Wildcats experience learning curve

Lake Norman's baseball team bid farewell to its seniors on Friday night.

The Wildcats lost 1-0 in the first round of the 3A state playoffs to Southwest Guilford. The Cowboys, winners of the 1997 2A state championship, reached the 2006 quarterfinals before losing 1-0 to eventual 3A state runner-up Ragsdale.

"We hadn't been here, and they've got a tradition," said Wildcats coach Robert Little, whose team managed two hits and struck out 14 times against Cowboys pitcher Warren Slack.

If Lake Norman could have mustered any offense Friday, the Wildcats would've picked up that first playoff win in their debut. Instead, they'll have to settle for simply qualifying for the first time since the program began in 2003.

Starting five sophomores, Lake Norman finished its season at 13-9. The Wildcats tied for third in the North Piedmont Conference.

"Hopefully, we're going to build on that," Little said.

There's reason to believe they will. Outside of three graduating seniors, the Wildcats return the vast majority of their players in 2008.

Lake Norman will add a lot, too. The junior varsity squad didn't lose a game this season, compiling a record of 19-0-2.

"Looks like our future is going to be great," sophomore second baseman Eric Manser said. "We've got a great JV team. Hopefully, we'll get back (to the playoffs) and do better next year."