Veterans’ offense rolls against Thomas County Central, Lady Warhawks still learning their identity

KATHLEEN – Veterans’ (5-4, 2-1 Region 2-6A) offense rolled during their uncommon Tuesday region doubleheader, as they picked up 10-2 and 12-1 wins against Thomas County Central (5-6, 0-6 Region).

Before last week’s doubleheader against Lee County was rained out, the Lady Warhawks had lost three in a row and had not hit the ball well.

Against Lambert and Gordon Lee in the Canes Classic they hit a combined 8-for-38 (.210), and then were 5-for-26 in their first region game against the Lady Trojans.

Head coach Jeff Sans couldn’t quite put a finger on what was different about Tuesday’s pummeling, but he does think his team is getting a little more comfortable.

“We’ve been preaching, ‘Just be you,’” he said. “I think they’ve been pressing a little bit, trying to find out their identity, how we’re gonna get runs … who we are … We’ve been trying to [say] ‘Hey, just relax. Y’all can freaking hit, now.’ You saw a little bit [of that tonight].”

“I mean we still saw some pressing tonight. We saw some folks out on their front foot a little bit, but it’s getting better.”

In Game 1 Veterans scored five runs in the first inning, and Maddy Kinkade’s two-run jack in the fourth put them ahead 8-2. A walk, error, sacrifice bunt and single gave them the eight-run needed for a run-rule in the fifth.

They got a similar start in Game 2; Maddie Dubbert’s triple set up Braylin Horton’s RBI single to put the Lady Warhawks on the board.

Bella Fendley put an exclamation mark on their second inning with a three-run home run, and after a scoreless third, Veterans got three hits with two outs in the bottom of the fourth to put the game away.

“In our good games, we’ve [hit with two outs],” Sans said. “Against Mary Persons we scored 12 runs, all with two outs. That’s what we preach. Two out hits, they win games. Even if we don’t score, it puts pressure on the defense.”

Overall it was a good couple of bounce back games for the Lady Warhawks after a rough finish to August.

Progress has been made on team identity, too. They aren’t quite there, but a clear leadership structure has taken hold and they’re well on their way.

“I think our older girls over the last three or four months have become tremendous leaders … on and off the field,” Sans said. “Now they’re starting to actually put that into motion. Now the other girls are starting to see, okay, we can follow them.”

UP NEXT

Veterans heads down to Thomasville to finish the series against the Lady Yellow Jackets on Sept. 3 at 4:30 p.m.