Rockets not satisfied with state appearance

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October 20, 2012

Rockets not satisfied with state appearance

By Jamie Wachter / Sports Editor The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Sat Oct 20, 2012, 06:00 AM CDT

MERIDIAN — Neshoba Central finally cleared the New Hope hurdle Tuesday in the North State championship series. However, the Rockets aren't satisfied with that.

Rather, Neshoba looks to finish off the season today by capturing the Class 5A state championship when it faces Wayne County in a best-of-3 series at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland. Game 1 is at 11 a.m. with Game 2 at 2 p.m.

“It's a big step for us and they have a great program with a great tradition and we went in there and it was pretty much a war,” coach Trae Embry said as he has guided Neshoba to a 25-5 record and the North State championship in his first season at the helm. “I think the kids understand the New Hope game is over and their goal in front of them and what we're trying to accomplish, you don't accomplish that by beating New Hope. You have to finish. And we're going to go Saturday and try to finish.”

Just like Neshoba isn't satisfied with a North State title, the Rockets also are looking for more than just this first trip to the state championship series. Instead, Embry is hoping to make it an annual occurrence, something he nearly accomplished at Eupora. There, Embry guided the Eagles to fast-pitch state championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007; and slow-pitch titles in 2005 and 2007.

“We're hoping we can just build on that year after year and we'd love to make this an annual thing,” he said. “It's great to be able to come in here and do it the first year, but it's not about me. The kids have worked their tails off and they deserve everything they're achieving.”

To get Neshoba its first slow-pitch title (they did win fast-pitch championships in 2005 and 2006), Embry and the Rockets first have to get past Wayne County, which swept its way to the South State title Tuesday. And Neshoba enters without much knowledge of what the War Eagles do. That said, the Rockets are more worried about continuing the consistent hitting display they showed against New Hope, where they banged out 50 hits in three games, including 20 in Game 3.

“The first thing is we have to stay relaxed going into that environment because it's going to be a different environment, a fun environment,” Embry added. “We just have to stay consistent because we've been hitting the ball.

“The fields are going to be bigger so home runs aren't going to be in play anymore. So we just have to stay consistent, hit line drives and rely on our defense.”

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