The Bainbridge High School Bearcats varsity, junior varsity and middle school baseball teams were honored for their outstanding 2011 achievements during Tuesday night’s annual baseball awards banquet at The Charter House Inn.

Sophomore varsity infielder Blake Voyles received the John Hambrick Varsity Batting Average Award, named for a former Bearcat who lost his life in a drowning accident.

For the season, Voyles played in 25 games, and hit .507 with 25 singles, 5 doubles, 4 home runs and 19 runs batted in.

Senior left-hander Marty Anderson, who will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton on a baseball scholarship, received the outstanding pitcher award. He appeared in 59 innings and had a 2.74 earned run average. He struck out 63 and walked just 17, which is an outstanding 4-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio.

The Golden Glove Award, which goes each year to the Bearcats’ outstanding fielder, was won by senior catcher Drew Kelley, who will be going to Valdosta State University on a baseball scholarship.

“Drew Kelley had an outstanding defensive season behind the plate for us,” Coach Miller said. “He also had a strong offensive year, hitting .357.”

Two players, senior infielder Ryan Wade and senior left handed pitcher Thomas Timmons, received most improved player awards.

Coach Miller praised Wade for raising his batting average from .250 last year to .306 this year.

“Ryan Wade is a very hard worker and he really improved this season,” Coach Miller said.

“Thomas Timmons, who will be entering the United States Marine Corps, was also very improved this season. He demonstrated good discipline on the mound. He and Ryan both did a tremendous job.”

Senior center fielder Stephen Lightfoot received the Jolly Robber award, which goes annually to a player who makes great defensive plays to rob opposing teams of hits and runs.

“Stephen Lightfoot is the kind of player who could make a catch to save a double in the gap,” Coach Miller said.

Seniors Ryan Wade, Stephen Lightfoot, Sutton Reece, Thomas Timmons, Drew Kelley, Marty Anderson and Reid Heard each received wooden bats engraved with their name and number.

Sophomore first baseman Gunnar Griffin received the academic award for having the highest grade point average on the team.

“Gunnar Griffin gets it done in the classroom and on the field,” Coach Miller said.

Jennifer Voyles and Mary Anna Cunningham, captain and co-captain of the Diamond Dolls, received special recognition for the many things they and their colleagues do for the baseball program.

“Our Diamond Dolls do an outstanding job for us,” Coach Miller said. “They keep our score books, work in the concession stand, operate our scoreboard and generally do whatever they can to help the baseball program.”

Devin Thompson received a plaque in appreciation for what Coach Miller termed his outstanding job as game public address announcer.

Coach David Kirkland talked about his middle school baseball team’s successful season.

“We had a 13-6 record and 18 players who all really worked hard,” Coach Kirkland said.

Bearcats JV coach Kevin Bearden talked about his team’s season.

“We went 11-6 and beat Lee County, who is always strong, and a couple of teams from Tallahassee,” Coach Bearden said.

The JV pitching award went to right-hander Matt Burke, who had a 4-2 record with one save and an outstanding 1.39 earned run average.

The JV hitting award goes to sophomore outfielder Michael Faircloth. Faircloth hit .381 with 14 singles and 4 doubles.

The JV Golden Glove Award for outstanding defense goes to freshman first baseman, outfielder and left-handed pitcher, Tate Lambert.