The Gatewood Gators have endured a tough start to their season, facing Loganville Christian Academy twice in a home-and-home series and losing both times.
In the first meeting at Loganville, the Lions scored a come-from-behind 8-7 win and in the most recent matchup last Thursday in Eatonton, the Lions won again with a 10-5 score.
Still, Gatewood head coach Brandon Moss said he’s not concerned.
“Obviously, this time of year, as early as it is, there’s going to be numerous areas that we need to shore up, fine-tune, and ultimately improve on,” Moss said. “Whether that be our pitchers working ahead of our hitters, our hitters shortening up our swings, our situational hitting, our defense … none of it is, nor is it expected to be, where it should come May.”
Moss said the team has already demonstrated resiliency by rebounding in the first game from a 5-0 deficit to a brief 6-5 lead before giving up three runs in the bottom of the seventh to lose the game 8-7 on a walk-off hit.
Regardless, Moss said he felt the team showed resiliency and desire and that’s the biggest positive he’s seen so far this season.
“No question, it’s the desire,” Moss said. “Results-wise, fundamentals-wise, ability-wise, all of that, you can get better at with work. The attitude and the team's desire to fight and grind … when that’s a problem, it’s the most difficult to fix. Our guys are probably more guilty of over-trying, pressing too much, and trying to force things than anything. That is easily the best positive to take away and it’s what makes this group special.”
The Gators resume their 2023 season at 5 p.m. next Monday at home against Stratford Academy at the Walter C. Rocker baseball complex on the Gatewood campus.