Coaches Gamble Earns Respect

Gryphon coach Kent Cox had every reason in the world to come back Saturday and pitch Benton Moss who had just thrown a gem on Tuesday and buckled the knees of every Nash Central batter.  Rain outs on both Thursday and Friday  and the Thursday game moved to Saturday offered Moss three full days rest.

I asked coach Cox during the pregame was there a chance that Benton might be the first reliever in because I didn't think he would start him. "Not a Chance" was his response.  "I care too much about his future to ruin it over one game".  "What happens tonight happens".

What happened?  There different players pitched for the Gryphons a sophomore started he was relieved by a senior that has not pitch on varsity in his high school career until this year and a freshman.  Between them they walked nine and allowed nine hits. Despite that the Gryphons could have won the game with more timely hitting and  better defense in the clutch.

This now means that Moss will pitch Tuesday at Fike.  One other note about Moss.  Just a few days ago we reported that Moss had recorded victory #28 in his career.  One of those games a couple of weeks before when we thought Benton had been the winning pitcher in relief  he was not so he is back to being one game short of Jim Leggett's 28 all time wins.

It looks to me like a wide open race in the Big East.  Two losses could tie for first or win it.  I sure wouldn't  want to expect to win or tie with two losses but it could happen.

Cousin Lauren Doughtie shot 78 today to finish tied for 43rd on the Futures Tour in Daytona Beach Florida. Those old demons to have a bad round struck her again today.  The good news is after being 19th heading into today and then shooting a 78 only 24  passed  her during the day.  Others on tour have their demons to fight with too.

  Next week they have to travel to Nuevo Vallarta, Nayart Mexico.  On the map that is on the western Mexico coast  and looks 500 miles south of the USA.  To me this is way to far to send a group of young want-a-bees after just playing in Daytona Florida.  They don't make enough money to pay for the jet flight.

Have you heard about this.  Last weekend Florida State played Wake Forest and ripped the Demon Deacons three games.  Sometime during the series Florida State had played all 28 players during the three games.  There is an obscure ACC rule that says you can only play 27 players during any ACC weekend series and Wake Forest has protested the final game and Florida State may have to forfeit the final game.

I wonder what page that rule is on.