Early County News

Eight PCA Panther baseball players chosen to GHSA Region 1A All-Region teams




Kolbie Radney finished the season with a .375 average, 18 hits and 15 RBI in region play. Photo by Shannon Radney

Kolbie Radney finished the season with a .375 average, 18 hits and 15 RBI in region play. Photo by Shannon Radney

The Pataula Charter Academy Panthers baseball team finished the 2022 season with a 19-11 record and made their second straight trip to the class A state playoffs.

They finished 2nd in the region for the second year in a row with a region record of 13-3.

Several players were honored for the successful season on this year’s All- Region 1A Team.

Senior Kade Haywood won Region Player of the Year for the second year in a row. He was also voted the Region Pitcher of the Year.

Haywood batted .622 in region play with 23 hits (10 extra base hits), one home run and 21 RBI. Overall, he was a .493 hitter with 34 hits, two homeruns, and 32 RBI.

On the mound he went 5-2 with a 1.56 ERA with 79 strikeouts in region play. For his career, he racked up 240 strikeouts as a three-year starter at PCA (including the Covid-shortened season in 2020).

Joining him as an All-Region selection is senior Kolbie Radney. Radney was a .375 hitter in region play with 18 hits and 15 RBI. He was also one of the top defenders at first base in the region, committing just one error.

On the mound he posted a 2.62 ERA, mostly in relief, and converted one save.

Fellow senior Tyler Tabb was named to the All-Region team as well. Tabb started every game for the Panthers at shortstop where he was a .370 hitter in region play.

He collected 17 hits and scored 24 runs in region play, tallied 31 hits overall on the season, and stole 18 bases as the Panthers’ leadoff hitter.

Juniors Charles Holley and Grayson Waltman were also selected. Holley played primarily at second base but also saw time at third base and catcher.

He was a .375 hitter in region play and posted a 1.095 OPS, 15 hits, 17 runs scored, and 13 RBI.

Waltman was a .375 hitter in the region, collecting 12 hits and 10 RBI. His 17 walks tied Haywood in region games contributing to a .600 on base percentage.

Waltman also played perfect defense in right field with no errors in 16 region games.

Sophomore designated hitter Chad Jones was selected for his offensive performance in 2022. Jones batted .360 with a .600 on base percentage. He was at his best against playoff teams in region play where he batted .466. He was also a .600 hitter in the state playoffs.

Seniors Andrew Hartsfield and Tucker Cleveland were named as honorable mention selections.

Hartsfield, who recorded over 100 career hits, batted .317 and drove in 20 runs in 2022. He also posted a 3-1 region record with a 3.65 ERA.

Cleveland batted .337 overall in 2022, collected 29 hits, and 24 RBI.

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