SPRING PLAYOFFS

Certain numbers carry a memory, while others carry significance.

In baseball, that number may be 755, or 3,000. The number 4,256 means the world to a Pete Rose fan.

When it comes to high school baseball, and specifically high school baseball in Gilbert, the number 500 now means more than any other.

A week has passed since Gilbert head baseball coach Ashley Burnett reached 500 wins, with his Indians defeating the Aiken Green Hornets 8-3 at the Sandlapper Classic.

“Ashley Burnett has been consistent with his coaching approach,” assistant coach Robbie Hardy told me. “His expectations for the players never change from team to team. He holds the players accountable. He is a players’ coach.”

Much like a batter in the box, a consistent approach is needed from the dugout. It also helps that Burnett has gone to former head coaches to be assistants on his staff over the years.

“Jimmy Frost (Spring Valley), I was at Ridge View, and Joey Leo (Swansea),” Hardy said. “All of us were head coaches prior to this. And he allows his assistants to coach.”

Building a program also allows former players to return and contribute as alumni in different capacities. There is a sense of shared values in the Gilbert baseball program. With current major-leaguers and national champions having played in Gilbert, America, the tradition and commitment to excellence is rich.

“We all believe in his philosophy and feel valued as a part of his staff,” Hardy said. “Coach Burnett really focuses on every aspect of the game to make his teams successful,” Hardy said. “And he’d tell you he hasn’t won any games, that it was the players who won those games.”

But as in every phase of life, there is a captain, someone piloting the ship and putting his men (or women) in a place to succeed. Burnett has piloted the ship well at Gilbert High School over the years, with the wins and state championships to prove it.

Gilbert opened the Class 3A playoffs Tuesday at Georgetown. Keep up with the S.C. High School League playoffs at www.lexingtonchronicle.com or www.schsl.com .

River Bluff goes 4-0 at Mingo Bay

It was a productive Spring Break for Region 5-5A baseball teams.

River Bluff went to Myrtle Beach to compete at the Mingo Bay Classic. The Gators won all 4 games, defeating St. James 8-6 and out of state schools Hedgesville (8-1), Brockport (11-2) and Rocky Falls.

The final win over Rocky Falls saw William Chastain hit a walkoff RBI single to score Clemson University commit Ricky Williams.

Meanwhile, Lexington, Chapin and Dutch Fork participated in the S.C. Diamond Invitational at Blythewood High School. The Wildcats advanced to the championship after going 2-0-1 before losing 10-7 to defending Class 5A champion Dorman in the final.

The tie came against the Eagles by a 3-3 score on Day 3. Chapin finished the tournament 3-0-1 after defeating the host school in the final game.

Dutch Fork went 1-3 at the tournament, but the lone win came against the Cavaliers. The Silver Foxes opened the Class 5A playoffs at South Florence, while the Wildcats traveled to St. James.

The Gators played host to Carolina Forest in The Swamp. Keep up with the brackets and latest results at www.lexingtonchronicle.comand www.schsl.org .