The State of North Carolina has sent only two teams to the NCAA Regionals in baseball. North Carolina seated 3rd in the Gainesville Florida region lost to the Number two seed Long Beach State 6-1. The Heels had eight good innings of baseball but the fourth inning was their down fall giving up all six of of the runs they gave up. Tar Heels play at 1pm today and I think Mike Fox will hand the ball to Benton Moss with hopes of Benton saving the tournament for North Carolina.
Campbell playing in their first NCAA playoff game in 24 years. Now with school out Campbell offered students who wanted to go to Columbia SC for 40 dollars they could take a bus tickets to Friday and Saturday's games and one night in a motel. They got three bus loads to Columbia where they saw their Camels get hit with three South Carolina runs in the first but the Camels hung tough until the bottom of the 8th when they gave up two more before losing 5-2.
I don 't think there were many who dreamed the Camels could beat South Carolina but others on Friday did the unthinkable like powerhouse Jackson State who beat Louisiana Lafayette 1-0 or that team Kennesaw State who everyone knows who they are beat Alabama 1-0.
The Tar Heels lost by five but guess what they were better that two other ACC teams as Clemson lost to Oregon 18-1. Glad to see Clemson was ready to play. Super Regional hopeful Florida State was shutout at home by Georgia Southern 7-0. Just about every team has one pitcher when he is on can beat anybody. The question is do they have three?
Virginia is the only ACC team that played like a top team winning 10-1. Miami slides by 1-0 and Maryland needed two back to back hit batters to win 4-3. Georgia Tech plays Saturday so the ACC is 500 the first day.
College baseball is just like basketball was this year. 24-30 are legit possible winners of the tournament. Years ago only about 10 could possibly win the title. Basketball is ready for a Butler to win the title and baseball is not far behind.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Opening Night Tie
Coleman Pitt Post 58 opened it's 2014 summer baseball season playing Wayne County to a nine innings plus to a 4-4 tie. Down 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth P 58 plated two runs to start the extra innings.
Khalil Macklin started the ninth with a base on balls. Adam Bayless pitch hitting who hasn't played any ball since graduating Rocky Mount Academy in 2013 laced a single to put runners on first and second. Griffin Parker laid down a sacrifice bunt putting runners on second and third with one out. Logan Simonowich from Roanoke Rapids hit a high chopper to third allowed Macklin to score with two outs now with Bayless on third. Blake Helms who had been in the game as relief pitcher for five innings batted for himself and sent a seeing eye single up the middle to tie the game.
Paschal Ammons from East Wake started for Post 58 went the first four innings giving up the four runs on six hits while walking seven batters.. Rocky Mount's Blake Helms came in with two on and no outs and gave a single but put out the Post 11 rally down 4-2. Helms pitched five plus innings and gave up no runs on six hits while walking only three and with his curve working struck out five.
Rocky Mount took the lead in the second after Macklin singled, Christian Perry walked and Fike's Griffin Parker doubled to produce a run. Wayne scored twice in the second off a Ryan Faucett two run double. Noah Parker sac fly scored Wayne Couny's third run in the third and another in the fourth. Linwood Jones scored P 58 second run after his fly ball was dropped and Jones scampered to third. A David Wiliams single put run two on for Post 58.
Post 58 collected only five hits while giving Wayne County 12 on the night. The top of the tenth Post 11 lead of with a single and a force play created an out when the crowd was stunned when Adam Bayless now playing first base fell to the ground with a seizure. Rescue was called and after about 30 minute delay Bayless entered the rescue vehicle and at that point Hank Jones and the Wayne County coach agree that continuing the game under these circumstances was fruitless. Adam Bayless was awake and I don't know of no one there wanted to continue after the 30 minutes of quiet calm that had overtaken the field.
Khalil Macklin started the ninth with a base on balls. Adam Bayless pitch hitting who hasn't played any ball since graduating Rocky Mount Academy in 2013 laced a single to put runners on first and second. Griffin Parker laid down a sacrifice bunt putting runners on second and third with one out. Logan Simonowich from Roanoke Rapids hit a high chopper to third allowed Macklin to score with two outs now with Bayless on third. Blake Helms who had been in the game as relief pitcher for five innings batted for himself and sent a seeing eye single up the middle to tie the game.
Paschal Ammons from East Wake started for Post 58 went the first four innings giving up the four runs on six hits while walking seven batters.. Rocky Mount's Blake Helms came in with two on and no outs and gave a single but put out the Post 11 rally down 4-2. Helms pitched five plus innings and gave up no runs on six hits while walking only three and with his curve working struck out five.
Rocky Mount took the lead in the second after Macklin singled, Christian Perry walked and Fike's Griffin Parker doubled to produce a run. Wayne scored twice in the second off a Ryan Faucett two run double. Noah Parker sac fly scored Wayne Couny's third run in the third and another in the fourth. Linwood Jones scored P 58 second run after his fly ball was dropped and Jones scampered to third. A David Wiliams single put run two on for Post 58.
Post 58 collected only five hits while giving Wayne County 12 on the night. The top of the tenth Post 11 lead of with a single and a force play created an out when the crowd was stunned when Adam Bayless now playing first base fell to the ground with a seizure. Rescue was called and after about 30 minute delay Bayless entered the rescue vehicle and at that point Hank Jones and the Wayne County coach agree that continuing the game under these circumstances was fruitless. Adam Bayless was awake and I don't know of no one there wanted to continue after the 30 minutes of quiet calm that had overtaken the field.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Fell Off Cloud Nine
The Biggest sporting event in Thomas Berry and Britt Johnson's sporting career has ended. Lander University where Thomas plays and Britt coaches ended their season Wednesday when they lost at the division II World Series for the second time this week 7-3 to Tampa. It knocks them out of the tournament and they can hang their head high as they will officially finish fifth in the nation. Thomas went 2-4 in the game with a BB and a run scored.
Ten years ago Lander didn't have much of a baseball program until they hired Kermit Smith and in about four years Smith has turned the program into a program if you say Lander everyone in the college baseball world knows where it is.
Since Britt Johnson graduated Rocky Mount high and ECU he has slowly been moving up the coaching ladder first at Nash Central. He had laid a coaching foundation while coaching Nash County Babe Ruth teams while in high school and college.
Some where when coaches meet other coaches or when other coaches watch other coaches coach they file it in their memory bank. I don't know where Britt ran across Kermit Smith but Smith offered Johnson a non paying coaching job at Lander. It is called paying your dues to get to where you want to be. This year Britt had a full time top assistant coaching job at Lander and Lander makes all the way to the final eight. Fifth is the exact position and Britt Johnson had no small part but a Hugh role in Lander rise to cloud nine.
Division II and D3 can be a stepping stone to D1 baseball. Mike Fox paid his dues at North Carolina Wesleyan and how many times has he taken Carolina to Omaha to the D1 College World Series. Kermit Smith seems to have IT when it comes to coaching. He also seems to have IT when he looks for coaches to help him.
This is the first time Lander has landed in the Big Dance of Division II college baseball. I can guarantee you other colleges have their eyes wide open especially those who might be making coaching changes this year or in the next few years. Kermit Smith is a hot commodity now in the college coaching world. If the head man gets a bigger job he will bring along his assistance. It may not happen this year or next but if a Lander stays a top ten program interest will be high for Smith.
There is always a chance that some smaller school looking for a hot shot assistant could call up Smith and say "Can we talk to you assistant Britt Johnson"? I don't care who you are if you can coach and can win consistently people will come calling. Even at 67 years old Coach K keeps getting pro teams wanting him to their pro team.
Lander today may be disappointed at getting eliminated from the World Series in Cary but their future is bright. Especially for that assistant coach from Rocky Mount Britt Johnson. His future may have more Cloud Nines.
Ten years ago Lander didn't have much of a baseball program until they hired Kermit Smith and in about four years Smith has turned the program into a program if you say Lander everyone in the college baseball world knows where it is.
Since Britt Johnson graduated Rocky Mount high and ECU he has slowly been moving up the coaching ladder first at Nash Central. He had laid a coaching foundation while coaching Nash County Babe Ruth teams while in high school and college.
Some where when coaches meet other coaches or when other coaches watch other coaches coach they file it in their memory bank. I don't know where Britt ran across Kermit Smith but Smith offered Johnson a non paying coaching job at Lander. It is called paying your dues to get to where you want to be. This year Britt had a full time top assistant coaching job at Lander and Lander makes all the way to the final eight. Fifth is the exact position and Britt Johnson had no small part but a Hugh role in Lander rise to cloud nine.
Division II and D3 can be a stepping stone to D1 baseball. Mike Fox paid his dues at North Carolina Wesleyan and how many times has he taken Carolina to Omaha to the D1 College World Series. Kermit Smith seems to have IT when it comes to coaching. He also seems to have IT when he looks for coaches to help him.
This is the first time Lander has landed in the Big Dance of Division II college baseball. I can guarantee you other colleges have their eyes wide open especially those who might be making coaching changes this year or in the next few years. Kermit Smith is a hot commodity now in the college coaching world. If the head man gets a bigger job he will bring along his assistance. It may not happen this year or next but if a Lander stays a top ten program interest will be high for Smith.
There is always a chance that some smaller school looking for a hot shot assistant could call up Smith and say "Can we talk to you assistant Britt Johnson"? I don't care who you are if you can coach and can win consistently people will come calling. Even at 67 years old Coach K keeps getting pro teams wanting him to their pro team.
Lander today may be disappointed at getting eliminated from the World Series in Cary but their future is bright. Especially for that assistant coach from Rocky Mount Britt Johnson. His future may have more Cloud Nines.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Three Gryphons Make All Conference
The Rocky Mount High Baseball team had three players make the Big East All Conference team. Forrest Bell who solidified the shortstop spot this year is joined by Seniors Cody Smith pitcher who at times was a strikeout machine and Ben Yates outfielder who was injured early in the season but finished with a flourish batting.
The Gryphons who finished fifth with a 5-5 record during the regular season and finished 7-12 overall will lose their top two pitchers in Cody Smith and Will Edwards who are both heading to Chowan University to play baseball there next year.
Next year when the high school basketball season starts there will be some new rules to get use too. The first one is a good one regarding getting in the lane too soon. The past you could not get in the lane until the ball made contact with the rim. This will help referees who have to worry how fast players get in the lane while trying to worry with blocking out with the ball in the air.
The second rule is placing two hands on a player outside of the lane and the third is riding a player by placing a hand on him while coming up the court. These rules are to give the person with the ball the ability for free movement without defenders all over the ball handlers.
Thomas Berry and Britt Johnson and the Lander Bobcats play at 3pm today in a losers bracket game. By winning one game in this eight team double elimination tournament they can finish no worse than fifth and at this point in the losers bracket they would have to win four straight days to take the Division II national championship.
Last night the last remaining Big East team playing in the playoffs Fike girls lost the eastern championship to Chapel a Hill 2-0. Fike was the last standing Big East team playing in spring sports.
The Gryphons who finished fifth with a 5-5 record during the regular season and finished 7-12 overall will lose their top two pitchers in Cody Smith and Will Edwards who are both heading to Chowan University to play baseball there next year.
Next year when the high school basketball season starts there will be some new rules to get use too. The first one is a good one regarding getting in the lane too soon. The past you could not get in the lane until the ball made contact with the rim. This will help referees who have to worry how fast players get in the lane while trying to worry with blocking out with the ball in the air.
The second rule is placing two hands on a player outside of the lane and the third is riding a player by placing a hand on him while coming up the court. These rules are to give the person with the ball the ability for free movement without defenders all over the ball handlers.
Thomas Berry and Britt Johnson and the Lander Bobcats play at 3pm today in a losers bracket game. By winning one game in this eight team double elimination tournament they can finish no worse than fifth and at this point in the losers bracket they would have to win four straight days to take the Division II national championship.
Last night the last remaining Big East team playing in the playoffs Fike girls lost the eastern championship to Chapel a Hill 2-0. Fike was the last standing Big East team playing in spring sports.
Monday, May 26, 2014
The Dreaded Losers Bracket
Lander University pitching spotted Southern Indiana a 5-0 lead by issuing five walks and hit three batters before Lander's come back fell short. Former Gryphon Thomas Berry went 0-4 but his final at bat he hit a fly ball caught at the right field wall which allowed base runners on first and second to advance to third and second. Those two runners were the tying run on third and the lead run on second but Lander failed to push either run across.
Lander falls into the losers bracket game Wednesday at 3pm against Tampa who knocked out Chico State 14-6. Tampa came into the World Series as the top ranked team in the nation who lead D2 baseball in scoring. Lander who came in ranked second in the nation. The winner will get a shot at Southern Indiana Thursday and if they win that game will have to beat Southern Indiana again Friday before the National Championship on Saturday.
The Tarheels are in along with Campbell but State, ECU and Duke are out of the NCAA D1 baseball tournament which starts Friday. Carolina heads to Gainesville Florida for a Friday afternoon game against Long Beach St. Campbell making their first playoff appearance since 1990 plays South Carolina at 7pm Friday night. Both games can be seen on ESPN3.
How close was it for Carolina? During the aftermath gossip Carolina was team number 63 of 64 picked while an NC State was four teams short of making the field.
Duke won their 3rd National Championship in Lacrosse in four years beating conference foe Notre Dame 11-9. Duke just six years ago was in the middle of a major scandal but now is the premier lacrosse team in the country.
Thursday night Coleman Pitt Post 58 will open up their baseball schedule for the summer as they host Wayne County Post 11 . Hank Jones will be the head coach again this season with his top aids being Cameron Ramsey and Colin Cuthrell. Game time is 7pm at Legion Field on Howell Street.
Lander falls into the losers bracket game Wednesday at 3pm against Tampa who knocked out Chico State 14-6. Tampa came into the World Series as the top ranked team in the nation who lead D2 baseball in scoring. Lander who came in ranked second in the nation. The winner will get a shot at Southern Indiana Thursday and if they win that game will have to beat Southern Indiana again Friday before the National Championship on Saturday.
The Tarheels are in along with Campbell but State, ECU and Duke are out of the NCAA D1 baseball tournament which starts Friday. Carolina heads to Gainesville Florida for a Friday afternoon game against Long Beach St. Campbell making their first playoff appearance since 1990 plays South Carolina at 7pm Friday night. Both games can be seen on ESPN3.
How close was it for Carolina? During the aftermath gossip Carolina was team number 63 of 64 picked while an NC State was four teams short of making the field.
Duke won their 3rd National Championship in Lacrosse in four years beating conference foe Notre Dame 11-9. Duke just six years ago was in the middle of a major scandal but now is the premier lacrosse team in the country.
Thursday night Coleman Pitt Post 58 will open up their baseball schedule for the summer as they host Wayne County Post 11 . Hank Jones will be the head coach again this season with his top aids being Cameron Ramsey and Colin Cuthrell. Game time is 7pm at Legion Field on Howell Street.
A Year Late
One year to the day Campbell Baseball had won the regular season Big South with if I remember like a 48-12 season. During the Big South Tournament they went undefeated until the championship game. The Big South Tournament winner gets the automatic bid and the Big South tournament regardless of how many losses you have the once beaten team plays the undefeated team in a winner take all final game. Campbell loss that game and with it went and NCAA bid.
This year as the three seed Campbell lost their first game in the tournament but fought their way to take on the host school Winthrop, Who was the undefeated team this year in the Tournament and Campell turned the trick that killed them last year is sending them to the NCAA tournament this year.
Duke, State, ECU and others are sitting on the edge of their seats today waiting on the NCAA selection show at noon on ESPNU. A dagger for all teams hoping to get in is that in the Horizon League's Youngtown State who was the sixth seed in a six team tournament and wins the Horizon League bid. Their record 16-36. They RPI is near 200 but what their getting in does for any team with 64 or less RPI and that includes all of the fore mentioned teams just means one less bubble team to get in the tourney.
We now need to start keeping up with the X Man 's stats as the Frontier League opened their season last weekend and Xavier Macklin is playing for the Gateway Grizzlies. Eight games in X is batting 233 with a home run.
The Frontier League is an Independent league which means all players are playing for themselves not being paid by a Major League team. The league pays the players all the same and if any player stands out then they can be scooped up by any team.
Hobbs Johnson lost his latest start for Brevard in the Florida State league and his record stands at 4-5 with 46 strikeouts in 49 innings in 9 appearances. His ERA is still under Three at 2.94. His won loss record is not impressive but his performance otherwise is.
Brian Goodwin is hitting 222 in Syracuse for the AAA Chiefs. It is still early enough that a 0-4 night can drop his average ten points where a two hit night can make it go up 15 points.
Cousin Lauren Doughtie finished in 56th spot this week which is the third Futures tour tournament in a row where she has cashed a check. She needs one or two that are top ten money.
Tonight at 5pm Thomas Berry and his teammates at Lander University play in a winners bracket game at the USA Baseball Complex in the NCAA DII World Series. The game is being streamed on NCAA.com. Look for DII on front page and it should bring up the game.
This year as the three seed Campbell lost their first game in the tournament but fought their way to take on the host school Winthrop, Who was the undefeated team this year in the Tournament and Campell turned the trick that killed them last year is sending them to the NCAA tournament this year.
Duke, State, ECU and others are sitting on the edge of their seats today waiting on the NCAA selection show at noon on ESPNU. A dagger for all teams hoping to get in is that in the Horizon League's Youngtown State who was the sixth seed in a six team tournament and wins the Horizon League bid. Their record 16-36. They RPI is near 200 but what their getting in does for any team with 64 or less RPI and that includes all of the fore mentioned teams just means one less bubble team to get in the tourney.
We now need to start keeping up with the X Man 's stats as the Frontier League opened their season last weekend and Xavier Macklin is playing for the Gateway Grizzlies. Eight games in X is batting 233 with a home run.
The Frontier League is an Independent league which means all players are playing for themselves not being paid by a Major League team. The league pays the players all the same and if any player stands out then they can be scooped up by any team.
Hobbs Johnson lost his latest start for Brevard in the Florida State league and his record stands at 4-5 with 46 strikeouts in 49 innings in 9 appearances. His ERA is still under Three at 2.94. His won loss record is not impressive but his performance otherwise is.
Brian Goodwin is hitting 222 in Syracuse for the AAA Chiefs. It is still early enough that a 0-4 night can drop his average ten points where a two hit night can make it go up 15 points.
Cousin Lauren Doughtie finished in 56th spot this week which is the third Futures tour tournament in a row where she has cashed a check. She needs one or two that are top ten money.
Tonight at 5pm Thomas Berry and his teammates at Lander University play in a winners bracket game at the USA Baseball Complex in the NCAA DII World Series. The game is being streamed on NCAA.com. Look for DII on front page and it should bring up the game.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
The Blessings From Baseball
Don and Wanda Johnson and Steve and Cyndi Berry have spent their lives following their three sons through thick and thin that the game of baseball provides. There has been more ups than downs through their trek of a parent following their children play the game they love.
Between the two families they have been to state little league championships, state championships in Babe Ruth, Regionals in Babe Ruth and even World Series at the Babe Ruth, State High School Championship and even an American a Legion state championship and last week two of their sons went to the next level when two took part in a regional college baseball playoff. Saturday another step in climbing the mountain as two sons have made it to the Division II College World Series in Cary.
Saturday Lander University made their first appearance in the D2 World Series in Cary with Thomas Berry as the teams DH and assistant coach and the third base base coach Britt Johnson. The Berry and Johnson clans were well represented in Cary as each family took up about three rows a piece of grand parents, aunts and uncles, brother and sisters and of course mama and daddy's. My guess there were probably 100 or so that call Rocky Mount home there to cheer for our home boys.
Lander took on Chico State from California who is making their ninth trip in the last 18 years to the World Series. The World Series is being played at the National Training Center at the USA Baseball Complex just about three miles from the end of the south runways at RDU Airport. The incoming planes were just high enough to not be disturbing.
Lander scores three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 6-4 lead and two innings later that would be the final score. Chico had the tying runs on second and third as the last out was made. This was an intense game with the only distraction being the umpire behind the plate. He was consistently inconsistent. Thomas Berry went 0-4 but reached base the hard way with a hit by pitch, while Britt was able to wave home from the third base coaching box five of the six runs. One scored
on a base on balls.
Lander moves on in the winners bracket for a Monday afternoon at 5pm game with Southern Indiana. The Johnson's and Berry's will take away From this tournament the thrill of winning at least one game during the ultimate of their children's baseball lives. We never know what is around the corner of our lives and neither family may never get the feeling they had at games end knowing that their child won on the big stage of baseball.
What a blessing baseball has been for them and what a blessing it was for me to be there to share the moment with them. Hope there is more to come.
Between the two families they have been to state little league championships, state championships in Babe Ruth, Regionals in Babe Ruth and even World Series at the Babe Ruth, State High School Championship and even an American a Legion state championship and last week two of their sons went to the next level when two took part in a regional college baseball playoff. Saturday another step in climbing the mountain as two sons have made it to the Division II College World Series in Cary.
Saturday Lander University made their first appearance in the D2 World Series in Cary with Thomas Berry as the teams DH and assistant coach and the third base base coach Britt Johnson. The Berry and Johnson clans were well represented in Cary as each family took up about three rows a piece of grand parents, aunts and uncles, brother and sisters and of course mama and daddy's. My guess there were probably 100 or so that call Rocky Mount home there to cheer for our home boys.
Lander took on Chico State from California who is making their ninth trip in the last 18 years to the World Series. The World Series is being played at the National Training Center at the USA Baseball Complex just about three miles from the end of the south runways at RDU Airport. The incoming planes were just high enough to not be disturbing.
Lander scores three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 6-4 lead and two innings later that would be the final score. Chico had the tying runs on second and third as the last out was made. This was an intense game with the only distraction being the umpire behind the plate. He was consistently inconsistent. Thomas Berry went 0-4 but reached base the hard way with a hit by pitch, while Britt was able to wave home from the third base coaching box five of the six runs. One scored
on a base on balls.
Lander moves on in the winners bracket for a Monday afternoon at 5pm game with Southern Indiana. The Johnson's and Berry's will take away From this tournament the thrill of winning at least one game during the ultimate of their children's baseball lives. We never know what is around the corner of our lives and neither family may never get the feeling they had at games end knowing that their child won on the big stage of baseball.
What a blessing baseball has been for them and what a blessing it was for me to be there to share the moment with them. Hope there is more to come.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Big East Still Has One
I had said earlier that Big East spring sports was done for this year but I had forgotten Fike girls soccer team. Tonight Fike beat Northern Guilford 4-3 and has reached the Eastern Finals. They await the winner of the Chapel High-Swansboro winner Saturday night in Swansboro.
That area along the coast Swansboro and Topsoil for years were 1-A schools but almost over night that area has become a hot bed for growth. The quality of athletes in that area has made both Swansboro and Topsoil make deep playoff runs in several sports this year.
Tonight Benton Moss took the hill for UNC with hopes with a victory that Carolina's Saturday afternoon game against Maryland would be for a shot to play Sunday in the ACC championship game. Benton gave Carolina everything they could ask for going six and one third innings giving up just four hits did not walk a batter but poor infield defense allowed two runs to score and when Benton left the game he was the pitcher of record. Carolina hit a two run homer in the bottom of the Sixth inning to tie the game and got Moss off the Hook. UVA scored a run in the bottom of seventh to win 3-2.
Carolina who is not a shoo in for the NCAA playoffs needs the win against Maryland Saturday afternoon in order to not have to wait for Monday to see if they get in the tournament on a three game losing streak.
Maryland who has not even been in the ACC tournament in ten years but they in their last year in the ACC will play for the title for the first time ever Sunday.
Duke's game at 11am Saturday against Miami and a Florida State lost Saturday night would give the Blue Devils a championship date Sunday. All the hype that State and Carolina in the preseason Duke has turned out to be the best Triangle team.
I think Carolina is in come Monday during the NCAA selection show. I think Duke is safe but State and ECU are probably outside looking in after Monday.
Saturday at 1pm the Division II College World Series get under way at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary. Lander University with Thomas Berry and Britt Johnson of Rocky Mount play their first game at 5pm.
That area along the coast Swansboro and Topsoil for years were 1-A schools but almost over night that area has become a hot bed for growth. The quality of athletes in that area has made both Swansboro and Topsoil make deep playoff runs in several sports this year.
Tonight Benton Moss took the hill for UNC with hopes with a victory that Carolina's Saturday afternoon game against Maryland would be for a shot to play Sunday in the ACC championship game. Benton gave Carolina everything they could ask for going six and one third innings giving up just four hits did not walk a batter but poor infield defense allowed two runs to score and when Benton left the game he was the pitcher of record. Carolina hit a two run homer in the bottom of the Sixth inning to tie the game and got Moss off the Hook. UVA scored a run in the bottom of seventh to win 3-2.
Carolina who is not a shoo in for the NCAA playoffs needs the win against Maryland Saturday afternoon in order to not have to wait for Monday to see if they get in the tournament on a three game losing streak.
Maryland who has not even been in the ACC tournament in ten years but they in their last year in the ACC will play for the title for the first time ever Sunday.
Duke's game at 11am Saturday against Miami and a Florida State lost Saturday night would give the Blue Devils a championship date Sunday. All the hype that State and Carolina in the preseason Duke has turned out to be the best Triangle team.
I think Carolina is in come Monday during the NCAA selection show. I think Duke is safe but State and ECU are probably outside looking in after Monday.
Saturday at 1pm the Division II College World Series get under way at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary. Lander University with Thomas Berry and Britt Johnson of Rocky Mount play their first game at 5pm.
The Ghost Of Crash Davis
If you saw the movie Bull Durham Crash Davis(Kevin Costner) broke into a visiting stadium and cut on the water sprinklers in order they could get a rainout. Of course that is a movie and that never happens right?
The Big South baseball tournament was suppose to have started on Wednesday but somewhere a long the way somebody either forgot to cut the sprinklers off or the automatic shutoff didn't shut off. Winthrop University the host school this year is dumbfounded at the episode. The Big South had a whole day of rainouts and had to wait until Thursday to start. Anybody seen Crash Davis?
There has been some really good games so far in the ACC Tournament and yesterday we mentioned the the State-Carolina game that Nash County's very own John Haggerty was the second base umpire during the big brew-ha in the sixth inning. Found out last night that another Nash County native Alex Pearce the former Bulldog of Nash Central and Pembroke baseball catcher and pitcher is now umpiring ACC and SEC games. I hope to see Alex soon either at a game or on TV.
Coleman Pitt Post 58 had tryouts last Saturday and practice is underway heading toward their home opener May 29th against Wayne County. There is a 15 date schedule lined up with three double headers. as always Pitt County and Wilson are on the schedule. Ahoskie will be the only trip to the northeast this season but Apex, Garner, Cary, And Raleigh will give P 58 plenty of trips to the Triangle. The only team on the schedule at this time that they will play only once is Roxboro.
Legion season starts next Thursday night 7pm at Legion Field.
The Big South baseball tournament was suppose to have started on Wednesday but somewhere a long the way somebody either forgot to cut the sprinklers off or the automatic shutoff didn't shut off. Winthrop University the host school this year is dumbfounded at the episode. The Big South had a whole day of rainouts and had to wait until Thursday to start. Anybody seen Crash Davis?
There has been some really good games so far in the ACC Tournament and yesterday we mentioned the the State-Carolina game that Nash County's very own John Haggerty was the second base umpire during the big brew-ha in the sixth inning. Found out last night that another Nash County native Alex Pearce the former Bulldog of Nash Central and Pembroke baseball catcher and pitcher is now umpiring ACC and SEC games. I hope to see Alex soon either at a game or on TV.
Coleman Pitt Post 58 had tryouts last Saturday and practice is underway heading toward their home opener May 29th against Wayne County. There is a 15 date schedule lined up with three double headers. as always Pitt County and Wilson are on the schedule. Ahoskie will be the only trip to the northeast this season but Apex, Garner, Cary, And Raleigh will give P 58 plenty of trips to the Triangle. The only team on the schedule at this time that they will play only once is Roxboro.
Legion season starts next Thursday night 7pm at Legion Field.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Big East Is Out
Third round of the state playoffs in baseball and softball ends the athletic seasons for the Big East. Hunt lost in third round to a Topsoil 2-1 while Southern Nash lost in softball 11-1.
Thomas Berry and the Lander Bearcats open play in the Division II World Series in Cary at the USA Baseball Complex Saturday at 5pm. They will be playing Chico State who won the west Region. Lander is representing the Southeast.
Ok, let's go ahead and say it. Turner was safe by a mile. When I got home from work Tuesday I had taped the game and with all that I had heard during the day I went right straight to the 6th inning to take a look for my self.
My take, no doubt safe but here is the problem I have. If you watched the game then it was a plain as could be that Richard Sarmiento was seated directly behind home plate watching the game. Wednesday night I saw him at the visitation for Herb Greenburg. I ask Richard how did you see it. Safe was the reply.
Here is the problem I have with umpires when calling strikes that turn their back on the field when making a call. It was obvious that the third strike the umpire added a little mustard to his call and had turned away from the play. He then started taking his mask off as he was turning back toward home and he discovered a play at the play which he didn't see the entire play. I think Elliot Avent asked for and appeal which was not granted. Considering the ump was out of position he should have asked for help. Did you know John Haggerty was umpping at second base.
Sitting in the pressbox I don' like umps who kind of gives you a punch toward the back of the catcher when they call a strike. I will say one thing those umps keep their eyes on the field all the time. I will be interested to see if the ump who made the call gets another game this weekend.
Yes the ump made a terrible call but State left 16 runners on base. They had every chance in the world to win. This game was a microcosm of their entire season. Couldn't get a big hit. After battling to get into the tournament Mike Fox coached the FSU game last night as if he didn't have enough pitching to get through last night's game. wonder why he didn't change pitchers until they were six runs behind?
My guess there were about six thousand fans at the State-Carolina game and most wore red. By the Wake/Georgia Tech game there was about 500 people there. Last night about three thousand watched the Carolina lost to Florida State. Certainly Carolina fans could have supported their team better than they did.
Thomas Berry and the Lander Bearcats open play in the Division II World Series in Cary at the USA Baseball Complex Saturday at 5pm. They will be playing Chico State who won the west Region. Lander is representing the Southeast.
Ok, let's go ahead and say it. Turner was safe by a mile. When I got home from work Tuesday I had taped the game and with all that I had heard during the day I went right straight to the 6th inning to take a look for my self.
My take, no doubt safe but here is the problem I have. If you watched the game then it was a plain as could be that Richard Sarmiento was seated directly behind home plate watching the game. Wednesday night I saw him at the visitation for Herb Greenburg. I ask Richard how did you see it. Safe was the reply.
Here is the problem I have with umpires when calling strikes that turn their back on the field when making a call. It was obvious that the third strike the umpire added a little mustard to his call and had turned away from the play. He then started taking his mask off as he was turning back toward home and he discovered a play at the play which he didn't see the entire play. I think Elliot Avent asked for and appeal which was not granted. Considering the ump was out of position he should have asked for help. Did you know John Haggerty was umpping at second base.
Sitting in the pressbox I don' like umps who kind of gives you a punch toward the back of the catcher when they call a strike. I will say one thing those umps keep their eyes on the field all the time. I will be interested to see if the ump who made the call gets another game this weekend.
Yes the ump made a terrible call but State left 16 runners on base. They had every chance in the world to win. This game was a microcosm of their entire season. Couldn't get a big hit. After battling to get into the tournament Mike Fox coached the FSU game last night as if he didn't have enough pitching to get through last night's game. wonder why he didn't change pitchers until they were six runs behind?
My guess there were about six thousand fans at the State-Carolina game and most wore red. By the Wake/Georgia Tech game there was about 500 people there. Last night about three thousand watched the Carolina lost to Florida State. Certainly Carolina fans could have supported their team better than they did.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
A Rocky Mount Ground Breaker
I was sitting in my living room I don't exactly remember when on a Friday night my guess was the football season of 1998. I was watching TV and I know WHIG was replaying a SouthWest Edgecombe football game without any play by play but they were using the PA at SouthWest.
Since moving to Rocky Mount In 1995 I had already been to WRMT to offer my services for radio but they had shown no interest. I walked into what they were calling a studio and met Herb Greenburg for the first time. My first experience with Herb was no better than my reception from the radio station.
My wife Pat retired from Carolina telephone in early 1999 and took a job with the Mall in the Marketing department and during a Fathers Day promotion they set up a putting green and the father who shot the lowest score won a weekend in Myrtle Beach. The Mall needed someone who could get on the PA and encourage fathers to come over and try to win the trip. Pat says to her boss my husband can do that for you and for free!
I was doing my carnival barking and here comes Herb with his camera and he is going to shoot footage for TV. Sometime while I am begging fathers to come over Herb says to Pat. "Who is that guy he's pretty good on that Mic." Pats says to Herb" You have already met him last fall, he came by the station looking to do sports but you turned him down".
By September I was doing play by play on WHIG football coverage. Of course that was September of 1999 and Hurricane Floyd. The TV station like so many was without power for a couple of days. The Saturday afternoon when the power was back on Herb calls me about 6 pm, that's Herb call you at the last minute and ask if I would come to the station and go on the air with him as cameraman and just tell everyone that had power every bit of information that the city and the state had available that everyone still needed to know about what was happening in the area concerning the hurricane conditions. He said I doubt many people have power we will stay on the air until we have told all the info that we have.
We went on the air around seven pm and about 2:30am Herb says to me. I can't believe this. The phone has not stop ringing the entire time we have been on the air. I was wore out and he was give out too. That night showed Herb how important His tiny station was to Rocky Mount. Yes we all make fun of how hokie programming is and yet we all seem to know what's on.
Herb knew nothing about how to run a TV station but he provided to all of us a little bit of Rocky Mount. He put on all kinds of programming from preachers to lawyers. Most of all if you were a civic organization you got free time on air. Thirty minutes or 12 hours with a telethon Herb did it for Rocky Mount.
I have no idea what the future will be for WHIG but what ever direction it goes no one will be able to put into it like Herb did. He gave his whole heart and Rocky Mount is better off that Herb decided after getting out of the garment business that he wanted to do a TV.
Goodbye Friend:
Since moving to Rocky Mount In 1995 I had already been to WRMT to offer my services for radio but they had shown no interest. I walked into what they were calling a studio and met Herb Greenburg for the first time. My first experience with Herb was no better than my reception from the radio station.
My wife Pat retired from Carolina telephone in early 1999 and took a job with the Mall in the Marketing department and during a Fathers Day promotion they set up a putting green and the father who shot the lowest score won a weekend in Myrtle Beach. The Mall needed someone who could get on the PA and encourage fathers to come over and try to win the trip. Pat says to her boss my husband can do that for you and for free!
I was doing my carnival barking and here comes Herb with his camera and he is going to shoot footage for TV. Sometime while I am begging fathers to come over Herb says to Pat. "Who is that guy he's pretty good on that Mic." Pats says to Herb" You have already met him last fall, he came by the station looking to do sports but you turned him down".
By September I was doing play by play on WHIG football coverage. Of course that was September of 1999 and Hurricane Floyd. The TV station like so many was without power for a couple of days. The Saturday afternoon when the power was back on Herb calls me about 6 pm, that's Herb call you at the last minute and ask if I would come to the station and go on the air with him as cameraman and just tell everyone that had power every bit of information that the city and the state had available that everyone still needed to know about what was happening in the area concerning the hurricane conditions. He said I doubt many people have power we will stay on the air until we have told all the info that we have.
We went on the air around seven pm and about 2:30am Herb says to me. I can't believe this. The phone has not stop ringing the entire time we have been on the air. I was wore out and he was give out too. That night showed Herb how important His tiny station was to Rocky Mount. Yes we all make fun of how hokie programming is and yet we all seem to know what's on.
Herb knew nothing about how to run a TV station but he provided to all of us a little bit of Rocky Mount. He put on all kinds of programming from preachers to lawyers. Most of all if you were a civic organization you got free time on air. Thirty minutes or 12 hours with a telethon Herb did it for Rocky Mount.
I have no idea what the future will be for WHIG but what ever direction it goes no one will be able to put into it like Herb did. He gave his whole heart and Rocky Mount is better off that Herb decided after getting out of the garment business that he wanted to do a TV.
Goodbye Friend:
Two More Gryphons Heading To World Series
Last year during the college World Series in Omaha Nebraska. Two former Gryphons on the UNC baseball team Hobbs Johnson and Benton Moss pitched for the Tar Heels. Sunday night or should I say early Monday morning two other Gryphons wrote their tickets to the Division II World Series which starts this weekend at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary.
Lander University won the final game close to 2am in the morning. Why so late? Lander who was in the position of having to lose twice saw a rain delay hold up the first shot at winning their regional and the first game didn't start until 7pm. Lander lost the game and was faced playing Columbus State but the deciding game didn't have the first pitch until 11:06.
Lander won the deciding game 5-2 and in doing so Thomas Berry the redshirt junior will head to Cary as Lander's DH and during this weekend's regional had a second week end in a row of great baseball. In the five games Berry got Six hits in Thirteen at bats, hit a home run, drove in five runs, scored three times and walked another four times to add to his already national lead in walks. For the season Berry is batting 359 and when you add 61 walks his on base percentage is 545 which leads the Bearcats.
Down at the third base coaching box is "Baseball" Britt Johnson who's playing career resulted in two at bats and he got one hit during his Gryphon playing days. As late as just a couple of seasons he has helped coach Post 58 with Hank Jones. He spent a couple of seasons as assistant coach at Nash Central before he got this gig at Lander under head coach Kermit Smith. Heading to Cary Lander is 51-7.
The game of the century for this baseball season happens today in Greensboro when 10 seed NC State plays seven seed North Carolina in a play in game for the right to join six other teams already assigned to play in the ACC baseball tournament.
At stake for the loser is the end of the season without playing in the conference tournament and by not doing that damaging their chances to make the NCAA tournament. Neither team has had the season thought would happen after both made it to the college World Series last year.
Since this is the first game it will begin at 11am. Last year in Durham over 11 thousand watched the epic 18 inning game but I doubt they will have half that many in the stands at 11am on a Tuesday morning. If more shows up it will only show you where college baseball has progressed in the state of North Carolina especially when the Tar Heels and the Wolfpack is concerned.
Lander University won the final game close to 2am in the morning. Why so late? Lander who was in the position of having to lose twice saw a rain delay hold up the first shot at winning their regional and the first game didn't start until 7pm. Lander lost the game and was faced playing Columbus State but the deciding game didn't have the first pitch until 11:06.
Lander won the deciding game 5-2 and in doing so Thomas Berry the redshirt junior will head to Cary as Lander's DH and during this weekend's regional had a second week end in a row of great baseball. In the five games Berry got Six hits in Thirteen at bats, hit a home run, drove in five runs, scored three times and walked another four times to add to his already national lead in walks. For the season Berry is batting 359 and when you add 61 walks his on base percentage is 545 which leads the Bearcats.
Down at the third base coaching box is "Baseball" Britt Johnson who's playing career resulted in two at bats and he got one hit during his Gryphon playing days. As late as just a couple of seasons he has helped coach Post 58 with Hank Jones. He spent a couple of seasons as assistant coach at Nash Central before he got this gig at Lander under head coach Kermit Smith. Heading to Cary Lander is 51-7.
The game of the century for this baseball season happens today in Greensboro when 10 seed NC State plays seven seed North Carolina in a play in game for the right to join six other teams already assigned to play in the ACC baseball tournament.
At stake for the loser is the end of the season without playing in the conference tournament and by not doing that damaging their chances to make the NCAA tournament. Neither team has had the season thought would happen after both made it to the college World Series last year.
Since this is the first game it will begin at 11am. Last year in Durham over 11 thousand watched the epic 18 inning game but I doubt they will have half that many in the stands at 11am on a Tuesday morning. If more shows up it will only show you where college baseball has progressed in the state of North Carolina especially when the Tar Heels and the Wolfpack is concerned.
Monday, May 19, 2014
High School Sports Is Almost Done
Southern Nash softball is the last Nash County high school that has a team left in the spring playoffs. Saturday Coleman Pitt Post 58 held try outs for the upcoming summer baseball season. This season the three teams from the far northeastern part of the state will not be part of the league this year.
If you remember Elizabeth City, Edenton and Windsor had a hard time getting enough players for each game last season and I guess you can say with the lack of interest or the lack of players they will not field teams this year.
If you remember Ahoskie Post 102 which was planning on celebrating their 50th anniversary from their only title in 1963 dropped their team in mid season after a dispute during a game and several players were kicked off the team.
Post 102 will return this year and they will be the only team from the Northeast. I would think several players from Windsor or Edenton will play for post 102 this season. Post 58 will even be moving more west as they will join the Raleigh region for the upcoming season.
The latest Brian Goodwin update finds Brian batting average is up to. 236 hitting for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs. He continues to struggle with strike outs. In 144 at bats Brian has struck out 48 times in 43 games played. Just to show you how good Brian can be he has 34 hits in 96 at bats when he doesn't strike out which is a 358 average when he makes contact. Major league teams evaluate players base on potential and Brian Goodwin is showing continued potential in AAA.
Hobbs Johnson has improved his pitching record to 4-4 in A baseball. His ERA is under 3.00. Eight appearance he has pitched 44 innings in seven starts and one relief appearances. If Hobbs continues this pace I would suspect a promotion by years in.
Cousin Lauren Doughtie finished 44th this weekend in a Futures Tour event held in Asheville. This is the first time this year that she has cashed in two weeks in a row.
If you remember Elizabeth City, Edenton and Windsor had a hard time getting enough players for each game last season and I guess you can say with the lack of interest or the lack of players they will not field teams this year.
If you remember Ahoskie Post 102 which was planning on celebrating their 50th anniversary from their only title in 1963 dropped their team in mid season after a dispute during a game and several players were kicked off the team.
Post 102 will return this year and they will be the only team from the Northeast. I would think several players from Windsor or Edenton will play for post 102 this season. Post 58 will even be moving more west as they will join the Raleigh region for the upcoming season.
The latest Brian Goodwin update finds Brian batting average is up to. 236 hitting for the AAA Syracuse Chiefs. He continues to struggle with strike outs. In 144 at bats Brian has struck out 48 times in 43 games played. Just to show you how good Brian can be he has 34 hits in 96 at bats when he doesn't strike out which is a 358 average when he makes contact. Major league teams evaluate players base on potential and Brian Goodwin is showing continued potential in AAA.
Hobbs Johnson has improved his pitching record to 4-4 in A baseball. His ERA is under 3.00. Eight appearance he has pitched 44 innings in seven starts and one relief appearances. If Hobbs continues this pace I would suspect a promotion by years in.
Cousin Lauren Doughtie finished 44th this weekend in a Futures Tour event held in Asheville. This is the first time this year that she has cashed in two weeks in a row.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Northern Falls in Second Round
It has been Northern's biggest problem all year, scoring runs. Today hosting Southern Lee the Knights season comes to an end after Southern Lee scored four times while holding the Knights to just two. There is only one senior on the Knights roster and that player is a back up. If there was a preseason vote today Northern would be the odds on favorite to repeat as conference champion next year.
Hunt is the only Big East team to advance to the third round of the state baseball playoffs. Hunt beat Southern Wayne 4-3. Round three they will hit the road for the first time as they travel to Topsoil the team that beat Fike in Round 2. Hunt baseball becomes the last team in football, basketball and baseball to be standing in the Big East during the playoffs. To say the least this has been a great season for Hunt sports.
Softball from the Big East is down to one as Southern Nash has advanced to round three. Southern beat beat West Carteret 6-1 to advance. They play C B Aycock in round three. Hunt lost their second round game 2-1.
The Big East got only two teams in the state playoffs in soccer and the second round there is one left just like baseball and softball which have 4 and 3 teams in the playoffs. The second round Fike Won 2-1 while Hunt lost 2-1.
There were 11,000 people who bought tickets back in April to see the only game this year between North Carolina and North Carolina State in Baseball. It was rained out and the game was never made up. Today Carolina lost at Miami 2-0 while Clemson was winning and by doing so Carolina dropped to 7th in the final ACC standings.
Today State lost 8-5 and by doing so State finishes 10th in the final ACC standings. Under the new format with almost 100 teams in the ACC now the teams 7 through 10 must meet in a play in game as only six teams are guaranteed to be in the ACC tournament. 11am Tuesday Carolina and State will play each other with the winner playing in the tournament at least three times more while there is a good chance the season is over for the loser.
Just think at how important the last three meetings have been between the Pack and Heels. They played each other twice last year in the College World Series with the second one Carolina eliminating the Pack from the World Series. Even before that they played the marathon 18 innings in last years ACC tournament which was seen by the largest crowd ever to see a college baseball game in the state of North Carolina.
Hunt is the only Big East team to advance to the third round of the state baseball playoffs. Hunt beat Southern Wayne 4-3. Round three they will hit the road for the first time as they travel to Topsoil the team that beat Fike in Round 2. Hunt baseball becomes the last team in football, basketball and baseball to be standing in the Big East during the playoffs. To say the least this has been a great season for Hunt sports.
Softball from the Big East is down to one as Southern Nash has advanced to round three. Southern beat beat West Carteret 6-1 to advance. They play C B Aycock in round three. Hunt lost their second round game 2-1.
The Big East got only two teams in the state playoffs in soccer and the second round there is one left just like baseball and softball which have 4 and 3 teams in the playoffs. The second round Fike Won 2-1 while Hunt lost 2-1.
There were 11,000 people who bought tickets back in April to see the only game this year between North Carolina and North Carolina State in Baseball. It was rained out and the game was never made up. Today Carolina lost at Miami 2-0 while Clemson was winning and by doing so Carolina dropped to 7th in the final ACC standings.
Today State lost 8-5 and by doing so State finishes 10th in the final ACC standings. Under the new format with almost 100 teams in the ACC now the teams 7 through 10 must meet in a play in game as only six teams are guaranteed to be in the ACC tournament. 11am Tuesday Carolina and State will play each other with the winner playing in the tournament at least three times more while there is a good chance the season is over for the loser.
Just think at how important the last three meetings have been between the Pack and Heels. They played each other twice last year in the College World Series with the second one Carolina eliminating the Pack from the World Series. Even before that they played the marathon 18 innings in last years ACC tournament which was seen by the largest crowd ever to see a college baseball game in the state of North Carolina.
Silver State Champion Twice
Nash Central hurdler Damian Siver won both of the indivual races in which he ran on Friday and Silver collected 20 points of his teams 25 points at the North Carolina State 3A Track and Field championship.
Silver first victory came in 110 hurdles and his time was 14:28. His second win of the day came in the 300 meter hurdles when his time was 39:13. The Nash Central boys track team scored 25 points and Silver was involved in team events that collect the other five points. D'Jahe Ruffin, Nick Manning and Chris Eley were the team mates with Silver. The 4x200 relay team finished seventh which was good for two points. The 4x400 relay team finished sixth giving the Bulldogs another three points. Lance Williams, Nick Manning and Brian Williams partnered with Silver on the run.
There were several others from the area who scored points during the championship. Rocky Mount's Takeyra Thomas half point in the girls high jump tying for eighth. Jaquell Bryant the defending high jump champion managed fourth this year.
Rhema Hedgpeth of Northern Nash took sixth in the 100 meter hurdles. The Nash Central girls 4x400 relay team with Tkeyah Macklin, Kiera Ausby, Natalie Manning and Krystal Atkinson finished fourth.
The Big East suffered their first baseball lost when Topsoil top Fike 3-1. Fike also lost in softball to Swansboro 4-0. The only victory for Fike on this Friday came in soccer when Fike advanced to the third round beating White Oak 2-1.
N C State Swept a doubleheader from Virginia Tech and by doing so qualified for next weeks ACC Tournament. Pitt lost for the second time this weekend to Notre Dame and thus can not catch the Pack.
Wake beat Virginia in the first game of their double header and by winning their game they will make the ACC tournament. Just exactly what position each one has in the tournament is still up in the air.
North Carolina scored a run in the top of the 16th but gave up two in the bottom of the inning and lost the first game of a double header. The night cap Benton Moss got the most run support he has
received from his Carolina teammates in his Carolina career and Carolina is assured to be in next week's tournament. Moss went seven innings struck out nine and left ahead 11-1. It was Moss' 19th career win as a Tar Heel. Carolina won the night cap 11-2.
Silver first victory came in 110 hurdles and his time was 14:28. His second win of the day came in the 300 meter hurdles when his time was 39:13. The Nash Central boys track team scored 25 points and Silver was involved in team events that collect the other five points. D'Jahe Ruffin, Nick Manning and Chris Eley were the team mates with Silver. The 4x200 relay team finished seventh which was good for two points. The 4x400 relay team finished sixth giving the Bulldogs another three points. Lance Williams, Nick Manning and Brian Williams partnered with Silver on the run.
There were several others from the area who scored points during the championship. Rocky Mount's Takeyra Thomas half point in the girls high jump tying for eighth. Jaquell Bryant the defending high jump champion managed fourth this year.
Rhema Hedgpeth of Northern Nash took sixth in the 100 meter hurdles. The Nash Central girls 4x400 relay team with Tkeyah Macklin, Kiera Ausby, Natalie Manning and Krystal Atkinson finished fourth.
The Big East suffered their first baseball lost when Topsoil top Fike 3-1. Fike also lost in softball to Swansboro 4-0. The only victory for Fike on this Friday came in soccer when Fike advanced to the third round beating White Oak 2-1.
N C State Swept a doubleheader from Virginia Tech and by doing so qualified for next weeks ACC Tournament. Pitt lost for the second time this weekend to Notre Dame and thus can not catch the Pack.
Wake beat Virginia in the first game of their double header and by winning their game they will make the ACC tournament. Just exactly what position each one has in the tournament is still up in the air.
North Carolina scored a run in the top of the 16th but gave up two in the bottom of the inning and lost the first game of a double header. The night cap Benton Moss got the most run support he has
received from his Carolina teammates in his Carolina career and Carolina is assured to be in next week's tournament. Moss went seven innings struck out nine and left ahead 11-1. It was Moss' 19th career win as a Tar Heel. Carolina won the night cap 11-2.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Hill Joins Battle In East West
Northern Nash girls basketball player Alexus Hill will be playing in the East West All Star basketball game in the Greensboro Coliseum on July 21st. Hill along with Dante Battle of Rocky Mount was the player of the year in the Big East in Girls while Battle was the boys.
The girls game will be played Monday July 21 at 6:30 and the boys game will follow. Hill who is headed to Gardner Webb to play basketball is the only Big East girls player on the east squad while Battle is the only local boy.
The second round of the state playoffs are all set. Baseball Northern Nash will host Southern Lee at 1pm Saturday. Fike will travel to Topsail for a Friday night invite at 7pm. Hunt will host Southern Wayne at 7pmSaturday night.
The softball second round will have Fike at Swansboro Friday night at 6pm. Hunt will make the long trip to Brunswick County to West Brunswick for a 7pm first pitch while Southern Nash host West Careret 7pm Saturday night.
The last two soccer teams left Hunt and Fike play on separate days. Fike will host White Oak at 6pm Friday while Hunt is on the road Saturday as they travel to Union Pines.
The academic progress reports are out and App State has been banned from participating in next years NCAA basketball tournament because they have fallen behind the level of academic expectations. On the Home front both State and Carolina were closer to the fail line than any improvement from the previous year.
The state 3A state championships in track and field start Friday and for those who advance will continue into Saturday.
The girls game will be played Monday July 21 at 6:30 and the boys game will follow. Hill who is headed to Gardner Webb to play basketball is the only Big East girls player on the east squad while Battle is the only local boy.
The second round of the state playoffs are all set. Baseball Northern Nash will host Southern Lee at 1pm Saturday. Fike will travel to Topsail for a Friday night invite at 7pm. Hunt will host Southern Wayne at 7pmSaturday night.
The softball second round will have Fike at Swansboro Friday night at 6pm. Hunt will make the long trip to Brunswick County to West Brunswick for a 7pm first pitch while Southern Nash host West Careret 7pm Saturday night.
The last two soccer teams left Hunt and Fike play on separate days. Fike will host White Oak at 6pm Friday while Hunt is on the road Saturday as they travel to Union Pines.
The academic progress reports are out and App State has been banned from participating in next years NCAA basketball tournament because they have fallen behind the level of academic expectations. On the Home front both State and Carolina were closer to the fail line than any improvement from the previous year.
The state 3A state championships in track and field start Friday and for those who advance will continue into Saturday.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Battle To Play In East West Allstar Game
Rocky Mount High School senior basketball player Dante Battle has been named to the east roster for the up and coming East West All star game on July 21st in the Greensboro Coliseum. The basketball all star game is part of the NC Coaches Association meeting during the July 20th week.
Northern Nash knows now who they play in round two of the state baseball playoffs. Tonight Southern Lee beat West Craven at West Craven 7-4. According the NCHSAA website round two games are suppose to start Saturday. We will try to keep up with when the game will be played.
What a great opening night for the Big East in both Baseball and softball. We have already told you last night about baseball but softball was just as good. Southern Nash beat 8-0 South Brunswick. Hunt was a 3-1 winner over Southern Wayne and Fike made it a clean sweep beating Cedar Ridge 5-3.
Got to send out a well done to SouthWest Edgecombe golfer Cole Jeffery's. Jeffery's won the 2-A state championship in golf shooting a 69-68 two day total and won the indivual title by three shots.
Tonight the Big East girls began play in the state soccer tournament and none had a worse draw than Northern Nash having to travel to Chapel Hill to play the once beaten team. Chapel Hill wins 9-0.
Fike had no trouble with their first game beating Richlands 10-1. Rocky Mount traveled to Triton and Lost 3-2 on a late goal. Hunt won over Western Alamance 2-1. Big East Soccer goes 2-2 and when combined with all other spring sports have started with a 10-2 record after the opening round of all three sports baseball, softball and soccer. When you combined the success of fall and winter sports you would have to say the Big East has had a super sports year and just how good it will finish up is still to be determined.
Northern Nash knows now who they play in round two of the state baseball playoffs. Tonight Southern Lee beat West Craven at West Craven 7-4. According the NCHSAA website round two games are suppose to start Saturday. We will try to keep up with when the game will be played.
What a great opening night for the Big East in both Baseball and softball. We have already told you last night about baseball but softball was just as good. Southern Nash beat 8-0 South Brunswick. Hunt was a 3-1 winner over Southern Wayne and Fike made it a clean sweep beating Cedar Ridge 5-3.
Got to send out a well done to SouthWest Edgecombe golfer Cole Jeffery's. Jeffery's won the 2-A state championship in golf shooting a 69-68 two day total and won the indivual title by three shots.
Tonight the Big East girls began play in the state soccer tournament and none had a worse draw than Northern Nash having to travel to Chapel Hill to play the once beaten team. Chapel Hill wins 9-0.
Fike had no trouble with their first game beating Richlands 10-1. Rocky Mount traveled to Triton and Lost 3-2 on a late goal. Hunt won over Western Alamance 2-1. Big East Soccer goes 2-2 and when combined with all other spring sports have started with a 10-2 record after the opening round of all three sports baseball, softball and soccer. When you combined the success of fall and winter sports you would have to say the Big East has had a super sports year and just how good it will finish up is still to be determined.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Northern Advances
Northern Nash the number one seed from the Big East played the first two innings like the top seed they are. They scored four in the first and three in the second to put themselves in position to put this one away in five innings.
South Brunswick played the first two like the 2-20 team they were. They threw away a ground ball to short that cleared the bases. The pitchers hit three batters in the first an another in the second. Walked another three. Northern had four hits to boot.
The one thing South Brunswick could do is hit the ball as they would manage 12 hits on the night and out hit Northern by three. Derrick Carter pitched the first three innings allowing three runs on six hits. He gave way to Chad Haggerty in the fourth and Tyler Barrett pitched the final three innings as Northern had a 12-3 lead in the fourth but never could put SB away and advance with 13-6 win.
Derrick Carter went 2-2 with two RBI. Tyler Barrett collects two hits with an RBI. Chad Haggerty reach base twice with hits and two RBI. Whit Casper, Alex Cook, Dwight Daniels, were responsible for Northern's nine hits.
It has turned out to be a Big Night for the Big East as both Hunt and Fike are winners. Hunt playing at home beat Northwood 7-3 and will play Southern Wayne who shut out Jacksonville 1-0.
Fike traveled to Eastern Wayne and the number three seed won 9-3 to give the Big East a 3-0 record
As all three will play in round two.
Northern will have to wait until Wednesday night to find out their next game. West Craven does not meet Southern Lee until 7pm Wednesday. This will give Leonard Allen a chance to travel to Vanceboro after practice to get a look at who they will play. Fike waits on Topsoil who is the number one seed in this bracket so Fike is on the road again heading to the beach.
So if the opening night has told us any thing Nash Central and Rocky Mount who were just that close to making the playoffs that the Big East must be a pretty good baseball league.
South Brunswick played the first two like the 2-20 team they were. They threw away a ground ball to short that cleared the bases. The pitchers hit three batters in the first an another in the second. Walked another three. Northern had four hits to boot.
The one thing South Brunswick could do is hit the ball as they would manage 12 hits on the night and out hit Northern by three. Derrick Carter pitched the first three innings allowing three runs on six hits. He gave way to Chad Haggerty in the fourth and Tyler Barrett pitched the final three innings as Northern had a 12-3 lead in the fourth but never could put SB away and advance with 13-6 win.
Derrick Carter went 2-2 with two RBI. Tyler Barrett collects two hits with an RBI. Chad Haggerty reach base twice with hits and two RBI. Whit Casper, Alex Cook, Dwight Daniels, were responsible for Northern's nine hits.
It has turned out to be a Big Night for the Big East as both Hunt and Fike are winners. Hunt playing at home beat Northwood 7-3 and will play Southern Wayne who shut out Jacksonville 1-0.
Fike traveled to Eastern Wayne and the number three seed won 9-3 to give the Big East a 3-0 record
As all three will play in round two.
Northern will have to wait until Wednesday night to find out their next game. West Craven does not meet Southern Lee until 7pm Wednesday. This will give Leonard Allen a chance to travel to Vanceboro after practice to get a look at who they will play. Fike waits on Topsoil who is the number one seed in this bracket so Fike is on the road again heading to the beach.
So if the opening night has told us any thing Nash Central and Rocky Mount who were just that close to making the playoffs that the Big East must be a pretty good baseball league.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Brackets Are Out For Spring Sports
We will find out right away whether the Big East log jam all year was because the teams were really good or really average. Northern will play South Brunswick who's record is 2-20. Northern is home Tuesday night.
Hunt the Big East Number two is at home Tuesday night hosting Southern Wayne 7-17. Fike as the last team from the Big East travels C B Aycock in the first round.
The softball brackets are also out and the top seeded team Southern Nash is hosting Richlands. Fike will host Eastern Wayne and Hunt travels to CB Aycock.
Four teams from the Big East made the soccer playoffs and the number four team from the Big East Northern Nash will travel to once beaten Chapel Hill. Rocky Mount is in as a number three and they have a trip to Triton. Hunt who seems to have made every playoff in every sport host Western Alamance and Fike the Big East top team host Richlands.
I understand how the state is fielding the playoff brackets. How does a 2-20 team even make the playoffs when the likes of a Nash central or Rocky Mount who both won half their conference games sit home. This happens when these mix 4/A/3A leagues play as one conference and the lesser sized school like South Brunswick doesn't beat any 4-A team in their league.
Coach Billy Godwin at ECU has been under fire this season as the Pirates are hanging by a finger nail at 28-21 and 13-11 in their last year in Conference USA. Tonight Godwin got more bad news when his ace pitcher Jeff Hoffman will under go Tommy John Surgery and as a junior is expected to be a high pick in the upcoming Major League draft.
Rocky Mount Coleman Pitt Post 58 American Legion baseball will be holding try outs for it's Senior Legion team (age eligible if born on or before 1/1/95 on Saturday May 17th 2014. The tryout will be at 2:00 pm and will take place at the old RMHS Gryphon Stadium field which is located at 805 Howell street in Rocky Mount. It will be a pro style tryout. Players should bring their own bats, gloves, etc, and is a catcher he should bring his own catching gear.
Post 58. Will not be fielding a Junior Legion team this year.
Hunt the Big East Number two is at home Tuesday night hosting Southern Wayne 7-17. Fike as the last team from the Big East travels C B Aycock in the first round.
The softball brackets are also out and the top seeded team Southern Nash is hosting Richlands. Fike will host Eastern Wayne and Hunt travels to CB Aycock.
Four teams from the Big East made the soccer playoffs and the number four team from the Big East Northern Nash will travel to once beaten Chapel Hill. Rocky Mount is in as a number three and they have a trip to Triton. Hunt who seems to have made every playoff in every sport host Western Alamance and Fike the Big East top team host Richlands.
I understand how the state is fielding the playoff brackets. How does a 2-20 team even make the playoffs when the likes of a Nash central or Rocky Mount who both won half their conference games sit home. This happens when these mix 4/A/3A leagues play as one conference and the lesser sized school like South Brunswick doesn't beat any 4-A team in their league.
Coach Billy Godwin at ECU has been under fire this season as the Pirates are hanging by a finger nail at 28-21 and 13-11 in their last year in Conference USA. Tonight Godwin got more bad news when his ace pitcher Jeff Hoffman will under go Tommy John Surgery and as a junior is expected to be a high pick in the upcoming Major League draft.
Rocky Mount Coleman Pitt Post 58 American Legion baseball will be holding try outs for it's Senior Legion team (age eligible if born on or before 1/1/95 on Saturday May 17th 2014. The tryout will be at 2:00 pm and will take place at the old RMHS Gryphon Stadium field which is located at 805 Howell street in Rocky Mount. It will be a pro style tryout. Players should bring their own bats, gloves, etc, and is a catcher he should bring his own catching gear.
Post 58. Will not be fielding a Junior Legion team this year.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Silver Wins Twice Bryant Regional Winner Too
Nash Central's Damien Silver won two races Saturday the 110 meter hurdles and the 300 hurdles during the 3-A Eastern Regional Track and Field Championships at White Oak High School in Jacksonville. Jaquel Bryant of Rocky Mount the defending regional and State Champion in the high Jump wins the regional again.
The women's relay races Rocky Mount 4 by 200 team won and in the 4 by 400 relay race the Lady Bulldogs of Nash Central became regional champs. Nash Central also finished second in the 4 by 200 race.
Nash Central girls were the highest placing team finishing 7th with 35.5 points. Rocky Mount finished 9th while Southern Nash was 11th and Northern Nash 12th. The best the boys could do team wise was a 5th place for Nash Central 8th for Rocky Mount, 14th for Southern Nash and Northern Nash 17th.
Lander University won the Peach Belt Tournament championship Sunday night and former Gryphon Thomas Berry had a tournament. The three games that Lander played Berry batted 15 times coming up with 8 hits and six Rbi. Lander won 14-3, 10-9 and 15-5. Baseball Britt Johnson assistant coach at Lander is also a former Gryphon. Lander had won 17 games in a row. Berry was named to to the all tournament team after homering and getting two doubles in the championship game.
Cousin Lauren Doughtie finished 21st in the week's Future Tour Tournament in South Carolina. It is her second best tournament as she finished 14th in the first tournament of the year. Right now she stands 59th on the Futures Tour money list.
If the ACC Baseball Tournament started this week both State and Carolina are in. Carolina got a
much needed win over Florida State Sunday 5-4 while State sat idle waiting to play a national TV game Monday night on ESPNU. Pitt lost to Maryland and that drops Pitt to 11th while State if they
beat Wake Monday night would be up to 9th with a weekend series with Virginia a Tech the second worse team in the ACC starting Thursday. Carolina stands 7th with a three game series with Miami the top team in the ACC. The middle of the ACC is similar to the Big East as every weekend is an adventure.
The women's relay races Rocky Mount 4 by 200 team won and in the 4 by 400 relay race the Lady Bulldogs of Nash Central became regional champs. Nash Central also finished second in the 4 by 200 race.
Nash Central girls were the highest placing team finishing 7th with 35.5 points. Rocky Mount finished 9th while Southern Nash was 11th and Northern Nash 12th. The best the boys could do team wise was a 5th place for Nash Central 8th for Rocky Mount, 14th for Southern Nash and Northern Nash 17th.
Lander University won the Peach Belt Tournament championship Sunday night and former Gryphon Thomas Berry had a tournament. The three games that Lander played Berry batted 15 times coming up with 8 hits and six Rbi. Lander won 14-3, 10-9 and 15-5. Baseball Britt Johnson assistant coach at Lander is also a former Gryphon. Lander had won 17 games in a row. Berry was named to to the all tournament team after homering and getting two doubles in the championship game.
Cousin Lauren Doughtie finished 21st in the week's Future Tour Tournament in South Carolina. It is her second best tournament as she finished 14th in the first tournament of the year. Right now she stands 59th on the Futures Tour money list.
If the ACC Baseball Tournament started this week both State and Carolina are in. Carolina got a
much needed win over Florida State Sunday 5-4 while State sat idle waiting to play a national TV game Monday night on ESPNU. Pitt lost to Maryland and that drops Pitt to 11th while State if they
beat Wake Monday night would be up to 9th with a weekend series with Virginia a Tech the second worse team in the ACC starting Thursday. Carolina stands 7th with a three game series with Miami the top team in the ACC. The middle of the ACC is similar to the Big East as every weekend is an adventure.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Hunt Wins Tournament
The Big East Baseball Tournament came down to the last night when the number one seed and the number two seed made it to the final game. Earlier in the day the first few teams were sent possible seedings for next weeks tournament and Northern will host South Brunswick and Hunt will host Northwood. Both will get home games. These brackets are released for everyone to view to make sure that everyone's records are correct. If no one hollers on Sunday because there is a mistake these two will get home games on Tuesday. Fike will be on the road that has not been released yet as to where they will play. Nash Central sits still on the edge of their seats holding out hope they will make it.
Now knowing that both will be having home games both Leonard Allen of Northern and Jonathan Smith of a Hunt both chose to sit their best pitchers. All during the season Northern has relied on their pitching and Hunt has been about the best hitting team in the league all year. Tonight Hunt collects ten while Northern only has three hitters to get hits but two of them get two hits and they get five on the night. Adding to the Northern problem they commit four errors and pitching walks eight.
Hunt started their relief pitcher Joel Taylor and he gave them four innings giving up only four hits but he was very workman like. striking out only one and not a batter walked. Caleb Sharp pitched the final two innings giving up one hit and no walks.
Bryson Worrell had four hits to lead the Hunt hitters. Andrew Brinson, Colton Griffin, Greg Lamm, Ty Keen and one hit and Hunter Hackett had two. Hunter Moore and Chad Haggerty collect two hits each for Northern while the lone fifth hit came from Jacob Green. Chad Nelms started for the Knights he gave way for Tyler Barrett an Chad Green pitched the last two.
Hunt scores in every inning but the second and win in six 13-1. Hunt's victory gave Hunt High a trophy in all three of the major sports as they won in football and basketball and now share a tournament championship in Baseball.
Northern comes off a bad week having elected not to pitch their best on Monday and lost in being no hit by Fike. Beat Nash Central by getting only three hits Thursday and now Mercy ruled by Hunt. Northern truly needs to play games that have a consequence where they have to put their best on the mound. That happens Tuesday when the playoffs start.
Now knowing that both will be having home games both Leonard Allen of Northern and Jonathan Smith of a Hunt both chose to sit their best pitchers. All during the season Northern has relied on their pitching and Hunt has been about the best hitting team in the league all year. Tonight Hunt collects ten while Northern only has three hitters to get hits but two of them get two hits and they get five on the night. Adding to the Northern problem they commit four errors and pitching walks eight.
Hunt started their relief pitcher Joel Taylor and he gave them four innings giving up only four hits but he was very workman like. striking out only one and not a batter walked. Caleb Sharp pitched the final two innings giving up one hit and no walks.
Bryson Worrell had four hits to lead the Hunt hitters. Andrew Brinson, Colton Griffin, Greg Lamm, Ty Keen and one hit and Hunter Hackett had two. Hunter Moore and Chad Haggerty collect two hits each for Northern while the lone fifth hit came from Jacob Green. Chad Nelms started for the Knights he gave way for Tyler Barrett an Chad Green pitched the last two.
Hunt scores in every inning but the second and win in six 13-1. Hunt's victory gave Hunt High a trophy in all three of the major sports as they won in football and basketball and now share a tournament championship in Baseball.
Northern comes off a bad week having elected not to pitch their best on Monday and lost in being no hit by Fike. Beat Nash Central by getting only three hits Thursday and now Mercy ruled by Hunt. Northern truly needs to play games that have a consequence where they have to put their best on the mound. That happens Tuesday when the playoffs start.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Bad Day In Black Rock
Tonight both Rocky Mount Academy and Faith Christian hoping to meet up later in the state private school playoffs were both derailed and knocked out tonight. RMA at home after a first round bye lost 4-3 to Davidson Country Day while Faith lost to Parrott Academy of Kinston 7-5.
Northern Nash already the regular season champs of the Big East will try to sweep the tournament as well when they host Hunt Saturday night at Northern. Both are already guaranteed playoff spots starting next week so the out come will not make any difference and no seedings will change regardless of the outcome.
The UNC baseball team opened a crucial three game series with Florida State and the results are not good for the Tar Heels as they lose 7-0. The Tar Heels need at least one win this weekend to stay above 500 in ACC.
NC State is three games behind Wake, two behind Pitt so this weekends series against Wake in Raleigh is huge. No trouble for Carlos Rodon as he came back into the game after a rain delay and pitched seven innings striking out 9 as the Pack takes a much needed game one 9-1. If the Pack sweeps the Deacs this weekend they are in a tie. The Pack got help else where as Maryland beat Pitt 21-1. Rodon last five starts his ERA is.70.
There is always good news when you hear about a athlete who once he turned pro stayed with it and finally despite having a very productive pro career graduated college. New Carolina Panther Jerrico Cotchery and former NC State receiver who caught many passes from Philip Rivers ten years ago will walk and turn his college tassel and graduate from N C State.
Haven't had much good news to tell about Cousin Lauren Doughtie over the last few weeks as she has not made a cut in about five tournaments. This weekend the Futures Tour is in South Carolina in a four round tournament and Lauren has made the cut and tied for 11th spot. She is even parr after the first two rounds.
Northern Nash already the regular season champs of the Big East will try to sweep the tournament as well when they host Hunt Saturday night at Northern. Both are already guaranteed playoff spots starting next week so the out come will not make any difference and no seedings will change regardless of the outcome.
The UNC baseball team opened a crucial three game series with Florida State and the results are not good for the Tar Heels as they lose 7-0. The Tar Heels need at least one win this weekend to stay above 500 in ACC.
NC State is three games behind Wake, two behind Pitt so this weekends series against Wake in Raleigh is huge. No trouble for Carlos Rodon as he came back into the game after a rain delay and pitched seven innings striking out 9 as the Pack takes a much needed game one 9-1. If the Pack sweeps the Deacs this weekend they are in a tie. The Pack got help else where as Maryland beat Pitt 21-1. Rodon last five starts his ERA is.70.
There is always good news when you hear about a athlete who once he turned pro stayed with it and finally despite having a very productive pro career graduated college. New Carolina Panther Jerrico Cotchery and former NC State receiver who caught many passes from Philip Rivers ten years ago will walk and turn his college tassel and graduate from N C State.
Haven't had much good news to tell about Cousin Lauren Doughtie over the last few weeks as she has not made a cut in about five tournaments. This weekend the Futures Tour is in South Carolina in a four round tournament and Lauren has made the cut and tied for 11th spot. She is even parr after the first two rounds.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Top Two Remain Top Two
Derrick Carter had complete control of the Bulldogs of Nash Central in the semi finals of the Big East Baseball Tournament. Carter struck out 11 in shutting out Nash Central as Northern Nash advances to the finals with 2-0 victory. They will face Hunt who was a 7-3 winner over Fike. It was the fourth time this year that the Warriors have taken down their arch rival.
They will play for the tournament title Saturday night at Northern Nash. Just found out that WHIG-TV will be covering the finals and yours truly will be there behind the mic. Fike already in the state playoffs but Nash Central at 10-10 on the season will hold their breath until the playoff announcement as the four seed from Big East they could get one of the last spots in the state tournament but it will totally be at the mercy of other teams in the east who are not in their conference top three who may have an over all better record.
Inspiring article in the Rocky Mount Telegram earlier this week about Joesph Cook the Nash Central golfer who has made the regional golf despite having one leg shorter than the other. There are plenty of people who have excuses in life and Joesph could have a good one if he wish to use it. Instead he found a way to play a game he loves despite hurdles he had to work around. It is us normal people who have the obstacles when we think we are normal and choose not to use every thing God gave us in life.
As you know one of my heroes in life Richard Murray pass away last week and I attended his funeral On Sunday. As I sat watching all the players who had contact with Murray over his coaching life at Ahoskie High and later as Hertford County I had a thought that that maybe our world would be a better place if coaches were in charge of race relations.
Murray was a line coach, baseball coach and athletic director during his career and I can tell you a coach does not see the color of the face only the helmet he wears. Listening to many players tell their stories during the service and afterwards in a reception held for everyone to meet the family. I can tell you there is a love for a coach who twenty five years after you have gone he calls wanting to know how your life is.
Coach Murray is like so many others coaches like Dean Smith, Coach K, and many others. Why do players come back so often to see coach? The reason is coaches teach you about life while they teach you the game you play. Once a player gets out into the real world you look back and can see what coach told you is true. Yes, they try to teach you the game to win but there is just something long after the game is over that lives with you and you see what coaches have done for you.
I wonder if all these people who claim to want to help those who think they are being mistreated by racism ever played a game where the guy beside you was a different color but because you all wanted the same thing you were united in a goal. That goal was as much about life as it is about the game. Players who have live through it know what I mean.
They will play for the tournament title Saturday night at Northern Nash. Just found out that WHIG-TV will be covering the finals and yours truly will be there behind the mic. Fike already in the state playoffs but Nash Central at 10-10 on the season will hold their breath until the playoff announcement as the four seed from Big East they could get one of the last spots in the state tournament but it will totally be at the mercy of other teams in the east who are not in their conference top three who may have an over all better record.
Inspiring article in the Rocky Mount Telegram earlier this week about Joesph Cook the Nash Central golfer who has made the regional golf despite having one leg shorter than the other. There are plenty of people who have excuses in life and Joesph could have a good one if he wish to use it. Instead he found a way to play a game he loves despite hurdles he had to work around. It is us normal people who have the obstacles when we think we are normal and choose not to use every thing God gave us in life.
As you know one of my heroes in life Richard Murray pass away last week and I attended his funeral On Sunday. As I sat watching all the players who had contact with Murray over his coaching life at Ahoskie High and later as Hertford County I had a thought that that maybe our world would be a better place if coaches were in charge of race relations.
Murray was a line coach, baseball coach and athletic director during his career and I can tell you a coach does not see the color of the face only the helmet he wears. Listening to many players tell their stories during the service and afterwards in a reception held for everyone to meet the family. I can tell you there is a love for a coach who twenty five years after you have gone he calls wanting to know how your life is.
Coach Murray is like so many others coaches like Dean Smith, Coach K, and many others. Why do players come back so often to see coach? The reason is coaches teach you about life while they teach you the game you play. Once a player gets out into the real world you look back and can see what coach told you is true. Yes, they try to teach you the game to win but there is just something long after the game is over that lives with you and you see what coaches have done for you.
I wonder if all these people who claim to want to help those who think they are being mistreated by racism ever played a game where the guy beside you was a different color but because you all wanted the same thing you were united in a goal. That goal was as much about life as it is about the game. Players who have live through it know what I mean.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Season Ends With More What If's
The 2014 Rocky Mount baseball season is over. It was a season in which they beat every team in the league but one. Three times they tried but not nary a victory over Nash Central. Tonight Rocky Mount out hits the Bulldogs nine to four but when it counted failed to get any the last three innings and in the seventh they had the bases loaded but failed to get the big hit. Nash Central advances to the semi finals of the Big East Baseball tournament with a 5-3 victory over the Gryphons.
Rocky Mount scored three in the second on a Will Edwards single after Blake Helms and David Harrison had reached with singles. Andy Morris doubled with the bases loaded and after the three runs had runners on second and third that didn't score any more.
Nash Central tied it up in the bottom of the third after three walks, two errors and a wild pitch allowed the Bulldogs to cross the plate without getting a hit. The fourth Nash Central plated two runs on a walk and a hit by Khalil Macklin. Kyle Taylor's double scored the two runners and that would prove to be the winning runs. The Bulldogs chased Gryphon starter Cody Smith who allowed three hits but walked six and four of the walks scored. Smith struck out six Nash Central batters. Blake Helms in relief gave up a hit to the first batter he faced but that was it for the Bulldogs as Helms pitched two and one thirds innings striking out four of the seven outs he registered.
Kalalil Macklin went four innings for the Bulldogs and was rocked for all three runs and nine hits that the Gryphons got. Macklin gets the win because he walked but one batter and his defense didn't give away runs. David Sutton pitch the last three innings didn't give up a hit didn't walk any one until the seventh when he walked one and hit two batters and his only strikeout of the night was the last batter of the game.
The Bulldogs only other batter to get a hit was a first inning single by Matt Askew. Andy Morris collect three hits for the Gryphons leading the hitting parade. Forest Bell, Josh Carter, Blake Helms Ben Yates, Will Edwards and up from the jv's David Harrison got his first varsity hit playing as the DH.
Nash Central returns to the diamond Thursday night as they advance to play Northern Nash at Northern. Also tonight Fike beat Southern Nash 10-5 so they play at Hunt Thursday. That sets up a Wilson County-Nash County finals against the two winner Saturday at the highest seeded teams remaining.
Rocky Mount scored three in the second on a Will Edwards single after Blake Helms and David Harrison had reached with singles. Andy Morris doubled with the bases loaded and after the three runs had runners on second and third that didn't score any more.
Nash Central tied it up in the bottom of the third after three walks, two errors and a wild pitch allowed the Bulldogs to cross the plate without getting a hit. The fourth Nash Central plated two runs on a walk and a hit by Khalil Macklin. Kyle Taylor's double scored the two runners and that would prove to be the winning runs. The Bulldogs chased Gryphon starter Cody Smith who allowed three hits but walked six and four of the walks scored. Smith struck out six Nash Central batters. Blake Helms in relief gave up a hit to the first batter he faced but that was it for the Bulldogs as Helms pitched two and one thirds innings striking out four of the seven outs he registered.
Kalalil Macklin went four innings for the Bulldogs and was rocked for all three runs and nine hits that the Gryphons got. Macklin gets the win because he walked but one batter and his defense didn't give away runs. David Sutton pitch the last three innings didn't give up a hit didn't walk any one until the seventh when he walked one and hit two batters and his only strikeout of the night was the last batter of the game.
The Bulldogs only other batter to get a hit was a first inning single by Matt Askew. Andy Morris collect three hits for the Gryphons leading the hitting parade. Forest Bell, Josh Carter, Blake Helms Ben Yates, Will Edwards and up from the jv's David Harrison got his first varsity hit playing as the DH.
Nash Central returns to the diamond Thursday night as they advance to play Northern Nash at Northern. Also tonight Fike beat Southern Nash 10-5 so they play at Hunt Thursday. That sets up a Wilson County-Nash County finals against the two winner Saturday at the highest seeded teams remaining.
There's Only One Thing To Do Win It
Two teams meet tonight in the 4/5 matchup in the Big East Baseball tournament that at this moment the losers season ends tonight. Every team dreams of playoff victories but for 5-5 Nash Central and 5-5 Rocky Mount a victory still will not put them in the playoffs. They must turn around Thursday and play the top seeded team Northern Nash 7-3 and should somehow they win that they still must win against probably the survivor of the Wilson County semi final game between Hunt 6-4 and Fike 6-4.
Should either Rocky Mount or Nash Central accomplish that feat they would then draw the second spot behind Northern Nash and would drop Hunt to third and Fike would then fall off the map of the playoffs.
Both the Bulldogs and Gryphons took opposite maps to find the 5-5 destination. Nash Central started out winning four of their first six conference games including beating Rocky Mount twice. Rocky Mount lost their first three conference affairs but finished 5-2 over the last seven games.
The way this season has gone when it seems that there is not a dominate team in this league, when there is not a team in the league sure they can score enough to win any game why isn't this year the year that one of those teams Nash Central or Rocky Mount can pull off the unthinkable and win the tournament. Over the last seven games Rocky Mount is 5-2 and that is just as good as anybody else.
If either Nash Central or Rocky Mount do run the table and win three games this week it would give them the an overall record by winning the tournament at 8-5. If one knocks off Northern Thursday Northern would be 7-4 and if one beats Hunt Friday they would be 7-5 and if it was Fike on Friday they would be 8-5.
The way this season has gone there is no guarantee that Southrrn Nash at 1-9 could scare the whole lot to death by taking the title. If the season were over as of right now Northern gets a home game next week in the state playoffs. and due to the fact the overall record of any team that gets the second or third I would doubt they would rate a high enough seed to get a home game.
Nash Central won four games against Southern Nash and Rocky Mount against the top three could only win one of six games. Rocky Mount beat Southern twice and lost to the Bulldogs twice. Against the top three they were 3-3. So if there is a team tonight that should think they can win it all is Rocky Mount, they played chest to chest against this leagues best. Their only problem is they need to figure out how to beat the Bulldogs so they can take on the top three. The top three where The Gryphons have been on even footing.
Should either Rocky Mount or Nash Central accomplish that feat they would then draw the second spot behind Northern Nash and would drop Hunt to third and Fike would then fall off the map of the playoffs.
Both the Bulldogs and Gryphons took opposite maps to find the 5-5 destination. Nash Central started out winning four of their first six conference games including beating Rocky Mount twice. Rocky Mount lost their first three conference affairs but finished 5-2 over the last seven games.
The way this season has gone when it seems that there is not a dominate team in this league, when there is not a team in the league sure they can score enough to win any game why isn't this year the year that one of those teams Nash Central or Rocky Mount can pull off the unthinkable and win the tournament. Over the last seven games Rocky Mount is 5-2 and that is just as good as anybody else.
If either Nash Central or Rocky Mount do run the table and win three games this week it would give them the an overall record by winning the tournament at 8-5. If one knocks off Northern Thursday Northern would be 7-4 and if one beats Hunt Friday they would be 7-5 and if it was Fike on Friday they would be 8-5.
The way this season has gone there is no guarantee that Southrrn Nash at 1-9 could scare the whole lot to death by taking the title. If the season were over as of right now Northern gets a home game next week in the state playoffs. and due to the fact the overall record of any team that gets the second or third I would doubt they would rate a high enough seed to get a home game.
Nash Central won four games against Southern Nash and Rocky Mount against the top three could only win one of six games. Rocky Mount beat Southern twice and lost to the Bulldogs twice. Against the top three they were 3-3. So if there is a team tonight that should think they can win it all is Rocky Mount, they played chest to chest against this leagues best. Their only problem is they need to figure out how to beat the Bulldogs so they can take on the top three. The top three where The Gryphons have been on even footing.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Edwards One Hits Firebirds
Senior lefty Will Edwards took one week to complete Senior night but for him it will be two nights to remember as Edwards gives up an infield single in the top of the fifth which would be the only base runner to reach by a hit. The very next batter Edward's hit with a pitch but other than those two runners no Firebird reached base.
Not very often this season has the Gryphons got pitching and hitting the same night but the Gryphons but together ten hits and produced two runs in the third which was the first inning played tonight after the rainout in the top of the third last week. They scored twice in the fourth and put a six pack up in the fifth and best Southern Nash 10-0.
Micah Varnell at the plate put together one of his best night's ever going 3-3 with a home run a double and single with three RBI on his final regular season game in a Gryphon uniform. Seven other Gryphons got hits including doubles by Forest Bell who drove in the two runs that produced the mercy rule. Josh Carter doubled and Andy Morris, Blake Helms, Khalidio Jackson Davis , Will Edwards, Ben Yates all reached base with a hit.
Earlier in the day Northern lost to Fike 12-0 and by Winning Fike clinched 3rd spot with a 6-4 record.
Northern who clinched the top seed Friday will finish the regular season with a 7-3 record the top seed in the tournament and in the NCHSAA playoffs next week.
Tonight the last regular season game Nash Central beat Hunt 6-4 finishes the regular season at 5-5 and with the Gryphons win they finish at 5-5. Nash Central beat the Gryphons twice during the regulation and hold the tied breaker over the Gryphons. That puts Rocky Mount traveling to Nash Central Wednesday in the first round of the Big East tournament. Fike now as the Number three seed will host Southern Nash.
Emanuel King the power forward for the Gryphon basketball team will join teammate Dante Battle at Wallace State in Alabama.
Not very often this season has the Gryphons got pitching and hitting the same night but the Gryphons but together ten hits and produced two runs in the third which was the first inning played tonight after the rainout in the top of the third last week. They scored twice in the fourth and put a six pack up in the fifth and best Southern Nash 10-0.
Micah Varnell at the plate put together one of his best night's ever going 3-3 with a home run a double and single with three RBI on his final regular season game in a Gryphon uniform. Seven other Gryphons got hits including doubles by Forest Bell who drove in the two runs that produced the mercy rule. Josh Carter doubled and Andy Morris, Blake Helms, Khalidio Jackson Davis , Will Edwards, Ben Yates all reached base with a hit.
Earlier in the day Northern lost to Fike 12-0 and by Winning Fike clinched 3rd spot with a 6-4 record.
Northern who clinched the top seed Friday will finish the regular season with a 7-3 record the top seed in the tournament and in the NCHSAA playoffs next week.
Tonight the last regular season game Nash Central beat Hunt 6-4 finishes the regular season at 5-5 and with the Gryphons win they finish at 5-5. Nash Central beat the Gryphons twice during the regulation and hold the tied breaker over the Gryphons. That puts Rocky Mount traveling to Nash Central Wednesday in the first round of the Big East tournament. Fike now as the Number three seed will host Southern Nash.
Emanuel King the power forward for the Gryphon basketball team will join teammate Dante Battle at Wallace State in Alabama.
Calling All Legion
The modern baseball player and in most of the cases it may not be the ball player but his parents that in order to see their sons ability on the baseball diamond they think they must pay in some cases thousands of dollars to join travel league teams or showcase teams.
My question is why go so far to show case your child when I can assure you that if he is good enough scouts will find him? There is no better showcase for talented players than American Legion Baseball. Rocky Mount Legion Post 58 will once again be coached by Hank Jones. Joining him this year will be Cameron Ramsey and Colin Cuthrell. Every now and then you might find Pat Smith in the dugout. Tryouts will be Saturday May 17th at 2pm. If The Big East Conference is any indication this team should have good pitching and the hitting will be suspect.
There is two weeks to go in ACC baseball regular season and North Carolina is on a slippery slope in order to even make it to the ACC tournament. Carolina has a 13-11 record and stand at 6th spot. If they finish in sixth they will avoid the Tuesday play in day which will be for the teams that finish 7th- 10th.
Carolina's problem is their six remaining games are against Florida State and Miami. They are not guaranteed to even win one of those six and if they lose all six they could fall not only into the 7/10 bracket but that may also send them to 11th and out all together. They must some how or other win two or three games to stay in the tournament.
N C State has not been as fortunate as the Tar Heels. They stand at 9-15 and in sole pocession of 11th spot and as of right now outside looking in on the tournament. They need to pass one team in the next two weeks to get into play in Tuesday. Just who can they pass? Maryland 12-14 and only have three conference games to play against Pittsburgh. It just may come down to the rainout that Maryland had. Will that one game less make them one from tying State or give them a better winning percentage and beat State out by a half game?
The Pack has a three game home series with Wake Forest and on the road at Virginia Tech. They need all six and hope somebody stumbles whether it's Maryland or one of the teams just ahead of a Maryland.
You would expect that the high hopes Carolina and State had in the preseason that their only worry would be whether they would meet on the diamond this year. You know one of the reasons that rainout at the DBAP was not made up is neither can afford a loss now even though it would not count in the standings. If they were both top ten teams in the country one loss would not hurt their RPI but right now neither one's RPI will help the other by winning but a lost would not help NCAA selection.
My question is why go so far to show case your child when I can assure you that if he is good enough scouts will find him? There is no better showcase for talented players than American Legion Baseball. Rocky Mount Legion Post 58 will once again be coached by Hank Jones. Joining him this year will be Cameron Ramsey and Colin Cuthrell. Every now and then you might find Pat Smith in the dugout. Tryouts will be Saturday May 17th at 2pm. If The Big East Conference is any indication this team should have good pitching and the hitting will be suspect.
There is two weeks to go in ACC baseball regular season and North Carolina is on a slippery slope in order to even make it to the ACC tournament. Carolina has a 13-11 record and stand at 6th spot. If they finish in sixth they will avoid the Tuesday play in day which will be for the teams that finish 7th- 10th.
Carolina's problem is their six remaining games are against Florida State and Miami. They are not guaranteed to even win one of those six and if they lose all six they could fall not only into the 7/10 bracket but that may also send them to 11th and out all together. They must some how or other win two or three games to stay in the tournament.
N C State has not been as fortunate as the Tar Heels. They stand at 9-15 and in sole pocession of 11th spot and as of right now outside looking in on the tournament. They need to pass one team in the next two weeks to get into play in Tuesday. Just who can they pass? Maryland 12-14 and only have three conference games to play against Pittsburgh. It just may come down to the rainout that Maryland had. Will that one game less make them one from tying State or give them a better winning percentage and beat State out by a half game?
The Pack has a three game home series with Wake Forest and on the road at Virginia Tech. They need all six and hope somebody stumbles whether it's Maryland or one of the teams just ahead of a Maryland.
You would expect that the high hopes Carolina and State had in the preseason that their only worry would be whether they would meet on the diamond this year. You know one of the reasons that rainout at the DBAP was not made up is neither can afford a loss now even though it would not count in the standings. If they were both top ten teams in the country one loss would not hurt their RPI but right now neither one's RPI will help the other by winning but a lost would not help NCAA selection.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Clear As Mud
The only thing we know for sure is that Northern Nash doesn't have in a worry in the world come this Monday. Neither does Southern Nash who if they beat Rocky Mount they are stuck in 6th for next week's tournament regardless.
Do now know why we couldn't fine the Nash Central- Southern Nash game results. They didn't play.
Southern had their Prom Friday night. They tried to play Thursday but got rained out. They played that game last night. Five teams in the Big East think they have a shot to make the playoffs.
Saturday night the Firebirds of Southern Nash beat Nash Central 6-5 to win their first conference game of the year. During this second cycle the Firebirds have been very competitive in every game unlike the first go round where they were being mercy ruled. Nash Central has had a rocky road ever since coach Guzzo got the five game suspension. This lost drops Nash Central into a 4th place tie with Rocky Mount at 4-5. There is still a chance of a three way tie for fourth.
Northern has the best overall pitching. Their defense is average and their offense is so so. Hunt of the conference members has the best hitting but defense and pitching doesn't scare anybody. Fike has average pitching, defense and offense. Nash Central has one great pitcher and the rest are average. Their defense and offense like everyone else in this league is wishful thinking. Rocky Mount right now since they have gotten production from Blake Helms on the mound has as good of pitching as Northern. Their defense at times has been poor and just about every game they have had the opportunity to get a big hit and failed.
The tournament next week is Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Northern and whoever finally gets the two get byes Wednesday. Every team with the game on Monday plays three times and if you hope if you are seeded three through six and think you can win the tournament you will have to play four times to win tournament. There is one thing for sure anybody can win it.
Benton Moss the junior right handed pitcher for the university of North Carolina has for the second year in a row made been named to the All District All Academic team. Benton carries a 3.85 grade point average. Moss made as a freshman the freshman All American All Academic team.
Do now know why we couldn't fine the Nash Central- Southern Nash game results. They didn't play.
Southern had their Prom Friday night. They tried to play Thursday but got rained out. They played that game last night. Five teams in the Big East think they have a shot to make the playoffs.
Saturday night the Firebirds of Southern Nash beat Nash Central 6-5 to win their first conference game of the year. During this second cycle the Firebirds have been very competitive in every game unlike the first go round where they were being mercy ruled. Nash Central has had a rocky road ever since coach Guzzo got the five game suspension. This lost drops Nash Central into a 4th place tie with Rocky Mount at 4-5. There is still a chance of a three way tie for fourth.
Northern has the best overall pitching. Their defense is average and their offense is so so. Hunt of the conference members has the best hitting but defense and pitching doesn't scare anybody. Fike has average pitching, defense and offense. Nash Central has one great pitcher and the rest are average. Their defense and offense like everyone else in this league is wishful thinking. Rocky Mount right now since they have gotten production from Blake Helms on the mound has as good of pitching as Northern. Their defense at times has been poor and just about every game they have had the opportunity to get a big hit and failed.
The tournament next week is Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Northern and whoever finally gets the two get byes Wednesday. Every team with the game on Monday plays three times and if you hope if you are seeded three through six and think you can win the tournament you will have to play four times to win tournament. There is one thing for sure anybody can win it.
Benton Moss the junior right handed pitcher for the university of North Carolina has for the second year in a row made been named to the All District All Academic team. Benton carries a 3.85 grade point average. Moss made as a freshman the freshman All American All Academic team.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Northern Clinches Top Seed
Northern Nash clinches first place in the upcoming Big East Baseball tournament and in doing that get the Big East number one seed in the upcoming state playoffs. It wasn't easy as the Gryphons scored a run in the top of the seven to tie the game but then in the eighth inning committed an error allowing the winning run to score and Northern wins 3-2.
Over in Wilson County Hunt beat Fike 4-3. I have not heard anything on the Nash Central Southern Nash game but here is what we know. Northern Nash is 7-2. Hunt is 6-3 but Northern owns the tie breaker with Hunt having beaten them in both games played during the regular season. Fike drops to 5-4 and Rocky Mount drops to 4-5. Nash Central is 4-4 depending on the outcome tonight.
Here is what is still possible. Hunt, Fike and Nash Central could still get into a three way tie for second which will mean one of those teams will not make the playoffs with 6-4 records. There is still a possibility of a three way tie for third between Fike, Nash Central and Rocky Mount. These three teams can still get to 5-5 and if that happens two of these teams wil not make the playoffs. There is of course the chance that Nash Central and Rocky Mount could finish 4/6 making Northern, Hunt and Fike the playoff teams.
Even if the coaches thought about not playing a conference tournament starting next Wednesday there are so many possible scenarios that they need to play a tournament just to figure who can win their way in. The way this season has gone Southern Nash just might win the tournament and knock somebody else out.
Over in Wilson County Hunt beat Fike 4-3. I have not heard anything on the Nash Central Southern Nash game but here is what we know. Northern Nash is 7-2. Hunt is 6-3 but Northern owns the tie breaker with Hunt having beaten them in both games played during the regular season. Fike drops to 5-4 and Rocky Mount drops to 4-5. Nash Central is 4-4 depending on the outcome tonight.
Here is what is still possible. Hunt, Fike and Nash Central could still get into a three way tie for second which will mean one of those teams will not make the playoffs with 6-4 records. There is still a possibility of a three way tie for third between Fike, Nash Central and Rocky Mount. These three teams can still get to 5-5 and if that happens two of these teams wil not make the playoffs. There is of course the chance that Nash Central and Rocky Mount could finish 4/6 making Northern, Hunt and Fike the playoff teams.
Even if the coaches thought about not playing a conference tournament starting next Wednesday there are so many possible scenarios that they need to play a tournament just to figure who can win their way in. The way this season has gone Southern Nash just might win the tournament and knock somebody else out.
Thomas Berry Record Setter
Thomas Berry a Gryphon grad who is a redshirt sophomore for Lander University in South Carolina has help his team finish their regular season with a 43-6 record and for the first time in school history Lander won the Peach Belt regular season title.
Berry set a school record walking 50 times in 49 regular season games and in doing so set the school record when he walked for the 48th time. His 50 walks leads the nation in division II. Lander will try to win their conference tournament next weekend. "Baseball" Britt Johnson a 2001 Gryphon graduate and the assistant coach for Lander is responsible for Berry being at Lander.
Hobbs Johnson lost three straight games since my last report on him as he plays for Brevard A league team in Florida. His first lost he gave up six runs in five innings but one outing five innings of relief and another start he gave up no earn runs but lost twice. This week he picked up his second pro win giving up one earned run for the win and in five appearances his ERA is 2.33 with a 2-3 record.
Brian Goodwin has been on a roller coaster playing for AAA Syracuse Chiefs. He started out just getting two hits in his first 20 at bats them got 13 hits in his next 30. He has managed only five in his next 38 to drop his batting average back down to 224. Interesting Brian in those five hits has two triples which gives everyone hope than if he makes contact he 's going to get on base.
Back in January when I attended the funeral of Darryl Allen in Ahoskie many people were there and even though I knew his health was not good then from cancer Richard Murray and I had several minutes to hash old times.
Other than my father Coach Murray was the person I most respected in my life. 1967 as a skinny freshman I had coach Murray in Civics and and I was a running back on the JV's for two years as he was the line coach. I played varsity baseball for him for three years and as a senior I had him in a government class.
During my senior season I pulled a groin muscle two days before our first game. I was a third baseman and I never made an error in my career with the ball going through my legs. I threw many away making errors but I was a vacuum cleaner and my nickname was Brooks after the Baltimore third baseman Brooks Robinson. Now you know why I named my son Brooks.
The first four games of the season I was 1 for 15. As a senior by this time I was working at the radio station on weekends and three nights a week a worked to midnight. I was depressed about having a terrible season my senior year after having a really good first two. After practice I waited in the looker room for coach Murray to come take his shower after all the other players had left. I told
coach that I understood if he needed to benched me to put someone in the line up who could play better than I was. What he told me then help me change my season and there are not many days that go by I don't think about that day.
He told me that as I went through life I would have people in my life that were going to depend on me and there would be days when I would not feel like going to work but when I looked at those depending on me I would get up and do what I had to do to take care of my family. My teammates were depending on me now and I have to get up and go to work for them.
I finished the season on an upswing graduated went directly into the radio business and spent 22 years working with him as the Athletic Director at Ahoskie and Hertford County High on a weekly basis doing football on the radio.
Murray was the line coach for Darryl Allen for every year that Allen was the head coach. He was a man that could be second fiddle and be perfectly happy watching others get the glory. What kind of Athletic Director was he? He is in the NC Athletic Directors Hall of Fame. Thursday Richard Murray moved on to join to join the Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in Heaven. Richard Murray was one of the greatest men I ever knew.
Berry set a school record walking 50 times in 49 regular season games and in doing so set the school record when he walked for the 48th time. His 50 walks leads the nation in division II. Lander will try to win their conference tournament next weekend. "Baseball" Britt Johnson a 2001 Gryphon graduate and the assistant coach for Lander is responsible for Berry being at Lander.
Hobbs Johnson lost three straight games since my last report on him as he plays for Brevard A league team in Florida. His first lost he gave up six runs in five innings but one outing five innings of relief and another start he gave up no earn runs but lost twice. This week he picked up his second pro win giving up one earned run for the win and in five appearances his ERA is 2.33 with a 2-3 record.
Brian Goodwin has been on a roller coaster playing for AAA Syracuse Chiefs. He started out just getting two hits in his first 20 at bats them got 13 hits in his next 30. He has managed only five in his next 38 to drop his batting average back down to 224. Interesting Brian in those five hits has two triples which gives everyone hope than if he makes contact he 's going to get on base.
Back in January when I attended the funeral of Darryl Allen in Ahoskie many people were there and even though I knew his health was not good then from cancer Richard Murray and I had several minutes to hash old times.
Other than my father Coach Murray was the person I most respected in my life. 1967 as a skinny freshman I had coach Murray in Civics and and I was a running back on the JV's for two years as he was the line coach. I played varsity baseball for him for three years and as a senior I had him in a government class.
During my senior season I pulled a groin muscle two days before our first game. I was a third baseman and I never made an error in my career with the ball going through my legs. I threw many away making errors but I was a vacuum cleaner and my nickname was Brooks after the Baltimore third baseman Brooks Robinson. Now you know why I named my son Brooks.
The first four games of the season I was 1 for 15. As a senior by this time I was working at the radio station on weekends and three nights a week a worked to midnight. I was depressed about having a terrible season my senior year after having a really good first two. After practice I waited in the looker room for coach Murray to come take his shower after all the other players had left. I told
coach that I understood if he needed to benched me to put someone in the line up who could play better than I was. What he told me then help me change my season and there are not many days that go by I don't think about that day.
He told me that as I went through life I would have people in my life that were going to depend on me and there would be days when I would not feel like going to work but when I looked at those depending on me I would get up and do what I had to do to take care of my family. My teammates were depending on me now and I have to get up and go to work for them.
I finished the season on an upswing graduated went directly into the radio business and spent 22 years working with him as the Athletic Director at Ahoskie and Hertford County High on a weekly basis doing football on the radio.
Murray was the line coach for Darryl Allen for every year that Allen was the head coach. He was a man that could be second fiddle and be perfectly happy watching others get the glory. What kind of Athletic Director was he? He is in the NC Athletic Directors Hall of Fame. Thursday Richard Murray moved on to join to join the Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in Heaven. Richard Murray was one of the greatest men I ever knew.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Mercy Mercy
The NCHSAA on Wednesday adopted a mercy rule for football and basketball. Football in the past the teams could agree or not agree once one team lead by 40 to start running the clock. The rule was changed to a 42 point lead and running the clock is now require in all games. Coaches can call time out or the clock will stop after a score or player injury.
Basketball for the first time will institute the mercy rule once a lead hits 42. The only difference in the rules the clock in basketball will continue after scoring but will run during foul shots.
Deep down in the rule changes is soccer will now go to a shoot out after teams have played the two ten minute ovenrtimes and are still tied. There was another item talked about but no action was taken is there is on the table to go with four state football championship sites instead of three. Last year Winston Salem, Chapel Hill and Raleigh were the three sites.
I would see no problem what so ever if ECU, App State or any college that has a stadium of 20,000 hosting a championship. Anyone who has ever been to a football game at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone would be a great memory for a team with snow on the ground. I would assume if it does go to four sites each year a site would host both the 3A and3AA game.
There has been a change made in the Rocky Mount make up finish with Southern Nash which stopped in the top of the third inning Tuesday. Since it will be the last regular season game of the year they have decided to play the JV game at 4pm and push the varsity finish back to 7pm.
This weekend if you love baseball Rocky Mount and Nash County will be loaded with baseball. All four public high schools plus Legion Field will be hosting baseball travel league teams from all over . Games start at 8am and last well into the night. The Sports Complex will be thriving with nine year old to 14 years old players. I understand you can't get a motel room within 50 miles of Rocky Mount.
Basketball for the first time will institute the mercy rule once a lead hits 42. The only difference in the rules the clock in basketball will continue after scoring but will run during foul shots.
Deep down in the rule changes is soccer will now go to a shoot out after teams have played the two ten minute ovenrtimes and are still tied. There was another item talked about but no action was taken is there is on the table to go with four state football championship sites instead of three. Last year Winston Salem, Chapel Hill and Raleigh were the three sites.
I would see no problem what so ever if ECU, App State or any college that has a stadium of 20,000 hosting a championship. Anyone who has ever been to a football game at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone would be a great memory for a team with snow on the ground. I would assume if it does go to four sites each year a site would host both the 3A and3AA game.
There has been a change made in the Rocky Mount make up finish with Southern Nash which stopped in the top of the third inning Tuesday. Since it will be the last regular season game of the year they have decided to play the JV game at 4pm and push the varsity finish back to 7pm.
This weekend if you love baseball Rocky Mount and Nash County will be loaded with baseball. All four public high schools plus Legion Field will be hosting baseball travel league teams from all over . Games start at 8am and last well into the night. The Sports Complex will be thriving with nine year old to 14 years old players. I understand you can't get a motel room within 50 miles of Rocky Mount.
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