The Islands High School Sharks defeated Zion Christian Academy (Columbia, Tennessee) 9-0 in a game played in honor of the late Coach Herb Hutson, who passed away from cancer in February. Hutson born in Savannah, Georgia, had a profound impact on baseball in Savannah during his coaching stints. Following his professional playing career, he coached at Calvary Day School, Benedictine Military School, Islands High School, and Chain Academy.
Pre-game ceremony honoring the late Coach Herb Hutson (from left): Islands coach Brandon Collins; Victoria Hutson holding Rebecca Hutson; Christian Hutson; Brad Hutson; Coach Hutson's wife Janet Hutson; Islands assistant coach Marty Collins; and Zion Christian Academy coach Byron Hatcher. (Courtesy Magnolia Manor Creations Photography)
Hutson was drafted in 1970 and played a season in the MLB with the Chicago Cubs after playing college ball at Georgia Southern. He touched countless lives during his extensive coaching career, including Islands Coach Brandon Collins and Zion Christian Coach Byron Hatcher, both of whom played together at Calvary under Coach Herb.
Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Herb Hutson is shown on a Topps baseball card during his professional career. (Courtesy Herb Hutson Topps baseball cards via Max Effgen on Facebook)
“Coach Herb was my mentor. I’ve known Coach Herb since I was 10 years old. His son Brad and I grew up playing travel ball together, then we went to Calvary together, and then we played against each other in college. We stayed really, really close, and Coach Herb was my pitching coach my first two years here at Islands,” said Sharks’ Coach Brandon Collins.
Coach Herb Hutson, a longtime fixture in Savannah baseball, during his time with Islands High School. (Courtesy Islands High School Baseball on Facebook)
Before the game, a memorial was held for Coach Herb Hutson in which members of the Hutson family were recognized on the field, including Herb’s son Brad Hutson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his high school catcher, Coach Brandon Collins.
Fittingly, the tribute came exactly 52 years after Hutson’s Major League debut. This meaningful coincidence added even greater significance to an already emotional evening.
In a moment that meant more than baseball, Brad Hutson throws out the ceremonial first pitch to Islands coach Brandon Collins in honor of his father, Coach Herb Hutson. (Courtesy Brooke Collins Photography)
“He worked with a lot of athletes throughout the city. Growing up through Chain ball, the team we had was full of kids from Calvary, kids from Savannah Christian, kids from Brunswick, Effingham, it was kids from all around the area. The impact he had wasn’t just on Savannah; it was all over.” Collins said, “For me, he taught me a lot about the game, and it’s really near and dear to my heart that he was able to come out for two years and give his time to work with our pitching staff and me.”
Islands wasted no time taking control. The Sharks plated two runs in each of the first two innings. On the mound, they were just as sharp as their pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts in a seven-inning shutout.
Senior Peyton Williams was dealing in a rehab start, giving the Sharks 2.2 innings of one-hit, shutout ball.
“He did a really good job of getting ahead of hitters, staying ahead, forcing them to put the ball in play, and forcing swings. So he did a really good job of that, and we made some great defensive plays behind him,” said Collins.
Islands senior Peyton Williams warming up on the mound during the Sharks’ 9-0 shutout of Zion Christian. (Courtesy Magnolia Manor Creations Photography)
Andrew Harris replaced Williams in the third. He cruised through the remainder of the game, tossing 4.1 innings while allowing just two hits and striking out six to cap off the shutout.
Timely hitting also played a key role in keeping the offensive pressure on Zion Christian, particularly in clutch situations.
“We had two two-out RBI situations that we came through with Mike Cooler and Andrew Harris. Two-out RBI’s are huge. It deflates the opposing pitcher, deflates their defense, and it gives us the mojo to keep it going over here in our dugout,” Collins said
Islands tacked on two more in the fourth courtesy of designated hitter Mike Cooler, who had a stellar day at the plate, going 3-for-4 and knocking in 3 runs. Left fielder Mason McLaughlin also contributed in a big way with an excellent performance on the base paths that included 2 stolen bases and 3 runs scored.
After taking advantage of a Zion Christian error to plate three additional runs in the fifth, the Sharks effectively put the game out of reach. With a comfortable lead in hand, Islands maintained control the rest of the way. They secured a decisive 9–0 victory, capping off a performance that paid fitting tribute to their former coach with a masterful effort on the mound.
On a night filled with memories, the Sharks didn’t just win a game — they honored a legacy that helped build baseball in Savannah.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Magnolia Manor Manor Creations Photography
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Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
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