Wolfpack surprises coach with patience

After Greenbrier's first win by the 10-run mercy rule this season, coach Rodney Holder didn't have much of an explanation for his team's patience at the plate.

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That's not exactly the message he's tried to get across.

"I don't know where that came from," he said after his team drew five walks and was hit by a pitch during a five-inning, 11-1 thrashing of Burke County on Feb. 25.

Holder preaches an attitude of aggression, and it appeared to take hold through the Wolfpack's first three games -- 10-run-rule finishes lasting under 15 innings combined.

The Wolfpack's next victim was Heritage, which Greenbrier swept in last year's Class AAAA state championship.

Holder's team pounded out 13 hits Saturday, soundly beating the Patriots, 13-2.

Wolfpack right fielder T.D. Davis homered for the second consecutive game and credited a simple philosophy.

"See it and hit it," Davis said. "Just like coach Holder always tells us."

The Wolfpack, in turn, swing at a lot of first pitches. The aggressiveness has extended to the base paths, where a Wolfpack runner often ends up at second after a routine single.

"We're not afraid to make a mistake," left fielder and pitcher Pat McGowan said.

Greenbrier made few Saturday.

Davis drove in three runs, and leadoff man Nolan Belcher scored each of the three times he reached base.

Heritage starter Kelvin Diaz left in the first after allowing two runs and not recording an out.

The three Patriots pitchers who followed faced similar struggles.

"We're doing a lot of things right, right now," McGowan said. "We just have to keep working hard."

McGowan was slated to pitch the sixth inning, and after the Wolfpack dispatched Burke County in five innings Monday to open the season, Holder said he would have liked to play more innings.

The Wolfpack didn't oblige Saturday, despite Holder's holding the potential game-ending run at third on two wild pitches.

When Wolfpack senior Ryan Cato delivered on a bases-loaded hit, Davis had no choice but to trot home to end the game.

"We had a lot of guys come to the park ready to play," Holder said. "That's what we like to see."

Greenbrier also beat Harlem Monday in another mercy-rule-shortened game, 10-0.