GAINESVILLE -- Jeremy Kemp knows how dangerous a road-warrior mentality can be to face-down.
He also knows he'd much rather be on the team attempting that feat rather than the road-warrior himself.
"The advantage is definitely still with the home team," the Gainesville baseball coach said. "It's tough going out on the road, and I'm happy we get to play back at home again."
Kemp's Red Elephants will play host to Whitewater today in the Class AAAAA quarterfinals -- where the cozy environs of Ivey-Watson Field have proven a fortress for top-ranked Gainesville (27-3) so far this season, going undefeated at home. Yet the Red Elephants know that will be tested by a Wildcats team that has won two straight playoff series on the road, including a second round sweep at No. 1 seeded Lakeside, Evans.
"They're obviously playing good baseball right now," Kemp said. "They're solid all the way around. They have some great pitching; they hit the ball pretty well, and they have a really good defense."
Wildcats coach Mark Jones has another term for it.
"We're scrappy," Jones said. "We're not as talented and deep as teams like Gainesville and Loganville, but we scrap and fight and try to win a lot of 3-2, 4-3 games. The guys never give up."
That has been in evidence since the postseason began, as Whitewater bounced back from a devastating loss at the end of the regular season that dropped the Wildcats from potential region champs to a No. 3 seed, falling 3-2 to eventual 4-AAAAA champion Starr's Mill.
"We were really disappointed, and that got to us a little bit, and we lost our first game of the playoffs (7-2 to Northside, Columbus)," Jones said. "But we feel like we've gotten our momentum back now."
Indeed, Whitewater (24-7) has won four straight playoff games -- mostly behind strong pitching and timely hitting.
"We get base hits, we bunt, we steal, we hit and run; we've only hit six home runs all year, so we're not going to overpower many teams," Jones said.
Thanks to the mound trio of Jake Lee, Ethan Gillis and Camden Wesolowski, that has been more than enough. Lee and Gillis are both sophomores, with Lee throwing in the mid- to upper-80s and the sizable Gillis (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) utilizing both power and control. Wesolowski, a senior and Mercer University signee, has also been a force as the closer, allowing just one earned run this season.
"We only have one starting senior in the line-up, so we're young," said Jones, who features senior first baseman Hunter Benning, a University of Georgia signee. "But we're excited about the challenge, and they're ready to test themselves. This is a loose group."
Whitewater has already tested itself against one common opponent with the Red Elephants, falling to Loganville 6-0 on Feb. 22.
"We were in that game most of the way, and that was a long time ago," Jones said. "We've played some good competition this season."
That said, the Wildcats know they will face perhaps their toughest battle of the campaign against a Gainesville team that features a dominant pitching staff. Junior Michael Gettys and freshman left-hander Jonathan Gettys shut down second-round foe Creekview and each have a no-hitter to their name this season. And even if Whitewater gets past one Gettys, Chandler Newton, who also owns a no-hitter, will be waiting in Game 3.
"I have a lot of confidence in those guys," Kemp said. "Everybody has excelled in their role, including Hunter Anglin, who has been exceptional in the closer role."
Gainesville's offense has also been tough for opposing pitchers, with a number of different hitters stepping up in each outing.
"It seems like it's been a different kid every game; you look at their numbers and everybody's got like 25-35 RBI, 30 runs scored... Everyone's getting on base for the most part," Kemp said. "And when they all hit at once, which we still haven't done, it's going to be special."
Those factors, combined with Gainesville's veteran leadership -- a number of standouts, including catcher Skyler Weber, shortstop Sims Griffith and outfielder Luke Moore are all in their fourth straight state playoff campaign -- have Kemp feeling positive, as the Red Elephants make their third state quarterfinal appearance in four seasons.
"They realize the importance of all the little things and how those add up to win or lose games," Kemp said. "Their focus is there a little more this year. The kids are playing hard, like they always have, and they know what it takes."
STATE QUARTERFINAL PLAYOFF SERIES
Doubleheaders on Tuesday; Game 3, if necessary, on Wednesday
Class AAAAA: Whitewater at Gainesville -- Radio: 1240 AM
Class AAAA: Stephens County at Crisp County
Class AAA: North Hall at Pierce County
Tuesday
May 6th, 2025
10:21AM
