Tough road games

toughen Pioneers
By Steve Behr
 
CHARLOTTE — If Watauga wasn’t made aware of how difficult the state 4-A playoffs could be after last week, they’ll probably never figure it out.

That, however, is not the case. Watauga’s players learned that there is plenty of competition waiting for them when they participate in the state playoffs later this month. Watauga’s 6-5 loss to Providence Saturday was the Pioneers’ fourth against a solid opponent last week.

Watauga lost to Jamestown Ragsdale last Monday, but followed with victories over South Central and Southwest Guilford in the IMPACT Classic played in Cary, giving the Pioneers a 2-2 record over the week.

Ragsdale was ranked No. 3 in the 3-A classification by IMPACT, and features the hard-throwing Nick McBride, whose fastball was clocked at 94 miles per hour last week. Providence did not use its top three pitchers against Watauga, but still managed to hold the Pioneers to just five runs.

Even though Watauga could not hold off Providence, Pioneers coach Pete Hardee was happy with how the week went.

“I feel good about this week,” Hardee said. “I feel that we played hard and swung the bats well. (Providence) just got one more hit than we did.”

The teams played the non-conference game to help raise funds for breast cancer research. Both teams wore pink uniform tops, and though the Pioneers’ uniforms were spelled “Watuaga” across the chest, Watauga coach Pete Hardee was happy to not only get the game played, but to do it for a good cause.

“It’s a good cause,” Hardee said. “I feel good that we could be a part of that.”

Watauga’s jayvee team lost in similar fashion that the varsity did, falling 12-11 in the last inning.

Max Linnville had a big day offensively, going 3-for-5 from the plate with a double and four stolen bases. Clint Trivette also went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs.

Matt Proffitt went 2-for-4 with a double and t wo RBIs, while Logan Story, Baker Stanley, Ethan Critcher, Matt Byrom and Garrison McGuire also had hits for the Pioneers.