CHS Baseball Week 1 Recap
The Columbus High Varsity Blue Devils went 1-2 in week 1. Losing a close one at Harris County 4-3, then traveling to Newnan the next night to play in less than ideal baseball weather conditions to remind us we’re playing baseball in winter. On Saturday, the Blue Devils took the home opener against Northside 2-1.
Ben and Brad Rulon threw out the ceremonial first pitch, honoring their mother, Anna. Anna was a Blue Devil through and through, serving as Secretary, Treasurer, and President on the booster club board. We are, as always!
*Photos provided courtesy of Ben Dodds and BLD Graphics
Ben Rulon:
-4 year letterman at Columbus
-Region champions all four of those years 1998-2001
-2000 state champs
-2001 state runner up
-drafted in 40th round by Reds in 2001, but chose to attend college
-2 years at Young Harris
-2 years at Georgia State
-Drafted by Tampa Bay Rays in 38th round and signed in 2005
-played two seasons in the Rays minor league system
Brad Rulon:
-4 year letterman
-2004 state champs
-attended Georgia tech where he won an ACC championship and was a participant in the 2006 college world series
-3rd all time in career pitching appearances at ga tech
-drafted in 2008 by New York Yankees in 34th round. Played 3 seasons in the Yankees farm system.
Overall, the Blue Devils had a solid opening week. The traditionally tough schedule at the beginning of the year is an annual grind. The Blue Devils started 4 Juniors and a Sophomore to go along with Seniors David Livingston (LF), William Randall (C), Caden Bryans (CF), and RJ Griffin (DH). Many of the younger guys are getting their first real playing time at this level, and there has to be time to adjust. The offense was sluggish against very good pitching. Expect them to improve. The pitching came through in many spots including the win against Northern.
The Blue Devils will have to face three more great teams this week in Auburn, Brookstone and Harris Co. a second time. All games are at home, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 5:30 PM.
Down on the Farm:
The Freshman took some lumps and bumps on Monday while the JV team split a double-header with a very good Smiths Station team. Most importantly, several players made huge strides to continue to push the Varsity team to continue to improve. JV travels to Auburn on Tuesday – the annual 280 series where the busses pass each other on 280 as one Auburn team comes to Columbus, and the other Columbus team travels to Auburn. The Freshmen travel to Harris County on Thursday and host Jordan for a double-header on Saturday at 11AM. The two away games are at 5 Eastern.
Let’s Go Blue Devils!
