The Winder-Barrow High School baseball team is once again enjoying a high degree of success on the baseball field this spring.
Going into this week, the Bulldoggs were undefeated against subregion foes and appear set to make another run at the postseason. As is always the case, numerous factors go into successful seasons like the one WBHS is enjoying.
It takes both quality players and coaching and the Bulldoggs have plenty of both in 2011. One player which is helping anchor the team is senior first baseman Clayton Eames. In a day when unsung heroes are still important, Eames helps WBHS be successful week in and week out, game in and game out.
“I could easily describe him as the model for what I want all of our players to be,” said Bulldogg mentor Brian Smith. “He’s all about hard work. That’s what he’s been about since day one. He has a good attitude and he is always trying to get better.”
The approach taken by Eames will help him continue his academic and athletic careers after high school. Last week the WBHS senior signed to compete for Carson Newman in Tennessee, a choice which makes sense according to his high school coach.
“I know from the first time he set foot on the campus and the way he described it and talked about it, he was very excited about having the opporunity to go there,” Smith said. “He will have a chance to go there and do well, I have no doubt about that.”
With his future plans now taken care of, Eames can concentrate fully on the remainder of his high school career, one which very well may include a deep run in the postseason.
The Diamond Bulldoggs battled Loganville in another game which went down to the last inning last Friday. There is more than a good chance the two will meet again in the postseason to determine who will be the No. 1 seed from Region 8-AAAA.Eames will be there, helping WBHS each step of the way.
“He is on board with us to finish strong,” Smith said. “He is one of those players who shows up every day ready to play, ready to compete, ready to work hard. You need players like him in order to be successful. He is a major asset to our program.”
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
