Complete game shutout remains elusive for Irle, but A’s still win

Lithia Springs – Roy Irle took a no hitter into the 7th inning providing another dominant performance for the Atlanta A’s. Irle went the distance giving up one run on two hits while striking out a season high 14. The A’s jumped out to an early lead in the 4th inning thanks to an Amir Kharleed three-run homerun. The A’s would tack on 3 more in the 5th with 5 consecutive A’s reaching base. The A’s received further offensive contributions from Zane Miller and Jacob Kagey who had two hits apiece. The A’s (5-1) will be off next week for Memorial Day.

Atlanta A's - 7
Cherokee Dragons - 1

A’s get back to winning ways

Lithia Springs – The A’s snapped their one game skid by taking care of the Nuts 10 – 0. Zane Miller threw the A’s first complete game shutout of the season. Miller scattered 3 hits and walked one batter while striking out four. Offensively the A’s scored 4 runs in the first two innings highlighted by two-RBI doubles from Blake Kelley and Adam Wheeler. In the 6th the A’s put the game away scoring 5 times, taking advantage of 4 walks and two errors with only having 1 hit in the inning (Chad Culhane RBI Single). The A’s (4-1) will look to make it two in a row next week against the Dragons.
Atlanta A's - 10
Atlanta Nuts - 0

A’s handed first loss of the season

North Cobb – In a battle that matched the intensity of the 1988 World Series, the A’s dropped a heart-breaking loss 7-6 at the hands of the Dodgers. Adam Wheeler got the start on the mound for the A’s and threw 6 strong innings giving up only 3 runs. The A’s jumped out to an early 3-1 lead by plating 3 runs in the second highlighted by RBI doubles from Jake Lowery and Wheeler. The A’s would tack on one more in the 3rd as a Blake Kelley RBI single plated Chad Culhane and again one more in the 5th as Wheeler would score giving the A’s a 6-3 lead. Wheeler was relieved by Jacob Kagey who threw two scoreless innings during which the A’s added to their lead when John Clark knocked in Kagey with an RBI single. In the 9th the Dodgers rallied to score 4 times and shock the A’s by coming back and winning 7-6. The A’s drop to 3-1 on the season and look to get things back on track next Saturday in a makeup game against the Nuts.

Dodgers - 7
Atlanta A's - 6

Officially a winning streak

Lithia Springs – Roy Irle (3-0) came within 2 outs of a complete game shutout, with his third straight strong outing. Irle scattered 5 hits while striking out 13 in the win. The game began as a pitcher’s duel with neither team scoring until the 4th inning. In the 4th the A’s used 5 consecutive hits, highlighted by a John Clark 3-run homerun, to jump out to a 4-0 lead. From there the A’s would pad their lead again getting offensive contributions from up and down the lineup. The A’s 2-5 hitters (Chris Wilson, Jacob Kagey, Amir Kharleed, and John Clark) had two hits apiece providing a strong attack from the middle of the order. The A’s move to 3-0 on the season with a tough road test against the Dodgers next week.

Atlanta A's - 8
Lookouts - 1

Atlanta A’s win two in a row

Lithia Springs – The A’s used a balanced attacked and strong pitching to hold down the Ghosts 13-3 at Lithia Spring. Roy Irle (2-0) threw a complete game scattered 8 hits and 3 runs over 9 innings. Offensively the A’s score multiple runs in the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 9th. Blake Kelley and Zane Miller had 3 hits apiece leading the A’s offensive attack. The A’s will take on the Lookouts next week in an attempt to improve to 3-0.

Atlanta A's - 13
Ghosts - 3

Atlanta A’s win home opener – A’s 11 Mustangs 0

Lithia Springs - The Atlanta Athletics won their home opener on April 6th against the Mustangs by a score of 11-0. This was the first time in the past 4 years that the A’s have won their season opener. Roy Irle got the start on the mound and threw 6 dominant innings, racking up 10 strikeouts and only allowing 2 singles. The A’s score 6 runs in the first giving Irle all the run support he would need. Offensively the A’s used a balanced attack highlighted by homeruns from John Clark and Jake Harris (let the derby begin). Amir Kharleed contributed 3 hits to the offensive attack. Next week the A’s face the Ghosts as they will look to start the 2008 season 2-0.

Atlanta A’s - 11
Mustangs - 0

Season Opener - Rained Out

The 2008 Atlanta A's season was delayed today due to rain. "Even with three tarps down at home plate, it felt like a waterbed underneath," said Zane Miller the Atlanta A's manager and Lithia Springs field rep.

The Atlanta A's will try and open up next weekend against the Mustangs.

Tigers vs Atlanta A's - March 9, 2008

In the first live action of the year the A’s knocked the rust off by playing a very strong opening scrimmage game against the Tigers (formerly the Yankees and Dragons). The A’s saw strong pitching, timely hitting, and impeccable defense, which led to a decisive win at Lithia Springs.

A’s at the plate:
The A’s used a balanced attack, getting contributions from up and down the lineup. The first four hitters in the A’s lineup (Blake, Jacob, Josh, and Amir) set the table by going a combined 10 for 12 at the plate. The A’s scored in bunches plating 2 runs in the first, 2 runs in the second, and 5 runs in the eighth.

A’s on the mound:
As Zane would say the A’s used a “Johnny whole-staff approach” looking to get all of the pitchers some work in the first game of the year. 2007 workhorse, Roy, started for the A’s and worked two innings of one-run ball. Jacob, Adam, Chad, Mike, David, Jake, and Zane combined for seven innings of shutout relief following Roy.

Atlanta A’s welcome three rookies for the 2008 season

The A’s are very excited to welcome three new members for the 2008 season: David Akins, Jake Harris, and Josh Lowery. David will help out on the mound, at first, and the outfield. Josh will be our classic utility player, seeing time around the infield, outfield, and behind the plate. Jake will strengthen the Atlanta A’s infield and pitching staff. The A’s are hoping the new additions will help the team improve on its second place finish in 2007.

Atlanta A’s move to Lithia Springs

After a two-year stint calling South Cobb high school home, the A’s are moving to Lithia Springs high school for the 2008 season. Lithia Springs has been home to several prolific games in the past, including a 15 strikeout performance by Phil in 2005. The A’s are hoping the short dimensions of Lithia Springs will help fuel the offensive attack this season.

Atlanta A's Website featured in HardBall Magazine!

The Atlanta A's team website was recently featured in the National magazine for the MSBL/MABL - HardBall Magazine.

The site was featured in the magazine's "Websites that work" section with secreen shots and favorite features of the site.

This has proved to be a beneficial to the Atlanta A's as it gives them a selling point for their sponsors giving them reach to thousands of MSBL/MABL members as they few the site.