BE battles against IP Classic gauntlet

Bishop England playing in the International Paper Baseball Classic epitomizes coach Mike Darnell’s coaching philosophy. Challenge the team early, reap the rewards late. The former was taken care of last weekend at the 27th edition of the IP Classic at historic Mike Johnson Park in Georgetown. Bishop England went 1-2 as the smallest school in the premier showcase and the only, other than host Georgetown, not from Class AAAAA. “We did some things well and probably just as many things poorly,” said Bishops coach Mike Darnell, who played in the inaugural IP Classic in 1991. “The tournament itself was a great experience. We always like to try to play the best competition. This weekend we figured out some things that aren’t going to work, so in some ways it’s almost to the drawing board.” Bishop England 5, Ashley Ridge 1 Junior lefty Leo Albano struck out eight in five innings to guide Bishop England to a 5-1 win over Ashley Ridge in the opening round Thursday. Albano scattered five hits with no walks, retiring 12 batters on three pitches or less against the fourth-ranked team in AAAAA. Josh Church drove in Ashley Ridge’s only run two outs into the first inning with a double down the third-base line to score Chase Bruno, who reached on an infield error. “Leo’s just so consistent. You’ll never know by watching him if things are going poorly or things are going well,” Darnell said. “The thing I am proud of with this team is the way they battle. We made a few mistakes early and didn’t let it get to us. We always battle.” Bishop England rang up all five runs in the third inning. Gregory Sanders drove in two with a double. Ryan Gaffney, Will Bastian and Geoffrey Gilbert each added one. Ashley Ridge starter and Spartanburg Methodist commit De’Ondre Smith lasted 3 2-3 innings as the Bishops rang up eight hits by eight different players just two days after falling to the Swamp Foxes, 9-1, in Summerville.

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BE BATTLES AGAINST IP CLASSIC GAUNTLET

FRANKIE MANSFIELD

Moultrie News | 3/13/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Frankie Mansfield