EDITOR'S NOTE: Bridgeport split its two games in the panhandle Friday. The Indians fell 4-2 to Class AAA power Jefferson, but bounced back with a 12-3 win Berkeley Springs. BHS is 16-6 heading into today's games mentioned below.

 

It’s not that veteran Bridgeport High School Coach Robert Shields thinks his team is bad this year. After all, when you have a 15-5 record, have been ranked No. 1 all season long in Class AA and have managed to get there with arguably the most difficult schedule at that level in the state, it’s hard to be too dismayed.

 

Yet after 30 years of coaching and five state titles, including three straight, Shields knows when there are things to be concerned about. And he has some concerns.

 

“Maybe this comes off as sounding spoiled because we’ve got a good record and ranking, but I’m not please at all,” said Shields. “This team has talent, but it doesn’t have some intangibles that you need if you’re looking to win it all. I just don’t see the pizazz I want to see; guys aren’t doing the little things, we’re leaving too many mean on base, our plate approach with patience isn’t there. I could go on and on.

 

“What it boils down to is I don’t see the fire from the team and we’re 20 games in,” he continued. “We need fire from guys and that’s plural. We need emotional leaders. I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem like that before; at least not recently.”

 

It’s hard to argue that the Indians aren’t playing one of the state’s toughest schedules. The Indians have wins against Class AAA state-ranked George Washington and Morgantown as well as Class AA state-ranked Lincoln.

 

The losses have come to no slouches. Pennsylvania powerhouse Erie McDowell beat BHS twice in the McDonald’s Class, the Tribe dropped a game to Elkins in extra innings by a 1-0 score and GW managed to get the Tribe early in the year before BHS returned the favor. The final loss came to AAA No. 4 St. Albans.

 

A rematch with Elkins was scratched Thursday due to weather. The Tigers were leading 1-0 in another battle, but with the game in the fourth inning there was still plenty of time to go. The game will not be made up.

 

“The losses come when you play the schedule we play, but there have been things that have happened this year that have never happened or rarely happen,” said Shields.

 

Erie not only took two from the Indians on back-to-back days, but made the Tribe tap out early due to the 10-run mercy rule both games. St. Albans beat Bridgeport with a no-hitter.

 

“I’ve never been 10-runned twice in 30 years. The no-hitter against us was only the second time that’s ever happened,” said Shields. “I know I’m harping on our schedule being second to none, but when you’re not producing consistently against quality opponents it is cause for concern.”

 

What Shields has liked in recent outings is the team’s pitching. He said it’s coming around to what he wants to see.

 

“When you pitch well you will win ball games. I don’t think I’m revealing any secrets there,” said Shields.

 

The week started with a 10-6 win against Lincoln. The Indians had starting pitcher Brayden Lesher to thank for it.

 

Lesher went five innings, allowed one run on two hits and two walks, while striking out three. BHS was in control 10-1 when he left the game after five innings. The homestanding Cougars were able to get five runs in the sixth inning when the Tribe went to the bullpen, but the hosts could not overcome the staring effort of Lesher.

 

Bridgeport pounded out 13 hits in the game. J.T. Harris led the way with a 3-for-3 showing. Koby Kiefer, Andrew Barker and Brine Takahashi all had two hits in the game. Harris and Barker both had doubles as part of their hit total.

 

The Indians’ bats were strong, but not nearly as productive Tuesday. BHS got eight hits in what turned out to be a hard fought 3-0 win at Lewis County.

 

Big offense wouldn’t be needed thanks to Haden Miller and Tim Via. The pair combined on a one hit shutout.

 

Miller picked up the win going five innings, allowing one hit and three walks against four strikeouts. Via closed out the final two innings without allowing a hit or a walk and striking out three of the six batters he faced.

 

Takahashi, Barker and Harris all had two hits. Takahashi’s line included a double.

 

The strong pitching continued Wednesday against Robert C. Byrd. This time it was Takahashi who was nearly untouchable for six innings in what turned out to be a 9-4 win.

 

Takahashi held the Eagles scoreless through six innings before running into trouble in the seventh. Through six official innings of work he allowed seven hits and three runs – all in the last inning – against two walks and three strikeouts.

 

Thursday’s canceled contest may be the hardest to take. The game with Elkins is against a team in the Indians own region. Unlike past years where regional locations were determined before the season, this year the region will be seeded on a vote by the coaches.

 

With Elkins, ranked No. 3 in the state, holding a win over the Tribe by the slimmest of margins and BHS unable to get a complete chance to return the favor, could that sway the voters? Shields doesn’t know, but he’s hoping the Indians’ blistering schedule will help.

 

“We know it could knock us down a seed to No. 2 based on who we’ve played,” said Shields. “It’s imperative to win as many as you want so the coaches will vote based on the entire body of work. We have chances to impress coaches with the games we have left.”

 

Bridgeport’s brutal stretch of games continues today. The Tribe will visit Class AAA No. 2-ranked Jefferson at 1:30 p.m. and then faceoff with Berkeley Springs at 3:30 p.m. on JHS’s field.

 

Saturday, the Indians will have a 10 a.m. game at Potomac Falls (Va.) and that will be followed by a 12:30 p.m. game with EC Glass on Potomac’s field. PFHS is coached by former Roosevelt-Wilson and Salem College standout Joe Pat Terango.

 

“This is one of the top five schedule we’ve ever had. The competition is what we want and it’s been pretty tough,” said Shields.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.