RABBITTOWN -- For most teams, usually an upset win over an arch-rival or a miraculous come-from-behind rally is what drives them to finally “see the light” as they say.
Just the opposite for the East Hall baseball team.
Vikings coach Wesley Crow said for him it was an 8-7 loss to West Hall in the Vikings’ Region 7-AAA opener back on March 8. They blew two leads, including a four-run lead in the seventh inning.
“I know it was a loss but we had a tough day on the mound and we really limited the damage against us. They could have scored 20 that night but our defense made some plays and we made some solid pitches in some key moments,” Crow said. “From then on we have really done a good job on the mound. It showed us that we could compete.”
But it took a few more games for it to truly sink in as the Vikings went just 1-4 to open their region schedule.
Well, the light is on full wattage now as East Hall has won seven straight games, including six in region play, capped by an 8-3 win over previously region unbeaten Franklin County on Friday. It is their longest win streak in nearly 10 years, according to Crow.
The streak has pushed the Vikings (9-8, 7-4 Region 7-AAA) into second place in the region and they have allowed just eight total runs during the streak. All four region losses were by just one run. They are one-half game ahead of Lumpkin County (9-7, 6-4), 1 1/2 games ahead of West Hall (7-8, 5-5) and 3 1/2 games ahead of fifth-place teams Fannin County (7-8, 3-7) and Dawson County (5-12, 3-7) with six games left in the region schedule.
East Hall will be back in action Tuesday against Banks County on the road in a makeup game from Monday's rainout.
“It all runs together,” Crow said. “Our defense has gotten better as the pitching has improved and the pitchers know that the guys behind them will make the plays. The offense can also relax a little knowing they don’t have to score 10 runs for us to win. We needed to learn how to win in close games and we’re starting to do that.”
Senior Jack Hagwood and juniors Eli Stuart and Jonah Crocker have led the Vikings pitching resurgence.
“They have gotten a little better with each start,” Crow said. “The Franklin County win was huge for us because it showed we could not only compete but beat the really good teams. The guys are really starting to build the kind of confidence you need to win consistently.”
At the plate the Vikings are getting contributions at nearly every spot. Hagwood leads the team with a. 480 batting average. Jonah Crocker (.300 BA) leads the team with four home runs and Jesse Cooper is riding a 10-game hitting streak. Freshman Levi Crocker (.360 BA) had three hits against Franklin County. Stuart (.330 BA) and Cole Smith also have produced some big hits in the first half of the season.
“We had some real good at-bats against Franklin which was the difference in the game,” Crow said. “The guys on the mound limited their big hitters and we got some hits with guys on base. That’s a good combination to win games with.”
The current win streak may take on even more importance as East Hall chases its first playoff appearance since 2003 and its first winning season in Crow’s seven years at the helm.
But Crow said they’re trying not to put the cart before the horse.
“We felt coming into this year that we could compete for a playoff spot,” he said. “The streak is nice and we’ve played well enough to win. But you can go on a losing streak just as quick so we’re not thinking about anything but the next game right now.
“We talked as a team about what they have the potential to do. But they know they need to keep working hard and improving if they want to achieve those goals.”
Of course, you’re only as good as the next day’s starter in baseball. Crow said he’s feeling good about their chances.
“I think the pitching is good enough to hold up,” he said. “That’s the key. But they’re progressing and if they stay healthy I think we can compete.
“It’s been a lot of fun watching them because they seem to be having a lot more fun out there. You usually do better at something when you enjoy it. I hope it continues to stay fun for us.”
