Cavs pick up first win
Published 9:50 pm Thursday, April 13, 2017
Lakeland High School’s baseball team got its first win of the season Wednesday after defeating I.C. Norcom High School 16-8.
Both teams played in a consolation game in the King’s Fork spring break baseball tournament. Both Norcom and Lakeland are under the 3A classification, so this is the first time Lakeland hasn’t played a bigger school this season.
Lakeland was down 6-0 after one inning of play. They rallied to put some runs together and put themselves back in the game.
“The kids are starting to play a better quality of baseball on a consistent basis,” Cavs coach David Devers said. “I think we needed that win to get some confidence back and show the kids that we are capable of winning.”
Devers liked how his team was able to respond to adversity. Wednesday afternoon Lakeland showed that they can be a quality team.
Senior Jordan White had a good performance for the Cavs. He logged a single and a double and was 3-4 on the day. Cody Anderson also had a good game for the Cavs. He was 2-4, had a double, and had a run scored with two RBI. Devers believes the win will give his team some confidence going forward. Demonta Hawkins scored the most runs for the team with three.
“We know not going into the back half of our schedule we are going to play more 3A teams,” Devers said. “In the Southeastern District, we are the only 3A team, so we are starting to match up more with schools on the same level. This will be something we can build on and save our season.”
The players were excited about getting the first win of the season but are starting to realize that they have to consistently play to their ability level. Devers wants his team to understand to play the game as best you can rather than how they are going to adjust to another opponent.
Lakeland will return from spring break and face Nansemond River at home at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Lakeland 16, Norcom 8
Lakeland- 0 3 3 0 4 4 2- 16
Norcom- 6 0 0 2 0 0 0-8
Lakeland- Hits (8)- Hawkins 3, White 2, Anderson 2; Runs (16)- Hawkins 3, Coyler 2, White 2, Bennett 2, Kelley 1, Cooke 1, Anderson 1; RBI (9)- Hawkins 2, Anderson 2, Hardy 1, White 1, Kelley 1
Pitching- W (Jake Hardy)