Wednesday night Hunt took on Southern Nash and Hunt pitcher Coltan Griffin came within one out of pitching a perfect game. He didn't make it but he did get a shutout 8-0 and with it Hunt heads down the stretch in Big East baseball in the lead by one game with two games to play. They are now 6-2 while Southern Nash drops to 0-8 in league play.
Tonight Nash Central beat Northern Nash 3-1 and with that victory they have caused a three way tie for second with Fike and Rocky Mount at 5-3. Northern's loss drops them to 3-5 and they are faced with the grim fact that if all three teams ahead of them with five conference wins get to six wins they are out of the playoffs.
If Hunt wins out they are the regular season champs so they control their own destiny. They don't get it easy next week by any means as they travel to Nash Central and Host Fike next Friday. If Hunt beats either, the loser can not win the regular season. If Hunt wins one of two then there is all kinds of possible three way ties for the top spot possible.
If Rocky Mount wins both it's games they would set at 7-3 and if Hunt loses once they have any tie breaker with Hunt. If it comes down to a three way tie it all depends who is part of the three way tie. If Nash Central beats Hunt Tuesday and win Friday a three way tie could be Hunt, Nash Central and Rocky Mount with Nash Central having split with Hunt and beat RM twice then Nash Central holds the tie breaker. If it comes down to Fike, Hunt and Rocky Mount then Rocky Mount holds that tie breaker.
There sure is a whole lot of could be's left and we will not know for sure until next Friday night when all the dust settles. If I were Nash Central I would feel good about where I stand especially if they can beat Hunt Tuesday. If is a big word but a Nash Central wins Tuesday they then get the drivers seat.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Mad Dash To The Finish
Tuesday night's Big East baseball results have made a jumbled mess of who is going to make the playoffs and who will not. All we know for sure right now is Southern Nash will not make the playoffs. Everybody else is still alive with most having three games to go starting tonight. Five are alive but only four will play beyond May 3rd.
Rocky Mount beat Hunt 3-1 and Hunt remains a top of the standings due to the fact that Fike lost to Nash Central 4-1. Northern had to win against Southern and did so 5-0. If these scores tell you one thing about Big East baseball this year is that the hitting is not as good as it has been in the past. Most teams have average to good pitching but nobody has what aI would consider on a scale of 1-10 great pitching. Most at best are 7. If that is true then you would think that teams would be having 10 run games but nobody is. Hunt stands at 5-2, Rocky Mount 5-3, Fike 5-3, Nash Central 4-3, Northern Nash 3-4 and Southern 0-7.
Everybody has a shot still to win or get a share of the Regular season top spot and with the way the schedule is yet to play out Northern Nash could still capture first place as long as they win out and get some help from others. That applies to every body except Hunt who if they win out all three of their remaining games they are the champs. The way this season has gone so far it is very hard to vision anyone winning all three for those who have three left.
Hunt controls their own destiny and they have Southern Nash Tonight, then next Tuesday travel to Nash Central and they finish up hosting Fike. They could lose two of their last three. Rocky Mount has only two left and they travel to Southern Tuesday and they have to win that game. They finish up hosting Northern on May 3rd. You would think that the Northern game is the only one they could lose but I tell you right now. Any team that allows themselves to be beaten by Southern will not make the playoffs. So Southern becomes the spoiler for those still hoping for the playoffs.
Fike only has two left and they host Northern on Tuesday and travel to Hunt the last game. Both of those games are tossups and could easily determine making the playoffs or not. Nash Central is at Northern tonight. Tuesday they host Hunt and they finish with Southern on May third. If the Bulldogs beat both Hunt and Northern they will be sitting pretty by the end of next week.
Northern has no options but to win and see what else happens. They host Nash Central tonight. Travel to Fike and travel to Rocky Mount next week. They probably have the toughest of all the schedules remaining but should they run the table they are in the playoffs no question.
Do I see anyone from the Big East making it all the way to the Eastern Finals ? I doubt it,but this brutal schedule makes everyone playoff tested because if you think you can make the playoffs then you had better not lose the rest of the way which is exactly the way the playoffs are. Lose and you are out.
Rocky Mount beat Hunt 3-1 and Hunt remains a top of the standings due to the fact that Fike lost to Nash Central 4-1. Northern had to win against Southern and did so 5-0. If these scores tell you one thing about Big East baseball this year is that the hitting is not as good as it has been in the past. Most teams have average to good pitching but nobody has what aI would consider on a scale of 1-10 great pitching. Most at best are 7. If that is true then you would think that teams would be having 10 run games but nobody is. Hunt stands at 5-2, Rocky Mount 5-3, Fike 5-3, Nash Central 4-3, Northern Nash 3-4 and Southern 0-7.
Everybody has a shot still to win or get a share of the Regular season top spot and with the way the schedule is yet to play out Northern Nash could still capture first place as long as they win out and get some help from others. That applies to every body except Hunt who if they win out all three of their remaining games they are the champs. The way this season has gone so far it is very hard to vision anyone winning all three for those who have three left.
Hunt controls their own destiny and they have Southern Nash Tonight, then next Tuesday travel to Nash Central and they finish up hosting Fike. They could lose two of their last three. Rocky Mount has only two left and they travel to Southern Tuesday and they have to win that game. They finish up hosting Northern on May 3rd. You would think that the Northern game is the only one they could lose but I tell you right now. Any team that allows themselves to be beaten by Southern will not make the playoffs. So Southern becomes the spoiler for those still hoping for the playoffs.
Fike only has two left and they host Northern on Tuesday and travel to Hunt the last game. Both of those games are tossups and could easily determine making the playoffs or not. Nash Central is at Northern tonight. Tuesday they host Hunt and they finish with Southern on May third. If the Bulldogs beat both Hunt and Northern they will be sitting pretty by the end of next week.
Northern has no options but to win and see what else happens. They host Nash Central tonight. Travel to Fike and travel to Rocky Mount next week. They probably have the toughest of all the schedules remaining but should they run the table they are in the playoffs no question.
Do I see anyone from the Big East making it all the way to the Eastern Finals ? I doubt it,but this brutal schedule makes everyone playoff tested because if you think you can make the playoffs then you had better not lose the rest of the way which is exactly the way the playoffs are. Lose and you are out.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Alive And Kickin
Last week on the setup for this week's Big East Conference games I told you by having only one conference game this week Rocky Mount would throw the kitchen sink at Hunt if they needed too. Tonight all it took was Senior Jeremy Johnson as Johnson had a rocky first inning but after that he was the man. He held Hunt in check with only one run and the good news is the Gryphons score more than one. Spencer Ramsey drove in the run that tied the game and then in the top of the fifth Sam Lilley doubled home two runs to give the Gryphons the lead that they would not surrender. Rocky Mount beat Hunt at Hunt 3-1 to tighten the Big East baseball race.
Micah Varnell had two hits on the night. Joining Ramsey and Lilley with hits were Andy Morris, Trevor Hayworth and Jeremy Johnson. J Williams was the hard luck loser for Hunt as they lose to the Gryphons for the second time this year. Hunt drops to 5-2 while the Gryphons climb to 5-3. The Gryphons will need help from someone in order that they could either win or tie for the Big East regular season.
First off they would need wins in their two remaining games at Southern Nash and the home finally against Northern Nash. Hunt and Fike still meet next week but they need for Fike and Hunt both to lose to someone else before they meet the last game of the season to give the Gryphons a shot. Fike and Nash Central are meeting tonight.
Complications for Rocky Mount is if they get help from Nash Central by beating Fike Nash Central has any tie breaker with Rocky Mount . Boy the world is a whole lot more complicated in the middle of the pack than being out front.
The bottom line tonight is Rocky Mount has gotten one step closer to a playoff spot knocking off Hunt and it brings everyone back with hopes.
Micah Varnell had two hits on the night. Joining Ramsey and Lilley with hits were Andy Morris, Trevor Hayworth and Jeremy Johnson. J Williams was the hard luck loser for Hunt as they lose to the Gryphons for the second time this year. Hunt drops to 5-2 while the Gryphons climb to 5-3. The Gryphons will need help from someone in order that they could either win or tie for the Big East regular season.
First off they would need wins in their two remaining games at Southern Nash and the home finally against Northern Nash. Hunt and Fike still meet next week but they need for Fike and Hunt both to lose to someone else before they meet the last game of the season to give the Gryphons a shot. Fike and Nash Central are meeting tonight.
Complications for Rocky Mount is if they get help from Nash Central by beating Fike Nash Central has any tie breaker with Rocky Mount . Boy the world is a whole lot more complicated in the middle of the pack than being out front.
The bottom line tonight is Rocky Mount has gotten one step closer to a playoff spot knocking off Hunt and it brings everyone back with hopes.
Legion Baseball Is Right Around The Corner
There is two weeks to go until the end of the regular season in high school baseball. There are four weeks to go until the first Legion game of the summer. This year the hopes of a state tournament can't get any closer than this up coming year as the 2013 tournament will be held at Fleming Stadium in Wilson.
Hank Jones will return to skipper the Post 58 Legion team for his fourth season. I received a calendar today with hand written dates of games so you know at this point the schedule for this season is not complete. The first game as of right now will be May the 20th on the road and the first home game will be May 22nd when Cary pays us a visit. This year there will be no North and South Divisions as all the team will be in the same conference in what we have called our part of the state. What that amounts to is Greenville, Kinston and Wayne Co, they have all been in the other bracket and technically that has been a non-conference game in the past but not this year. I have heard rumors of some of our local players that have played travel league in the past might play Legion this summer which can only help the Legion squad be stronger.
Talk about must win games but both Nash Central and Rocky Mount need these games tonight to go in the win column or their chances of getting a home playoff game will just about be cooked. Nash Central is at Fike. Fike 5-2 holds second with two losses and Nash Central 3-3 hold fourth with three losses. Rocky Mount travel to Hunt. Hunt is in first 5-1 with only one loss while Rocky Mount rest in third place at 4-3. Any hope of still getting a share of first would end for the Gryphons if Hunt takes them down tonight. Both Rocky Mount and Nash Central could keep theirs hopes alive if both win tonight.
The ACC announced yesterday that all members of the ACC have signed what is called a Grant Of Rights. When I say ACC members I am talking all those still in the ACC except Maryland who leaves in July. All incoming members including Syracuse, Pittsburgh,Louisville and Notre Dame have all signed this agreement. What it amounts to if you were to leave the ACC to go to another league it is ok to go but th ACC would hold any rights from any media money you might have in that league.
I guess what that amounts to is the ACC will never break up or lose another member to any other conference because they would give up any money from tv or radio that they might be on. What does all this mean? Say hello to the ACC cable channel which is right around the corner. All that speculation about Carolina and Duke heading to the Big Ten and NC State to the Big 12 is out the door now.
Hank Jones will return to skipper the Post 58 Legion team for his fourth season. I received a calendar today with hand written dates of games so you know at this point the schedule for this season is not complete. The first game as of right now will be May the 20th on the road and the first home game will be May 22nd when Cary pays us a visit. This year there will be no North and South Divisions as all the team will be in the same conference in what we have called our part of the state. What that amounts to is Greenville, Kinston and Wayne Co, they have all been in the other bracket and technically that has been a non-conference game in the past but not this year. I have heard rumors of some of our local players that have played travel league in the past might play Legion this summer which can only help the Legion squad be stronger.
Talk about must win games but both Nash Central and Rocky Mount need these games tonight to go in the win column or their chances of getting a home playoff game will just about be cooked. Nash Central is at Fike. Fike 5-2 holds second with two losses and Nash Central 3-3 hold fourth with three losses. Rocky Mount travel to Hunt. Hunt is in first 5-1 with only one loss while Rocky Mount rest in third place at 4-3. Any hope of still getting a share of first would end for the Gryphons if Hunt takes them down tonight. Both Rocky Mount and Nash Central could keep theirs hopes alive if both win tonight.
The ACC announced yesterday that all members of the ACC have signed what is called a Grant Of Rights. When I say ACC members I am talking all those still in the ACC except Maryland who leaves in July. All incoming members including Syracuse, Pittsburgh,Louisville and Notre Dame have all signed this agreement. What it amounts to if you were to leave the ACC to go to another league it is ok to go but th ACC would hold any rights from any media money you might have in that league.
I guess what that amounts to is the ACC will never break up or lose another member to any other conference because they would give up any money from tv or radio that they might be on. What does all this mean? Say hello to the ACC cable channel which is right around the corner. All that speculation about Carolina and Duke heading to the Big Ten and NC State to the Big 12 is out the door now.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Foul Balls And Windshields
We are people who would like for every thing always to stay the same. Do you remember when we all thought the world was going to end when the telephone company announced that we would have to have a new area code 910. I will never remember my new number! That was less than twenty years ago and the area code has changed since then and I think the world still exist even with me in it with a 252 area code.
There was a time when Gryphon baseball was played in the old Memorial Stadium. Because of the grand stands not many balls ever made it outside the ball park unless it was hit as a home run. The stadium was torn down and baseball went on with a new problem. Foul balls down the right field line just might hit a window in a house across Howell Street or worse one of the kids may pick the ball up and run hide with it. Oh yea there now was the occasional foul ball in the parking lot behind home plate or behind third base and the crack of a windshield.
Times have moved on and now Rocky Mount baseball is played on campus for the first time ever. You can even sit in you seat at the baseball game and look at the softball game directly behind the baseball. There is a nice cement mezzanine between the two fields where you will never get your feet muddy. There is lots of room for folding chairs except for one problem. The brick backstop is about one row of bricks to high to see over if you are sitting in a folding chair right at the backstop. A foul ball if it hits the cement can go flying in any direction so everyone has to be alive on any foul ball. Especially those watching the softball game.
The high school parking lot runs all the way down the right field line and every car is subject to a cracked windshield. Other than that the new field is ok.
Hunt has come away from the pack and remains with only one conference loss with two weeks to go in the regular season. Last year Rocky Mount only had to win one of their last two games to make the playoffs and failed to do so. They stand 4-3. Right now that is good for third and Nash Central is 3-3 but Nash Central holds the tie breaker with them since they swept the Gryphons. Northern right now at 2-4 is out of the playoffs at this moment at 2-4. The Knights still have one game a piece with Nash Central and Rocky Mount and if they are to have any hope to move up to fourth they need to win both of those games.
I would think at this point five conference wins will get who ever at least fourth place so since the Gryphons already own four conferences wins with three to play they should be able to get the job done to finish at least fourth. Beating Hunt Tuesday would almost insure them a playoff spot but a loss with put them in that same scenario as last year needing to win one of their last two to get in.
There was a time when Gryphon baseball was played in the old Memorial Stadium. Because of the grand stands not many balls ever made it outside the ball park unless it was hit as a home run. The stadium was torn down and baseball went on with a new problem. Foul balls down the right field line just might hit a window in a house across Howell Street or worse one of the kids may pick the ball up and run hide with it. Oh yea there now was the occasional foul ball in the parking lot behind home plate or behind third base and the crack of a windshield.
Times have moved on and now Rocky Mount baseball is played on campus for the first time ever. You can even sit in you seat at the baseball game and look at the softball game directly behind the baseball. There is a nice cement mezzanine between the two fields where you will never get your feet muddy. There is lots of room for folding chairs except for one problem. The brick backstop is about one row of bricks to high to see over if you are sitting in a folding chair right at the backstop. A foul ball if it hits the cement can go flying in any direction so everyone has to be alive on any foul ball. Especially those watching the softball game.
The high school parking lot runs all the way down the right field line and every car is subject to a cracked windshield. Other than that the new field is ok.
Hunt has come away from the pack and remains with only one conference loss with two weeks to go in the regular season. Last year Rocky Mount only had to win one of their last two games to make the playoffs and failed to do so. They stand 4-3. Right now that is good for third and Nash Central is 3-3 but Nash Central holds the tie breaker with them since they swept the Gryphons. Northern right now at 2-4 is out of the playoffs at this moment at 2-4. The Knights still have one game a piece with Nash Central and Rocky Mount and if they are to have any hope to move up to fourth they need to win both of those games.
I would think at this point five conference wins will get who ever at least fourth place so since the Gryphons already own four conferences wins with three to play they should be able to get the job done to finish at least fourth. Beating Hunt Tuesday would almost insure them a playoff spot but a loss with put them in that same scenario as last year needing to win one of their last two to get in.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Living Up To Expectations
This college baseball season is in full swing and in the preseason much of the speculation was how could State be the preseason pick to win the ACC baseball title when Carolina was picked #1 in the country? Good question.
State baseball like almost all sports for State this year (football,Basketball) were highly thought of but turned disappointing during the season. Baseball started the season and at one point was 5-7 in conference play. Don't look now but the Pack is playing the last three weeks like the team everyone predicted or hoped they be. Starting today they have swept their last two weekend series and only need a win today to sweep Georgia Tech in Atlanta. This is the Pack everyone thought they saw in preseason. They have won 13 IN row and their RPI which has been in the thirties as of this morning is 10th.
North Carolin has started out winning 16 in a row and after they finally lost a game have slumped to only win 20 of 21. Carolina has played from the beginning like the #1 team in country and have continued to do so all year. The Rocky Mount duo of Benton Moss (7-0) and Hobbs Johnson (1-0)continue to give Carolina two thirds of the starting weekend pitching rotation.
Next weekend Carolina and State will meet in Raleigh combined together as of Saturday night's results they are 69-12 on the season. In the long history of playing against each other I don't know whether next weekends series at any time both been playing this well as they both are now. Carolina leads their division by a mile and as of today State is tied at the top with Florida State and Clemson in theirs.
The series is sold out so I hope you have your tickets or know someone who can get you one but I would suspect next weekend series will be the highest attended games in a weekend series ever in Raleigh. Who wins next week only matters in the regular season standings because both will then have to turn around and try to win the ACC Tournament in late May. I would then suspect that the ACC Tournament with both State and Carolina expecting to win it will be the most attended ACC Tournament ever.
If you saw the Carolina game last night on ESPN3 during the broadcast they talked about how talented Benton Moss was. If you have not seen it yet Benton played the National Anthem on a piano behind the pitcher mound yesterday afternoon. I don't know after what has gone on this week in this country his Anthem could have been more timely. then he pitched the second game and won his 7th game on the year without a loss.
I just don't know who I will pull for next Saturday night when Benton pitches for Carolina. I just may sit and enjoy the good times, Then we will have to do it all over again Sunday when Hobbs pitches. Can't wait till next weekend.
State baseball like almost all sports for State this year (football,Basketball) were highly thought of but turned disappointing during the season. Baseball started the season and at one point was 5-7 in conference play. Don't look now but the Pack is playing the last three weeks like the team everyone predicted or hoped they be. Starting today they have swept their last two weekend series and only need a win today to sweep Georgia Tech in Atlanta. This is the Pack everyone thought they saw in preseason. They have won 13 IN row and their RPI which has been in the thirties as of this morning is 10th.
North Carolin has started out winning 16 in a row and after they finally lost a game have slumped to only win 20 of 21. Carolina has played from the beginning like the #1 team in country and have continued to do so all year. The Rocky Mount duo of Benton Moss (7-0) and Hobbs Johnson (1-0)continue to give Carolina two thirds of the starting weekend pitching rotation.
Next weekend Carolina and State will meet in Raleigh combined together as of Saturday night's results they are 69-12 on the season. In the long history of playing against each other I don't know whether next weekends series at any time both been playing this well as they both are now. Carolina leads their division by a mile and as of today State is tied at the top with Florida State and Clemson in theirs.
The series is sold out so I hope you have your tickets or know someone who can get you one but I would suspect next weekend series will be the highest attended games in a weekend series ever in Raleigh. Who wins next week only matters in the regular season standings because both will then have to turn around and try to win the ACC Tournament in late May. I would then suspect that the ACC Tournament with both State and Carolina expecting to win it will be the most attended ACC Tournament ever.
If you saw the Carolina game last night on ESPN3 during the broadcast they talked about how talented Benton Moss was. If you have not seen it yet Benton played the National Anthem on a piano behind the pitcher mound yesterday afternoon. I don't know after what has gone on this week in this country his Anthem could have been more timely. then he pitched the second game and won his 7th game on the year without a loss.
I just don't know who I will pull for next Saturday night when Benton pitches for Carolina. I just may sit and enjoy the good times, Then we will have to do it all over again Sunday when Hobbs pitches. Can't wait till next weekend.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Fly The American Flag Proudly
I don't know why so many other countries hate us. Yes we are self serving, what is in it for me society. Any time someone slaps us in the face we as a nation respond. Remember the Maine. Pearl Harbor, 9/11. There is something breed into us that we are a generous people. We will give the shirt off our backs to those that need help.
When tragedy strikes I worked with a man during Hurricane Floyd that rode his motorcycle from Chicago to help in a relief center. Many from this area went to New Orleans in 05. Many from our area went to Jersey last fall. Many of you that had a brother or sister fought with them many times growing up. When the bully down the street threatened you brother you were there to defend him. There is something deep within our makeup as Americans that we will allow just about anybody come and enjoy the life we have as Americans. But, you let somebody do something to us and the whole country will take action.
All of the TV coverage within the last week about the bombing of the Boston Marathon it was said that between 11am and the bombing about 600,000 people were either in the area or had been there at some point in time. With all that many people we have been able to pin point two individuals that tried to harm many people. Here is where we as Americans take action. Yes Boston may have been the target this time but the bottom line is that America was the target. These extremist want to bring down America. So all America has been up in arms. While the Boston Metro area has held their breath this week looking for the criminals all of us have witnessed their pain and feel it with them. Boston was the point on a map for the attack but Rocky Mount was targeted too.
Tonight I celebrate that about 100 hours after two thugs thought they could drop off two bags and walk away free one is dead and the other bloodied and will talk at some point. I am proud to be an American as I watched those people in Watertown Mass a town that I have visited crowd the street with American flags in hand. Not only did they cheer the forces who made the capture but they stood right there on main street USA and told the next set of extremist that you are not going to keep us lock up in our homes.
We celebrate tonight that in the battle for freedom we lost some of our soldiers on the streets of Boston this week and many more will carry scars the rest of their lives. We once again we will walk the streets of America a free people!
When tragedy strikes I worked with a man during Hurricane Floyd that rode his motorcycle from Chicago to help in a relief center. Many from this area went to New Orleans in 05. Many from our area went to Jersey last fall. Many of you that had a brother or sister fought with them many times growing up. When the bully down the street threatened you brother you were there to defend him. There is something deep within our makeup as Americans that we will allow just about anybody come and enjoy the life we have as Americans. But, you let somebody do something to us and the whole country will take action.
All of the TV coverage within the last week about the bombing of the Boston Marathon it was said that between 11am and the bombing about 600,000 people were either in the area or had been there at some point in time. With all that many people we have been able to pin point two individuals that tried to harm many people. Here is where we as Americans take action. Yes Boston may have been the target this time but the bottom line is that America was the target. These extremist want to bring down America. So all America has been up in arms. While the Boston Metro area has held their breath this week looking for the criminals all of us have witnessed their pain and feel it with them. Boston was the point on a map for the attack but Rocky Mount was targeted too.
Tonight I celebrate that about 100 hours after two thugs thought they could drop off two bags and walk away free one is dead and the other bloodied and will talk at some point. I am proud to be an American as I watched those people in Watertown Mass a town that I have visited crowd the street with American flags in hand. Not only did they cheer the forces who made the capture but they stood right there on main street USA and told the next set of extremist that you are not going to keep us lock up in our homes.
We celebrate tonight that in the battle for freedom we lost some of our soldiers on the streets of Boston this week and many more will carry scars the rest of their lives. We once again we will walk the streets of America a free people!
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