WHS continues busy week

By Steve Behr
 
Watauga’s baseball team faces is busiest week beginning Tuesday in a Northwestern 4-A showdown at McDowell.

Results of that game were not available at Wednesday’s press time. Watauga follows with a game at West Wilkes, which was originally scheduled to be played last Saturday, but was rained out.

A game at home against NWC rival A.C. Reynolds on Friday will be followed with a rematch against West Wilkes on Saturday.

Having four games this week not only allows Watauga to pad its 3-1 record, but to also put some distance on the rest of the NWC pack. Watauga is in first place of the NWC by a half game over McDowell, which is 1-0 in the league, 4-1 overall.

“We knew McDowell would be one of the teams competing for a championship,” Watauga coach Pete Hardee said. “We have to be ready to go down there and play well.”

Playing West Wilkes gives Watauga a unique opportunity to play the same team twice in one week. Since John Sharpe will pitch Tuesday, the Pioneers’ game Wednesday gives some of the younger pitchers a chance to get some time on the mound.

Hardee said Will Littlejohn would likely be one of the pitchers to take on West Wilkes. Hardee was happy with how he pitched in the Pioneers’ 11-0 loss to No. 2 Ardrey Kell two weekends ago.

Watauga also has Austin Story and Mitch Minford available to them if needed.

“He’s thrown in some scrimmages and stuff,” Hardee said if Littlejohn. “We’re kind of excited to get him on the mound and see what he can do.”

The Pioneers also have plenty of offense to cover for any mistakes made by pitchers. The Pioneers have already belted out six home runs, including t wo by Adam Church in an 18-3 win over Freedom. Kyle Miller and Matt Phillips also hit home runs for the Pioneers in that game.

Notes: Watauga’s boys’ tennis match vs. Alexander Central Thursday has been moved to April 4 at noon. On Wednesday, Watauga hosts A.C. Reynolds at 4 p.m.

Watauga’s match Tuesday at East Burke has been postponed to Friday and will be played as a doubleheader. Watauga’s match with the Cavaliers scheduled for April 9 in Boone will be played Friday.

Watauga’s girls’ soccer game with Mount Tabor that was canceled last Thursday was rescheduled to be played April 29. Watauga plays at McDowell Tuesday night at 6 and at A.C. Reynolds Reynolds Friday at 6:30 p.m.