University eager to return to state tournament against Hedgesville

The AAA final is second on Saturday, preceded by the 10 a.m. Class A championship game.

“It’s been overwhelmingly awesome. It’s been really great in our school building. The support has been amazing from our administration and teachers. There’s a really good buzz and energy in the community,” Hawks coach Brad Comport said. “I can’t say enough good things about how people have encouraged us.”

After beating rival Morgantown in three games for the Region I title last week, University finished its ‘regular season’ strong on Tuesday, building a 7-2 lead against Class AA state participant Lewis County and hanging on for a 9-6 victory at home.

“Ultimately, we accomplished what we wanted, which was to get really solid reps and walk away with a win,” Comport said.

The closeness of the game added some welcome pressure to University that the Hawks responded to both offensively, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth, and defensively, with Daniel Grabo (two innings, no runs, no hits, two strikeouts) and Cody Thomas (one scoreless, hitless inning with a strikeout for the save) keeping the Minutemen at bay.

“Any time that you’re in a game where it’s coming down on the line, it’s good to get that experience. We’ve been in those situations a lot this year and more often than not, we’ve been able to walk away with a win,” Comport said.

One advantage that the Hawks will have this weekend is their experience on turf, an element that GoMart Ballpark features.

“We’ve had three games, at least, at Mon County Ballpark this year. That will help us. We’ve had a couple of practices there. Our guys are used to it. Our guys play very well on it,” Comport said. “It definitely helps us. A lot of teams don’t get that opportunity.”

University’s lineup has been a hallmark of a run through excellent teams like Bridgeport, Buckhannon-Upshur and Morgantown in the playoffs.

“That’s what happens when you have as many seniors as we do and when you’ve got as much depth as we do. Guys can get called on and do their jobs,” Comport said. “It’s really good to see.

“One through nine, everyone in our lineup can do damage and are capable of having a good at-bat and getting on. It’s really good to have a group that deep,” Comport said.

The keys for the Hawks to victory?

“Throw consistent strikes. Limit free bases. Limit walks. Play really clean defense. We’ve got to have really good at-bats. We anticipate seeing a really good arm,” Comport said. “It’s the little things like making routine plays and controlling our at-bats…if we can do that, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

The state tournament begins in Charleston on Thursday with both Class A semifinals.