HOMER — Coach Peyton Hart felt his Banks County team was capable of some big things in 2019 with seven returning starters, including his top three pitchers.
His Crystal Ball has not been wrong so far. The Leopards, after just 14 games, already are just one win shy of matching last year's entire win total.
Banks County (12-2, 6-0 Region 8-2A) is coing off a big week where it swept region foe Oglethorpe County 8-3 and 11-1 in a doubleheader and then knocked off previously-ranked Stephens County, 5-1, on the road.
Tripp Williams had a huge weekend with seven hits in the three games and earned his fourth win of the season on the mound against Oglethorpe County. Justin Whitehead also had a big series against the Patriots going 6-for-8 with 6 RBI in the doubleheader.
Hart said just being a year older has been the main catalyst in trying to improve on last year's 13-17 record.
"The biggest difference is another year of experience. Our guys worked really hard in the off-season on getting stronger and were committed to working on their craft," Hart said. "Our youngsters have bought in to what we are doing and it’s been a fun start. A lot to still improve on."
Banks County, which sits just out of the top 10 in the Class 2A rankings by Georgia Dugout, is off until Friday when it travels to Rabun County for another big region doubleheader. They are tied with No. 2-ranked Elbert County (10-3-1, 6-0) atop the region standings.
Hart said they are not resting on their recent successes, however.
"We have several tough tests coming up with Rabun and Social Circle in consecutive weeks," he said. "Both are very well coached and will be great tests for our kids."
They do not take on Elbert County until the final series of the season on April 19 in Homer.
