Edgewood’s Mitch Greer has hit two home runs and has a victory on the mound in the early stages of the 2010 season. (Photo by Art Parker)

Staff Report
(March 3, 2010)

ELMORE - Edgewood began the 2010 baseball season exactly the way it wanted with victories in its first two outings. But things changed last week when Coach Bobby Carr’s Wildcats dropped 4 of 5 games.

Edgewood dropped its first of the week when 18 base hits was not enough against Lee-Scott Academy of Auburn. Lee-Scott won the offensive battle 15-14 and handed the Wildcats their first loss of the season.

Things didn’t change against Pike Liberal Arts School a couple of days later. The Patriots defeated Edgewood’s ace Cole Lipscomb in his first appearance of the year. A slow start for Lipscomb was somewhat expected.

“He just got off the basketball court a few days before. He’s got to start at some time and it is tough to expect a lot going to the mound a few days after playing another sport,” Carr said. “Pike has a lot of seniors and we have mostly young players this year. They are the favorite to win Class AAA this year. I expected a better performance in the games against them but you can’t lose sight of the quality of team we were playing either.”

Pike defeated Edgewood 11-8 and 10-3.

Edgewood split with Macon-East on Saturday with the Wildcats winning the first game 10-6 and dropping the second game, 13-5. It was Mitch Greer making the difference for the Wildcats in the first game. Greer was the winning pitcher and also slugged his second home run of the year. Freshman John Mark Cosby hit his first high school home run. Another young player, Hunter Myrick, notched four base hits in the doubleheader.

Carr said the Wildcats are not at their best and it is not because of some key injuries or youth.

“Our young guys are swinging the bats well. Our experienced players have yet to deliver. They need to quit making mistakes and step up and get the job done,” Carr said. But this type of slow start is something Carr has seen before and he remains confident the Wildcats will be able to defend their Class AA state title.

“This team reminds me of several teams I had before. Those teams started off slow and became great teams. Now, we need to weather the storm and turn things around as soon as we can. I believe this team is that kind of team. I have a lot of hope for this crew.”