Post 11 had simple formula to win title

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 25, 2014 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

LEXINGTON -- Have fun.

Play hard.

Block out the distractions.

It's a simple message third-year Wayne County Post 11 head coach Jason Sherrer has given to his team in recent days. Now, the execution of those reminders are in the players' gloves.

Wayne County (16-7-1 overall) opens play today against Area III champ High Point in the 2014 N.C. Senior American Legion state tournament. First pitch is 4:30 p.m. at Hoyt Moffitt Field.

"It will be fun. We'll take it and see how we do," Sherrer said. "I hope the guys enjoy it, take in the experience and play the game like they have the last couple of weeks. That's what it's all about, having fun and playing hard.

"A couple of years down the road, they're going to miss it."

Area IV champion and once-beaten Shelby opposes Hope Mills in the opener at 9:30 a.m. Two-time defending champ Wilmington meets Gaston County at 12:30 p.m. and tournament host Davidson County takes on Garner at 7:30 p.m.

The double-elimination event continues through Tuesday with the survivor clinching a berth in the Southeast Regional at Asheboro.

Sherrer doesn't expect to see nerves in today's quarterfinal-round tilt.

"The good thing is that most of our guys went deep in the playoffs for their spring teams," Sherrer said. "They know what playoff baseball is like. It's going to be the same mentality, but a little amped up because it's going to be at a big park with a lot of good teams (there). 

"It's a learning experience. (If) we show up and play our game, and don't get caught up in the outside stuff, we should be OK."

Wayne County looks to snap a two-game skid after getting swept by perennial power Garner in the Area I championship series. Sherrer's squad has won 10 of its last 13 games since a bitter road loss at East Division nemesis Wilson.

Sherrer attributed the late-season success to the players, who have developed some character and chemistry. The bullpen responded well in crunch time against Pitt County and got in some much-needed work against a solid Garner team that didn't appear to have too many chinks in its armor.

Those innings should prove fruitful.

Although he didn't reveal his starting rotation, Sherrer is confident he can get quality appearances from anyone he puts on the mound. He gave his two workhorses -- left-hander Greg Johnson (5-2) and right-hander Jackson Hayes (4-1) -- a little rest during the Garner series. Each threw less than five innings during the series. The duo has combined to throw 88 of the staff's 184 innings.

Wayne County has a team ERA of 3.62.

"We've been limited on our pitching due to some guys who haven't been able to throw," Sherrer said. "The guys who have had to pitch (lately) have really stepped it up ... Zack (Smith), (Ryan) Faucette, Ben (Rouse), Coy (Barnett). Hopefully Tim (Naughton) will come back and be ready to go.

"(A) sound game is what we need to have if we're going to have a chance at state. There are going to be some very good teams at state."

Post is 11-12 all-time in six state tournament appearances that include runner-up finishes in 2002, 2007 and 2011. High Point is in the eight-team field for the first time since 2012 and fourth time overall since 2006.

"The guys have played very hard and very well for an extremely long time this summer," Sherrer said. "We have played well throughout the playoffs with a couple of hiccups. We're here for a reason. We're good. 

"We can win and as long as we stay locked in and play baseball, we have a chance."