By By SCOTT COOPER – Sports Writer
With a squad comprised largely of newcomers to the collegiate baseball scene, the Jefferson Davis Warhawks recently hit the diamond looking not only for wins, but also to gain valuable experience that will be needed once conference play begins later in the season.
Against some of stiffest competition in the junior college ranks, the Warhawks have so far notched two wins against five losses on their 2003 early-season schedule.
Young Harris CC 7, JDCC 1
The Warhawks opened the season Feb. 1 at home with a twin bill against Young Harris Community College, the nation's third-ranked team.
The visitors proved they deserved their lofty place in the polls, as they swung the bats with authority in building a 4-1 lead after three innings. While the Warhawks' bats remained relatively silent the rest of the way, Young Harris manufactured three more runs to complete a 7-1 win.
Josh Hasty went 1-for-3 at the plate to lead the JDCC offense.
Young Harris 11, JDCC 4
In the nightcap, Young Harris continued swinging the bats well, as they went up 5-1 at the end of the first inning. Then, a second-inning offensive explosion accounted for six more runs and an 11-1 lead.
Although the Warhawks' pitching staff allowed no more runs the remainder of the game, the early deficit was too much to overcome and JDCC exited with an 11-4 loss.
Phil Currid was the Warhawks' offensive leader, going 2-for-3.
Young Harris 9, JDCC 7
The Warhawks' three-game series against Young Harris was completed with a Feb. 2 single game at Warhawks Field.
As they had done in the previous two games, Young Harris gained an early advantage with two runs in the first inning. However, JDCC got RBI singles in the fourth inning from Brian Moore and Steven Cadenhead to tie the score, 2-2.
After Young Harris took a 5-2 lead at the end of five innings, the Warhawks knotted the score at 5-5 in the sixth on two unearned runs and a Cadenhead RBI single.
As the Warhawks came to bat in the bottom of the ninth, they faced a 9-5 deficit and desperately needed more offensive production. After manufacturing two runs to close the gap at 9-7, the Warhawks moved two more base runners in scoring position. But, the Young Harris pitching staff closed the door on the rally and escaped with the 9-7 victory that gave them a series sweep.
Offensive leaders for the Warhawks were Josh Hasty, 3-for-5 with 1 RBI; Steven Cadenhead, 3-for-5 with 1 RBI; Steven Walls, 2-for-4 and Clint Howard, 2-for-5.
JDCC 12, PJC 8
The Warhawks earned their initial win of the season at home in a Feb. 4 meeting with Pensacola Junior College.
The Warhawks trailed 2-0 at the completion of one inning, but tied the game at 3-3 in the fourth before assuming a 7-5 lead at the end of five.
After producing a run in both the sixth and seventh innings, JDCC moved three more runs across the plate in the eighth to secure a 12-8 win.
Jesse Allgood earned the win in relief while Eli Himes got credit for a save.
Leaders at the plate were Phil Currid, 4-for-5 with 6 RBIs; Jack Schwartz, 2-for-3 and Leon Brasington, 2-for-5.
Okaloosa-Walton 8, JDCC 0
A Feb. 7 game at home against Okaloosa-Walton Community College was one in which the Warhawks' bats remained silent the entire contest.
While Okaloosa-Walton got consistent production at the plate over the course of the game, the Warhawks managed only three hits and ended on the short end of an 8-0 score.
Faulkner State CC 6, JDCC 0
In their second game played at Warhawks Field on Feb. 7 against Faulkner State Community College, the Warhawks' bats remained cool.
While the visitors methodically manufactured six runs during the game, JDCC failed to move a base runner across home plate and dropped a 6-0 decision.
JDCC 6, Darton College 4
With a home-standing victory over Darton College on Feb. 8, the Warhawks notched their second win of the season and erased some of the sting of their previous two outings.
Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Warhawks got a two-RBI single from Rob Mosley that closed the gap to 3-2. While the JDCC pitching staff held Darton to one more run, the Warhawks added three more in the sixth and another in the seventh to polish off a 6-4 win.
Ben Glass earned the win for the Warhawks.