By Staff
Charles Prince, Hartselle Enquirer
For the first time in eight years, a Danville Hawk baseball team is heading to the postseason. The Hawks whipped West Limestone 10-4 Saturday in a tiebreaker for the second playoff spot in 3A-Area 15.
"This was one of the goals we set when the year began," coach Jay Stanley said. "We wanted to win 20 games and make the playoffs."
The Hawks reached the 20-win goal with a Monday doubleheader sweep of Decatur Heritage.
Saturday's win came after losing last Thursday to West Morgan. If the Hawks had beaten the Rebels, no tiebreaker game would have been necessary.
Danville 10, West Limestone 4
Bryan Johnson threw six innings and picked up the win with a four-hit three-strikeout performance. The win was the eighth of the season for Johnson. Matt Lindsey threw one inning of relief and struck out one while allowing no hits.
Thomas Hopkins had two hits and three RBIs to help power the Hawk offense. Matt Young and Sam Roy each had two hits, scored once and drove in one run.
Lindsey had a two-run homer while Dexter Wimberley had two hits and scored twice.
Craig Poole had a hit and scored three times.
"This is as good as it gets, getting into the playoffs," Stanley said. "We were on the verge of elimination after the West Morgan game, but the boys responded.
"I think we played our best game of the year Saturday. We didn't make errors, we pitched well and we hit well."
The Hawks will travel to Glencoe High for a first round match up.
The post season trip will be the first since the 1996 season.
Danville 20, Decatur Heritage 9
Senior Brandon Hitt got the win on Senior Day in Danville with three innings of work. Hitt struck out four and allowed two earned runs.
Senior Sam Roy hit for the cycle and drove in five runs. Hitt had four hits including a double and a triple.
Senior Bryan Johnson had two triples and five RBIs. Senior Justin Moore had two singles and scored three times.
Danville 15, Decatur Heritage 1
Sam Roy threw three innings and got the win. He struck out two in three innings.
Thomas Hopkins had two hits including a triple and scored three times.
Dustin Terry had a double, drove in four runs and scored twice. Matt Young had two hits, one run scored and a RBI.
Danville is now 20-12 overall heading into the sub-state playoffs.