Thursday's Central Georgia - and of interest to Central Georgia - news and notes, compiled from staff reports, email reports, the web, and social media.

Florida gets some revenge, mercy-rules UGA in WCWS

          Georgia got off to such a good start, a Justice Milz two-run homer in the top of the first.

          It was downhill after that for Georgia in the Women's College World Series, Florida answering with five in the bottom half en route to an 11-3 five-inning win over the Bulldogs.

          The 10 earned runs allowed by Stratford alum Mary Wilson Avant (12-4), Jones County's Kylie Bass, and Amanda Ablan was almost 19 percent of the season total of 53, and a season high, just past the eight given up to top-seed Oregon in the second game of the season.

          Georgia plays Florida State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Macon tops Savannah in Coastal Plain League debut

          Macon scored four runs in the top of the ninth to beat Savannah 10-6 in the Coastal Plain League season opener at Grayson Stadium.

Related story: Macon's official roster

          Andres Perez got the rally started with a double, scored on a sac fly that preceded CJ Bush's homer and a two-run error.

          An announced crowd of 4,341 filled Grayson.

          Bill Leroy, a graduate of Dublin who for North Georgia, was among the two-hit Savannah players.

          Macon's home opener is at 7 p.m. Friday against Lexington County followed by a visit from Savannah on Saturday.

Georgia set for baseball regional action

          Georgia welcomes Campbell, Duke, and Troy to Foley Field for NCAA baseball regional action on Friday.

          The Bulldogs are hosting a regional for the first time since 2008.

          Georgia faces Campbell at 7:30 p.m., preceded by Duke and Troy at 2 p.m.

Newcomb gets rolling as Braves hold off Washington

          Sean Newcomb went seven innings and allowed two runs and four hits as Atlanta topped Washington 4-2 before only 22,380 at SunTrust Park in a battle of teams that are 1-2 in the NL East.

          Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 13.

          In other Braves news, Atlanta optioned Dustin Peterson to Gwinnett, released P Aaron Blair, and selected the contract of OF Peter Bourjos from Gwinnett.

Longtime Bibb County high school athletics contributors Ashley and Hatcher honored

          New Macon Sports Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Ashley and hall member Edgar Hatcher are among those being honored this weekend at the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association's 80th award ceremonies.

          Ashley, the recently retired Macon-Bibb athletics director, will be presented the Executive Director's award to recognize his service the last year as the GACA's president.

          Hatcher, who has coached at several Macon high schools, will be presented the GACA Lifetime Membership Award.

          The GACA will also hold its 18th Hall of Fame induction ceremony, adding longtime Vidalia basketball coach Chunk Reid, along with Dave Hunter (football), David McDonald (baseball), and Marty Hutsell (wrestling).

          Former GHSA executive director Gary Phillips will receive the Sam Burke Award. The state coach of the year is head football coach Rich McWhorter of Charlton County.

Fascinating story of Michigan State, Dooly County, and dismissed sex assault charge that isn't quite dismissed

          Former Dooly County and Michigan State standout Keith Mumphery is home in Vienna, working out, having been released by Houston because of a sex assault accusation that more than once has not been confirmed through the system, a communication snafu regarding email playing a role in a convoluted tale of "triple jeopardy," as per a must-read-and-share New York Times story.

Georgia Tech's Cooper named to Rimington watch list

          Kenny Cooper, who started all 11 games last year at center for Georgia Tech, is among nearly 60 on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy for the nation's best at the position.

Popular ex-Brave Medlen calls it a career

          At only 32, Kris Medlen is done.

          Medlen, whose top seasons came during a short stint with Atlanta, has retired, a veteran of two Tommy John procedures.

This week's signings

          A slew of Baldwin athletes signed letters of intent last Friday.

          Girls track standout Brittany Trawick is headed to Troy, Keldrick Bell signed with Benedict football, and Ambria Henry is going to Piedmont for track.

          Paine is the destination of Roderick Walker for track and basketball, Akirah Robinson for girls basketball, Makayla Ricks for softball, Tremaija Neal, Hezekiah Hartry, and Nysherria Braddy for track.

This Week's Honor Roll

          Mercer relief pitcher Robert Broom has earned third-team All-America honors by Baseball America.

          The junior first-team all-conference pick went 10-4 with a 1.70 ERA in nearly 75 innings. He's the first Bear to be so honored since top-15 draft pick Kyle Lewis in 2016.

          The magazine also picked Georgia Tech's Joey Bart and Georgia's Keegan McGovern. ...

          The national college baseball writers have picked Georgia College pitcher Charlie Hecht to its All-America second team.

          Martin Dewald was a first-team pick in 2010.

          Outfielder Logan Mattix and utility Nate Schmal were honorable mention picks. ...

          Georgia College had three players named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-America teams.

          Senior pitcher Charlie Hecht, senior utility Nate Schmal made the second team, and senior outfielder Logan Mattix made the third team.

          Schmal hit .417 with 40 runs, playing second, outfield, and catching (Mattix and Hecht stats below). ...

          Georgia College's dynamic duo of Charlie Hecht and Logan Mattix added to the resumes, being named to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-America team.Hecht, the consensus region pitcher of the year, made the second team, and Mattix, the Peach Belt player of the year, made the third team. It's the second year in a row the Bobcats had two players so honored.

          Hecht went 11-1 with a 3.03 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 104 innings. Mattix batted .400 with nine homers and 67 RBI.