Have you ever noticed that since high school athletes in most cases come from a geographical area in which is considered that schools's district. It is very hard year after year to have special athletes to stay on top year in and year out.
Just maybe Rocky Mount tennis May be going through one of those special periods. They are unbeaten in every team match this season.
Just this week they completed and undefeated season sweeping the conference tournament. Rocky Mount's number one player Tyler Brice a Junior won the singles title and is the Big East Tournament Champion. He beat teammate senior Langley Salter and both have qualified for the East Regional which starts next Friday.
George Shannon Junior and Landon Norwood Sophomore won the conference doubles title. Ben Osterhout a junior who plays the Gryphons 6th single spot qualified for the regional. So five Gryphons are in the individual singles and doubles which starts Friday and the duels or the team play starts Tuesday at home.
These stats are regular season stats but look at how deep this team is. Tyler Brice playing number one slot 11-0. Playing as Number two singles George Shannon 11-0. Langley Salter number three player 7-4. The four spot is held down by Landon Norwood 9-2. The five hole is occupied by Spencer Harris junior 9-2. Number six player Ben Osterhout is 10-1. The Gryphons for the year before doubles ever hit the court were leading their matches 5-1 which had already won the match.
The number one doubles team Brice and Shannon were 8-0. Norwood and Salter7-1. Harris and Osterhout 4-1. Quinton Mangano freshman and Sam Philips sophomore 1-0. Harris and Philips 0-1.
There's more: Those who played this season as the third doubles look at these numbers. Spencer Harris and Ben Osterhaut 4-1. Charlie Lane junior and Sam Philips 2-0. Spencer Harris and Sam Philips 2-0.. Charlie Lane and Ryan Shrimper sophomore 1-0.. Ben Osterhaut and Sam Philips 1-0.
Whether one two or three doubles team this team was 30-4 in all their doubles matches. Looking at each player did you notice anything? There is only one senior on the team. Tuesday starts the playoffs and this team looks as if they have a shot to make the state finals. The sky seems to be unlimited this year. Just think they could be better next year!
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Friday, April 28, 2017
Red Hot Gryphons
- Last night David Harrison annoyed Northern Nash pitching a shutout.. Tonight a three run homer in the first, a double and rbi a single an a rbi and just a plain single was enough right there but the greedy Gryphons pounded out 12 hits in finishing the regular season clipping Southern Nash 12-3. The Gryphons close the regular season with an 8-2 conference record and 14-6 Mark for the year.
Ben Seracki gave the Gryphons shutout ball on the mound through four innings but on a hot humid night tired starting in the fifth and was removed with one out in the 6th. He gave up five hits three walks and two hit batters. One of the walks and hit batters with the bases load scoring two runs. Southern third run scored on a Trevor Mills sac fly.
Rocky Mount scored in the third after Spencer Ramsey walked advanced to third on two wild pitches and scored. The fourth started with Zack Keeter strikeout but reach base when the ball rolled to the screen. Lane Butler bunted him to second. Josh Pittman doubled him home. A single by Spencer Ramsey, a walk to Jamar Ellis and a double by Harrison which hit half way up the wall drove home only one run as the Gryphons found two men on the third base bag. Jake Philbeck single brought home two runs Ben Seracki bunt the runners up and Zack Keeter had an rbi single. Five runs crossed the plate making the score 9-0.
The Firebirds scored two in the fifth after AJ Jones singled. Grayson Rudder doubled. Ryan Marlowe was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Dawson Sikes walked getting an rbi. Alex Marlowe was hit by a pitch to drive in the second run.
The Gryphons tried to end it in sixth inning scoring three times Jamar Ellis walked David Harrison got his fifth rbi on the night with a single. Jack Philbeck got two rbi with a single to run the score to 12-2.
Hunter Perry opened the Southern 6th with a double. A Seracki walk was the end of the night for Ben Seracki . Enter Joernest Petway who was greeted by Grayson Rudder single. A sac fly by Trevor Mills drove home run number three and a needed 7th inning. Petway gave up a walk and hit but no runs giving the Gryphons a 12-3 victory.
Rocky Mount next plays Tuesday night and will host the Southern
Nash/Northern Nash winner on Monday. Nash Central will travel to Fike Monday with that winner meeting Hunt Tuesday.
A shocker Nash Central best Hunt 9-1 to finish conference play at 4-6. Hunt loses for the first time in conference play 9-1.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Gryphons Clinch Second
There will be no doubt the Knights of Northern Nash hope David Harrison graduated soon. The first time The Knights and the Gryphons met Harrison pitched four innings walking none giving up two hits and striking out five.
Tonight Harrison goes the distance giving up two hits striking out 12 and did not walk a batter. So for the season 11 innings pitched four hits allowed 17 strike outs and zero walks against Northern Nash. Rocky Mount wins 7-0.
The last few conference gamesThe Gryphons has had some good hitting nights. Tonight is a ten hit night including two triples and Northern contributed four errors.
The Gryphons scored in The first after leadoff batter Josh Pittman walked and Jamar Ellis drove him home with a single. Northern's only threat came in second. Josh Daniels floated a single to left. Playing for sac bunt Aaron Gerlach attempted and Daniels beat the throw your second. A sac bunt put runner on second and third but Harrison struck out the next two to snuff out any rally.
The Gryphons struck for four in the third getting a single from Josh Pittman, an rbi double by Spencer Ramsey followed by another double by Jarmar Ellis. The second triple of the night by David Harrison plated Ellis. Harrison scored on an error.
Ramsey, Ellis and Harrison had back to back to back singles in the fourth to score run six and the Gryphons 7th was aided by two base on balls and an error to round out the scoring.
The win brings the Gryphons to 7-2 and guaranteed two place in next weeks tournament and a semi final home game Tuesday against the Monday 3/6 match up Monday. We know for sure right now Northern will be the sixth seed.
Rocky Mount's make up Tuesday night's rain out tomorrow night at Southern Nash. Northern finishes conference play 0-10
There was thrilling baseball played everywhere else in Big East conference play. Hunt went to 9-0 with a ten inning 2-1 win over Fike. Fike finishes it's conference play at 4-6.
Southern Nash topped Nash Central 3-2. The win clinches 3rd for Southern Nash at 5-4 with a game tonight against Rocky Mount While Fike and Nash Central 3-6 will play the 4/5 game in the Big East tournament Monday. Nash Central host Hunt tonight.
The Rocky Mount boys tennis team have completed their regular season undefeated and this afternoon swept through the conference team title 9-0 to head to state playoffs undefeated.
Rocky Mount boys track and field teams wins the Big East championship while the girls finish second.
Tonight Harrison goes the distance giving up two hits striking out 12 and did not walk a batter. So for the season 11 innings pitched four hits allowed 17 strike outs and zero walks against Northern Nash. Rocky Mount wins 7-0.
The last few conference gamesThe Gryphons has had some good hitting nights. Tonight is a ten hit night including two triples and Northern contributed four errors.
The Gryphons scored in The first after leadoff batter Josh Pittman walked and Jamar Ellis drove him home with a single. Northern's only threat came in second. Josh Daniels floated a single to left. Playing for sac bunt Aaron Gerlach attempted and Daniels beat the throw your second. A sac bunt put runner on second and third but Harrison struck out the next two to snuff out any rally.
The Gryphons struck for four in the third getting a single from Josh Pittman, an rbi double by Spencer Ramsey followed by another double by Jarmar Ellis. The second triple of the night by David Harrison plated Ellis. Harrison scored on an error.
Ramsey, Ellis and Harrison had back to back to back singles in the fourth to score run six and the Gryphons 7th was aided by two base on balls and an error to round out the scoring.
The win brings the Gryphons to 7-2 and guaranteed two place in next weeks tournament and a semi final home game Tuesday against the Monday 3/6 match up Monday. We know for sure right now Northern will be the sixth seed.
Rocky Mount's make up Tuesday night's rain out tomorrow night at Southern Nash. Northern finishes conference play 0-10
There was thrilling baseball played everywhere else in Big East conference play. Hunt went to 9-0 with a ten inning 2-1 win over Fike. Fike finishes it's conference play at 4-6.
Southern Nash topped Nash Central 3-2. The win clinches 3rd for Southern Nash at 5-4 with a game tonight against Rocky Mount While Fike and Nash Central 3-6 will play the 4/5 game in the Big East tournament Monday. Nash Central host Hunt tonight.
The Rocky Mount boys tennis team have completed their regular season undefeated and this afternoon swept through the conference team title 9-0 to head to state playoffs undefeated.
Rocky Mount boys track and field teams wins the Big East championship while the girls finish second.
FLOODED Out
We are having a hard time recording little league games for WHIG TV. The night they can record the the ball games right now is Wednesday which is the senior little league. So far of the three possible nights we have been ready to tape we been rained out once and last night flooded out.
I think the street that runs by the sports complex is Inpendendence Drive. Coming off Wesleyan Blvd. There were road closed signs so if you circle around to the YMCA the road close sign is near the playground toward the sports complex. You can see water running across the road beyond the play ground.
Tuesday night Trea Turner former NC State baseball player and now the starting shortstop for the Washington Nationals hit for the cycle.
He hit a single, double, home run and a triple. It is only third time in Washington National history that a player has hit for the cycle.
He also drove in 7 runs in the game to be only the second player in major league history to hit for the cycle and driven in 7 runs in the same game. The only other player in major league history Joe DiMaggio.
Tonight is the NFL draft and there is plenty of conversation that the Cleveland Browns will pick UNC football quarterback Mitch Trubisky as the number one draft pick in this years draft.,,we will know later tonight.
Heard over the weekend that Benton Moss threw for the first time since his back injury early in spring training. He is on the Advanced A team in Port Charlotte Florida which is the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
High school baseball resumes tonight after Tuesday's rainouts.
Northern Nash visits Rocky Mount. Southern Nash travels to Nash Central and Fike invades Hunt.
I think the street that runs by the sports complex is Inpendendence Drive. Coming off Wesleyan Blvd. There were road closed signs so if you circle around to the YMCA the road close sign is near the playground toward the sports complex. You can see water running across the road beyond the play ground.
Tuesday night Trea Turner former NC State baseball player and now the starting shortstop for the Washington Nationals hit for the cycle.
He hit a single, double, home run and a triple. It is only third time in Washington National history that a player has hit for the cycle.
He also drove in 7 runs in the game to be only the second player in major league history to hit for the cycle and driven in 7 runs in the same game. The only other player in major league history Joe DiMaggio.
Tonight is the NFL draft and there is plenty of conversation that the Cleveland Browns will pick UNC football quarterback Mitch Trubisky as the number one draft pick in this years draft.,,we will know later tonight.
Heard over the weekend that Benton Moss threw for the first time since his back injury early in spring training. He is on the Advanced A team in Port Charlotte Florida which is the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
High school baseball resumes tonight after Tuesday's rainouts.
Northern Nash visits Rocky Mount. Southern Nash travels to Nash Central and Fike invades Hunt.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Wash Out
During yesterday's blog after having been to several games over the years at Southern Nash I didn't think the field would drain for a Wednesday game. I was correct but what I didn't think is that every baseball field in the conference is in jeopardy for any Wednesday games.
Every game schedule for Thursday will still be the games played. Every game rained out Tuesday will play Friday. No team has any advantage as all will have to play two conference games back to back and all will have pitch count issues Thursday as to how many pitchers needed to complete Thursday's game and still have enough to play Friday.
Last night former Northern Nash graduate Elliott Avent the baseball coach at NC State won his 1000th game as a college Baseball coach. In his 20th year in Raleigh the win over NCA&T was his 682nd win while losing 421. Avent's first coaching stint was right here in Rocky Mount in 1981 and 82 as an assistant coach at NC Wesleyan
NC Wesleyan might be called the cradle of baseball coaches having a former assistant Avent with 1000 wins and former head coach Mike Fox the head coach at Carolina with over 1330 college victories.
One of the greatest pleasures of any high school coach is to see one of their athletes move on to college to play at the next level. Tara McDonald the head girls volleyball coach at Rocky Mount will get to see that happen. Ashley Hatfield a member of the volleyball squad will attend John Wesley university in High Point and will play volleyball.
Good news for North Carolina Basketball as Joel Berry II has decided or has has received word that he will not be a high pick in this years NBA draft so he is returning to Chapel Hill to play his senior year for the Tar Heels.
It is a shame that college basketball has to worry every year whether they will have any players returning each year because the NBA could draft any player after any season.
The NBA should do like major league baseball and either draft a
Player right out of high school of wait after their third year out of high school.
Every game schedule for Thursday will still be the games played. Every game rained out Tuesday will play Friday. No team has any advantage as all will have to play two conference games back to back and all will have pitch count issues Thursday as to how many pitchers needed to complete Thursday's game and still have enough to play Friday.
Last night former Northern Nash graduate Elliott Avent the baseball coach at NC State won his 1000th game as a college Baseball coach. In his 20th year in Raleigh the win over NCA&T was his 682nd win while losing 421. Avent's first coaching stint was right here in Rocky Mount in 1981 and 82 as an assistant coach at NC Wesleyan
NC Wesleyan might be called the cradle of baseball coaches having a former assistant Avent with 1000 wins and former head coach Mike Fox the head coach at Carolina with over 1330 college victories.
One of the greatest pleasures of any high school coach is to see one of their athletes move on to college to play at the next level. Tara McDonald the head girls volleyball coach at Rocky Mount will get to see that happen. Ashley Hatfield a member of the volleyball squad will attend John Wesley university in High Point and will play volleyball.
Good news for North Carolina Basketball as Joel Berry II has decided or has has received word that he will not be a high pick in this years NBA draft so he is returning to Chapel Hill to play his senior year for the Tar Heels.
It is a shame that college basketball has to worry every year whether they will have any players returning each year because the NBA could draft any player after any season.
The NBA should do like major league baseball and either draft a
Player right out of high school of wait after their third year out of high school.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
A Few Questions Still Unanswered
We are down to the last week of the high school baseball regular season. We already know that Hunt will be the number one seed in next weeks Big East baseball tournament and will represent the conference as the Big East top team in state playoffs. We also know that Northern Nash will finish last during the regular season because two wins this week still could not catch Nash Central or Fike tied for fourth with three wins.
Second is secure for Rocky Mount but they could still be tied by Southern Nash but the tie breaker goes to Rocky Mount. Third through fifth could be any of Southern Nash, Fike or Nash Central. The two games every one has on the schedule this week will give us those answers.
Hunt 14-6 8-0 in Big East play has nothing to settle this week. They have the best offense and defense in the conference if you consider runs scored and runs given up as the judging factor. They have score 50 runs in eight conference games while giving up 23. If there is hope for the rest of the conference they gave up 13 runs the last two conference games while the first six only 10. Pitching might be tiring. Tuesday at Nash Central and finish up Thursday at home against Fike
Rocky Mount 12-6 6-2 can wrap up second out right Tuesday at Southern Nash or with a victory at home Thursday against Northern Nash. Have picked up runs per game to 4 in conference 33 total while holding steady runs allowed 25 a tad over three. 4 to 3 is their average score in conference play which leaves no room for errors. What it proves they are winning the close games. The question is can they keep that up.
Southern Nash 12-8 4-4 They are squeezed in with Nash Central and Fike. Two losses they could fall to fifth while two wins secure third. Any thing in between they could finish from third to fifth. Scored 42 runs in conference while yielding 39. Kind of shows why they are 4-4. What they have secured is a winning season something they haven't had many of over the past several years. Host Rocky Mount Tuesday and travel to Central Thursday.
Nash Central 13-8 3-5 Have shown improvement in runs scored over last several weeks. Conference wise scored 46 giving up 42. Pounded the ball at the Golden Leaf last week. Could climb to third or fifth. The lower they are the chances of making playoffs dim. Host Hunt and Southern Nash this week. Both those teams are ahead of them in the standings.
Fike 9-10 3-5 Their overall record has them in jeopardy of not making the playoffs. Stuck in that triangle with Southern Nash and Nash Central fighting it out for 3rd-4th-5th. Only scored 34 runs one more than Rocky Mount but three games behind them in the standing because they have allowed 44 to RM's 25. Host Northern Nash Tuesday and ride to Hunt Thursday
Northern Nash 5-14 0-8. Have complete control of last in the Big East regular season. There is still playoff hope if they can win the Big East baseball tournament and jump to second in playoff seedings. This new pitch count rule will not be good for any team playing three games in any tournament while the top two only have to play twice. Scored only 17 runs in conference play and 49 given up both Marks last in Big East. At Fike Tuesday and Rocky Mount Thursday.
Monday's heavy rain what ever falls Tuesday just might get rained out Tuesday. More than likely they would play Wednesday so every team would play back to back nights which brings the pitch count rule into play. Any pitcher who throws 31 pitches Wednesday can not pitch Thursday. Boythat rule had hurt several teams this year.
I have not seen any schedule for next weeks Big East tournament but in the past they have played 3-6 ands 2-5 on Mondays Semi's Tuesday and Finals on Thursday just guessing.
Second is secure for Rocky Mount but they could still be tied by Southern Nash but the tie breaker goes to Rocky Mount. Third through fifth could be any of Southern Nash, Fike or Nash Central. The two games every one has on the schedule this week will give us those answers.
Hunt 14-6 8-0 in Big East play has nothing to settle this week. They have the best offense and defense in the conference if you consider runs scored and runs given up as the judging factor. They have score 50 runs in eight conference games while giving up 23. If there is hope for the rest of the conference they gave up 13 runs the last two conference games while the first six only 10. Pitching might be tiring. Tuesday at Nash Central and finish up Thursday at home against Fike
Rocky Mount 12-6 6-2 can wrap up second out right Tuesday at Southern Nash or with a victory at home Thursday against Northern Nash. Have picked up runs per game to 4 in conference 33 total while holding steady runs allowed 25 a tad over three. 4 to 3 is their average score in conference play which leaves no room for errors. What it proves they are winning the close games. The question is can they keep that up.
Southern Nash 12-8 4-4 They are squeezed in with Nash Central and Fike. Two losses they could fall to fifth while two wins secure third. Any thing in between they could finish from third to fifth. Scored 42 runs in conference while yielding 39. Kind of shows why they are 4-4. What they have secured is a winning season something they haven't had many of over the past several years. Host Rocky Mount Tuesday and travel to Central Thursday.
Nash Central 13-8 3-5 Have shown improvement in runs scored over last several weeks. Conference wise scored 46 giving up 42. Pounded the ball at the Golden Leaf last week. Could climb to third or fifth. The lower they are the chances of making playoffs dim. Host Hunt and Southern Nash this week. Both those teams are ahead of them in the standings.
Fike 9-10 3-5 Their overall record has them in jeopardy of not making the playoffs. Stuck in that triangle with Southern Nash and Nash Central fighting it out for 3rd-4th-5th. Only scored 34 runs one more than Rocky Mount but three games behind them in the standing because they have allowed 44 to RM's 25. Host Northern Nash Tuesday and ride to Hunt Thursday
Northern Nash 5-14 0-8. Have complete control of last in the Big East regular season. There is still playoff hope if they can win the Big East baseball tournament and jump to second in playoff seedings. This new pitch count rule will not be good for any team playing three games in any tournament while the top two only have to play twice. Scored only 17 runs in conference play and 49 given up both Marks last in Big East. At Fike Tuesday and Rocky Mount Thursday.
Monday's heavy rain what ever falls Tuesday just might get rained out Tuesday. More than likely they would play Wednesday so every team would play back to back nights which brings the pitch count rule into play. Any pitcher who throws 31 pitches Wednesday can not pitch Thursday. Boythat rule had hurt several teams this year.
I have not seen any schedule for next weeks Big East tournament but in the past they have played 3-6 ands 2-5 on Mondays Semi's Tuesday and Finals on Thursday just guessing.
Monday, April 24, 2017
Big East Boys Tennis Tournament Starts This Week
Sorry kids but the Easter vacation is over and it's back to the world of books. There are those that have an afternoon outlet called sports. This week boys tennis has their conference tournament.
Rocky Mount is the regular season champion 10-0 and 11-0 on the season. Getting second is Fike 8-2 12-4. Southern Nash is third 6-4 11-4. Fourth is Northern Nash 3-7 7-7. Fifth spot belongs to Nash Central 3-7 8-7. The rear is under the care of Hunt 0-10 2-14
The conference tournament starts Tuesday at Barton College.
Girls soccer is still a week from the end of the regular season. Rocky Mount and Fike are tied for first at 7-1. Hunt is 5-3 holds down third. Northern Nash has fourth with a 3-5 record. Nash Central 2-6 and Southern Nash 0-8 are the bottom two teams. The big question in soccer who will win out for the top spot.
Softball still has a week to go but Hunt has control at 8-0. Fike trails in second at 6-2. Southern Nash holds down third at 5-3. The bottom tier in the league is Nash Central 3-5, Northern Nash 2-6 and Rocky Mount trails the field at 0-8.
We Will take more about baseball tomorrow.
This past week the Rocky Mount Telegram handed out their winter sports all area team and their player of the year in each winter sport..
Rocky Mount Academy's swimmer Kayla Miller is the female swimmer of the year.
SouthWest Edgecombe's Jack Coltrane is the male swimmer of the year.
Quadarrius Hopkins of Tarboro is the wrestler of the year
Rocky Mount has Keyanna Spivey as girls basketball player.
Darius Spragley of Northern Nash is the boys basketball player of the year.
Congratulation to all.
Rocky Mount is the regular season champion 10-0 and 11-0 on the season. Getting second is Fike 8-2 12-4. Southern Nash is third 6-4 11-4. Fourth is Northern Nash 3-7 7-7. Fifth spot belongs to Nash Central 3-7 8-7. The rear is under the care of Hunt 0-10 2-14
The conference tournament starts Tuesday at Barton College.
Girls soccer is still a week from the end of the regular season. Rocky Mount and Fike are tied for first at 7-1. Hunt is 5-3 holds down third. Northern Nash has fourth with a 3-5 record. Nash Central 2-6 and Southern Nash 0-8 are the bottom two teams. The big question in soccer who will win out for the top spot.
Softball still has a week to go but Hunt has control at 8-0. Fike trails in second at 6-2. Southern Nash holds down third at 5-3. The bottom tier in the league is Nash Central 3-5, Northern Nash 2-6 and Rocky Mount trails the field at 0-8.
We Will take more about baseball tomorrow.
This past week the Rocky Mount Telegram handed out their winter sports all area team and their player of the year in each winter sport..
Rocky Mount Academy's swimmer Kayla Miller is the female swimmer of the year.
SouthWest Edgecombe's Jack Coltrane is the male swimmer of the year.
Quadarrius Hopkins of Tarboro is the wrestler of the year
Rocky Mount has Keyanna Spivey as girls basketball player.
Darius Spragley of Northern Nash is the boys basketball player of the year.
Congratulation to all.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Time To End Professional Teams White House Visits
I Can remember President Nixon way back in 1972 offering George Allen then the coach of the Washington Redskins a play to run in a game. This past week the England Patriots showed up at the White House and only about half the team showed up. Why? More than ever before it is because most of those who didn't were protesting the President. Some where in our country we have loss respect for any and every thing.
I remember during the election of 1964 Lady Byrd Johnson took a train ride from Norfolk Virginia had a whistle stop in Ahoskie. I was too young to know a democrat from a republican but what and event the President's wife is coming to our town. The train came in to Rocky Mount.
In 1999 after Hurricane Flyod I was near enough to the Tar River to see Marine one fly over with President Clinton aboard. The excitement that is the President in that chopper.
We have become a nation of everything is given to us not earned and especially athletes they are paid outrageous sums of money and most can't read.
I goggled to see when the first athletic teams were invited to the White House and believe it or not 1865. They were professional baseball champions.
No longer is there respect for the office. It might be because many have disrespected the office themselves. Nixon resigned,Clinton tried to explain the definition of It. Many have left office leaving this country in worse shape than when they went in.
I would have No problem if White House visits were limited to amateurs. With all the riots occurring on college campuses today just maybe it is time to find something better to get to meet our President. One of the purposes of having championship teams visit to White House it gives the presidents a photo opp to be seen with winners.
I am more impressed watching a war hero who helped save his platoon or a private citizen who gives tirelessly to his community be honored than watch those whiney athletes who don't understand what an honor it is to meet the president regardless of who it is.
I remember during the election of 1964 Lady Byrd Johnson took a train ride from Norfolk Virginia had a whistle stop in Ahoskie. I was too young to know a democrat from a republican but what and event the President's wife is coming to our town. The train came in to Rocky Mount.
In 1999 after Hurricane Flyod I was near enough to the Tar River to see Marine one fly over with President Clinton aboard. The excitement that is the President in that chopper.
We have become a nation of everything is given to us not earned and especially athletes they are paid outrageous sums of money and most can't read.
I goggled to see when the first athletic teams were invited to the White House and believe it or not 1865. They were professional baseball champions.
No longer is there respect for the office. It might be because many have disrespected the office themselves. Nixon resigned,Clinton tried to explain the definition of It. Many have left office leaving this country in worse shape than when they went in.
I would have No problem if White House visits were limited to amateurs. With all the riots occurring on college campuses today just maybe it is time to find something better to get to meet our President. One of the purposes of having championship teams visit to White House it gives the presidents a photo opp to be seen with winners.
I am more impressed watching a war hero who helped save his platoon or a private citizen who gives tirelessly to his community be honored than watch those whiney athletes who don't understand what an honor it is to meet the president regardless of who it is.
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Player Review
Spring time is baseball time and every sport the Nash county area sends plenty of players in most all sports on to college ball and some times more. Let's take a look at this spring's flock of players.
Brian Goodwin Syracuse Chiefs AAA International League part of Washington Nationals. Failed to stick with Nationals out of spring training. Thus far in 37 at bats hitting 189. Until a player hits 100 at bats an average can move up or down 30 points in one game.
Benton Moss Port Charlotte Stone Crabs Upper A of the Tampa Bay Rays. Listed on the 7 day disabled list back injury. Team has already played more than 7 days. May be May before off injury list. Injury has stopped his advancement to AA.
Cody Smith Rocky Mount Chowan College Junior. a 3-1 record on the year. 1.64 ERA in 22 innings. Appeared in just 5 games starting 4.
Will Edwards Rocky Mount Chowan College junior. Pitched in 12 games starting 8 with 0-5 record. 7.78 ERA
Jarrett Mobley SouthWest Edgecombe Freshman UNC Pembroke. Hitting 328. Played in 39 games starting 32. 44 hits in 132 at bats with four home runs. Has 33 RBI on year.
Alex Pearce Nash Central and Collins Cuthrell Rocky Mount both on coaching staff at UNC Pembroke and have helped the Braves to 31-11 record.
Jeremy Johnson Rocky Mount High Point senior. Had pitched 25.2 innings with a 2.20 ERA. Has appeared in 10 games starting one.
Garrison Vick Nash Central NC Wesleyan freshman.. Played in 22 games for the Bishops. ,batting 286 scored one run drove in one.
Luke Mills Faith Christian freshman NC Wesleyan. Pitched 5.1 innings with three strikeouts.
Noah Schrock Nash Central NC Wesleyan freshman.. pitched in 15 of Bishops 40 games. 1-0. 16.2 innings pitched. ERS 1.08
As always I know there are plenty not mentioned here today.. Help me out remind me of who they are and where they play.
Brian Goodwin Syracuse Chiefs AAA International League part of Washington Nationals. Failed to stick with Nationals out of spring training. Thus far in 37 at bats hitting 189. Until a player hits 100 at bats an average can move up or down 30 points in one game.
Benton Moss Port Charlotte Stone Crabs Upper A of the Tampa Bay Rays. Listed on the 7 day disabled list back injury. Team has already played more than 7 days. May be May before off injury list. Injury has stopped his advancement to AA.
Cody Smith Rocky Mount Chowan College Junior. a 3-1 record on the year. 1.64 ERA in 22 innings. Appeared in just 5 games starting 4.
Will Edwards Rocky Mount Chowan College junior. Pitched in 12 games starting 8 with 0-5 record. 7.78 ERA
Jarrett Mobley SouthWest Edgecombe Freshman UNC Pembroke. Hitting 328. Played in 39 games starting 32. 44 hits in 132 at bats with four home runs. Has 33 RBI on year.
Alex Pearce Nash Central and Collins Cuthrell Rocky Mount both on coaching staff at UNC Pembroke and have helped the Braves to 31-11 record.
Jeremy Johnson Rocky Mount High Point senior. Had pitched 25.2 innings with a 2.20 ERA. Has appeared in 10 games starting one.
Garrison Vick Nash Central NC Wesleyan freshman.. Played in 22 games for the Bishops. ,batting 286 scored one run drove in one.
Luke Mills Faith Christian freshman NC Wesleyan. Pitched 5.1 innings with three strikeouts.
Noah Schrock Nash Central NC Wesleyan freshman.. pitched in 15 of Bishops 40 games. 1-0. 16.2 innings pitched. ERS 1.08
As always I know there are plenty not mentioned here today.. Help me out remind me of who they are and where they play.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Looks Like Tar Heels Primed For World Series Run
Last college baseball season the North Carolina Tar Heels had a below 500 conference record but their strength of schedule was 19. When it came time to pick the 64 teams for the NCAA playoffs the Tar Heels stayed home. Their 19th ranking was the lowest ever to not make the playoff field.
Mike Fox and his Tar Heels are putting together a season that there is no doubt the Heels will be in this years tournament unless they have a total collapse over the last month. They stand 29-8 and third in the RPI. Their strength of schedule is even better than last year at this point eighth.
That eighth is a magic number in baseball. The top eight selections in the tournament get to host a regional and if you win the regional would be a super regional host.
NC State is playing the part that Carolina had last year. They were rated in pre-season as high as sixth to 14th..They this year have not had the pitching that baseball America called the best Wolfpack pitching staff in history. Early on their hitting was sparce but that lately has improved. The pitching seems to be coming around but a 20-17 record is far from assured an invite to the NCAA tournament.
Their RPI is good at 39 and their strength of schedule is 11. Their remaining conference games are BC, Virginia Tech, Pitt and they finish with a toughie in Clemson. If they are to put a push for the NCAA the next three conference series are winnable.
ECU record is very similar to the Pack's. 20-18 overall 81 in the RPI and SOS is 39. They need to get going if they plan on having the type run in the NCAA's last year.
The ACC is loaded with power house teams with 5 in the top 25 in the polls. Louisville who will be hosting the ACC tournament is 31-5, Clemson 31-7, Virginia 31-9, Wake Forest 28-11 and Florida State 24-15.
Carolina had their streak where they went to the College World Series five of six years. They have missed the last two. They have a real shot atm going back to Omaha.
Mike Fox and his Tar Heels are putting together a season that there is no doubt the Heels will be in this years tournament unless they have a total collapse over the last month. They stand 29-8 and third in the RPI. Their strength of schedule is even better than last year at this point eighth.
That eighth is a magic number in baseball. The top eight selections in the tournament get to host a regional and if you win the regional would be a super regional host.
NC State is playing the part that Carolina had last year. They were rated in pre-season as high as sixth to 14th..They this year have not had the pitching that baseball America called the best Wolfpack pitching staff in history. Early on their hitting was sparce but that lately has improved. The pitching seems to be coming around but a 20-17 record is far from assured an invite to the NCAA tournament.
Their RPI is good at 39 and their strength of schedule is 11. Their remaining conference games are BC, Virginia Tech, Pitt and they finish with a toughie in Clemson. If they are to put a push for the NCAA the next three conference series are winnable.
ECU record is very similar to the Pack's. 20-18 overall 81 in the RPI and SOS is 39. They need to get going if they plan on having the type run in the NCAA's last year.
The ACC is loaded with power house teams with 5 in the top 25 in the polls. Louisville who will be hosting the ACC tournament is 31-5, Clemson 31-7, Virginia 31-9, Wake Forest 28-11 and Florida State 24-15.
Carolina had their streak where they went to the College World Series five of six years. They have missed the last two. They have a real shot atm going back to Omaha.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Review Nash County Action In Bright Leaf
All four public high schools plus two of Rocky Mount's private institutions took part in the Bright Leaf Baseball tournament in Wilson. Since none of those game were conference games they are not vital in conference standing for the playoff but seedings in the state playoffs could be effected. Let's review what we saw.
Nash Central. 3-0:: Just might have found what everyone expected they would be in pre-season. Scored 32 runs giving up just 7. They might be trouble for everyone the rest of season. They stand 13-8
Faith Christian 3-0:: Showed they have the pitching to play in any league giving up only one run in three games. Scored19 in the tournament. Will be a major disappointment if they don't place in state finals. 15-3
Southern Nash. 1-2:: Scored 18 runs in two games and gave up 19 in three. Hopefully experience will help them in the push for a playoff spot. 12-8
Northern Nash. 1-2:: Northern has had hard time scoring runs this season but crossed the plate 20 times while allowing 18. Their game against Cardinal Gibbons was probably best game they have played all year.5-14
Rocky Mount Academy. 1-2:: Held their ground against CB Aycock a quality 3A school. Had trouble scoring against the 3-A schools. Might be good competition for stretch run. 10-7
Rocky Mount 1-2:: Disappointing final game. Scored 21 in one game and three in their two losses. Have two game lead in conference play for second place. Need to win one of two next week to clinch second 12-6.
Last night WHIG TV recorded the first little league game of the season.The Pizza Inn Marlins coached by Glenn Perry beat the Wesley Men's Yankees coached by Sam Toler 13-7.
Clint Williams aka Duce. Will be on the camera most games while I'll be doing the talking. We will tape every Wednesday and what ever game will be shown the following Sunday night at 8pm. Next week's game will be the Breakfast Optimist Diamondbacks and Chambliss and Rabil Braves
Nash Central. 3-0:: Just might have found what everyone expected they would be in pre-season. Scored 32 runs giving up just 7. They might be trouble for everyone the rest of season. They stand 13-8
Faith Christian 3-0:: Showed they have the pitching to play in any league giving up only one run in three games. Scored19 in the tournament. Will be a major disappointment if they don't place in state finals. 15-3
Southern Nash. 1-2:: Scored 18 runs in two games and gave up 19 in three. Hopefully experience will help them in the push for a playoff spot. 12-8
Northern Nash. 1-2:: Northern has had hard time scoring runs this season but crossed the plate 20 times while allowing 18. Their game against Cardinal Gibbons was probably best game they have played all year.5-14
Rocky Mount Academy. 1-2:: Held their ground against CB Aycock a quality 3A school. Had trouble scoring against the 3-A schools. Might be good competition for stretch run. 10-7
Rocky Mount 1-2:: Disappointing final game. Scored 21 in one game and three in their two losses. Have two game lead in conference play for second place. Need to win one of two next week to clinch second 12-6.
Last night WHIG TV recorded the first little league game of the season.The Pizza Inn Marlins coached by Glenn Perry beat the Wesley Men's Yankees coached by Sam Toler 13-7.
Clint Williams aka Duce. Will be on the camera most games while I'll be doing the talking. We will tape every Wednesday and what ever game will be shown the following Sunday night at 8pm. Next week's game will be the Breakfast Optimist Diamondbacks and Chambliss and Rabil Braves
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Gryphons Stung At Bright Leaf
It is not often during spring time where a three day tournament doesn't run into some kind of difficulty with rain. As far as all teams that played in the Bright Leaf Tournament in Wilson all six Nash County teams playing finished their games on time.
Rocky Mount's final game in the Bright Leaf was against North Johnston. Ben Seracki took to the hill for Rocky Mount pitching 5 and two thirds innings giving up 7 runs eight hits. Joernest Petway pitched the final one and two thirds innings. He stopped the bleeding in the sixth but in the 7th walked three, hit a batter and gave up two hits scoring four runs.
Rocky Mount collected six hits on the day and the only run scored when the leadoff batter Josh Pittman led off with a hit and eventually scored on a David Harrison fielders choice.
Zack Keeter had two hits, Logan Pearce a single, a pitch hit single by Victor Ward and a double by Spencer Ramsey. Rocky Mount falls to 12-6 on the season. North Johnston's pitcher Garrett Littleton pitched six innings giving up 5 hits. Two pitchers finished off the game. North Johnston goes to 15-3 on the season.
Rocky Mount returns to action next Tuesday as they travel to Southern Nash in a key conference game in a battle for second place..
FOR ALL TEAMS A WEEK OFF !
Other Scores:
Nash Central 11 Southern Wayne 1
CB Aycock 5 Rocky Mount Academy 1
Eastern Wayne 9 Northern Nash 2
Faith Christian 3 Southern Nash 0
Rocky Mount's final game in the Bright Leaf was against North Johnston. Ben Seracki took to the hill for Rocky Mount pitching 5 and two thirds innings giving up 7 runs eight hits. Joernest Petway pitched the final one and two thirds innings. He stopped the bleeding in the sixth but in the 7th walked three, hit a batter and gave up two hits scoring four runs.
Rocky Mount collected six hits on the day and the only run scored when the leadoff batter Josh Pittman led off with a hit and eventually scored on a David Harrison fielders choice.
Zack Keeter had two hits, Logan Pearce a single, a pitch hit single by Victor Ward and a double by Spencer Ramsey. Rocky Mount falls to 12-6 on the season. North Johnston's pitcher Garrett Littleton pitched six innings giving up 5 hits. Two pitchers finished off the game. North Johnston goes to 15-3 on the season.
Rocky Mount returns to action next Tuesday as they travel to Southern Nash in a key conference game in a battle for second place..
FOR ALL TEAMS A WEEK OFF !
Other Scores:
Nash Central 11 Southern Wayne 1
CB Aycock 5 Rocky Mount Academy 1
Eastern Wayne 9 Northern Nash 2
Faith Christian 3 Southern Nash 0
Monday, April 17, 2017
Day Two of The Bright Leaf
Easter tournament baseball gives each team the opportunity to play competition that they might face in the playoffs. Rocky Mount had one of those such games today as they met CB Aycock 12-5 while the Gryphons were 12-4.
The Falcons started Cody Whaley 4-1 on the year making his eighth start with and ERA of.068 facing David Harrison who has yielded less than a run per game so talking about playoff tensions this game had it.
Neither team did anything until the third. The first batter bunted causing Harrison to throw wildly to first and if you have ever seen a game at Fleming Stadium they have 500 acres of foul territory and the runner made it to third.
The next batter hit a grounder to third toward short. The Gryphons came home and the man was safe and runner on first. A hit batter put runners first and second. A sac bunt moves the runs over. A wild pitch and passed ball plates two more runs in and 3-0 Aycock lead.
Rocky Mount countered in the bottom of fourth. Isaiah Stewart walked and back to back hits by Josh Pittman and Spencer Ramsey loaded the bases. A grounder hit to short scored a Gryphons run on a bobbled ball. Bases loaded one out an a wild pitch scores another run. 3-2 after 5 innings.
A double play ends the Gryphons 6th. A single and two outs bring up David Harrison who is intentionally walked. A slow roller loads the bases when it is miss played by the second baseman. A strike out end the game 3-2 CB Aycock.
Rocky Mount out hit the Falcons 7-3. David Harrison went the distance going over 105 pitches on the last batter of the game. Whaley pitched 6 innings giving up 6 hits 6 strikeouts and one walk. He got help in the 7th from Jordan Gay who gave up one hit an one intentional walk and struck out one. Plenty of opportunities but not enough timely hits for the Gryphons.
Other scores
Nash Central 8 Northern Eastern Wayne 4
Rosewood 10 Southern Nash 9
Cardinal Gibbons 7 Northern Nash 6
Faith Christian 9. Raleigh Home School 1
RMA 9 Wilson Christian Academy 7
RV wins 900th..
Many Rocky Mount and Northern Nash fans have been part of many of the 900 wins recorded by Greenville Rose coach Ron Vincent who Saturday his Rose Rampants beat Bunn 9-6 . RV has been a high school coach for 47 years. He has spent the last 44 at Rose where he has won 6 state baseball titles and 868 wins at Rose.
900 is the all time North Carolina record by 166 games 734. No doubt the 868 is the all time record at one school. He began coaching in 1974 and I had the privilege to do his 600th win on the radio in a Victory over Rocky Mount I think It was 2003. Keep on trucking RV!
The Falcons started Cody Whaley 4-1 on the year making his eighth start with and ERA of.068 facing David Harrison who has yielded less than a run per game so talking about playoff tensions this game had it.
Neither team did anything until the third. The first batter bunted causing Harrison to throw wildly to first and if you have ever seen a game at Fleming Stadium they have 500 acres of foul territory and the runner made it to third.
The next batter hit a grounder to third toward short. The Gryphons came home and the man was safe and runner on first. A hit batter put runners first and second. A sac bunt moves the runs over. A wild pitch and passed ball plates two more runs in and 3-0 Aycock lead.
Rocky Mount countered in the bottom of fourth. Isaiah Stewart walked and back to back hits by Josh Pittman and Spencer Ramsey loaded the bases. A grounder hit to short scored a Gryphons run on a bobbled ball. Bases loaded one out an a wild pitch scores another run. 3-2 after 5 innings.
A double play ends the Gryphons 6th. A single and two outs bring up David Harrison who is intentionally walked. A slow roller loads the bases when it is miss played by the second baseman. A strike out end the game 3-2 CB Aycock.
Rocky Mount out hit the Falcons 7-3. David Harrison went the distance going over 105 pitches on the last batter of the game. Whaley pitched 6 innings giving up 6 hits 6 strikeouts and one walk. He got help in the 7th from Jordan Gay who gave up one hit an one intentional walk and struck out one. Plenty of opportunities but not enough timely hits for the Gryphons.
Other scores
Nash Central 8 Northern Eastern Wayne 4
Rosewood 10 Southern Nash 9
Cardinal Gibbons 7 Northern Nash 6
Faith Christian 9. Raleigh Home School 1
RMA 9 Wilson Christian Academy 7
RV wins 900th..
Many Rocky Mount and Northern Nash fans have been part of many of the 900 wins recorded by Greenville Rose coach Ron Vincent who Saturday his Rose Rampants beat Bunn 9-6 . RV has been a high school coach for 47 years. He has spent the last 44 at Rose where he has won 6 state baseball titles and 868 wins at Rose.
900 is the all time North Carolina record by 166 games 734. No doubt the 868 is the all time record at one school. He began coaching in 1974 and I had the privilege to do his 600th win on the radio in a Victory over Rocky Mount I think It was 2003. Keep on trucking RV!
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Sorry For The Delay
Spent the weekend in Rocky Hock NC on the Beautiful Chowan River without Any wi fi. Rocky Hock Baptist Church had a Easter play Sunday morning. Here is the local results from the Bright Leif Tournament on Saturday.
Rocky Mount 21- Eastern Wayne 3
Nash Central 13 Oakwood 2
Northern Nash 12 Rocky Mount Academy 2
Southern Nash 9 North Johnston 6
Faith Christian 7 Arendell Parrott Academy 0
Former Gryphon pitcher Jeremy Johnson now a senior pitcher for the Panthers of High Point has been used mostly out of the pen during his college career. He has been a left handed specialty pitcher pitching to one left handed batter in key moments of games.
He has been hampered by elbow problems and has missed playing time while injured. Earlier this year he went 5 and 1/3 innings of relief against Army which has been the longest outing of his career.
Thursday night's game against UNC Asheville expected starter for the Panthers could not go and Johnson was called on in an emergency. Johnson pitched a complete game four hitter the first complete game by a Panther pitcher in two years. He struck out five and walked two in the Panther's 5-2 win. WAY TO GO JEREMY!!!
Sunday is maybe the most important anniversary in the history of the world. It is a day in which any person who professes Jesus as our Savior celebrates his rising after dying on the cross.
He died on the cross to accept all the sins of those that believe. Every person sins every day but unless you ask for forgiveness through Jesus he will not hear. Jesus said the only way to heaven is through him. Have you asked him for forgiveness?
Have Joyous and safe Easter.
Rocky Mount 21- Eastern Wayne 3
Nash Central 13 Oakwood 2
Northern Nash 12 Rocky Mount Academy 2
Southern Nash 9 North Johnston 6
Faith Christian 7 Arendell Parrott Academy 0
Former Gryphon pitcher Jeremy Johnson now a senior pitcher for the Panthers of High Point has been used mostly out of the pen during his college career. He has been a left handed specialty pitcher pitching to one left handed batter in key moments of games.
He has been hampered by elbow problems and has missed playing time while injured. Earlier this year he went 5 and 1/3 innings of relief against Army which has been the longest outing of his career.
Thursday night's game against UNC Asheville expected starter for the Panthers could not go and Johnson was called on in an emergency. Johnson pitched a complete game four hitter the first complete game by a Panther pitcher in two years. He struck out five and walked two in the Panther's 5-2 win. WAY TO GO JEREMY!!!
Sunday is maybe the most important anniversary in the history of the world. It is a day in which any person who professes Jesus as our Savior celebrates his rising after dying on the cross.
He died on the cross to accept all the sins of those that believe. Every person sins every day but unless you ask for forgiveness through Jesus he will not hear. Jesus said the only way to heaven is through him. Have you asked him for forgiveness?
Have Joyous and safe Easter.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Easter Baseball Starts Today
Every Big East team is playing baseball this week in Wilson in the Bright Leaf Easter Tournament. Today everyone is playing. Let's check everyone's week.
Rocky Mount 11-4: 12 noon today at Fike High school versus Eastern Wayne 1-14::::Monday 12:30 Fleming Stadium versus CB Aycock 12-4:::Tuesday 5:30 Fleming Stadium North Johnston 11-1.
Nash Central 10-8: 12 noon Today at Hunt High versus Oakwood 6-5::Monday 10am Fleming Stadium Eastern Wayne 1-14::::Tuesday Southern Wayne 11am 8-8
Northern Nash 4-12: 2:30 pm today Fike High Rocky Mount Academy 9-5::::: Monday 1pm Fike High Cardinal Gibbons 11-1::::Tuesday 1:30 Hunt High Eastern Wayne 1-14
Southern Nash 11-6: 3pm today Fleming Stadium North Johnston 11-1::::Monday 3pm Fleming Stadium Rosewood 12-2::::Tuesday 1:30 Hunt High Eastern Wayne 1-14
Hunt 12-5: 8pm tonight Fleming Stadium non conference game Fike 7-9....Monday 7pm Fleming Stadium North Johnston 11-1::::Tuesday 7pm Fleming Stadium Wilson Christian Academy 3-8
Fike 7-9: 8pm tonight Fleming Stadium non conference game Hunt 12-5:::::Monday 5:30 Oakwood 6-5::::Tuesday 2pm Fleming Stadium Cardinal Gibbons11-1
You can see the next four days will be extremely busy as every team in the Big East will play three games in four days. Assuming no weather delays after Tuesday every team will get a week off before the final two conference games that will end the regular season on the 27th
Rocky Mount 11-4: 12 noon today at Fike High school versus Eastern Wayne 1-14::::Monday 12:30 Fleming Stadium versus CB Aycock 12-4:::Tuesday 5:30 Fleming Stadium North Johnston 11-1.
Nash Central 10-8: 12 noon Today at Hunt High versus Oakwood 6-5::Monday 10am Fleming Stadium Eastern Wayne 1-14::::Tuesday Southern Wayne 11am 8-8
Northern Nash 4-12: 2:30 pm today Fike High Rocky Mount Academy 9-5::::: Monday 1pm Fike High Cardinal Gibbons 11-1::::Tuesday 1:30 Hunt High Eastern Wayne 1-14
Southern Nash 11-6: 3pm today Fleming Stadium North Johnston 11-1::::Monday 3pm Fleming Stadium Rosewood 12-2::::Tuesday 1:30 Hunt High Eastern Wayne 1-14
Hunt 12-5: 8pm tonight Fleming Stadium non conference game Fike 7-9....Monday 7pm Fleming Stadium North Johnston 11-1::::Tuesday 7pm Fleming Stadium Wilson Christian Academy 3-8
Fike 7-9: 8pm tonight Fleming Stadium non conference game Hunt 12-5:::::Monday 5:30 Oakwood 6-5::::Tuesday 2pm Fleming Stadium Cardinal Gibbons11-1
You can see the next four days will be extremely busy as every team in the Big East will play three games in four days. Assuming no weather delays after Tuesday every team will get a week off before the final two conference games that will end the regular season on the 27th
Friday, April 14, 2017
Gryphons Duo's Basketball Future
Ever since my move to Rocky Mount in 1995 and especially in 1999 when I got into the sports scene two people that I have been around quite a bit more than other coaches is Mike Gainey and Pam Gainey. I spent four or five years doing Gryphons football both basketballs and baseball before we went to game of the week showing everybody in the area.
I am so happy to see Michelle got a full ride to Fayetteville State. They are two coaches that have help send other players on to college basketball and am glad that their flesh and blood is headed there too.
The MVP of the Gryphons girl basketball team Keyanna Spivey is headed to Belmont Abbey. Keyanna has been a force in the middle for Rocky Mount for 4 years at 5feet nine inches tall. She has had the uncanny ability to get rebounds even when up against taller players.
You know both of the Gaineys have had successful coaching careers. Mike has a couple of State titles but both have sent many players to all levels of college basketball careers. We are lucky to have both at Rocky Mount.
Big East Baseball Scores
Hunt 7 Southern Nash 6. 9 innings a home run in the ninth proves to be difference. Hunt 8-0 clinched regular season Big East title. Southern Nash 4-4
Nash Central 11 Northern Nash 4. Northern led 4-3 after six innings and the Bulldogs rally for eight runs in the 7th to win. Nash Central 3-5 Northern 0-8
The Big East have announced the All Big East 2017 All Conferenceteam golf team.
Golfer of the year: Bryson Boyette Fike
Zack Ward Northern Nash
Joseph Cook Nash Central
Chandler Matthews Fike
Christian Crawford Northern Nash
Matthew Morgan Southern Nash
Christopher Clark Hunt
Joey Przelomski Rocky Mount
Cody Cooke Nash Central
Warren Matthews Fike
Andrew Lohr Fike
Noah Shealy Southern Nash
Coach of the year Glenn Jones Fike
Honorable Mentions
Adam Remer Hunt, Jubie Moss Southern Nash, Brittan Joyner Nash Central, Cameron Beal Nash Central, Lee Casper Northern Nash and Jonathan Hendricks Fike
I am so happy to see Michelle got a full ride to Fayetteville State. They are two coaches that have help send other players on to college basketball and am glad that their flesh and blood is headed there too.
The MVP of the Gryphons girl basketball team Keyanna Spivey is headed to Belmont Abbey. Keyanna has been a force in the middle for Rocky Mount for 4 years at 5feet nine inches tall. She has had the uncanny ability to get rebounds even when up against taller players.
You know both of the Gaineys have had successful coaching careers. Mike has a couple of State titles but both have sent many players to all levels of college basketball careers. We are lucky to have both at Rocky Mount.
Big East Baseball Scores
Hunt 7 Southern Nash 6. 9 innings a home run in the ninth proves to be difference. Hunt 8-0 clinched regular season Big East title. Southern Nash 4-4
Nash Central 11 Northern Nash 4. Northern led 4-3 after six innings and the Bulldogs rally for eight runs in the 7th to win. Nash Central 3-5 Northern 0-8
The Big East have announced the All Big East 2017 All Conferenceteam golf team.
Golfer of the year: Bryson Boyette Fike
Zack Ward Northern Nash
Joseph Cook Nash Central
Chandler Matthews Fike
Christian Crawford Northern Nash
Matthew Morgan Southern Nash
Christopher Clark Hunt
Joey Przelomski Rocky Mount
Cody Cooke Nash Central
Warren Matthews Fike
Andrew Lohr Fike
Noah Shealy Southern Nash
Coach of the year Glenn Jones Fike
Honorable Mentions
Adam Remer Hunt, Jubie Moss Southern Nash, Brittan Joyner Nash Central, Cameron Beal Nash Central, Lee Casper Northern Nash and Jonathan Hendricks Fike
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Gryphons Respond
You wonder why when teams trail in games 40-0 in football why do they tried so hard to score even though they can't win the game? They are trying to get momentum for the next game. It just might carry over to the next.
Last night the Gryphons trailed at Hunt 5-0 and in the 7th inning surged to only lose 5-3. Tonight that rally carried over and even giving up two runs in the first the Gryphons scored five times in the first and from there sailed to an 11-2 victory over Fike.
Freshman Ben Seracki who has pitched the second conference game most weeks started and was greeted by the first two batters getting singles. A double play and two walks loaded the bases and what should gave been a ground out to second to end the ending scored two runs.
Didn't bother the Gryphons. Josh Pittman stroked a triple that rolled all the way to the left center wall. Two walks and one out and a wild pitch plated the first run. A David Harrison single reloaded the bases and pitcher Ben Seracki strikes a sinking line drive toward center that fell in front of the centerfielder by inches to drive home run the second run.. The ball almost caught gets by the center field and rolls all the way to the wall for a three base error. Seracki circled the bases for a little league homer and the Gryphons led 5-2.
Seracki would yield three hits the rest of the way and the Gryphons pecked away. The fourth inning that triple man Josh Pittman slashed a triple that rolled all the way to the right center wall scoring Jake Philbeck who had walked. Spencer Ramsey followed with a single driving in Pittman.. The Gryphons put runs on the board in the 5th and sixth inning growing the run total to 11.
David Harrison went 3-3, Josh Pittman 2-4 two triples, Jake Philbeck 2-3, Ramsey a single, Logan Pearce single, Seracki a single and Jamar Ellis a hit. On the night the Gryphons scored 11 runs on 11 hits.
Seracki gets a complete game 2 unearned runs, five hits, two walks and four strikeouts. The Gryphons jump to 6-2 in conference play and 11-4 on the year. Next week during then Easter break they will be Participating in a tournament in Wilson County.
Must pass on congratulation to the Gryphons Tennis team who won the Big East regular season tennis title.
Last night the Gryphons trailed at Hunt 5-0 and in the 7th inning surged to only lose 5-3. Tonight that rally carried over and even giving up two runs in the first the Gryphons scored five times in the first and from there sailed to an 11-2 victory over Fike.
Freshman Ben Seracki who has pitched the second conference game most weeks started and was greeted by the first two batters getting singles. A double play and two walks loaded the bases and what should gave been a ground out to second to end the ending scored two runs.
Didn't bother the Gryphons. Josh Pittman stroked a triple that rolled all the way to the left center wall. Two walks and one out and a wild pitch plated the first run. A David Harrison single reloaded the bases and pitcher Ben Seracki strikes a sinking line drive toward center that fell in front of the centerfielder by inches to drive home run the second run.. The ball almost caught gets by the center field and rolls all the way to the wall for a three base error. Seracki circled the bases for a little league homer and the Gryphons led 5-2.
Seracki would yield three hits the rest of the way and the Gryphons pecked away. The fourth inning that triple man Josh Pittman slashed a triple that rolled all the way to the right center wall scoring Jake Philbeck who had walked. Spencer Ramsey followed with a single driving in Pittman.. The Gryphons put runs on the board in the 5th and sixth inning growing the run total to 11.
David Harrison went 3-3, Josh Pittman 2-4 two triples, Jake Philbeck 2-3, Ramsey a single, Logan Pearce single, Seracki a single and Jamar Ellis a hit. On the night the Gryphons scored 11 runs on 11 hits.
Seracki gets a complete game 2 unearned runs, five hits, two walks and four strikeouts. The Gryphons jump to 6-2 in conference play and 11-4 on the year. Next week during then Easter break they will be Participating in a tournament in Wilson County.
Must pass on congratulation to the Gryphons Tennis team who won the Big East regular season tennis title.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Hunt Takes Control
The battle for the Big East lead in baseball was won by the team that already had the lead but with this victory has a two game lead with three conference games to play. Hunt 5 Rocky Mount 3
David Harrison took the hill for the Gryphons and the first two batters will give you an indication of how his night went. He hit the first batter and walked the second. A wild pitch with one out sent base runners moving and a wild throw to third scored the first run. A sharp grounder to first just maybe was hit hard enough to get the runner coming but instead the Gryphons got the man out at first and a 2-0 Hunt lead after one.
The first time these two met all 7 runs scored by Hunt were unearned and the first two tonight were the same. Hunt pitcher Bryson Worrell kept the Gryphons under control until the sixth inning with No hits. David Harrison kept the game close through the fourth but the fifth two hit batters and a walk led to a good piece of luck for the Warriors.
Runners on first and second and bunting so the Gryphons thought. The Gryphons ran the wheel play with 1st and third charging toward the bunt, short covering third and second going to cover first the Hunt batter bounced A hit over Harrison's head and without any one covering second rolled harmless for a hit. Three runs crossed the plate before Joe Petway relieved Harrison and stopped the bleeding.
The top of the sixth with two outs Jamar Ellis had a solid single to get the Gryphons their first hit. David Harrison led off the top of the 7th with a double. Ben Seracki singled to right but Harrison stopped on third but a wild throw from right scored Harrison and moved Seracki to second. Chase Miller walked and the Hunt faithful are now getting jittery. Lane Butler singled to load the bases. The tying run is coming to the plate.
Isaiah Stewart is hit by a pitch and it is 5-2 with one out. Spencer Ramsey grounds out to second scoring a run making it 5-3 which will be the final.
Hunt had four hits three off Harrison and one off Petway. The Gryphons finished with four hits all came off Harrell. Harrison loses for the first time all year. He allowed three earn runs and now his total for the year is five earned run.
Hunt jumps to 7-0 while the Gryphons fall to 5-2. They will not have much time to recover as they have a home game Wednesday night against Fike. Game time 7pm.
Scores
Southern Nash 8 Northern Nash 3. Southern Nash 4-3. Northern 0-7
Fike 9 Nash Central 4. Fike 3-4 Nash Central 2-5
David Harrison took the hill for the Gryphons and the first two batters will give you an indication of how his night went. He hit the first batter and walked the second. A wild pitch with one out sent base runners moving and a wild throw to third scored the first run. A sharp grounder to first just maybe was hit hard enough to get the runner coming but instead the Gryphons got the man out at first and a 2-0 Hunt lead after one.
The first time these two met all 7 runs scored by Hunt were unearned and the first two tonight were the same. Hunt pitcher Bryson Worrell kept the Gryphons under control until the sixth inning with No hits. David Harrison kept the game close through the fourth but the fifth two hit batters and a walk led to a good piece of luck for the Warriors.
Runners on first and second and bunting so the Gryphons thought. The Gryphons ran the wheel play with 1st and third charging toward the bunt, short covering third and second going to cover first the Hunt batter bounced A hit over Harrison's head and without any one covering second rolled harmless for a hit. Three runs crossed the plate before Joe Petway relieved Harrison and stopped the bleeding.
The top of the sixth with two outs Jamar Ellis had a solid single to get the Gryphons their first hit. David Harrison led off the top of the 7th with a double. Ben Seracki singled to right but Harrison stopped on third but a wild throw from right scored Harrison and moved Seracki to second. Chase Miller walked and the Hunt faithful are now getting jittery. Lane Butler singled to load the bases. The tying run is coming to the plate.
Isaiah Stewart is hit by a pitch and it is 5-2 with one out. Spencer Ramsey grounds out to second scoring a run making it 5-3 which will be the final.
Hunt had four hits three off Harrison and one off Petway. The Gryphons finished with four hits all came off Harrell. Harrison loses for the first time all year. He allowed three earn runs and now his total for the year is five earned run.
Hunt jumps to 7-0 while the Gryphons fall to 5-2. They will not have much time to recover as they have a home game Wednesday night against Fike. Game time 7pm.
Scores
Southern Nash 8 Northern Nash 3. Southern Nash 4-3. Northern 0-7
Fike 9 Nash Central 4. Fike 3-4 Nash Central 2-5
WHIG FIlming Little League Games
Those of you who watch Rocky Mount's community TV station WHIG already know for years Sunday nights at 8pm has been reserved for any local sporting event that the station chose to record. The last events done were during football season when they had a high school football game of the week.
Edward Green who was the sports director left the station around the first of the year. Long time local announcer Wes Bradshaw has changed jobs which prevents him to doing games so there were no basketball after football ended.
Recently the station contacted me to see if I was interested in doing some little league games this spring. The city of Rocky Mount little league began their season last night. It is the plan to tape games on Wednesday night and play that game back on Sunday night at 8pm.
The plan will be to do 10 games which include maybe 8 regular season games and maybe the city championship game. So if you have a child that plays on the Wesley Men's Yankees, Breakfast Optimist Diamondbacks, Chambliss and Rabil Braves, Hester and Tucker Attorneys Phillies, Pizza Inn Marlins and the Evening Optimist Orioles you might see you child or grandchild on TV this spring.
The Rocky Mount Gryphons home baseball game this week is scheduled for Wednesday not Thursday. I could not swear to you whether that has been that way all season an I had not noticed it. Makes good sense to me because some schools are out of school Friday as well as off all next week. Should a rain out occur Thursday may not be able to make the game up until week after next because of all the Easter Tournaments next week. No team wants to play three conference game the final week.
This pitch count deal is hard enough just two games a week and throwing A third game the final week could cause all types of pitching issues for those teams in the battle for playoff spots.
A couple of days ago we spoke about college players from his area and how they did this year and I asked if you knew of any player missed let me know and a name has popped. Former Rocky Mount Gryphons guard Alexus Cooper who is a senior at Eastern Kentucky.
Cooper played in all 32 games and was the third leading scorer averaging 12.1 points per game. She led the team in steals with 51. She lead the team in minutes played 34.3. She made 146 field goals on the season.
If you think of someone still feed me the name and I'll find the stats on that local player.
Edward Green who was the sports director left the station around the first of the year. Long time local announcer Wes Bradshaw has changed jobs which prevents him to doing games so there were no basketball after football ended.
Recently the station contacted me to see if I was interested in doing some little league games this spring. The city of Rocky Mount little league began their season last night. It is the plan to tape games on Wednesday night and play that game back on Sunday night at 8pm.
The plan will be to do 10 games which include maybe 8 regular season games and maybe the city championship game. So if you have a child that plays on the Wesley Men's Yankees, Breakfast Optimist Diamondbacks, Chambliss and Rabil Braves, Hester and Tucker Attorneys Phillies, Pizza Inn Marlins and the Evening Optimist Orioles you might see you child or grandchild on TV this spring.
The Rocky Mount Gryphons home baseball game this week is scheduled for Wednesday not Thursday. I could not swear to you whether that has been that way all season an I had not noticed it. Makes good sense to me because some schools are out of school Friday as well as off all next week. Should a rain out occur Thursday may not be able to make the game up until week after next because of all the Easter Tournaments next week. No team wants to play three conference game the final week.
This pitch count deal is hard enough just two games a week and throwing A third game the final week could cause all types of pitching issues for those teams in the battle for playoff spots.
A couple of days ago we spoke about college players from his area and how they did this year and I asked if you knew of any player missed let me know and a name has popped. Former Rocky Mount Gryphons guard Alexus Cooper who is a senior at Eastern Kentucky.
Cooper played in all 32 games and was the third leading scorer averaging 12.1 points per game. She led the team in steals with 51. She lead the team in minutes played 34.3. She made 146 field goals on the season.
If you think of someone still feed me the name and I'll find the stats on that local player.
Monday, April 10, 2017
One More Week and Vacation
You hear this all time when teams are in the middle of the battle with other conference teams the intensity level is higher when the games effect conference play. A non conference game pops up and teams lose that intensity level. Well next week just about everybody will be in an Easter Tournament somewhere and most will play three games and then there is one week to go in conference play.
Two more games to get in this week and they need to get them in before Friday. Will teams lose that intensity factor this week knowing no school next? Still plenty of movement that can occur before the Easter break. First game to look at is the Big one on Tuesday.
Rocky Mount 5-1 10-3 @ Hunt 6-0 10-5. The best hitting team of the two is Hunt having scored 38 runs in their 6 wins. Rocky Mount has scored half that at 19. As great as Rocky Mount's pitching has been Hunt has been better. Hunt has allowed 10 runs while Rocky Mount 18. Hunt will be home. Sure looks all Hunt, But that is why they play the games.
Southern Nash 3-3 10-5 @ Nash Central 2-4 8-7. This is one of those games playing for the right to be alive for the playoffs. Both teams have given up 31 runs in conference play. The Bulldogs have scored 31 while the Firebirds 28. This is an even match up.
Fike 4-2. 6-8 Northern Nash 0-6 4-10. Both these teams even in runs allows in conference play 30.. A week later Northern still last in runs scored with 10 while Fike stands at 23. This might be the Knight's chance to put one in the W column.
Softball has first playing last and the two teams tied for second playing the two teams tied for 4th.
Rocky Mount 0-6 4-11 @ Hunt 6-0 8-5. Rocky Mount has given up 99 runs in six conference games. Hunt has given up only 7 runs in six games. Looks like a mismatch.
Fike 4-2 10-5 @ Nash Central 2-4 4-11. Fike has scored 50 against the Bulldogs 41 in their six games. Where the edge falls toward the Golden Demons is they have yielded just 27 against Nash Central's 65. The Bulldogs need to use the home field to their advantage.
Southern Nash 4-2 8-6 @ Northern Nash 2-4 6-9. What do the numbers say in this one? Southern has given up only 22 runs while the Lady Knights 44. Edge goes to Southern. Scoring 60 for the Lady Birds 18 for Northern. Advantage Birds but this one is at Northern.
Two more games to get in this week and they need to get them in before Friday. Will teams lose that intensity factor this week knowing no school next? Still plenty of movement that can occur before the Easter break. First game to look at is the Big one on Tuesday.
Rocky Mount 5-1 10-3 @ Hunt 6-0 10-5. The best hitting team of the two is Hunt having scored 38 runs in their 6 wins. Rocky Mount has scored half that at 19. As great as Rocky Mount's pitching has been Hunt has been better. Hunt has allowed 10 runs while Rocky Mount 18. Hunt will be home. Sure looks all Hunt, But that is why they play the games.
Southern Nash 3-3 10-5 @ Nash Central 2-4 8-7. This is one of those games playing for the right to be alive for the playoffs. Both teams have given up 31 runs in conference play. The Bulldogs have scored 31 while the Firebirds 28. This is an even match up.
Fike 4-2. 6-8 Northern Nash 0-6 4-10. Both these teams even in runs allows in conference play 30.. A week later Northern still last in runs scored with 10 while Fike stands at 23. This might be the Knight's chance to put one in the W column.
Softball has first playing last and the two teams tied for second playing the two teams tied for 4th.
Rocky Mount 0-6 4-11 @ Hunt 6-0 8-5. Rocky Mount has given up 99 runs in six conference games. Hunt has given up only 7 runs in six games. Looks like a mismatch.
Fike 4-2 10-5 @ Nash Central 2-4 4-11. Fike has scored 50 against the Bulldogs 41 in their six games. Where the edge falls toward the Golden Demons is they have yielded just 27 against Nash Central's 65. The Bulldogs need to use the home field to their advantage.
Southern Nash 4-2 8-6 @ Northern Nash 2-4 6-9. What do the numbers say in this one? Southern has given up only 22 runs while the Lady Knights 44. Edge goes to Southern. Scoring 60 for the Lady Birds 18 for Northern. Advantage Birds but this one is at Northern.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
A Pleasant Surprise
The 2017 Rocky Mount Gryphon Baseball team has by far exceeded any expectations I had after the first game of the season a 2-0 win over Roanoke Rapids. There is no doubt that once a week Rocky Mount had a chance to win one game with N C State recruit flinging for the Gryphons David Harrison. You would think that the Gryphons would win every time he pitches but that didn't happen during the first meeting with the Nash Central Bulldogs as that pitch count caught David in the 6th inning and the Gryphon defense gave up a 4-1 lead at home that they finally won in ten innings.
Harrison has not been super sharp every outing but when he wasn't he has kept the Gryphons in every game by not giving up many runs. So one half of two day a week conference games have been solid. I don't think anyone in their right mind even after seeing freshman Ben Seracki start that opening day game and pitched four shutout innings believed it was going to be this good with him on the mound. Ben every time he has pitched has improved and his relief performance against Nash Central last Thursday night striking out the side in the 7th inning there is no team in the country college or pro could ask any more for a reliever.
The Gryphons can not get by with just two pitchers and Zack Keeter, Joe Petway and Josh Pittman have shared the mound. None are true pitchers but throwers who have had their moment . Petway has a shutout of his own and Keeter has finished off a couple of relief stints that have saved games. Pittman was on the hill for the first win against Nash Central in the 10th inning.
So the pitching has been a dream come true as we have been in every game. Defense right now stands as issue number one that has to improve. Senior Spencer Ramsey since his insertion to the lineup has plugged some holes at second base and whenever pitching changes require movement of players around the diamond has been steady at 3rd and 1st.
Early on the Gryphons had to rely on pitching because hits were few and runs fewer. Since Jake Philbeck returned to the lineup after an injury seems as if the offense has started rolling. A team that has pitching limiting the other side to just a few it doesn't take many to win games. The offense has picked up Rightfielder/Catcher Jamar Ellis had three hits in both games last week. Center fielder Josh Pittman seems to get on base, Ramsey, Harrison, Seracki , Zack Keeter and Logan Pearce have been knocking in those runners who were not on base in the early season.
Funny isn't it that as each player has success the entire team starts having success and with success comes confidents. You can just see it in the way they act. Ben Seracki looks six inches taller standing on the mound now over the early season. Jamar Ellis looks on every swing that he is going to hit it a mile where early on was swinging and wishing.
The Gryphons stand 10-3 overall an 5-1 in Big East play. To this point they have accomplished nothing. Most of their conference games have been razor thin close. An error here or a walk there they could easily be 1-5 so it is not time to stand up and expect a state championship. One thing for sure they will be in every game. They must catch every fly ball which to this point has been more of an adventure than Pat Smith would like.
Tuesday the Gryphons who are 3-0 on the road in conference games travels to Hunt who to this point sits 6-0 and a 7-1 winner over Rocky Mount two and a half weeks ago. All seven runs came off four errors. You could almost say that to this point the Gryphons have been their own worse enemy. Start playing defense, keep up the pitching and get timely hits and let's see how far this team can go.
Harrison has not been super sharp every outing but when he wasn't he has kept the Gryphons in every game by not giving up many runs. So one half of two day a week conference games have been solid. I don't think anyone in their right mind even after seeing freshman Ben Seracki start that opening day game and pitched four shutout innings believed it was going to be this good with him on the mound. Ben every time he has pitched has improved and his relief performance against Nash Central last Thursday night striking out the side in the 7th inning there is no team in the country college or pro could ask any more for a reliever.
The Gryphons can not get by with just two pitchers and Zack Keeter, Joe Petway and Josh Pittman have shared the mound. None are true pitchers but throwers who have had their moment . Petway has a shutout of his own and Keeter has finished off a couple of relief stints that have saved games. Pittman was on the hill for the first win against Nash Central in the 10th inning.
So the pitching has been a dream come true as we have been in every game. Defense right now stands as issue number one that has to improve. Senior Spencer Ramsey since his insertion to the lineup has plugged some holes at second base and whenever pitching changes require movement of players around the diamond has been steady at 3rd and 1st.
Early on the Gryphons had to rely on pitching because hits were few and runs fewer. Since Jake Philbeck returned to the lineup after an injury seems as if the offense has started rolling. A team that has pitching limiting the other side to just a few it doesn't take many to win games. The offense has picked up Rightfielder/Catcher Jamar Ellis had three hits in both games last week. Center fielder Josh Pittman seems to get on base, Ramsey, Harrison, Seracki , Zack Keeter and Logan Pearce have been knocking in those runners who were not on base in the early season.
Funny isn't it that as each player has success the entire team starts having success and with success comes confidents. You can just see it in the way they act. Ben Seracki looks six inches taller standing on the mound now over the early season. Jamar Ellis looks on every swing that he is going to hit it a mile where early on was swinging and wishing.
The Gryphons stand 10-3 overall an 5-1 in Big East play. To this point they have accomplished nothing. Most of their conference games have been razor thin close. An error here or a walk there they could easily be 1-5 so it is not time to stand up and expect a state championship. One thing for sure they will be in every game. They must catch every fly ball which to this point has been more of an adventure than Pat Smith would like.
Tuesday the Gryphons who are 3-0 on the road in conference games travels to Hunt who to this point sits 6-0 and a 7-1 winner over Rocky Mount two and a half weeks ago. All seven runs came off four errors. You could almost say that to this point the Gryphons have been their own worse enemy. Start playing defense, keep up the pitching and get timely hits and let's see how far this team can go.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
College Basketball Review
The football season being extended almost all the way to Christmas and high school basketball already well underway by the end of football season I have not paid much attention to those from this area that played college basketball this season. I know this is not a complete list so let me know of any I have left off the list.
DeShawn Freeman Sr: Northern Nash...Rutgers. Played in all 33 games and started 31 at center/power forward. Averaged 12.8 points per game 3.2 rebounds. Playing time was 30.4 minutes per game. Good finish to a college career that started out at the juco level. Saw him several times when Rutgers was on ESPN.
J' Kyra Brown JR: Rocky Mount ...Virginia. The Cavs were 20-13 and made it to the second round of WNIT. Played in all 33 games started four. Normally first guard off the bench. Average playing time 24.5 minutes per game. Averaged 8.6 points 4.2 rebounds and 2 assists. Saw many of her games on the ACC Network.
Alexus Hill JR: Northern Nash... Gardner Webb. Started 29 of 31 games played. Team went 12-19. Averaged 9 points 3.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game.
Immanuel King JR: Rocky Mount...West Texas State. Started 23 of 36 games. Made the SunBelt Conference All Tournament team. Led team in field goal percentage 56.6. Led team in blocks 38 which is sixed best in team history. Averaged 21.6 minutes 5.6 points per game.
Timyra Staton Sr: Nash Central...North Carolina Wesleyan.,,started all 26 games. Scored at an 11.7 points per game getting 7.1 rebounds. Averaged 25.7 minutes per game. Saw her play every home game while doing PA at NCW.
Susannah Sykes Soph: Northern Nash...William Peace. Started 23 of 25 games averaged 8.7 points 3.8 rebounds and 1 assists per game.
Ty'Ais Cooper JR: Rocky Mount...Elizabeth City State. Team 5-19. Played in 17 games. Averaged 22.8 minutes per game. 2.6 points 1.8 rebounds.
Takeyria Thomas JR: Rocky Mount...Elizabeth City State. Played in 19 games averaged 8.4 minutes played. Scored 17 points on the season. Recorded five steals.
Kelsey Daniels JR: Rocky Mount...Newport News Apprentice. Only three girls games played.
That is the list help me out with those so have left off.
DeShawn Freeman Sr: Northern Nash...Rutgers. Played in all 33 games and started 31 at center/power forward. Averaged 12.8 points per game 3.2 rebounds. Playing time was 30.4 minutes per game. Good finish to a college career that started out at the juco level. Saw him several times when Rutgers was on ESPN.
J' Kyra Brown JR: Rocky Mount ...Virginia. The Cavs were 20-13 and made it to the second round of WNIT. Played in all 33 games started four. Normally first guard off the bench. Average playing time 24.5 minutes per game. Averaged 8.6 points 4.2 rebounds and 2 assists. Saw many of her games on the ACC Network.
Alexus Hill JR: Northern Nash... Gardner Webb. Started 29 of 31 games played. Team went 12-19. Averaged 9 points 3.3 rebounds and 2 assists per game.
Immanuel King JR: Rocky Mount...West Texas State. Started 23 of 36 games. Made the SunBelt Conference All Tournament team. Led team in field goal percentage 56.6. Led team in blocks 38 which is sixed best in team history. Averaged 21.6 minutes 5.6 points per game.
Timyra Staton Sr: Nash Central...North Carolina Wesleyan.,,started all 26 games. Scored at an 11.7 points per game getting 7.1 rebounds. Averaged 25.7 minutes per game. Saw her play every home game while doing PA at NCW.
Susannah Sykes Soph: Northern Nash...William Peace. Started 23 of 25 games averaged 8.7 points 3.8 rebounds and 1 assists per game.
Ty'Ais Cooper JR: Rocky Mount...Elizabeth City State. Team 5-19. Played in 17 games. Averaged 22.8 minutes per game. 2.6 points 1.8 rebounds.
Takeyria Thomas JR: Rocky Mount...Elizabeth City State. Played in 19 games averaged 8.4 minutes played. Scored 17 points on the season. Recorded five steals.
Kelsey Daniels JR: Rocky Mount...Newport News Apprentice. Only three girls games played.
That is the list help me out with those so have left off.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
A Night Worth Wearing Hood
Game time temperature was 64 degrees but a rugged breeze hardly never less than 10 miles per hour but every now and then it may have hit 30 with a few gusts that blew over empty folding chairs. By games end felt 45 degrees even though when I got to my car it was still 61.
Zack Patterson and David Harrison squared off in a game Nash Central needed badly to stay in the Big East race. Rocky Mount only a game short of first needed it to keep in a game of the lead. The wind maybe took both aces an inning to adjust but what those saw were two top class pitchers that both had to dig deep to keep their teams in The game.
Aided by a dropped ball in centerfield Nash Central scored one run in the third and a second run scored on an single by the Cameron Taylor. Rocky Mount responded getting one run back after Jamar Ellis opened the inning with a double. Logan Pearce drove home run number one with a sac fly to centerfield.
Nash Central scored again in the bottom of the fourth with hits by Drifton Padgett he scored after Chase Minchew singled to left and got by the left fielder.
Down 3-1 the Gryphons started the inning with a walk. A double off the wall by Zack Keeter put runners on second and third. Spencer Ramsey laced a single tying the game with two rbi. Ramsey would score after a Jamar Ellis single and an error brought home run number three in the fifth an a 4-3 Gryphons lead.
This pitch count rule is a major focus in the 6th inning. David Harrison has walked six batters his pitch count runs out with two out nobody on in the bottom of the sixth. Ben Seracki came on to pitch. He is greeted with a single by Colby Carter but ended the inning with a fly to right.
Patterson gets one out in the seventh before he is done in by the pitch count and a Jarmar Ellis single is the only harm for reliever Hunter Robinson. Ben Seracki strikes out the side in the seventh and the Gryphons win their 10th game of the season and their first come from behind win.
Rocky Mount is 5-1 in the Big East while The Bulldogs drop to 2-4. Rocky Mount heads to Hunt Tuesday with first place on the line.
Big East Action:
Southern Nash 4. Fike 2. Southern Nash 3-3. Fike 2-4
Hunt 4 Northern Nash 0. Hunt 6-0. Northern Nash 0-6
Zack Patterson and David Harrison squared off in a game Nash Central needed badly to stay in the Big East race. Rocky Mount only a game short of first needed it to keep in a game of the lead. The wind maybe took both aces an inning to adjust but what those saw were two top class pitchers that both had to dig deep to keep their teams in The game.
Aided by a dropped ball in centerfield Nash Central scored one run in the third and a second run scored on an single by the Cameron Taylor. Rocky Mount responded getting one run back after Jamar Ellis opened the inning with a double. Logan Pearce drove home run number one with a sac fly to centerfield.
Nash Central scored again in the bottom of the fourth with hits by Drifton Padgett he scored after Chase Minchew singled to left and got by the left fielder.
Down 3-1 the Gryphons started the inning with a walk. A double off the wall by Zack Keeter put runners on second and third. Spencer Ramsey laced a single tying the game with two rbi. Ramsey would score after a Jamar Ellis single and an error brought home run number three in the fifth an a 4-3 Gryphons lead.
This pitch count rule is a major focus in the 6th inning. David Harrison has walked six batters his pitch count runs out with two out nobody on in the bottom of the sixth. Ben Seracki came on to pitch. He is greeted with a single by Colby Carter but ended the inning with a fly to right.
Patterson gets one out in the seventh before he is done in by the pitch count and a Jarmar Ellis single is the only harm for reliever Hunter Robinson. Ben Seracki strikes out the side in the seventh and the Gryphons win their 10th game of the season and their first come from behind win.
Rocky Mount is 5-1 in the Big East while The Bulldogs drop to 2-4. Rocky Mount heads to Hunt Tuesday with first place on the line.
Big East Action:
Southern Nash 4. Fike 2. Southern Nash 3-3. Fike 2-4
Hunt 4 Northern Nash 0. Hunt 6-0. Northern Nash 0-6
The Lost Art
Now that I have had time to digest that awful refereed national championship game in which I don't think either team got hosed by the refs other than it is hard for a player to find the flow of a game which is being stopped every trip down the court by a whistle. Seemed the whistles were blowing when there were no fouls but did not blow when they were.
There has been no change in the rules any greater than the three point basket being instituted into the game of basketball. It has given the little guy a bigger say in where the points come from. When I think back as to why the whistles blew so much Monday night think with me. Two thirds of all fouls occurred on offensive players driving to the basket. Most of the time it was like they were plowing through a bank of snow to get to the basket.
What has this three point basket done to the sport. No longer can anyone pass the ball. I hate to watch a game and the big men underneath are working hard to establish position underneath. They have and arm outstretched asking for the ball. They have the defender sealed off I am open give me the ball and the point guard stands thirty feet away dribbling the ball with no idea how to get the big man the ball. He is open but the passer can't throw the ball inside to a wide open offensive guy.
So now that the ball can't get inside the only thing to do is for the guards to drive many times one against five. The defender has every right to hold his ground and when the guard who can't pass a lick gets into that congested area he fumbles the ball but fouls are being called against the defense. How many calls Monday night did plays like this happen. There was one in which Berry was called for a foul where the Zag guard bobbled the ball took five steps and Berry was backing up the entire lane and was called for a foul when contact did not occur until he had already walked five steps and they called the foul on Berry. Did you see a charge called all night?
Basketball was meant to be played with no contact. Perform a play the way it was designed. A bounce pass inside to an open big men. In a game where the refs are calling fouls before the play ever occurs they always call it on the defense.
Former Rocky Mount High football coach John Hammett has been named the new football coach at Northern Durham. I haven't seen next year's football schedule yet but I think I have heard the Gryphons have Northern on the schedule next season. Hammett coached at Rocky Mount from 1999-2002.
Back to the Big East Grind tonight. Baseball
Northern Nash 0-5 @ Hunt 5-0
Rocky Mount 4-1 @ Nash Central 2-3
Southern Nash 2/3 @ Fike 2-3
Softball:
Southern Nash 4-1 @ Fike 3-2
Northern Nash 2-3 @ Hunt 5-0
Rocky Mount 0-5 @ Nash Central 1-4
There has been no change in the rules any greater than the three point basket being instituted into the game of basketball. It has given the little guy a bigger say in where the points come from. When I think back as to why the whistles blew so much Monday night think with me. Two thirds of all fouls occurred on offensive players driving to the basket. Most of the time it was like they were plowing through a bank of snow to get to the basket.
What has this three point basket done to the sport. No longer can anyone pass the ball. I hate to watch a game and the big men underneath are working hard to establish position underneath. They have and arm outstretched asking for the ball. They have the defender sealed off I am open give me the ball and the point guard stands thirty feet away dribbling the ball with no idea how to get the big man the ball. He is open but the passer can't throw the ball inside to a wide open offensive guy.
So now that the ball can't get inside the only thing to do is for the guards to drive many times one against five. The defender has every right to hold his ground and when the guard who can't pass a lick gets into that congested area he fumbles the ball but fouls are being called against the defense. How many calls Monday night did plays like this happen. There was one in which Berry was called for a foul where the Zag guard bobbled the ball took five steps and Berry was backing up the entire lane and was called for a foul when contact did not occur until he had already walked five steps and they called the foul on Berry. Did you see a charge called all night?
Basketball was meant to be played with no contact. Perform a play the way it was designed. A bounce pass inside to an open big men. In a game where the refs are calling fouls before the play ever occurs they always call it on the defense.
Former Rocky Mount High football coach John Hammett has been named the new football coach at Northern Durham. I haven't seen next year's football schedule yet but I think I have heard the Gryphons have Northern on the schedule next season. Hammett coached at Rocky Mount from 1999-2002.
Back to the Big East Grind tonight. Baseball
Northern Nash 0-5 @ Hunt 5-0
Rocky Mount 4-1 @ Nash Central 2-3
Southern Nash 2/3 @ Fike 2-3
Softball:
Southern Nash 4-1 @ Fike 3-2
Northern Nash 2-3 @ Hunt 5-0
Rocky Mount 0-5 @ Nash Central 1-4
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Pitch Count Gamble
So far during this baseball season the Rocky Mount Gryphons have not had many innings where they put up crooked numbers in one inning. Tonight the Gryphons put up a four spot on Northern Nash in the third inning and with David Harrison on the mound yielded two infield singles that never got out of the infield grass. Pat Smith gambled on this new pitch count rule.
Harrison sailed for the most part through four innings but took only 42 pitches and if he comes back out to pitch the fifth he is done pitching for this week. Enter Ben Seracki who pitches the next two innings and in order to save Seracki for Thursday's game with Nash Central he is replaced in the seventh by Zack Keeter.
There were moments that maybe Smith thought have I messed up like the 6th inning. There was a grounder to short that looked routine but somehow got by Logan Pearce for a hit. Then a fly ball to left seemed catchable but left fielder Victor Ward backed up but realized it was in front of him for a hit.
The Knights scored one run but maybe could have gotten more but with a runner on third one run already in a grounder to shortstop Pearce faked as if to throw to first and caught the Northern runner who took off for home but tried to get back to third where Pearce nailed him.
The top of the third the Gryphons scored after two were out. Josh Pittman singled followed by a Spencer Ramsey single. The next batter Jamar Ellis laced a single to score one. Logan Pearce reached on an error to load the bases and David Harrison hit the bottom of the left center field fence driving in three runs.
The Gryphons added their fifth run in the seventh when Jamar Ellis got his second rbi of the Night driving home Josh Pittman who had gotten on with his third hit of the night.
Zack Keeter finished the night but not before Northern scored with two out. Keeter started the inning with a ground out,struck out the next batter but reach base on a strike out throw out but the ball was dropped at first. That run came home to score when Conner Davenport roped a double past third base.
The Knights had five hits two off Harrison two off Zeracki and Keeter one. Devin Davenport, Silas Gonzalez hit and rbi,josh Daniels and Conner Davenport double and rbi and Aaron Gerlach a hit.
Rocky Mount collected nine hits with Josh Pittman getting three, Jamar Ellis three hits two rbi Spencer Ramsey a single, Logan Pearce a hit and David Harrison a double and three rbi.
David Harrison gets the win going four innings 2 hits, 5 strike outs zero walks. Josh Daniels is the hard luck loser going the distance giving up nine hits five strikeouts, two base on balls. Northern's two errors make three of the Gryphons five runs unearned.
Final Rocky Mount 5-2 over Northern Nash.
Other scores
Nash Central 12 Southern Nash 7
Hunt 10 Fike 4
Harrison sailed for the most part through four innings but took only 42 pitches and if he comes back out to pitch the fifth he is done pitching for this week. Enter Ben Seracki who pitches the next two innings and in order to save Seracki for Thursday's game with Nash Central he is replaced in the seventh by Zack Keeter.
There were moments that maybe Smith thought have I messed up like the 6th inning. There was a grounder to short that looked routine but somehow got by Logan Pearce for a hit. Then a fly ball to left seemed catchable but left fielder Victor Ward backed up but realized it was in front of him for a hit.
The Knights scored one run but maybe could have gotten more but with a runner on third one run already in a grounder to shortstop Pearce faked as if to throw to first and caught the Northern runner who took off for home but tried to get back to third where Pearce nailed him.
The top of the third the Gryphons scored after two were out. Josh Pittman singled followed by a Spencer Ramsey single. The next batter Jamar Ellis laced a single to score one. Logan Pearce reached on an error to load the bases and David Harrison hit the bottom of the left center field fence driving in three runs.
The Gryphons added their fifth run in the seventh when Jamar Ellis got his second rbi of the Night driving home Josh Pittman who had gotten on with his third hit of the night.
Zack Keeter finished the night but not before Northern scored with two out. Keeter started the inning with a ground out,struck out the next batter but reach base on a strike out throw out but the ball was dropped at first. That run came home to score when Conner Davenport roped a double past third base.
The Knights had five hits two off Harrison two off Zeracki and Keeter one. Devin Davenport, Silas Gonzalez hit and rbi,josh Daniels and Conner Davenport double and rbi and Aaron Gerlach a hit.
Rocky Mount collected nine hits with Josh Pittman getting three, Jamar Ellis three hits two rbi Spencer Ramsey a single, Logan Pearce a hit and David Harrison a double and three rbi.
David Harrison gets the win going four innings 2 hits, 5 strike outs zero walks. Josh Daniels is the hard luck loser going the distance giving up nine hits five strikeouts, two base on balls. Northern's two errors make three of the Gryphons five runs unearned.
Final Rocky Mount 5-2 over Northern Nash.
Other scores
Nash Central 12 Southern Nash 7
Hunt 10 Fike 4
Monday, April 3, 2017
REDEMPTION
They didn't finish well on Saturday. Maybe near seven minutes to go in the game they started missing foul shots after being nearly perfect then first 30 minutes.
They also quit going inside instead three pointers and mid range jumpers took over instead of the inside game led by Kennedy Meeks which Oregan never stopped all night. They also started holding on to the ball running clock and held it too late in the 30 second clock to either get inside or take a good shot but desperate shots before clock runs out.
While all this was happening Oregon could only trim the lead to one. The Last two minutes the Tar Heels played like they were the team playing in the final four for the first time. In the end tipped rebounds save their skin.
Can it be the the Tar Heel nation can feel comfortable heading into Monday night's game against a team just as tall and to a certain degree a reflection of themselves.
The first half the first ten minutes was a continuation of the last ten in the semi finals. Eight minutes to go inthe the first half Carolina trailed the rebounding game 21-12. Even though they trailed at the half the rebound margin was back to almost even.
You would hope in a game as important as the national championship game the refs would be unknown people but not this game. They thought they had to be the stars and yet they ruined the game. There was a foul called every 30 seconds. How can any team get into any flow in this type game.
Despite the flow, the whistles, this was a battle. Clearly both these teams were evenly matched. The refs called fouls when there was none and didn't when there were. Saturday Carolina didn't make the plays when they needed but they clearly won the last 20 seconds and are national champions. GO HEELS.
ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC
They also quit going inside instead three pointers and mid range jumpers took over instead of the inside game led by Kennedy Meeks which Oregan never stopped all night. They also started holding on to the ball running clock and held it too late in the 30 second clock to either get inside or take a good shot but desperate shots before clock runs out.
While all this was happening Oregon could only trim the lead to one. The Last two minutes the Tar Heels played like they were the team playing in the final four for the first time. In the end tipped rebounds save their skin.
Can it be the the Tar Heel nation can feel comfortable heading into Monday night's game against a team just as tall and to a certain degree a reflection of themselves.
The first half the first ten minutes was a continuation of the last ten in the semi finals. Eight minutes to go inthe the first half Carolina trailed the rebounding game 21-12. Even though they trailed at the half the rebound margin was back to almost even.
You would hope in a game as important as the national championship game the refs would be unknown people but not this game. They thought they had to be the stars and yet they ruined the game. There was a foul called every 30 seconds. How can any team get into any flow in this type game.
Despite the flow, the whistles, this was a battle. Clearly both these teams were evenly matched. The refs called fouls when there was none and didn't when there were. Saturday Carolina didn't make the plays when they needed but they clearly won the last 20 seconds and are national champions. GO HEELS.
ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC ACC
End Of Round One Rival Week
Two complete weeks of Big East baseball is complete and even though we are not half way yet there are trends that may tell us why the standings are the way they are. Hunt leads the pack at 4-0. Rocky Mount is second 3-1.. There is a tie for third with Fike and Southern Nash at 2-2. Nash Central sits alone in fifth at 1-3. Northern Nash sits looking up at the rest at 0-4.
Runs scored through four conference games. Hunt 24...Southern Nash and Fike are tied at 17. Nash Central has scored 16 times while Rocky Mount is fifth in scoring with 10 and Northern 8 runs scored.
It is easy to see that Hunt has offense scoring six per conference game while it is easy to see why Northern is at the bottom scoring only two per game. It is easy to figure why Southern, Fike and Nash Central fall from third to fifth in runs scored but how does Rocky Mount sit in second but fifth in runs scored with 10.
Hunt leads the way in runs allowed at 10. Rocky Mount is second at 13. Southern Nash and Fike have give up 15 runs. The Bulldogs sit fifth giving up 19 and Northern has given up 21.
Once again easy to see why Hunt is 4-0 as they have scored the most and given up the least. You can also see why Northern sits at the bottoms scoring the least and giving up the most. Rocky Mount is the mystery team why they stand second. FIke, Nash Central and Southern Nash are about right looking at their numbers.
If I had to conjecture from the numbers I see Hunt will be hard to overtake if they stay the top scoring and runs allowed team. For the rest the numbers at this point too jumbled to give any body a heads up advantage over anybody else.
Tuesday night's schedule:
Rocky Mount @Northern Nash
Nash Central @ Southern Nash
Hunt @ Fike
Northern needs a win to have any chance of making the playoffs. Rocky Mount needs to stay a step behind Hunt. Nash Central needs to find what they thought they could be this year. Southern needs to stop two one run losses. A Fike victory would give everybody a chance to get back into the first place race. A win by Hunt keeps them up front or an even bigger cushion.
Big East Softball
Rocky Mount 0-4 @ Northern Nash 1-3
Nash Central 1-3 @ Southern Nash 3-1
Hunt 4-0 @ Fike 3-1
Runs scored through four conference games. Hunt 24...Southern Nash and Fike are tied at 17. Nash Central has scored 16 times while Rocky Mount is fifth in scoring with 10 and Northern 8 runs scored.
It is easy to see that Hunt has offense scoring six per conference game while it is easy to see why Northern is at the bottom scoring only two per game. It is easy to figure why Southern, Fike and Nash Central fall from third to fifth in runs scored but how does Rocky Mount sit in second but fifth in runs scored with 10.
Hunt leads the way in runs allowed at 10. Rocky Mount is second at 13. Southern Nash and Fike have give up 15 runs. The Bulldogs sit fifth giving up 19 and Northern has given up 21.
Once again easy to see why Hunt is 4-0 as they have scored the most and given up the least. You can also see why Northern sits at the bottoms scoring the least and giving up the most. Rocky Mount is the mystery team why they stand second. FIke, Nash Central and Southern Nash are about right looking at their numbers.
If I had to conjecture from the numbers I see Hunt will be hard to overtake if they stay the top scoring and runs allowed team. For the rest the numbers at this point too jumbled to give any body a heads up advantage over anybody else.
Tuesday night's schedule:
Rocky Mount @Northern Nash
Nash Central @ Southern Nash
Hunt @ Fike
Northern needs a win to have any chance of making the playoffs. Rocky Mount needs to stay a step behind Hunt. Nash Central needs to find what they thought they could be this year. Southern needs to stop two one run losses. A Fike victory would give everybody a chance to get back into the first place race. A win by Hunt keeps them up front or an even bigger cushion.
Big East Softball
Rocky Mount 0-4 @ Northern Nash 1-3
Nash Central 1-3 @ Southern Nash 3-1
Hunt 4-0 @ Fike 3-1
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Magic Gryphons Pitching Continues
It is a Saturday and it is not a conference game so today's non conference tilt is not a live and die conference game but nobody ever wants to lose any game.
A team still needing to find quality pitching the Gryphons sent Joernest Petway to the hill. He has a couple of inning under his belt but on those tough nights when it may take four pitchers to pull out a victory can we count on Joe?
The answer is yes as Petway gets a five inning complete game as Rocky Mount puts away Tarboro 10-0. Petway gives up just one hit. He was just wild enough to walk five and struck out seven. He become the third Rocky Mount pitcher to throw a shutout this week and the 6th Gryphon shutout of the season.
The Gryphons wasted little time plating three runs in the first as Jake Philbeck rejoined the lineup after injury laced a single scoring two runs. Philbeck later scored on a wild pitch.
The second saw two walks and an infield single by Logan Pearce. Spencer Ramsey gets credit for and rbi walking with the bases loaded. A run scored on a Jamar Ellis center field sac fly and David Harrison knocked home a run. Ben Seracki doubles home two runs and its 8-0 after two.
Rocky Mount started the fourth with back to back hits from Ellis and a David Harrison double. Ellis scored on an pitcher error and Harrison on a Victor Ward single. That would give the Gryphons a 10-0.
Petway set the Vikings down in the fifth. Justin Webb recorded the only Tarboro single with a lead off single in the third. Rocky Mount has two conference road games at Northern Nash Tuesday and at Nash Central Thursday night. The Gryphons jump their overall record to 8-3.
The NCAA basketball championship will have a Carolina in the finals the North Carolina Tar Heels. As long as Kennedy Meeks touched the ball inside Carolina controlled the game but when they go shooting threes and Meeks doesn't touch it they kept Oregon in the game. Carolina certainly cannot hold the ball without attacking the basket. They get a chance Monday to win their sixth title.
A team still needing to find quality pitching the Gryphons sent Joernest Petway to the hill. He has a couple of inning under his belt but on those tough nights when it may take four pitchers to pull out a victory can we count on Joe?
The answer is yes as Petway gets a five inning complete game as Rocky Mount puts away Tarboro 10-0. Petway gives up just one hit. He was just wild enough to walk five and struck out seven. He become the third Rocky Mount pitcher to throw a shutout this week and the 6th Gryphon shutout of the season.
The Gryphons wasted little time plating three runs in the first as Jake Philbeck rejoined the lineup after injury laced a single scoring two runs. Philbeck later scored on a wild pitch.
The second saw two walks and an infield single by Logan Pearce. Spencer Ramsey gets credit for and rbi walking with the bases loaded. A run scored on a Jamar Ellis center field sac fly and David Harrison knocked home a run. Ben Seracki doubles home two runs and its 8-0 after two.
Rocky Mount started the fourth with back to back hits from Ellis and a David Harrison double. Ellis scored on an pitcher error and Harrison on a Victor Ward single. That would give the Gryphons a 10-0.
Petway set the Vikings down in the fifth. Justin Webb recorded the only Tarboro single with a lead off single in the third. Rocky Mount has two conference road games at Northern Nash Tuesday and at Nash Central Thursday night. The Gryphons jump their overall record to 8-3.
The NCAA basketball championship will have a Carolina in the finals the North Carolina Tar Heels. As long as Kennedy Meeks touched the ball inside Carolina controlled the game but when they go shooting threes and Meeks doesn't touch it they kept Oregon in the game. Carolina certainly cannot hold the ball without attacking the basket. They get a chance Monday to win their sixth title.
Can This Marvelous Pitching Contine?
There has been no mistake or rainouts so for the Rocky Mount Gryphon baseball team schedule. Coach Pat Smith planned it this way. These new pitching rules he had no idea if he would have more than one arm David Harrison to pitch when day one came. He had to find somebody who could get it across the plate and with the lack of pitching depth three games a week was pushing too many pitches for a pitching staff that was unknown. So while others have played three games a week Rocky Mount has not.
Smith was limited for pitching arms he even brought up a freshman Ben Seracki who had been a dominant pitcher in Junior high but this is big boy ball now he had no idea what to expect from him. Zack Keeter had thrown innings last season but he is your main stay behind the plate guy. To this point Centerfielder Josh Pittman has a few innings and Joe Petway a couple. What Smith has found that the five players who have pitched for the Gryphons to date have more that given what anyone could have expected.
The Gryphons on the season have score 37 runs in 10 games or 3.7 per outing. Take away a 13-0 victory which most of the runs scored because of walks and errors the Gryphons have scored 24 in nine game. That is not a winning combination scoring 2.66 per game unless you can throw 5 shutouts in your ten games. The last time I looked it up a shutout will win 100% of every game you play.
Runs have been hard to come by but just as scarce as hits in any game. Thursday night shutout was won with three hits. Fike 1-0 game the Gryphons had three hits. The Gryphons in their 7-1 loss to Hunt only scratched two hits. The pitching in this game was ok but four errors caused seven runs to score to blow this game out of proportion.
I don't know what happen but opening night against Nash Central the Gryphons produced 13 hits but it took ten innings to get them and a 7-6 thriller. The non conference slate a 9-6 victory over Cleveland was another double digit day with 11 hits. A 2-0 shutout of South Johnston had only one hit. The Gryphons got five hits in a 6-1 loss to Bunn but the defense cost the Gryphons four runs. A 0-0 game in the fourth inning at South Johnston walks poured 13 runs in for the Gryphons on eight hits. Opening day seven hits were part of a 2-0 shutout of Roanoke Rapids.
Rocky Mount has given up only 27 runs or 2.7 per game. 13 of the 27 six came by Nash Central in a 7-6 victory and 7-1loss to Hunt as all seven Hunt runs came off the Gryphon Defense. How good could this team be if they started hitting the ball? How good could this team be if they tighten up their defense? I mean two of the losses are defense related.
We haven't quite made it to the halfway point in conference play with the Easter break coming with three games in Wilson. Only four more weeks before the end of the of the regular season and then the Big East tournament.
Today for the first time Rocky Mount plays a third game in one week as they host Tarboro in an endowment game. Here again it is no mistake by Pat Smith that this game is on Saturday after they already have their two conference games for the week out of the way. Game time is 1pm
Smith was limited for pitching arms he even brought up a freshman Ben Seracki who had been a dominant pitcher in Junior high but this is big boy ball now he had no idea what to expect from him. Zack Keeter had thrown innings last season but he is your main stay behind the plate guy. To this point Centerfielder Josh Pittman has a few innings and Joe Petway a couple. What Smith has found that the five players who have pitched for the Gryphons to date have more that given what anyone could have expected.
The Gryphons on the season have score 37 runs in 10 games or 3.7 per outing. Take away a 13-0 victory which most of the runs scored because of walks and errors the Gryphons have scored 24 in nine game. That is not a winning combination scoring 2.66 per game unless you can throw 5 shutouts in your ten games. The last time I looked it up a shutout will win 100% of every game you play.
Runs have been hard to come by but just as scarce as hits in any game. Thursday night shutout was won with three hits. Fike 1-0 game the Gryphons had three hits. The Gryphons in their 7-1 loss to Hunt only scratched two hits. The pitching in this game was ok but four errors caused seven runs to score to blow this game out of proportion.
I don't know what happen but opening night against Nash Central the Gryphons produced 13 hits but it took ten innings to get them and a 7-6 thriller. The non conference slate a 9-6 victory over Cleveland was another double digit day with 11 hits. A 2-0 shutout of South Johnston had only one hit. The Gryphons got five hits in a 6-1 loss to Bunn but the defense cost the Gryphons four runs. A 0-0 game in the fourth inning at South Johnston walks poured 13 runs in for the Gryphons on eight hits. Opening day seven hits were part of a 2-0 shutout of Roanoke Rapids.
Rocky Mount has given up only 27 runs or 2.7 per game. 13 of the 27 six came by Nash Central in a 7-6 victory and 7-1loss to Hunt as all seven Hunt runs came off the Gryphon Defense. How good could this team be if they started hitting the ball? How good could this team be if they tighten up their defense? I mean two of the losses are defense related.
We haven't quite made it to the halfway point in conference play with the Easter break coming with three games in Wilson. Only four more weeks before the end of the of the regular season and then the Big East tournament.
Today for the first time Rocky Mount plays a third game in one week as they host Tarboro in an endowment game. Here again it is no mistake by Pat Smith that this game is on Saturday after they already have their two conference games for the week out of the way. Game time is 1pm
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