(Franklin, GA) — The Heard County Braves varsity baseball team will take the field for its regular season opener tomorrow with a de facto day-night home doubleheader versus a pair of Devil squads at HCHS.
The Braves were originally slated to open with Pepperell at home Tuesday before the rains came. That contest will now take place on March 11.
The 2020 version of the Braves will look to bounce back from a round one state playoff defeat at Social Circle last year.
In the four years prior to 2019, the Braves made three appearances in the Elite 8 and one appearance in the Sweet 16 under Coach Trent Bianco, who enters his seventh season as the Braves head coach.
The Braves will return an experienced squad this year led by five seniors who have each been with the program since they were freshmen.
One of the top returnees for the Braves will be senior third baseman and No. 1 starting pitcher Tray Owens. Owens has been a pivotal aspect in the lineup and on the mound for the Braves during his tenure at HCHS.
Owens batted .423 in 2019 with seven homers, 11 doubles and 34 RBI’s while striking out just 12 times in 108 at bats. He was the team leader in ERA at 2.10 and strikeouts with 54 in 60 innings of work while notching a team high five wins in his 11 starts.
Another senior stalwart returning to the lineup will be No. 2 starting pitcher Dale Thornhill. Thornhill will once again be the top guy at the shortstop position and an important piece of the rotation after earning four wins in his nine starts as a junior.
Senior Caden Raines will return to his familiar starting slot at second base, while junior Drew Cornelius will be at the first base position.
Freshman John Paul Awbrey has been an impressive youngster a the plate and should also see some action at first base, while sophomore Noah Cantrell will be an important utility piece for Coach Bianco at several infield positions depending on who the starting pitcher is each game.
Another strong bat in the line-up will be that of junior Hayden McCosh who can back up Owens at third base and will see plenty of time at the DH position.
Returning starters will man the left and center field positions with senior Jake Harrod returning to left and junior Leroy Marsh back in center field.

2020 Seniors (L-R): Nathaniel Kiser, Dale Thornhill, Caden Raines, Tray Owens, and Jake Harrod (Photo: HCHS Baseball)
Leave a Reply