The Pleasant Grove Hawks baseball team is in a familiar place, the playoffs!!

The Hawks are getting ready to take on Wills Point in a one game playoff this Thursday evening 7PM in Marshall. PG comes into the playoffs on a high, finishing the regular season at 21-3, 10-0 in district, and a 12 game winning streak. The 2018 season marks the 7th consecutive season that the Hawks have won the district championship.

Head Coach Riley Fincher says the biggest highlight of the season so far is seeing the growth of the team on the field. He adds, "To see where this team is now and knowing the hard work that each individual has put in at practice, in the weight room, in the classroom, extra before and after practice and outside of school has definitely shown on the field." Fincher says he and his coaching staff is extremely proud of the progress they have made throughout the season.

Heading into the playoffs Fincher says its important for the players to compete at the highest level every single pitch. To be successful, he says the pitchers need to continue to throw strikes, for the defense to make the routine plays and continue to be productive and aggressive at the plate and on the base paths.

As for their opponent, Wills Point, Fincher says they do a good job of putting the ball in play. Defensively, they have a few good arms on the mound and play sound defense, and he expects and looks forward to a good game on Thursday in Marshall.

Fincher feels his bunch is ready for the intensity and the pressure that comes with playoff ball. "Our guys know that its a new season when it comes to the playoffs.. We have a good nucleus of guys who have had success in the playoffs, not only in baseball, but in other sports as well. Having that playoff experience in all sports is something that is very valuable in terms of experience."

His Hawks have 7 players return from last years State Semi-Final team, including 3 starters and also 7 players from the State Football Championship team of last year.

Fincher has a thank you for two very important aspects of Hawk baseball. One is his outstanding Assistant Coaches, Blake Worley, Wace Forga, Yancarlo Palacios, and Brett Hutson. According to Fincher, "Those guys do a great job of coaching and leading our young men on a daily basis. We are truly blessed to have a great coaching staff, great players, great family, and community support at Pleasant Grove."

The second thank you from the coach is the fan and community support. "The support this is shown to the players in amazing. Our guys are so thankful and grateful for the support. We definitely have the best fans, who are willing to travel to games and show their support to the Hawks." He adds, " It is something that does not go unnoticed at all, and gives our guys a boost when we play on the road or at home."

The playoffs, as always can be about who gets hot and who is pitching  at a high level, and of course that is doubly important in a one game playoff situation. But the Hawks, seem ready as usual to handle it well and lo possibly make a long run in the playoffs.

One thing we know for sure, PG has a superior coaching staff guiding these student athletles. They teach and lead them well both on and off the field and care about them as a team and more importantly as the individuals that they are.

We also know the players return that feeling and respect for their coaches and for each other. This team is like a family, and that unity and drive to complete their goal, will help them well, in what we hope are the weeks ahead in the Texas High School Baseball Playoffs.

 

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