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 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.

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.

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?

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.

Baseball News

I had a conversation with Tom Moss during the DII World Series in Cary a couple of weeks ago talking about his son Benton and his trials and tribulations going on in minor league baseball.  Tom told me that Benton was on a 90 pitch pitch count whether it took seven innings or three innings they would pull him out of the game whenever pitch 90 came.  He also told me that the coaching staff is trying teach Benton another pitch to go with his repertoire and this new pitch was causing stress on his arm. At the time his record was 1-5 and the Royals have stopped with this new pitch and with less stress on his arm the last two outing Benton has pitched two times going seven innings each outing.  One was a one hit performance which is his best effort since turning pro last summer.

His overall record is 3-5 with 62.2 innings pitched.  He has 59 k's and walked 14 batters which is excellent control.  Hie ERA is down to 4.16 in 12 outings and 11 starts. He remains in Port Charlotte Florida in A ball.

Hobbs Johnson pitching in Buloxi Mississippi in AA ball has now made 14 appearances coming out of the bullpen.  His record is 1-0 pitching short relief.  Maybe a month ago his ERA was 7.77 but some effective outings lately he has reduce that to 4.57.  He has pitched 21.2 innings with 17 strikeouts.  His biggest problem for the left hander is he has walked 13 which is very high and Hobbs needs to do a better job putting men on base with a free ride.

Brian Goodwin continues to have his best season in pro baseball. He is hitting 305 with six home runs 13 doubles, one triple.  He leads the Syracuse Chiefs in RBI with 32.  As well as he is playing and as stacked as the Washington Nationals are it seems the only way Brian  will hit the Big Leagues will be somebody in the National's  outfield is going to have to get hurt.

Collin Cuthrell is struggling in Florence Kentucky.  His batting average is just over the Mendoza Line at 205. He  has 17 hits in 83 at bats. He has two homers three doubles and 12 RBI to date.

The last time we talked about Whit Merrifield he had just been called up to the Kansas City Royals.  He has now played in 17 games hitting 315 on 23 hits  in 73 at bats.  He has seven doubles and has stolen three out of four bases.  Once you get called up to the Bigs you need to impress your team right off the bat and Whit Merrifield with the start he has had may never return to the minors.

The Pirates of ECU the last team standing in the NCAA baseball tournament that call North Carolina home starts play in the Super Regional Friday night at 8pm against Texas Tech in Lubbock Texas.  It is a best of three series.  Game two will be Saturday afternoon at 3pm and if needed game three is 3pm Sunday.  There is good news that all three games can be seen either on ESPNU or 2.  Go Pirates.

Extra Innings Heroics

If you love good baseball then you need to get in on the action of Coleman Pitt Post 58 baseball.  Tonight in Wilson down 3-0 in the seventh CP 58 clawed their way back into a tie and scored the winning run in the 13th inning.

Regardless of which side you pulled both sides had pitching as in 13 innings both sides had eight hits a piece.  Rocky Mount Committed five errors and which resulted in one run being unearned of the three runs scored by Post 13.  Wilson committed three errors and two runs for Rocky Mount scored after errors including the winning run.

Post 58 started RMA pitcher Reid Johnston and you can't fault his pitching. Five innings, one run on three hits and the one run was unearned.  Tarboro's Trevor Wells pitched for two innings gave up two runs.  David Harrison gave up one hit in two innings and for the extra innings Noah Schrock took the ball and allowed nothing to cross the plate for the final four inning. CP 58 shut out Post 13 the last seven innings.

Post 13 scored in the third after and error at second put a runner on. Spencer Brickhouse the Bunn highly touted player who is expected to go in the first round of the MLB draft next week doubled in their first run.  It stayed scoreless until the sixth for P 13 until a walk, hit, wild pitch and an RBI single  by Hunter Lee grew the lead to 3-0.

Post 13 pitching was excellent as Dillon Radford started and went six scoreless inning until P 58 touch him up with two runs.  A walk and wild throw and hit by Trey Wells scored two.  The eighth started with a Reid Johnson single, a sacrifice bunt by Zack Keeter and a double in the gap by Tyler Barrett knotted the score at three and that's the way it stayed until the 13th.

Luke Mills open the 13th with a pop up to second which was dropped. Post 58 took advantage of the opening granted by Wilson.  Tyler Barrett advanced the runner to second with a bunt.  Noah Schrock had a base hit as Mills advanced to third.  Logan Pearce the RBI hero on Friday night with  a hit in the bottom of the ninth did it again tonight this time a fly ball to center and Mills easily scored what proved to be the winning run as Post 13 went down in order in the 13th.

I'm telling you this team other than the first inning of the first game this team has had good pitching.  Their pitching has been good enough to keep them in every game since.  The first few games the hitting was porous but it seems to be rounding up.

If you want to watch entertaining baseball Post 58 will be back at Legion Field next Wednesday night  with their second conference game.  Tonight's victory pushed P 58 to 4-3 and winners of three in a row.  After having sat through rain delays during the Raleigh Regional this past weekend this 13 inning affair was over at five after ten.  It took only three hours to play 13 innings.