Much can still happen during the 2010 regular season, but one thing appears certain: the Winder-Barrow High School baseball team, barring something unexpected, will advance to the postseason once again this year.
Yes, there are still mountains to be climbed and hurdles to be cleared, but the Diamond Doggs appear to be focused on the right things. They are getting quality pitching, solid defense and plenty of offense during their Region 8-AAAA battles and when you combine those three elements, then you are always going to have a chance for success.
Last Friday was quite an experience at Charles W. Maddox Complex. WBHS was facing county and region rival Apalachee and while on paper the Bulldoggs were the favorite there’s no doubt the players and coaches remembers the game from earlier this spring when the Wildcats took an 8-6 victory.
The rematch, however, had a different feel to it, almost from the beginning. In the end WBHS recorded a 6-0 win to improve to 10-3 in Region 8-AAAA. It was an important win on the journey to the postseason for the Diamond Doggs who are continuing on that path this week.
It takes a team effort to be successful on the diamond. That was evidence last Friday as Clint Spratlin, one of the senior leaders for coach Brian Smith’s team, pitched a gem going five innings allowing just two hits while striking out eight.
WBHS didn’t have one big inning Friday but it was able to gradually build a lead against the visiting Wildcats by putting two on the board in the second, one in the thid, one more in the fifth and two insurance runs in the sixth. It all added up to a big region victory for the Doggs.
Spratlin kept the AHS batters off balance and then Taylor Keinat closed the door on any possible Wildcat comeback attempt. While the WBHS Bulldogg players were businesslike in their approach to the game, the student section, many of whom were set up in the outfield, seemed to enjoy it as they were adorned in body paint and displayed WB flags as they defended their home turf.
Several big games remain for Smith’s team this spring. Contests against Salem and Loganville, along with a rematch with Cedar Shoals — who stunned the Bulldoggs a few weeks ago — will all be important games before all is said and done in the regular season.
If the WBHS players follow their coach’s lead, however, then the postseason should certainly be an obtainable goal. Smith has spoken several times of not looking too far ahead.
It’s not just coach’s speak. Smith knows that upsets do happen (see earlier games Apalachee and Cedar Shoals) and that no team should be overlooked. Step by step, the Bulldoggs are making their way back toward the postseason. With the necessary mental approach, WBHS should be back in the big baseball dance again this spring. Last Friday’s victory against county rival Apalachee was just another step in that direction.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
