TRACK And Field Regional Reults

Nash Central girls finish 3rd in the east regional while Rocky Mount girls and boys finish fourth. West Carteret girls win the team competition scoring 108 points while Nash Central scored 69,Rocky Mount 39, Southern Nash 20.

Jacksonville won the regional boys  scoring 79 Rocky Mount 40, Northern Nash 16, Nash Central 10 and Southern Nash 1.

Regional winners: Girls
400 meter dash Michaela Nelms. Nash Central
300 meter dash Cassidy Pennington Southern Nash
4 x 400 Relay Nash Central:  Michaela Nelms, Carisha Leonard, T Keyah Macklin and Teona Hill.
Girls High Jump Myia Spivey Nash Central
Girls High Jump Myia Spivey Nash Central
Girls Pole vault Myia Hedgepeth Nash Central
Girls shot put Keyanna Spivey Rocky Mount

Regional Winners: boys
Shot put Sherrod Green Rocky Mount

Today the Brice family's hearts were split.  Tyler Brice was in Greensboro where he was competing in the 3A singles championships while  Dad Albie Brice assistant tennis coach at North Carolina Wesleyan the Battling Bishops started NCAA DII playoffs today in Atlanta.

Tyler lost in the opening round while the Battling Bishops beat Thomas More 5-0 and now play Emory Saturday.  Emory is the host and they are the top seed in this regional.

Girls soccer has become a victim of the weather. The Lady Gryphons   second round match with Southern Lee has been moved to Monday at 5pm.

The season is over for Gryphons baseball.  Tonight in Pittsboro Northwood bats eliminated the Gryphons in six innings 14-4.  The Gryphons struck first in the first after Josh Pittman and Spencer Ramsey walked Logan Pearced doubled to give the Gryphons a 2-0 lead.

Northwood scored four times in the third to take the lead by games end had hit three homers.  Ben Seracki pitched the first four innings.
Left trailing 7-3 as in the fourth Josh Pittman singled and scored without another hit.

Josh Pittman pitched the 5th allowing two runs.  Joernest Petway started the sixth by the  end of the inning Josh Pittman was back on the mound when the 14th run to end the game 14-4

Northwood hit three homers as each Gryphons pitcher game up one a piece.  Northwood finished with 13 hits.  Josh Pittman had two hits, Logan Pearce a double, Spencer Ramsey and Lane Butler got the Gryphons hit.  The Gryphons finished the season 17-7.

Big East baseball season is over for everyone as Hunt has lost 3-2 tonight to Rockingham County.

Another Chance In Gryphons Sports

Tuesday was probably the greatest day ever for sports on campus at Rocky Mount High School.  Three teams all win home matches in Soccer, tennis and baseball  in the playoffs.

Friday three members the Gryphons tennis team will be in Greensboro as Tyler Brice the Gryphons number one singles player who's lone loss all year was last weekend in the regional finals will be in action Friday morning.

Brice comes from a long line of Brice sisters who have been in the state doubles before.  Sorry to see Brice has a pain in one of his hips
Because if healthy he would have a real shot at making it to the finals.

George Shannon who has teamed with Brice most of year has lost only two matches all year one in singles and once in doubles.  Shannon during the Regionals teamed with Landon Norwood and they swept the Regionals.  Both singles and doubles require two wins Friday to make it to the semi's on Saturday Morning and finals Saturday afternoon.

There are several members of the Nash Central and Rocky Mount track and field teams that have chances to win in their  events and in some cases repeat as state champions such as Michaela Nelms, Keyanna Spivey, and Sherrod Green. Today the eastern Regionals are being held in Swansboro. The first step toward the state championships.

Rocky Mount baseball travels to Pittsboro heading to Northwood high where they play their second round baseball game.  Northwood is 20-4. While the Gryphons are 17-6.

The Gryphons knew that there was a chance of winning every outing when David Harrison pitched all season.  What a surprise that freshman Ben Seracki has had the year he has had.  Harrison can't pitch again this week so Seracki carries the burden.  One thing I like about Ben is he pitches beyond his age.  Zack Keeter is out of action with and injury and he is one of the three relievers that can back up Seracki.

Two big surprises have been Josh Pittman and Joernest Petway who have given the Gryphons several innings of relief and they both might be needed Friday.

Saturday the soccer team will host their second round playoff game taking on Southern Lee.  Time is set for 5pm.

Second Night Not To Delightful

The top two baseball teams in the Big East took advantage of high seedings and home grass to play on.  Night two not one of the Big East teams in action were home and not one is coming home a winner.

When you look at the brackets Fike was seeded number 32 and as the last team in they got the honor of facing the top seed in the east.  Northern Guilford survive the Golden Demons 7-5.

Southern Nash who finished third in the Big East failed to score while taking a trip to Wentworth in Rockingham County losing 6-0

The Bulldogs of Nash Central did not have the ride that Southern had to Cedar Ridge in Hillsborough but did not score  enough runs losing  4-1.

Hunt the Big East top seed is home again in the second round hosting Rockingham County while the Gryphons will travel to Northwood.  Game Time is set for 6pm Friday but weather forecast Friday and Saturday not good.

Softball has taken the same path as baseball.  Northwood beat Fike 10-4.  Hunt so far the only softball winner 7-4 over Walt Williams.  Grays Creek shutout Southern Nash 8-0.  Both the Firebirds baseball and softball failed to score in either game.

Soccer the Big East is depending on the top two to carry the conference banner. Rocky Mount's victory pushes them into a
Home game Saturday at 5pm as they will host Southern Lee.  Fike edged Walt Williams 3-2 to live to play another day.  Western Alamance took care of business shutting out Northern Nash 6-0

Nash Central had a trip to Unions Pines. The Bulldogs were a 17 seed because Union Pines gets the 15th seedings.  Bulldogs are winners 2-1.

The Big East is so/so day two.  Baseball has the top two still alive.  Softball still has one remaining.  Soccer has  three still in the hunt for a state title.

GRYPHON TRIFECTA

How often in the history of Rocky Mount High School sports have three sports hosted playoff competition on campus like today?  It may have never happened before.  Remember baseball and tennis until the new school played off campus.

Today the Gryphons took advantage of home turf as soccer win their first round playoff match beating Eastern Alamance 4-1.  Tennis playing a second round duel match beat Western Alamance 6-3 and tonight baseball finished up the victory sweep beating Douglas Byrd 4-0.

Soccer scored three times in the first half to lead 3-0 played an even second half with each team scoring a goal.,,Two Gryphons freshman Tatum Janke and Carson Browder each scored a goal and senior Sarah Bland tickled the nets twice got the Gryphon Ladies scores.  The Gryphons will host in round two later this week as Grays Creek and Southern Lee play Wednesday and the winner plays the Gryphons.

Tennis is now in the second round of the state playoffs and today the other end of Alamance County Western tried their luck with the red hot Gryphons Tennis.  The Gryphons advance with a 6-3 victory. They will host Chapel Hill Tuesday in round three.

This Friday Tyler Brice the Gryphons number one singles player will be in Burlington as he is in the final 16 of the singles players in the state.  While Brice in in the singles competition his Doubles partner George Shannon will team with Landon Norwood as they are East Regional champs will be in the final 16 doubles teams.

Gryphon baseball sent David Harrison to the mound and when he reach his pitch count with two outs in the top of the seventh Harrison gave up three hits struck out 13, hit one batter and walked one.  Heading to right field his teammates had staked him to a 4-0 lead.  Ben Seracki came in to strike out the only batter he faced to secure the win.

Lane Butler knocked home the first run after Jake Philbeck reached on an error.  Victor Ward was hit by a pitch to get Philbeck to second for Butler's hit. Josh Pittman brought home the second run of the inning with an rbi single.

The fifth the third run scored after back to back singles by a Spencer Ramsey and Jamar Ellis.  Two outs back to back walks and Jake Philbeck gets the rbi.  The sixth the Gryphons added the fourth and final run when Josh Pittman led off with a triple and his spot scored on a wild pitch.

The Gryphons advance to round two but must wait.  They are in the same bracket as Norwood hosting South Brunswick who play Wednesday.  If Norwood wins the Gryphons travel or if South Brunswick pulls a seedings upset they would come to us.

The Big East top two advance Hunt wins 5-2 while Southern Nash, Nash Central  and Fike all play Wednesday.

Baseball-Softball-Soccer Seedings Are Up

All five Big East baseball teams that have winning overall records have made the state playoffs.  The question I had yesterday could we move past Hunt in the seedings process the answer is no  because all teams have been seeded by their regular season record.  Conference tournament records have not been included.

Hunt 15-7 the regular season champion has a 4th seeding and they will open at home in the first round where they will host Gray's Creek 10-9 13th seed.

Rocky Mount 6th seed 14-6 will host Douglas Byrd 11th seed 12-10 on the year. This game will be played Tuesday night at 6:30 at Rocky Mount High.  Should the Gryphons win they are in the same bracket with Northwood 19-3 3 seed hosting South Brunswick 13-9.  Unless Northwood would lose the Gryphons travel in round two should they win Tuesday night.

Southern Nash 13-9 12 seed  will travel Wednesday to Rockingham County 19-3..   Nash Central 15-7 10 seed will travel 7 seed Cedar Ridge. 16-6.  Fike 12-10 16th seed will travel to top seed in east Northern Guilford 20-2

Gryphon playoff baseball Tuesday night 6:30

Softball playoffs:  Three Big East softball teams have made the playoffs.  Hunt 11-6 draws the five seed and will open at home against Walter Williams 10-9. Fike with a 14-5 record will travel as they are a nine seed because Hunt won the conference .  As a nine seed they travel to 8th seed Northwood 17-5.  Southern Nash 12th seed 12-8 will travel to five seed Grays Creek 16-3.

Soccer Playoffs:  Big East Top seed Rocky Mount 12-4-1 the 2nd seed in the east will host Eastern Alamance 7-8-1 Tuesday afternoon at 5pm.  EA is the 15 seed.

Four other teams from a big East are in. Fike 12+6-2  Big East number two is 7th seed will host 10th seed Walter Williams 8-5-1.  Nash Central 12-7 the 8th seed will host 9th seed Union Pines11-5-1.

Hunt is the nine seed 9-7-2 is on the road at Northwood 8th seed in Midwest 13-5.  Northern Nash is the fifth Big East team in soccer.  The Knights 8-8-1 are traveling a 12 seed to Western Alamance 5th seed in Midwest 11-3-1.

The Gryphons boys Tennis team has a second round home match at 4pm Tuesday against Western Alamance.  A busy day on the campus Tuesday tennis playoffs at 4pm, soccer at 5pm and baseball at 6:30.

He was disappointed when he didn't stay with the Washington Nationals out of spring training but today Brian Goodwin who is on a hot streak the last couple of weeks got the call back to Washington today.  As I write this he is not in the lineup I can See him on the bench As the Nats are in Baltimore.

Busy Week Ahead

I been trying to figure out how these baseball and softball seedings will fall out now that Rocky Mount's upset Hunt who won the Big East regular season championship beating Rocky Mount twice during the regular season but the Gryphons won the tournament.

Winning the tournament Rocky Mount joins all the other east region conference winners plus any other conference tournament upsets last week.  The Gryphons have earned a high seeding and the question now is how high.  If Rocky Mount is now in that same pool  as Hunt and Rocky Mount has a better overall 16-6 to Hunt's 16-8 will they get a higher seed than Hunt?

The seedings for softball and baseball will should be released before 6pm tonight.  The official starting date is set for Wednesday but if weather forecast looks gloomy might get pushed up to Tuesday.  The second round is set for Saturday.  Rumors abound that Max preps will not release the seedings before Tuesday.  If that is the Case how can the first round start Wednesday?

The track and field Regional will be held this weekend at Swansboro High.

Tuesday Rocky Mount Tennis team has their second round duel match hosting Western Alamance.  Friday and Saturday the Eastern Regional Doubles champions George Shannon and Landon Norwood head to Burlington for the state doubles championships.

George who has teamed with Tyler Brice for most of the season and
And he and Landon won the doubles.  Tyler Brice who finished second in the regional singles could not do both so Landon Norwood has filled in nicely.  Brice qualified finishing runner up in the singles regional.

What kind of future do these three have.  Shannon, Brice are sophomores and Norwood is a freshman.

The big news last week from the NCHSAA is the new format for playoffs for all four divisions starting in the fall.  They went to 20% 4A, 30% 3A, 30% 2A and 20 % 1A schools they have reduced the number of  4A and 1A playoff teams from 64 to 48.

This will require first round byes the first week for the higher seeded teams will be a step in the right direction to cut back on five playoff games at least for the 4A and 1A.  It will  still takes five weekends of playoffs complete.

TONY'S hustle inductees

Saturday afternoon three members of the Rocky Mount tennis team qualified the the state tournament next weekend in Burlington.  George Shannon and Landon Norwood swept through their first three matches until they met up with the doubles team from Fike.  It was a struggle but the Gryphons prevail winning in two sets to win the 3A Eastern Regional at Barton College.  They will try for the state doubles title starting next Friday in Burlington.

Singles player Tyler Brice lost one match in two days and the one he lost was the Regional final.  It is his first singles lost of the season but by finishing second he qualifies for weekends state championships.

I have been covering sports in eastern North Carolina a long time before many of you were born.  During that time I have met many people who are special people in their support of others and their support of athletics.   Many young people who I have watched that I have grown fond of because the way the play the sport they participate  in.  I call those my all hustle team.  Here is a small list of some of some special people in my eyes and two new members to my all hustle team.

Richard Sarmiento :  I don't know if any person has effected baseball in Nash County more in the last 25 years.  His love of baseball with financial backing and his ability of getting others to help.  Many teams have played in tournaments in Cooperstown and was a vital link in Babe Ruth Baseball sending teams to the World Series and almost winning in 2005.

Bill Reece:  Is there anybody in Nash County who does not know Bill.  If there is a ball game tonight some where near he will be there.  Met him when our last daughter Morgan played teeball ball at Englewood  on the same team as Bill's grandson David Williams who by the way is on my all time hustle team and proud to say graduates from Duke next weekend.

Joe Bell:  Have worked with Joe all ten years that I  have done PA for Rocky Mount Legion Baseball.  You just  don't know the time and effort he has given to Legion baseball.  Three children have been involved through the years in Rocky Mount sports an I bet many of their games he has on film.

Don Johnson:  I met DJ in the 80's.  He was at Chowan College  being a ref and I did the PA.  If I remember correctly it was  a Region Ten Junior College tournament and I did any time Chowan played I did radio and any other games did PA.  It is hard to be around DJ without feeling better.  He just had that glow that more people need.

Now my two new all Hustle team members.

Leroy Edwards Southern Nash:  I have maybe seen him play maybe ten games altogether.  I bet  there are many people who when they watch him play never know he has a handicap.  He has learned to over come his disability an play the game of baseball one handed. That's my kind of player.

Logan Pearce Rocky Mount:  I saw him the day he was born as Pat and I are great friends with his mom and dad.  He has through the years been about smallest player in the field but one of the best and he could always hit.  His high high school days he is grown up but this year his hitting has been sporadic but one thing has not left him defense.  He has not allowed his hitting to effect his play.  Made error first game of season and hasn't made one since.  That's my kind of ball player.

Time to starting looking for more people who are friends of athletics and the next hustle ball players!