Culpeper’s young guns

By Jason simcoe

Published: May 4, 2008

As far as first-game challenges go, Josh Gardiner’s was pretty tough. The CCHS freshman had just been promoted to the varsity baseball team and in his debut, he stepped to the plate to face Battlefield’s Evan Scott, a fire-balling pitcher as good as anybody around.

You don’t see a lot of 91-mph fastballs at the junior varsity level. Scott, a James Madison University recruit, routinely throws that hard.

But Gardiner didn’t back down, going 2 for 3, including a double and a game-tying RBI single, almost leading the Blue Devils to an upset win.

“I don’t know a tougher situation you could have put a kid in,” CCHS coach Dan Nobbs said.

The Blue Devils are a much improved team this season and a handful of underclassmen have helped with the turnaround. In addition to Gardiner, sophomores Matt Ward and Brandon Scott have been mainstays for the Blue Devils.

The trio is big reason CCHS, 5-15 in 2007, had already picked up seven wins by May 1.

Each brings something different to the team.

Ward is a lanky right-handed pitcher who has quickly developed into a top-notch reliever and spot starter. He’s posted a 3.20 ERA in 26 1/3 innings, striking out 12.

Though often used out of the bullpen, his best night came against Liberty April 15 when he needed 80 pitches to throw a complete game in a 3-1 win.

Scott, who got his first taste of varsity action as a freshman, combines a keen eye at the plate with sure-handed defense at second base. He’s hitting .346 this spring and is tied for the team lead in runs scored with 17.

Often batting in the No. 2 spot in the order, Scott is a disciplined contact hitter who has struck out just four times in 52 at-bats. After struggling at the plate at times in 2007, he’s emerged as a threat this spring.

“I’ve been keeping my hands toward the ball,” he said. “I’m not worrying about driving the ball – just base hits.”

Gardiner, a third baseman, has helped solidify the bottom of the lineup for the Blue Devils. He’s hitting .385 in the four games since his call-up and admits he was a little surprised by his quick success.

“I was just trying to hang with (varsity competition),” he said.

Nobbs hopes the integration of younger players with veterans like Jeremy Brown, Hunter Kenney and Brandon Mack will help the program develop long-term success.

Surrounded by older, more experienced players, Gardiner, Ward and Scott are receiving a crash course in what it takes to be successful at the varsity level.

They see Brown working on his pitches and Kenney hitting the batting cage. Every day, they learn something new.

And they’re learning fast.

“You couldn’t ask for more from them,” Mack said. “They just stepped up and did their jobs.”

Jason Simcoe can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 166 or