I have to admit that Coleman Pitt Post 58 to date has surprised me in now standing at 5-3 on the season and 2-0 in division play. Legion ball reflects how your high school teams fared and every team had a really good pitcher and then some throwers. Those really good pitchers dominated in high school and now at the midway point in the season have done just as well in legion. You know Legion is the next step up. Not quite college but it is an all star team of the players from your area and what they can do against other all star teams.
Those of you parents that have been sold that bill of goods as the only way to get college coaches or the pros to look at your kids is travel ball Wednesday night there was a scout from the New York Yankees in the house. He came to us, we didn't have to go to them. So Legion is still very viable in kids who want to play at the next level of college or the extra special kid who could go pro right out of high school.
The last two games Post 58 pitching has allowed five runs in which four were earned in 25 innings. That is an ERA of 1.44. Our defense has added help to pitching by getting an out on a ball headed for a hit but if this team continues to pitch and play defense the way they have the last five games we will be in every ball game.
If it has taken 25 innings to play two games and your team gave up only five runs then the real weakness of this team is it's ability to score runs themselves. The hitting totals are improving each game but eleven hits Wednesday resulted in only three runs in 12 innings. The hitting needs to get to where if the pitchers give up only three the seven runs we scored we were never in jeopardy of losing. 4-3 and 3-2 games could both have been losses if it wasn't for the pitching and defense.
Contact when in the batters box is a key element to hitting. Leadoff batter Josh Pittman looks like a slapper at the ball when he has batted both for the Gryphons this spring and P58 now. It just looks like there is no way he can hit the way he slaps at it. He has the knack to get on base with a slap to left field and he is a left handed batter. He has speed and can beat out hits that start our as a simple grounder straight at a defensive player. That speed it is hard to hit a ball in the air that he can't catch in the outfield.
In terms of Legion age this is a young team and most if they wish to do so and come back to Legion next year will be a year older. Senior Legion is 17 and 18 year olds. This team has as least two if not more that are still 16 years and we are very competitive with teams older than we are so the future is bright.
What did it mean for this year not to have a team last year. A couple of players could have been on this team last year. Spencer Brickhouse from Bunn and a left handed pitcher from Roanoke Rapids. Both players Brickhouse for Wilson and the RR kid in Ahoskie. Brickhouse of course is heading to ECU but is playing Legion in Wilson since he played there last year and they would have to sign a waiver in order for him to play for us and who in their right mind would give up a player of his statue because we didn't have a team last year.
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda that's spilled milk and we won three of the four games played against those two squads this year so the guys we got must be pretty good too. Our future continues tonight as Durham Post 7 will be at Legion Field at 7pm. We need to score more runs but I can tell you one thing the last two games 4-3 win over Wilson in 13 innings and 3-2 victory over Apex in 12 innings is as good of ball as you can see any where. Come see for yourself.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
It Takes More Than Nine Again
Coleman Pitt Post 58 American Legion Baseball team for the second Wednesday night in a row took extra innings to put away Apex Post 124 3-2. It just happens to be the last two games have gone 13 and tonight 12 innings before CP 58 wins 3-2.
There is no doubt Rocky Mount pitching is the Secretariat of this ball club as the season has now reach eight games and five straight wins for the home team. Tonight Cameron Taylor started on the hill and did exactly what was needed five innings of one run game on three hits. He gave way to Trevor Mills tossed two and two thirds of one hit ball. Noah Shrock came in with two outs in the top of the eighth to quail potential trouble. He carried the game into the 12th giving up one run on four hits. His fourth hit allowed was a lead off double by Apex in the top of the 12th and in comes Reid Johnston who quickly got three straight outs.
Apex scored first in the fifth on a sac fly RBI by Ben High Fill. Coleman Pitt tied it in the sixth on a walk then and error got Colby Carter to third. Noah Shrock hit one off the pitcher's foot which rolled to the shortstop and his only play was to first with Carter scoring.
The top of the tenth Apex retook the lead on a lead off single by Alex Simpson and scored on an RBI single by Derek Beale. Looked bleak for CP 58 but the bottom of the tenth with starting pitcher Jake Isbell removed after pitching nine innings giving up just one run on seven hits Matt Rogers took to the mound and was greeted by a Josh Pittman single, a sac bunt by Colby Carter, a wild pitch and a sharp single by Noah Shrock tied it at two.
It drizzled during the middle innings and a drizzle started again in the 12th and looking at the radar time was running out on playing time on this game. Josh Pittman led of the 12th with his third hit of the night. Colby Carter hit a ball toward short and their force at second failed when Pittman beat the ball to second. Noah Shrock loaded the bases with a hit and Reid Johnston who rewards his 12th inning pitching with the wining hit scoring Pittman and Rocky Mount wins 3-2.
Reid Johnson gets the win but all CP 58 pitching was excellent. 58 finished with 11 hits led by three hits from Josh Pittman and Noah Shrock and two RBI. Reid Johnston added two hits and the game winning RBI. Tyler Sherrod, Logan Pearce and Zach Keeter reached with hits.
Coleman Pitt has won five in a row and 5-3 overall and 2-0 in division play. They are back in action Friday night as Durham will be in town at 7 pm at Legion Field.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Down To Two
The ACC started out with ten teams playing in the 2016 NCAA baseball Tournament. The Southeastern started with seven. More than 25% to make the tournament came from those two conferences. Eight teams are in Omaha and only two come from the big two conferences Florida and Miami. That's still 25 % of the teams still in the tournament which is right on average.
The big winner is the Big 12. Started with three and three are still in. The Pac 12 has one team and the Mountsin West and Big South round out the field. It takes about ten days before there is only one team standing. Having watch Coastal last weekend in Raleigh and watching them in the Super they are just as good as anybody else. I'm pulling for them.
Don't forget Wednesday night Coleman Pitt Post 58 will host Apex in a division game at Legion Field. Looks like there might be weather issues. As if I have had a summers full of rain delays watching the Raleigh Regional. Hope rain comes early so we can play ball on time.
Did the suspension given to Draymond Greene enough to get the Cleveland Cavs that little edge they need. I think it was obvious that in the fourth quarter that without the man in the middle Cleveland could drive to the basket any time they wanted. The Warriors had a fourth quarter where the long range shooters could not make anything. I doubt that happens again. I'm taking Warriors in six still.
If there is one thing for sure the NBA game would be better if they didn't have refs. How in the world can both LeBron and Dray wrestle the way they did and nothing get called 20 seconds before they finally called something . Some of the calls made are fathom calls where nothing happened and there are those where blood flys and no calls. Because of the quality of the how the games are called it drags the game down. Five steps and no traveling it makes for a bad quality of a game. Have a hard time sitting through watching more than about five minutes at a time and I have to cut it off.
The big winner is the Big 12. Started with three and three are still in. The Pac 12 has one team and the Mountsin West and Big South round out the field. It takes about ten days before there is only one team standing. Having watch Coastal last weekend in Raleigh and watching them in the Super they are just as good as anybody else. I'm pulling for them.
Don't forget Wednesday night Coleman Pitt Post 58 will host Apex in a division game at Legion Field. Looks like there might be weather issues. As if I have had a summers full of rain delays watching the Raleigh Regional. Hope rain comes early so we can play ball on time.
Did the suspension given to Draymond Greene enough to get the Cleveland Cavs that little edge they need. I think it was obvious that in the fourth quarter that without the man in the middle Cleveland could drive to the basket any time they wanted. The Warriors had a fourth quarter where the long range shooters could not make anything. I doubt that happens again. I'm taking Warriors in six still.
If there is one thing for sure the NBA game would be better if they didn't have refs. How in the world can both LeBron and Dray wrestle the way they did and nothing get called 20 seconds before they finally called something . Some of the calls made are fathom calls where nothing happened and there are those where blood flys and no calls. Because of the quality of the how the games are called it drags the game down. Five steps and no traveling it makes for a bad quality of a game. Have a hard time sitting through watching more than about five minutes at a time and I have to cut it off.
The Push Begins
Wednesday and Friday night Coleman Pitt Post 58 will begin the drive to get set for the playoffs in the Area One Western Division. The first time P 58 has been totally in the Western Division which gives all the teams in the Triangle access to all the 4-A schools plus private schools in Wake and Durham counties. No matter how many players those teams can pick from Post 58 is ready for the challenge.
I invite you if you have not already come watch to watch the best from Nash and Edgecombe County baseball players match wits with the big city boys. Despite the bad start in game one against Pitt County in which Coleman Pitt gave up seven runs in the first four outs since then in 65 innings played Coleman Pitts pitching and defense has given up 28 runs. The season so far that is and average of five runs a game. Remember take away seven in the first two innings they are giving up only four per game.
Due to the fact Coleman Pitt failed to field a team last season there is only one player with Legion experience and that is Forest Bell. All 19 other players are playing Legion for the first time and that may have lead you to believe that the first two innings this season may have been a lack of experience for those playing for the first time. Right now there are 20 on the roster but by week's end Hank Jones must reduce the roster to 18. Most every year somebody quits due to lack of playing time or Legion Ball is interfering with the beach.
So far no one has quit so that tells me we have 20 guys who really want to play ball this summer for Post 58. Those who are on the cut line if they have any pitching ability they probably are safe because you never have enough pitching. If you are a fielder and have not done much with the bat when you had your opportunities you are being looked at closely as can you stay on the roster.
We know the pitching has improved since the first night out. Cameron Taylor who was opening night hurler has come back strong since. David Harrison has continue his best pitcher from the Big East and shown Legion no different. Reid Johnson, Noah Schrock and Trevor Mills have all shown they can get the job done. The perfect pitching night would be five innings from the starter and two relievers two innings each. That's what CP 58 got last Wednesdsy night except it took four more innings to finish off Wilson.
The three losses in the first three games the hitters could only produce seven runs so the lack of runs played a big part in the losses. The first few games only three or four hits per outing and guess what the hitting is improving. During high school season Logan Pearce was tearing the cover off the ball until a cracked middle finger catching a ball slowed his effective bat for the rest of the season. Now healthy Pearce is stinging the ball again and the last two games has the winning RBI.
Lately it is not all Pearce as Tyler Sherrod, Noah Schrock, Colby Taylor and Trevor Mills are swinging good bats. The four Post 58 wins have produced 27 runs almost seven per game. So you put together and improving pitching staff with hitters that getting comfortable hitting Legion pitching and you have a team having won four in a row.
If you want a good night of fun entertainment Legion Field will be the place to be Wednesday night at 7pm as Apex Post 124 will be here for a division game. The next two weeks will be loaded with only division games which is the beginning of the playoff run. The 4-3 1-0 Coleman Pitt Post 58 needs you there to support and help keep Legion Baseball in Rocky Mount.
I invite you if you have not already come watch to watch the best from Nash and Edgecombe County baseball players match wits with the big city boys. Despite the bad start in game one against Pitt County in which Coleman Pitt gave up seven runs in the first four outs since then in 65 innings played Coleman Pitts pitching and defense has given up 28 runs. The season so far that is and average of five runs a game. Remember take away seven in the first two innings they are giving up only four per game.
Due to the fact Coleman Pitt failed to field a team last season there is only one player with Legion experience and that is Forest Bell. All 19 other players are playing Legion for the first time and that may have lead you to believe that the first two innings this season may have been a lack of experience for those playing for the first time. Right now there are 20 on the roster but by week's end Hank Jones must reduce the roster to 18. Most every year somebody quits due to lack of playing time or Legion Ball is interfering with the beach.
So far no one has quit so that tells me we have 20 guys who really want to play ball this summer for Post 58. Those who are on the cut line if they have any pitching ability they probably are safe because you never have enough pitching. If you are a fielder and have not done much with the bat when you had your opportunities you are being looked at closely as can you stay on the roster.
We know the pitching has improved since the first night out. Cameron Taylor who was opening night hurler has come back strong since. David Harrison has continue his best pitcher from the Big East and shown Legion no different. Reid Johnson, Noah Schrock and Trevor Mills have all shown they can get the job done. The perfect pitching night would be five innings from the starter and two relievers two innings each. That's what CP 58 got last Wednesdsy night except it took four more innings to finish off Wilson.
The three losses in the first three games the hitters could only produce seven runs so the lack of runs played a big part in the losses. The first few games only three or four hits per outing and guess what the hitting is improving. During high school season Logan Pearce was tearing the cover off the ball until a cracked middle finger catching a ball slowed his effective bat for the rest of the season. Now healthy Pearce is stinging the ball again and the last two games has the winning RBI.
Lately it is not all Pearce as Tyler Sherrod, Noah Schrock, Colby Taylor and Trevor Mills are swinging good bats. The four Post 58 wins have produced 27 runs almost seven per game. So you put together and improving pitching staff with hitters that getting comfortable hitting Legion pitching and you have a team having won four in a row.
If you want a good night of fun entertainment Legion Field will be the place to be Wednesday night at 7pm as Apex Post 124 will be here for a division game. The next two weeks will be loaded with only division games which is the beginning of the playoff run. The 4-3 1-0 Coleman Pitt Post 58 needs you there to support and help keep Legion Baseball in Rocky Mount.
Monday, June 13, 2016
The Ride Is Over
Saturday the Pirates of ECU held as far as the NCAA was concerned the fifth best team in the tournament to one run. They had already shocked Texas Tech with and unset win Friday beating the Red Raiders 8-6. If Texas Tech is really as good as advertised then when you hold them to one run in 12 innings you must take advantage and score two runs on Saturday and win the game. It didn't happen as Sunday the Pirates never had a chance as Texas Tech took advantage of every opportunity and whitewashed the Pirates 11-0.
It might not be the best record for the Pirates but where they finished one game from Omaha makes this year their most successful. They were the only one from North Carolina playing this weekend after all others had fallen by the wayside. Nice job Pirates.
This begs the question when you lose is it better to lose 11-0 or like NC State that gave up the lead in the last bat of the game. The bottom line is you suffer either way that you didn't complete the task at hand.
One of the shockers of the weekend was Louisville losing two straight at home. Losing 4-2 and then had a 3-0 lead to be beaten in the last at bat on a grand slam home run. I thought they had a real shot at winning the National Championship.
The ACC knew before this weekend started that one team was going to Omaha because in the Super Regionals two were matched up against each other this weekend. Miami everyone expected but who in their right mind expected Boston College to be there.
The very first weekend of ACC conference play BC beat the Wolfpack two out of three and everyone thought the Wolfpack would be in for a long season losing to BC. Little did anyone realize that BC would have one of their best seasons in decades. They made Miami play three games and had their chances Sunday.
The only SEC team still alive with a chance to make it to the college world series is Florida and it took a 5-0 shutout of Florida State to set up a winner take all game today in Tallahassee. Both Texas A&M and LSU were beaten last night making the SEC record in the Super Regionals 2-9.
The win by Coastal Carolina over LSU in two straight games surely doesn't help the N C State Wolfpack pain over their last inning loss to Coastal but it sure does show you how close any team is that is trying to make it to the College World Series. State played Coastal Carolina three times last weekend allowing 10 runs. State over the last six weeks of the season lost two starting pitchers to injury and yet held CC to 10 runs in three while LSU gave up 15 in two games and yet Wolfpack Nation blames lack of pitching for their demise.
It might not be the best record for the Pirates but where they finished one game from Omaha makes this year their most successful. They were the only one from North Carolina playing this weekend after all others had fallen by the wayside. Nice job Pirates.
This begs the question when you lose is it better to lose 11-0 or like NC State that gave up the lead in the last bat of the game. The bottom line is you suffer either way that you didn't complete the task at hand.
One of the shockers of the weekend was Louisville losing two straight at home. Losing 4-2 and then had a 3-0 lead to be beaten in the last at bat on a grand slam home run. I thought they had a real shot at winning the National Championship.
The ACC knew before this weekend started that one team was going to Omaha because in the Super Regionals two were matched up against each other this weekend. Miami everyone expected but who in their right mind expected Boston College to be there.
The very first weekend of ACC conference play BC beat the Wolfpack two out of three and everyone thought the Wolfpack would be in for a long season losing to BC. Little did anyone realize that BC would have one of their best seasons in decades. They made Miami play three games and had their chances Sunday.
The only SEC team still alive with a chance to make it to the college world series is Florida and it took a 5-0 shutout of Florida State to set up a winner take all game today in Tallahassee. Both Texas A&M and LSU were beaten last night making the SEC record in the Super Regionals 2-9.
The win by Coastal Carolina over LSU in two straight games surely doesn't help the N C State Wolfpack pain over their last inning loss to Coastal but it sure does show you how close any team is that is trying to make it to the College World Series. State played Coastal Carolina three times last weekend allowing 10 runs. State over the last six weeks of the season lost two starting pitchers to injury and yet held CC to 10 runs in three while LSU gave up 15 in two games and yet Wolfpack Nation blames lack of pitching for their demise.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Oh So Close
Just heard this Gorilla on the back of the ECU Pirates fact that I had never heard. This is the 28th time in school history that they have played in the NCAA baseball playoffs and that is the longest any team in the country has gone and not made it to the College World Series.
Saturday the Pirates with a one game to none lead in their two out of three series with Texas Tech came ever so close of beating the Red Raiders the champions of the Big 12 two straight games which would have sent the Pirates to Omaha. Tied 1-1 with TT the Pirates failed to score with the bases loaded two out situation in the 12th and finally in the 13th inning the home standing Red Raiders finally were able to get ahead and beat the Pirates 3-1.
The deciding game will be played at 3pm today in Lubbock Texas. Some stats from all the other Super Regionals have the team winning the first game win the two out of three 80% of the time which would favor the Pirates. The history also says that the host team wins 73 % of the time which favors Texas Tech. Something has got to give.
Regardless of how it goes today the Pirates surely have earned the respect of Texas Tech the fifth seeded team in the entire NCAA tournament. These two teams have played 22 innings and each has scored nine runs. Go Pirates!!!!!!!!
Coleman Pitt Post 58 has taken time off the last few days in order to give the few seniors on this year's team time to Graduate. Things will pick up starting Wednesday and Friday as two conference games are on tap at Legion Field. There is a possibility that another home game could be Thursday but that has not been put in stone yet.
There is one good item of business that favors Post 58 and their ability to get teams from the Triangle to come play in Rocky Mount without having to go to their place to play. Several teams don't have a home field or if they do the rent to play on it and the rent is so high that it is easier just to come to Rocky Mount instead. We should be very thankful that the Legion is willing to upkeep Legion Field because it is a very good field. It may not be in the best part of town but the city should do every thing they can to keep it as a viable playing field. It is the only field in Rocky Mount that is not on a high school campus.
The rest of June will be all conference games. Clayton has dropped out so there are only five teams in the Western Division of Area one. After all games are in the teams that finish 4th and fifth will play a one game play in game and that winner will play a three out of five series with the top seed and two and three seeds also play a two out of three. The two winners will then play each other in a three out of five that winner plays the Area one champ.
Sometimes you find out interesting information just by looking. Now with the end of the school year for high schools is over that leaves contracts coming to an end. Looked on the Rocky Mount Nash County School employment page and at this point there is an opening for assistant football coach at Nash Central. That is not really all that surprising but here is one that I have not heard one thing about. The head baseball coaching job is open at Nash Central. What's up there?
Saturday the Pirates with a one game to none lead in their two out of three series with Texas Tech came ever so close of beating the Red Raiders the champions of the Big 12 two straight games which would have sent the Pirates to Omaha. Tied 1-1 with TT the Pirates failed to score with the bases loaded two out situation in the 12th and finally in the 13th inning the home standing Red Raiders finally were able to get ahead and beat the Pirates 3-1.
The deciding game will be played at 3pm today in Lubbock Texas. Some stats from all the other Super Regionals have the team winning the first game win the two out of three 80% of the time which would favor the Pirates. The history also says that the host team wins 73 % of the time which favors Texas Tech. Something has got to give.
Regardless of how it goes today the Pirates surely have earned the respect of Texas Tech the fifth seeded team in the entire NCAA tournament. These two teams have played 22 innings and each has scored nine runs. Go Pirates!!!!!!!!
Coleman Pitt Post 58 has taken time off the last few days in order to give the few seniors on this year's team time to Graduate. Things will pick up starting Wednesday and Friday as two conference games are on tap at Legion Field. There is a possibility that another home game could be Thursday but that has not been put in stone yet.
There is one good item of business that favors Post 58 and their ability to get teams from the Triangle to come play in Rocky Mount without having to go to their place to play. Several teams don't have a home field or if they do the rent to play on it and the rent is so high that it is easier just to come to Rocky Mount instead. We should be very thankful that the Legion is willing to upkeep Legion Field because it is a very good field. It may not be in the best part of town but the city should do every thing they can to keep it as a viable playing field. It is the only field in Rocky Mount that is not on a high school campus.
The rest of June will be all conference games. Clayton has dropped out so there are only five teams in the Western Division of Area one. After all games are in the teams that finish 4th and fifth will play a one game play in game and that winner will play a three out of five series with the top seed and two and three seeds also play a two out of three. The two winners will then play each other in a three out of five that winner plays the Area one champ.
Sometimes you find out interesting information just by looking. Now with the end of the school year for high schools is over that leaves contracts coming to an end. Looked on the Rocky Mount Nash County School employment page and at this point there is an opening for assistant football coach at Nash Central. That is not really all that surprising but here is one that I have not heard one thing about. The head baseball coaching job is open at Nash Central. What's up there?
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Only One More
The Pirates of ECU won their first Super Regional game ever as they shock the number five seed in the NCAA tournament seeding Texas Tech 8-6 in Lubbock Texas. The Pirates fourth trip ever to the Super Regional was lead by two home runs from Travis Watkins who drove in five runs with the dingers. Watkins who right now may be the most valuable player in the entire tournament having hit the walk off homer last Saturday against the defending National Champs Virginia.
All three times the Pirates have ever been in a Super Regionals the Pirates were swept 2-0 in all three. The Pirates can clinch their first trip ever to the College World Series at 3pm today when game two is played. Since this series is bring played on the home field of Texas Tech they alternate the second game and the Pirates will bat last as they will be considered the home team. Go Pirates.
One local player from the Big East heard his named called out in the sixth round of MLB draft on Friday. D J Daniels who quarterbacked the Fike Golden Demon football team and roamed centerfield during baseball season was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Daniels has excessive speed when roaming the outfield and many teams draft based on potential. Daniels offensive skills are raw and those of us that we're at the Legion game Wednesday night at Wilson could see his athletism.
So far eight rounds have been completed and one name not called was Spencer Brickhouse of Bunn High school who is considered the best hitter in high school baseball in North Carolina. I am guessing of course but by not being called he must have spread the word that he is attending ECU and don't waste a draft pick on him.
The Golden State Warriors all but sewed up their second straight title Friday night beating Cleveland in Cleveland to take a 3-1 lead in the series. In order to win the NBA title would have the Cavs would have to win three games in a row including game five and seven in Oakland.
All three times the Pirates have ever been in a Super Regionals the Pirates were swept 2-0 in all three. The Pirates can clinch their first trip ever to the College World Series at 3pm today when game two is played. Since this series is bring played on the home field of Texas Tech they alternate the second game and the Pirates will bat last as they will be considered the home team. Go Pirates.
One local player from the Big East heard his named called out in the sixth round of MLB draft on Friday. D J Daniels who quarterbacked the Fike Golden Demon football team and roamed centerfield during baseball season was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Daniels has excessive speed when roaming the outfield and many teams draft based on potential. Daniels offensive skills are raw and those of us that we're at the Legion game Wednesday night at Wilson could see his athletism.
So far eight rounds have been completed and one name not called was Spencer Brickhouse of Bunn High school who is considered the best hitter in high school baseball in North Carolina. I am guessing of course but by not being called he must have spread the word that he is attending ECU and don't waste a draft pick on him.
The Golden State Warriors all but sewed up their second straight title Friday night beating Cleveland in Cleveland to take a 3-1 lead in the series. In order to win the NBA title would have the Cavs would have to win three games in a row including game five and seven in Oakland.
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