By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
After starting the season 0-6, the Danville Hawks' dreams of a postseason berth looked nearly unreachable. But the team persevered and has since gone 14-7 and not even weather could stop the Hawks from achieving their playoff goal.
Inclement weather on April 7 caused damage to the ball field, including bleachers being upturned and the outfield fence buckling. "We had several people from the community out that weekend in addition to many of the players' parents who all joined in to get our field ready," Danville coach Jay Stanley said. "It was a feather in the hat of this community to see how many people were willing to pitch in and get our field and campus back in working order."
Danville is scheduled to travel to Rainsville to meet first-round opponent Plainview April 25.
The Hawks scored 14 runs on 18 hits as they defeated area foe Good Hope April 10 in five innings and secured Danville's third-straight playoff berth. Dakota Wilson had four hits and scored three runs in the win and Roger Smith and Bryan Rogers both had three hits and four RBIs.
Jake Mahathy, Parker Hogan and Joey Miller each had two hits and Parker Hogan had a solo home run in the first inning.
Miller picked up the win on the mound, giving up seven hits and striking out three in four innings.
The Hawks knocked off the Raiders once more April 11, on the road this time. Wilson led the Hawks with four hits, including a two-run home run and had five RBIs in the game. Rogers added three hits and Smith had two hits including a solo home run.
Wilson picked up the win on the mound, allowing just two hits in six innings. He also picked four runners off first base.
Priceville 19
Brewer 8
The Bulldogs' Rand Hutchinson had a game to remember, finishing a home run short of the cycle after going 4-for-5. Priceville also got strong performances from Aaron Sawyer, who was 3-for-4 with six RBIs, and Kody Etheridge, who was 2-for-5.
Dustin Chambers picked up the win, allowing four hits and four earned runs while striking out eight Brewer batters.
Tanner 11
Danville 6
For the Hawks, Parker Hogan finished 2-for-4 with a double and Jake Mahathy, Joey Miller, Roger Smith and Jacob Young all hit doubles.
Tanner 8
Priceville 2
Matt Croft hit a solo home run and a double but it was not enough as Tanner's Clay McMeans shut down the Priceville offense to guarantee Tanner a spot in the Class 2A playoffs.
Eli Allen added a double for the Bulldogs, and Rand Hutchinson had an RBI single. Dustin Chambers also hit a single.
Priceville 9
Brewer 6
Matt Croft had six RBIs and hit a home run and a single as Priceville knocked off its rival. Will Stevens took the win on the mound for the Bulldogs, allowing two runs in five innings of work.
Wes Long added another home run for Priceville. Aaron Sawyer hit two singles, Tyler Brantley added a double and Hunter Teague and Rand Hutchinson each had base hits.