base after being hit for a pitch and would move into scoring positon as the General catcher was unable to hold onto the third strike to a Jacket hitter. Zac Fry would hit into a fielders choice as Alex Burke stepped to the plate with the winning run at third base. An infield single between the pitcher and first baseman would bring Johnson home for the winning run. Watson got the no decision as he pitched 6 innings, allowed only 1 earned run and posted 7 strikeout, Palka would pick up the win after pitching the seven inning. Greer improves to 8-4 in conference play and will host the Union Yellow Jackets tomorrow night at 6 pm for Senior Night.



The Greer JV baseball team also defeated Wade Hampton 6-0 in a game that took place prior to the varsity game. Come out and show your appreciation to the Jacket seniors tomorrow night!!

                                        Alex Burke's single scored the winning run in conference action



The Greer baseball team was looking to end a two game losing streak as they hosted the JL Mann Patriots in Peach Blossom Conference action. Freshman Daniel Palka took the hill for the Jackets and turned in an outstanding pitching performance as he shut out the Patriots. Neither team was able to get much going offensively and looked as it if might go into extra innings, but in the Jackets final at bat Senior Alex Burke sent a bullet into right center that would score Zac Fry from first base.  Greer moves to 8-3 in conference action and will take part in the Diamond Classic at Byrnes. They will play the Chapman Panthers on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

Yellow Jackets in 2nd place in Peach Blossom

The baseball team traveled to face cross-town rival Riverside tonight and a possible sweep. The Yellow Jackets knocked off the Warriors two weeks prior, but it was the home team getting revenge tonight. Greer took the early lead 1-0 when Austin Ashmore crossed the plate, but it did not last long as Riverside scratched out a couple of runs in the bottom of the inning. Using some manufacturing themselves, the Jackets tied the game at two in the top of the 3rd inning.

The home team just refused to lose again to their rivals and used two hits, a ground out and a sacrifice fly to take a 4-2 lead after three innings of play. Bo Watson scored the last run of the game on Will Coker's (3-3, 2 rbi's) hit and that would be as close as the Yellow Jackets would come as the Warriors extend their conference lead to 2 games.

Greer remains in second place in the Peach Blossom Conference with a 7-3 record. They will host the JL Patriots on Friday night at the Greer Baseball Complex. Come out and cheer on the Jackets!!

Greer takes over first place in conference

The Riverside baseball team has reigned supreme over the Yellow Jackets for almost a decade but that all ended tonight. The Jackets did not waste any time in getting on the scoreboard and gave pitcher Taylor Johnson the early lead. Bo Watson and Austin Ashmore crossed the plate in the bottom of the 1st inning following a rocket shot by Daniel Palka that was booted by the Warrior's shortstop and a single by Josh Howard (2 rbi's). After sitting the visitors down in the top of the 3rd inning in order, Greer (9-4, 4-1) was able to get to Riverside pitcher Matt Pegler once again, this time it was a monster blast to straight away centerfield by Ashmore that landed him on third base and then freshman Palka (3 rbi's) delivered with a single to extend the lead to 3-0.

Taylor Johnson did not allow a base hit until the 4th inning and was able to work out of trouble following back to back walks. It seemed like the home team seemed poised to put the Warriors away in the bottom of the inning as Palka once again came up big with an rbi double that plated Alex Burke and put the Jackets up 4-0. The nationally ranked (#15) Warriors would not go away as they were able to manufacture a run in each of the next two inning and get to within 4-2. After seeing their lead cut in half, the Jacket bats came alive in the bottom of the 6th as they added two more runs. Following a walk to Ashmore, Palka got his third hit of the night and then Howard blistered a single through the left side of the defense to score both of the base runners.

Going to the last inning it seemed like Greer would cruise to the win but the top ranked team in 3A would not go away quietly. They placed the first two hitters on base after an infield error and a walk. With one out, the Greer catcher's pick off attempt at first base allowed both runners to score and make the score 6-4. Johnson picked up his seventh strikeout of the night to ge the second out. However, consecutive single brought the go-ahead hitter in Brian Fitzsimmons to the plate and he delivered a two out, two run double to left field to tie the score 6-6. After seeing their four run lead vanish, the Yellow Jackets did not give in and instead battled back in the bottom of the seven. Riverside standout, Michael Roth, came into the game to pitch the last half inning but would hit the leadoff hitter and then placed the game winning runner, Zac Fry who reached on a fielders choice, to reach second base following his own error. Senior Alex Burke came up big as he sent a fastball up the middle, bringing the game winner to home plate and giving the Yellow Jackets the victory. 

It was a tremendous night for the Jackets and a hard fought victory that moves them into first place in the Peach Blossom Conference. They have now won four games in a row and will travel to Union on Friday night. Come out to the Greer Baseball Complex next Tuesday night when they will host the Blue Ridge Tigers!

                    CONGRATULATIONS TO THE YELLOW JACKETS!!

No. Name             Grade     Pos.

1    Brad Holliday     10        IF/P

2    Matt Holliday     10         OF

3    Brandt Watson   12        IF/P

4    Alex Burke         12       OF/P

5    Austin Ashmore  11         OF

6    Zac Fry             12         OF

7    Will Coker         12       IF/P

8    Keith Quinn       11       OF/P

9    Daniel Palka        9        IF/P

11  Taylor Johnson   11        IF/P

12  Austin Phillips     10         IF

13  Heath Carroll      10        OF

14  Tyler Montgomery     9    C

15  Kyle Goode        12       IF/C

16  Wade Mayberry   12      IF/C

17  Jeff Witt            10      IF/P

19  Bryan Vickery      12       OF

20  Matt Brady          11       OF

22  Josh Howard       11        C

24  Bryan Carroll       10        IF

25  Ross Robison       10      IF/P

26  Zach Shaffer       10        IF

28  Taylor Lowe         9       OF

29  Neil Caldwell       10       IF

30  Josh Arms            11     IF/P

31  Brian Hudson        10      OF

32  Dustin McKinney   10      OF

33  Andrew Mosteller  10    IF/C

34  Vance Powell         9      IF



Coaches:

40  Bob Massullo (HC)

27  Jay Abercrombie

21  Brad Dill

18  Tyler Strange

*Conference games in CAPS*

Date---Opponent----Time------Result



FEBRUARY

6 @West Oak (scrimmage)            WON! 11-0



7 @Byrnes  (scrimmage)                WON! 10-2

9 Travelers Rest (scrimmage)      WON! 14-6

12 Berea (scrimmage)                   WON! 16-1   

16-24  Tournament of Horns @ Hillcrest

27 @ EASTSIDE*             7:00          Lost 7-6 (8)



MARCH

6 @ MANN*                     6:00          WON! 5-1



8 Spartanburg              6:00           Lost 4-2



9 @WADE HAMPTON*   7:00          WON! 12-2 (6)



13 CLINTON*                 6:00          WON! 11-1 (6)



14 RIVERSIDE*               7:00          WON! 7-6



16 @ UNION*                  6:00          Lost 2-1 (9)



20 BLUE RIDGE*             7:00          WON! 8-2



23 EASTSIDE*                 7:00          WON! 13-3



27 @RIVERSIDE*            7:00           Lost 4-3



28 @ Spartanburg       6:00            Lost 13-3



30 MANN*                      6:00           WON! 1-0

APRIL

2-7 DIAMOND CLASSIC @ BYRNES