On To The Semi's

The Nash County 13u baseball team playing in the United States Southeast regional in Greenville NC of Babe Ruth Baseball could not have a better start if they were trying.  They won their second game in pool play beating North Piedmont a Babe Ruth team from Statesville.  The score was the second shutout in a row for the boys calling Nash County Home winning 10-0.  Their 2-0 shutout yesterday. Gives Nash County a 2-0 record in pool play while they have scored 12 runs and nary a run has cross the plate while they were playing defense.

They have one game left to play in pool play and that will happen Friday afternoon against Tallahassee Fl.  Florida beat Tennessee tonight 9-2 and next up for Nash County is a 1pm matchup with Tallahassee who also stands at 2-0.  That leaves both Tennessee and North  Piedmont both  winless after two games and with those two teams playing each other on Friday there is no way either of those teams can tie Nash County and Tallahassee so both have qualified for the semi finals.

Since both are on to Saturday Play and now that neither needs to win Friday against each other what would you do with your pitchers? So what for the loser does that mean come Saturday.  The number two team is matched up against the Number one seed from the other bracket and right now the only team unbeaten is the host team Greenville NC  The Nash County team beat Greenville last week in the state tournament.

Greenville  however has not clinched as of yet due to the fact they play Sarasota Fl  who is 1-1 in pool play having lost to Augusta Virginia who has lost to Greenville.  If Sarasota beats Greenville and Virginia beats Union County NC who is 0-2 in pool play there would then be a three  way tie and the tie will be  broken by the two teams who have given up the least runs.  In the two games  so far Greenville has allowed 2 runs, Sarasota only one and Augusta has allowed only three.  So you can see the two semi spots in the other bracket is still wide open.

There is no requirement that every player must play so would you pitch the pitcher you think to be you worse and hope for the best? Would you also clear the bench and let the  guys play tomorrow who has spent the most time on the bench and give you best players a day off to be rested and ready for what you hope is a Semi final win and a shot at Sunday's  finals.  Remember the semi and the finals are one game advance if you win and go home if you lose. Knowing Friday's game is a free game what would you tell coach Willie Langley to do with Friday's game?