Greenbrier goes from low to high in a hurry

A day after suffering its first region loss of the season, Greenbrier High School needed a pick-me-up.

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What better way than to hand rival Lakeside its first loss?

"You always want to beat them, because they're one of your rivals," Wolfpack second baseman Jake Sandlin said. "And they're having a great season this year."

Sandlin and the Wolfpack jumped on the Panthers early and didn't let up during a 9-1 victory on Thursday. Lakeside had won its first 12 games, including a victory over Greenbrier to open the season.

"Some days you got it, some days you don't," Lakeside coach T.J. Davis said. "Some things didn't go our way."

Greenbrier pitcher Shawn McCain threw a complete game for the Wolfpack to earn the win. McCain has been steady for the Wolfpack since moving into the starting role.

He started the season behind the plate, but moved to first on days he didn't pitch to allow him to rest. With ace Chad Farmer having an up-and-down start, McCain's contribution has been big, Greenbrier pitching coach Mark Turner said.

"He's picked us up," Turner said.

"He's been solid every time out."

McCain struck out eight and allowed only a third-inning run. He went 3 for 4 at the plate.

The Wolfpack got to Lakeside starter Wil Hogan early, pushing across three runs in the first and two more in the second.

Senior Blake Ross tripled in a run and scored when the throw from outfield finished in the Wolfpack dugout.

Greenbrier coach Chris Wilkins said McCain's "got something that every pitcher has to have. That's the ability to dig in a place nobody can see. You just got to have it."

McCain's outing followed the Wolfpack's first loss in Region 2-AAAAA. Greenbrier fell to M.L. King, 7-5.

The Wolfpack had to shuffle their rotation after Farmer mysteriously passed out and fell the previous weekend. Wilkins said Farmer underwent tests, but that the cause was uncertain.

He said Thursday that Farmer was feeling well.

The Wolfpack had won their past six games prior to the loss at M.L. King.

Sandlin said the game was a reminder that the team needed to maintain focus.

"You got to be there every single pitch," Sandlin said after the victory over Lakeside.

"That's why we beat a really good ball team."