Wildcats advance in playoffs

The Enterprise Wildcats advanced to the second round of the 6A baseball playoffs Saturday afternoon by taking the third game in a best-of-three series from the Robert E. Lee Generals, 6-5, at Lint Warren Field.

The Enterprise Wildcats advanced to the second round of the 6A baseball playoffs Saturday afternoon by taking the third game in a best-of-three series from the Robert E. Lee Generals, 6-5, at Lint Warren Field.

Enterprise Coach Shawn Gilmer didn’t give the Wildcats an emotional pep talk prior to Saturday’s game.

“We have a great opportunity before us today,” Gilmer said. “What we have to do is go out, get good pitching, play good defense, and hit the baseball and score some runs. I fully expect us to do the job. You guys know what to do.”

After splitting Friday’s doubleheader, 10-0, 0-2, the Wildcats (23-12) had their backs against the wall after falling behind, 5-2, in Saturday’s fifth inning, but stormed back after Lee did all its scoring in the top of the fifth, and plated four runs of their own in the home half of the inning.

Freshman southpaw Levi Tate, who entered the game in relief of senior Zach Kandle with one out and runners at the corners in the top of the fifth, overcame an error to end Lee’s scoring merry-go-round, struck out the side in the sixth, and retired the Generals in order in the seventh for the win.

“Levi came in under a lot of pressure and pitched well,” said Enterprise High coach Shawn Gilmer. “Our pitchers did well the entire series.”

Kandle, who threw 60 pitches over five innings of one-hit baseball in Friday’s 5- inning win, had relieved starter Ryan Tanner.

“I probably shouldn’t have gone to Zach today,” Gilmer said. “Ryan had pitched well into the fifth inning and only allowed two earned runs; Zach was victimized by some mistakes. I guess the guys won today in spite of me.” Tanner, Kandle and Tate allowed the Generals only four hits Saturday.

In the three game series, Lee managed seven hits. Trey Smith was the losing pitcher in Friday’s nightcap despite pitching six innings and allowing only two hits and no earned runs.

“We kicked the ball around this weekend, but got things under control in time Saturday to keep our season going,” Gilmer explained. “A couple of weeks ago our guys realized we had some pitching and that we could win if we played well defensively and got some hits.”

Enterprise went ahead, 2-0, in the bottom of the third Saturday with a pair of walks, a wild pitch, and a single accounting for the runs. After the Generals’ explosive fifth, the Cats roared back with a leadoff single by Thomas Hughes to open the bottom of the inning. Smith and Chris Morris loaded the bases after being hit by errant Lee pitches, and a Justin Hancock walk on four pitches plated Hughes, making the score, 5-3.

Chase Baldwin’s single plated two runs and tied it, 5-5. One out later, first baseman Brandon Tkac’s 6-4 fielder’s choice produced the go-ahead run when the relay throw from second eluded Lee’s first baseman and rolled to the fence. Tate and the Enterprise defense took it from there. Smith was 2-for-3, was also hit by a pitch, and scored twice; Hughes was 1-for-3 with a run scored;

Tkac was 1- for-3 and reached on the fielder’s choice; Chris Morris reached on a fielder’s choice, walked twice and was hit by a pitch; Hancock walked twice, was hit by a pitch, and scored a run; and Jordan was 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.

“This was a team victory,” Gilmer said. “Everyone contributed and that’s what it takes, especially at this time of year.” Saturday’s win put the Wildcats on the road for a best-of-three series in Prattville next Friday and Saturday. “Our guys know what it takes to win; they’ve worked hard and have come together as a team,” Gilmer concluded. “We’ll go to Prattville Friday and see what happens.”