Wildcats need to become streak-busters against Nacogdoches to advance in playoffs
By BOBBY "BUTCH" BURNEY | News-Telegram Sports Editor
May 2, 2007 - The Sulphur Springs Wildcats will need to be streak-busters if they plan on playing past this weekend.
The Wildcats will go into the bi-district round of the baseball playoffs against Nacogdoches on a two-game slide. Meanwhile, the Dragons enter the postseason on a six-game winning streak.
The two teams match up in a best 2-out-of-3 series starting at 7 p.m. Thursday in Hallsville. Game 2 is set for 4 p.m. Friday at Driller Park in Kilgore, while Game 3 will be 4 p.m. Saturday in Kilgore.
Nacogdoches (19-9 overall) finished as runner-up in District 12-4A by putting together an unbeaten three-week surge at the end of season. The Dragons went from 6-2 to 12-2 in district by winning their final six games, including a 3-0 victory over district champion Pine Tree last week.
SSHS head coach Jerrod Hammack said the scouting report on Nacogdoches is solid defense, great hitting.
"I think we match up pretty well because when we're on, we swing the bat pretty well, too," Hammack said. "I think it's going to be a good series to play.
"Obviously, we've got to swing the bats better than we have been. We're going to have to have key hits in this series. Likewise, our pitchers are going to have to get out of innings when they get on base, because they're going to have baserunners. I think whichever pitcher and defense can get out of those situations will probably be the one that wins the series."
The winner of the bi-district round will move on to play McKinney North in the area round next week.
The Wildcats (15-11, third in 11-4A) will have to get back into the hitting groove after being limited to seven hits in their final two games against Texas High and North Lamar. Both pitchers were southpaws, but SSHS won't face a lefty against Nac. Their top pitchers are all righties.
Junior Cody Lock is their ace and will throw Thursday. He is 9-0 with an ERA under 1.00. Hammack said he throws a mid-80s fastball and a slider.
Justin McAnich and Stewart Hill are expected to throw the final two games.
McAnich, the team's third baseman, and Chase Weir, right fielder, are two of the team's top hitters. Weir has seven home runs and junior catcher Stephen Canty has six homers, including four in the final two games.
"I think we'll be able to swing the bats against them. The thing is, they are a great hitting team as well, I've been told," Hammack said. "We're going to have to hit our spots, keep the ball low and away and get our curveball over."
The Wildcats will counter with junior ace Brittan Diamond in Game 1. Diamond is 7-4 with an ERA under 2.00. Juniors Kevin Mabe and Jeff Beck are expected to start the final two games.
Directions to Hallsville (approximately two hours) - Take SH 154 to Gilmer. Take a right on US Highway 271 south, then go about two miles and take a left on SH 300 toward Longview. In Longview, take a left on the loop and then take US Highway 80 east to Hallsville. In downtown Hallsville, go right on Highway 450. The baseball field is behind the Middle School.
Directions to Kilgore (approximately 90 minutes) - Take SH 154 toward Gilmer. About 10 miles east of Quitman turn right on Highway 14 to Hawkins. In Hawkins, take a left on US Highway 80 to Gladewater. In Gladewater, go right on U.S. Highway 271, and then take a left on Highway 135 to Kilgore. At the traffic circle in Kilgore, take the second right on Commerce Street to Driller Park.
