Apollo High School

While most student's bags were cluttered with various tanning equipment, sandals, and bathing suits, Apollo's baseball team had to manange to clean out enough space for their baseball bats, cleats and helmets Amidst the perfect 80 degree weather and warm spring breeze, the Apollo Varsity Baseball team traveled to Cocoa Beach, Florida to play in the annual Cocoa Expo for spring break. Apollo matched up with teams stretched out all the way from New York to Alaska.

No matter what the opposing competion brought to Apollo's plate, the Eagles overcame it, finishing with an 8-0 record at Cocoa, bringing their overall record to an impressive 8-1.Their only loss coming to a strong Henderson County team in the season opener.
The Eagles started out strong against Ketchum, New York, defeating them 12-6. Apollo seniors Brandon Fogle, Ryan Yates and Ryne Mantooth had 3 hits apiece while Junior Patrick Crider was the WP.

Apollo proved to be the better Kentucky team, defeating Ashland, Kentucky 3-2 in 10 innings. Junior Jon Troutman produced the game-winning hit for the Eagles and Sophomore Rex Gillim had a great game, throwing for 9 innings and giving up only 2 earned runs. Sophomore Jake Wells was the winning pitcher in relief.
Apollo beat a suprisingly talented team from Service, Alaksa, 8-4, with Sophomore Jordan Gray getting 2 hits and senior Matt Bayles earning the win in pitching.

Apollo faced a hard-nosed Minnesota team from Eastview on Thursday to start off the front end of a double-header. The Eagles came out on top with a hard-fought and wel-deserved 7-6 victory, as the game extended to 10 innings. FreshmanT.J. Daugherty produced the game-winning hit to seal the victory. JuniorPatrick Crider pitched the first four innings while Sophomore Jake Wells won the game in relief. Senior Ryne Mantooth and Sophomore Jordan Gray were impressive at the plate, with Mantooth getting 4 hits, and Gray 3. The Eagles also pulled out another W against Richfield, Minnesota, 6-0. Senior Aaron Richardon pitched extremely well, throwing a complete game shutout for the win. Seniors Brandon Fogle and Ryne Mantooth, along with Junior Jon Troutman, all had 2 hits.

Yorktown,Virginia was the team to conquer next, 11-2, with Sophomores Gray and James Williams earning 2 hits each and Senior Ryne Mantooth pitching for the win.
Apollo defeated Durmoth, Georgia, 2-1. Junior Jon Troutman and Sophomore Jake Wells paced Apollo with 2 hits each. Freshman Nathan Humphrey stepped up for Apollo and not only won the game, but pitched all 9 innings as well for the win.
The guys enjoy the trip to Cocoa Beach every year. The trip prepares the guys for a long-but-fun baseball season and is also a great way to bring the team together as a whole.

"The trip let me relax , have fun just playing baseball and enjoy my spring break too,"said Freshman T.J. Daugherty of the trip to Cocoa.