The series did not go the way the Winder-Barrow High School players and coaches had hoped, but almost as soon as the final out was recorded, thoughts were on 2013.
WBHS was swept by visiting Forsyth Central Friday 4-1 and 6-2 in the opening-round of the Class AAAA state playoffs. Forsyth Central used a three-run seventh inning in the opener and a four-run first inning in the second contest to emerge with the series win.
The series overshadowed what had been another standout season for coach Brian Smith’s team. The Bulldoggs won 12 consecutive games at one points this season but fell in their final five.
The Central Forsyth Bulldogs, the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAAA, arrived as advertised.
“Our scouting report was right on,” Smith said. “They have 11 seniors and are one of those teams that has no outstanding players but everyone contributes.”
The WBHS coach said he knew Region 7-AAAA had several quality teams and was not surprised by the fight shown by the No. 3 seed in Friday’s doubleheader.
Blake Marbut earned the start in game one working all seven innings and throwing 117 pitches. Marbut had seven strikeouts while walking three. He surrendered seven hits.
Andrew Gist also worked all seven innings for Forsyth Central needing 122 pitches.
The host Bulldoggs took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Jake Frady in the bottom of the fourth which scored Ryan Brown, who started the inning with a walk.
Forsyth Central answered in the top of the fifth on a two-out single and double.
Forsyth Central then pushed three across in the top of the seventh, stunning WBHS who was unable to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning despite putting two runners on base.
In the second game, Forsyth Central was the desginated home team and quickly seized control in the bottom of the first with four runs.
Smith went with Blake Oviedo as the game two starter as Travis Dermeritte was suffering from shoulder pain.
“Blake has done an excellent job for us of hammering the strike zone, Smith said. “He never seems to get rattled and just goes after people.”
Dalton Carter had an RBI single for WBHS in the top of the fifth and Demeritte delivered a solo homer in the top of the seventh, but those runs weren’t enough to extend the series to a third game Saturday. Drew Dunagan worked in relief of Oviedo in the second contest.
“It’s time for us to go back to work,” Smith said. “We will get stronger in the weight room and look to do well in our summer games. The work for next season begins immediately. It’s already on our minds. We want to continue to be successful with our program.”
