Mike Phiel

Putnam County senior Hunter Holder (4) delivered a pitch to the plate. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County senior Hunter Holder (4) delivered a pitch to the plate. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam baseball eliminated in first round

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Putnam County baseball’s season ended last week at Worth County in the first round of the playoffs. The Rams (22-7) swept the two-game series to eliminate the War Eagles (13-14) on Thursday.“I’m super proud of my guys. We fought until the end,” Putnam County head coach Mike Phiel said.
Putnam County senior Hunter Holder hurled a gem of a game Monday against Washington County. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Putnam County senior Hunter Holder hurled a gem of a game Monday against Washington County. TREY NORRIS/Staff

‘Complete game’ powers War Eagles past WaCo

Lance McCurley
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Putnam County upset No. 3 Washington County at home in Eatonton on Monday, led by Gates Lanzarone and Hunter Holder. The War Eagles blanked the Golden Hawks, winning 6-0 to improve to 12-11 overall and 11-1 in region play.
Pitcher Hunter Holder (4) was dominant for Putnam County in last week’s 6-1 win over Thomson. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Pitcher Hunter Holder (4) was dominant for Putnam County in last week’s 6-1 win over Thomson. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Putnam County baseball splits with Thomson

Lance McCurley
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Putnam County baseball split with Thomson, winning 6-1 at home on March 25 and losing 12-2 four days later on the road.The two-game series with the Bulldogs couldn’t have been more lopsided, according to War Eagles head coach Mike Phiel.
Putnam senior Mark Winslette (9) blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning against Westside last week. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Putnam senior Mark Winslette (9) blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning against Westside last week. TREY NORRIS/Staff

War Eagles ‘ambush’ Patriots

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Putnam County blanked Westside-Augusta 5-0 on March 12 for a big region win at home in Eatonton.The War Eagles scored five runs in the bottom half of the first inning and got seven solid innings from Hunter Holder on the mound to improve to 4-9 overall and a 3-0 mark in region play this year.
Jackson Dodd (2) sprints home to score one of his two runs against Josey. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Jackson Dodd (2) sprints home to score one of his two runs against Josey. TREY NORRIS/Staff

War Eagles rout Josey on diamond

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
The bats came alive for Putnam County last week in an easy rout of region opponent Josey High.The War Eagles got a solid performance on March 8 from Tanner Lukens at the plate. The junior went 3-for-4 with a team-high three hits, two RBIs, and a pair of runs scored in an 11-1 win.
Senior Hunter Holder (4) at the plate for the War Eagles at Athens Academy. WILL MORRISON/Staff

Senior Hunter Holder (4) at the plate for the War Eagles at Athens Academy. WILL MORRISON/Staff

Putnam County baseball looking for answers

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Putnam County’s baseball team has had a rough start to the season, entering this week at 2-8 overall. A majority of the War Eagles’ mistakes have been self-inflicted, according to head coach Mike Phiel. He knows his team is talented but hopes his players can learn from their miscues.
Putnam County pitcher Wade Johnston in the wind=up set to deliver a pitch to an Athens Academy batter last Wednesday. WILL MORRISON/Staff

Putnam County pitcher Wade Johnston in the wind=up set to deliver a pitch to an Athens Academy batter last Wednesday. WILL MORRISON/Staff

War Eagles baseball opens season with losses

Will Morrison
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
The Putnam County baseball team began its 2024 season last week and struggled. The War Eagles started the year 0-3 after losses to Athens Academy, Lake Oconee Academy, and Jackson. The War Eagles opened up the year at Class AA’s Athens Academy (ACAD), leaving with a 6-0 loss.
Gates Lanzarone (28) will play a huge part in Putnam County’a offense this year. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Gates Lanzarone (28) will play a huge part in Putnam County’a offense this year. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

High hopes for War Eagles baseball

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Putnam County baseball opens up its season with high expectations this year after losing a lot of seniors last year. One of Putnam’s main goals this season is to get back to the postseason and make some noise in Class AA state playoffs.
Hunter Holder (4) delivers a pitch from mound in a game earlier this season. He’s been one of Putnam County’s reliable arms on the hill in 2023. ARELLA CASH/Staff

Hunter Holder (4) delivers a pitch from mound in a game earlier this season. He’s been one of Putnam County’s reliable arms on the hill in 2023. ARELLA CASH/Staff

War Eagles gear up for final stretch

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
The Putnam County baseball team enjoyed some relaxation last week during spring break. Now, the War Eagles are set to begin the final stretch of the season before the start of Class AA playoffs. Putnam County will face region opponents Laney and Westside (Augusta) this week.
Gates Lanzarone (28) smacks a ball through the infield in a loss to Athens Academy in Athens on Feb. 27. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Gates Lanzarone (28) smacks a ball through the infield in a loss to Athens Academy in Athens on Feb. 27. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles finding their wings as playoffs approach

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
After a tough non-region slate, Putnam County baseball has found its feet in Region 4-AA play. The War Eagles began the season 1-7 overall, with some tough losses to non-region opponents. They’re currently 7-10 entering this week and on a three-game winning streak.
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