By Bill Nestor
It takes a special team to garner wins in the postseason when it is all on the line. Baseball in North Central West Virginia has been tightly competitive for decades and this year was no different.
South Harrison and veteran head coach Frank Tate had another impressive campaign that saw its fair share of ups and downs. They say those help to build character and that is what Tate is counting on after capturing the Class A region II Section 2 championship.
A three game win streak started the season back in mid March. Another three game streak propelled the Hawks to a sectional crown. The ladder was far more impressive, considering the weight of the wins and the way in which they were earned. South Harrison did not allow a run in the victories over Trinity (game one), Tygarts Valley (game two), and Doddridge County (the championship tilt.) The Hawks dominated the trio, outsourcing their opponents by a combined 27 to nothing.
The start and the finish were exceptional for Tate and his squad, which also had a pair of other win streaks that were actually larger than the two above mentioned. They boasted a four game win streak in early May and the largest of the year, a nine game run that included a pair of winsover Class AA Liberty, and Class AA Robert C. Byrd toward the end of the regular season.
There were a couple of bumps in the road for the Hawks, a four game losing streak that included a doubleheader setback to Wahama at their place occurred in late March. The second, and most alarming, losing skid lasted three games, but importantly closed out the regular season. This provided zero momentum coming into their second season.
Run production was the key issue in the seven lock-ups that did not go South Harrison’s way. The Hawks would score just 16 runs, including one shutout.
Imagine the feeling of concern around the team heading into sectional play. So much of the game of baseball is played between the ears. In other words, the players’ confidence level and their mentality heading into battle go a long way toward their performance on the field. That is why Tate and his staff deserve a great deal of credit for coaching the Hawks up as they entered sectional play.
South Harrison averaged three runs a game in their last three regular season games. In the three postseason triumphs, they averaged nine runs per lock-up. The defense tightened up as well and the pitching was almost unhittable. South Harrison went from allowing 10 runs per game at the end of the season to shutting out the sectional foes.
The King of the Hill has been Layton Wageman. Wageman claimed the sectional championship win with a four hit shutout of Doddridge County this past Monday. He fanned nine Bulldogs and did not allow an extra base hit. Wageman was also one for two at the plate with a run batted in.
South Harrison gained revenge in the sectional finale. Doddridge County had previously won both regular season games, the latter a 10 to four defeat in Hawk Country. Dave Tate led the way at the dish, going two for three with a double and two runs batted in. Zane Harlow was two of four with a pair of RBIs. Gabe Ferrell was two of four with a run batted in and a run scored. Corey Saltis was one for three with a double and a pair of runs scored. Cam Evans, Brogan Medina, and Seth Gain each had a hit in the victory.
The Hawks are playing their best ball of the season when it counts the most. Let’s see if they can keep it rolling towards Charleston.
That will do it for now. Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!