By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
WILLIAMSTON — While they’re a step above Cinderella, the Tigers are not exactly the bell of the ball in this year’s NCHSAA 1-A state softball tournament.
Swain County (22-4), a No. 1 seed from the Big Smokey Mountain Conference, has won back-to-back state championships, East Surry (24-6), the No. 1 seed from the Yadkin Valley Conference, is known for routinely making runs at the state title and this season topped South Stanley, whom many people thought would be Swain County’s biggest playoff obstacle. While it may not have the resume of the previous two schools, Midway has racked up a 20-6 record and a Tri-County Conference championship en route to Walnut Creek.
Then there is Williamston.
The Tigers head into the state tournament as the only No. 2 seed left standing, and with their 19-7 record, Williamston is the only team in the final four that has not notched 20 wins.
Head coach Damon Hayes and his Tigers may not have the extensive pedigree of their counterparts, but they have a ton of momentum and plenty of motivation. While other schools are facing a win or go home scenario, the Tigers know their will be no home to go back to once they are wrapped up in Raleigh.
With its impending merger with Jamesville, this will be the last Williamston class to wear a green and yellow uniform with the word “Tigers” written on it. Once the consolidation takes place, both Williamston and Jamesville will combine to make up the newly formed Riverside Knights.
The Tigers will begin the double-elimination tournament today without the pressure that is heaped on the favorites, while being able to play with the fearlessness of a team that has nothing to lose.
Is there anything more fun that being a playoff party crasher?
That party starts today when Williamston will square off against Midway at 5 p.m. Afterwards, there will be a winner’s bracket and loser’s bracket game played simultaneously.
On Saturday, there will be another loser’s bracket game played at 11 a.m., with the championship game scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and another scheduled for 4:30 p.m. if necessary.
Being the lower seed, the Tigers path to Walnut Creek has been a bit tougher than that of their foes. With the exception of East Surry, who beat South Stanley in the Sectional Round, no other team has faced a No. 1 seed in the playoffs, while Williamston has done it twice already.
The Tigers squeezed past No. 1 Jamesville in the second of the playoffs, then squeaked past No. 1 Southside in the Sectional Round.
Not to be overlooked was Williamston’ win over No. 2 Pamlico, a team that was ranked 10th in the state in the NCSCA in the District Round.
In that same poll, which came out at the end of the regular season, Swain County is ranked No. 2 in the state, while East Surry is in the four spot.
Hayes said the rough road to the state tournament has built character and helped toughen up his team.
“I feel like we are battled tested,” Hayes said. “I would much rather do that, succeed over tough teams, than breeze through the competition and worry how we will play in a tough game.”
Hayes said the number one key for his team this weekend is to keep that tough mental edge.
“We have to make sure we stay positive,” Hayes said. “With that being said we cannot let a defensive play or an offensive play get in our heads. We have worked too hard to come this far and let one thing affective.”
While keeping their focus is crucial, Hayes said the Tigers must also continue to swing a hot bat.
“We have to continue hitting like we have in these playoffs,” Hayes said. “Yea teams are going to score runs, but I think we can score runs too. Then it comes down to that first error. We can’t let that first error affect us.”
So far the Tigers have gotten good production from their lineup which is loaded with talent. Leadoff batter Dasia Moore has been sensational all season and brings the rare combination of speed and power to the plate.
Heather Jackson and Cassie Harrell, Williamston’s No. 3 and 4 hitters, are arguable the best 1-2 punch in the area.
If that trio can continue to create havoc for opposing defenses, than the Tigers will hope that ace pitcher Harris Shepherd can keep Midway quiet and help Williamston get that 20th win.