SPORTS BRIEFS: Steven Williams, Josh Hatcher named to Preseason All-America teams

Williams, Hatcher named to All-America teams

Deerfield-Windsor junior Steven Williams was named to the Underclassmen Preseason High School All-American First-Team presented by Rawlings and Perfect Game on Thursday.

Williams helped guide the Knights to the Georgia Independent Schools Association Class AAA state championship as a sophomore last year. He played catcher, third base and also pitched. Williams has committed to play collegiately at Auburn.

Lee County junior first baseman/pitcher Josh Hatcher was selected to the third team. Hatcher, who has verbally committed to Kennesaw State, was selected as an outfielder.

Browns sign QB Griffin III

Quarterback Robert Griffin III signed with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.

Griffin, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Washington Redskins, was released before his fifth-year option hit the books at more than $15 million. Griffin was replaced as the starting quarterback in Washington before the 2015 season began by Kirk Cousins, who was retained in March with the Redskins’ franchise tag.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to join the Dawg Pound and build something here in Cleveland,” Griffin said. “I’m just excited to come in and compete. Nothing’s ever been given to me in my life. I just want to go out and compete with the guys and grow with this team.”

The Browns cut ties with Johnny Manziel and their QB picture is still developing.

Josh McCown is under contract but would be 35 before the start of the 2016 season. He could be a candidate to be traded, but Griffin didn’t play much last season and is more of a reclamation project than a readymade fix for the Browns.

Worth County baseball beats Monroe

The Worth County Rams jumped out to an early lead on Monroe and captured a 13-3 victory on Wednesday.

Eight runs in the first three innings allowed the Rams to put the game away early.

Reece Bozeman got a hit in each of his two at bats.

Gabe Goff got it done on the mound on the way to a win. He allowed two runs over four innings. Goff struck out 10, walked seven and gave up two hits.

Worth County survived Monroe’s surge and put up five runs of their own in the third. The Rams scored on a passed ball, an RBI single by Bozeman, a two-run double by Goff, and an RBI single by DJ Edwards.

The Worth County Rams increased their lead with five runs in the fourth. Bozeman kicked things off with a single, plating Jake Jones.

Darton baseball wins two

The Darton State College baseball team took a pair of victories over Thomas University JV Wednesday afternoon. The Cavaliers took the first game 6-2, then won the second game 6-0.

Pierce Smith earned the victory in the first game. Grant McDonald led the offense going 1 for 2 with a double and two RBIs. Robbie Feagans went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run.

In the second game, Michael Davis earned the victory on the mound. Kendall Herron led the offense, going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Breen Greenstein finished 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI, while Feagans went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Darton will play host to Andrew College at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.