2008 Hogo baseball kicks into high gear

So far this season, the within district match-ups have only had two blowouts (games cut short due to mercy rule) out of 10 games. That's pretty good. It could be because there are no Battle's or Lebanon's to prepare for and play against, but either way, it has made the district more exciting than ever. Upon entering the season, the district race was a mystery and in large part, still is.

George Wythe: After starting out the season 0-2 due to a one point defeat at the hands of MED front-runner Fort Chiswell and being slammed by much larger AA rival Pulaski, the Maroons have won three straight games. All of those games were district games, which lets face it, are the only ones that matter. After hosting Pulaski County on April 21st, the Maroons will then travel to Glade Spring, VA, a.k.a. Rebel Country, to duke it out for the top spot in the district. This will be George Wythe's true assessment leading into the heart of their schedule.

Rural Retreat: The Indians are much improved from last season although it has yet to show on the W column on the district side of the standings. The Indians have suffered close, heartbreaking defeats to county and district rival George Wythe, private Oak Hill Academy, and district rivals Patrick Henry and Holston. Not to mention a solid performance against Chilhowie on April 18th, despite the loss. The Indians are still in the thick of things and Coach Jamie Hughes has no reason to panic. The next two games on the schedule are against two slumping clubs, Northwood and Galax. The Indians need those wins, not only rebuild confidence, but earn a decent seed come tournament time.

Holston: Another much improved squad from last season, the Cavaliers have been on fire recently. Since dropping their first three games in lopsided fashion to Fort Chiswell and Region D powers Lebanon and Honaker, the Cavaliers have gone 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the district. The Cavs will continue their tour Aprill 22nd as they travel to Chilhowie to battle it out with the defending district champs - I am almost certain the Cavs have been waiting for it all season long.

Patrick Henry: Ronnie Groves, Ronnie Groves, Ronnie Groves. If SWVA had it's own ESPN, we'd be sick of the kid already because Skip Bayless loves raw talent and he loves to talk about it, constantly. Fortunately we don't have to listen to Skip Bayless talk about Ronnie Groves because Ronnie is just a high school kid in the mountains of Virginia. However, with the help of Ronnie Groves and several other Rebel notables including Marcus Montgomery, Patrick Henry finds itself atop the Hogo standings with a 7-2 record overall. Their only 2 losses coming from Black Diamond District favorite and Region D hopeful Honaker. An exciting rematch of the 8 inning, one run defeat of Chilhowie is scheduled for April 25th in Glade Spring. I suggest you be there.

Chilhowie: Although the Warriors have struggled to find their pitching core this season, they have managed to squeak out a decent record. Losing nine seniors is never a good thing, but Coach Jeff Robinson has had Chilhowie's program on the ups since he took over in 2002. The Warriors definitely don't have the same group it did last season, but this year's Warrior edition includes some new and young faces and to the surprise of many, they have gotten the job done - for the most part. Sloppy play on defense has been the major weakness of the Chilhowie team and has resulted in some tough losses. If the Warriors find their groove soon enough, they'll re-assume the top spot in the district in no-time. April 25th will decide about 80% of the Warriors' destiny entering the district tournament.

Northwood: The Panthers managed to sweep AA county rival Marion in their first two games and looked to be turning some heads. However, since March 25th, the Panthers have gone 1-6, losing all four district games they have played. Rural Retreat, Holston, and Bland are next on the pecking order and if Northwood doesn't win at least two of those three games, their confidence and chance to escape the 6th seed could fade away. That's not a good situation to be in.