Warriors draw 2007 state champs

Hang in there like a hair in a biscuit.

Kevin Abee's not sure where he heard the line, but it's one that stuck with him. A little gross? Sure. The West Caldwell baseball coach admits that. But it's a line that his players have remembered (how could anyone forget it?) during this somewhat trying baseball season. And by hanging in there, the Warriors earned a wild-card berth in the 2-A state playoffs. They'll play today at East Rutherford (game time 7 p.m.).

“It never gets old getting into the playoffs,” Abee said. “We're real excited to get that opportunity.”

What an opportunity the Warriors (9-15) get. They'll play the defending 2-A state champions, a powerhouse program that has won four state crowns since 2002.

“It's a real challenge for us, but we look at it as an opportunity where we don't have anything to lose.,” Abee said. “We want to go over there, pin our ears back and go as hard as we can.”

The Cavaliers are coached by Bobby Dale Reynolds, otherwise known in Caldwell County as the coach of Cherryville Legion Post 100. East Rutherford (16-8) enters the 2-A bracket as the top seed from the Southwestern conference. The Cavs finished second overall to R-S Central in the 2-A/3-A league.

Abee's especially proud of his team for rallying from a poor start to the season to put itself in position for a playoff berth. The Warriors opened the 2008 campaign with a 1-7 record. However, the Warriors have played .500 baseball since, going 8-8 dating back to March 20.

“I guess it's not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up,” Abee said. “This team has done that. ... We could see that we were making some progress. The guys kept finding a way. I'm so proud of the guys for hanging in there.”

The Warriors are coming off their worst loss of the year, a 21-3 drubbing to rival Hibriten, in the first round of the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference tournament last week. But Abee said his team - with the hopes of a playoff berth hanging in the air - has regrouped and is excited to have another day to play.

Jake Benfield will take the hill for the Warriors. A senior, he's 4-3 this year. Leadoff hitter Gordy Hendrix leads the offense with an average near .400. The Warriors are without third baseman/pitcher A.J. Jenkins. An MRI last week revealed a fracture in his hand. The junior will need surgery.

East Rutherford won last year's state final series over North Lenoir, but lost six starters off that team, including University of North Carolina players Zeke Blanton and Ryan Leach. This year, the Cavs are led by Cullen Park (.400 average), Seth Baldwin (UNC recruit, six home runs), Michael Milem (.380 hitter) and leadoff hitter Tyler Deaton (.372).

Printer Friendly Version

E-mail this story to friend