Turrentine, Bates top ‘08 all-area squad

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
J.C. Bates had plenty of expections for his final season of high school baseball.
Garrett Turrentine was just looking for a spot in the starting lineup.
The Hartselle duo helped power the Tigers to a 39-12 mark this season with solid performances that exceeded all expectations.
Bates and Turrentine were selected as the 2008 Hartselle Enquirer pitcher and offensive player of the year after leading Hartselle to the Class 5A semifinals this season.
Hartselle head coach William Booth was voted the area’s top coach by his peers after the Tigers reached the semifinals for the fourth time in six years.
Bates, a senior, was a dominating force on the mound for the Tigers this season, posting a 13-3 mark with a 2.17 ERA.
The All-Area player of the year honor was the second straight for Bates, who has signed with Okaloosa-Walton Community College.
Bates led the Tigers in several pitching categories, including wins, saves, complete games and innings pitched.
Opponents hit just .195 against Bates this season.
Turrentine came into the spring without a starting job, but took advantage of an opening at first to emerge as the team’s top hitter.
He paced the Tigers with eight homers and 46 RBIs to cap off a surprising junior season. He also led Hartselle with 81 total bases, 14 doubles and a .648 slugging percentage.
But his biggest contribution to the Tigers came as a run producer. He topped the team with a .450 average with runners in scoring position.
Turrentine’s success came as a result of plenty of work in the weight room during the off-season. He added strength that kept him in the lineup as the Tigers’ cleanup hitter all season long.
Turrentine finished with a .344 average in 47 games.
Joining Turrentine and Bates on the all-area team were teammates Chad Girodo (8-5, 1.93 ERA), Tony Weaver (.301, 15 stolen bases), Will Chappell (.412, 40 hits, 35 runs), Ryan Joy (.309, six homers), Ethan Widener (.320, nine doubles) and Zack Waddell (.363, 10 doubles).
Danville had five players earn all-area honors including senior Roger Smith, who hit .457 with six homers as a pitcher-first baseman.
Other Hawks to earn spots on the all-area team were catcher Parker Hogan (.422, 33 RBIs), pitcher Michael Veazey (9-2, 3.96 ERA) and outfielders Bryan Rogers (.363, 34 RBIs) and Dakota Wilson (.366, 37 RBIs).
Jeremy Hale (.327, 17 stolen bases) and Kody Etheridge (.353, 22 RBIs) represented Priceville, while Brewer’s Matthew Pinkerton (.421, 45 runs), Matthew Bazzel (school-record 17 throwouts at second) and Jordan McCutcheon were named to the all-area team.
Falkville, a team that came within one win of an area championship this spring had two players earn all-area honors: senior pitcher/outfielder Zack Moore (.344, 25 RBIs) and junior shortstop/pitcher Joseph Lacy (.374, 11 doubles, 34 hits).