Green Wave prepping for district

Published 2:18 pm Monday, February 26, 2007

For the most part, Cathedral head baseball coach Craig Beesley said he was pleased with the way the Cathedral Green Wave Classic Baseball Tournament went this weekend at Chester Willis Field.

“It had a good turnout, all three days,” Beesley said. “We were able to get most of the tournament in.”

The tournament began Thursday and ran through Saturday until rain cancelled the final game of the tournament between Cathedral and Vidalia.

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Beesley said he was pleased with the pitching in both of the Green Wave’s tournament outings. He said the main thing his team needs to work on is becoming more consistent with their bats throughout the batting order.

“As a team, batters one through nine, we need to get better,” Beesley said.

As the Green Wave kicks off its district schedule Tuesday with a match-up against West Lincoln. Cathedral will then face Bogue Chitto on Friday. With the Green Wave off to a 4-1 start, Beesley said he is confident that consistency at the plate will improve.

Natchez looking to improve on defense

Natchez head coach Charlie Williams said he has been pleased with his team’s hitting, but said their defense, which he describes as their strong suit, needs to improve.

“We’re still adjusting. Our hitting is coming around, but we are still having some lapses on defense.”

He said the main thing his team must do is keep on playing.

“Hopefully they are learning from their mistakes,” he added.

Another thing Williams was pleased with was his team’s come from behind win over Monterey on Saturday during the Cathedral Green Wave Classic baseball tournament. The Bulldogs scored six runs in the fourth and final inning against Monterey to win 9-8. Williams said it was a great team effort, and his team never quit.

“I tell my team winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win.”

Franklin County at .500 after tournament

After competing in the cathedral Green Wave Classic baseball tournament this past weekend, the Bulldogs are off to a 3-3 start.

“We played good teams early. I am not disappointed with the start, but we could have done better,” Jeremy Loy said.

The Bulldogs pitching was on, particularly on Saturday when Ryan Ratcliff collected nine strike outs in five innings. He only allowed two hits and five walks in the Bulldogs’ 8-2 win over Choudrant.

Offensively, Loy said his team did a good job of putting the ball in play and moving around the bases.

“Our bats are came around, and we are getting better,” he said.

The Bulldogs also stole seven bases against Choudrant.

Rebels working on rebuilding

After the Adams County Christian School Rebels lost six starters from last year’s team, Rebel head coach Ron Rushing said his team is rebuilding, especially on defense and pitching.

“We are inexperienced when it comes to pitching. Right now we are getting too deep into the count against batters,” Rushing said.

He said the Rebels, who are off to an 0-2 start, are trying to fill several spots on defense, and working on not giving up small plays in the field.

“We are a team this year that is going to have to play hard, fight for every run and not give up those little plays that can cost you one or two runs.”

He said his team has a good work ethic and is practicing hard to get to get their first win. He said hopefully his team will learn from their mistakes and they will gain more experience as the season goes on.