Another Season Comes To Pass

Season Statistics

There are those who judge a season by how it ends. Based on that criterion, the 2008 Wayne County Post 11 edition was a miserable failure.

We know better.

The program was coming off perhaps the most substantial loss of pitching in its history. The top four all went to play at the next level, taking with them 90 percent of the innings pitched. Coach Brad Reaves was left to construct a staff almost from scratch.

Much of the offense returned, and it usually didn't disappoint. John Wooten led the way with a team-high 12 home runs, 23 extra base hits and 40 RBI. The next base Walker Gourley steals will give him the career mark in that category, surpassing Derek Matthews. In a combined 301 plate appearances, Gourley and Tyler Edwards struck out 12 times.

The pitching was a constant worry, and at times the offense couldn't rescue it. The low point of the season was losing to Clayton 20-2 on home turf and issuing 14 walks.

But as Reaves said after the final game, Wayne didn't get to the state tournament on offense alone.

Wayne went into the regular season finale at Kinston with a lot on the line: the top spot in the division or a fourth-place positioning and maybe two road series. The task fell to Michael Douglas, and he delivered. He worked 6 2/3 scoreless innings before Jay Rose finished it out. Douglas was money in the bank against Pitt in the second playoff series in not allowing an earned run in six innings.

Speaking of Rose, the guy with the funky delivery, he was almost automatic in the latter part of the season. Excepting the "Night of Horror" against Clayton, the lefty threw 15 1/3 innings, allowing 18 runners and two runs.

Taylor Allen took a tough loss against Pitt, and Jesse Randolph had several strong relief appearances.

But as can happen with pitching, it all went up in smoke in Gastonia.

What about 2009? The road to the state tournament will be tougher because Pitt 39 will get a bid as the host team, so Wayne will have to win the Area I title series.

Personnel? Wayne will return 11 players, including all but one regular pitcher. Gone are Thomas Pilkington, Alex Casey, Bryant Hill, Nolan Lancaster and Randolph. Eric Dubose, who was being counted on to pitch this season, should be back after recovering from an injury.

So, we reach the end of the road. Or maybe it's a rest stop. Thanks to everyone who made those late nights worthwhile by telling me how much they appreciated my efforts. Good luck to the players who are leaving the program; don't forget us. And to the players returning: don't be lured away by the siren song of promises of fame elsewhere. You're with the best program in Area I and, if you all come back next season, we have a great shot at bringing home the trophy that has been within our reach five times.