Sherwood Baseball Preparing for Playoff Run

By Tyler Jones ’15

Despite finishing the regular season with a record of 10-5, the Warriors have struggled to win against some of the tough teams. Top-tier teams such as Good Counsel, Paint Branch, Bethesda Chevy-Chase and Gaithersburg have dominated the Warriors this season, outscoring them by a total of 26-8. Against these teams, the Warriors have struggled to get on base, missed clutch hits when the game was close, and given up too many runs to opposing hitters.

“In order to beat teams like that you have to do the small things. We have not done that,” said Coach Sean Davis.

For the Warriors to be successful in the playoffs their key players must step-up. Senior infielder Jake Paholski has been on fire this season, posting the highest batting average on the team with .526 and leading the team in hits with 20. Senior first baseman Thomas St. Laurent has also stood out this season. Offensively, he has helped the Warriors and is second in the 4A East region in runs batted in (RBI). The Warriors’ pitching staff also will determine how deep a run the team makes in the playoffs. Throughout the season, senior pitcher Brian Hughes and sophomore Brendan Collins have been very efficient for the Warriors, both leading the 4A East region in at least one particular pitching category (Hughes in wins and Collins in strikeouts). The Warriors pitching rotation also features St. Laurent and junior Matt Ervin.

Although there are a great number of obstacles the Warriors must overcome to make a playoff run, they still remain very positive and optimistic about their potential. “We’ve been losing close games on silly things so if we just keep improving our focus and playing our game the little things will go our way and we will be fine,” said senior outfielder Neven Sussman.

The Warriors hold the 17th seed in the 4A class playoffs, and are projected to face 10th seed Howard in the second round of the playoffs after a bye. Howard has a very good batting line-up, with a team batting averaging of .354. However, for the Warriors to win they must play well offensively because Howard’s pitching rotation is not strong. Most of their pitchers have given up at least two runs per game. The winner of this game is anticipated to play the fifth-seed Paint Branch Panthers who are the 4A East Division Champions. Sherwood previously faced Paint Branch in the eleventh game of the regular season, resulting in 8-1 loss to the Panthers.

“We are good enough to compete with those teams. We are a team that will be dangerous if we do the things we are capable of doing,” said Davis.