Point After: Don't Count Out The Warhawks
VIENNA, VA - Three straight losses and some devastating injuries had the Madison faithful wondering if the 2008 season was cursed prior to Friday's game against visiting Woodson. Some had lost faith that the Warhawks were still a title contender, or for that matter, would even make the playoffs, but not Head Coach Mark Gjormand. Gjormand's squad had lost 6 games, more than the previous two seasons combined, but at a time when many coaches would panic, the area's most successful baseball coach took a different approach.
"The kids showed up to practice yesterday and I huddled them up and told them we weren't practicing today," Gjormand said. "Instead, we went to Dairy Queen and I bought 20 some ice creams for the guys. We have been trying a bit too hard to make things happen and I just felt we needed to step back and have some fun. It must have worked because we played better tonight."
The move paid off as Madison regained the swagger they had been missing as of late, and rallied to beat a scrappy Woodson team on Friday 11-5. The win kept the Warhawks in the hunt for the district title, but more importantly gave them confidence heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
Gjormand is no stranger to success. His clubs have won more games than any program in the Northern Virginia area since 2000, and have also been nationally ranked several times during the past 8 years. His 2008 team was full of promise with several returning starters from last year's Liberty District Championship team, but along the way, Madison has run into some bad luck with injuries.
"Every game it seems like we have four or five guys that head right to the training room afterwards," Gjormand said after the game. "It's like a football team, but we are fighting through it ok."
The Warhawks lost one of their best players for the season this past week when senior Colin Flaherty went down with a shoulder injury. Flaherty's loss forced Gjormand to make several changes to his lineup, and on Friday night, the changes worked.
In the infield, Gjormand moved second baseman Casey Turner to third, and he started the speedy T.J Ehrsham at second. Senior Andrew Shrock moved to left field, and his impact was felt late in the game when he threw out a Woodson runner at the plate on a single.
The biggest question mark for the Warhawks lately has been the status of senior Jesse Jeter, one of the area's better pitchers when he's healthy. Jeter pitched well on Friday, but in the 6th inning, he left the game after tweaking his ankle on the mound. Gjormand said Jeter was sore, but he thinks his Ace will be ok for the stretch run.
Catcher Alex Jacquez, designated hitter Ted Williams, and centerfielder Kyle McIntyre provided Madison with the clutch hits in Friday's 11-5 win, finishing unofficially a combined 6 for 8 at the plate.
The Liberty District race should get interesting in the final two weeks as Madison, McLean, Langley, Marshall, and Woodson all battle for the #2 spot behind Stone Bridge. The Bulldogs are 3 games ahead of everyone with only 5 to play, but if they slip against Marshall this week, the rest of the pack could potentially catch up to them. Madison finishes the regular season against Stone Bridge at home.
While many had begun to write Madison off, the Warhawks finally looked like the team everyone expected to see at the beginning of the season. They played solid defense, pitched well, and their bats came alive against the Cavaliers. More importantly, they figured out how to win a close game, something they hadn't done much of this season.
Every move Gjormand made on Friday seemed to work, but the most important move he made involved ice cream and a few laughs on Thursday. His players finally relaxed and just played Madison baseball, and it showed. When asked what his approach would be with his team heading down the stretch, Gjormand simply replied with a laugh, "I think we will be going to Dairy Queen again."
The Warhawks will play Thomas Jefferson, Langley, South Lakes, and Stone Bridge to close out the regular season.
