Published: May 07, 2008 07:19 pm            

Estes shines for Bears in first varsity season

LITTLE CYPRESS — Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bears Coach Steve Griffith goes into each season knowing who the stars will be and on a search for one or two surprises.

It did not take him long this season to find a huge surprise in Wade Estes.

How about batting .368 with 11 RBI and a .569 on-base-percentage from a guy who bats in the No. 7 spot and was on JV last season?

“We always look to see who the guys on that might be coming up and be able to help on varsity,” Griffith said. “He was off the radar after last year. He came into the off-season and worked real hard. Now he is our designated hitter and moves to the infield when certain guys are pitching. It was not a fluke because Wade worked his way into our lineup and when he got there — he got the job done.”

Estes joked Griffith took a chance on him earlier this season and now he is saving his coach’s job.

“Nah, he was never in any trouble before I came around,” Estes said. “It is an accomplishment to be able to start for the Bears. It is nice to work hard enough to deserve to start. It means a lot to me because Coach Griff has the trust in me to start, keep me there and feel I can get the job done.”

Now Estes will try to continue his success in the Class 4A Region III area round against Lamar Consolidated.

Game 1 will be at 7 p.m. tonight at Galena Park North Shore. Game 2 will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday with Game 3, if necessary, to follow.

Griffith just hopes his designated hitter does not go into a slump because he is finally being given some recognition.

“He will continue to be important this weekend unless he has some kind of Sports Illustrated jinx,” Griffith said. “I just don’t see that happening with Wade though.”

Estes had one of the most exciting plays this weekend against the Huffman Falcons as the Bears won Games 2 and 3 at Don Gibbons Field to move on.

Estes laid down a perfect squeeze bunt with Stefan Cloeren on third in the top of the third inning in Game 3 to put the Bears up for good.

“I was really nervous,” Estes said. “I got a pitch I could handle but I was still nervous. It was a relief when it was successful. It’s a play where I am either the hero or the goat. I wanted to do my best at it because Coach Griff would not have been happy if I failed.”

Estes knows what the Bears (24-8) are going to have to do to take down the Mustangs, the champions out of 24-4A with a 22-6 mark.

“Lamar Consolidated is a real good team,” Estes said. “We are going to have to play good baseball and be error-free. I like the challenge of playing a great team because when you do when it gives you even more momentum. We want to put all the pressure on those guys because we think we can play against anyone. We have a lot of talent here on this team. Everyone seems to be clicking and everyone played a big part in last weekend’s win. That is exactly what it is going to take to move on even further.”

Griffith knows with a guy like Estes, his team does have a chance to be successful in this round.

“Part of the story is he was able to get better and get on the team,” Griffith said. “The other big part is that he is here to stay. Everyone season there is a surprise on your team and Wade Estes is our surprise. He comes from a great family and he along with them are some of the best people in the world.”

        

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