Both Rocky Mount and Northern Nash baseball teams were shut out in their efforts in the opening round of the state baseball playoffs. Girls softball Northern advanced to the second round while in soccer both Northern and Rocky Mount were surprise winners in the opening round.
The second round is always a tougher step to take. The second round was in no way a fun day for both of the Nash County teams alive. First softball where Northern Nash made the trip to Northern Guilford and surely this sports year has not been pleasant for any sports team from Nash County who has taken on any team with Guilford attached to their name and Saturday was no different. Northern Guilford shuts out the Lady Knights 9-0. Ouch!
Oddly enough both Rocky Mount and Northern were on the road in soccer and not that far apart as Rocky Mount visited Sawnsboro and Northern Nash at Jacksonville. Both Onslow County schools only 19 miles apart down highway 24 felt no pity for their visitors as Swansboro swamped Rocky Mount 8-0 and Jacksonville 6-0 over Northern. ouch ouch!!.
So the athletic year for all Nash County schools is over. Only two teams left from the Big East and both wear Fike on their chest. Just maybe the best athletic team in the conference is the Fike girls soccer team. They lead only 2-0 at the half against Northwood both added two more goals in the second half to win 4-0 and will now play Swansboro in round three.
The third round game will pit number four Fike against number five Swansboro so the game is at Fike. So far in 23 games Fike has had only 6 goals scored against them all season. Only once has the Golden Demons been scored on twice in one game that was against Swansboro during a tournament in early season Fike's only loss of the season. Since the Lady Golden a Demons have now won 20 in a row..
If the ACC baseball tournament continues to return to North Carolina year after year it is a must that North Carolina and NC State be a part of each playing in the three games during the tournament. Last season they met each other in one of the play in games. 2013 they met each other in the epic 18 inning game in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a college baseball game in North Carolina. No other state can offer when the top rivals of the area collide more than 10,000 will show up if they play at night.
Carolina returns to the play in game but state finished 6th so they will meet Miami, the winner of the 7/10 game and they start with their first game against Notre Dame. Come Saturday night one of the two still needs to be alive in order to keep the ACC interested in returning to Durham past 2016.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Big East Killer- Hitting
I guess the question about the quality of Big East baseball this year is that all those regular season games when nobody could score wasn't because of great pitching but poor hitting. The opening round of the state playoffs the Big East goes 1-3.
The Big East scored seven runs in the four first round games including Rocky Mount and Northern being shutout. Hunt scored four times but gave up double digit runs in 10. The four teams allowed 18 runs which is not bad that's 4.5 runs allowed per game but only put up 1.75 runs. The ultimate insult is that some of the games the other teams gambled and saved their best pitchers for round two and it worked. Doesn't seem like the Big East got much respect from their opponents. Fike in winning did pitch their ace Brandan Winstead 3-2 win over Eastern Wayne.
I guess to answer the question is the Big East did have good pitching this season not exceptional but any time you hold a playoff team to three runs or less like Rocky Mount, Northern and Fike did in the opening round you should win your game. But only Fike did. Fike round two tussle will be against West Carteret who was a 3-1 winner over Swansboro tonight at 7pm.
Today is the last day of the regular season of ACC baseball and North Carolina State has put it on the pro pickers of the 64 who will make the NCAA baseball tournament on Memorial Day. The Pack's victory over Louisville last night guarantees the Pack no worse than sixth in the ACC which keeps them out of play in Tuesday. The Pack has moved up to 34 in the RPI.
North Carolina who just two weeks ago was 13-10 in the league after losing again last night to Virginia drops to 13-15 but with Duke beating Wake Carolina is in but they have fallen to a play in
Game. It is still possible that if Benton Moss can't stop Carolina's bleeding today and if Carolina loses again Tuesday today just might be the last time Moss pitches for Carolina.
He is five wins short of tying for the all time Carolina wins record but unless Carolina finds a forward gear instead of the reverse they are doubtful for the NCAA even though they are 24th in RPI. Can any team with a losing conference record get into the tournament if they would be on a seven game losing streak especially if they are 10th in the league when maybe only seven get in?
Benton Moss needs to pitch the game of his life today to keep his career at Carolina going plus keep Carolina's NCAA hopes alive.
The Big East scored seven runs in the four first round games including Rocky Mount and Northern being shutout. Hunt scored four times but gave up double digit runs in 10. The four teams allowed 18 runs which is not bad that's 4.5 runs allowed per game but only put up 1.75 runs. The ultimate insult is that some of the games the other teams gambled and saved their best pitchers for round two and it worked. Doesn't seem like the Big East got much respect from their opponents. Fike in winning did pitch their ace Brandan Winstead 3-2 win over Eastern Wayne.
I guess to answer the question is the Big East did have good pitching this season not exceptional but any time you hold a playoff team to three runs or less like Rocky Mount, Northern and Fike did in the opening round you should win your game. But only Fike did. Fike round two tussle will be against West Carteret who was a 3-1 winner over Swansboro tonight at 7pm.
Today is the last day of the regular season of ACC baseball and North Carolina State has put it on the pro pickers of the 64 who will make the NCAA baseball tournament on Memorial Day. The Pack's victory over Louisville last night guarantees the Pack no worse than sixth in the ACC which keeps them out of play in Tuesday. The Pack has moved up to 34 in the RPI.
North Carolina who just two weeks ago was 13-10 in the league after losing again last night to Virginia drops to 13-15 but with Duke beating Wake Carolina is in but they have fallen to a play in
Game. It is still possible that if Benton Moss can't stop Carolina's bleeding today and if Carolina loses again Tuesday today just might be the last time Moss pitches for Carolina.
He is five wins short of tying for the all time Carolina wins record but unless Carolina finds a forward gear instead of the reverse they are doubtful for the NCAA even though they are 24th in RPI. Can any team with a losing conference record get into the tournament if they would be on a seven game losing streak especially if they are 10th in the league when maybe only seven get in?
Benton Moss needs to pitch the game of his life today to keep his career at Carolina going plus keep Carolina's NCAA hopes alive.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Inflate-Gate
There is old saying in NASCAR that "if you ain't cheating you ain't trying." I know for myself when driving I will drive 59 in a 55 mile and hour zone I feel safe that I'm in the no need to mess with him for that speed . But if I get stopped and get a ticket I'm guilty.
Tom Brady's just after the AFC championship or should I say the Patriots were accused of taking air out of the ball. Why would there be a rule of the minimum amount of air in the ball unless it had to do with all teams need to play with a standard ball to prevent unfair competition.
Now that an investigation called the Wells report has shown a great probability that Tom Brady directed ball boys to take air out of the balls. Why would that matter? The way I see it cheating by circumventing the rules is cheating whether it is four miles over the speed limit or eight ounces under the football weight limit. Also on this report about fumbling Peyton Manning and Tom Brady asked to reduce the football air for all quarterbacks in 2006. They wanted every quarterback to use the balls that fitted them regardless of on the road or home.
Surely looks as if the Patriots decided to create their on rule whether the NFL agreed or not. Seems they have made their own rules when ever it was convenient for them. Now in the cover up phase to me the probability that Bill Bellicheat had to know that the balls were being tampered with so if there is going to be any disciplinary action coach must be included.
Now there is this other report showing since 2007 Patriots have drastically reduced team fumbling. Could it be that letting air out of ball helps runners hold on to the ball just like Brady can grip the ball better when throwing? I just can't see this as a coincidence since 2007 the fumbling way down right after Brady asked the league to change the rule.
Regardless of who's idea it was the head coach had to know that Brady was leading tampering with the ball or it's or was it Bellichick all along. Maybe big bad Bill gets a year off like Shawn Peyton got with New Orleans. Brady has not helped with his statements of unwillingness to cooperate with the NFL. The bottom line cheating is trying to take advantage over your competition. I wonder how many wins since 2007 can be attributed to not fumbling or a qb being able to grip the ball when the other qb can't.
Tom Brady's just after the AFC championship or should I say the Patriots were accused of taking air out of the ball. Why would there be a rule of the minimum amount of air in the ball unless it had to do with all teams need to play with a standard ball to prevent unfair competition.
Now that an investigation called the Wells report has shown a great probability that Tom Brady directed ball boys to take air out of the balls. Why would that matter? The way I see it cheating by circumventing the rules is cheating whether it is four miles over the speed limit or eight ounces under the football weight limit. Also on this report about fumbling Peyton Manning and Tom Brady asked to reduce the football air for all quarterbacks in 2006. They wanted every quarterback to use the balls that fitted them regardless of on the road or home.
Surely looks as if the Patriots decided to create their on rule whether the NFL agreed or not. Seems they have made their own rules when ever it was convenient for them. Now in the cover up phase to me the probability that Bill Bellicheat had to know that the balls were being tampered with so if there is going to be any disciplinary action coach must be included.
Now there is this other report showing since 2007 Patriots have drastically reduced team fumbling. Could it be that letting air out of ball helps runners hold on to the ball just like Brady can grip the ball better when throwing? I just can't see this as a coincidence since 2007 the fumbling way down right after Brady asked the league to change the rule.
Regardless of who's idea it was the head coach had to know that Brady was leading tampering with the ball or it's or was it Bellichick all along. Maybe big bad Bill gets a year off like Shawn Peyton got with New Orleans. Brady has not helped with his statements of unwillingness to cooperate with the NFL. The bottom line cheating is trying to take advantage over your competition. I wonder how many wins since 2007 can be attributed to not fumbling or a qb being able to grip the ball when the other qb can't.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Upset Special
Rocky Mount girls soccer team lost three times during the regular season to Hunt who in conference only lost two conference games and both of those loses were to powerhouse Fike. Tonight Rocky Mount played Hunt to a first half draw of 0-0 and then spotted the Lady Warriors an early second half goal but The Lady Gryphons stick two goals in the net the last 15 minutes of the game to shock Hunt in the opening round of the State 3-A playoffs 2-1. They play the winner five seed Swansboro/Gray's Creek winner Saturday.
Big East top seed in soccer Fike wins by mercy rule 10-1 but the big news is they gave up a goal. That's two games in a row that a team has scored on the Lady Golden Demons after going 17 games in a row winning by shutout. Northern Nash soccer went on the road as the lower seed and whips Eastern Wayne 4-3. They now travel to Jacksonville a 4-0 winner in round one.
Northern Nash softball has advanced to the second round winning at home tonight 6-2 over Eden Morehead and will play Northern Guilford who was a 7-2 winner over Swansboro.
Fike the top seed from the Big East in softball has been stunned by Orange 1-0 while Hunt fell 14-3 to West Craven
Big East baseball started in the afternoon as Hunt traveled to Cardinal Gibbons and lead early to get their hopes up but the number two seed Crusaders were too much and advances with a 10-4 win over Hunt.
Rocky Mount traveled to Lee County to play Southern Lee and Kent Cox sent Sophomore David Harrison and just like Northern yesterday the Gryphon pitching was good but not good enough as Rocky Mount is shutout of the playoffs losing 3-0 to Southern Lee. SL only needed one run to win this one and it scored on a balk to give SL a 1-0 lead and that was plenty.
Fike is the only Big East baseball team still alive as they win another one run game 3-2 over Eastern Wayne.
Earlier in the week the only team left in tennis Fike lost in the third round 5-4 to Union Pines.
This area is very privileged to have the many athletes in this area that do great things on the athletic fields and advance on to college and in some cases into a pro sports athlete. The very best athlete in the area very well be a player that doesn't get much coverage until it is time for the State Championships.
SouthWest Edgecombe's Cole Jefferies has just won his second straight 2-A individual golf championship by a whomping 10 shots. Sounds a lot like Tiger Woods in his prime. Jefferies shot a two day total of 145. I suspect we might hear more about him in the coming months.
Big East top seed in soccer Fike wins by mercy rule 10-1 but the big news is they gave up a goal. That's two games in a row that a team has scored on the Lady Golden Demons after going 17 games in a row winning by shutout. Northern Nash soccer went on the road as the lower seed and whips Eastern Wayne 4-3. They now travel to Jacksonville a 4-0 winner in round one.
Northern Nash softball has advanced to the second round winning at home tonight 6-2 over Eden Morehead and will play Northern Guilford who was a 7-2 winner over Swansboro.
Fike the top seed from the Big East in softball has been stunned by Orange 1-0 while Hunt fell 14-3 to West Craven
Big East baseball started in the afternoon as Hunt traveled to Cardinal Gibbons and lead early to get their hopes up but the number two seed Crusaders were too much and advances with a 10-4 win over Hunt.
Rocky Mount traveled to Lee County to play Southern Lee and Kent Cox sent Sophomore David Harrison and just like Northern yesterday the Gryphon pitching was good but not good enough as Rocky Mount is shutout of the playoffs losing 3-0 to Southern Lee. SL only needed one run to win this one and it scored on a balk to give SL a 1-0 lead and that was plenty.
Fike is the only Big East baseball team still alive as they win another one run game 3-2 over Eastern Wayne.
Earlier in the week the only team left in tennis Fike lost in the third round 5-4 to Union Pines.
This area is very privileged to have the many athletes in this area that do great things on the athletic fields and advance on to college and in some cases into a pro sports athlete. The very best athlete in the area very well be a player that doesn't get much coverage until it is time for the State Championships.
SouthWest Edgecombe's Cole Jefferies has just won his second straight 2-A individual golf championship by a whomping 10 shots. Sounds a lot like Tiger Woods in his prime. Jefferies shot a two day total of 145. I suspect we might hear more about him in the coming months.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Down And Out
There are those times when you line up to play certain teams that they look good in their uniforms. Muscular but most of all when they swing the bat they look well coached. Every swing their heads stay on the ball and when they make outs they hit it hard.
Tonight Northern Nash opened the state playoffs and ran into Eastern Guilford a team that executed fundamental baseball and out pitched Northern in winning at Northern 3-0. Andrew Robinson popped the mitt all night in the high eighty miles an hour range and held Northern to two singles and a double and Northern never got a runner past second. Robinson did not walk a batter and when your team mates don't make errors three base runners by Northern never threaten to score.
EG got all the runs they needed in the second when the first two batters stroked singles and following a sac bunt third baseman Stephan Dressin stroked another hard hit ball for the third hit of the inning and two runs crossed the plate. Northern Starter Tyler Barrett pitched the first three innings and EG scored again in the third when with one out Barrett walk the only base on base all night by either side.
A grounder to short left Northern no chance to get the lead runner but got an out at first. The next batter UNC bound catcher Luke Robinson laced a single driving in the last run of the night. Whit Casper pitch the 4th-5th-6th innings for Northern and held EG to a single.
Down 3-0 Leonard Allen made a class move as he brought Derrick Carter to pitch the seventh inning when it looked like Carter would not be pitching the second round playoff game. Carter pitch his final inning and Carter like his career for four years for Northern he struck out the first two he faced Gave a a single which was only the 6th hit on the night for EG but that was enough. Northern pitched well to win most nights but not tonight.
Northern was the only Big East team playing Tuesday as Fike host E Wayne on Wednesday night at 7:00. Hunt travel at 4:30 Wednesday to Cardinal Gibbons and Rocky Mount travels to play Southern Lee at Lee County High School at 7:00.
Tonight Northern Nash opened the state playoffs and ran into Eastern Guilford a team that executed fundamental baseball and out pitched Northern in winning at Northern 3-0. Andrew Robinson popped the mitt all night in the high eighty miles an hour range and held Northern to two singles and a double and Northern never got a runner past second. Robinson did not walk a batter and when your team mates don't make errors three base runners by Northern never threaten to score.
EG got all the runs they needed in the second when the first two batters stroked singles and following a sac bunt third baseman Stephan Dressin stroked another hard hit ball for the third hit of the inning and two runs crossed the plate. Northern Starter Tyler Barrett pitched the first three innings and EG scored again in the third when with one out Barrett walk the only base on base all night by either side.
A grounder to short left Northern no chance to get the lead runner but got an out at first. The next batter UNC bound catcher Luke Robinson laced a single driving in the last run of the night. Whit Casper pitch the 4th-5th-6th innings for Northern and held EG to a single.
Down 3-0 Leonard Allen made a class move as he brought Derrick Carter to pitch the seventh inning when it looked like Carter would not be pitching the second round playoff game. Carter pitch his final inning and Carter like his career for four years for Northern he struck out the first two he faced Gave a a single which was only the 6th hit on the night for EG but that was enough. Northern pitched well to win most nights but not tonight.
Northern was the only Big East team playing Tuesday as Fike host E Wayne on Wednesday night at 7:00. Hunt travel at 4:30 Wednesday to Cardinal Gibbons and Rocky Mount travels to play Southern Lee at Lee County High School at 7:00.
Monday, May 11, 2015
It's Playoff Time
All the brackets are posted and the last three spring sports that have yet to start playoffs do so this week and at least one big surprise who got in. First the baseball brackets.
Big East top seed Fike 14-7 will be seeded 7th and they host Eastern Wayne seeded 26th at 7pm Wednesday.
Northern Nash 12-11 the 15th in the state tournament will have a home game Tuesday night at 6:00 pm when they host the 19th seed Eastern Guilford 15-10.
Rocky Mount falls to the third Big East team after Northern won the Big East tournament but the main reason that got a higher seed over Rocky Mount was they won two of the three meetings between the two. Rocky Mount hits the road meeting Southern Lee but the game will be played at Lee County High and game time will be 7:00pm Wednesday.
The surprise team to get in is Hunt. They have a losing record at 10-11 and get in seeded 31st so they are the next to last team. They will travel to Cardinal Gibbons who are 21-2 on the season and carry the number two seed into this game. This game will be played at 4:30 Wednesday at Gibbons.
Softball finds Fike 12-6 8th seed hosting Orange 10-6 and the 25th seed.
Northern Nash 9-5 the 15th seed will play Eden Morehead 28th seed will play Wednesday night at 6:oopm at Northern.
Hunt 8-7 is the third team in from the Big East and as a 19th seed travel to West Craven 13-7 an a 14 seed.
Fike at 20-1 is a 4th seed in soccer and they will host Smithfield Selma the 29th seed with a 8-8 record.
Hunt the 12th seed 13-6 will host Big East Rival Rocky Mount 8-11 is seeded 21st. Doesn't there alway seems to be some how or other the Big East always plays somebody else in the conference which surely keeps the league getting too many teams deep in the playoffs
Northern Nash 11-8 is seeded 26th travels to the 7th eastern seed Eastern Wayne 10-6.
We got a game to go see Tuesday night as Northern Baseball plays at 6:00pm
Big East top seed Fike 14-7 will be seeded 7th and they host Eastern Wayne seeded 26th at 7pm Wednesday.
Northern Nash 12-11 the 15th in the state tournament will have a home game Tuesday night at 6:00 pm when they host the 19th seed Eastern Guilford 15-10.
Rocky Mount falls to the third Big East team after Northern won the Big East tournament but the main reason that got a higher seed over Rocky Mount was they won two of the three meetings between the two. Rocky Mount hits the road meeting Southern Lee but the game will be played at Lee County High and game time will be 7:00pm Wednesday.
The surprise team to get in is Hunt. They have a losing record at 10-11 and get in seeded 31st so they are the next to last team. They will travel to Cardinal Gibbons who are 21-2 on the season and carry the number two seed into this game. This game will be played at 4:30 Wednesday at Gibbons.
Softball finds Fike 12-6 8th seed hosting Orange 10-6 and the 25th seed.
Northern Nash 9-5 the 15th seed will play Eden Morehead 28th seed will play Wednesday night at 6:oopm at Northern.
Hunt 8-7 is the third team in from the Big East and as a 19th seed travel to West Craven 13-7 an a 14 seed.
Fike at 20-1 is a 4th seed in soccer and they will host Smithfield Selma the 29th seed with a 8-8 record.
Hunt the 12th seed 13-6 will host Big East Rival Rocky Mount 8-11 is seeded 21st. Doesn't there alway seems to be some how or other the Big East always plays somebody else in the conference which surely keeps the league getting too many teams deep in the playoffs
Northern Nash 11-8 is seeded 26th travels to the 7th eastern seed Eastern Wayne 10-6.
We got a game to go see Tuesday night as Northern Baseball plays at 6:00pm
Waiting On Brackets
Northern Nash Hosting a playoff game while Rocky Mount hits the road. The official backets are in and Northern Nash has jumped ahead of Rocky Mount and will host Eastern Guilford Wednesday while Rocky Mount will travel to Lee County. The playoffs start Wednesday.
Sure has been a busy week for those NCHSAA officials as it started Thursday during the year end awards ceremonies including Rocky Mount's Pam Gainey being named the NC High School female coach of the year.
Friday the state finals began in tennis which spilled over to the finals on Saturday and then the Track and field which finished also on Saturday. If you go on line to the NCHSAA website and pull up baseball it says that the first day of baseball practice is February 15th, the first game March 2nd and playoff seeding announced on May 9th and the first day of the playoffs May 13th. Somebody in Chapel Hill forgot when scheduling that Saturday was a full day without baseball, softball and Lacrosse brackets to get out so they have been put off until early Monday.
Chapel Hill's explanation was that seedings were more difficult to do than the standard who was first, second in your conference. I don't see how seeding the teams by records will be an advantage for any Big East team. Fike at 14-7 over all is only the 14th best record in the 3A east. Rocky Mount at 10-8 is 26th and Northern at 12-11 is 28th.
The records of all the teams in the Big East are nothing to Bragg about and if overall records are any indication of how good any team is compared to any other then it could be a short ride for the Big East this spring. All three have at least one ace pitcher and you know everyone will throw their ace in the first round so it will come down to scoring runs to advance.
North Carolina baseball after a sweep last week moved up several spots in the ACC standings. Saturday were swept by Notre Dame and Mike Fox brought Benton Moss hoping to get the Tar Heels at least one win on the weekend. Moss wasn't great but when he left after six innings the Tar Heels were ahead 7-5 but a home run with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth Notre Dame beat Carolina 8-7.
The lost drops Carolina to 13-13 and after beating Wake Forest twice so far this weekend N C State has moved a half game ahead of Carolina. They play Wake Monday night at 7pm on ESPNU.
Sure has been a busy week for those NCHSAA officials as it started Thursday during the year end awards ceremonies including Rocky Mount's Pam Gainey being named the NC High School female coach of the year.
Friday the state finals began in tennis which spilled over to the finals on Saturday and then the Track and field which finished also on Saturday. If you go on line to the NCHSAA website and pull up baseball it says that the first day of baseball practice is February 15th, the first game March 2nd and playoff seeding announced on May 9th and the first day of the playoffs May 13th. Somebody in Chapel Hill forgot when scheduling that Saturday was a full day without baseball, softball and Lacrosse brackets to get out so they have been put off until early Monday.
Chapel Hill's explanation was that seedings were more difficult to do than the standard who was first, second in your conference. I don't see how seeding the teams by records will be an advantage for any Big East team. Fike at 14-7 over all is only the 14th best record in the 3A east. Rocky Mount at 10-8 is 26th and Northern at 12-11 is 28th.
The records of all the teams in the Big East are nothing to Bragg about and if overall records are any indication of how good any team is compared to any other then it could be a short ride for the Big East this spring. All three have at least one ace pitcher and you know everyone will throw their ace in the first round so it will come down to scoring runs to advance.
North Carolina baseball after a sweep last week moved up several spots in the ACC standings. Saturday were swept by Notre Dame and Mike Fox brought Benton Moss hoping to get the Tar Heels at least one win on the weekend. Moss wasn't great but when he left after six innings the Tar Heels were ahead 7-5 but a home run with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth Notre Dame beat Carolina 8-7.
The lost drops Carolina to 13-13 and after beating Wake Forest twice so far this weekend N C State has moved a half game ahead of Carolina. They play Wake Monday night at 7pm on ESPNU.
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