Waccamaw edges Bulldogs Georgetown
Last Updated on 2/10/2012
Published on 4/28/2009
By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
With an eye on the playoffs, the Waccamaw and Georgetown High softball teams closed out the regular season on Monday.
Waccamaw's Ashley Czechner earned her 22nd win of the season, striking out 19 as the Warriors posted a 3-0 win.
Czechner allowed only two hits, both to Meagan Strickland, who doubled and singled to lead the Bulldogs (10-5).
With the playoffs starting Thursday, both Waccamaw coach Scott Streiffert and his Georgetown counterpart, Al Hutchinson, agreed that Monday's contest was a good way to begin postseason preparation.
"Georgetown has a very talented team and they always play us tough," Streiffert said. "It's one of the reasons coach Hutchinson and I try to schedule this game as the last one of the season. I think it helps both teams get ready for the playoffs."
Said Hutchinson, "Waccamaw is certainly one of the better (opponents) we've had this year. I think we can take a lot of positives from the way we played (on Monday). It was a good game to have before the start of the playoffs."
The Warriors (24-1) were held without a baserunner through the first three innings, but got their offense started in the fourth. Tricia Hood started with a single and scored when Nikki Legg reached on an error and Czechner followed Legg with a two-run shot over the left field fence to conclude the scoring.
"All season long, we have been opportunistic," Streiffert said. "We have been able to take advantage of chances like we had in the fourth."
Georgetown had runners in scoring position in both the second and third innings. Though the Bulldogs were unable to get anyone across the plate, Hutchinson was not disappointed by the effort his team put forth.
"I thought we played well," Hutchinson said. "Meagan did a great job for us (at the plate) and I thought Logan (Cox) pitched an excellent game (Waccamaw was held to five hits on the night)."
Though he says the Warriors lack some of the firepower they've had in recent seasons, Streiffert believes this year's team may be better constructed for the playoffs. With an earned run average under .20 and more than 380 strikeouts, Czechner's dominance is a good place to start when considering reasons for Streiffert's confidence.
"We may not have the type of hitting we've had in previous years," Streiffert said. "But with the way Ashley has pitched and the defense we have been able to get, I think we've made up for that. We have been in, and won, a lot of low-scoring games this season. Those are the kind of games, you'll see in the playoffs. I think we are ready for that."
The Warriors will begin the District VII-AA postseason at home on Thursday. They will face either Aynor, Dillon or Loris, who were all scheduled to play in a Region 8 tie-breaking tournament on Tuesday.
Georgetown will start the District VIII-AAA bracket on its home field on Thursday at 6 p.m. against Hilton Head.
"I'm confident in the way we are playing," Hutchinson said. "We'll get back to practice and start getting prepared for Thursday."
Softball playoffs
Andrews and Carvers Bay will also begin the playoffs on Thursday. Carvers Bay (13-9) will travel to Lamar at 6 p.m. to start the District VI-A bracket.
Andrews (8-9) will also be on the road for its opener in District V-AA. Like Waccamaw, Andrews is waiting on the situation between Aynor, Dillon and Marion to be resolved.
