Surging Wolves carrying confidence, hot bats to Class 3A state tourney
Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008
The Lincoln Wolves aren't happy to be here but they plan to stay for a while anyway.
The Wolves plan to do more than just show up for the Class 3 A State Baseball Tournament today. And following a district and regional title, these Wolves are looking to make more than a cameo showing in the state tourney.
Lincoln's last year has been a series of ups and downs since appearing in the state tournament last season for the first time in over 20 years.
The Wolves were ahead by three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh against Abundant Life in the state tourney opener last season. But that final out never came and Abundant Life moved on while Lincoln went home.
"We were the fourth seed coming into last year's state tournament and were up against Abundant Life, a one seed," Lincoln coach Jonathan Johnson said. "We had them down three runs and nearly beaten but they came back. We remember that and our guys know we have to play hard until that final out and hope that the same thing doesn't happen to us."
The Wolves' season began this year much like it ended last season, with disappointment. Lincoln was the fifth seed heading into the six-team 1-3 A District Tournament. The Wolves finished 4-6 in conference play and were 12-9 overall heading into the district tourney.
"Ever since the series against Elkins to end the regular season, we've really picked up our game," Johnson said. "We started believing we could make plays."
Fast forward two weeks and these Wolves (18-9 ) are energized, motivated and most importantly, confident heading into today's tilt against Cotter, the fourth seed from the Region 3 Tournament.
"Cotter's a scrappy team," Johnson said. "They've had to come from behind in two of their last three games to advance. They're not a team that's going to fold up their tent if they're behind. They've got to be a quality team to be this far."
Lincoln's trek to the state tournament hasn't been the luck of the draw. Every team the Wolves faced in the district tourney had a higher seed. A win over regular-season conference champion Shiloh Christian in the district semis gave a preview of what was to come. A 6-run rally in the seventh pushed the Wolves to a 9-8 victory just moments after Shiloh took an 8-3 lead into the seventh with a 6-run sixth.
The Wolves knocked off secondseeded Pea Ridge, 14-5, in the district title contest. Lincoln proved its win over Shiloh wasn't a fluke by outslugging the Saints, 16-9, to win the Class 3 A Region 1 Tournament at Harrison last week.
"I'm not surprised that we've played this well and kept it going," Johnson said. "We've been fortunate enough to outhit people. I have been surprised that some of our mistakes haven't hurt us against the caliber of teams that we're facing like they did earlier in the regular season. "Johnson said offense has been the spark and the fuel that has ignited this current push. Lincoln hit. 452 as a team in the district tournament. The bottom of the lineup hit. 454. "That's been the thing that has really picked us up is the way the bottom of the lineup is hitting the ball," Johnson said. "We've only got 11 guys but they're all stepping up with two-out hits, bunts and eight- and nine-hole hitters getting big hits and contributing."
Cards take tough road through state Farmington has unfinished business.
The Cardinals (22-2 ) reached the championship game with a young squad last season only to lose in the finals to Nashville, 11-1. The memory of that painful moment was numbed somewhat by the school-record, 20-game winning streak the Cards mustered this season. Now the Cards want to get back to Baum Stadium for Take Two.
But the path to a state title will be made much more arduous for Jay Harper's Cards after a disheartening semifinal loss in the Class 4 A Region 1 Tournament to a team they had already beaten this season, Fort Smith Union Christian.
"When you win that many in a row, it's probably good to lose one," Harper said. "But we've certainly made the road a little tougher by losing in the regional, not getting the bye and then not getting to scout in that first round. I think we certainly got a little chink in our armor but I like the way we responded after a loss and we've been having good practices."
The Cards salvaged a third seed by edging Clarksville in the regional consolation contest.
"Losing is never a good thing," Harper said. "But the kids are refocused and the pressure is off the winning streak. I think we know we have to play better and harder and that we can't just show up because we're Farmington and beat someone."
Farmington will face Rivercrest today in the first round of the Class 4 A State Baseball Tournament held at Valley View High and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro today through Monday.
"Rivercrest had a good season and were their conference's No. 1 and did what we did and got beat in a regional," Harper said. "We certainly expect a tough challenge and we know they're a very good baseball team."
The semifinal loss at regionals will tax the Cards'pitching in the state tourney. Farmington has a strong 1-2 punch and a very capable No. 3, and with a three-game path to the title game instead of two, the trio will be tested.
Farmington will send ace Evan Abrecht to the mound in the opener. Wes Kahl and Brandon Miller will be available for relief. Kahl will start Saturday should the Cards prevail today.
"We're going to let Evan go as long as he can," Harper said. "Wes will go on Saturday and we will piece Monday together with all three of them. But we've got to get through Friday first."
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