It’s been a while since Beaufort County Post 15 was able to take the field. Games and practices alike have been nixed thanks to all the thunderstorms lately, but the Pirates get back at it Friday at home against one of the conference’s top teams in Bear Grass.

They held their first practice in almost a week Thursday evening. Much like the Pirates, Bear Grass is a stout defensive team. The visitors have just one loss heading into Friday’s clash and the game could very well come down to whichever team is less rusty after the layoff.

“We haven’t been able to get on the field or hardly do anything this week,” head coach Glenn Marsh said. He asked the Pirates to do some individual work like hit the indoor batting cages.

“We’ll get back to the basics (while practicing). We’ll take some ground balls and some fly balls, do some bullpens with our pitchers. We’ll get in the cage and definitely try and get them at least 25 pretty swings in each.”

The Pirates’ defense has helped lead the team to an undefeated start to the season. The pitchers should benefit from the rest, but Marsh wants to minimize the time it takes for the defense behind the mound to settle in. Early errors from either side could decide the game.

“I think it’s going to be a close, low-scoring affair,” he said. “They have a veteran team. They had a very good high school season, and I think a lot of those players played on that team. So, I know some of those players. They have good pitching and a good catcher. They’re a very sound ball team. Eliminating errors throughout the game is going to be important.”

Despite cool bats early in the season, the Pirates were successful in limiting opponents’ scoring chances. Their bats seemed to heat up last Friday when they edged Windsor, 11-10, in extra innings.

Even with the plethora of runs, it was Beaufort County’s defense that kept the game within reach. Windsor had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh when the Pirates turned a double play that included throwing out the potential winning run at the plate.

They sent the game into extra innings and burst out with five runs in the top of the ninth. Drew Ferguson and Tanner Alligood each batted in a pair of runs to help the Pirates take an 11-6 lead. The defense staved off a comeback attempt by Windsor, which scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn’t draw even.

Defensive performance will be the difference maker for both Beaufort County and Bear Grass. However, the home side is hoping last week’s hot inning will carry over. Marsh stressed the need to capitalize on any and all runners in scoring position since each run will be valuable.

“We need to do the small things like moving runners over when we need to,” he said. “Getting them on early, working the count and having quality at bats. If you get them over to third base with less than two outs, you need to get them home. I think doing all the little things correctly will go a long ways in winning the ball game.

“I know that our kids will rise up and they’re looking forward to the challenge. I talked to some of them this week and they’re really excited about getting after it.”

The offense will lean on the likes of Reg Bishop, Brock Marsh, Cody Godley and Drew Ferguson. All four Pirates are batting better than .350.

Bear Grass will be the Pirates’ most formidable challenge yet. A win would extend their perfect start to 5-0 and 4-0 in conference. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Washington High School.