Bess' return a boost for Ironmen; South Point expects a challenge

Cherryville might look like a different team when the prep baseball playoffs begin Friday.

Thomas Bess will be back in the lineup.

The utility player will return from an illness that sidelined him for five games, and nobody’s happier than his coach.

“That’s a huge boost,” Cherryville coach Scott Heavner said. “He’s our leader on the field and off the field. Guys look up to him. We’ve got several of those kinds of guys on our team. When you lose one, it hurts a little bit.”

Bess is expected to start at third base in Friday’s first-round home matchup against North Rowan (10-14). The junior leads the team in home runs (three), RBIs (16) and ERA (1.25).

Cherryville went 3-2 without Bess, with the losses against league champion North Lincoln in the regular season and East Lincoln in the conference tournament championship game. The Mustangs stunned Cherryville 22-1 in that game and the Ironmen have had since Saturday to think about it.

Or not.

“Kids are resilient. We talked a little bit about it on Monday and we agreed not to talk about it,” Heavner said. “We agreed to put it away and focus on the things we actually did in the conference tournament.”

Cherryville (14-8), a seven-time state champion, would maintain home field advantage in the second round should it advance. Dylan Hastings (6-2) is expected to start.

Cherryville is one of five area teams opening at home, joining Bessemer City, South Point, East Gaston and North Lincoln. North Gaston, Forestview, East Lincoln and West Lincoln will hit the road.

South Point (17-4) earned the No. 2 seed out of the Big South 3A Conference but Red Raiders coach Jason Lineberger said the brackets gave his team no break. South Point plays host to Fred T. Foard (11-14), the No. 2 seed out of the Northwestern 3A/4A Conference.

“I know they made a deep run in the playoffs last year, so I expect it to be tough,” Lineberger said. “That first round is always tough. They play in a good conference, so we’re certainly expecting their best.”

Foard reached the third round last year.

Jeffrey Springs (5-3, 1.42 ERA) is expected to start for South Point, which will have gone 10 days since its last game.

“We’ve taken the time to work on some things we wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to,” Lineberger said. “I think it’s helped us. We’ll find out for sure tomorrow.”

Big South No. 3 seed North Gaston (11-14) visits Waynesville Tuscola (18-3) and Big South No. 4 Forestview (14-7) travels to Morganton Patton (20-4).

East Gaston (12-10) drew what appears to be a tough home matchup against Northwestern No. 2 Watauga (16-9) in the 4A playoffs.

Out of the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference, Bessemer City (11-11) stays home to face North Moore (16-9), North Lincoln (16-7) plays host to West Caldwell (12-12), East Lincoln (17-9) travels to Trinity (18-7) and West Lincoln (11-13) visits East Davidson (16-8).

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.

Friday’s first-round baseball playoff pairings

1A

North Rowan (10-14) at Cherryville (14-8)

North Moore (16-9) at Bessemer City (11-11)

2A

East Lincoln (17-9) at Trinity (18-7)

West Caldwell (12-12) at North Lincoln (16-7)

West Lincoln (11-13) at East Davidson (16-8)

3A

Forestview (14-7) at Morganton Patton (20-4)

Fred T. Foard (11-14) at South Point (17-4)

North Gaston (14-6) at Waynesville Tuscola (18-3)

4A

Watauga (16-9) at East Gaston (12-10)