Warriors get set for round two

The Brookwood Warriors are getting ready for their match up against Pinewood Christian in the second round of the state playoffs.

“They’re a really good team,” said Head Coach Daniel Funt. “It’s going to be a challenge and it’s going to be a battle.”

As 2023 region champions, the Warriors received a first round bye. Brookwood secured the region title after a 2-1 win in their last regional game against Deerfield-Windsor. Brookwood fought tooth and nail all season in regional play, often finding themselves tied with Southland Academy and Valwood for the top spot in the region. But, after a Southland loss, the Warriors emerged as region champions.

Pinewood, on the other hand, found themselves in second place in their region at the end of the season. This forced them to play in the first round of the playoffs, taking on Frederica Academy. The Patriots took care of Frederica quickly. In just two games, Pinewood scored 25 runs and only allowed nine.

The good news for Brookwood is that Pinewood did give up nine runs in those two games, showing a chip in the Patriots pitching and fielding. The Warriors will have to step up on the defensive side and stop the scoring momentum that Pinewood will bring into this contest, something Funt is very aware of.

“If you can get through the first round there’s a lot of pros to playing and not having a bye,” Funt said. “That’s going to be a challenge on our end, having to pick it back up and get right back into playoff game speed.”

Game one of this best of three series will take place at Brookwood on Friday at 7 p.m.. Game two will be at 1 p.m. on the following Saturday and game three, if necessary, will follow.