Published: May 14, 2008 10:40 pm            

Spain has Wortham in uncharted territory

WORTHAM — Jody Spain has the Wortham Bulldogs in uncharted waters.

When Wortham takes on Bosqueville in the Class 1A, Region II Quarterfinals Friday it will mark the first time the Bulldogs have played in a regional playoff in baseball in the last 10 years.

Wortham and Bosqueville’s one-game playoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Southwest Little League Complex in Waco.

Despite the accomplishment for the Wortham baseball program, Spain and the Bulldogs are not satisfied with it.

“It really hasn’t set in yet,” Spain said. “It has given us motivation and the confidence, but we all want to play for a state championship.

“I have been to the state tournament the last two years to watch, but the thought of us going to state and getting to play gives us a lot of motivation to make it.”

Wortham (18-7) is just three wins away from that goal, but will have to get by a solid Bosqueville team Friday.

Coach Robert Wynn said if his team comes out and plays the way they have all year, they will be able to get over that hurdle.

“They are a pretty good team and play pretty good defense,” Wynn said. “We should be able to play with them.

“I think we are two rungs higher on the ladder than what people give us credit for... I like our chances against anyone in a one-game playoff.”

Wynn, along with the rest of the Bulldogs, will look to their ace on Friday to send Wortham into the regional semifinals and with good reason.

Spain has been pitching the lights out of stadiums all season and carries a 0.89 ERA and 95 strikeouts into Friday’s game. Not to mention only giving up seven earned runs, 35 hits and 16 walks all season.

“Jody has a lot of confidence when he is on that mound,” Wynn said. “When he walks out there with that confident attitude everyone else just feeds off that and plays better.”

What he hasn’t done on the mound, Spain has done it at the plate.

Besides being the team’s leading pitcher, he is also the leading hitter.

The senior has a batting average of .625 with 37 RBIs, 13 doubles, three triples, four home runs and a 1.179 slugging percentage.

“I have always wanted to do my best,” Spain said. “I will not be satisfied until we make it to state. Yes, we have made it this far and its the furthest we have made in my four years here, but I want to play for a state championship.”

Wynn said that Spain gives his team the ultimate weapon in a one-game playoff because of the confidencethe Bulldogs have in Spain.

“The kids have looked at Jody as the leader all season,” he said. “They all listen to him because of what he has done.

“His fastball is just as solid in the seventh inning as it is in the first. He can bring it the entire game.”



Wortham

vs. Bosqueville

at Waco’s Southwest Little League Complex

 7 p.m. Friday



Directions from Wortham:Take Highway 14 south to Mexia. Once in Mexia take a right on U.S. Highway 84 and head west to Bellmead. Take the TX-340 Loop S exit and follow until S. Univeristy Parks Drive. Turn right on South University Parks Drive and the Little League Complex will be on the right.

— Google Maps

        

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