Tonight's game with Cary has been moved from Cardinal Gibbons to Athens Drive High. Athens does not have lights and game will start until 6:00pm.
Garner and Rocky Mount played two seven inning games at Legion Field at stake was first place for the team that wins both. Garner beat Cary last night so they came into the game 4-2 and Coleman Pitt 4-1.
The opening game Coleman Pitt sent Cameron Taylor to the hill and for five innings he kept hopes alive allowing just two runs while giving up seven hits. One of those seven hits left the ball park. Brandon Stephens tossed for Garner National and he was stingy to CP 58 giving up just six hits and gave up a seventh inning run that reached on and error and Josh Pittman's RBI single.
Pittman was the lone Coleman Pitt player with multiple hits. Logan Pearce, Tyler Barrett, Noah Schrock and Tyler Sherrod had one each. Cameron Taylor took the loss but his effort was better than the final score 9-1 Garner
Once CP 58 went to the bull pen Garner collect eight hits in innings six and seven. Six of the top seven hitters for Garner had at least two hits totaling 15 in the game. Cole Hinnant three hits including a homer and two RBI,Drake Harris three hits two RBI, Brandon Stephens two hits and RBI and that's just the first three hitters in the lineup. Trevor Heasley, Sammy Chapman and Tucker Rogers all had two hits.
Losing Game one meant the winner of game two would be at least the number two seed. If CP 58 can recover then combined with a win Friday night would own second with Garner falling to third. A Garner win and they grab the top spot in the western division.
There are some games when the final score flashes on the scoreboard 7-0 Garner you think to yourself seemed worse than that. Submarine pitcher Robbie Frongello pitched the first six innings and Coleman Pitt Managed just two hits. 14 of the last 16 batters for Coleman Pitt failed to reach base. A walk and error for the two that did as CP got a single from Logan Pearce in the first and Forest Bell single in the second and after that the bats stayed silent.
This game Garner collect eight hits but seemed every hit follow one of five base on bases by Rocky Mount. Noah Schrock pitched the first four, Trey Wells the fifth and Dawson Sikes the sixth and seventh.
Coleman Pitt closes out their regular season Friday night at Cary. Regardless of the outcome. Rocky Mount has third spot in the playoffs which the second round begins next Friday night at Apex in game one of a three out of five series. Game two will be in Rocky Mount on Saturday the ninth.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
A Great One Gone
There are plenty of you out there that do not remember that women's basketball used to be played with six players and two always stayed down on the defensive end of the court all the time so in essence only two girls ever had to go up and down the full court for a full game. I am assuming that the reason for that is women were not suppose to be as physical as men so they were limited in how much running they did.
The mid 1970's saw Title IX come of age and women's sports especially in colleges had to have the same privileges as men's sports. All across America Colleges and universities looked for Women's coaches in all sports that were now having to be funded just like men. This state Kay Yow took over the basketball team at N C State and the Wolfpack women dominated basketball in this state for several years until the ACC picked it up for women.
The national scene Tennessee went after a young whipper snapper coach by the name of Pat Head to become their basketball coach. Nationally Pat Head quickly took Tennessee to dominance in women's basketball. If you use a comparison to men she was John Wooten of this young age of now women's basketball. She was the best recruiter, best on court coach and she demanded excellence at all times and she got it from her players. Her 38 years she won 1098 games losing only 208. Tennessee won eight national championships.
Ours lives are struck down by two words if we hear them from a doctor. Cancer and Alzheimer's. Every case our first thoughts are death. The treatment of cancer has lead to a survivor rate of more than 50% chance where at this point in the stages Dementia the life expectancy is seven years. Pat Head Summit first noticed strange things with her memory in 2009 and retired from coaching by 2012. The all time winningest division one basketball coach is gone.
I don't even think at this point in research there is enough information to say what causes Dementia but any family that has to live through those seven years know the pain of a person who doesn't even know who you are some days. Just earlier this year Dean Smith went through the same process. Pat Head Summit was knocked down still in the prime of her life. Let's all pray that time is coming when we will know what causes such diseases and a cure and preventative options can be found.
The first pitch in the double header at Legion Field tonight between Garner and Rocky Mount is scheduled for 5:00pm. If you think of high school games then a seven inning game normally last one hour and forty five minutes. That would conclude by 7pm game one is over and around 7:30 game two could start finishing up by say 9:15-9:30. That is a much better finish time than 10:30 for old folks like me who have to get up early and go to work tomorrow before sunrise.
We know many things dictate the pace of a game. Base on balls by pitchers, rain delays. Let us hope as important as these two games are in the standings of Area One Western division that we get quality pitching and may the best team win. Hope we don't get into rain delays pushing us to midnight. Had enough of that during the Raleigh Regional.
Former Rocky Mount High baseball player an a member of the 2008 State Championship baseball team Brian Goodwin was named to the International League All Star team along with teammate Trea Turner. The game is July 13th at Charlotte and of course on TV.
From the category of bad news Hobbs Johnson was released by the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday. This season they were trying to make him into a short reliever and was not progressing to the satisfaction of the Brewers.
The mid 1970's saw Title IX come of age and women's sports especially in colleges had to have the same privileges as men's sports. All across America Colleges and universities looked for Women's coaches in all sports that were now having to be funded just like men. This state Kay Yow took over the basketball team at N C State and the Wolfpack women dominated basketball in this state for several years until the ACC picked it up for women.
The national scene Tennessee went after a young whipper snapper coach by the name of Pat Head to become their basketball coach. Nationally Pat Head quickly took Tennessee to dominance in women's basketball. If you use a comparison to men she was John Wooten of this young age of now women's basketball. She was the best recruiter, best on court coach and she demanded excellence at all times and she got it from her players. Her 38 years she won 1098 games losing only 208. Tennessee won eight national championships.
Ours lives are struck down by two words if we hear them from a doctor. Cancer and Alzheimer's. Every case our first thoughts are death. The treatment of cancer has lead to a survivor rate of more than 50% chance where at this point in the stages Dementia the life expectancy is seven years. Pat Head Summit first noticed strange things with her memory in 2009 and retired from coaching by 2012. The all time winningest division one basketball coach is gone.
I don't even think at this point in research there is enough information to say what causes Dementia but any family that has to live through those seven years know the pain of a person who doesn't even know who you are some days. Just earlier this year Dean Smith went through the same process. Pat Head Summit was knocked down still in the prime of her life. Let's all pray that time is coming when we will know what causes such diseases and a cure and preventative options can be found.
The first pitch in the double header at Legion Field tonight between Garner and Rocky Mount is scheduled for 5:00pm. If you think of high school games then a seven inning game normally last one hour and forty five minutes. That would conclude by 7pm game one is over and around 7:30 game two could start finishing up by say 9:15-9:30. That is a much better finish time than 10:30 for old folks like me who have to get up early and go to work tomorrow before sunrise.
We know many things dictate the pace of a game. Base on balls by pitchers, rain delays. Let us hope as important as these two games are in the standings of Area One Western division that we get quality pitching and may the best team win. Hope we don't get into rain delays pushing us to midnight. Had enough of that during the Raleigh Regional.
Former Rocky Mount High baseball player an a member of the 2008 State Championship baseball team Brian Goodwin was named to the International League All Star team along with teammate Trea Turner. The game is July 13th at Charlotte and of course on TV.
From the category of bad news Hobbs Johnson was released by the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday. This season they were trying to make him into a short reliever and was not progressing to the satisfaction of the Brewers.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Rainout Favors Post 58
Now instead of playing four games in five days Coleman Pitt Post 58 will try to finish it's regular season with three games in two days on Thursday and Friday. I have not talked with Joe Bell Athletic Officer for Post 58 but this is my take on what went down to create Post 58 getting two home games instead one this week and will not play at Garner but instead two games against Garner here Thursday.
First possibility is that the rain on Tuesday and between Garner and Rocky Mount's final week schedule no other day could matched up to play by the end of the regular season. I think we have detailed before the plight of Legion teams in the Triangle area and not having a home field to play their games and when ever they do find an available field they must rent that field for $750 to 1000 per game or even rent them by the hour.
If you recall in 2014 Garner played on Legion Field in Rocky Mount during the playoffs because rent or finding an available field in the Garner area was much easier for them just come play here than pay big bucks rent to stay close to Garner. They also know the playing surface of the field is about as good as any anywhere. The only negative about the field is the neighborhood in which it lies.
So Coleman Pitt now gets to play Garner twice on it's own field instead of one at home and one somewhere in Wake or Johnston County. The only way this can be an advantage is win both games. Playing two seven inning games and playing Cary Friday night at Cary nine innings reduces by four innings worth pitch count on the pitching staff. That applies for Garner too.
Once Joe Bell told me before the season started that we were shifting to the western division I never in my wildest dream had any conception of winning five games this season. I did think we would play 20 games so 5-15 was my guess. The combination of having most of the best players in the area commit to Post 58 for the season and getting more home games than road games because we have a field to play on where others don't Post 58 is on the door step from possibly winning the western division outright or tie for the top spot. Who in their right mind unsure if we would field a team again this season could anybody think we might be the top dog.
Thursday night the place to be will be at Legion Field as Garner 3-2 takes on Post 58 4-1. Both teams can still finish first. The entire season rides on Thursday night's outcome.
Post 58 has it's second college baseball commitment as Rocky Mount Academy pitcher Reid Johnston has announced he will join Legion teammate David Harrison and play baseball at NC State starting in the fall of 2017.
First possibility is that the rain on Tuesday and between Garner and Rocky Mount's final week schedule no other day could matched up to play by the end of the regular season. I think we have detailed before the plight of Legion teams in the Triangle area and not having a home field to play their games and when ever they do find an available field they must rent that field for $750 to 1000 per game or even rent them by the hour.
If you recall in 2014 Garner played on Legion Field in Rocky Mount during the playoffs because rent or finding an available field in the Garner area was much easier for them just come play here than pay big bucks rent to stay close to Garner. They also know the playing surface of the field is about as good as any anywhere. The only negative about the field is the neighborhood in which it lies.
So Coleman Pitt now gets to play Garner twice on it's own field instead of one at home and one somewhere in Wake or Johnston County. The only way this can be an advantage is win both games. Playing two seven inning games and playing Cary Friday night at Cary nine innings reduces by four innings worth pitch count on the pitching staff. That applies for Garner too.
Once Joe Bell told me before the season started that we were shifting to the western division I never in my wildest dream had any conception of winning five games this season. I did think we would play 20 games so 5-15 was my guess. The combination of having most of the best players in the area commit to Post 58 for the season and getting more home games than road games because we have a field to play on where others don't Post 58 is on the door step from possibly winning the western division outright or tie for the top spot. Who in their right mind unsure if we would field a team again this season could anybody think we might be the top dog.
Thursday night the place to be will be at Legion Field as Garner 3-2 takes on Post 58 4-1. Both teams can still finish first. The entire season rides on Thursday night's outcome.
Post 58 has it's second college baseball commitment as Rocky Mount Academy pitcher Reid Johnston has announced he will join Legion teammate David Harrison and play baseball at NC State starting in the fall of 2017.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Much Needed
NO GAME TONIGHT WILL PLAY GARNER A DOUBLEHEADER THURSDAY NIGHT IN ROCKY MOUNT PROBABLE START TIME 6:00PM Two seven inning games
Tonight Coleman Pitt Post 58 began their final week of the regular season with the first of four games in five nights. Just the way the standings were heading into tonight these four could could lead to the regular season top seed in the tournament or as low as fourth. I am being told now that the fourth place team will play the fifth place team with the winner Earning the fourth spot and will play the top seed in the next round.
Tonight Coleman Pitt sent Trey Wells to the mound after Coleman Pitt scored one run in the top of the first using old fashion baseball sacrificing a runner over and waiting for a defensive mistake to lead 1-0. Run two for CP 58 was another runner advance by good baseball and and RBI created run number three.
Wells gave way to Tyler Sherrod in the third and Sherrod held Durham at bay through eight innings. Three runs were all that were needed as Coleman Pitt wins at Durham Post 7 3-2 after Noah Shrock pitched the ninth to earn the save. Sherrod got the win for Post 58 pitching almost five innings. A big difference tonight after Friday night at Apex didn't matter who was on the mound for Post 58 nobody could stop Apex.
This makes Post 58 4-1 in league play and 7-4 overall with three more games left this week. What the victory insures is Post 58 will not be involved in the 4/5 play in game so the worse they can be now is third. Tuesday night CP 58 host Garner who was 3-2 in conference play and since we have them at Garner Thursday these next two games for the most part will be at least the battle for second depending on what Apex 5-2 does by the end of the week
Still first is available by finishing 7-1 or 6-2 might tie Apex and since we split with them your guess is as good as mine About the tie breaker. We cannot forget Garner because they too could finish 6-2 if they win all their games this week including the two against P 58. The importance of finishing first or second is host three of the five games to be played in the next round. Third place will travel three of the five games against the two seed.
The final home game of the regular season is Tuesday night hosting Garner. It is down they stretch they come and for the most part Apex, Rocky Mount and Garner all can still win first, second or third. Garner however is not yet home free of still finishing fourth and having to play in the 4/5 play in game so to say the least This game Tuesday is monumental for both teams. Come watch these kids who made a commitment this season to play Legion ball and bring back to Rocky Mount the fun of must win baseball. We didn't have it here last year and it was missed by all.
Coaching Movements in the Big East and this one is somewhat a surprise that Stevie Hinnant has resigned as Athletic Director and football coach at Hunt High School. The surprise is that Hinnant is stepping down to go in private business with 28 years of coaching at Hunt.
Tonight Coleman Pitt Post 58 began their final week of the regular season with the first of four games in five nights. Just the way the standings were heading into tonight these four could could lead to the regular season top seed in the tournament or as low as fourth. I am being told now that the fourth place team will play the fifth place team with the winner Earning the fourth spot and will play the top seed in the next round.
Tonight Coleman Pitt sent Trey Wells to the mound after Coleman Pitt scored one run in the top of the first using old fashion baseball sacrificing a runner over and waiting for a defensive mistake to lead 1-0. Run two for CP 58 was another runner advance by good baseball and and RBI created run number three.
Wells gave way to Tyler Sherrod in the third and Sherrod held Durham at bay through eight innings. Three runs were all that were needed as Coleman Pitt wins at Durham Post 7 3-2 after Noah Shrock pitched the ninth to earn the save. Sherrod got the win for Post 58 pitching almost five innings. A big difference tonight after Friday night at Apex didn't matter who was on the mound for Post 58 nobody could stop Apex.
This makes Post 58 4-1 in league play and 7-4 overall with three more games left this week. What the victory insures is Post 58 will not be involved in the 4/5 play in game so the worse they can be now is third. Tuesday night CP 58 host Garner who was 3-2 in conference play and since we have them at Garner Thursday these next two games for the most part will be at least the battle for second depending on what Apex 5-2 does by the end of the week
Still first is available by finishing 7-1 or 6-2 might tie Apex and since we split with them your guess is as good as mine About the tie breaker. We cannot forget Garner because they too could finish 6-2 if they win all their games this week including the two against P 58. The importance of finishing first or second is host three of the five games to be played in the next round. Third place will travel three of the five games against the two seed.
The final home game of the regular season is Tuesday night hosting Garner. It is down they stretch they come and for the most part Apex, Rocky Mount and Garner all can still win first, second or third. Garner however is not yet home free of still finishing fourth and having to play in the 4/5 play in game so to say the least This game Tuesday is monumental for both teams. Come watch these kids who made a commitment this season to play Legion ball and bring back to Rocky Mount the fun of must win baseball. We didn't have it here last year and it was missed by all.
Coaching Movements in the Big East and this one is somewhat a surprise that Stevie Hinnant has resigned as Athletic Director and football coach at Hunt High School. The surprise is that Hinnant is stepping down to go in private business with 28 years of coaching at Hunt.
Final Week Stretch Run
Friday night is the last night of Legion regular season baseball. There are only five teams in the western division so there will be a three out of five series between 1/4 and 2/3 starting Tuesday July 5th at the highest seed for the first game and alternate there after.
Coleman Pitt Post 58 stands at 3-1 in the division. Apex is 5-2 and percentage wise is in a dead heat with Post 58 for first. Their advantage is they have two more wins than we have and we must earn those victories this week. Garner is 3-2 and Post 58 meets them twice this week. Durham stands 2-4 and Cary 1-5.
This afternoon at 5 pm post 58 travels to Durham and it is a must win for Post 58 in order to stay ahead of them. Tuesday Coleman Pitt host Garner and these two games with Garner will determine who gets second assuming Apex gets the top spot. Friday night P 58 finishes up the regular season at Cary and that is another need to win to stay in front of Cary.
The winner of the 1/4-2/3 clash would then compete in the battle for the western division title and that winner would face the eastern division for seeding purposes for the state tournament. This is the year the east has two teams iin the state tournament so the only reason to play would be to say East number one. There have been in the past a coin flip by the teams so they would not waste pitchers for the state tournament. If only one team got a bid then there would be a three out of five.
This week will be a four game week in five days which will be the busiest stretch all year. It will surely test the depth of Post 58 pitching. Should P 58 win all four they will at least tie for first and be either 1st or 2nd when the playoff starts and get three home games in a three out of five playoff.
If they go 2-2 depending on who the two losses are they could drop to third and only two home games in a three out of five series. It would be a nice start to this final week if they can win tonight in Durham. The game is at Trinity High at 5pm.
Every player of every sport performs better when they have people supporting them in the stands. Tuesday night as Coleman Pitt heads down the stretch of another season their positioning for the playoffs they need bunches of people supporting them. Why don't you be one of them.
Coleman Pitt Post 58 stands at 3-1 in the division. Apex is 5-2 and percentage wise is in a dead heat with Post 58 for first. Their advantage is they have two more wins than we have and we must earn those victories this week. Garner is 3-2 and Post 58 meets them twice this week. Durham stands 2-4 and Cary 1-5.
This afternoon at 5 pm post 58 travels to Durham and it is a must win for Post 58 in order to stay ahead of them. Tuesday Coleman Pitt host Garner and these two games with Garner will determine who gets second assuming Apex gets the top spot. Friday night P 58 finishes up the regular season at Cary and that is another need to win to stay in front of Cary.
The winner of the 1/4-2/3 clash would then compete in the battle for the western division title and that winner would face the eastern division for seeding purposes for the state tournament. This is the year the east has two teams iin the state tournament so the only reason to play would be to say East number one. There have been in the past a coin flip by the teams so they would not waste pitchers for the state tournament. If only one team got a bid then there would be a three out of five.
This week will be a four game week in five days which will be the busiest stretch all year. It will surely test the depth of Post 58 pitching. Should P 58 win all four they will at least tie for first and be either 1st or 2nd when the playoff starts and get three home games in a three out of five playoff.
If they go 2-2 depending on who the two losses are they could drop to third and only two home games in a three out of five series. It would be a nice start to this final week if they can win tonight in Durham. The game is at Trinity High at 5pm.
Every player of every sport performs better when they have people supporting them in the stands. Tuesday night as Coleman Pitt heads down the stretch of another season their positioning for the playoffs they need bunches of people supporting them. Why don't you be one of them.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Sports Is All About The Future
We as fans think that last night's game is the end of the world when we lose. The Warriors were the talk of the NBA as one of the greatest teams ever and in a week they are never going to win again. I guess the only question unresolved was Curry's knee injury not healed causing his terrible week?
Not that long ago people in Raleigh were ready to fire Mark Gottfried after the Pack basketball team failed to win as many games as losing and it seemed as if every player was jumping ship. The twins left and who could blame Cat from leaving even though no one was predicting him as a first round pick.
The bottom of the world had fallen on NC State. They would be a bottom of the barrell feeder again next year and it is time to find a new coach. Since they have signed one of the best big men in the country and two guards that are at least four star prospect that everyone wanted. Several possible returning players who were rumored that might leave stayed and all of a sudden the Pack might turn into a top ten team if all these players are as good as rated.
Win a game today the world is great. Lose tomorrow and the world is ending. Football you have a week to celebrate or cry depending on the outcome of the last game. Basketball you play at least twice a week so there is less time between. Baseball can be an everyday game with only let's go again tonight. There is that old saying you are never as good as you think and as bad as it seems.
Before Friday night both Arizona and Coastal Carolina were both on their death bed having lost their first games in the College World Series. Both teams were facing teams that they were going to have to beat twice. Arizona would have to take down Oklahoma State and Coastal would get to face TCU.
Is it possible that one of those could win two in a row and upset the team that only needs one win Friday or if it takes just one win on Saturday. Lo and behold not only did Arizona and Coastal Carolina win Friday but they both win again Saturday and the Big 12 will have no one in the finals after having three in the final eight.
Coastal Carolina just two weeks ago had to have a rain shower after midnight halt play in Raleigh. Without the rain they lose and never get a chance to come back the next afternoon and beat NC State.
Not that long ago people in Raleigh were ready to fire Mark Gottfried after the Pack basketball team failed to win as many games as losing and it seemed as if every player was jumping ship. The twins left and who could blame Cat from leaving even though no one was predicting him as a first round pick.
The bottom of the world had fallen on NC State. They would be a bottom of the barrell feeder again next year and it is time to find a new coach. Since they have signed one of the best big men in the country and two guards that are at least four star prospect that everyone wanted. Several possible returning players who were rumored that might leave stayed and all of a sudden the Pack might turn into a top ten team if all these players are as good as rated.
Win a game today the world is great. Lose tomorrow and the world is ending. Football you have a week to celebrate or cry depending on the outcome of the last game. Basketball you play at least twice a week so there is less time between. Baseball can be an everyday game with only let's go again tonight. There is that old saying you are never as good as you think and as bad as it seems.
Before Friday night both Arizona and Coastal Carolina were both on their death bed having lost their first games in the College World Series. Both teams were facing teams that they were going to have to beat twice. Arizona would have to take down Oklahoma State and Coastal would get to face TCU.
Is it possible that one of those could win two in a row and upset the team that only needs one win Friday or if it takes just one win on Saturday. Lo and behold not only did Arizona and Coastal Carolina win Friday but they both win again Saturday and the Big 12 will have no one in the finals after having three in the final eight.
Coastal Carolina just two weeks ago had to have a rain shower after midnight halt play in Raleigh. Without the rain they lose and never get a chance to come back the next afternoon and beat NC State.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Taken To The Wood Shed
Legion baseball season in most years is just a little more than a month and most seasons 20 games are played in 30 days. That has not happened for Coleman Pitt Post 58 this season as tonight was one month to the day since the start of the season and Post 58 was playing game ten and only their fourth in the last two plus weeks. There is something in our life to routine and it is hard to have a routine when you are not playing at least four nights a week.
Nine days ago Post 58 hosted Apex Post 124 and in Rocky Mount it took twelve innings before Post 58 pulled out a 3-2 win. Tonight at Apex High School the first inning was a draw but Apex put together multiple runs in the second and third inning to run off to a 10-0 lead over Coleman Pitt. Cameron Taylor started for Post 58 but he was replaced by TreyWells, Noah Shrock and Tyler Sherrod.
To Post 58's credit they didn't go quietly as they cut the lead to 10-2, Apex made it 11-2 then 11-3 and by the end of the sixth inning 13-3. P 58 added three in the 7th to cut the lead to 13-6. It looked like they may not get mercy ruled tonight but Apex plates three in the bottom of the Seventh to win in seven 16-6.
Apex pounded out 20 hits in seven innings. Post 58 must regroup suffering their first defeat in division play and return to action Monday night at Cary. Tonight's loss stops a six game winning streak and the stand 6-4 and 3-1.
The College World Series is down to four teams and Friday the two undefeated teams Oklahoma St and TCU had chances to go undefeated in their Brackets and qualify for the two out of three final which starts Monday.
Arizona did everything they could do and by beating Oklahoma State 9-3 they have forced a winner take all double elimination game Saturday with the winner advancing to Monday's finals. Coastal Carolina has become the darling of the College World Series and they sent their ace Andrew Beckwith back to the mound for the second time this week with the same result. A 4-1 victory for Coastal Carolina over TCU causing a double header Saturday winner take all for the right to make it to the final two teams.
Nine days ago Post 58 hosted Apex Post 124 and in Rocky Mount it took twelve innings before Post 58 pulled out a 3-2 win. Tonight at Apex High School the first inning was a draw but Apex put together multiple runs in the second and third inning to run off to a 10-0 lead over Coleman Pitt. Cameron Taylor started for Post 58 but he was replaced by TreyWells, Noah Shrock and Tyler Sherrod.
To Post 58's credit they didn't go quietly as they cut the lead to 10-2, Apex made it 11-2 then 11-3 and by the end of the sixth inning 13-3. P 58 added three in the 7th to cut the lead to 13-6. It looked like they may not get mercy ruled tonight but Apex plates three in the bottom of the Seventh to win in seven 16-6.
Apex pounded out 20 hits in seven innings. Post 58 must regroup suffering their first defeat in division play and return to action Monday night at Cary. Tonight's loss stops a six game winning streak and the stand 6-4 and 3-1.
The College World Series is down to four teams and Friday the two undefeated teams Oklahoma St and TCU had chances to go undefeated in their Brackets and qualify for the two out of three final which starts Monday.
Arizona did everything they could do and by beating Oklahoma State 9-3 they have forced a winner take all double elimination game Saturday with the winner advancing to Monday's finals. Coastal Carolina has become the darling of the College World Series and they sent their ace Andrew Beckwith back to the mound for the second time this week with the same result. A 4-1 victory for Coastal Carolina over TCU causing a double header Saturday winner take all for the right to make it to the final two teams.
Taken To The Wood Shed
Legion baseball season in most years is just a little more than a month and most seasons 20 games are played in 30 days. That has not happened for Coleman Pitt Post 58 this season as tonight was one month to the day since the start of the season and Post 58 was playing game ten and only their fourth in the last two plus weeks. There is something in our life to routine and it is hard to have a routine when you are not playing at least four nights a week.
Nine days ago Post 58 hosted Apex Post 124 and in Rocky Mount it took twelve innings before Post 58 pulled at a 3-2 win. Tonight at Apex High School the first inning was a draw but Apex put together multiple runs in the second and third inning to run off to a 10-0 lead over Coleman Pitt. Cameron Taylor started for Post 58 but he was replaced by TreyWells, Noah Shrock and Tyler Sherrod.
To Post 58's credit they didn't go quietly as they cut the lead to 10-2, Apex made it 11-2 then 11-3 and by the end of the sixth inning 13-3. P 58 added three in the 7th to cut the lead to 13-6. It looked like they may not get mercy ruled tonight but Apex plates three in the bottom of the Seventh to win in seven 16-6.
Apex pounded out 20 hits in seven innings. Post 58 must regroup suffering their first defeat in division play and return to action Monday night at Cary. Tonight's loss stops a six game winning streak and the stand 6-4 and 3-1.
The College World Series is down to four teams and Friday the two undefeated teams Oklahoma St and TCU had chances to go undefeated in their Brackets and qualify for the two out of three final which starts Monday.
Arizona did everything they could do and by beating Oklahoma State 9-3 they have forced a winner take all double elimination game Saturday with the winner advancing to Monday's finals. Coastal Carolina has become the darling of the College World Series and they sent their ace Andrew Beckwith back to the mound for the second time this week with the same result. A 4-1 victory for Coastal Carolina over TCU causing a double header Saturday winner take all for the right to make it to the final two teams.
Nine days ago Post 58 hosted Apex Post 124 and in Rocky Mount it took twelve innings before Post 58 pulled at a 3-2 win. Tonight at Apex High School the first inning was a draw but Apex put together multiple runs in the second and third inning to run off to a 10-0 lead over Coleman Pitt. Cameron Taylor started for Post 58 but he was replaced by TreyWells, Noah Shrock and Tyler Sherrod.
To Post 58's credit they didn't go quietly as they cut the lead to 10-2, Apex made it 11-2 then 11-3 and by the end of the sixth inning 13-3. P 58 added three in the 7th to cut the lead to 13-6. It looked like they may not get mercy ruled tonight but Apex plates three in the bottom of the Seventh to win in seven 16-6.
Apex pounded out 20 hits in seven innings. Post 58 must regroup suffering their first defeat in division play and return to action Monday night at Cary. Tonight's loss stops a six game winning streak and the stand 6-4 and 3-1.
The College World Series is down to four teams and Friday the two undefeated teams Oklahoma St and TCU had chances to go undefeated in their Brackets and qualify for the two out of three final which starts Monday.
Arizona did everything they could do and by beating Oklahoma State 9-3 they have forced a winner take all double elimination game Saturday with the winner advancing to Monday's finals. Coastal Carolina has become the darling of the College World Series and they sent their ace Andrew Beckwith back to the mound for the second time this week with the same result. A 4-1 victory for Coastal Carolina over TCU causing a double header Saturday winner take all for the right to make it to the final two teams.
Gurley Makes NFL Top 25
The NFL for the past several years during the off season has filled tv time with a ten week Wednesday night NFL Top 100 Players. They have made it down to the top 20 and standing at number 22 is Tarboro High's Todd Gurley.
Not bad at all for a player drafted by the then St Louis Rams in the first round and Gurley was recovering from knee surgery that ended his college career before the end of his third season. Top that off the Rams took extra special care and did not let Gurley see the field until the second half of game number three.
All he did was win rookie of the year rushing for over a thousand yards in just 13 games. Now that the Rams call LA home Gurley will now perform in the second biggest market and we all know that if you play in New York the media capital of the world you get extra attention as the greatest players and now with LA and back in the limelight you know Gurley with be on highlight reels every time he carries the ball. If he is the 22nd best player in the NFL and only played in 13 games where would he be if he had of played every game?
Kinston's Brandon Ingram is the property of LA Lakers as he was drafted second in the NBA draft Thursday night. Good time to be a Laker now that Kobe has finally retired.
We all are proud of our children for being the kind of people that they become and some moments they achieve levels in life we never dreamed possible. July my son Brooks who if you have looked at this blog much know that he is a Triathlon coach based in Raleigh and he has been invited to conduct three weeks of training camps for some of the best Tri runners in the USA.
He will be heading to Colorado Springs Colorado to the US Olympic Training Center. Top notch Tri Athlon athletes the best the USA has will work with Brooks a week at the time. It will not happen this Olympic year but a father's hope is I can attend the next Olympics at watch him coach a metal winner.
Coleman Pitt Post 58 is on the road tonight in Apex. They stand 3-0 in the Western Division of Area one. They are home again Tuesday when they host Garner.
Coastal Carolina us still alive in College World Series after a 7-5 win over Texas Tech. They have to beat TCU twice tonight and Saturday.
Not bad at all for a player drafted by the then St Louis Rams in the first round and Gurley was recovering from knee surgery that ended his college career before the end of his third season. Top that off the Rams took extra special care and did not let Gurley see the field until the second half of game number three.
All he did was win rookie of the year rushing for over a thousand yards in just 13 games. Now that the Rams call LA home Gurley will now perform in the second biggest market and we all know that if you play in New York the media capital of the world you get extra attention as the greatest players and now with LA and back in the limelight you know Gurley with be on highlight reels every time he carries the ball. If he is the 22nd best player in the NFL and only played in 13 games where would he be if he had of played every game?
Kinston's Brandon Ingram is the property of LA Lakers as he was drafted second in the NBA draft Thursday night. Good time to be a Laker now that Kobe has finally retired.
We all are proud of our children for being the kind of people that they become and some moments they achieve levels in life we never dreamed possible. July my son Brooks who if you have looked at this blog much know that he is a Triathlon coach based in Raleigh and he has been invited to conduct three weeks of training camps for some of the best Tri runners in the USA.
He will be heading to Colorado Springs Colorado to the US Olympic Training Center. Top notch Tri Athlon athletes the best the USA has will work with Brooks a week at the time. It will not happen this Olympic year but a father's hope is I can attend the next Olympics at watch him coach a metal winner.
Coleman Pitt Post 58 is on the road tonight in Apex. They stand 3-0 in the Western Division of Area one. They are home again Tuesday when they host Garner.
Coastal Carolina us still alive in College World Series after a 7-5 win over Texas Tech. They have to beat TCU twice tonight and Saturday.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Ball Park Quiet Tonight
The ten years that I have done PA for Post 58 there have been many changes that have occurred. Lance Peck was the coach my first year and it had been decided that Legion baseball needed to be politically correct and they started rotating high school fields to play the games. The first year I started at Nash Central. Year two called Rocky Mount Academy home.
Year three a young wipper snapper named Matt Bryan coached two years and by 2009 lead Post 58 to their first ever Legion State Championship State Tournament. Post 58 has one state Championship ship to it credit but the title was won when the teams play series against each other not eight teams in a double elimination style.
2010 Hank Jones was now in charge and he returned Coleman Pitt back to the state Tournament. 2013 Rocky Mount High School no longer uses Gryphon Stadium as they have on site field now so Post 58 leases the stadium and changes the name to Legion Field. 2015 is a dry year as Post 58 failed to field a team. 2016 back at Legion field.
The Last several years teams through out eastern North Carolina have plenty of trouble keeping teams in tact all season and many games are lost by teams failing to have enough players to travel. Oddly enough after sitting out a year Post 58 has a full compliment of players again but still others have trouble getting their teams to scheduled games.
It happened again tonight as Durham called and since this was an extra game that would not count as a conference game they reneged and said they didn't have enough players to make the trip. Rain outs cancellations and Post 58 has a real nice ball club. Here we have reached almost a week left in June and Post 58 has played only nine games.
Four of their final five games left on the schedule are on the road at Apex, Durham, Garner and Cary. Next Tuesday they play their final regular season home game hosting Garner. Standing at 3-0 there is a good chance in a three out of five first round series they should get two home games. They will need to win three of the five games left on the schedule. Anything less and they might not have the home field advantage.
These 11 years I have witnessed some great players who have played for the teams P 58 have played. Many who have been on P58's side have played college and some even more. There have been rain delays, rainouts, cancellations and at least two out of ever three games have been P 58 wins. I hope this year's team still has many playoff wins ahead. The pressbox has been a good place to be all these years. I hope there are more playoff wins left for this year's team than games that they have played.
Year three a young wipper snapper named Matt Bryan coached two years and by 2009 lead Post 58 to their first ever Legion State Championship State Tournament. Post 58 has one state Championship ship to it credit but the title was won when the teams play series against each other not eight teams in a double elimination style.
2010 Hank Jones was now in charge and he returned Coleman Pitt back to the state Tournament. 2013 Rocky Mount High School no longer uses Gryphon Stadium as they have on site field now so Post 58 leases the stadium and changes the name to Legion Field. 2015 is a dry year as Post 58 failed to field a team. 2016 back at Legion field.
The Last several years teams through out eastern North Carolina have plenty of trouble keeping teams in tact all season and many games are lost by teams failing to have enough players to travel. Oddly enough after sitting out a year Post 58 has a full compliment of players again but still others have trouble getting their teams to scheduled games.
It happened again tonight as Durham called and since this was an extra game that would not count as a conference game they reneged and said they didn't have enough players to make the trip. Rain outs cancellations and Post 58 has a real nice ball club. Here we have reached almost a week left in June and Post 58 has played only nine games.
Four of their final five games left on the schedule are on the road at Apex, Durham, Garner and Cary. Next Tuesday they play their final regular season home game hosting Garner. Standing at 3-0 there is a good chance in a three out of five first round series they should get two home games. They will need to win three of the five games left on the schedule. Anything less and they might not have the home field advantage.
These 11 years I have witnessed some great players who have played for the teams P 58 have played. Many who have been on P58's side have played college and some even more. There have been rain delays, rainouts, cancellations and at least two out of ever three games have been P 58 wins. I hope this year's team still has many playoff wins ahead. The pressbox has been a good place to be all these years. I hope there are more playoff wins left for this year's team than games that they have played.
Open Letter To Sherrod Greene
NO LEGION GAME TONIGHT! Durham has cancelled on their trip for a non conference game here tonight. Our final regular season home game is June 28th 7pm against Garner
We have recently had several athletes in the Twin Counties that have been able to obtain schlorship offers from some very high caliber division one schools. Todd Gurley from Tarboro found the University of Georgia for his college home for football. Montrezl Harrell went to Louisville in basketball and started out in high school at North Edgecombe. Both Hobbs Johnson and Benton Moss played baseball at Carolina after pitching at RMHS. All four were good enough that they are all playing professional sports.
We all that watched Todd Gurley at Tarboro all could see he was a man child and if healthy he was going to make it big. He has been as he was offensive rookie of the year in the NFL even after finishing his college career in a cast with a knee injury.
Montrezl was just plain bigger than anyone else around here but it surely looked like he had a real chance in pro basketball after a successful three years in Louisville and he was rewarded by being a top 35 pick in the NBA draft and property of the Houston Rockets.
Both Hobbs and Benton as good as they were in college are plodding along in minor league baseball trying to each year step up to another level. What this is all leading up too as all these players were highly sought after in high school just like what is happening to you Sherrod Greene right now. Scouts have rated you at least a grade three prospect and in some cases a four. You have been invited to all kinds of football camps including a recent trip to Bama who in turn after watching you offered you a football free ride.
I know it is a dream come true to hear from all these schools that you watch on tv every Saturday and they play in major Bowl Games or even in National Championship games. Remember this where ever you go there are going to be a whole freshman class full of players just like you rated a three or four. Then you have the other sixty players with more college experience than you already on the team.
Remember your family if you go out of state they can drive to Greenville, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham or Winston six weekends out of the year to watch you Play. It will be hard to ever go to
Tuscaloosa once a season and Bama closes game to Rocky Mount over the next five years is Columbia SC or Knoxville Tennessee.
There is no doubt you are a special football player and plenty of people in the football world know about you. My only advise go to a school where you can make a difference in the team. Would you rather be on the kickoff team for a team that might play for the national championship or be known as a player that helped turn a program around. Boy when I was in high school I would have loved to have your decisions.
Tonight Coleman Pitt is home against Durham Post 7. Until the playoffs Post 58 is down to tonight a another home game next Tuesday with Garner and four road games left. If you haven't seen them yet you are running out of Opportunities.
Last Night John Haggerty was behind the plate in the losers bracket game between Florida and Texas Tech. It has to be the biggest night of John's life in his baseball umpire life. He had a really good game. How does and umpire have a good game? When it is over he walks off the field and during the tv high lights they make mention of you making the right call on one of the biggest plays of the game.
We have recently had several athletes in the Twin Counties that have been able to obtain schlorship offers from some very high caliber division one schools. Todd Gurley from Tarboro found the University of Georgia for his college home for football. Montrezl Harrell went to Louisville in basketball and started out in high school at North Edgecombe. Both Hobbs Johnson and Benton Moss played baseball at Carolina after pitching at RMHS. All four were good enough that they are all playing professional sports.
We all that watched Todd Gurley at Tarboro all could see he was a man child and if healthy he was going to make it big. He has been as he was offensive rookie of the year in the NFL even after finishing his college career in a cast with a knee injury.
Montrezl was just plain bigger than anyone else around here but it surely looked like he had a real chance in pro basketball after a successful three years in Louisville and he was rewarded by being a top 35 pick in the NBA draft and property of the Houston Rockets.
Both Hobbs and Benton as good as they were in college are plodding along in minor league baseball trying to each year step up to another level. What this is all leading up too as all these players were highly sought after in high school just like what is happening to you Sherrod Greene right now. Scouts have rated you at least a grade three prospect and in some cases a four. You have been invited to all kinds of football camps including a recent trip to Bama who in turn after watching you offered you a football free ride.
I know it is a dream come true to hear from all these schools that you watch on tv every Saturday and they play in major Bowl Games or even in National Championship games. Remember this where ever you go there are going to be a whole freshman class full of players just like you rated a three or four. Then you have the other sixty players with more college experience than you already on the team.
Remember your family if you go out of state they can drive to Greenville, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham or Winston six weekends out of the year to watch you Play. It will be hard to ever go to
Tuscaloosa once a season and Bama closes game to Rocky Mount over the next five years is Columbia SC or Knoxville Tennessee.
There is no doubt you are a special football player and plenty of people in the football world know about you. My only advise go to a school where you can make a difference in the team. Would you rather be on the kickoff team for a team that might play for the national championship or be known as a player that helped turn a program around. Boy when I was in high school I would have loved to have your decisions.
Tonight Coleman Pitt is home against Durham Post 7. Until the playoffs Post 58 is down to tonight a another home game next Tuesday with Garner and four road games left. If you haven't seen them yet you are running out of Opportunities.
Last Night John Haggerty was behind the plate in the losers bracket game between Florida and Texas Tech. It has to be the biggest night of John's life in his baseball umpire life. He had a really good game. How does and umpire have a good game? When it is over he walks off the field and during the tv high lights they make mention of you making the right call on one of the biggest plays of the game.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Shining Moment For Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina is in Conway South Carolina. Doesn't matter what sport Coastal plays one of the best recruiting tools they have is to say we are fives miles from Myrtle Beach. Sunday night in their first game ever in the College World Series Coastal used the the same formula that they use in the Raleigh Regional and in the Super Regional in Baton Rouge Pitching and timely hitting.
They knocked off the top team in the overall tournament Florida 2-1 to advance to the winners game in their bracket Tuesday against TCU. Baseball however was not the biggest event of the day for Coastal. Dustin Johnson is a former golfer from Coastal who over the last five years has more near misses in the Major golf tournaments than any other player.
He has had a penalty that knocked him out of a playoff. A three putt from ten feet on the last hole of last year's open cost him dearly. Sunday another penalty did not deter Johnson as he won going away to win his first major golf title. Not a bad Sunday at all for the beach school of 10,000 students.
I have not enjoyed at all watching the NBA finals. There were too many blowouts and the fourth quarter Sunday night was a prime example of why I am not an NBA fan. I hate the offense that the last four minutes the Cavs used letting LeBron stand outside the three point line and most of he time shoot or drive to the basket while his teammates all go find a corner and get out of the way.
The other end of the court the Warriors lived by the three and they died by it too. Yes when three pointers go in it is exciting. This season and last they made those ridiculous long range shots but during the four losses they made nothing in any of the fourth quarters.
The biggest thing I hate about the NBA is any shot taken inside of ten feet is like running off tackle in the NFL. Too much pushing and shoving and tackling.
I could care less about LeBron winning a title and being the MVP. I am glad for the city of Cleveland who has gone through so many jokes about being a losers city. There is something about winning a championship for any city that everyone who lives there proudly say I'm from Cleveland. Just using Rocky Mount as an example the basketball team in 2010 winning the State Title in basketball after the 2009 economic depression we went through help us all feel better about life. After four State titles in the last eight years everyone in the state knows about Rocky Mount.
They knocked off the top team in the overall tournament Florida 2-1 to advance to the winners game in their bracket Tuesday against TCU. Baseball however was not the biggest event of the day for Coastal. Dustin Johnson is a former golfer from Coastal who over the last five years has more near misses in the Major golf tournaments than any other player.
He has had a penalty that knocked him out of a playoff. A three putt from ten feet on the last hole of last year's open cost him dearly. Sunday another penalty did not deter Johnson as he won going away to win his first major golf title. Not a bad Sunday at all for the beach school of 10,000 students.
I have not enjoyed at all watching the NBA finals. There were too many blowouts and the fourth quarter Sunday night was a prime example of why I am not an NBA fan. I hate the offense that the last four minutes the Cavs used letting LeBron stand outside the three point line and most of he time shoot or drive to the basket while his teammates all go find a corner and get out of the way.
The other end of the court the Warriors lived by the three and they died by it too. Yes when three pointers go in it is exciting. This season and last they made those ridiculous long range shots but during the four losses they made nothing in any of the fourth quarters.
The biggest thing I hate about the NBA is any shot taken inside of ten feet is like running off tackle in the NFL. Too much pushing and shoving and tackling.
I could care less about LeBron winning a title and being the MVP. I am glad for the city of Cleveland who has gone through so many jokes about being a losers city. There is something about winning a championship for any city that everyone who lives there proudly say I'm from Cleveland. Just using Rocky Mount as an example the basketball team in 2010 winning the State Title in basketball after the 2009 economic depression we went through help us all feel better about life. After four State titles in the last eight years everyone in the state knows about Rocky Mount.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Two Hit Whit
It has been about a month now since Whit Merrifield got the call to the major leagues. All of those local Rocky Mount folks who know the Merrifield family still here in Rocky Mount are thrilled at a some what local player Whit Merrifield is tearing it up now that he calls The Kansas City Royals home.
Whit who has always known Advance as home and his only trips to the City On The Rise were to visit Kin folks. Merrifield has now played in 27 games since he became a major leaguer and in those games has 39 hits or about a hit and a half per game. The radio and TV crew for the Royals have nicknamed Whit "Two Hit Whit" since it seems he gets two hits every game.
His batting average is 339 in 27 games. Ten doubles, a triple, two home runs and has 12 RBI in which four came Saturday night which is his career high in one game. It has taken the hero of Carolina's (South Carolina) first College World Series victory into his sixth year before he got the call to play in the really big stadiums. He is hitting so well and getting on base so much he has now become the Royals lead off hitter.
Merrifield is doing it on the field and he was even featured in the New York Times Sunday in a story featuring his family including Granddad Bill Sr. Now at 86 he has been seen at many of the Royal away games having driven from Advance. It took six years of riding buses in the minors. The start that Whit Merrifield has had there will be no going back now. He's in the Majors to stay.
The Rocky Mount Telegram featured a story also Sunday of John Haggerty from right here who this week is in Omaha Nebraska where he is working as an umpire. All of us who have ever seen John umpire baseball games knows he is one of the best any where and making it to Omaha proves it.
I remember several years ago making comment on this blog as I had been to Raleigh to see ECU and State baseball on a Wednesday night with Billy Godwin as coach of ECU and Elliot Avent for the Pack and Even the umpire behind the plate was from Nash County John Haggerty.
The World Series has two crews. Two veteran College World Series Umps who are the crew chiefs, two rookies and four that have been there before. Working in a crew of four that means by Tuesday night John will have worked a game behind the plate. That's the ultimate of a career that started while John was still in high school. Congratulation Mr Clean!!!!!!!
Whit who has always known Advance as home and his only trips to the City On The Rise were to visit Kin folks. Merrifield has now played in 27 games since he became a major leaguer and in those games has 39 hits or about a hit and a half per game. The radio and TV crew for the Royals have nicknamed Whit "Two Hit Whit" since it seems he gets two hits every game.
His batting average is 339 in 27 games. Ten doubles, a triple, two home runs and has 12 RBI in which four came Saturday night which is his career high in one game. It has taken the hero of Carolina's (South Carolina) first College World Series victory into his sixth year before he got the call to play in the really big stadiums. He is hitting so well and getting on base so much he has now become the Royals lead off hitter.
Merrifield is doing it on the field and he was even featured in the New York Times Sunday in a story featuring his family including Granddad Bill Sr. Now at 86 he has been seen at many of the Royal away games having driven from Advance. It took six years of riding buses in the minors. The start that Whit Merrifield has had there will be no going back now. He's in the Majors to stay.
The Rocky Mount Telegram featured a story also Sunday of John Haggerty from right here who this week is in Omaha Nebraska where he is working as an umpire. All of us who have ever seen John umpire baseball games knows he is one of the best any where and making it to Omaha proves it.
I remember several years ago making comment on this blog as I had been to Raleigh to see ECU and State baseball on a Wednesday night with Billy Godwin as coach of ECU and Elliot Avent for the Pack and Even the umpire behind the plate was from Nash County John Haggerty.
The World Series has two crews. Two veteran College World Series Umps who are the crew chiefs, two rookies and four that have been there before. Working in a crew of four that means by Tuesday night John will have worked a game behind the plate. That's the ultimate of a career that started while John was still in high school. Congratulation Mr Clean!!!!!!!
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Thoughts
I was thinking about possibly hopping a jet and fly to Oakland for game seven in the NBA finals. I was thinking about a seat courtside and they are only 40,000 dollars. It is hard to believe people are willing to spent that kind of money.
The weather has caused a jumble at the US Open having to finish round two Saturday morning. I really do like watching golf up to eight of clock on a Saturday night. Darkness caused play to stop Saturday night so the leaders will play more than one round this day. I do like watching the pros when a missed shot becomes a challenge and all of them have their moments when they look like me. The only difference between me and them is I play like me on every hole and they play like me one hole a tournament.
I have just gone on the Syracuse Chiefs Website and voted for Brian Goodwin for the AAA All Star team. It has nothing to do with being a Brian Goodwin homer. So far this season Brian is having his best year in the pros. He is hitting 304 which leads the Chiefs in batting. He has played in 63 games batted 230 times with 70 hits. He has scored 28 times, has 17 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 33 RBI leads the team.
These are really the type numbers that players get called to the big club. However Brian is paid by the Washington Nationals who are loaded with outfielders and veteran players making big money. It looks as his only hope to play in Washington will be for a couple of major injuries have to attack the Nationals. There are 31 other teams and the way he is playing he is now a hot commodity for others who might need an outfielder. Sure seems his best shot to the majors is some where besides playing in the National's Organization.
Talking with coach Hank Jones in the Post 58 dugout before their game Friday night against Durham he is very pleased with every players attitude on this year's squad. There has been 19 players for most of the season and only 9 or 10 start any game if you use a DH. There has not been any moaning and Groaning about playing time by anybody.
One of the ways Joe Bell the Athletic Officer who is the schedule maker with Hank they have tried to do every thing they can to make sure those who want to play travel ball on weekends or those that can't live without the beach they have had only one Saturday on the schedule. There are so many things pulling on the lives of teenagers these days that in order for Post 58 to maintain a team they have had to change the old ways of making an announcement when tryouts are and thirty show up.
The weather has caused a jumble at the US Open having to finish round two Saturday morning. I really do like watching golf up to eight of clock on a Saturday night. Darkness caused play to stop Saturday night so the leaders will play more than one round this day. I do like watching the pros when a missed shot becomes a challenge and all of them have their moments when they look like me. The only difference between me and them is I play like me on every hole and they play like me one hole a tournament.
I have just gone on the Syracuse Chiefs Website and voted for Brian Goodwin for the AAA All Star team. It has nothing to do with being a Brian Goodwin homer. So far this season Brian is having his best year in the pros. He is hitting 304 which leads the Chiefs in batting. He has played in 63 games batted 230 times with 70 hits. He has scored 28 times, has 17 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 33 RBI leads the team.
These are really the type numbers that players get called to the big club. However Brian is paid by the Washington Nationals who are loaded with outfielders and veteran players making big money. It looks as his only hope to play in Washington will be for a couple of major injuries have to attack the Nationals. There are 31 other teams and the way he is playing he is now a hot commodity for others who might need an outfielder. Sure seems his best shot to the majors is some where besides playing in the National's Organization.
Talking with coach Hank Jones in the Post 58 dugout before their game Friday night against Durham he is very pleased with every players attitude on this year's squad. There has been 19 players for most of the season and only 9 or 10 start any game if you use a DH. There has not been any moaning and Groaning about playing time by anybody.
One of the ways Joe Bell the Athletic Officer who is the schedule maker with Hank they have tried to do every thing they can to make sure those who want to play travel ball on weekends or those that can't live without the beach they have had only one Saturday on the schedule. There are so many things pulling on the lives of teenagers these days that in order for Post 58 to maintain a team they have had to change the old ways of making an announcement when tryouts are and thirty show up.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Infield Fly Rule Leads P 58
There is that old saying that you see something at the old park that you have never seen before and tonight it happened. Trailing Durham Post 7 2-0 in the bottom of the third Dawson Sikes started P 58's third inning with a walk. Josh Pittman sacrifice bunt was well placed beating it out for a hit. Colby Carter reached base the hard way getting hit. Bases loaded no outs time for a deep blast from Noah Schrock right.
Noah hit a pop up maybe ten feet toward first base but it was hit a mile high. Looked like it was going to be foul. The wind played tricks all night on many balls hit in the air and as the first baseman gets under the ball it is blown fair and the first baseman fails to even get a glove on the ball. Fair ball every base runner starts moving including Dawson Sikes who was on third. The first baseball picks up the now fair ball and tosses home to the catcher who steps on the bag for a force out and throws to third where Josh Pittman looks as if Durham is going to get a double play on a force play on Pittman. The catchers throw sails to left field and Pittman scores what everyone thought cut the lead to 2-1.
Come to find out the fielding umpire called an infield fly rule on Noah Schrock which made him an automatic out. Infield fly all runners advance at their own risk. So with Schrock out there is no force at home and the catcher needed to tag Sikes out but he didn't because he thought it was a force play and threw wildly to third.
After the dust had settled and all the arguing was over Rocky Mount scored two runs on a fly ball that never went more than ten feet from home. Whether it gave Coleman Pitt life or shook up Durham Rocky Mount scored six more runs before the inning ended. There were two big hits as Logan Pearce knocked home two runs with a double rolling to the wall in left and Josh Pittman tripled over the right fielder's head scoring two runs.
Coleman Pitt was missing two possible pitchers tonight as David Pittman and Reid Johnson were both playing in the State Games in Raleigh. So Coleman Pitt sent Trey Wells to the mound and he gave way to Trevor Mills who gave way to Zack Keeter and Josh Daniels pitched the ninth. Coleman Pitt gave up five runs on 14 hits but were never in jeopardy in this one as they added three more runs in the eighth to win 11-5.
Josh Pittman for the second game in a row had three hits and 2 RBI. Colby Carter reach with two hits and a RBI. Noah Schrock, Tyler Barrett, Logan Pearce 2 RBI, John Michael Kelly RBI all had a hit. Luke Fenlen led Post seven going 4-6 with five RBI.
The last two games Coleman Pitt played 25 innings and produced only seven runs. The third inning CP 58 scored eight runs alone. Coleman Pitt goes to 3-0 in division play and 6-3 over all winners of six straight. Next time out for Coleman Pitt will be next Wednesday night when Durham returns in what will not be a division game.
Noah hit a pop up maybe ten feet toward first base but it was hit a mile high. Looked like it was going to be foul. The wind played tricks all night on many balls hit in the air and as the first baseman gets under the ball it is blown fair and the first baseman fails to even get a glove on the ball. Fair ball every base runner starts moving including Dawson Sikes who was on third. The first baseball picks up the now fair ball and tosses home to the catcher who steps on the bag for a force out and throws to third where Josh Pittman looks as if Durham is going to get a double play on a force play on Pittman. The catchers throw sails to left field and Pittman scores what everyone thought cut the lead to 2-1.
Come to find out the fielding umpire called an infield fly rule on Noah Schrock which made him an automatic out. Infield fly all runners advance at their own risk. So with Schrock out there is no force at home and the catcher needed to tag Sikes out but he didn't because he thought it was a force play and threw wildly to third.
After the dust had settled and all the arguing was over Rocky Mount scored two runs on a fly ball that never went more than ten feet from home. Whether it gave Coleman Pitt life or shook up Durham Rocky Mount scored six more runs before the inning ended. There were two big hits as Logan Pearce knocked home two runs with a double rolling to the wall in left and Josh Pittman tripled over the right fielder's head scoring two runs.
Coleman Pitt was missing two possible pitchers tonight as David Pittman and Reid Johnson were both playing in the State Games in Raleigh. So Coleman Pitt sent Trey Wells to the mound and he gave way to Trevor Mills who gave way to Zack Keeter and Josh Daniels pitched the ninth. Coleman Pitt gave up five runs on 14 hits but were never in jeopardy in this one as they added three more runs in the eighth to win 11-5.
Josh Pittman for the second game in a row had three hits and 2 RBI. Colby Carter reach with two hits and a RBI. Noah Schrock, Tyler Barrett, Logan Pearce 2 RBI, John Michael Kelly RBI all had a hit. Luke Fenlen led Post seven going 4-6 with five RBI.
The last two games Coleman Pitt played 25 innings and produced only seven runs. The third inning CP 58 scored eight runs alone. Coleman Pitt goes to 3-0 in division play and 6-3 over all winners of six straight. Next time out for Coleman Pitt will be next Wednesday night when Durham returns in what will not be a division game.
Legion On The Field Tonight
I have to admit that Coleman Pitt Post 58 to date has surprised me in now standing at 5-3 on the season and 2-0 in division play. Legion ball reflects how your high school teams fared and every team had a really good pitcher and then some throwers. Those really good pitchers dominated in high school and now at the midway point in the season have done just as well in legion. You know Legion is the next step up. Not quite college but it is an all star team of the players from your area and what they can do against other all star teams.
Those of you parents that have been sold that bill of goods as the only way to get college coaches or the pros to look at your kids is travel ball Wednesday night there was a scout from the New York Yankees in the house. He came to us, we didn't have to go to them. So Legion is still very viable in kids who want to play at the next level of college or the extra special kid who could go pro right out of high school.
The last two games Post 58 pitching has allowed five runs in which four were earned in 25 innings. That is an ERA of 1.44. Our defense has added help to pitching by getting an out on a ball headed for a hit but if this team continues to pitch and play defense the way they have the last five games we will be in every ball game.
If it has taken 25 innings to play two games and your team gave up only five runs then the real weakness of this team is it's ability to score runs themselves. The hitting totals are improving each game but eleven hits Wednesday resulted in only three runs in 12 innings. The hitting needs to get to where if the pitchers give up only three the seven runs we scored we were never in jeopardy of losing. 4-3 and 3-2 games could both have been losses if it wasn't for the pitching and defense.
Contact when in the batters box is a key element to hitting. Leadoff batter Josh Pittman looks like a slapper at the ball when he has batted both for the Gryphons this spring and P58 now. It just looks like there is no way he can hit the way he slaps at it. He has the knack to get on base with a slap to left field and he is a left handed batter. He has speed and can beat out hits that start our as a simple grounder straight at a defensive player. That speed it is hard to hit a ball in the air that he can't catch in the outfield.
In terms of Legion age this is a young team and most if they wish to do so and come back to Legion next year will be a year older. Senior Legion is 17 and 18 year olds. This team has as least two if not more that are still 16 years and we are very competitive with teams older than we are so the future is bright.
What did it mean for this year not to have a team last year. A couple of players could have been on this team last year. Spencer Brickhouse from Bunn and a left handed pitcher from Roanoke Rapids. Both players Brickhouse for Wilson and the RR kid in Ahoskie. Brickhouse of course is heading to ECU but is playing Legion in Wilson since he played there last year and they would have to sign a waiver in order for him to play for us and who in their right mind would give up a player of his statue because we didn't have a team last year.
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda that's spilled milk and we won three of the four games played against those two squads this year so the guys we got must be pretty good too. Our future continues tonight as Durham Post 7 will be at Legion Field at 7pm. We need to score more runs but I can tell you one thing the last two games 4-3 win over Wilson in 13 innings and 3-2 victory over Apex in 12 innings is as good of ball as you can see any where. Come see for yourself.
Those of you parents that have been sold that bill of goods as the only way to get college coaches or the pros to look at your kids is travel ball Wednesday night there was a scout from the New York Yankees in the house. He came to us, we didn't have to go to them. So Legion is still very viable in kids who want to play at the next level of college or the extra special kid who could go pro right out of high school.
The last two games Post 58 pitching has allowed five runs in which four were earned in 25 innings. That is an ERA of 1.44. Our defense has added help to pitching by getting an out on a ball headed for a hit but if this team continues to pitch and play defense the way they have the last five games we will be in every ball game.
If it has taken 25 innings to play two games and your team gave up only five runs then the real weakness of this team is it's ability to score runs themselves. The hitting totals are improving each game but eleven hits Wednesday resulted in only three runs in 12 innings. The hitting needs to get to where if the pitchers give up only three the seven runs we scored we were never in jeopardy of losing. 4-3 and 3-2 games could both have been losses if it wasn't for the pitching and defense.
Contact when in the batters box is a key element to hitting. Leadoff batter Josh Pittman looks like a slapper at the ball when he has batted both for the Gryphons this spring and P58 now. It just looks like there is no way he can hit the way he slaps at it. He has the knack to get on base with a slap to left field and he is a left handed batter. He has speed and can beat out hits that start our as a simple grounder straight at a defensive player. That speed it is hard to hit a ball in the air that he can't catch in the outfield.
In terms of Legion age this is a young team and most if they wish to do so and come back to Legion next year will be a year older. Senior Legion is 17 and 18 year olds. This team has as least two if not more that are still 16 years and we are very competitive with teams older than we are so the future is bright.
What did it mean for this year not to have a team last year. A couple of players could have been on this team last year. Spencer Brickhouse from Bunn and a left handed pitcher from Roanoke Rapids. Both players Brickhouse for Wilson and the RR kid in Ahoskie. Brickhouse of course is heading to ECU but is playing Legion in Wilson since he played there last year and they would have to sign a waiver in order for him to play for us and who in their right mind would give up a player of his statue because we didn't have a team last year.
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda that's spilled milk and we won three of the four games played against those two squads this year so the guys we got must be pretty good too. Our future continues tonight as Durham Post 7 will be at Legion Field at 7pm. We need to score more runs but I can tell you one thing the last two games 4-3 win over Wilson in 13 innings and 3-2 victory over Apex in 12 innings is as good of ball as you can see any where. Come see for yourself.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
It Takes More Than Nine Again
Coleman Pitt Post 58 American Legion Baseball team for the second Wednesday night in a row took extra innings to put away Apex Post 124 3-2. It just happens to be the last two games have gone 13 and tonight 12 innings before CP 58 wins 3-2.
There is no doubt Rocky Mount pitching is the Secretariat of this ball club as the season has now reach eight games and five straight wins for the home team. Tonight Cameron Taylor started on the hill and did exactly what was needed five innings of one run game on three hits. He gave way to Trevor Mills tossed two and two thirds of one hit ball. Noah Shrock came in with two outs in the top of the eighth to quail potential trouble. He carried the game into the 12th giving up one run on four hits. His fourth hit allowed was a lead off double by Apex in the top of the 12th and in comes Reid Johnston who quickly got three straight outs.
Apex scored first in the fifth on a sac fly RBI by Ben High Fill. Coleman Pitt tied it in the sixth on a walk then and error got Colby Carter to third. Noah Shrock hit one off the pitcher's foot which rolled to the shortstop and his only play was to first with Carter scoring.
The top of the tenth Apex retook the lead on a lead off single by Alex Simpson and scored on an RBI single by Derek Beale. Looked bleak for CP 58 but the bottom of the tenth with starting pitcher Jake Isbell removed after pitching nine innings giving up just one run on seven hits Matt Rogers took to the mound and was greeted by a Josh Pittman single, a sac bunt by Colby Carter, a wild pitch and a sharp single by Noah Shrock tied it at two.
It drizzled during the middle innings and a drizzle started again in the 12th and looking at the radar time was running out on playing time on this game. Josh Pittman led of the 12th with his third hit of the night. Colby Carter hit a ball toward short and their force at second failed when Pittman beat the ball to second. Noah Shrock loaded the bases with a hit and Reid Johnston who rewards his 12th inning pitching with the wining hit scoring Pittman and Rocky Mount wins 3-2.
Reid Johnson gets the win but all CP 58 pitching was excellent. 58 finished with 11 hits led by three hits from Josh Pittman and Noah Shrock and two RBI. Reid Johnston added two hits and the game winning RBI. Tyler Sherrod, Logan Pearce and Zach Keeter reached with hits.
Coleman Pitt has won five in a row and 5-3 overall and 2-0 in division play. They are back in action Friday night as Durham will be in town at 7 pm at Legion Field.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Down To Two
The ACC started out with ten teams playing in the 2016 NCAA baseball Tournament. The Southeastern started with seven. More than 25% to make the tournament came from those two conferences. Eight teams are in Omaha and only two come from the big two conferences Florida and Miami. That's still 25 % of the teams still in the tournament which is right on average.
The big winner is the Big 12. Started with three and three are still in. The Pac 12 has one team and the Mountsin West and Big South round out the field. It takes about ten days before there is only one team standing. Having watch Coastal last weekend in Raleigh and watching them in the Super they are just as good as anybody else. I'm pulling for them.
Don't forget Wednesday night Coleman Pitt Post 58 will host Apex in a division game at Legion Field. Looks like there might be weather issues. As if I have had a summers full of rain delays watching the Raleigh Regional. Hope rain comes early so we can play ball on time.
Did the suspension given to Draymond Greene enough to get the Cleveland Cavs that little edge they need. I think it was obvious that in the fourth quarter that without the man in the middle Cleveland could drive to the basket any time they wanted. The Warriors had a fourth quarter where the long range shooters could not make anything. I doubt that happens again. I'm taking Warriors in six still.
If there is one thing for sure the NBA game would be better if they didn't have refs. How in the world can both LeBron and Dray wrestle the way they did and nothing get called 20 seconds before they finally called something . Some of the calls made are fathom calls where nothing happened and there are those where blood flys and no calls. Because of the quality of the how the games are called it drags the game down. Five steps and no traveling it makes for a bad quality of a game. Have a hard time sitting through watching more than about five minutes at a time and I have to cut it off.
The big winner is the Big 12. Started with three and three are still in. The Pac 12 has one team and the Mountsin West and Big South round out the field. It takes about ten days before there is only one team standing. Having watch Coastal last weekend in Raleigh and watching them in the Super they are just as good as anybody else. I'm pulling for them.
Don't forget Wednesday night Coleman Pitt Post 58 will host Apex in a division game at Legion Field. Looks like there might be weather issues. As if I have had a summers full of rain delays watching the Raleigh Regional. Hope rain comes early so we can play ball on time.
Did the suspension given to Draymond Greene enough to get the Cleveland Cavs that little edge they need. I think it was obvious that in the fourth quarter that without the man in the middle Cleveland could drive to the basket any time they wanted. The Warriors had a fourth quarter where the long range shooters could not make anything. I doubt that happens again. I'm taking Warriors in six still.
If there is one thing for sure the NBA game would be better if they didn't have refs. How in the world can both LeBron and Dray wrestle the way they did and nothing get called 20 seconds before they finally called something . Some of the calls made are fathom calls where nothing happened and there are those where blood flys and no calls. Because of the quality of the how the games are called it drags the game down. Five steps and no traveling it makes for a bad quality of a game. Have a hard time sitting through watching more than about five minutes at a time and I have to cut it off.
The Push Begins
Wednesday and Friday night Coleman Pitt Post 58 will begin the drive to get set for the playoffs in the Area One Western Division. The first time P 58 has been totally in the Western Division which gives all the teams in the Triangle access to all the 4-A schools plus private schools in Wake and Durham counties. No matter how many players those teams can pick from Post 58 is ready for the challenge.
I invite you if you have not already come watch to watch the best from Nash and Edgecombe County baseball players match wits with the big city boys. Despite the bad start in game one against Pitt County in which Coleman Pitt gave up seven runs in the first four outs since then in 65 innings played Coleman Pitts pitching and defense has given up 28 runs. The season so far that is and average of five runs a game. Remember take away seven in the first two innings they are giving up only four per game.
Due to the fact Coleman Pitt failed to field a team last season there is only one player with Legion experience and that is Forest Bell. All 19 other players are playing Legion for the first time and that may have lead you to believe that the first two innings this season may have been a lack of experience for those playing for the first time. Right now there are 20 on the roster but by week's end Hank Jones must reduce the roster to 18. Most every year somebody quits due to lack of playing time or Legion Ball is interfering with the beach.
So far no one has quit so that tells me we have 20 guys who really want to play ball this summer for Post 58. Those who are on the cut line if they have any pitching ability they probably are safe because you never have enough pitching. If you are a fielder and have not done much with the bat when you had your opportunities you are being looked at closely as can you stay on the roster.
We know the pitching has improved since the first night out. Cameron Taylor who was opening night hurler has come back strong since. David Harrison has continue his best pitcher from the Big East and shown Legion no different. Reid Johnson, Noah Schrock and Trevor Mills have all shown they can get the job done. The perfect pitching night would be five innings from the starter and two relievers two innings each. That's what CP 58 got last Wednesdsy night except it took four more innings to finish off Wilson.
The three losses in the first three games the hitters could only produce seven runs so the lack of runs played a big part in the losses. The first few games only three or four hits per outing and guess what the hitting is improving. During high school season Logan Pearce was tearing the cover off the ball until a cracked middle finger catching a ball slowed his effective bat for the rest of the season. Now healthy Pearce is stinging the ball again and the last two games has the winning RBI.
Lately it is not all Pearce as Tyler Sherrod, Noah Schrock, Colby Taylor and Trevor Mills are swinging good bats. The four Post 58 wins have produced 27 runs almost seven per game. So you put together and improving pitching staff with hitters that getting comfortable hitting Legion pitching and you have a team having won four in a row.
If you want a good night of fun entertainment Legion Field will be the place to be Wednesday night at 7pm as Apex Post 124 will be here for a division game. The next two weeks will be loaded with only division games which is the beginning of the playoff run. The 4-3 1-0 Coleman Pitt Post 58 needs you there to support and help keep Legion Baseball in Rocky Mount.
I invite you if you have not already come watch to watch the best from Nash and Edgecombe County baseball players match wits with the big city boys. Despite the bad start in game one against Pitt County in which Coleman Pitt gave up seven runs in the first four outs since then in 65 innings played Coleman Pitts pitching and defense has given up 28 runs. The season so far that is and average of five runs a game. Remember take away seven in the first two innings they are giving up only four per game.
Due to the fact Coleman Pitt failed to field a team last season there is only one player with Legion experience and that is Forest Bell. All 19 other players are playing Legion for the first time and that may have lead you to believe that the first two innings this season may have been a lack of experience for those playing for the first time. Right now there are 20 on the roster but by week's end Hank Jones must reduce the roster to 18. Most every year somebody quits due to lack of playing time or Legion Ball is interfering with the beach.
So far no one has quit so that tells me we have 20 guys who really want to play ball this summer for Post 58. Those who are on the cut line if they have any pitching ability they probably are safe because you never have enough pitching. If you are a fielder and have not done much with the bat when you had your opportunities you are being looked at closely as can you stay on the roster.
We know the pitching has improved since the first night out. Cameron Taylor who was opening night hurler has come back strong since. David Harrison has continue his best pitcher from the Big East and shown Legion no different. Reid Johnson, Noah Schrock and Trevor Mills have all shown they can get the job done. The perfect pitching night would be five innings from the starter and two relievers two innings each. That's what CP 58 got last Wednesdsy night except it took four more innings to finish off Wilson.
The three losses in the first three games the hitters could only produce seven runs so the lack of runs played a big part in the losses. The first few games only three or four hits per outing and guess what the hitting is improving. During high school season Logan Pearce was tearing the cover off the ball until a cracked middle finger catching a ball slowed his effective bat for the rest of the season. Now healthy Pearce is stinging the ball again and the last two games has the winning RBI.
Lately it is not all Pearce as Tyler Sherrod, Noah Schrock, Colby Taylor and Trevor Mills are swinging good bats. The four Post 58 wins have produced 27 runs almost seven per game. So you put together and improving pitching staff with hitters that getting comfortable hitting Legion pitching and you have a team having won four in a row.
If you want a good night of fun entertainment Legion Field will be the place to be Wednesday night at 7pm as Apex Post 124 will be here for a division game. The next two weeks will be loaded with only division games which is the beginning of the playoff run. The 4-3 1-0 Coleman Pitt Post 58 needs you there to support and help keep Legion Baseball in Rocky Mount.
Monday, June 13, 2016
The Ride Is Over
Saturday the Pirates of ECU held as far as the NCAA was concerned the fifth best team in the tournament to one run. They had already shocked Texas Tech with and unset win Friday beating the Red Raiders 8-6. If Texas Tech is really as good as advertised then when you hold them to one run in 12 innings you must take advantage and score two runs on Saturday and win the game. It didn't happen as Sunday the Pirates never had a chance as Texas Tech took advantage of every opportunity and whitewashed the Pirates 11-0.
It might not be the best record for the Pirates but where they finished one game from Omaha makes this year their most successful. They were the only one from North Carolina playing this weekend after all others had fallen by the wayside. Nice job Pirates.
This begs the question when you lose is it better to lose 11-0 or like NC State that gave up the lead in the last bat of the game. The bottom line is you suffer either way that you didn't complete the task at hand.
One of the shockers of the weekend was Louisville losing two straight at home. Losing 4-2 and then had a 3-0 lead to be beaten in the last at bat on a grand slam home run. I thought they had a real shot at winning the National Championship.
The ACC knew before this weekend started that one team was going to Omaha because in the Super Regionals two were matched up against each other this weekend. Miami everyone expected but who in their right mind expected Boston College to be there.
The very first weekend of ACC conference play BC beat the Wolfpack two out of three and everyone thought the Wolfpack would be in for a long season losing to BC. Little did anyone realize that BC would have one of their best seasons in decades. They made Miami play three games and had their chances Sunday.
The only SEC team still alive with a chance to make it to the college world series is Florida and it took a 5-0 shutout of Florida State to set up a winner take all game today in Tallahassee. Both Texas A&M and LSU were beaten last night making the SEC record in the Super Regionals 2-9.
The win by Coastal Carolina over LSU in two straight games surely doesn't help the N C State Wolfpack pain over their last inning loss to Coastal but it sure does show you how close any team is that is trying to make it to the College World Series. State played Coastal Carolina three times last weekend allowing 10 runs. State over the last six weeks of the season lost two starting pitchers to injury and yet held CC to 10 runs in three while LSU gave up 15 in two games and yet Wolfpack Nation blames lack of pitching for their demise.
It might not be the best record for the Pirates but where they finished one game from Omaha makes this year their most successful. They were the only one from North Carolina playing this weekend after all others had fallen by the wayside. Nice job Pirates.
This begs the question when you lose is it better to lose 11-0 or like NC State that gave up the lead in the last bat of the game. The bottom line is you suffer either way that you didn't complete the task at hand.
One of the shockers of the weekend was Louisville losing two straight at home. Losing 4-2 and then had a 3-0 lead to be beaten in the last at bat on a grand slam home run. I thought they had a real shot at winning the National Championship.
The ACC knew before this weekend started that one team was going to Omaha because in the Super Regionals two were matched up against each other this weekend. Miami everyone expected but who in their right mind expected Boston College to be there.
The very first weekend of ACC conference play BC beat the Wolfpack two out of three and everyone thought the Wolfpack would be in for a long season losing to BC. Little did anyone realize that BC would have one of their best seasons in decades. They made Miami play three games and had their chances Sunday.
The only SEC team still alive with a chance to make it to the college world series is Florida and it took a 5-0 shutout of Florida State to set up a winner take all game today in Tallahassee. Both Texas A&M and LSU were beaten last night making the SEC record in the Super Regionals 2-9.
The win by Coastal Carolina over LSU in two straight games surely doesn't help the N C State Wolfpack pain over their last inning loss to Coastal but it sure does show you how close any team is that is trying to make it to the College World Series. State played Coastal Carolina three times last weekend allowing 10 runs. State over the last six weeks of the season lost two starting pitchers to injury and yet held CC to 10 runs in three while LSU gave up 15 in two games and yet Wolfpack Nation blames lack of pitching for their demise.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Oh So Close
Just heard this Gorilla on the back of the ECU Pirates fact that I had never heard. This is the 28th time in school history that they have played in the NCAA baseball playoffs and that is the longest any team in the country has gone and not made it to the College World Series.
Saturday the Pirates with a one game to none lead in their two out of three series with Texas Tech came ever so close of beating the Red Raiders the champions of the Big 12 two straight games which would have sent the Pirates to Omaha. Tied 1-1 with TT the Pirates failed to score with the bases loaded two out situation in the 12th and finally in the 13th inning the home standing Red Raiders finally were able to get ahead and beat the Pirates 3-1.
The deciding game will be played at 3pm today in Lubbock Texas. Some stats from all the other Super Regionals have the team winning the first game win the two out of three 80% of the time which would favor the Pirates. The history also says that the host team wins 73 % of the time which favors Texas Tech. Something has got to give.
Regardless of how it goes today the Pirates surely have earned the respect of Texas Tech the fifth seeded team in the entire NCAA tournament. These two teams have played 22 innings and each has scored nine runs. Go Pirates!!!!!!!!
Coleman Pitt Post 58 has taken time off the last few days in order to give the few seniors on this year's team time to Graduate. Things will pick up starting Wednesday and Friday as two conference games are on tap at Legion Field. There is a possibility that another home game could be Thursday but that has not been put in stone yet.
There is one good item of business that favors Post 58 and their ability to get teams from the Triangle to come play in Rocky Mount without having to go to their place to play. Several teams don't have a home field or if they do the rent to play on it and the rent is so high that it is easier just to come to Rocky Mount instead. We should be very thankful that the Legion is willing to upkeep Legion Field because it is a very good field. It may not be in the best part of town but the city should do every thing they can to keep it as a viable playing field. It is the only field in Rocky Mount that is not on a high school campus.
The rest of June will be all conference games. Clayton has dropped out so there are only five teams in the Western Division of Area one. After all games are in the teams that finish 4th and fifth will play a one game play in game and that winner will play a three out of five series with the top seed and two and three seeds also play a two out of three. The two winners will then play each other in a three out of five that winner plays the Area one champ.
Sometimes you find out interesting information just by looking. Now with the end of the school year for high schools is over that leaves contracts coming to an end. Looked on the Rocky Mount Nash County School employment page and at this point there is an opening for assistant football coach at Nash Central. That is not really all that surprising but here is one that I have not heard one thing about. The head baseball coaching job is open at Nash Central. What's up there?
Saturday the Pirates with a one game to none lead in their two out of three series with Texas Tech came ever so close of beating the Red Raiders the champions of the Big 12 two straight games which would have sent the Pirates to Omaha. Tied 1-1 with TT the Pirates failed to score with the bases loaded two out situation in the 12th and finally in the 13th inning the home standing Red Raiders finally were able to get ahead and beat the Pirates 3-1.
The deciding game will be played at 3pm today in Lubbock Texas. Some stats from all the other Super Regionals have the team winning the first game win the two out of three 80% of the time which would favor the Pirates. The history also says that the host team wins 73 % of the time which favors Texas Tech. Something has got to give.
Regardless of how it goes today the Pirates surely have earned the respect of Texas Tech the fifth seeded team in the entire NCAA tournament. These two teams have played 22 innings and each has scored nine runs. Go Pirates!!!!!!!!
Coleman Pitt Post 58 has taken time off the last few days in order to give the few seniors on this year's team time to Graduate. Things will pick up starting Wednesday and Friday as two conference games are on tap at Legion Field. There is a possibility that another home game could be Thursday but that has not been put in stone yet.
There is one good item of business that favors Post 58 and their ability to get teams from the Triangle to come play in Rocky Mount without having to go to their place to play. Several teams don't have a home field or if they do the rent to play on it and the rent is so high that it is easier just to come to Rocky Mount instead. We should be very thankful that the Legion is willing to upkeep Legion Field because it is a very good field. It may not be in the best part of town but the city should do every thing they can to keep it as a viable playing field. It is the only field in Rocky Mount that is not on a high school campus.
The rest of June will be all conference games. Clayton has dropped out so there are only five teams in the Western Division of Area one. After all games are in the teams that finish 4th and fifth will play a one game play in game and that winner will play a three out of five series with the top seed and two and three seeds also play a two out of three. The two winners will then play each other in a three out of five that winner plays the Area one champ.
Sometimes you find out interesting information just by looking. Now with the end of the school year for high schools is over that leaves contracts coming to an end. Looked on the Rocky Mount Nash County School employment page and at this point there is an opening for assistant football coach at Nash Central. That is not really all that surprising but here is one that I have not heard one thing about. The head baseball coaching job is open at Nash Central. What's up there?
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Only One More
The Pirates of ECU won their first Super Regional game ever as they shock the number five seed in the NCAA tournament seeding Texas Tech 8-6 in Lubbock Texas. The Pirates fourth trip ever to the Super Regional was lead by two home runs from Travis Watkins who drove in five runs with the dingers. Watkins who right now may be the most valuable player in the entire tournament having hit the walk off homer last Saturday against the defending National Champs Virginia.
All three times the Pirates have ever been in a Super Regionals the Pirates were swept 2-0 in all three. The Pirates can clinch their first trip ever to the College World Series at 3pm today when game two is played. Since this series is bring played on the home field of Texas Tech they alternate the second game and the Pirates will bat last as they will be considered the home team. Go Pirates.
One local player from the Big East heard his named called out in the sixth round of MLB draft on Friday. D J Daniels who quarterbacked the Fike Golden Demon football team and roamed centerfield during baseball season was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Daniels has excessive speed when roaming the outfield and many teams draft based on potential. Daniels offensive skills are raw and those of us that we're at the Legion game Wednesday night at Wilson could see his athletism.
So far eight rounds have been completed and one name not called was Spencer Brickhouse of Bunn High school who is considered the best hitter in high school baseball in North Carolina. I am guessing of course but by not being called he must have spread the word that he is attending ECU and don't waste a draft pick on him.
The Golden State Warriors all but sewed up their second straight title Friday night beating Cleveland in Cleveland to take a 3-1 lead in the series. In order to win the NBA title would have the Cavs would have to win three games in a row including game five and seven in Oakland.
All three times the Pirates have ever been in a Super Regionals the Pirates were swept 2-0 in all three. The Pirates can clinch their first trip ever to the College World Series at 3pm today when game two is played. Since this series is bring played on the home field of Texas Tech they alternate the second game and the Pirates will bat last as they will be considered the home team. Go Pirates.
One local player from the Big East heard his named called out in the sixth round of MLB draft on Friday. D J Daniels who quarterbacked the Fike Golden Demon football team and roamed centerfield during baseball season was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Daniels has excessive speed when roaming the outfield and many teams draft based on potential. Daniels offensive skills are raw and those of us that we're at the Legion game Wednesday night at Wilson could see his athletism.
So far eight rounds have been completed and one name not called was Spencer Brickhouse of Bunn High school who is considered the best hitter in high school baseball in North Carolina. I am guessing of course but by not being called he must have spread the word that he is attending ECU and don't waste a draft pick on him.
The Golden State Warriors all but sewed up their second straight title Friday night beating Cleveland in Cleveland to take a 3-1 lead in the series. In order to win the NBA title would have the Cavs would have to win three games in a row including game five and seven in Oakland.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Baseball News
I had a conversation with Tom Moss during the DII World Series in Cary a couple of weeks ago talking about his son Benton and his trials and tribulations going on in minor league baseball. Tom told me that Benton was on a 90 pitch pitch count whether it took seven innings or three innings they would pull him out of the game whenever pitch 90 came. He also told me that the coaching staff is trying teach Benton another pitch to go with his repertoire and this new pitch was causing stress on his arm. At the time his record was 1-5 and the Royals have stopped with this new pitch and with less stress on his arm the last two outing Benton has pitched two times going seven innings each outing. One was a one hit performance which is his best effort since turning pro last summer.
His overall record is 3-5 with 62.2 innings pitched. He has 59 k's and walked 14 batters which is excellent control. Hie ERA is down to 4.16 in 12 outings and 11 starts. He remains in Port Charlotte Florida in A ball.
Hobbs Johnson pitching in Buloxi Mississippi in AA ball has now made 14 appearances coming out of the bullpen. His record is 1-0 pitching short relief. Maybe a month ago his ERA was 7.77 but some effective outings lately he has reduce that to 4.57. He has pitched 21.2 innings with 17 strikeouts. His biggest problem for the left hander is he has walked 13 which is very high and Hobbs needs to do a better job putting men on base with a free ride.
Brian Goodwin continues to have his best season in pro baseball. He is hitting 305 with six home runs 13 doubles, one triple. He leads the Syracuse Chiefs in RBI with 32. As well as he is playing and as stacked as the Washington Nationals are it seems the only way Brian will hit the Big Leagues will be somebody in the National's outfield is going to have to get hurt.
Collin Cuthrell is struggling in Florence Kentucky. His batting average is just over the Mendoza Line at 205. He has 17 hits in 83 at bats. He has two homers three doubles and 12 RBI to date.
The last time we talked about Whit Merrifield he had just been called up to the Kansas City Royals. He has now played in 17 games hitting 315 on 23 hits in 73 at bats. He has seven doubles and has stolen three out of four bases. Once you get called up to the Bigs you need to impress your team right off the bat and Whit Merrifield with the start he has had may never return to the minors.
The Pirates of ECU the last team standing in the NCAA baseball tournament that call North Carolina home starts play in the Super Regional Friday night at 8pm against Texas Tech in Lubbock Texas. It is a best of three series. Game two will be Saturday afternoon at 3pm and if needed game three is 3pm Sunday. There is good news that all three games can be seen either on ESPNU or 2. Go Pirates.
His overall record is 3-5 with 62.2 innings pitched. He has 59 k's and walked 14 batters which is excellent control. Hie ERA is down to 4.16 in 12 outings and 11 starts. He remains in Port Charlotte Florida in A ball.
Hobbs Johnson pitching in Buloxi Mississippi in AA ball has now made 14 appearances coming out of the bullpen. His record is 1-0 pitching short relief. Maybe a month ago his ERA was 7.77 but some effective outings lately he has reduce that to 4.57. He has pitched 21.2 innings with 17 strikeouts. His biggest problem for the left hander is he has walked 13 which is very high and Hobbs needs to do a better job putting men on base with a free ride.
Brian Goodwin continues to have his best season in pro baseball. He is hitting 305 with six home runs 13 doubles, one triple. He leads the Syracuse Chiefs in RBI with 32. As well as he is playing and as stacked as the Washington Nationals are it seems the only way Brian will hit the Big Leagues will be somebody in the National's outfield is going to have to get hurt.
Collin Cuthrell is struggling in Florence Kentucky. His batting average is just over the Mendoza Line at 205. He has 17 hits in 83 at bats. He has two homers three doubles and 12 RBI to date.
The last time we talked about Whit Merrifield he had just been called up to the Kansas City Royals. He has now played in 17 games hitting 315 on 23 hits in 73 at bats. He has seven doubles and has stolen three out of four bases. Once you get called up to the Bigs you need to impress your team right off the bat and Whit Merrifield with the start he has had may never return to the minors.
The Pirates of ECU the last team standing in the NCAA baseball tournament that call North Carolina home starts play in the Super Regional Friday night at 8pm against Texas Tech in Lubbock Texas. It is a best of three series. Game two will be Saturday afternoon at 3pm and if needed game three is 3pm Sunday. There is good news that all three games can be seen either on ESPNU or 2. Go Pirates.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Extra Innings Heroics
If you love good baseball then you need to get in on the action of Coleman Pitt Post 58 baseball. Tonight in Wilson down 3-0 in the seventh CP 58 clawed their way back into a tie and scored the winning run in the 13th inning.
Regardless of which side you pulled both sides had pitching as in 13 innings both sides had eight hits a piece. Rocky Mount Committed five errors and which resulted in one run being unearned of the three runs scored by Post 13. Wilson committed three errors and two runs for Rocky Mount scored after errors including the winning run.
Post 58 started RMA pitcher Reid Johnston and you can't fault his pitching. Five innings, one run on three hits and the one run was unearned. Tarboro's Trevor Wells pitched for two innings gave up two runs. David Harrison gave up one hit in two innings and for the extra innings Noah Schrock took the ball and allowed nothing to cross the plate for the final four inning. CP 58 shut out Post 13 the last seven innings.
Post 13 scored in the third after and error at second put a runner on. Spencer Brickhouse the Bunn highly touted player who is expected to go in the first round of the MLB draft next week doubled in their first run. It stayed scoreless until the sixth for P 13 until a walk, hit, wild pitch and an RBI single by Hunter Lee grew the lead to 3-0.
Post 13 pitching was excellent as Dillon Radford started and went six scoreless inning until P 58 touch him up with two runs. A walk and wild throw and hit by Trey Wells scored two. The eighth started with a Reid Johnson single, a sacrifice bunt by Zack Keeter and a double in the gap by Tyler Barrett knotted the score at three and that's the way it stayed until the 13th.
Luke Mills open the 13th with a pop up to second which was dropped. Post 58 took advantage of the opening granted by Wilson. Tyler Barrett advanced the runner to second with a bunt. Noah Schrock had a base hit as Mills advanced to third. Logan Pearce the RBI hero on Friday night with a hit in the bottom of the ninth did it again tonight this time a fly ball to center and Mills easily scored what proved to be the winning run as Post 13 went down in order in the 13th.
I'm telling you this team other than the first inning of the first game this team has had good pitching. Their pitching has been good enough to keep them in every game since. The first few games the hitting was porous but it seems to be rounding up.
If you want to watch entertaining baseball Post 58 will be back at Legion Field next Wednesday night with their second conference game. Tonight's victory pushed P 58 to 4-3 and winners of three in a row. After having sat through rain delays during the Raleigh Regional this past weekend this 13 inning affair was over at five after ten. It took only three hours to play 13 innings.
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Love It Or Just Plain Crazy
Remember the last weekend in May I told you of my trip to the USA Baseball complex in Cary where I watched our three men from Rocky Mount a player Thomas Berry and two coaches Britt Johnson and Jim Leggett who were part of the Lander University Baseball team. A 13 inning game in the game before the Lander 8pm game was delayed until 10:05 pm. The last pitch finished at 1:14 and I arrived home at 2:45 just in time to take a nap and be at church by 8am.
N C State hosting the Raleigh Regional D I baseball playoffs this past weekend and what has turned out to be into the mid week. I am all lined up to go with son Brooks Friday night to Raleigh and watch the Wolfpack in their opening game until I get this e-mail from Joe Bell stating that Post 58 Legion had picked up a game with Ahoskie at home Friday. I disappointedly stay to do PA for Legion but kept my eye on game tracker following the Wolfpack.
An exciting Legion game made it worth staying to see and a three hour rain delay in Raleigh was only in the fifth inning when I got into the house Friday night. 11:50 the Navy /NC State game resumed and I was able to catch the last four innings on ESPN3. The game did not get over until 1:38am and as I cut off my I-Pad the word was Navy would have to play their losers bracket game at 1pm.
I arrived at the ball park at 1:15 expecting the Navy/St Marys game to be into the first inning. Lo and behold the game was pushed back to 2pm to give Navy an extra hour since it was near 3am before they returned to their hotel. All that did was give me an extra 45 minutes to burn up in the humid 90 degree temperatures.
The losers bracket game has reached the ninth inning about 4:45 and in tournaments when you have a ticket for every game you still have to exit the stadium and when they have cleared out the stadium they will let everyone back in about an hour before the next game which the State-Coastal Carolina winners bracket game is scheduled for 7pm. Brooks and I headed for food and wouldn't you know it sitting in the grill watching the Navy game it goes extra innings and does not end until about 6:20.
Pack baseball twitter announces first pitch for the state game is 7:20 and they will start letting people enter the stadium at 6:50. While in the grill we were watching all the NCAA games going on including the ECU/UVA game. Once the announcement was made to reenter the stadium at 6:50 we got up and left just as ECU was batting in the bottom of the ninth of their dramatic come from behind victory over Virginia. Didn't see it.
Now back in the stadium it is always a bad sign while you are standing there and the grounds crew starts putting the tarp back on the field when it is not raining. A gentleman with a megaphone walks around the complex and announces that severe weather is approaching and everyone please clear the stadium. I just did make it back to the car when the bottom fell out and lightning that rocked the place. Finally Twitter says play ball at 9:25 and you can reenter at 8:55.
Coastal Carolina pitched two kids that kept the Pack at bay but here it comes again. Coastal is ahead 3-0 top of the ninth with one out and here comes the tarp out once again and the same guy with his megaphone. This time some lightning but man does it rain. Here it is 12:35 and I decide they are not playing any more tonight and head home. I was just getting on I-440 when Tony Haines announces on the radio they will pick it up at 12:30 Sunday afternoon.
Brooks already had made the decision he wasn't going to the Sunday finish up game or to the loser bracket game so I have two tickets and I am going to tell you between the Saturday afternoon sun beat down and all night baseball I decided on the way home I was taking the day off from baseball to rest.
Luckily our work was off on Monday so we are back at the Doak on Monday to see the Pack beat Coastal in a must win game. The forecast doesn't look good for Monday night so I give my ticket to Brooks and head home after the first game. Even before the first pitch Monday night an hour an a half rain delay. Later a 45 minute delay and finally again at 12:30 in the ninth inning rain sends everyone home and I cut off my I Pad without knowing whether they would finish or not Monday night. Didn't think they would and sure enough they came back Tuesday and finished without me.
N C State hosting the Raleigh Regional D I baseball playoffs this past weekend and what has turned out to be into the mid week. I am all lined up to go with son Brooks Friday night to Raleigh and watch the Wolfpack in their opening game until I get this e-mail from Joe Bell stating that Post 58 Legion had picked up a game with Ahoskie at home Friday. I disappointedly stay to do PA for Legion but kept my eye on game tracker following the Wolfpack.
An exciting Legion game made it worth staying to see and a three hour rain delay in Raleigh was only in the fifth inning when I got into the house Friday night. 11:50 the Navy /NC State game resumed and I was able to catch the last four innings on ESPN3. The game did not get over until 1:38am and as I cut off my I-Pad the word was Navy would have to play their losers bracket game at 1pm.
I arrived at the ball park at 1:15 expecting the Navy/St Marys game to be into the first inning. Lo and behold the game was pushed back to 2pm to give Navy an extra hour since it was near 3am before they returned to their hotel. All that did was give me an extra 45 minutes to burn up in the humid 90 degree temperatures.
The losers bracket game has reached the ninth inning about 4:45 and in tournaments when you have a ticket for every game you still have to exit the stadium and when they have cleared out the stadium they will let everyone back in about an hour before the next game which the State-Coastal Carolina winners bracket game is scheduled for 7pm. Brooks and I headed for food and wouldn't you know it sitting in the grill watching the Navy game it goes extra innings and does not end until about 6:20.
Pack baseball twitter announces first pitch for the state game is 7:20 and they will start letting people enter the stadium at 6:50. While in the grill we were watching all the NCAA games going on including the ECU/UVA game. Once the announcement was made to reenter the stadium at 6:50 we got up and left just as ECU was batting in the bottom of the ninth of their dramatic come from behind victory over Virginia. Didn't see it.
Now back in the stadium it is always a bad sign while you are standing there and the grounds crew starts putting the tarp back on the field when it is not raining. A gentleman with a megaphone walks around the complex and announces that severe weather is approaching and everyone please clear the stadium. I just did make it back to the car when the bottom fell out and lightning that rocked the place. Finally Twitter says play ball at 9:25 and you can reenter at 8:55.
Coastal Carolina pitched two kids that kept the Pack at bay but here it comes again. Coastal is ahead 3-0 top of the ninth with one out and here comes the tarp out once again and the same guy with his megaphone. This time some lightning but man does it rain. Here it is 12:35 and I decide they are not playing any more tonight and head home. I was just getting on I-440 when Tony Haines announces on the radio they will pick it up at 12:30 Sunday afternoon.
Brooks already had made the decision he wasn't going to the Sunday finish up game or to the loser bracket game so I have two tickets and I am going to tell you between the Saturday afternoon sun beat down and all night baseball I decided on the way home I was taking the day off from baseball to rest.
Luckily our work was off on Monday so we are back at the Doak on Monday to see the Pack beat Coastal in a must win game. The forecast doesn't look good for Monday night so I give my ticket to Brooks and head home after the first game. Even before the first pitch Monday night an hour an a half rain delay. Later a 45 minute delay and finally again at 12:30 in the ninth inning rain sends everyone home and I cut off my I Pad without knowing whether they would finish or not Monday night. Didn't think they would and sure enough they came back Tuesday and finished without me.
Suiter Cuts Off His Mic
It wasn't that long ago we said good-bye to Tom Suiter from the every day 6:22 sports segment on WRAL- TV. If you take notice no one retires from The Big Five. All those from the past can be seen during special programs long after you no longer see them daily.
Tom still has been seen every week during the school year with the Extra Effort Award and two of his last segments he was here in Rocky Mount giving the award to Forest Bell at Rocky Mount and Rebekah Beal at Northern Nash. There is one thing that Tom Suiter will be remembered for, for the rest of his life and ours too. Football Friday, for 35 years Tom has lead a team that brought every high school football team to everyone within the the cable signal of WRAL.
During my days doing play by play of Ahoskie High school football it was like the president was coming when word got out that the WRAL helicopter was coming to Ahoskie for a playoff game. It has been like that for every school that ever had a crew from Football Friday in their house. It is because of Tom Suiter Rocky Mount born.
Tom is a member of the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall Of Fame. The Nash-Edgecombe Twin County Hall Of Fame. He has won two Emmys and in 1990 he was voted the North Carolina Sportscaster Of The year.
Tom and I have become E-Mail buddies over the years. All of us are faced at some point in our life with the wish to retire but I know from what little bit I still do in sports it is hard to give up what is your life. Can you imagine from the time your get out of college until the day you say it is over that you work in the same place for the same people and you do such a great job That every person that has anything to do with high school football knows who you are and feel that if Tom Suiter calls your name that you made it on Football Friday.
Thank You Tom Suiter!!!! Please send me your new E-mail address.
Tom still has been seen every week during the school year with the Extra Effort Award and two of his last segments he was here in Rocky Mount giving the award to Forest Bell at Rocky Mount and Rebekah Beal at Northern Nash. There is one thing that Tom Suiter will be remembered for, for the rest of his life and ours too. Football Friday, for 35 years Tom has lead a team that brought every high school football team to everyone within the the cable signal of WRAL.
During my days doing play by play of Ahoskie High school football it was like the president was coming when word got out that the WRAL helicopter was coming to Ahoskie for a playoff game. It has been like that for every school that ever had a crew from Football Friday in their house. It is because of Tom Suiter Rocky Mount born.
Tom is a member of the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall Of Fame. The Nash-Edgecombe Twin County Hall Of Fame. He has won two Emmys and in 1990 he was voted the North Carolina Sportscaster Of The year.
Tom and I have become E-Mail buddies over the years. All of us are faced at some point in our life with the wish to retire but I know from what little bit I still do in sports it is hard to give up what is your life. Can you imagine from the time your get out of college until the day you say it is over that you work in the same place for the same people and you do such a great job That every person that has anything to do with high school football knows who you are and feel that if Tom Suiter calls your name that you made it on Football Friday.
Thank You Tom Suiter!!!! Please send me your new E-mail address.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Do You Know The Way To Lubbock Or Dallas
The Pirates of ECU won their first ever regional that they were not the host of. 2001 having to host a regional in Wilson because their baseball stadium wasn't big enough they advanced to the super regional. 2004 this time they hosted in Kinston and won. 2009 they won a regional hosted on campus and today the Pirates won the Charlottesville regional beating William and Mary Friday, a bottom of the ninth thriller over Virginia on Saturday and beat William and Mary this afternoon after the Tribe had beaten Virginia.
Tonight Dallas Baptist has forced a do or die game with Texas Tech so ECU will now relax watch a little baseball on tv Monday to see who they play and while both DB and TT use pitchers to advance. ECU is resting and already rested pitching staff having to play only three games to win the Charlottesville Regional. Regardless of the winner between Texas Tech and Dallas Baptist will be the host team next weekend.
North Carolina State hit with weather delays have played past Midnight Friday and Saturday night. Losing the finished up game on Sunday to Coastal Carolina and beat Navy 17-1 later Sunday. The NCAA says no team can play more than two full games in a day of playoff play and since the the Wolfpack had to play five outs Sunday to complete a Saturday game. They beat Navy in nine innings Sunday so they were not allowed to play against Coastal Carolina again Sunday night. If they had of scheduled a 7 pm game guess what there would have been a weather delay on Sunday night.
So now the Wolfpack will play Coastal Carolina at 1pm Monday and if they win they play CC again at 6pm The Pack 2-1 having beaten Navy twice scoring 30 runs in the two victories but none in the one loss.
The Demon Deacons were eliminated by Minnesota Today 8-3 going 1-2 in their regional.
Duke returning to the NCAA playoffs for the first time in 56 years lost both their games in Columbia South Carolina.
Western Carolina jumped on Clemson 6-0 only to watch Clemson score 24 on Friday. The Catamounts rebounded to beat Nebraska Saturday but Clemson held batting practice on WC Sunday.
The weather has effected almost all of the regionals but weather was not a problem for the Seahawks of UNCW going in to Sunday night. The Hawks who clipped Duke Friday were shocked Saturday having to play Rhode Island who upset South Carolina Friday. Tonight the Gamecocks made it a do or die game for Monday beating the Hawks.
The State of North Carolina sent six teams to the tournament and are 7-7 with ECU playing next Weekend. And NC State and UNCW still alive with Monday games to play.
Tonight Dallas Baptist has forced a do or die game with Texas Tech so ECU will now relax watch a little baseball on tv Monday to see who they play and while both DB and TT use pitchers to advance. ECU is resting and already rested pitching staff having to play only three games to win the Charlottesville Regional. Regardless of the winner between Texas Tech and Dallas Baptist will be the host team next weekend.
North Carolina State hit with weather delays have played past Midnight Friday and Saturday night. Losing the finished up game on Sunday to Coastal Carolina and beat Navy 17-1 later Sunday. The NCAA says no team can play more than two full games in a day of playoff play and since the the Wolfpack had to play five outs Sunday to complete a Saturday game. They beat Navy in nine innings Sunday so they were not allowed to play against Coastal Carolina again Sunday night. If they had of scheduled a 7 pm game guess what there would have been a weather delay on Sunday night.
So now the Wolfpack will play Coastal Carolina at 1pm Monday and if they win they play CC again at 6pm The Pack 2-1 having beaten Navy twice scoring 30 runs in the two victories but none in the one loss.
The Demon Deacons were eliminated by Minnesota Today 8-3 going 1-2 in their regional.
Duke returning to the NCAA playoffs for the first time in 56 years lost both their games in Columbia South Carolina.
Western Carolina jumped on Clemson 6-0 only to watch Clemson score 24 on Friday. The Catamounts rebounded to beat Nebraska Saturday but Clemson held batting practice on WC Sunday.
The weather has effected almost all of the regionals but weather was not a problem for the Seahawks of UNCW going in to Sunday night. The Hawks who clipped Duke Friday were shocked Saturday having to play Rhode Island who upset South Carolina Friday. Tonight the Gamecocks made it a do or die game for Monday beating the Hawks.
The State of North Carolina sent six teams to the tournament and are 7-7 with ECU playing next Weekend. And NC State and UNCW still alive with Monday games to play.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
A Blessed life
I don't know how it came about to be the way my life has unfolded to be so involved in sports. My high school days I loved football but the older I progressed from seventh grade right up to senior year in high school my participation became I was an end at the end of the bench that guarded the water bucket. I played jv basketball scoring all of seven points in two years.. I was a two year starter on the baseball team as a junior I played right field and my senior season third base. I don't think the next year after I was gone from any sport at good old Ahoskie High school there was much problem finding a replacement for me.
I took off my high school cap and gown and went right to work at our local radio station as a disc jockey and when September rolled around I was the color man on our radio stations broadcast of Ahoskie High school football. I was a fixture on Friday night football for the next 22 years.
Our radio station carried University of North Carolina sports and of course that was football and basketball. The spring of most every year we would have a day where we would invite potential sponsors of Carolina sports to have dinner on the station, take a look at the cost that if you wanted to help sponsor Carolina sports find out how much you were going to have to pay to have your advertising on the Carolina games.
Several times during those years to entice more Carolina people to come and buy advertising we would bring the big guns from Chapel Hill to Ahoskie and they would pitch for us what ever the price was going to be to be on the Carolina games. When I say big guns Woody Durham from the Carolina Network was most of the time the six shooter who came to make the pitch.
You must understand for me a Wolfpack faithful having Woody was a hard thing to do the first time I ever met him. Most trips he would spend three hours or so and it was up to us at the radio station to sign up all those who bought the Carolina package. So in a way Woody help me with my pay check every week.
When you listen to a game and the person doing the talking you know a little bit about them and to hear Woody say "Touchdown Carolina" I came to appreciate Woody Durham for his ability both as a salesman and broadcaster. One Saturday afternoon in the 90's my boss at the time a big time Carolina donor gave me eight basketball tickets on the eighth row from the foul line to midcourt. Once the game was over we waited for the crowd to disperse before we left and as we walked up the steps Woody was coming down the steps. There was a time when the broadcast booth was at the top of the field level. Today I think they sit on the floor by the team.
My son Brooks at the time about 10 years old was with me and I said Brooks 'Here comes Mr Woody Durham the voice of the Tar Heels'. To my amazement Woody shook my sons hand and when he reached to shake mine said " Tony how you been doing". It had probably been ten years since I had last seen Woody and to think he remember me a nobody from Ahoskie impressed me greatly and impressed everyone with me that I knew Woody Durham.
I am sad to hear the news that Woody has a health condition called Primary Progressive Aphasia. It is a nerve condition that controls your ability to put words together. Woody retired as the Voice of the Tar Heels in 2011 still in the prime of his ability as a sports broadcaster. A person that speaks for a living most of the great ones have a great ability to communicate. Woody was one of the best.
I took off my high school cap and gown and went right to work at our local radio station as a disc jockey and when September rolled around I was the color man on our radio stations broadcast of Ahoskie High school football. I was a fixture on Friday night football for the next 22 years.
Our radio station carried University of North Carolina sports and of course that was football and basketball. The spring of most every year we would have a day where we would invite potential sponsors of Carolina sports to have dinner on the station, take a look at the cost that if you wanted to help sponsor Carolina sports find out how much you were going to have to pay to have your advertising on the Carolina games.
Several times during those years to entice more Carolina people to come and buy advertising we would bring the big guns from Chapel Hill to Ahoskie and they would pitch for us what ever the price was going to be to be on the Carolina games. When I say big guns Woody Durham from the Carolina Network was most of the time the six shooter who came to make the pitch.
You must understand for me a Wolfpack faithful having Woody was a hard thing to do the first time I ever met him. Most trips he would spend three hours or so and it was up to us at the radio station to sign up all those who bought the Carolina package. So in a way Woody help me with my pay check every week.
When you listen to a game and the person doing the talking you know a little bit about them and to hear Woody say "Touchdown Carolina" I came to appreciate Woody Durham for his ability both as a salesman and broadcaster. One Saturday afternoon in the 90's my boss at the time a big time Carolina donor gave me eight basketball tickets on the eighth row from the foul line to midcourt. Once the game was over we waited for the crowd to disperse before we left and as we walked up the steps Woody was coming down the steps. There was a time when the broadcast booth was at the top of the field level. Today I think they sit on the floor by the team.
My son Brooks at the time about 10 years old was with me and I said Brooks 'Here comes Mr Woody Durham the voice of the Tar Heels'. To my amazement Woody shook my sons hand and when he reached to shake mine said " Tony how you been doing". It had probably been ten years since I had last seen Woody and to think he remember me a nobody from Ahoskie impressed me greatly and impressed everyone with me that I knew Woody Durham.
I am sad to hear the news that Woody has a health condition called Primary Progressive Aphasia. It is a nerve condition that controls your ability to put words together. Woody retired as the Voice of the Tar Heels in 2011 still in the prime of his ability as a sports broadcaster. A person that speaks for a living most of the great ones have a great ability to communicate. Woody was one of the best.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Bottom Of The Ninth Rally
Coleman Pitt moved their home game tonight to Rocky Mount Academy and a nice crowd saw a thriller not decided until two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Ahoskie Post 102 started lefty Logan Jackson and for four innings Post 58 was hapless getting just one hit but Coleman Pitt starter Cameron Taylor in trouble every inning but the first but despite his troubles heading into the sixth inning CP 58 just trailed 1-0
Ahoskie plated their first run in the second and it took four hits then. Still down by one Taylor got the first two batters out in the sixth until three straight hits scored one and in comes Noah Schrock who is greeted with a single and a 3-0 lead. Rocky Mount responded with a hit from Tyler Sherrod and a walk to Noah Schrock. John Michael Kelly delivered an RBI single and Tyler Barrett sac fly scored one.
Schrock now in control on the mound held Post 102 at bay and the bottom of the eighth Tyler Barrett singled , Logan Pearce put down a sac bunt getting Barrett to second but with the third baseman and pitcher neither covering third Barrett took off to third where the first baseman throw sailed over everyone's head scoring Barrett.
Entering the ninth Schrock struggled and Ahoskie scored on a bloop single and of all things took the lead with the bases loaded on a catchers interference. Coleman Pitt was up to the task. Lead off batter Tyler Sherrod hit Post 58's first home run of the season to tie the game. Schrock walked sacrificed to second by Forest Bell. A walk to John Michael Kelly. Tyler Barret hit a shot over the head of the Post 102 center fielder and the runners were waiting on a tag up and great execution of a relay throw nailed Schrock at home. The next batter now with two outs Logan Pearce hit a shot across the third base bag scoring the winning run.
Coleman Pitt goes to 3-3 but Ahoskie outhit CP 58 15-10. Post 102 pitching walked ten and three errors play a big part in the CP 58 win.
Ahoskie plated their first run in the second and it took four hits then. Still down by one Taylor got the first two batters out in the sixth until three straight hits scored one and in comes Noah Schrock who is greeted with a single and a 3-0 lead. Rocky Mount responded with a hit from Tyler Sherrod and a walk to Noah Schrock. John Michael Kelly delivered an RBI single and Tyler Barrett sac fly scored one.
Schrock now in control on the mound held Post 102 at bay and the bottom of the eighth Tyler Barrett singled , Logan Pearce put down a sac bunt getting Barrett to second but with the third baseman and pitcher neither covering third Barrett took off to third where the first baseman throw sailed over everyone's head scoring Barrett.
Entering the ninth Schrock struggled and Ahoskie scored on a bloop single and of all things took the lead with the bases loaded on a catchers interference. Coleman Pitt was up to the task. Lead off batter Tyler Sherrod hit Post 58's first home run of the season to tie the game. Schrock walked sacrificed to second by Forest Bell. A walk to John Michael Kelly. Tyler Barret hit a shot over the head of the Post 102 center fielder and the runners were waiting on a tag up and great execution of a relay throw nailed Schrock at home. The next batter now with two outs Logan Pearce hit a shot across the third base bag scoring the winning run.
Coleman Pitt goes to 3-3 but Ahoskie outhit CP 58 15-10. Post 102 pitching walked ten and three errors play a big part in the CP 58 win.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
A Career Comes To An End
Lander University for the second time in three years made it all the way to the Division II College World Series. Regardless of the sport when ever playoffs start there is talent and luck that helps your team advance and in Lander's case some of that talent came from Rocky Mount High School and Thomas Berry.
Way back in 2008 as a jv catcher Thomas was brought up from the jv's to be on the varsity during the state playoffs. He would sit while older brother Chris a third baseman/pitcher would be a vital part of the Gryphons run bringing home a state Championship in baseball. Now a sophomore twin brother Matthew joined him in three productive years playing baseball for RMHS. Included would be Legion Ball where the Berry's were part of the Post 58 Legion team that qualified for the State Championship Tournament.
Graduation time and a former Gryphon baseball player now coaching at Lander Britt Johnson convinced Thomas that Lander would be a good place to play baseball in college. A shoulder injury pretty much ended his catching career and as college progressed first base and the designated hitter became Berry's lineup position.
His freshman year in 2012 he played in only 18 games and hit a paltry181 batting average with three rbi and a very good eye produced seven walks. His sophomore season was a season of heal up from injuries.
Now a redshirt sophomore Thomas would be a leader in helping send Lander to the College World Series in Cary. He batted 348 hit six home runs drove home 54 rbi and walked a total of 62 times which led the DII stats in the nation. One victory in Cary would give Lander a fifth place finish in the World Series.
Thomas's junior year for Lander they would not win as many as they loss but the blame for that could not be placed on the now DH for the Bearcats. Berry hit 318, eight doubles, nine home runs fifty rbi and 34 walks on the season.
Berry returned to Lander for his final season and as he has become Mr. Dependable hitting 312 recorded 12 doubles, 14 home runs and number 14 made Thomas Berry the all time home run king in Bearcat history with 29. He recorded 60 rbi and walked again 56 times.
Lander was knocked out of the World Series tonight 4-2 and finish 3rd in the nation and with it the baseball career of Thomas Berry comes to a close. He is not the size that pro baseball people want and to add to that he is no speed demon on the base paths. Despite all that he had a career 326 batting average, hit 29 home runs, drove in 164 runs and walked 167 times. There is only one way to describe Thomas Berry from his little league career, high school, Legion and college, He is a ball player. Thanks for the memories.
Change of Venue. Friday night's Coleman Pitt Post 58 games has been moved to Rocky Mount Academy.. First pitch is 7pm against Post 102 from Ahoskie..
Way back in 2008 as a jv catcher Thomas was brought up from the jv's to be on the varsity during the state playoffs. He would sit while older brother Chris a third baseman/pitcher would be a vital part of the Gryphons run bringing home a state Championship in baseball. Now a sophomore twin brother Matthew joined him in three productive years playing baseball for RMHS. Included would be Legion Ball where the Berry's were part of the Post 58 Legion team that qualified for the State Championship Tournament.
Graduation time and a former Gryphon baseball player now coaching at Lander Britt Johnson convinced Thomas that Lander would be a good place to play baseball in college. A shoulder injury pretty much ended his catching career and as college progressed first base and the designated hitter became Berry's lineup position.
His freshman year in 2012 he played in only 18 games and hit a paltry181 batting average with three rbi and a very good eye produced seven walks. His sophomore season was a season of heal up from injuries.
Now a redshirt sophomore Thomas would be a leader in helping send Lander to the College World Series in Cary. He batted 348 hit six home runs drove home 54 rbi and walked a total of 62 times which led the DII stats in the nation. One victory in Cary would give Lander a fifth place finish in the World Series.
Thomas's junior year for Lander they would not win as many as they loss but the blame for that could not be placed on the now DH for the Bearcats. Berry hit 318, eight doubles, nine home runs fifty rbi and 34 walks on the season.
Berry returned to Lander for his final season and as he has become Mr. Dependable hitting 312 recorded 12 doubles, 14 home runs and number 14 made Thomas Berry the all time home run king in Bearcat history with 29. He recorded 60 rbi and walked again 56 times.
Lander was knocked out of the World Series tonight 4-2 and finish 3rd in the nation and with it the baseball career of Thomas Berry comes to a close. He is not the size that pro baseball people want and to add to that he is no speed demon on the base paths. Despite all that he had a career 326 batting average, hit 29 home runs, drove in 164 runs and walked 167 times. There is only one way to describe Thomas Berry from his little league career, high school, Legion and college, He is a ball player. Thanks for the memories.
Change of Venue. Friday night's Coleman Pitt Post 58 games has been moved to Rocky Mount Academy.. First pitch is 7pm against Post 102 from Ahoskie..
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Down To Four
The Division II College World Series is down to four teams and the Lander Bearcats from Greenwood South Carolina are still alive. Wednesday afternoon the Bearcats beat the 2014 National Champions Southern Indiana. Southern Indiana knocked Lander out of their only trip ever to the World Series in 2014. Today the Bearcats repay SI.
Former Gryphon Thomas Berry the DH for Lander went 0-2 in the game but Berry played a tremendous role in the victory. The lead off hitter in the top of the second Berry coaxed a walk and would score the first run for the BearCats. The next time up Berry was plunked in the back reaching first base. Moments later standing on third with one out Berry scored what at the time looked like a sacrifice fly the right fielder lost it in the sun and Berry scored what proved to be the lead run and before the inning was over led 4-1.
Lander wins 4-2 and heading into Thursday action Lander stands 2-1. They are joined by Cal Poly who after a 3-0 win Wednesday stands at 2-1. There are two unbeaten teams that stand at 2-0 and they are Millersville from Pennslyvania and Nova Southeastern from Fort Lauderdale Florida.
The way the brackets are set up Cal Poly plays Nova Southeastern at 3pm and Lander collides with Millersville at 7pm. Should the two unbeaten teams win both games Thursday then Friday begins the two teams unbeaten to play a single game Friday and if needed two games on Saturday.
Suppose both Lander and Cal Poly win giving all four teams left with one loss. Then a double header will be played Friday with Lander playing Cal Poly a team they have not played this week. Should one of the two one loss teams win that would lead to the one loss teams to meet again on Friday and the winner of that game would play the undefeated Saturday having to win twice.
Thomas Berry's college career has at least one more day and his team Lander is no worse than the fourth best team in the country.
I promised yesterday you needed to watch out that Coleman Pitt Post 58 just might play a game that was not at this time on the schedule. There is one on the schedule now. Coleman Pitt will host Ahoskie Post 102 Friday Night at 7 pm at Legion Field. These two teams just played last Saturday splitting a doubleheader 3-5 and 9-2.
Former Gryphon Thomas Berry the DH for Lander went 0-2 in the game but Berry played a tremendous role in the victory. The lead off hitter in the top of the second Berry coaxed a walk and would score the first run for the BearCats. The next time up Berry was plunked in the back reaching first base. Moments later standing on third with one out Berry scored what at the time looked like a sacrifice fly the right fielder lost it in the sun and Berry scored what proved to be the lead run and before the inning was over led 4-1.
Lander wins 4-2 and heading into Thursday action Lander stands 2-1. They are joined by Cal Poly who after a 3-0 win Wednesday stands at 2-1. There are two unbeaten teams that stand at 2-0 and they are Millersville from Pennslyvania and Nova Southeastern from Fort Lauderdale Florida.
The way the brackets are set up Cal Poly plays Nova Southeastern at 3pm and Lander collides with Millersville at 7pm. Should the two unbeaten teams win both games Thursday then Friday begins the two teams unbeaten to play a single game Friday and if needed two games on Saturday.
Suppose both Lander and Cal Poly win giving all four teams left with one loss. Then a double header will be played Friday with Lander playing Cal Poly a team they have not played this week. Should one of the two one loss teams win that would lead to the one loss teams to meet again on Friday and the winner of that game would play the undefeated Saturday having to win twice.
Thomas Berry's college career has at least one more day and his team Lander is no worse than the fourth best team in the country.
I promised yesterday you needed to watch out that Coleman Pitt Post 58 just might play a game that was not at this time on the schedule. There is one on the schedule now. Coleman Pitt will host Ahoskie Post 102 Friday Night at 7 pm at Legion Field. These two teams just played last Saturday splitting a doubleheader 3-5 and 9-2.
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