Several incoming students at Gettys Middle School were given free items for school on Saturday at Brice Field.
Jeff Holt | The Easley Progress
EASLEY — Over 1,000 backpacks, 10,000 pairs of socks and at least 300 pairs of shoes were given out on Saturday (for free) for incoming students at Gettys Middle School. The event was held at Brice Field with food and music.
It marked the 10th-straight year that Tracy and the Sunshine Gantt Ministries has donated the items. The New Deliverance Church helped spearhead the event.
“My husband is a pastor (of New Deliverance),” said Sunshine Gantt, at the table on Saturday with all of the free giveaways. “Gettys has been gracious to let us host it here the past two years. We’ve also hosted it at Pope Field and at Liberty in the past.”
Added Gettys Middle School Principal Jacob Nelson, “They just come together to support their own. Last year was my first year as Principal and they did it with great success. This year, the weather held out. It is just meeting the needs of the students. It is just a partnership. We make sure they have the things they’ll need to get ready for school. Every kid likes to have new shoes when they start school.”
Cole Davis steps up: It’s the playoffs for the Easley Post 52 Legion baseball team and their pitching staff got severely tested last week.
Easley High School grad Cole Davis got the nod to pitch and he answered the call, leading Post 52 to a 7-4 win over Winnsboro. Davis pitched the full seven innings, gave up just 3 runs, walked only 1 batter and struck out 6. He threw a total of 93 pitches, with 63 of those for strikes.
“We have struggled this week with some illness and minor injuries, and other sorts of things,” said Easley Legion coach Jonathan Hall. “Many key starters have been out. Cole (Davis) is mainly a bullpen guy. We have had several guys who have stepped up this week from the bench.”
Hall went on to say, “Cole we felt comfortable with giving him the nod and helping our team out. Couldn’t be more proud of him. His teammates were behind him all the way as well. Huge for him and this program. These guys are hungry and it’s been showing.”
At press time, Post 52 was gearing up for a series against Greer. If necessary, Easley will travel to play Greer tonight on Wednesday (if he series is tied at 1). They are just two wins away from going to Florence for the state tournament.
Easley’s Levi Recio, batting in the No. 3 spot, turned in a 2-for-3 effort at the plate with a run. Centerfielder Joey McGovern also delivered a 3-run homer for Post 52.
Local Golf Outing: Registration is currently underway for the Pickens County Humane Society 11th Annual Golf Tournament that will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3 at The Rock Golf Club and Resort. Cost for each team is $125 (maximum 4-person team). For more information, call (864) 843-9693.
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.