Redan shined brightest among five teams that posted perfect records in the opening week of the 2018 season. Coach Alexander Wyche’s Raiders used superior pitching to roar past Westlake (5-1) Feb. 13, Alexander (10-0) Feb. 17 and Kell (3-2) Feb. 17 by the combined margin of 18-3 in an impressive 3-0 start.

Three pitchers combined for a five-hitter and 10 strikeouts over seven innings in Redan’s 5-1 triumph over Westlake. Sophomore Donye Evans picked up the victory, allowing one unearned run and striking out three over three innings. Seniors Taj Bradley (2 IP; 4 SO) and Kameron Marshall (2 IP; 3 SO) teamed up for seven strikeouts to finish up the decision.

Senior Raul Daniel-Guerrero went 2-3 with two RBI and one triple to pace the Raider offense. Marshall turned in a memorable outing in his first start for Redan four days later, striking out seven and allowing only one hit over five innings in Redan’s 10-0 blanking of Alexander Feb. 17. Marshall finished 3-3 with three RBI, two runs scored and one triple on the offensive end. Seniors Lyndon Weaver (2-3; 1 RBI), Orlando Adams (2-2; 1 RS) and Hunter Todd (2-3; 2 RBI) also recorded multiple hits.

The Raiders then posted 10 more strikeouts in a 3-2 decision over Kell Feb. 17 to close out the week, with Bradley fanning seven in five scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Evans (1 IP; 1 SO) and senior Kelvin Smith (1 IP; 2 SO) also turned in solid results on the mound.

Coach Eric Hoxie’s Arabia Mountain Rams served notice of another strong season, pounding out 16 runs in both ends of a doubleheader while taking care of Westlake (16-11) Feb. 17 and Mays (16-0) Feb. 17.

Arabia Mountain, meanwhile, received a huge offensive effort from junior Micah Sanders (4-4; 2 RBI; 1 2B) in a 16-11 triumph over Westlake Feb. 17. Seniors Silas Butler (2-5; 3 RBI) and Corey King (2-3) provided additional offensive power for the Rams.

Arabia Mountain followed up with 16 more runs in a 16-1 decision over Mays later in the day. King (2-3; 2 RS; 2 RBI) and senior Josh Campbell (2-2; 3 RS; 2 RBI) paced the plate effort, while senior Jordan Sterling allowed one hit and struck out one over two innings to pick up the pitching decision.

Chamblee pounded out 10 hits in a 12-4 victory over Stephenson Feb. 17. Freshman Isaac Harkins (2-4; 2 RBI), senior David Albuquerque (2-3; 3 RBI) and senior Norman Kelly (2-4; 3 SB) took center starge among the offensive leaders. Junior Max Stephens struck out four and allowed five hits and two earned runs over six innings to earn the pitching triumph.

Coach Samuel Marion’s Lithonia Bulldogs also erupted out of the gates to a super 2-0 start, blasting out 36 runs while besting Riverdale (17-2) Feb. 14 and Salem (19-9) Feb. 16.

Coach Tyrus Taylor’s Southwest DeKalb Panthers received stellar mound efforts in a pair of victories last week over Grady (3-2) Feb. 13 and Eagle’s Landing Christian (7-2) Feb. 15.

Southwest DeKalb pulled out a tough 3-2 decision over Grady Feb. 13, as senior Jeremy Hatchett led the way both offensively and on the mound. Hatchett went 2-4 with one run scored and one RBI at the plate and struck out five while allowing only two hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings to secure the pitching triumph.

The Panthers also registered an impressive 7-2 victory over Eagle’s Landing Christian Feb. 16, with Hatchett again coming up big while going 3-4 with one double at the plate. Junior Kendrick Scott (3-4; 3 RS; 2 2B) matched Hatchett with three hits and senior Juan Smith (2-3; 1 SB) also reached multiple hits.

Martin Luther King Jr. rounded out the list of undefeated squads, as coach Steven Head’s Lions romped past Henry County (13-2) Feb. 14 in a 1-0 start.

Cross Keys wasted no time ending the scoreless drought that covered the entire 2017 season, erupting for six runs in a 10-6 loss to Best Academy Feb. 16. Freshman Calan Goins went 1-2 with one run scored to lead the individual charge, while senior Dennis Lin scored two runs and added one RBI and one stolen base.

Freshman Isaiah Palmer produced the lone offensive highlights for Miller Grove in a 6-0 loss to Newton County Feb. 15, finishing 2-3 with one stolen base. Seniors Laydoffas Hooper (5 SO) and Gerald Bess (3 SO) combined for eight strikeouts over six innings in the defeat. Senior Zandon Finch (2-3) delivered two of Miller Grove’s four hits in a 10-1 loss to St. Pius Feb. 17.

Junior Chauncey Adams registered the pitching decision, striking out one and allowing two hits, one walk and no earned runs over four innings. Senior Trevon Flowers (1-2; 2 RS; 1 RBI; 1 HR; 1 SB), junior Miles Bowens (1-2; 1 RBI), senior Miles Grayson (1-3; 1 SB) and senior Stanford Flowers (1-3) accounted for all of Tucker’s offense in a 6-2 loss to Decatur Feb. 14.

See full list of scores below:

Week 1 DCSD Baseball Scores