Thursday, May 19, 2011

Pirates Nailed by NCAA

The academic fraud scandal in the spring of 2010 that hit the ECU baseball team got the word today from the NCAA.  The Infractions committee took away 17 wins the Pirates got during 2010 while the four players that were part of the infractions played.  The entire Sports program for ECU will be on probation in 2011/2012 school year.  The most important point is they will not lose any TV rights or Bowl or playoffs games in the 2011/2012 year.  This is probably the best the Pirates could have asked for.

This should make all Tar Heel  fans nervous since the football scandal in Chapel Hill started about three months after the ECU trouble started.  Don't be surprised as Carolina doesn't have a verdict on their deal during the summer.

Just watched enough of American Idol to see Scotty make the finals.  I have not watched a total of two hours the entire season and after the weekend Scotty had last weekend at home I saw it all tonight.  I know I'm pulling for him now knowing his bedroom is decorated In Wolfpack Colors.  Even his dad tonight wore a Wolfpack sweater live from Hollywood.  Go Wolfpack... I mean Scotty!

Speaking of N C State they beat Boston College today and Georgia Tech beat Virginia Tech in baseball that  guarantees the Wolpack 8th spot in ACC baseball and a trip to the ACC baseball Tournament next weekend.  This has been a disappointing year for the Pack and yet are rated 28 in the  Power Ratings.

Third round of the baseball playoffs at 6.00pm at Gryphon Stadium Friday Night. North Lenoir will be in the house.  Nash Central girls host a second round softball at 7.00pm.

On my last blog we were discussing the Gryphon lineup for Friday's game.  One thing that I failed to mention with Matthew Berry's injury.  This year he has become the #3 pitcher so not only will the Gryphons be short or slowed down at third base but Sam Lilley not being able to pitch either the arms for the Gryphons are getting shorter and shorter.

Friday Action Packed With Base/Soft Ball

Hunt the Big East #1 seed in softball has a home game Friday as they play host to  C B Aycock the #2 from the Eastern Carolina Conference.  Hunt is 20-3 while Aycock comes in with a 21-5 record.

The only local softball game will occur on Old Carriage Road as Nash Central will host Havelock.  The Coastal Conference #3 team the Rams will come in 18-5 facing the Big East #2 Bulldogs.

The surprise winner opening night was Southern Nash who finished fourth in the Big East and they knocked off previously undefeated Union Pines 13-1.  That's right I said undefeated.  Talking about taking a team for granted before the game starts or what.  That victory was only the Lady Firebirds eighth win in twenty one tries.

"RV"wins #800   Ron Vincent the legendary baseball coach at Rose high school won his 800th game Tuesday night in Rose's opening round win in the 4-A playoff.  I had the pleasure back when Gryphon baseball was on the radio to do his 600th  victory over the Gryphons in Rocky Mount. Ron is a lot like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps on going and going and going.

Rocky Mount the only Big East baseball team alive will have their hands full with North Lenoir who comes in as the #4 from the Eastern Carolina.  They bring the exact record as Rocky Mount at 18-8.

The Gryphons have several problems to overcome.  Matthew Berry who injured a leg is the one player to worry the most about whether he will play and if he does where.  Berry the Gryphon third baseman may not  be able to move well enough to play the field which puts him as a DH. Then who plays third.  The backup third baseman has been Sam Lilley who  is out with the line the drive to his cheek  I understand he had a surgery this week and everything went well.

The next big questions if Matt hits can he even run to get to first base.  We all know he is capable of bouncing any pitch off the wall and it might take that to even get him to first base.  Matt got three hits Tuesday  two after he got hurt and he struggled to get to first base then.  I would bet Matt plays even if it's on a peg leg.

So then who plays 3rd? Three JV's have been brought up to the varsity for added pitchers.  Do you put a JV on the field to play defense and M Berry hobbling  on the bases just for his bat.  Twin brother Thomas has the same injury as Matt only not as severe.  I think he will play first unless it becomes where  Kent Cox starts switching players around to fill at third.  If Matt is not at third the defense will not be at full strength or even if he is and can't move the defense is limited.

The facts are this when Benton Moss pitches it is not necessary to score many runs to win. This is very bad timing for a team that needs all the bats they can get to score runs.  Jeremy Johnson has pitched in conference play better than the Gryphon defense has played behind him.  Limited hitting line up and maybe a makeshift defense Jeremy will need to pitch the game of his life Friday night.

If you are worried whether the Gryphons can win without Benton Moss pitching?  They won ten games this year when he didn't.