Westminster Using Time Before State Semifinals To Focus On Fundamentals

After coming from behind and scored 14 runs in one sectional victory and then erupting for a nine run inning to earn the right to the state final four, you might think would want to get right back out on the baseball diamond for something that counts as soon as possible.

As it happens, the team'sgave the Wildcats (25-4-1) a weeklong layoff heading into Friday's state semifinal against the Kennett Indians (24-2). But players and their coach agree that lagtime will be a positive for the club.

Westminster Head Coach Rich Van Gilst gave his team the weekend off after Friday's game that saw the Wildcats score 9 runs in the second inning but scored no more afterward en route to a 9-5 win.

The plan was to be back at work Monday to focus on fundamentals, the proverbial "little things" which can be the difference between winning a state title or ending up in Saturday's consolation game. Between weather-related rainouts and then the rush of district and sectional play which also included one postponement, there's been little time to practice.

"We're always good when we come off of a practice. At district we kind of struggled because we didn't get a lot of practice. Then coming into Sectionals we had about a week of practice and we did well, so I think we'll be allright if we take practice seriously," said senior pitcher/second baseman Collin Henry after Friday's win. 

Added junior outfielder Tate Matheny: "That's all we'll be doing, working on the fundamentals, just doing the small things right and if we can keep getting hits and making the routine plays, that's going to lead us to a state championship hopefully," he said.

IF YOU GO: Westminster and Kennett square off Friday at 4 p.m. at Springfield's Meador Park. The other state semifinal pits Springfield Catholic against Savannah Friday at 7 p.m.

Saturday's championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the consolation game is at 7 p.m.