Friday, April 29, 2016

From Last To Top Seed

After the first week of conference play the Rocky Mount Gryphons stood at 0-2 having blown a 4-2 lead at Nash Central and a 4-0 lead at Hunt.  Tonight behind the three hitting pitching of David Harrison the Gryphons take the number one seed in the Big East with 2-0 shutout of Northern Nash.

The Win Gives the Gryphons a 6-4 conference record with Northern Nash but the Gryphons swept the Knights in both games played.  Hunt also ties at 6-4 after they went to Fike and won 9-0.  Nash Central got back to 5-5 in conference play beating Southern Nash 7-2 and tie Fike 5-5. Next week's Big East tournament will start with 3rd seed Hunt Hosting Southern Nash and number four seed Nash Central hosting Fike.

Chad Nelms got the start for Northern Nash and he like every pitcher that has faced David Harrison pitched well enough but not good enough.  Helms gives up four hits walked only two batters and struck out 11 Gryphons. Two of the four Gryphons hits came in the third inning, Jamar  Ellis singled and with one out Josh Pittman single putting runners on first and third.

Wednesday of this week Marvin Coates passed away and his Grandson Logan Pearce hit a shot to left field that was caught on the warning track and Ellis easily scored from third giving Pearce what would turn out to be the game winning RBI.  The Gryphons scored their second run in the fourth after Forest Bell walked stole second and scored on a David Harrison base hit.

David Harrison probably wrapped up the player of the year in the Big East after his complete game shutout.  He allowed three hits, walk four which were three more than he had walked in all conference games.  He struck out nine but the last five Knights to get out struck out.  During Big East games Harrison pitched 34 and 2/3 and gave up three runs which is an ERA.083.

Northern's three hits came from Matt Rose who had a double and single and Josh Daniels.  The Gryphons had all singles from Josh Pittman, David Harrison, Will Hedgepeth and Jamar Ellis.  Both Rocky Mount and Northern have byes and both will host semi final games next week.


Up For Grabs

Tonight wraps up the Big East regular season and every game means something for everyone.  Northern 6-3 sits on top.  Fike-Hunt-Rocky Mount all stand at 5-4.  Nash Central 4-5 and Southern 2-7.  Big East baseball Tournament starts Monday night when who ever finishes 3rd host Southern Nash.  Nash Central knows they can't finish any better than 3rd but they could finish fifth so they have no idea where they play Monday right now.  Even the top two spots who would get a bye and not play until Wednesday is not known at this time.

Rocky Mount at Northern Nash.: Pat Smith had to use David Harrison for about 25 pitches Tuesday and the question is can he go seven innings if needed?  The answer is yes.  Tuesday night's two innings are being used as his bullpen session for this week.  Northern has as close to any team a pitching  staff.  Everyone else has a main line pitcher and throwers.  I understand Northern Pitched Dwight Daniels Tuesday so they still have Tyler Barrett, Chad Nelms or Side armer Whit Casper that they can throw.  Northern is home and looks to have more options than Rocky Mount.

Hunt at Fike:  The winner could be in a three way tie for first if Rocky Mount will help them out at beat Northern.  The loser could drop to fifth spot in the standings with their fifth loss and of course this is pending other results Friday night.

Nash Central At Southern Nash:  A Bulldog win they can still capture third and a loss they are guaranteed fifth.  Southern is stuck in last as their hitting has dried up as the season has progressed as they have as good of pitching as anyone else.

I think anyone who saw the Rocky Mount Gryphons play football this past season could tell there were some really good football players on the field for the Gryphons.  This will show you what winning playoff games and state championships do for good players.  It puts eyes on them  in playoff games that because the roster shows them as not being the right size college coaches don't even think about until they actually see them perform.

Saw in the Telegram yesterday about the story written about Sherrod Greene and B J Sanders.  If you watched at all over the last two season everyone in the Big East knew about B J Sanders.  His profile does not fit D1 schools to look at.  An 81 yard run on the first play of a state championship game has been seen by every college coach in the country.  Sanders has now been offered just because Rocky Mount played so many playoff games and he performed well and coaches have all the films of everybody by regional times.  If the Gryphons had of loss a first round game Sanders may not ever gotten a look from a D 1 or D11 School.  I can assure you we will talk more about Sherrod Greene in the future.

I want to close today honoring a non sports event.  A day this week in the Telegram was a story about
Adam Moore who recently was named the North Carolina most outstanding JROTC Cadet by the Sons of the American Revolution.  Adam as a rising Senior  at Nash Central. He wants to go  the United States Navel Academy.  I would love to shake his hand for the honor bestowed on him but also because he wants to serve his country. Thank You Adam and good luck winning the top Cadet in the nation.