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Trojans’ young hurlers key to success

• Matt Suggs and Justin McCalvin together have provided a huge lift for the Trojans on the mound down the stretch this season.

Derek Barichello

LEESBURG —The future is now.

Both Lee County sophomore pitchers Matt Suggs and Justin McCalvin, who each started the season playing on the junior varsity squad, will figure into coach Rob Williams’ plans as the Trojans try to make their third GHSA AAAA Final Four appearance in four yearstoday at home against Salem with a doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m.

After taking starring roles with an appearance each in the first two rounds, Suggs and McCalvin are the No. 3 and No. 4 pitchers behind seniors Gray Carden (5-4, 2.57 ERA) and Howell White (4-1, 2.79) and most likely will have a pivotal say in this week’s third-round series.

“(Suggs and McCalvin) have done a great job for us and they’re not throwing like junior varsity pitchers,” Rob Williams said. “You only hope they can keep it up.”

Here’s what Williams means:

In two playoff games, the lefty Suggs pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowed two earned runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts and has a win and a save to show for it.

The righty McCalvin has pitched six scoreless innings, allowed just three hits and struck out five with a win and a save.

And after those performances, it’s easy to see why the confidence of these sophomores is running high.

“I was nervous at first, but I’ve settled in,” said Suggs, whose father, Dwayne, is the head coach of the Terrell Academy baseball team that advanced to the GISA A Final Four for the first time since 2003. “When I’m called in, I’ll be ready. Now, I’m just focused on throwing.”

And though they have played the part well, there is still a little bit of surprise in just how well it’s gone.

“I didn’t think I’d get pulled up,” McCalvin said. “Or if I did, it would be just to sit on the bench and pitch in an emergency. But I’m happy with how it’s all worked out.”

SHEFFIELD’S RARE STRIKEOUTS?

Trojans leadoff hitter Jeremy Sheffield bounced back with a 4-for-7 series with two doubles, a walk and the game-tying hit in Game 1 against Starr's Mill after a disappointing 1-8 showing in the opening round against Evans.

The senior second baseman, who leads the team with a .456 batting average, however, struck out twice in Game 2 against Starr’s Mill. He has struck out only six times all year, including the playoffs.

STRONG UP THE MIDDLE

One thing that impressed Williams, who watched Salem's six-run comeback against one-time GHSA AAAA No. 1 East Paulding in Game 3 last Friday, was the Seminoles' defense up the middle.

"Their middle infield was smooth," Williams said. "They have the best centerfielder in the region."

Williams believes defense is one of the keys to the series.

"At this level, you can't give extra outs," he said. "At the same time, you won't get as many of them yourself."

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