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Georgia Wrath, Newton Knights place in AAA state tournament
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Two Covington USSSA travel baseball teams - the Georgia Wrath and the Newton Knights - each placed in state tournament action last weekend.

The Wrath (9 and under AAA) finished third at Criswell Park in Monroe, while the Knights (11U AAA) took sixth at Central Park in Cumming.

For the Wrath, they went 2-2 before being upended by the Dugout Club Tigers, 8-6. In their second game, the Wrath defeated the Peachtree Ridge Lions, 10-3, followed by another win over the Mill Creek Hawks, 5-4.

However, the Wrath lost their final game of the double elimination tournament to the Tigers, 9-4, ending their state run and season. In 52 games, the Wrath compiled a record of 38-14 overall, participating in 13 tournaments. In fact, they began the season in AA but was reclassified to AAA because of their winning percentage.

Coached by Rick Kerbow, the Wrath team members include Brennan Carter, Dalton Cole, Dallis Forsyth, Charlie Greenich, Logan Hinson, Austin Holloway, Austin Kerbow, Brantly Proffitt, Joshua Simms and Dalton Smith.

The Wrath ended the season ranked fifth in points, fifth in the coaches poll and 12th in power rating.

 Meanwhile, the Knights (20-23) were eliminated early in state tourney play, losing their first two games to Hobgood Team Wilson, 10-2, and the Fayette Heat, 15-13.

"Although we didn't finish strong in the state tournament, it sure was nice being one of the seven teams to make it from the entire state," said Knights coach Leroy James. "We played a great sub-state tournament to make the trip to the state tournament possible."

The Knights finished the season ranked first in the coaches poll, 42nd in power rating and eighth in points. They have played in 12 tournaments, and will next travel to Panama City Beach July 6-12 to compete in the Grand Slam World Series.

"I'm really proud of the way the team has played this year," James said. "We have come a long way and accomplished a lot in our first season together. We have remained atop the coaches poll, which tells me other (coaches) think we are a pretty good team, as well."

The Knights include players J.L. Banks, Hunter Clark, Evan House, A.J. Howard, Yorel James, Ross Kirkpatrick, Jalen Martin, Ben Moses, Casey Palmer, John Wells and Garrett Witcher.