Wednesday, May 28, 2003
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Wednesday, May 28, 2003 |
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Patriots' loss ends playoff season By MONROE
ROARK The Sandy Creek Patriots ended the 2003 baseball season on a down note, with only two hits in a 13-3 loss to Crisp County in Cordele, but in closed out a fine season that saw the program go farther than it ever has. Coach Eddy Householder, in his fourth season at the helm, saw his team follow up last year's first-ever trip to the state playoffs by advancing to the second round after defeating Cross Creek in three games in Augusta. The Patriots finished the season with a 17-12 record, but they concluded the regular season by winning eight out of nine in the region to secure the playoff spot. Saturday's loss, in six innings, came after a two-day layoff. The Patriots split last Wednesday's doubleheader before bad weather forced them to wait around until the weekend to finish the series. "We got a little momentum after winning the second game," Householder said. "The rain messed us up." But the team started strong Saturday, with three runs in the top of the first off Crisp County's top pitcher, who was able to come back for Game 3 after the extra two days of rest. Crisp County got five runs of their own in the bottom of the first with the help of several walks. "He [Crisp County pitcher] was a little shaky in the first, but after that he was good," said Householder. "We had trouble throwing strikes." The score remained 5-3 for a while, until Crisp County broke the game open with five more runs in the fifth and three in the sixth. The game was called after six innings due to the 10-run rule. Householder was disappointed after the loss, but he reminded his players, "When the state playoffs come, only one team leaves happy." He was especially pleased with his senior class, which came in as freshmen his first year at Sandy Creek. "I feel good about them," he said. "They accomplished a lot."
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