On a dreary Thursday night, Creek Wood needed to have anything but a dreary performance to stay alive in the postseason.
I would say a 7-1 win over rival White House, is just what the doctor ordered.
Creek Wood showed why, when they play their best, they have a chance to make a regional tournament appearance.
Top to bottom they performed well at the plate.
They worked long at-bats, drew walks, and hit the ball well.
Outside of two mistakes on the base paths they ran well, the mistakes were products of an aggressive mindset.
The Red Hawks also showed significant improvement in two areas they had struggled with; defense and runs scored.
Unlike in many previous games, when Creek Wood had runners in scoring position, they did what they had to in order to bring them across the plate.
Hence the seven runs scored, a number we have not often seen from them against capable competition.
They also played spectacular defense behind pitcher Alex Pinson.
Pinson had just one strikeout, and only gave up two walks, but gave up just three hits.
Meaning his defense played not just clean, but athletic.
They made the plays they had to, a few that they haven’t made all year, and recovered quickly from the plays they could not make.
Pinson also, due to the spectacular defense, was able to pitch six complete innings.
Not to mention he threw less than ninety pitches, which means he can take fewer days of rest according to the TSSAA guidelines.
Wyatt Lovell would relieve him in the seventh and close out the game.
Now, Creek Wood has it set up where they have almost everyone available.
Aaron McCoy, Jacob Stephens, Tate Hinson, Porter Matlock, Maddux Bryant, and others are still all good to go and any one of them could have the night of their life and win you a ballgame.
That being said, the road gets extremely tough now.
The Red Hawks have to travel to Greenbrier Friday night, a top fifteen team in the state.
If they win, their reward is playing Portland more than likely, who is also a top fifteen team in the state.
The tournament is double elimination, which may be Creek Wood’s saving grace.
We shall wait and see.
