BASEBALL TAB -- Eastern Wayne preview

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 15, 2014 11:12 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Young players in a tradition-rich baseball program took considerable time to develop team chemistry on the Eastern Wayne diamond last season.

The Warriors started an uncharacteristic 3-7 and didn't merit any recognition when their peers talked about playoff-qualifying teams from the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference.

But the youth bonded.

A team that barely registered a blip on the postseason radar prevailed in eight of its final 14 games. The year ended with an opening-round shutout loss to South Central in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.

One year later, that band of players returns a little wiser, hungrier and more devoted.

"This crowd, I was a little worried for a while," EW head coach Jabo Fulghum said. "We had eight-man workouts in the fall, and they showed up every day and worked hard. (That effort is) showing right now. The focus is there ... seems like things are more in tune.

"They really surprised me ... a good surprise. We're ready to meet the challenges of the season (and) excited to get onto the field."

Versatile describes Fulghum's latest bunch of dirt dobbers.

No player has solidified a starting spot. There's been friendly -- but competitive -- battles between teammates to get their name penciled on the starting lineup card.

Ryan Faucette has emerged as a team leader, much to Fulghum's delight. The three-year letterman enjoyed a spectacular summer with the Wayne County Post 11 Senior Legion squad.

Faucette will alternate between the plate, the mound and other spots in the infield.

"Ryan has been a good leader so far, he really has," Fulghum said. "The rascal really loves (catching) and has fallen in love back there (behind the dish). He most likely will catch when he's not pitching."

Sophomore Lee Daniels is the backup to Faucette and Smith, who played a majority of last season behind the plate.

Eastern Wayne returns most of its infield and should be solid in the outfield. Brandon Johnson, who has the team's strongest arm, has a lock on right field.

Tanner Wells, the lone freshman, is contending for an outfield spot along with junior Andrew McKeel and senior Scott James.

"Some years you have guys who can play just one spot," Fulghum said. "We've got a lot of versatility. That makes it more competitive for the guys because they know if they screw up, somebody can take their spot."

Pitching and consistent defense proved pivotal for Eastern Wayne during the second half of last season. Fulghum has a wealth of depth back in the bullpen that includes Faucette, Johnson, Wells, Jack Smith, Tyler Warren and Coy Barnett.

Barnett and Wells are left-handed hurlers.

"If you can pitch and play defense consistently, you can give yourself a chance to win in the seventh inning, but you have to do the right things at the right time," Fulghum said.

The BBCOR bats, now in their fourth season of existence, have forced teams to rely more on the fundamentals. Bunts, hit-and-run plays, execution on backside pitches are all keys to manufacturing offense.

The Warriors opened their season with a nine-inning, 1-0 loss to North Lenoir. Two days later, they upended perennial 3-A powerhouse Wilson Hunt by the same score.

"With the bats the way they are today, you can't drive the long ball even with a small park like ours," said Fulghum, whose team is 1-2 after a road loss to Rocky Mount. "You've to got to have the small game in your bag. It's going to be an exciting year."