With a dynamic one-two punch at the top of the rotation, a lineup sprinkled with experienced players at key positions and a perfect 10-0 start, Sherwood is the team to beat in Montgomery County. The Warriors, however, aren’t buying in.
“We’re really not hitting the ball like we can,” shortstop Carter Willson said. “There’s a lot of room for improvement.”
Ask coach Billy Goodman to compare his team with last year’s 12-5 squad, and he stops short of saying they’re improved.
“We’re playing well right now,” Goodman said. “But we haven’t really hit the meat of our schedule yet.”
It takes a lot to impress at Sherwood. The football team has reached the Class 4A state final two straight years. The basketball team, last month, won the state championship. The boys soccer squad won back-to-back state titles in 2004-05. The softball team is undefeated.
Success even extends to volleyball, where the Sherwood girls won their first state title last fall. The coed team is pursuing its seventh Montgomery County title in 10 years and the boys squad played in the county title game.
At the Olney school, it seems, nothing less than a state title will do. Goodman took the Warriors to the 4A final in 2004, losing to Bowie. Sherwood’s placement in the traditionally weak 4A North Region, where the Warriors avoid Montgomery County powers including Damascus, Quince Orchard and Gaithersburg enhanced this year’s prospects.
“We don’t know anything about the Baltimore teams” Willson said. “We can’t take them lightly. I think we’re just focused on the county right now.”
In starting pitchers Kyle Blackwell (4-0) and Drew Hoffmaster (4-0), Sherwood has the most important element for a deep playoff run. Both are 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handers.
Blackwell, who has signed with the University of Maryland, throws harder. After spring break, Blackwell has been virtually untouchable, fanning 22 in 12 innings in wins over Magruder (14-0) and Blake (2-1).
Hoffmaster has been brilliant from the start, pitching one-hitters against Paint Branch and Watkins Mill and a two-hitter against Seneca Valley. Huffmaster has completed each of his four starts, surrendering just three runs.
Three-year starting shortstop Willson and second baseman John Wagner support the staff with strong defense up the middle. Seniors Matt Lopsonzski (first base) and Kevin Hamerski (catcher) supply power and experience.
It’s a team that appears to have championship credentials. Just don’t tell the Warriors that.
“We’ll know a lot more about ourselves after this week,” Goodman said. “We play Damascus, RM and QO. I like our attitude. I like our experience. These guys have been hearing me yelling at them for so long, they don’t even listen any more.”
Clutchstuff
» In a 9-5 win over Whitman, shortstop Carter Willson had a bases loaded double to break open a close game.
» Alejandro Acevado emerged last week, driving in five runs in a 9-2 win over Northwest and pitching a complete game in beating Springbrook, 12-2.
» Junior Tommy Gilchrist had a key RBI double in the seventh inning of a 2-1 victory over Blake Friday.
