WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SPRING SPORTS 2015 WWW .NEWSANDPRESSONLINE .COM Young team looks to maintain momentum from past successes play well and make a good in the playoffs,” By Drake Horton Contributing Writer What could possibly being holding Lamar Lamar High Baseball back? Well outside of the youth, which despite The baseball program at the Lamar High being so young in age actually has a lot of com - 3/11 Darlington Away 6 p.m. School has enjoyed a lot of success the last few bined experience in terms of games played, it is 3/17 Lewisville* Away 6 p.m. seasons. the region the Silver Foxes play in. 3/20 CA Johnson* Away 6 p.m. From last year’s District 1 loss to Dixie High With opponents such as McBee and Lewisville 3/23 E.Clarendon Home 6 p.m. School, to the Upper-State Championship on the schedule twice it is going to be a difficult 3/27 Great Falls Home 6 p.m. appearance the year before that, to winning the task to win the region year in and year out, but 3/30-31 Spring Break Tournament L Lower-State Championship three years ago, the Windham believes he has the team that can do it. 4/6 Manning Away 6 p.m. Silver Foxes have been right in the thick of com - From his two seniors, Cole Bennett, who is the 4/10 Lewisville* Home 6 p.m. peting for the 1A State Championship. clean-up hitter and first baseman and Tyler 4/14 CA Johnson* Home 6 p.m. L Head coach Adam Windham, who is entering Smith, his lead-off hitter, who has been starting 4/15 Crestwood Home 6 p.m. his third year, has seen the benefits of having his at catcher for three years, to his two main pitch - 4/18 Great Falls Away 4 p.m. program be successful and sees no reason why ers Daniel Galloway and Luke Amerson, both 4/20 Darlington Home 6 p.m. Lamar cannot maintain the level of success it has sophomores, Lamar’s roster is shaping up to have 4/21 McBee Away 6 p.m. A accomplished over the last three years. championship form. 4/27 E. Clarendon Away 6 p.m. “We are looking forward to a good season,” Two players, however, that Windham believes 4/30 Playoffs Begin Windham said on the upcoming season. “We can have a huge impact on the team more than

B have some young talented players.” anybody are sophomore Jadarius Mumford, who * Region Game The word “some” that Windham used might plays center field and Parker Vause, the lone jun - Varsity Head Coach: Adam Windham be considered an understatement when speak - S ior on the squad, who moves from second base to ing of the youthfulness of Lamar’s baseball team.

E shortstop this season. Heading into the season the Silver Foxes have According to Windham, Mumford has the only two seniors and one junior. “If we are going to have a good year defen - skill set to potentially be a run producing sively, he is going to have to have a good year at “We have a really young team,” Windham machine for the Silver Foxes this season. S said on how young his team is compared to most shortstop,” “He has a chance to be our best offensive play - So far as the team has prepared for the teams they will play this season. “But the expec - er,” Windham said on Mumford’s offensive

H upcoming season, it has been the hitting, not the tations are still high. We are starting a lot of prowess at the plate and on the bases. sophomores, but they have experience because a pitching that has been the strength of the Lamar A Vause, who is making the switch defensively baseball team. lot of them played last year.” from second to short, is going to have to have a So what are those expectations? smooth transition to his new position if Lamar’s “I feel like we can compete for the region if we defense is going to be good this season. LAMAR BASEBALL ON 15 L B

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NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. 3 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015 SPRING SPORTS 2015 WWW .NEWSANDPRESSONLINE .COM Experience counts in run for second straight championship Hartsville lost three important seniors in By Drake Horton Contributing Writer Worth Burch, Shy Phillips and Michael Slattery, Hartsville High Baseball but return six juniors who all either started or Over the last few years the Hartsville Red Fox contributed significant time to last year’s team. 3/17 Manning Home 6:30 p.m. baseball program could be comparied to a roller - Having that many seniors for this upcoming 3/20 Crestwood Home 6:30 p.m. coaster ride. season is a benefit for Hartsville and it has helped

L 3/23 Camden Away 6:30 p.m. From having one of the worst seasons in the create a great sense of depth for Gainey to work 3/24 Lakewood Home 6:30 p.m. school’s history three years ago, to winning the with. 3/27 Crestwood Away 6:30 p.m. Lower-State Championship last year, the Red “We got depth,” Gainey said on his current 3/30 – 4/3 Southeastern Baseball Classic L Foxes have seen both ends of the spectrum. roster. “We got guys that play different positions. 4/10 Darlington Away 6:30 p.m. For what it is worth, however, Hartsville liked We have some quality back-ups.” 4/14 Lakewood Away 6:30 p.m. the latter way more than the first and it does not One area that really has a lot of depth is the 4/15 Camden Home 6:30 p.m. want to fall from where it has worked its way. . Returning for the Red Foxes in the out - 4/17 Manning Away 6:30 p.m.

A “Last year was a special year,” Gainey said field are Grant Thompson and Austin Morris, 4/21 Marlboro Co. Home 6:30 p.m. about the lower-state championship. The com - both who started last year, along with 4/24 Darlington Home 6:30 p.m. mon ingredient from last year and this year is the Christopher Weekly and Jake Beasley. 4/27 Latta Senior Night Home 6:30 p.m. work ethic. “I really like my outfield,” Gainey said. “They

B A team that was heavy with underclassmen work well together, they communicate well All home games will be played at last season, Hartsville is returning an abundant together.” Jimmy White Field amount of talent and look poised to make a run at One of things that Gainey likes the most about * Region Game a second straight lower-state championship, but his outfield is how flexible they are. When speak - Head Coach: Tony Gainey E head coach Tony Gainey is being a bit more con - S ing of them he described them as “interchange - Assistant Coaches: Adam Fedewa, Pete servative when it comes to setting goals for the able” which takes a lot of pressure off when hav - Stokes, Jimmy White season. ing to adjust the lineup card. Instead of saying the goal is to make it back to Morris, who tore his ACL during the preseason S the state championship, Gainey is setting small of football season, is back and ready to go. The one place where Gainey wishes he did goals just like they did last year hoping that by With so many quality outfielders to go along have more depth is at pitching, but that is not

H keeping the same philosophy will yield the same with all of the quality back-ups, Gainey said there meant to take away from what he already has. He results. is one simple way to get on the field and that is to just believes you can never have too much pitch - A “We start with small goals; win the region, the ball. ing and last year against A.C. Flora he believes make the playoffs and take it one step at a time,” “If you’re hitting, you’re playing,” Gainey said, that with one or two more pitchers Hartsville Gainey said on how his team is approaching this explaining what is more important in earning a could have come out on top and he does not want season. starting role. that scenario to happen again. H B

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“I would like to have a couple more pitchers,” but it has some offense in B H Gainey said, stating which position he thinks those bats as well and Gainey needs more depth. credits that to his players But what he has coming back is more than believing in what the coaches

admirable with players such as Andrew Coker, are teaching. A Matt Lynch and Toby Burchfield. Gainey “I believe they have bought believes he has enough players to replace the into the system,” Gainey said. H likes of Burch and Slattery that pitched so well What is that system you for the Red Foxes last year. might ask? It is the “small-ball “Andrew Coker stepped up big time as a approach” and with how hard S sophomore last year,” Gainey said on the rising it is to hit a homerun at Jimmy junior who looks to be the ace of the staff. White Park, Gainey believes it

Also having Burchfield back, who missed is almost the only way to go. S most of last season with elbow trouble, has been “It’s so big,” Gainey said, E a real blessing. According to Gainey he healthy describing Jimmy White Park. and has looked great in the preseason. “There’s no sense to go up Overall he likes his pitching and while it may there and try to hit it out. It’s not something we do.” not have a so-called “flame thrower” it, Gainey B believes that if his group of guys can just throw Instead of preaching power, strikes everything else will take care of itself. Gainey and his staff preach “Our pitchers are not over powering, but if productive outs. they throw strikes it’s going to be hard for them the overall strongest point of the team. “We are But more importantly, Gainey does not want (baserunners) to get on,” Gainey said on the going to have our ups and downs, but our everybody to get caught up in the early success A strengths of his pitching staff. defense is our strong point.” that the Red Foxes had in the preseason, instead But why is Gainey so confident in his pitch - And that strong defense has shown so far in saying that after the first four games of the reg - ing staff when they may not be able to record a the preseason. In what has become an annual ular season Hartsville should have a pretty good preseason tournament hosted by Hartsville, the idea of where it is. high volume of ? It’s because of the L defense. Red Foxes went 3-0, defeating Wilson, South “These first couple of weeks is going to tell a Hartsville’s defense may be the strongest Florence and Chesterfield by a combined score lot,” Gainey said on the upcoming season. point of the team. Outside of maybe three posi - of 26-1. “These first four games are going to tell if the preseason was a fluke or if these guys can play.” tions, the Red Foxes are returning every starter “Our defense was real stout,” Gainey said on L from last year’s squad, plus they are adding his team’s performance in the tournament. “We Will Hartsville continue with the success some young, but talented additions that will threw strikes; we only gave up one run in three they achieved last year or go back down the make it very deep, flexible, and stout no matter games.” undesirable path they led a few years ago? who is on the mound. Those 26 runs, however, show that From what we know, Hartsville looks to be in “I really feel it’s our defense,” Gainey said on Hartsville is not only a defensive minded team, good shape as they begin the season.

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By Drake Horton Darlington High School Softball Contributing Writer 3/17 Lakewood* Home 5:30/7:30 p.m. 4/17 Lakewood* Away 5:30/7:30 p.m. Pitching, pitching and more pitching. That is the 3/18 S. Florence Away 5:30/7:30 p.m. 4/18 Lugoff Tournament TBA number one key to success for the Darlington Lady 3/20 Manning* Home 5:30/7:30 p.m. 4/21 Crestwood* Away 5:30/7:30 p.m. Falcons softball team according to head coach Tim 3/21 Cheraw Home 1 JV Dbl Hdr 4/24 Hartsville* Away 5:30/7:30 p.m. Wiley. 3/24 Marlboro* Home 5:30/7:30 p.m. 4/25 Cheraw Away 1:00 p.m. L “Yeah, if we can get the pitching,” Wiley said on 3/26 S. Florence Home 5:30/7:30 p.m. Varsity, -header Darlington’s ability to sustain its success over the last 3/27 Manning* Away 5:30/7:30 p.m. All home games at Lady Falcons Field two years, “If our pitching can be smart, we will 3/30,31 Cheraw Trnmnt TBA *Region 6 – 3A Games L have a good defense, we will hit the ball, but if we 4/10 Hartsville* Home 5:30/7:30 p.m. Head Coach: Tim Wiley can pitch and catch well then we’ll be in the games 4/11 Camden Home 1:00 p.m. Assistant Coaches: John Baumbach, Stacy and it’ll give us a chance to win. We have to do that 4/14 Marlboro* Away 5:30/7:30 p.m. Burr, Randy Bryant, Sarah Hardee, Lisa Wiley. first and in fast-pitch softball that’s what it’s all A about. You have to start there and we won’t know till has nothing to do with the returning talent. Instead, And who are those potential pitchers Wiley is half way through the year.” the team is heading into unchartered territory. looking at to replace Sherrill? The last two seasons have been very good for the “This year it is going to be a little more challeng - “We have Adrianna Weatherford, Bailey Lady Falcons, who are a renowned powerhouse in B ing,” Wiley said on getting his pitching staff in order. Yarbrough, Chloe Hicks, and Ryan Weatherford,” softball, making it to the Lower-State Championship “And not that these kids coming up aren’t going to Wiley said, naming the possibilities for the pitching last year and the State Championship two years ago, be quality pitchers, it’s just that they never had expe - position. “What it is really going to come down to is S to go along with the long list of championships in rience, it’s the unknown factor of our season.” how they play in the game. We can watch them T past years. Ramsey Sherrill, who seemed like she had been practice all day long, but in live action, especially And what has made Darlington so good through pitching forever for Darlington has now graduated when we get into region games where they mean not only this two year run, but all of the success and moved on and the auditions of who get to something. It’s going to be like every year, you are

F before that? Pitching Wiley says. replace her have begun. just going to see how they perform.” “We’ve had quality pitching for 10 years in a row “We lost Ramsey Sherrill on the mound, so those Pitching is not the only place Wiley has to replace H and that is always a good thing if you are a coach to are going to be the biggest shoes to fill,” Wiley said a key player. Offensively, second baseman Jada know that you have a quality pitcher,” Wiley said on on finding the Lady Falcons a new starting pitcher. Richardson has graduated, and with her went an

O having such great success over the last decade. “Like I said, we have three or four that are working abundance of power that could generate offense for Now as Darlington heads into this upcoming at it. So we will just have to get into the flow of the the Lady Falcons with just one swing. softball season, something that has been a constant season, in live action game situations, to see who is for the last 10 years is now a question mark and it going to be able to handle it.” D S LADY FALCONS ON 14 GO DHS Falcons! BRISTOW OIL

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The 2015 Lady Falcons Softball Team. Front row L-R – Crystal James, Chloe Hicks, Lillie Baumbach, Haley Clark, Ryne Weatherford. Back Row L-R – Coach Stacy Burr, Coach Randy Bryant, Sydney Blackman, Destiny Stidham, Adrianna Weatherford, Hanna Gainey, Bailey Yarborough, Carson Yarborough, Coach John Baumbach. Missing from picture: Coach Tim Wiley, Coach Sarah Hardee, Coach Lisa Wiley. Take a

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at harder than any other on the ball and getting plenty of hits. B D Falcons roster. “Obviously with the speed Falcons looking to make some noise this year “Well, obviously with Kam that we have, we are going to try and Keyshawn, as good as they to put pressure on people and try

were for us, they got most of the A By Drake Horton to get people to make mistakes,” Contributing Writer innings,” Sylvester said on last Sylvester said on the Falcons L Darlington High Varsity Baseball year’s pitching staff. “The guys offense. “We are going to put Last year the Darlington H 3/9 Marion Home 6:00 p.m. 4/13 W. Florence Home 6:30 p.m. that we have now, they got a lot guys in motion and open up Falcons were expected to compete 3/11 Lamar Home 6:30 p.m. 4/14 Marlboro County* Away 6:30 p.m. of innings this summer, a lot of holes and stuff like that. S for the 3A State Championship in 3/13 Crestwood* Home 6:30 p.m. 4/16 Lakewood* Away 7:00 p.m. innings this fall and they’ve got L Nowadays when you talk about baseball. Instead, the team was 3/17 Lakewood* Home 7:00 p.m. 4/20 Lamar Away 6:00 p.m. the stuff. We believe in them and power, it’s not necessarily hitting unable to get out of playoffs. 3/20 Manning* Home 6:30 p.m. 4/21 Crestwood* Away 6:30 p.m. it is just a matter of getting them the ball over the fence like With an array of talent on the 3/23 W. Florence Away 6:30 p.m. 4/24 Hartsville Away 6:30 p.m. out there in the big games now, “Porkchop” (Justin Mack) can E roster and the fa