Accolades
2020: First season
Fellowship Falls at West Forsyth
The Fellowship Christian School ninth grade baseball team dropped a 16-6 decision to 6A West Forsyth High School in Cumming on March 19.
The Paladins own a 2-2 record.
Fellowship Falls to 6A West Forsyth
The Fellowship Christian School ninth grade baseball team’s two-game win streak came to an end on March 14.
The Paladins took a 6-0 lead, but it wasn’t enough as the team dropped a 13-6 decision to West Forsyth High School at Winchester Field at Paladin Park. It was a non-Region contest.
FCS plated five runs in the first and one in the second before West Forsyth scored one in each of the third and fourth innings, and 11 times in the sixth.
Fellowship finished with four hits as a team. Braden Burroughs, Jake Holman, Colton Reid and Gus Town all collected one hit.
Reid smacked a double and led FCS with two RBIs. Burroughs, Holman and Town each knocked in one run.
The Paladins, now 2-1 overall, used five pitchers in the game.
Paladins Sweep Doubleheader with Horizon Christian Academy
The Fellowship Christian School ninth-grade baseball team opened its season with a doubleheader sweep of Horizon Christian Academy of Cumming at Winchester Field at Paladin Park on Feb. 22.
The Paladins won game one, 12-0, and took game two, 10-0.
In game two, Braden Burroughs led FCS with two hits and two RBIs. Colton Steele added two hits and knocked in one run for Fellowship, which scored once in the first, five times in the second, twice in the third, and once in both the fourth and fifth innings.
Ryan Hawkins notched one run and one RBI, while Johnson Buice, Carl McCook, Gus Town and Reid Turner recorded one hit apiece.
“It was awesome to be able to get out and see our young guys compete,” freshmen team head coach Shawn Oliver said. “Losing that game on Thursday to the cold meant that Bracken had to get his work today, and boy was he sharp! He crushed it on the mound. All the dudes who toed the rubber threw a lot of strikes and attacked hitters. We were able to get a lot of at-bats for our guys and mix it around defensively. It’s a strong group that’s only going to get better as they get older. Both catchers did an amazing job behind the dish. It’s always a great day to be a Paladin, and I am grateful for this group and our families.”
Burroughs started and picked up the victory on the mound. He fanned five, walked three and allowed just two hits in three innings. Liam Hilton threw the final two innings of the five-inning contest. He struck out two batters and did not allow a hit or a walk.
Shawn Oliver, Varsity Baseball Head Coach // Ninth Grade Head Coach
Years in teaching/coaching: Enters 2024-25 with 11 years in education. Joined FCS as varsity baseball coach in 2016-17. Also serves as varsity softball coach.
Alma Mater: Ed D, Educational Leadership, Liberty University, Master of Science, Sports Management and Policy, The University of Georgia, Bachelor of Science, Sport Management, University of North Florida.
Family: Married Jessica Oliver in 2009.
Favorite Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:10Church home: NorthStar Church in Kennesaw.
Career awards, accomplishments, highlights: Has led Paladins to a 165-70 record over his first eight seasons at Fellowship. Led Paladins to consecutive Region championships and back-to-back trips to the Final 4 of the GHSA Class A Private School Baseball Championships in 2021 and 2022. Team finished 2022 with school-record 28-5 mark. Paladins made school's first trip to GHSA Baseball Championship Final 4 in 2021. Guided 2020 club to a 9-0 record. Led Paladins to the Elite Eight of the GHSA Class A Private School Championships, a Sub-Region Championship in 2019 and a 24-10 record. Guided squad to second round of GHSA Private School Baseball Championships and a 21-12 record in 2018 and a 16-13 mark in 2017. Served on the staff of the 2015 FHSAA State Championship Football team, and the 2016 District Championship Baseball team. As a player, Oliver was named All Clay County Baseball Team in 2005, and was a four-year letterman in football, basketball and baseball in high school.
Coaching Philosophy: All members of the Fellowship Christian School program will be fundamentally sound in basic skills and techniques of the game, understand and execute the team offensive and defensive strategies, know the rules of the game and be well-disciplined in conduct, both on and off the field. It is also imperative that players understand their role in the program, and what it means to be part of the team. Team will always come before individual. Working for and accomplishing common goals will be the ultimate gratification that anyone can get from participating in a team activity. All the players and coaches within the FCS baseball program understand that they are part of something special. All players and coaches will be held to high standards and expectations that will make each player a proud representative of their family, school and community.
Other bio information: Serves as ambassador for the Donovin Darius Foundation. Named to 2005 All Clay County Baseball Player in 2005. Four-year letterman in basketball, baseball and football in high school.
Assistant Varsity Coaches
Lane Perrins (JV head coach), Mike Costoulas, Logan Mikell and Charles Morris.
Floating Assistant Coaches (varsity and JV)
Greg Conley and Jesse Vaughan
JV Assistant Coach
Chandler Lowery