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2024 GHSA Preview: Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets

January 5, 2024
Logan Nelson
PBR Georgia Staff

The 2024 Georgia high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Georgia.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in mid-May inside one of Coolray Field, AdventHealth Stadium, or JI Clements Stadium at Georgia Southern University. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Georgia. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week and updating the Power 25 rankings.

 

Our 2024 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets
Head Coach: Ryan Strickland
Classification: 6A
2023 Record (Finish): 21-16 (Elite 8)

No. of Returning Position Players: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

 

TOP SENIORS

  • Lee McCorkle - 1B
  • Lawson Odom - OF
  • Eli Taylor - LHP
  • Drake Singletary - C
  • Marx Gaines - OF
  • Branson Gates - RHP

TOP JUNIORS

TOP UNDERCLASS FOLLOWS

TEAM OUTLOOK

  • The 2023 campaign for the Yellow Jackets ended with a 21-16 record and a playoff run to the Elite 8 in a tough class 6A. In 2024 Coach Strickland and his staff will have a strong Sophomore class that will play big roles in the Yellow Jackets success. Sophomores Reid Gainous and Dallas Pitts will be two that are relied on a lot on the mound in the starter role. Seniors, Eli Taylor and Branson Gates will be key contributors on the mound as well, and will look to lead the two young Sophomores. Junior Brayden Payne will look to lead the Defense at a pivotal SS position, Payne will also be a big offensive weapon for the Yellow Jackets. Thomas County Central will open their 2024 season on 2/17 vs. Jeff Davis.

Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE DATE LOCATION
South Georgia Preseason ID January 6th, 2024 Coffee County High School
East Georgia Preseason ID January 7th, 2024 IVSA Training 
North Georgia Preseason ID January 13th, 2024 Georgia Highlands College
Georgia Preseason All-State January 14th, 2024 IVSA Training

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