Consistent Gryphons

There is one thing for sure you can count on this base ball season and that is if the Gryphons of Rocky Mount score once in a conference game they will win the game.  When they don't they lose. Trailing Wilson Fike by two games in the standings tonight was a big opportunity to jump right near the top in the league with a chance to possibly take first next week.

Fike sent Brandon Winstead to the hill while Rocky Mount countered with David Harrison.  Both pitchers put on a show as in his six innings pitched Harrison struck out nine Golden Demons. Winstead who has thrown a no hitter and a one hitter during conference play can now add a two hit shutout to his resume' as Fike scores twice in the fifth and that is all they need winning 2-0.

Harrison opened the fifth walking the only batter he walked all night.  Jase Lamm singled and with two outs a routine fly ball to center was misplayed and D J Daniels get a two RBI double and  that's all Fike needed in winning their seventh of eight conference games.

Rocky Mount's first hit didn't come until one out in the fifth when Channing Green hit a grounder towards third and beat it out for and infield single and the throw sent Green to second.  The play of the game happened after Green stole third and Forest  Bell hit a hot shot deep along the third base bag and Golden Demon third baseman Jase Lamm backhanded the ball and made a strong throw to first to nip Bell and save the shutout.

David Harrison  couldn't pitch any better for Rocky Mount as Rocky Mount lose  their fourth game by being shutout in conference play.  They fall to 4-4 and fall to third after Nothern Nash beat Nash Central  to take over second place at 5-3.   Hunt beat Southern Nash 1-0 and by doing so tie Rocky Mount at 4-4.

Fike clinches at least a bye in the upcoming Big East Tournament as they can lose no more than three conference games while everyone except Northern has at least four losses.  Northern can still tied for first as they draw Fike Tuesday and finish with Rocky Mount while Fike finishes next week with Hunt.

ACC Baseball Crowded At The Bottom

The Louisville Cardinals 19-2 at this point are the  run a way leader in the race of ACC baseball.  The upcoming tournament will have the top six teams getting a bye on the Tuesday when the seeds seven through  ten play.  Miami 15-6 and Florida State 14-7 are very comfortable in finishing  in top six.  That is it for teams who are comfortable.

Clemson 11-9, Notre Dame11-10, Carolina 10-10, State, 9-11, Boston College 9-11, Wake Forest 9-12, Georgia Tech 9-12, Virginia 9-12 and Virginia Tech 8-12 all could finish as high  fourth or as low as 12th and if they finish 11th no ACC tourney.  Pitt 6-15 and the host team Duke 5-15 look like they are outside looking in already.

All most every weekend series  has make it or break it regarding making that top ten to extend their seasons.  Notre Dame visits Wake, Boston College at Carolina.  Virginia at State, Clemson at Georgia  Tech.  Every one of these series can bump the team that sweeps to head of fourth  place class and the team that Gets broomed out of the tournament at least for this week.

Two high profile Major League Baseball players Alex Rodriguez  of the Yankees has played so far for the Yanks has been as good of player as the Yankees have had this year.  Even with that the Yanks are still trying to get out of the contract they are paying A-Rod close to a zillion dollars.  I just don't understand why teams continue to give players over 30 years of Age long term contracts.

The baseball career from almost the first day he was drafted until present day Josh Hamilton has had the fight to stay sober whether alcohol or drugs.  Kicked out of baseball for a period of time rehabbing Hamilton had a relapse just past Christmas and with it divorce.  It is sad when such a talented player is dominated by objects that can ruin a life.

His team the California Angels have asked MLB to suspend him for his latest relapse for drugs.  They like the Yankees are looking to unload a high price players  salary.  There are not many cases when players have been suspended for wrong doing that any team that gambles on signing them ever  gets their money's worth from that player.