Round 1 Showdown

Ok, I have sat back and watched all this develop. The Rock (as they call it) has pumped up their team as usual. Granted a good group of kids and I know several. I also know several of the parents and know what they are capable of.

The west side of the lake will come to play. Carmon will have the troops pumped and ready. I have to agree with 11-5A that Senior leadership will ultimately determine this game. However, the underclass core that plays for Rowlett have been performing at a very good click. There are many interchangeable with the Rowlett underclass, so look for a strong support from those guys.

This team will not roll over. I will stake my reputation on that. The "Rock" better have good games from their pitchers or their reservations for Austin will be canceled due to lack of participation. The "Rock" has handed Rowlett a couple of heartbreakers in the early round before. Look for the "What goes around comes around" to rear its ugly head.

Take Rowlett and the points. Time for the "Rock to sink into Lake Hubbard”.

Yep...looks like a good rivalry going here...

Anyone want to guess on the fan total for game one here in Rockwall?

What have been some numbers in the past when these two tangle up in the playoffs?

I wouldn't try and tell you the year but there were 62 vehicles on the RF hill and probably 2,000 fans in the bleacher area. Batting cage was 6 deep and there were 20 to 25 students on top of the dugout. It was crazy! From Rowlett's dugout to foul pole they were 3 to 4 deep. People got their lawn chairs there at 4:00 pm to "save a seat".

quote:

Originally posted by 11-5A Fan:That said, Rockwall has 2 very good pitchers and more talent on their JV than most programs Varsitys. But games are not won on talent alone. Rowlett will fight. Should be fun.

As for JV Talent, I believe that the Rock and Rowlett JV's duked it out on a couple of occasions this year and both games were close with a split in the series, with a marathon 14 inning affair, which I think Rowlett won....(not sure on that). Sooo, talent at the JV level should be about the same, depending on how many got moved up for both schools.

I still think that Rockwall has the edge in pitching and offense. I do give the edge to Rowlett on the defensive side; however that alone will not get it done even though "Defense Wins Championships".

I personally think it will come down to senior leadership as both teams have several under classmen that fill the starting lineups.

Game 1 should set the tone![/QUOTE]

Just to straighten things out for what it's worth. Rowlett's JV swept the Rock's JV three games to none. All three games were very good games. The first was 6-2, the second was a runfest 19-17 in 10 innings (I think), and a Rowlett 7th inning come from behind win 9-8.
It is going to be very entertaining in the years to come.

Anyone over in Rowlett know how Tyler Spragins has done this year? I heard he was pitching on the JV to get more innings. What's the word on this kid? He's a pretty good one in my book!!

quote:

Originally posted by Old Pitcher:
Man....this is great stuff....by the way....does anyone know the pitching rotation for the Rock? I've heard rumors, but don't know the truth yet!

Southpaw, Come on up...it should be a great series. I know I'm looking real forward to it. Brings back a ton of memories for me when I pitched at McKinney.

Funneldrill, DeSoto put us (McKinney) out of the playoffs my Sophomore and Junior years. We got em' my senior year though and went all the way to Austin. Where is Coach Jones these days? He's probably a scout somewhere would be my guess.

Coach Jones is retired and living in Lubbock. He emailed me Thursday to let me know he's been following the team and to tell me and kids good job. He scouted for a while for the Mets and Padres before finishing in DeSoto in 1999. Coincidentally, that was the last time DeSoto made it to the playoffs.

Interested to hear your opinion of how South Garlnd vs. Horn might turn out.
I know some of you have seen both teams, Horn by thier record looks very solid.

quote:

Originally posted by SGDad:
Interested to hear your opinion of how South Garlnd vs. Horn might turn out.
I know some of you have seen both teams, Horn by thier record looks very solid.

South will have to bring their "A" Game or it's one and done. South could string together a little run and make some noise. However I think they will have to play error free, which has plagued them this year.

quote:

Originally posted by Old Pitcher:
Anyone over in Rowlett know how Tyler Spragins has done this year? I heard he was pitching on the JV to get more innings. What's the word on this kid? He's a pretty good one in my book!!

Sprgins was on Varsity at the beginning of the year, but struggled with control and velocity. He was moved to JV for innings and he just wasn't getting it done at the higher level.

quote:

Just to straighten things out for what it's worth. Rowlett's JV swept the Rock's JV three games to none. All three games were very good games. The first was 6-2, the second was a runfest 19-17 in 10 innings (I think), and a Rowlett 7th inning come from behind win 9-8.
It is going to be very entertaining in the years to come.

Thanks for clearing that one up.......I wanted to error on the side of caution, without offending our dear "Rock" fans.....future looks bright for Rowlett. Hopefully Rowlett can reload as the pipeline appears deep.

This is always such a huge series between these two teams everytime they meet in the playoffs. The atmosphere is electric at these games. I have really enjoyed what everyone has had to say on this thread.

What's the prognostication for Rockwall in future years with the new H.S. - Rockwall-Heath siphoning off talent? and the retirement of the old coach? There are several good young kids at Heath.

Someone from the Rock will have better insight than me but from what I saw this year Rockwall retained most of it's stronger sophmore players. Heath does have some very good athletes though but I don't think it will make a difference for Rockwall until two years down the road. Give Heath a few years to get the program up and going and I think they will be very good. That's from an outsiders point of view.

I would love to hear from someone who is closer to the situation.

Does anyone really know the pitching matchup for tonights game one? I've heard rumors, but I'm not sure. Who will Rowlett throw tonight?

I know Rowlett's pitching rotation but I've been sworn to secrecy by Ringer1 son. SHHHHHHH!

quote:

Someone from the Rock will have better insight than me but from what I saw this year Rockwall retained most of it's stronger sophmore players. Heath does have some very good athletes though but I don't think it will make a difference for Rockwall until two years down the road. Give Heath a few years to get the program up and going and I think they will be very good. That's from an outsiders point of view.

I would love to hear from someone who is closer to the situation.

Ten hours until the first pitch is thrown. It's going to be a long day.

quote:

Ten hours until the first pitch is thrown. It's going to be a long day.

Ringer,

I know what you mean man, I know what you mean!! I'm getting butterfly's just thinking about it!! Good luck to Rowlett, may the best team win!! I'm gettting there plenty early to hopefully get a decent place to put our chair's!! Come on over and say "HI" if you get a minute. I'm the ugly guy with the bad flat top!

Sounds like you won't hard to find.

quote:

Originally posted by The Swami:
Rockwall vs. Rowlett

Game 1: Thursday @ Rockwall at 7:00
Game 2: Friday @ Rowlett at 4:30
Game 3: Neutral site and time TBD

Should be interesting.

I'd like to start threads on other 5A play-offs this week as well.... S.Lake vs Irving, Colleyville vs SGP , Duncanvile vs FM, Lewisville vs Lamar. Do you recommend including those all under this "1st round" thread or setup up different topics with the team names in the topic?

You should probably do each series individually. I think it will get more play that way. Good luck to all teams mentioned!

OP
It's been fun watching your post total soar faster than a Barry Bonds HR count....and here you are giving advice after 10 weeks. You are one of a kind and the forum has enjoyed the burst of energy you have provided. What do your fingernails look like?

Swingdoc -- the guy has really burst onto the scene, eh?

Not only is his post-count sky-rocketing here, but he is being quoted in the Dallas Morning News! Based on his mental state today, we make see a record number of posts -- I wonder if he'll get any work done.

Before long, everyone will speel his name correctly.

You guys are real funny!

After knowing OP as long as I have, I'm just surprised that he knows how to use a computer.................

Wonder if the "ROCK" pays him per post. He sure does not seem like he has time for lessons.

quote:

Wonder if the "ROCK" pays him per post. He sure does not seem like he has time for lessons.

With the money I get at my "REAL" job, I need all the extra money I can get!

quote:

Originally posted by Old Pitcher:
[QUOTE]

With the money I get at my "REAL" job, I need all the extra money I can get!

Amen Brother! I KNOW that's right!

I appreciate the updates on this series. I'm stuck in Houston the rest of the week so I can't attend Thursday or Friday. Maybe I'll run into Texan at a game here tonight?

With DBAT kids on both squads (Travis Moseley & Chad Noble for Rock and Eric Hill for Rowlett) I have to stay impartial but I'll go out on a limb with a bold prediction......the winning school starts with an "R".

Can someone give us some insight on the best place to park at Rockwall after the parking lot is full? I have a feeling it wont take long to fill it up.

I don't know if anyone has notice or not but there is 4 hours and 28 minutes till first pitch!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Old Pitcher:
Does anyone really know the pitching matchup for tonights game one? I've heard rumors, but I'm not sure. Who will Rowlett throw tonight?

It's a secret....I could tell you, then I would have to kill you!

This is tough, we've known kids on both of these teams since coach pitch. Good luck to both, stay healthy and have fun.

Lankford vs Lackie on the bump.
Advantage Rockwall.

Congratulations to Rowlett on their win, 5-1. These guys are good. ML went 6 innings giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, 4 earned runs, 3 walks and 2 K's. He had a tough time hitting his spots. Not real wild, but enough not to get some of the close calls from the ump.

Rowlett's first inning, ML got 'em out with 3 ground balls, 3 up and 3 down. Rockwall's started their half of the first with the first 2 batters reaching on hits and we scored our only run. We were thinking we were gonna have a good game at that point. Well, we managed 1 hit for the next 6 innings, never even having a threat. Simonek kept us off balance with his change-up. The kid doesn't throw hard, but he knows how to pitch.

We better show up tomorrow ready to play or it's gonna be one and done for the Jacket's.