Kevin Boozer
Staff Writer
WINNSBORO — A third place finish in the region means the Fairfield Central Griffins took the road Thursday night against Central of Pageland.
Coach Scotty Dean said Compton Walker would start the game and he hoped Walker would be able to reach down deep and pull out a complete game gem like he has several times this season.
According to Dean, Central finished second in their region which includes Chesterfield, Cheraw, Andrew Jackson, Buford, and Indian Land.
“Those are all good teams. We are gonna have to play really well to have a chance at winning (Thursday),” Coach Dean said. “I think we are capable of playing well at times but we got to put together a perfect game. We are going to go play the game hard and see what happens.”
The tournament is double elimination. Dean said his philosophy is to live today and deal with a game tomorrow when the team earns it. That led him to go with Walker as the starter, who has emerged as the staff ace.
“Right now we are going to go with our best guy and that is Compton. We feel he gives us our best chance to win,” Dean said.
Central has two or three solid left-handed pitchers and a catcher with a strong arm, so Dean said the Griffins will have their hands full, particularly getting their running game off the ground on the base paths-a team strength.
Stanley McManus will be back in the action for the first time since breaking his hand, but Dean doubts McManus will be able to pitch.
“I think if we pitch well, play good defense and get a few timely hits, we will have a chance,” he said.
If the Griffins won the Thursday night game, they next would play the winner of the Andrew Jackson/Pelion game. If they lose, the Griffins play the loser of Andrew Jackson/Pelion. A contest versus Andrew Jackson would be a home game for the higher seeded Griffins but should they play Pelion that would be a road game at Pelion.
Results of the Thursday night opening playoff game were not available for this edition of The Herald Independent.
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