RedWolves ready for second half

ANGELA E. KERSHNER/Morning News

By: By Sam Bundy | SCNow
Published: June 30, 2009

FLORENCE — There were nights in the Coastal Plain League’s first half when the Florence RedWolves looked as if they could win every time they took the field.
On those nights, they smacked the ball to all fields and fielded it well to back a pitching staff that was on most every night.
There were also nights, though, when the RedWolves looked as if they didn’t know where their next win would come from.
On those nights, they couldn’t buy a clutch hit. They stranded double digit runners six times, twice leaving 15.
In the end, the RedWolves’ up-and-down ways at the plate likely cost them the first-half title in the South Division.
After opening the season 5-0 and spending much of the half in first or tied for first, Florence finished third in the South, two games back of first-place Fayetteville.
“I was pleased with the way that we played throughout the half,” Florence coach Wes Davis said. “We lost some key games and we were a little streaky, but it was never due to effort.
“It was just guys getting hot and getting cold.”
Statistically, Florence was clearly one of the top teams in the 14-team CPL.
Going into the final night of the first half Monday night, Florence was fourth in team batting (.248), tied for second in home runs (18), second in runs scored (149), and third in slugging percentage (.359) and on-base percentage (.342).
The RedWolves also had the sixth-best ERA in the league at 3.15 while turning the second-most double plays with 25.
“Baseball is a difficult game. It’s not about sheer numbers. It’s timing and execution,” Davis said. “When we were going good offensively, we had a chance to score 15 runs a night. But any good pitcher can shut down an offense on any given night as well.”
Davis is hoping right-hander John Taylor will have one of those nights tonight when the RedWolves host Fayetteville to open the second half.
Taylor is 2-2 with a 1.01 ERA in seven appearances, including four starts. In 35 2/3 innings, he’s given up 24 hits, walked eight and struck out 32.
“John’s been incredible for us,” Davis said. “He’s in the strike zone and challenges hitters.
“He thinks he can get anybody out that steps to the plate.”
Florence won three of its last four games to close out the first half, outscoring opponents 40-13.
“Offense is so contagious,” Davis said. “Guys typically have to fail a little bit to make an adjustment, and a lot of our guys have made those adjustments.
“We’re pleased with the direction we’re going. It’s a progressive game. With what we’ve done the last four games, I hope we come back tonight mentally prepared to continue to do it.”

RedWolves ready for second half

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