Wildcats just whistlin’ Dixie to start postseason play

By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor

Blacksburg starter Cameron Byars needs to do an effective job of keeping the Dixie batters off-stride when the teams meet Thursday to open the playoffs.

“Cameron has to throw the off-speed pitches well,” said Blacksburg coach Toby Elliott, who took the opportunity to scout No. 1 seeded Dixie on Monday.

Elliott described Dixie as a “scrappy team” that makes the routine plays on defense.

“Dixie won their region and they are a good team,” Elliott said.

The No. 4 seeded Wildcats enter postseason after two straight blowout losses to Landrum and Southside Christian.

But Elliott said playing highly-ranked teams like the Cardinals and Sabres should be good preparation for the Wildcats.

“They are two of the top ranked Class A teams in the state,” he said. “We also tried to conserve our pitching against them. Playing in a tough region will help us.”

The Wildcats haven’t been hitting the ball lately, especially with runners on base.

“We need to string some hits together,” he said.

John Porter, Gary Gaut and Nathan Patterson enter the postseason as the Wildcats’ hottest batters.

This is the second year in a row the Wildcats have qualified for the playoffs. A year ago, the Wildcats advanced to the third round of the playoffs. “We just need to relax, play our game and be aggressive,” Elliott said.