THS ready for playoff push
Tharptown coach Derek Ergle calls Nick Long, left, “the heart and soul” of Tharptown’s lineup. Long has recorded 20 RBI through the Wildcats’ first 17 games this season. | Scot Beard/FCT
THARPTOWN — There is quite a bit of optimism surrounding the Tharptown varsity boys baseball team this spring.
The Wildcats have the largest group of seniors in the program’s short history, the team is hitting well and the pitching is solid.
Although the 8-9 record is not impressive a deeper look at the losses will reveal the quality schedule the Wildcats have played this year. Of Tharptown’s nine losses, six have come against ranked opponents — one loss to Brooks (currently ranked sixth in Class 4A), one loss to Sheffield (currently ranked fourth in Class 3A), two losses to Lauderdale County (currently ranked third in Class 3A) and two losses to Hackleburg (currently ranked fourth in Class 1A).
“In my opinion this is one of the better teams we’ve had at Tharptown,” said coach Derek Ergle. “They have a winning attitude coming off a winning basketball season.”
The Wildcats feature a good blend of experience with players like Jacob Parker and Brandon Cothrum leading the senior class and an influx of new talent that transferred into the school two years ago.
Newcomers Nick Long, Will Washington, Will Little, Rile Nolen and Brandon Kimbough have added a spark to the Wildcats in several key areas.
“Will Washington plays great at first base. If there is a bad throw he will dig it out,” Ergle said. “Nick Long is the heart and soul of our lineup.”
Through the first 17 games Long hit two homeruns and recorded 20 RBI for the Wildcats. Kelby Hallmark has also provided Tharptown with a solid effort both at the plate and in the field as the Wildcats’ shortstop.
Ergle said he is also pleased with what he has seen from his pitchers. This year Tharptown has a deeper rotation, which allows Ergle more room to make adjustments during a game.
“We have several kids that can pitch and that’s what’s helping,” Ergle said.
Ergle said another thing that has helped his team as the season progressed was facing the tough competition early. It has given the team a taste of pressure before it plays in crucial area games.
Last year the Wildcats played Vina in the final series of area play and lost, ending Tharptown’s playoff chances.
This year Tharptown will once again be facing pressure as the regular season comes to an end. Hackleburg is 6-0 in area play and can wrap up the Area 13 title by winning one of its two games against Belgreen next week, leaving three teams fighting for the final playoff spot.
Tharptown is 2-2 in area play while Phillips is 2-2 and Vina is 4-2. The Wildcats play Phillips next week and Vina the following week.
Should Tharptown win all four of those games they would clinch a berth in the playoffs. If they lose three of those games, they will be eliminated from playoff contention.
No matter what, Tharptown has to win at least one game against Vina.
“We have been confident. In every area game we felt we had an opportunity to win,” Ergle said. “If we play like we should against Phillips, it should be between us and Vina.”
Ergle is hoping the experience his team earned while facing a difficult schedule earlier this season will pay off in the next couple of weeks. If so, the Wildcats could be celebrating the first playoff berth in the program’s history.
