RedWolves hope for better ending to this season

FLORENCE — Wes Davis has no idea how the Florence RedWolves’ season ended last year.

Neither he nor most of his players know a sudden gust of wind cost the RedWolves a chance at the Petitt Cup.

One thing the first-year coach does know is that a new season is about to start, and when the RedWolves take to the road to face Asheboro tonight, the path to the Cup begins anew.

“I’m excited about our ballclub this year,” Davis said. “I spent last year in Wilson as an assistant, and I wanted to be a part of what Florence has to offer.”

Bouncing back

The RedWolves came into last year’s Pettit Cup tournament a confident bunch.

Who would have doubted them? The tournament was held at Legion Field, so Florence had the home-field advantage.

All that was taken away by the most unlikely of plays. Leading eventual champion Thomasville by a run with two out, Tommy Baldridge popped out to third base.

Trey Thomas seemed to be under the ball, but a gust of wind took hold of it and dropped it harmlessly away from the Citadel standout for a game-tying single.

One batter later, the Hi-Toms took the game and Florence’s title hopes.

RedWolves owner Kevin Barth stood at the fence along the first-base line when the play occurred, and the disappointment has motivated him and his staff to build a champion in 2008.

“Other than Thomasville, we had the best team in the tournament. One gust of wind took it all away,” he said. “The coaches we have this year are young and excited about being here, and they’ve brought in players that are excited about being here.”

“There are a lot of new faces represented here this year,” Florence general manager Jamie Young said. “Unlike a Major League Baseball team, it’s a new start every year, and that’s the coolest thing.

“No matter how last year went, we can always start over.”

More local talent

Florence brings back just two players from last year’s squad in Coastal Carolina’s Kent Altman and hometown product Barrett Kleinknecht.

Unlike the last two teams, however, the RedWolves were allowed to sign players from Francis Marion this season.

Former Florence coach Sean Heffernan was an assistant at FMU, and Coastal Plain League rules forbid coaches to sign players from their schools.

“We knew that Francis Marion runs a top-notch program,” Davis said. “We knew that they’ll come here with a lot of experience because of what coach (Art) Inabinet and coach Heffernan have done there.

“If Heffernan could have brought them here, he most certainly would have.”

Patriot catcher Jared Barkdoll rejoins the team after a year-long absence, and said he’s glad to be back in Florence.

“It feels really good to be back. It’s a lot better than playing in Winchester, Va. in the Valley League,” he said. “There are more fans that support you here, and the people of Florence are amazing.”

FMU third baseman and Dillon native Keon Graves is a veteran of the CPL, playing for Spartanburg and New Bern. He is relishing the opportunity to finally come home to play.

“My first year in the CPL I was in Spartanburg, then I went to North Carolina,” he said. “It was nice to travel around and see different places because the CPL is a great league to play in. I’ve been playing around North Carolina and South Carolina since I was in high school. With my senior year at FMU coming up, I want to give the fans (at Legion Field) my best.”

New team, same expectations

When the RedWolves take the field for their home opener against Columbia on Thursday night, they’ll hand the ball to a pitcher that is more than ready to pitch in front of large crowds.

Left-hander Steve Grife will take the mound against the Blowfish, and he wants to get the full experience of the CPL.

“I’m glad I’ve gotten the opportunity to play here,” the Mercyhurst standout said. “I’ve heard a lot of things about the league from (former Florence outfielder) Joe Luli and he had nothing but positive things to say.”

“We expect a lot from Steve Grife. He’s got great stuff,” Davis said. “He throws a 92 mile-per-hour fastball and a great breaking ball, and he wants to win more than anyone.”

A great deal is expected of this new pack of RedWolves this season. Davis is confident his team will adjust to the wooden bats and style of the game in time to compete for another shot at the Petitt Cup.

“We’re excited about the fresh faces we’ve brought in. A lot of the guys have summer league experience, but they haven’t played in the Coastal Plain League,” he said. “But I think we have guys that can get the job done when it’s late in the summer, it’s hot and they’re tired.”