DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Tonight’s matchup between South Adams and Adams Central has major implications in the race for the ACAC title as four teams in the conference sit at just one loss in the standings.
Tonight’s game will be played at Adams Central and could be a preview of a sectional game in two weeks.
“We know SA looms ahead in the tournament,” says head coach Cary Blake, “but we will play them this week as this being the biggest game of the year.”
South Adams coach Jessie O’Dell respects the experience the Adams Central team has.
“They have that experience and it shows because they have been winning the close games all year. Meanwhile, we have a young team and we have been losing a lot of those close games,” says O’Dell.
One big challenge for O’Dell’s team will be how to attack Addie Baker, who is likely to start in the circle for Blake’s Jets.
“We assume we will see Baker and we had a tough time getting kids on base against her last year when she came on in relief.”
Coach Blake, whose team is now 16-2, is not surprised by Baker’s 1.82 ERA this year.
“She is not a surprise to us at all,” says Blake. “She was really coming on strong at the end of last year and has progressed well. We expect her to get better and better.”
Whether coach O’Dell goes with Peyon Pries or Gracy Bixler is yet to be determined.
“Their lineup can hit,” says O’Dell. “They are aggressive at the plate and are highly-competitive kids. We will have our work cut out.”
One AC player who has been swinging the bat extremely well is Sydney Jauregui. The outfielder is .981 with 24 RBI and 25 runs scored.
“I am really happy for Syd after her two surgeries,” noted Blake. “Over the past year or two she has worked really hard to get back to being able to play.”
Look for a full story on Thursday’s big county rivalry on WZBD.com.