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Friday, May 16, 2008

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No. 1 Eagles out to hold home field

Terrell Academy, ranked No. 1 in the GISA Coaches’ Poll, gets set for Round 2 today against Robert Toombs.

Derek Barichello

DAWSON — The quickly maturing Terrell Academy baseball team is exactly where first-year coach Dwayne Suggs wanted them to be at this point in the season.

Now comes the next step.

After scoring 38 runs in two games during the first round of the GISA Class A state playoffs last week against Oak Mountain, Suggs was concerned with how his team would respond.

But after two days of what he called “business-like” preparation, the Eagles, who are ranked No. 1 in the GISA A Coach’s Poll, have returned to form just in time to welcome Robert Toombs Christian for a twin bill at 2 p.m. today for second round action — and calm the nerves of their rookie coach.

“Whenever you have a weekend like that, it’s always a concern,” Suggs said of the big win which he felt didn’t truly test his team, and possibly left them overconfident. “Monday’s practice was not so good, but it picked up Tuesday. I didn’t see any complacency. Now I feel good and confident that we’re ready.”

Suggs chalks up that business-like attitude to the leadership of his four seniors and five juniors.

“There haven’t been any wild celebrations this year,” Suggs said. “They’ve been more focused and prepared.”

Add to that some extra motivation and vivid memories of last year’s second-round exit — they were eliminated in three games by Thomas Jefferson, losing Game 1, 4-3, winning Game 2, 9-1, and then losing the rubber match, 16-6, in a run-rule game — and it is easy to see why the Eagles are ready to wash that bitter taste out of their mouths today.

“We were the ones who got embarrassed,” Eagles senior pitcher Chandler Farley said after last year’s 10-run defeat that ended the Eagles’ season.

“We don’t want to be on that side again. Ever.”

Working to their advantage, the Eagles have pitching depth. Picking up wins last week, junior Brady Copeland and the lefty Farley lead the staff and expect to see starts again today.

If Copeland and Farley are unable to finish, Suggs will not hesitate to go to a staff that goes six-deep.

“Not everyone got a chance to pitch in game situations,” Suggs said. “We made sure our arms are ready.”

On offense, Amp Landrum lead the 38-run, 23-hit performance last Friday turned with a grand slam, a double, two singles, a walk and seven runs batted in.

As for Robert Toombs, it recorded an upset of sorts in the first round, besting the better-seeded Curtis Baptist in two games, with 9-3 and 1-0 wins.

And as if the Eagles have not seen enough middle schoolers — such was the case last week against a team of them in Oak Mountain — the Crusaders’ ace Jackson Warnock, who sports five wins and a 1.09 earned run average, including last weekend’s shutout, is an eighth grader.

“We have a young, inexperienced team,” Robert Toombs coach Jim Rowland said. “It’s worked out so far because we’re just having fun not getting caught up in the situation.”

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Class A

TERRELL ACADEMY

Seed: Region 3, No. 1 (Ranked No. 1 in GISA A coach’s poll).
Record: 16-3.
TODAY’S Opponent: Robert Toombs (14-11; Region 2, No. 3).
When/Where: 2 p.m. today in Dawson (DH); (Game 3, if necessary, Saturday at 11 a.m.).
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Terrell Academy swept Oak Mountain run-ruling them in three innings in each; Robert Toombs upset Curtis Baptist in a sweep
TERRELL’s BIG ROUND 1 PERFORMER: Amp Landrum (4-5 with a grand slam and a double).
Scouting report on ROBERT TOOMBS: The Crusaders are a young team; they start two eighth graders, four freshmen, two juniors and one senior. With most of those players starring on the state runner-up track team, the Crusaders will try to turn this weekend’s series into a track meet on the bases. Jackson Warnock is their ace with a 1.90 ERA. Nobody on their team hits above .300, but third baseman Justin Brinson is their best hitter at the lead-off spot
Game analysis: The Eagles have everything in their favor. They have more offense, more pitching depth, more experience and home field advantage, not to mention the extra motivation that comes from getting eliminated in the second round last year.
X-factor: Maintaining focus. The Eagles should once again overmatch their opponent but the Crusaders will be much scrappier than Oak Mountain a week ago and have more of a chance of sneaking up on them.s.
Quotable: “We’ve already surpassed expectations this season, we’re just going to go there, have fun and see what happens.”— Robert Toombs coach Jim Rowland.
If win: Will play the winner of Flint River and Thomas Jefferson in the semifinals on May 23.

WESTWOOD

Seed: Region 3, No. 2.
Record: 10-8.
TODAY’S Opponent: Nathanael Greene (Region 1, No. 1; Ranked No. 3 in GISA A Coach’s Poll).
When/Where: At Nat Greene, 1:30 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. (DH if necessary).
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Westwood defeated Heirway Christian, 11-6, and 7-2 to complete the sweep; Nathanael Greene swept Citizens Christian.
WESTWOOD’s BIG PERFORMERS IN ROUND 1: Pitchers Clark Phelps and Brett Shiver (each recorded complete-game wins)
Scouting report on NAT GREENE: Currently the No. 3 in the GISA coach’s poll, the Patriots started the season at No. 1. The Patriots are experienced with four seniors and four juniors. They also have pitching depth with Daniel Durham, Hunter Pignato, Curtis Crumbley and Jared Chamlee.
Game analysis: For the first time since 1988, the Wildcats won a playoff series. With six seniors leading the way, the Wildcats believe they have the pitching behind Phelps and Shiver to continue their magical run.
X-factor: The Wildcats offense. They put up 18 runs last series and are hitting their best at the right time. If the pitching stays solid, production out of the Wildcats lineup could be the difference maker.
QUOTABLE: “We’re relying on our seniors to carry us. We’re going as far as they want to take us.” Westwood coach Al Timmerman.
IF WIN: Will play the winner of LaGrange and David Emanuel in the semifinals on May 23

Class AAA

SOUTHLAND ACADEMY

Seed: Region 3, No. 2.
Record: 15-7.
Opponent: North Cobb Christian (25-6; Region 1, No. 1; ranked No. 2 in GISA AAA Coach’s poll).
When/Where: Today 4:30 p.m. at North Cobb; Sat. 11 a.m. (DH if necessary).
How They Got here: Southland swept Pinewood Christian, needing extra innings in Game 2; North Cobb defeated First Presbyterian Day, 2-1, in the series
Southland’s big performer in ROUND 1: Pitcher Michael Swain (8 IP, 2 runs, 15 strikeouts).
Scouting report on North Cobb: The Warriors are experienced. They have eight seniors that have played in the GISA AAA Finals the past two seasons, winning it in 2006. Their ace Zach Griffith is 8-1, with a 1.67 ERA and has 57 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched. Their leading hitter Tyler Jones is hitting .435 and Peter Heldt hits .402 with 5 HR.
Game analysis: These two teams know each other well. In 2006, they squared off in the championship and in 2007 they met in the semifinals, both times Southland won the first game, only to have North Cobb win the next two. The Raiders hope the third time is a charm.
X-factor: Southland’s pitching. It will need to continue its dominance to keep North Cobb off the scoreboard and give the Raiders offense a chance to win the game.
Quotable: “Whenever you see a team three years in a row in the playoffs, they’re your rivals. And that’s how we’re looking at it.” — North Cobb coach Chris Stafford.
If win: Will play the winner of Tattnall Square and Westfield in the semifinals on May 23.

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