Gwinnett Daily Post

After closing out last year by winning a Grand Slam World Series tournament title in Florida, the Signature Park Hawks 14U baseball team won three tournaments to start the season.

The Hawks started this season strong by winning the 21-team Triple Crown Forsyth County Slugfest tournament on March 11. In the championship game against the Gwinnett Titans, the Hawks made a spectacular comeback to force extra innings and win 6-5.

The Hawks rode the wave of momentum and captured the March Madness tournament crown on March 25.

The Hawks cruised through the tournament unbeaten, averaging more than 11 runs a game and winning the title game by a score of 17-4.

The Hawks completed the tournament trifecta by winning the very competitive 32-team Triple Crown Back to School Backyard Brawl tournament at the prestigious East Cobb Baseball Complex on April 15. The Hawks beat the East Cobb Astros, a top five nationally ranked team, in the championship game. The Hawks won in dramatic fashion in extra-innings upsetting the heavily favored Astros 7-5 on their home turf.

Team members are Gabe Davenport, Al DelVillar, Derek Eder, Austin Elliott, Mike Germano, Jake Hershman, Matthew Lewis, Loren Matzick, Wright Patterson, Trevor Powers, Justin Reppert, Kobe Wharton, and Matthew Wilson. Coaches are Rod Davenport, Doug Lewis, John Germano and John Reppert.

GGA defends state championship

Lawrenceville-based Georgia Gymnastics Academy's Level 10 team won the state championship for the second year in a row in Cartersville on March 25.

The team had five event state champions in various age groups. Marie Priest, Brianna McGuffie, Memory Shettle, Jennifer Rochefort, Katelyn Weed won state title.

Team members are Katy Clements, Brianna McGuffie, Mallory Moredock, Marie Priest, Jennifer Rochefort, Memory Shettles, Ericha Webb and Katelyn Weed.

The team is coached by Amanda Cain, Judy Miller and Bruce Blake.