Great Expectations

Post 109 catcher Bryan Parsons (far right) celebrates a victory in the state tournament last season. Parsons is among a host of returning starters for Post 109, which begins practice today. As usual, Post 109 opens another season with high expectations.

"Obviously, our goal is always to win the state championship," Post 109 coach Jeff Osment said.

The team nearly accomplished that goal last season, losing to Richland 6-2 in the state championship game.

But Post 109 advanced to the Southeast Regional when Richland was unable to field a team for the regional.

Post 109 begins practice today at 6 p.m. at Commissioners Field. Players who were born after Jan. 1, 1989 and attend Gaffney, Broome, Chesnee or Blacksburg high schools are eligible to play.

Osment said he will use this week's practices to evaluate the players.

Post 109 returns several key cogs from last year's team, including McCrae Norton, Bobby Jackson, Nick Mabry, Dylan Jolley, Michael Hughey, Bubba Wright and Jake Watson of Gaffney High and Bryan Parsons and Lee Gerwick from Broome.

Former Blacksburg standout Cameron Byars and current Wildcat ace Dustin Byars also are eligible to return.

Chesnee is still competing in the Class 2A players.

"We wish them luck and hope they win the state championship," Osment said.

Last year's team entered the season with a lot of new faces. This year's team will have a bullseye on its back from the start because of last season's success.

"Last year was a new year because we lost the majority of our team, including Justin Sarratt," Osment said. "Nobody knew who the guys were. It was a year when the team tried to earn its respect. We were the hunter last year and now we'll be the hunted."

Gaffney opens the season with back-to-back games against Cherryville on May 21-22. The May 21 contest will be a home game.