Three games into the 2011 season and Apalachee High School baseball coach Mike Cavey has witnessed some good things from his team but also has viewed areas which need improvement before the region battles begin.
The Diamond Cats (1-2) overall fell to Peachtree Ridge in their opener before rebounding against Johnson (Gainesville). A late lead slipped away the following day against Central Gwinnett.
“As good as our pitching looked in our scrimmage (against Morgan County), we just didn’t have it against Peachtree Ridge,” Cavey said. “We walked eight and hit four. You can’t give up 12 passes to a team with that much talent. We gave up way too much.”
In the second game against Johnson, Derek Bryan came in to work relief and helped AHS register its initial win of the season. Clint Ashe closed the door in the seventh.
Leading 4-1 against Central Gwinnett the following day, the Wildcats dropped a foul ball in the sixth inning and it seemed to have a snowball effect. By the time the dust had settled, AHS was on the short end of things.
“We have to throw strikes,” Cavey said. “Our pitchers have to have confidence in the defense behind them and throw their best pitches.”
While young this season with several sophomores in the lineup, the Wildcat coach does not want to use that as a crutch or an excuse.
“We have to grow up quick,” Cavey said. “I am tired of us using being a sophomore laden team as an excuse. We can’t use that an excuse any more. I think we have improved each game in ways but we have to be able to hold onto leads. These sophomores have been in our program for three years. It’s time to show that experience they have gained.”
Monday’s game against Archer was postponed early in the day with the forecast of heavy rain. The team will host Berkmar Wednesday (today) before venturing to Central Gwinnett Friday.
“Our pitchers need to trust what they can do,” Cavey said.
And the free passes must stop, he said.
“We have to pound the strike zone,” said Cavey. “We are doing well defensively. Offensively, we are not quite there yet. That’s why we have to quit giving teams more chances to keep innings alive.”
The coach said his team should be 2-1 but said even at 1-2 the main priority is to prepare for the upcoming region battles.
This spring Region 8-AAAA has been divided with AHS, Winder-Barrow, Habersham Central, Clarke Central, Madison County and Flowery Branch on one side with Cedar Shoals, Rockdale County, Salem, Heritage and Loganville on the other.
“Last year we played everyone twice,” said Cavey. “This does get everyone more involved. It will be interesting to see how it works. One down side is I have to beat out three teams for third place which is what has to be done to get to the playoffs. On the other side, someone just has to beat out two teams. It’s fair and unfair at the same time. I say give it a year and see what happens.”
