Warriors ready for playoff charge
Last Updated on 3/19/2010
Published on 4/28/2009
By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
The Waccamaw High baseball team has put an exclamation point on its late-inning at-bats the last few weeks.
Winning eight of their last 10 games, the Warriors (13-9) have made the come-from-behind win their forte.
Standing out in those rallies was a 16-15 victory over Timberland in their final Region 7-AA contest. The Warriors clinched second place in the conference with the win, twice rallying from six-run deficits.
"We had trouble at the beginning of the year, but we seem to have finally grasped the team concept," said coach Jeff Gregory. "The chemistry we've been looking for is there and the guys are fighting to the end of the game. They don't feel like they are ever out of it.
"As a coach, having to play from behind can cause a few gray hairs. But it has been exciting."
With the playoffs starting though - the Warriors open the District VI-AA bracket at home against Cheraw on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. - Gregory has cautioned his squad against an over reliance on late-inning rallies. He used Waccamaw's recent 12-5 loss to Dillon as an example of what can happen when there is no focus at the start of a game.
"Dillon is the kind of quality team we'll be facing from here on out," Gregory said. "It's tough to play from behind and try to win in the playoffs. The level of competition being what it is, that is not going to happen very often."
Though there have been several adjustments to the Warriors everyday lineup, no change yielded as many positive results as moving James Pegram into the leadoff role.
Pegram is hitting .390 on the season and his on-base percentage since the switch is .578.
"If it's a hit, a walk, or getting hit by a pitch, it doesn't matter," Gregory said. "James is going to do what it takes to get on base. He's done a great job at the top of the order and that is the lineup we've been sticking with."
Zack Hagaman has enjoyed a standout year at the plate, leading the team in nearly every offensive category, with a .545 batting average, five homers and 30 RBIs. Also providing firepower have been the likes of Dwight Guthrie (3 home runs) and Matt Deegan (12 RBIs).
Guthrie (4-2, 2.40 ERA) and Justin Rooney (3-0, 3.11 ERA) have anchored the pitching staff, but the Warriors defense has not always provided the best of support, making 46 errors.
"Our pitchers have thrown well, but we have not always made the plays behind them. If we could have gotten the routine outs, we probably wouldn't have needed some of the miracle comebacks.
"We know our defense has to improve. We've dedicated a lot of time in practice to working on it."
Success in the district playoffs starts with being able to win the first two games on Thursday and Saturday. Doing so sets up home field advantage for next week and means a visiting team would have to sweep a double-header to advance.
"Whoever gets through those first two games will be in the drivers seat," Gregory said. "It's very difficult to go on the road and take a double-header."
Playoff schedule
Waccamaw's game with Cheraw on Thursday will be one of three games involving local teams. Also on Thursday, Andrews (8-9) will play at Dillon at 7 p.m. in District V-AA and Carvers Bay (7-8) will visit Lamar at 6 p.m. in District VII-A.
