Enterprise Bulldogs build reputation

By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
April 23, 2004
The Enterprise Bulldogs entered the 2004 season as a virtual unknown, but now the Bulldogs have gained a solid reputation around the state of Mississippi.
Enterprise (18-6) is making its first playoff appearance since 2000, and the Bulldogs won their first Division 7-2A title since the 2000 season. Enterprise will be meeting a familiar opponent in the first round on Friday at home against the St. Andrew's Saints.
The Saints eliminated Enterprise in the Class 2A playoffs in a two-game sweep (1-0, 9-5) and the two teams will meet at 7 p.m. of the Class 2A tournament to be held at Bulldog Field. The 4 p.m. game features Wesson taking on Taylorsville.
"We have had a good year," said Enterprise head coach Jeremy Wilkins. "This is what we have been shooting for all year and this will be a tough first-round game."
The main ingredient to the success of the Bulldogs this season has been the impressive pitching of junior Wade Weathers. He started the fall as the starting quarterback and lead Enterprise to a playoff appearance. Weathers ended the regular season with a 10-1 record and an ERA of 0.38.
"He (Weathers) gets better as the game goes along," said Wilkins. "When he gets a lead he pitches with a lot of confidence which we are going to need this weekend."
The Bulldogs have gotten the job done at the plate as well with four players posting impressive batting averages. Senior Zeb Swain leads Enterprise with a .421 batting average with four home runs and 24 RBIs. Senior catcher Anthony Rawson has posted some good numbers with a .352 batting average, with two home runs and 24 RBIs.
Senior Adam Simpson had a .378 average during the regular season with a pair of home runs and 19 RBIs. Lance Irby added 17 RBIs in the 2004 season, to go along with a .378 batting average.
The biggest stat that catches the eye is that the Bulldogs have recorded 49 doubles as a team.
"Our seniors have played big for us all season. The guys have done a good job all season of putting the ball in play and making something happen offensively to give us a chance to wins some games."
St. Andrew's brings a 16-12 record into the tournament and senior left-hander William Craig will draw the start on the mound for the Saints and Weather will of course be the starter in game one for Enterprise.
Craig ended the season with a 4-5 record and posted a 3.46 ERA in 62 innings pitched. Morgan Jones will take to the mound in game two for the Saints after compiling a 6-5 record.
"We do have one advantage in this type of format and that is we have pitching depth," said St. Andrew's head coach Mark Fanning. "We can't afford to fall behind early in the game because we are not the best comeback team."
"They are not as good as an offensive team as they have been in the past," added Wilkins. "The big key to the game will be putting the pressure on them early and taking a lead will give us some confidence."
Freshman Conway Craig has been the main ingredient to the offense this season leading the team in total hits and doubles. Senior Robert Rives posted a .305 batting average for St. Andrew's.
Wesson and Taylorsville will meet at 4 p.m. in the other first round game at Enterprise today. Wesson (13-7) will be making a second straight playoff appearance after advancing to the second round in 2003. The Cobras are led at the plate by senior Nick Gunter. Gunter leads the team with a .508 batting average and is 5-3 on the mound this season for Wesson.
Joseph Langum posted a .485 batting average for the Cobras this season and complied a 6-2 record as the ace on Wesson pitching staff. Sophomore catcher Tyler Broom added a .315 batting average for Wesson during the regular season.
Taylorsville (14-13) finished in fourth place in Division 7-2A and will be the number four seed in the tournament. The Tartars are led at the plate by a pair of sophomores.
Adam Evans ended the season with a .403 batting average which is tops among the team and Mason Grissom posted a .401 average. Freshman Britt Ford complied a .400 average for Taylorsville and takes up the catching duties. The Tartars have 19 sophomores and four freshman on the 2004 squad.