Published: May 09, 2008 11:38 pm         

Extra rest for weary

There is nothing like a rainout to build a little more excitement into the state baseball playoffs. Or in the case of Oak Hill and Independence, give the players a day off to prepare for the Class AA Region 3, Section 1 championship.

The Red Devils and Patriots will square off at 5 p.m. today in Shady Spring.

Both teams should benefit from an extra day of rest.

The Red Devils, in particular, have been hit by a string of nagging injuries and were happy to see the game moved back a day.

“We’re plumb ate up with injuries,” Oak Hill coach Chris Walls said. “(Friday) was good. We had a nice little practice in the gym. We got to nurse some injuries and rest the pitchers another day. It didn’t hurt.”

Both second baseman Tyler Oliver and first baseman Garrett Thompson were banged up Thursday for the Devils but should be ready to go today.

“Tyler’s wrist is a little sore, but he swung the bat (Friday) and should be ready by (today),” Walls said. “Garrett said he felt pretty good. We’ll just hope that we’re all right.”

With the extra day, Independence has a complete rotation to choose from for its starting pitcher.

“It makes everybody on our staff, by rule, eligible,” Patriots coach Joe Goddard said. “When you’re playing regular, it’s hard to say what (a day off) does. It does give everybody’s arms a day of rest.”

Sophomore Kendrick Epling, senior Douglas Poe and junior Mark Ward are among the possibilities for the Patriots on the hill.

“I’ve kinda figured it out in my mind, but I’ll decide (today) for sure,” Goddard said. “It’s just a one-game tournament now. I’ll just make that a game-time decision.”

Oak Hill (29-3) will send ace junior Tyler Zimm (8-1), whose only loss came Tuesday, to the mound.

“Zimm’s going,” Walls said. “It’s no surprise. They know it. Everybody knows it.”

Walls expects another tightly contested game.

“Both of us will be throwing good pitchers,” Walls said. “Both of us put the ball in play and play good defense. We’re pretty much evenly matched. We’re looking forward to a tight ball game and hoping it goes in our favor.”

Independence (17-9) won the first meeting of the two squads, 4-2, Tuesday in the double-elimination tournament. Oak Hill forced a final game with a 4-3 win over the Patriots Thursday.

“They’re a real solid ball club,” Goddard said. “They steal. They bunt. They run the bases well and have good defense and pitching.

“I think we’ve played real solid in the tournament. Both games have been real close. You just have to play and hope you play well.”

— E-mail:

rjett@register-herald.com