Spring Creek right-hander Jayson Hill warms up Tuesday afternoon before facing American Leadership Academy-Johnston in “The Swamp.” (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek shortstop Roger Goodspeed, back, waits for the throw as American Leadership Academy’s Robert Boswell steals second base. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek second baseman Rylan Kornegay flips the ball to first base, but couldn’t record the out during early-inning action against American Leadership Academy. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Spring Creek senior Orrin Tickles (11) steals second base while American Leadership Academy second baseman Ben Ngo (left) waits for the throw. Shortstop Robert Boswell backs up Ngo on the play. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Reminders of Spring Creek’s success on the Carolina 1A baseball scene hang inside and outside the dugout.
Joe Borgquist wants to re-establish that tradition in “The Swamp.”
Right now, the first-year head coach and his players are experiencing a tough start to their 2024 campaign.
American Leadership Academy-Johnston capitalized on early-inning defensive miscues and departed with an 18-1, mercy-rule victory Tuesday afternoon.
“We’ve been working hard in the offseason to make our baseball team better,” Borgquist said. “We looked at how we did before, figured out what we can do to improve and came up with plans to help each player get better at the game. Our goal is not just to win games, but to build a strong team that keeps getting better.”
Indeed, there is work to do.
Borgquist used three pitchers — starter Jayson Hill, senior Orrin Tickles and sophomore Nicholas Smith. A right-hander, Hill yielded three walks and retired two ALA batters on strikeouts during his appearance on the bump. Tickles worked one inning. Smith tossed the final 1 2/3 innings.
The trio permitted six earned runs.
Seven Patriots recorded at least one hit on the day, including three by winning pitcher Jayden Bicki. The visitors cranked out 10 hits overall, but also profited from eight errors and 12 walks.
ALA swept the two-game series and remained unbeaten in four outings this season.
Spring Creek scratched out two hits — one each by returning starters Tickles and Hill. Multi-sport athlete Nathan Jackson, freshman Landon Hines, Tickles and Hill recorded one stolen base apiece.
Tickles tallied the Gators’ lone run.
Borgquist said his team faces numerous challenges this spring.
Six starters, who play multiple positions, return from a year ago.
“[We’re] rebuilding the program, improving individual skills, fostering team cohesion, facing tough competition, managing resource limitation, engaging community support and adapting to changes in coaching and training methods,” Borgquist said.
“I appreciate the team’s unity, dedication, resilience, coachability, work ethic, sportsmanship and adaptability. These qualities contribute to a positive team culture, and set the foundation for success on and off the field.”
Weather permitting, the Gators (1-4 overall) are the guests of Wayne Prep Academy on Friday. Game time is 4 p.m. at the C35 Complex.
