Published: May 15, 2008 02:10 am            

Getting defensive

Improved play puts Bees in position for state playoff berth

FAIRMONT — East Fairmont’s softball team rolled through the regular season without barely a hitch. But in the Bees’ world, success doesn’t change a thing.

Especially when it comes to work ethic.

From indoor batting drills in the offseason to fielding practice after select varsity games, coach Chuck Fluharty and his young squad don’t know any other way.

Since midseason, much of the attention has been put on East’s defense. The unit, once a question mark, has become an area of strength heading into today’s Class AAA Region I title game against Wheeling Park. The game is set for 5 p.m. at Brooke High School.

“Since the middle of the season, we’ve probably put 70 percent of our focus on defense,” Fluharty said.

While the veteran coach won’t admit as much, the Bees’ last meeting with Wheeling Park may have been a reason for the increased emphasis on defense.

In the April 9 contest, they had some struggles with the glove, but gutted out a 7-5 victory in 11 innings.

“We won, but we didn’t play a real good game defensively,” Fluharty said of the game, one of the team’s few blips in a steady regular season. The Bees are 13-4 since.

“But we’re not the same team we were then. We play much better defense. We’ve really focused on it, and the girls have bought into it. Right now, I’d say we’re an excellent defensive team, and that’s exactly what we need.”

Wheeling Park (19-8) got this far with a 4-0 victory at University in last Thursday’s semifinals. East — despite an uncharacteristic eight errors — beat the Patriots, 7-6, for the 2007 regional championship.

The Bees, 23-7-1 this season, are looking to reach to their sixth state tournament in seven years.

“(Wheeling Park) is very aggressive and a well-coached team,” Fluharty said. “Right now, our focus is on playing relaxed. We need to have smiles on our faces and have fun out there when we’re playing. But no matter what happens (today), this has been a hugely successful season.”

E-mail Nick Cammuso at ncammuso@timeswv.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.