Heritage goes 4-0 on week

Rogers Heritage Coach Brian Walker said his biggest takeaway from the week in Gulf Shores, Ala., was how the War Eagles were able to win their first game despite not playing well and then carrying that momentum through the week.

“The team’s ability to will themselves even though they didn’t play well or play clean and find a way to win,” Walker said. “That speaks to the experience of our club. They responded and played three clean games.”

Heritage (11-0) wiped out a 7-2 deficit with a sixrun bottom of the sixth and rallied for an 8-7 win over Prattville (Ala.) Christian Academy on Monday. The War Eagles then won their next three games in the event by a combined score of 36-3.

Heritage also was forced to deal with some other adversity this week when Luke Askew, who was supposed to pitch that day, was hit in the hand while batting in the top of the first inning.

“It just speaks to the depth of the program, and it was good to get the chance to see some perform who might have not had a chance yet,” Walker said.

Walker also praised the work of junior Josh Hinds behind the plate. He was thrown into that spot when starter Brett Renfrow suffered an injury.

“Josh Hinds has really been a godsend,” Walker said. “When Renfrow got hurt, that put us on our heels a little bit. [Hinds] caught a little in summer ball, but he was kind of a jack-of-all-trades and he jumped behind the plate and has done a fantastic job.

Heritage hosts Fort Smith Southside on Tuesday, then travels to Fort Smith on Wednesday in league play.