Bessemer City not shocked at its own deep playoff run
BESSEMER CITY — Surprised Bessemer City is still alive in the state baseball playoffs? The Yellow Jackets’ coach doesn’t blame you.
“I’m pretty sure the way we played during the season, a lot of people weren’t expecting us to make it this far,” first-year Bessemer City coach Brian Thornburg said. “We as coaches knew we had a chance to.”
The Yellow Jackets’ postseason run continues Friday when they travel to Albemarle (18-9) for a third-round matchup.
It’s not that Bessemer City’s regular season was horrible. The Yellow Jackets (13-11) tied for third in the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference. But they exited the league tournament in the first round, entered the 1A state playoffs at .500 and appeared to have a tough playoff draw.
The Yellow Jackets saved the best for last. They routed North Moore 10-0 in the first round before upsetting East Surry 4-1 on Tuesday, handing the Cardinals (23-5) only their fifth loss.
“They’re fired up about the new season and not worried about what happened in the regular season,” Thornburg said. “That’s in the past and we’re pushing forward.”
Seth Weekly has been a big reason for Bessemer City’s success. The junior right-hander has pitched all 13 playoff innings, including a six-inning, three-hit shutout in the first round and a seven-inning two-hitter on Tuesday. Weekly (5-6) has allowed no earned runs during the playoffs.
Weekly has also been solid at the plate all spring, batting a team-best .468 during the regular season.
Other top contributors have been Travis Blake (two hits in the second round), Brent Stevens (three hits in the first round), Luke Kiser (three hits in the first round), Clayton Johnson (.362 regular-season batting average) and Austin Stanley (.361 regular-season batting average).
Thornburg was undecided Wednesday on whether Alan Shelton (3-2) or Casey Hutchins (0-1) would start Friday’s game on the mound. Either way, he anticipates a challenge from the Yadkin Valley’s No. 2 seed.
“You don’t win that many ballgames without being pretty good,” Thornburg said. “We’re expecting a battle, but our kids are excited and they’re ready to go.”
Albemarle will host the game at Don Montgomery Park.
Perhaps Bessemer City’s run shouldn’t have come as such a shock. Although the Yellow Jackets lost five straight midway through the season, they recovered to win four of their last five to close the regular season, including a 2-1 win over eventual SPC tournament champion East Lincoln.
Now, Bessemer City joins Cherryville as the last two representatives of Gaston County and the Southern Piedmont Conference. Should they both win Friday, they would meet Tuesday, with the winner moving on to the 1A West regional series.
You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.
