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Wolves lean on experience

Published Tuesday, March 09, 2010 10:36 AM

By Dan Brown
Berkeley Independent

photo by Dan Brown

Brian Welch makes sure Cane Bay’s Stephen Childress does not score after tagging on a fly ball to left field in the Wolves’ 6-3 win.

For the Timberland baseball team, 2009 was a trial by fire.

Finishing with a record of 7-11, 3-3 in Region 7-AA, there were times when they played well, and there were times when they didn’t.

But that is the past.

The inexperienced juniors are now experienced seniors with a year of battle-duty under their belts, and they’re ready to come out firing.

How it plays out is hit or miss, and Timberland coach Chris Pond would just as soon his Wolves hit.

“This could be one of the best hitting teams I've had, so if we can get some help with some pitching duties and throw strikes and just make the routine plays we could have a successful year,” he said.

The hitting and pitching begins with two-time All-State first baseman and pitcher, Cody Craig, arguably one of the best pure hitters in the state in any class. Craig, with a mid-80s fastball and throwing from the left side will anchor the pitching rotation.

“The outlook for the season could be good if we get some pitching from everybody,” Pond said.

With the stick, Craig is an almost impossible out. Hitting from the right side, he went 2-for-3 in the Wolves 8-5 loss to Berkeley with a mammoth three-run homer to left on a frigid night when baseballs don’t travel far.

“You can’t pitch to him,” Pond said. “He’ll hit you.”

Around the horn, All-Lowcountry shortstop Sean Stanley returns to shore up the Keystone Combination along with Caleb Gibbs at second. Gibbs showed some good stuff on the mound in a 6-3 win over Cane Bay in the Lowcountry Preseason Invitational last week.

Brian Welch, while not a career catcher, will handle the catching duties. When Pond lost his only catcher via transfer, Welch stepped in and strapped on the hardware.

“Brian is a true team player,” Pond said.

According to Pond, Bobby Jackson will get some innings on the mound and can also play first base when Craig is pitching. Sean Brinson can play all four infield positions and pitch as well.

The eight returning seniors for Timberland are Craig, Stanley, Welch, Gibbs, Josh Barnette, R.J. Jefferson, Jordan McPherson and Chase Gainey.

The regular season kicks off tonight at Cane Bay and the Region 7-AA schedule begins Friday at home against Hanahan.

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