Approach is simple for Tigers
Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008
BENTONVILLE - The Bentonville Tigers want to put the fun back in fundamental baseball. The Tigers ride a six-game losing streak into the Class 7 A State Baseball Tournament, which starts today at North Little Rock's Burns Park. Tigers coach Todd Abbott said his team's approach will be simple when they take on 7 A-Central's third-seeded Conway. "We just need to relax and have some fun," Abbott said. "You play fundamental baseball and good things happen. To play fundamental baseball you have to relax and do and trust what you know works. "If we go out and have fun and just play fundamental baseball - nothing fancy but making routine plays and putting the ball in play - good things will happen for us."
Too many errors in four losses in the past week dropped the Tigers (13-16, 6-8 ) to the No. 6 seed from the West.
They had 7 errors in two losses to rival Rogers a week ago and 3 while completing a doubleheader against Har-Ber. They've committed 17 er- rors during the losing streak "It's the mindset going in to make a play," Abbott said. "Sometimes they turn out to be physical errors but it's just not having your mind being ready on that particular pitch."
The Tigers will need their defense to support a strong offense. Bentonville scored 34 runs on 49 hits during its sixgame skid.
"We're swinging the bat," Abbott said. "It's just a matter of once you score the runs, keeping the other team from scoring runs. Whether that's on the mound or (making ) routine plays. It's taking care of the ball."
Senior Erin McGee will get the start today against the Wampus Cats (19-10, 9-5 ). McGee (4-3 ) pitched Game 2 against Rogers and did not pitch against Har-Ber on Tuesday.
"(Conference starters Martin Tabler and McGee ) had thrown three days prior (against Rogers ) and weren't quite as fresh as we'd prefer at any time as far as those two are concerned," Abbott said.
They will be well-rested for the tournament.
Senior Zach Wyatt will likely start for Conway while senior ace Zach Cates - a University of Arkansas-Little Rock commitment - will likely start at catcher.
Cates also leads the Conway offense, hitting 12 home runs this year.
The Wampus Cats lost four of their final five conference games.
Bentonville missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons last year. But Abbott said his team has to approach today's tournament opener like it were any other game this season.
"The biggest thing to remember is it is still just a single baseball game," Abbott said. "Is there more on the line ? Yeah. But is the game going to be played the same ? Absolutely.
"That's the approach we have to take whether you've been to the state tournament or not. If you put too much into it, that might affect you right there."
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