The Gilmer Bobcats’ baseball team bid bye to head coach, Kyle Barr. Barr bid adieu after one year as the Bobcats’ head man at the annual Bobcats baseball banquet. He has taken a job at Chestatee High School, which Barr says will,

“save 700 miles of driving, per month.”

The Bobcats’ banquet was preceded by the varsity lettermen, and JV participants being recognized, followed by the first ever acknowledging of records being broken or tied and top five finishes.

Shane Dale, and Austin White, tied the record for the most triples in a season. Clay McClure tied for the most walks in a season.

Austin White set a single season as well as a career record for stolen bases, breaking records held by his older brother, Jesse.

Forest Bramlett sets records for: most doubles in a season; most doubles in a career; best on base percentage in a single season; most hit by pitches in a season; and most hit by pitches in a career. Marlen Hensley, only a junior, was the sole other record breaker, with the most career walks.

Dale tied for third most wins in a season. Colt Henderson tied for the third most home runs and RBI’s in a season. White tied for fourth most home runs, hits and batting average in a season. Tucker Plouffe tied for the fifth most hits in a season. Hensley tied for third most wins in a season. The team total wins for the season, tied the second place all time finish.

Dakota Welch was named the JV Pitcher of the Year; Dusty Lacey the JV Defensive Player of the Year.

The Bobcat Award, given to the best underclassman (freshman or sophomore), was awarded to Plouffe. Plouffe batted .397, with 24 runs scored, 31 hits, 15 RBI’s, and played varsity all year.

Hensley won the Scholar Athlete Award. His year average was 94.2. His career average is 92.8.

McClure was named Defensive Player of the Year, after his first first baseman stint. He had a fielding percentage of .974 with 145 put outs of a possible 155.

Dale won the Pitcher of the Year. He tied for the team lead in wins, had the second best ERA and the best winning percentage.

Barr said that Dale,

“Was easily the most consistent pitcher after 40-50 pitches.”

Bramlett was named the Offensive Player of the year after batting .435, and breaking the aforementioned school record for doubles, and on base percentage.

“He was clutch at the end of the year,”

said Barr.

White was named Most Valuable Player. White led the team in runs scored as well stealing the steals records.

“This guy was our most consistent player of the year,”

said Barr.

Barr briefly addressed the team about his leaving the Bobcat program after the awards had been divvied out.

“I’m not going to be back next year. I’ve accepted a job at Chestatee High School, which is going to save about 700 miles of driving per month. Okay (that’s) a lot more hours with my kids. So I apologize for being here one year, and leaving. As a head coach I know we’ve been through a lot. I know they’re trying to find the best guy they can for the job. I do not know who that’s going to be. I do not have any idea who that’s going to be.”