BROOKLET — The Cook Hornets (22-4, 16-0 Region 1-AA) are probably thinking the same thing they think every year as they prepare to host the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets today for a 3 p.m. doubleheader in the first round of the GHSA Class AA state playoffs.
Been there, done that.
For nearly two decades, Cook has been a fixture in the playoffs, racking up region title after region title, and hosting playoff game after playoff game.
For the Jackets, who haven’t made a playoff appearance since 2001, it is quite the opposite.
“I think there’s a lot of unknown for these guys,” said SEB coach Stephen Hoyle. “They’ve never been in a hostile playoff environment. (Cook) has made it to the playoffs for the past 18 years and they have a big following. It’s our job as coaches to get the guys ready.”
Cook’s long history of deep playoff runs could have been avoided in the first round for the Jackets (15-10, 9-5 Region 3-AA) having tied with No. 3 seed Swainsboro, but a glance at the rulebook gave Southeast Bulloch the bottom seed.
The rule states that when two teams are tied in the region standings, the higher seed goes to the team who allowed the fewest runs in games between the two squads.
Swainsboro beat the Jackets 6-3, and SEB returned the favor with a 4-2 win. The two then-meaningless SHS runs in the second game came in the bottom of the final inning and gave the Tigers the edge in the matchup — and the higher seed.
“It was huge when they did it, but at the time we didn’t realize it,” Hoyle said. “If we’d have known, we may have played it a little differently.”
Southeast Bulloch has had a week to practice before traveling to Cook for the three-game series, where they will face the No. 2 team in the state (Class AA) and its ace Kaleb Cowart. The sophomore’s fast ball has been clocked in the low- to mid-90’s.
Cowart and junior pitcher/outfielder Josh Barks have combined for three no-hitters this season alone.
Hoyle has not put his pitching rotation in stone quite yet.
“I feel like we’ve got three guys who we can put out there that have the potential to win a ballgame, so we’re just going to have to strap it on,” said the SEB coach. “We’ll probably let David (McCarthy, who opened the season with a no-hitter of his own) go in the first game. We’ve been using him (and) he’s been our most solid starter. After that, we’ll just have to play it by ear.”
If the underdog Yellow Jackets force a game three, it will be played at Cook on Saturday.
Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9404.
Been there, done that.
For nearly two decades, Cook has been a fixture in the playoffs, racking up region title after region title, and hosting playoff game after playoff game.
For the Jackets, who haven’t made a playoff appearance since 2001, it is quite the opposite.
“I think there’s a lot of unknown for these guys,” said SEB coach Stephen Hoyle. “They’ve never been in a hostile playoff environment. (Cook) has made it to the playoffs for the past 18 years and they have a big following. It’s our job as coaches to get the guys ready.”
Cook’s long history of deep playoff runs could have been avoided in the first round for the Jackets (15-10, 9-5 Region 3-AA) having tied with No. 3 seed Swainsboro, but a glance at the rulebook gave Southeast Bulloch the bottom seed.
The rule states that when two teams are tied in the region standings, the higher seed goes to the team who allowed the fewest runs in games between the two squads.
Swainsboro beat the Jackets 6-3, and SEB returned the favor with a 4-2 win. The two then-meaningless SHS runs in the second game came in the bottom of the final inning and gave the Tigers the edge in the matchup — and the higher seed.
“It was huge when they did it, but at the time we didn’t realize it,” Hoyle said. “If we’d have known, we may have played it a little differently.”
Southeast Bulloch has had a week to practice before traveling to Cook for the three-game series, where they will face the No. 2 team in the state (Class AA) and its ace Kaleb Cowart. The sophomore’s fast ball has been clocked in the low- to mid-90’s.
Cowart and junior pitcher/outfielder Josh Barks have combined for three no-hitters this season alone.
Hoyle has not put his pitching rotation in stone quite yet.
“I feel like we’ve got three guys who we can put out there that have the potential to win a ballgame, so we’re just going to have to strap it on,” said the SEB coach. “We’ll probably let David (McCarthy, who opened the season with a no-hitter of his own) go in the first game. We’ve been using him (and) he’s been our most solid starter. After that, we’ll just have to play it by ear.”
If the underdog Yellow Jackets force a game three, it will be played at Cook on Saturday.
Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9404.
