Union County coach Danny Gault speaks with his team before the first playoff game against AC Flora last week.
Union County is slated to play Blue Ridge at 5 p.m. The Lady Jackets have beaten Blue Ridge all three times this year. If the Lady Jackets lose, they would play a second game tonight following the first.
“We have some fans that follow us whenever we are a home — and not just parents and relatives,” coach Danny Gault said. “Since about our 16th game it seems there are more fans in the stands and standing around the field.”
Last Friday’s match-up against Blue Ridge brought so many Union County fans they were overflowing into the visitor section with standing-room only viewing remaining.
“It seems everywhere the players and coaches go now people are congratulating us on the job we have done and wishing us good luck,” said Gault, who has led the Lady Jackets to the school’s first undefeated record. “I talked to the wife of a friend of mine and she said he had never been interested in softball until he came to a game a couple weeks ago and now he is coming to our games and watching the college games on TV. I think once people see how fast our game goes compared to baseball, let’s just say they are coming over to our side.”
Union County, which is 20-0 overall, has had a home field advantage since the start of the playoffs.
“Having not to travel is great,” Gault said. “It allows you to prepare for the game. Your routine is set so it makes life easier on the players and coaches.
“Playing at home is also nice from the standpoint of not having to hurry to get on the bus, rushing through warm-ups and listening to the girls complain about being hungry,” Gault said. “It is also nice having fan support at home. It gets the players going when the crowd is behind them.”
The Lady Jackets, who are the only undefeated team in their district, need only to win one more game to advance to the Upper State Finals, which begin Saturday.
Gault credits the team’s pitching and defense for their success this season.
“Pitchers Ashley and Tiffany (Vaughan) have been outstanding at keeping teams off balance with their junk and they have only given up 16 walks and only three hit batters,” he said. “That is outstanding in anyone’s book.
“The defense has done a great job of not committing errors when it could hurt us. They have made the plays when we needed them,” he said. “These young ladies are smart and they know how to play good softball.”
While not many expected to see the Lady Jackets where they are today, Gault said it has not been a fluke.
“We have gotten progressively better as the season went along,” he said.
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