Southeastern District Games: April 16-21 (Week 5)

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Friday, April 20
Hickory @ Great Bridge

This will be a late start-roughly 7:30'ish. it will be a double header with JV starting at 5 and the varsity game starting once that game is complete and the field is prepped.

A big week for a lot of teams in the SED.

Oscar Smith vs Indian River could decide the #6 seed in the Southeastern District playoffs.

Would be interested to know what the prognosticators are saying about today's 1 v. 2 and 3 v. 4 matchups. Anyone have the courage to offer some insight and maybe even a prediction or two?

very good point mr. attorney but since u r the lawyer can u give me your input first sir

There are those on this board much more familiar with the rosters, coaches and history than I. But in an effort to get the conversation started...Hickory is playing some of the best ball I have seen all year over the past couple of weeks. It torched what I thought was a very good Hanover team and then blasted its other opponent in the Beach Blast (pun intended). WB coming off a so-so showing against the big dogs in FL will have its hands full. Since it is a home game for Hickory and the Hickory Hecklers will be out in full force, I would have to give the advantage to Hickory.

I will leave the NR v. GB analysis for you Mr. Cards Fan.

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Originally posted by CARDS FAN:
very good point mr. attorney but since u r the lawyer can u give me your input first sir

quote:

Originally posted by thesportsattorney:
There are those on this board much more familiar with the rosters, coaches and history than I. But in an effort to get the conversation started...Hickory is playing some of the best ball I have seen all year over the past couple of weeks. It torched what I thought was a very good Hanover team and then blasted its other opponent in the Beach Blast (pun intended). WB coming off a so-so showing against the big dogs in FL will have its hands full. Since it is a home game for Hickory and the Hickory Hecklers will be out in full force, I would have to give the advantage to Hickory.

I will leave the NR v. GB analysis for you Mr. Cards Fan.

quote:

Originally posted by CARDS FAN:
very good point mr. attorney but since u r the lawyer can u give me your input first sir

If the explosive bats of Nansemond River show up with the team...GB will have their hands full. I think this will be a hard fought game for both teams and a good one to watch. Pitching will be the Key for NR as they will need to keep the GB hits/ runs to a minimum as best as they can. NR's defense is very solid. GB 's pitching rotation is probably the best in the SED and they hit very well in a few line-up spots as well. But I will have to give the advantage to NR who is playing at home.

Unfortuneately or Fortuneately (depending on your perspective), I will be at the Hickory/ WB game.

So far this year GB has shot itelf in the foot with it's midlle infield defense. Expect Connor Jones to pitch do a solid job and keep NR in range. GB will score and I am looking for about 8-10 runs scored combined. If GB limits it's defensive errors a 5-4 or 6-4 win would seem right. Fumble it around and it could go to 7-5 or 8-6 the other way.

For Hickory it is a big mid year test against the team that has been the most solid right throughout. Two very good defensive teams that will make you hit the ball. I think that WB has a little more pop in it's line up and I'd look for a tight lower scoring game like 4-2 WB.

In four starts this year (including Hickory and Western Branch) opponents have scored 5 runs (3 earned) against Tyler Brown. Assuming it's Brown and Jones I see a 3-1 or 3-2 game with the winner being determined by the team committing the fewest errors.

dawgs u r correct it is a jones pitching for great bride tonight

Oops...forgot there were at least 3 of them out there. I was thinking Connor though (not to take anything away from Cooper or Troy).

wish both teams good luck, wbreporter send me tex from your game,please

Hickory over Western Branch. 4-3. Complete game by Ryan Blake.

Great Bridge 6R 13H 3E 11LOB
Nansemond River 7R 10H 2E 12LOB

Nansemond River overcame a fast start by Great Bridge and the worst umpiring call since Jim Joyce stole a perfect game from Armando Gallaraga in 2010 (more on that later). GB came out of the blocks stroking the baseball with 4 runs on 5 hits in the 1st. Charlie Cody hit a leadoff bomb which was followed by a fly ball out to center. Brian Beard then hit a single and was forced out at 2B on a fielder's choice. Then GB had a double, single, and a double by Kyle Matthews, Dane Smith and Steven Dudley before recording the final out.
In the bottom of the 2nd Kyle Moore hit a single and moved to 2B on an errant pick off attempt. Moore scored on a Brandon Savage single up the middle and Savage moved to 2B on the throw to the plate. Blake Eure and Ryan O'Hara then drew walks to load the bases with no outs. After a strikeout, Savage scored on a groundball to 2B that forced out the runner going to second. Then an errant throw to first on a ground ball to SS went in the dugout scoring Brown 4-3 after 2. NR tied it in the 4th on a HR by Trevor Riggs which chased GB starter Connor Jones.
In the 5th GB made it 6-4 when Matthews walked Dane Smith singled Steven Dudley walked and Cooper Jones hit a two run single in the hole between third and short before NR ended the inning with a strikeout. In the bottom half of the frame Kyle Moore hit a HR to make it a 6-5 game.
Then came the pivotal moments in the 6th. First Brian Beard led off with a single, but was doubled up on an Austin Owens shot to Tucker Rhoads at 2B. That was followed by back to back singles by Matthews and Smith (his fourth of the night) before a flyball ended the inning. In the bottom of the 6th with one out Tyler Brown hit a single followed by a Travis Johnson double. GB brought the infield in and was able to keep the lead runner at 3B on a ground ball out to 2B. Zach Vann then hit a single scoring Brown and tying the game at 6 a diving stop by Taylor Lane kept Johnson from scoring. Vann moved to 2B on defensive indifference and GB then intentionally walked Moore to load the bases with two outs. Then came the second pivotal moment. Savage hit a ground ball to 1B that hit the bag jumped over the first baseman's head and came to rest in fair territory scoring 2 runs. HOWEVER, the umpire came out from behind the plate signaling foul ball BEFORE the ball reached the bag. He maintained it was foul and on the next pitch Savage grounded out to end the inning. Horrible call.
In the 7th, the GB lead off hitter reached on an error on a popup in front of the plate he was sacrificed to 2B. Charlie Cody was then intentionally walked for the second time in the game. Then the runner on 2B was doubled up on a line drive caught by Brown at second. In the bottom half the leadoff hitter was walked, next hitter struck out and Riggs reached on an error. After a second strikeout, the next two batters were walked scoring Eure ending the game 7-6

Pitching:
NR
Tyler Brown 6IP 6R 13H 4BB (1 IBB) 6K
Travis Johnson W 1IP 0R )H 1BB (1 IBB) 0K
GB
Connor Jones 3IP 4R (3ER) 6H 3BB 3K
Cooper Jones L 3.2IP 3R (2ER) 4H 5BB (1IBB) 5K

Hitting:
NR
Travis Johnson 2-3, 2B
Zach Vann 2-4, 2B RBI
Kyle Moore 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 runs scored
Trevor Riggs 1-4, HR, RBI, run scored
GB
Charlie Cody 2-2, HR, 2B, RBI, run scored
Brian Beard 2-4
Kyle Matthews 2-3, RBI, 2 runs scored
Dane Smith 4-4, 2 runs scored

Looks like the defensive lapses for GB continue and cost them again. It is becoming pretty clear that they won't go anywhere if they don't solve the problem.

Hickory is turning into the story of the season. They now get the chance to bury GB on Friday. Looking forward to more details on that one.

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Originally posted by luv baseball:
Looks like the defensive lapses for GB continue and cost them again. It is becoming pretty clear that they won't go anywhere if they don't solve the problem.

Hickory is turning into the story of the season. They now get the chance to bury GB on Friday. Looking forward to more details on that one.

I woudn't say that the defense cost Great Bridge in that game last night. With 10 hits and 8 walks, Nansemond River had every opportunity to score more runs, with or without any errors. But your point is well taken.

Look Hoos No. 1, according to the Pilot:

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/top-10-baseball-teams

Gotta agree with Luv here... If I am reading this correctly ? A combined total of 24 hits and 16 BB's ? Those stats alone will not help you win any game from the defensive standpoint ! NR starter gave up 13 hits, 5 BB's and had 6 K's. I hope he had several one or two pitch outs in the other 12 hitters he faced ? Any errors for NR while he pitched ?

NR pitcher threw 118 pitches. About half that total was in the 1st and 5th innings.

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Originally posted by driller:
Gotta agree with Luv here... If I am reading this correctly ? A combined total of 24 hits and 16 BB's ? Those stats alone will not help you win any game from the defensive standpoint ! NR starter gave up 13 hits, 5 BB's and had 6 K's. I hope he had several one or two pitch outs in the other 12 hitters he faced ? Any errors for NR while he pitched ?

I believe that the two clubs had 23 hits and 13 walks combined. GoDawgs was simply showing that a few of the walks were intentional. I would also argue that most of the walks were a result of good hitters having good at bats vs. pitchers being unable to throw strikes. Whenever you witness a game with 36 baserunners (without including errors), it's easy to see how the offense can keep constant pressure on the defense. All in all, great game between two very good teams. Especially offensively. Let's also remember that two of the district's best starters threw in this game.

Dawg, 118 pitches is alot ! Coaches should be careful with those "very stressful" innings...

118 is a lot. These coaches have done a good job managing the pitch counts of their 2 starters. Last night's game carried significantly more meaning than most since the loser is really on the outside looking in for the district. So the 118 is really the exception and not the rule for these coaches.

A belated report on the Western Branch-Hickory game.
Western Branch jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Shane Johnsonbaugh, the left fielder, hit a 1-2 pitch over the right field fence.
WB added to their lead in the top of the second inning. Second baseman Zach Rutherford hit the first pitch he saw from Ryan Blake over the right center field fence for a 2-0 lead.
Hickory got on the board in the bottom of the third. After two ground outs, Ryan Bennett walked Matt Campbell on four pitches. Ryan Blake followed with a single. Campbell took third on the single, and Blake took second on the outfielder's throw to third. Christian Lowry followed with a single to left field, scoring Campbell and Blake. At the end of three, game tied 2-2.
Hickory pulled ahead in the bottom of the fourth. Zach Neice singled up the middle, stole second and scored on on Davis' single up the middle. At the end of four, Hickory ahead 3-2.
WB scored an unearned run in the fifth. After a dropped third strike, a bunt and an intentional walk, WB had the bases loaded with one out. Bobby Barefoot hit a come backer to the pitcher who threw home for the second out, but the catcher's throw to first hit the batter/runner (according to my Hickory source), and Garrett Brooks came around to score the tying run.
Hickory scored the final run of the game in the bottom half of the inning. Matt Campbell tripled to the right center and scored on Ryan Blake's single.
At the end of five innings, Hickory led 4-3.
That leaves us the top half of the seventh inning and the ballgame! Third baseman Matt Roth reached on an error. Garrett Brooks walked on four pitches, and, with no outs, Kyle McPherson attempted to bunt the runners to second and third. After two unsuccessful attempts and a full count, Kyle hit a hard grounder to third. Tandy fielded the grounder, touched third and threw out the speedy McPherson at first for the double play. Hickory elected to walk Johnsonbaugh, and the next batter flew out to right center to end the game.

R. Blake - 7 inn, 6H, 3R (2 earned), 7K, 4BB (2 intentional), 1HB

R. Bennett - 4 inn, 6H, 3R (2 earned), 2K, 2BB
S. Johnsonbaugh - 2 inn, 4H, 1R, 0BB

Some old-timers have questioned the coach's decision to bunt Kyle McPherson, a Georgia Tech commit and one of WB's better batters, in that situation (no outs and runners at first and second). Not sure the result would have been any different, but it would have been interesting to see what happend if KM had gotten the swing away sign with a 0-0 count.

But you know what they say: if "ifs" ands and "buts" were candy and nuts...we would all have a Merry Christmas.

SportsAttorney, such debates make for interesting and often neverending arguments. We will never know the best answer or decision, but my decision to bunt or swing away would hinge on what the score was, where you were in the game, who was batting, who the next two batters were, etc. If the batter does not bunt much or is not a good bunter, might be better to swing away. We will never know!

Hickory over Oscar Smith 1-0

Grassfield 2R 5H 1E 9LOB
Nansemond River 4R 9H 2E 7LOB

A pitcher's duel through the first 3 innings between Zach Rice (NR) and Kolby White (Grassfield). In the top of the first Rice got 3 straight ground ball outs. After a ground out White gave up back to back singles to Travis Johnson and Brandon Lowe before getting a strike out and fly ball out on a diving catch by #24 that saved 2 runs. After a lead off hit in the top of the 2nd by Max Burcham of Grassfield Rice induced a ground ball out between two strike outs. White then gave up a lead off single followed by three consecutive outs. 3rd inning was very similar to the previous two. In the top of the 4th, Dean Lowery of Grassfield lead off with a single. After two consecutive outs Nikolai Ellis took a 1-0 fastball over the left center field fence. In the bottom of the 4th White struck out the lead off hitter, gave up a double to Brandon Savage before retiring the next two batters, 2-0 Grassfield. In the 5th, Rice got two quick ground ball outs but then walked consecutive batters and plunked the fourth to load the bases, however he struckout the next batter to strand three Grassfield runners. NR's Trevor Riggs lead off the 5th with a triple to left center. Riggs scored after the second baseman threw wildly to the plate after cutting off a shallow fly ball out to rightfield. After a second fly ball out, Lowe hit a triple and scored on a Zach Vann single. In the 6th, Trevor Riggs fielded a hard ground ball and threw the runner out at 1st from right field. Rice ended the inning with two strike outs. In the bottom of the 6th, White stuck out the lead off hitter, walked the next hitter and Ryan O'Hara hit a triple to left center that scored Blake Eure, O'Hara then scored on a Riggs double down the left field line which chased White from the game. NR did no further damage, after 6 4-2 NR. In the top of the 7th, Grassfield threatened after two quick outs a walk and back to back singles, however Rice again struck out the last batter to strand 3 base runners for the second time in the game.

Pitching:
NR
Zach Rice W (4-1) 7IP 2R 5H 3BB 9K
Grassfield
Kolby White L 5.1IP 4R 9H 2BB 4K
#9 0.2IP 0R 0H 0BB 0K

Hitting:
Grassfield
Dean Lowery 2-3, run scored
Max Burcham 2-4
Nikolai Ellis 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, run scored

NR
Brandon Lowe 2-3, 3B, run scored
Brandon Savage 2-3, 2B
Trevor Riggs, 2-3, 3B, RBI, run scored
Ryan O'Hara 1-3, 3B, RBI, run scored

Western Branch 4, Lakeland 3 (9 innings) More later!

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Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Western Branch 4, Lakeland 3 (9 innings) More later!

Interesting.

i herd indian river beat great bridge 3-2

actually 2-1, Robert White WP 7 innings. IRJV won 10-6 in 8 innings (Ryan Dickason WP)

quote:

Originally posted by ofs10:
i herd indian river beat great bridge 3-2

Indian river scored 2 in the first with help from a couple of errors. robert white had a no hitter going into the 5th and great bridge scored on a double hit by steven dudley.Than in the 6th great bridge had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and brian beard up and 2-1 count and the runners took off and beard its a line drive to the third baseman,and he catches it and it turns into a triple play.Than great bridge loaded bases in the 7th with 2 outs and popped up to ss. After the first i/river never threatened again off Troy Jones who went 6ip 4 hits 1 earned run with 11k's and no walks to get his 1st lost.

And now the rest of the WB / Lakeland story.

Western Branch scored an unearned run in the second inning. Bobby Barefoot singled to left and scored on an infield error/grounder that made its way into right center field.

Lakeland answered in the top of the third with three unearned runs. R. Jones reached on an infield error, reached second on a sac bunt and came home on R. Stalnaker's double. After a line out, Stalnaker scored on S. McCaw's single. Lilley doubled in Lakeland's third run.

In the top of the seventh, Lakeland threatened to score the go-ahead run. J. Bass singled to left and advanced to second on R. Stalnaker's sac bunt. WB intentionally walked R. Fitzwater to create a force play. S. McCaw flied to center. Tyler Lilley singled to right field (for his fourth hit of the game) and Alex Hunt threw a strike to home (on the fly) catching J. Bass at home for the third out.
WB put its first two runners on in the bottom of the 7th inning via 2 walks, but the home plate umpire called G. Brooks for interference on an attempted bunt. The next two batter popped out to end the threat.

Lakeland threatened again in the ninth. R. Stalnaker singled to left to open the inning. One out later, S. McCaw walked. Tyler Lilley singled to right (for his fifth hit of the game), but Lakeland held the runner at third. With one out and the bases loaded, T. Strange hit the ball hard to third. Matt Roth made a diving stop, got up, touched third and threw a strike to first for the third out. In the bottom of the inning, Matt Roth singled through the 5-6 hole after two outs. G. Brooks doubled to left sending Roth to third. Lakeland intentionally walked K. McPherson to load the bases. S. Johnsonbaugh crushed a ball to right center to score Roth and win the game, 4-3.

Zach Rutherford (WB) - 6 inn, 6H, 3R (0 earned), 2K, 2BB
Shane Johnsonbaugh (WB)- 3 inn, 5H, 2 BB (1 IBB)

Tyler Lilley (L) - 6 inn, 5H, 3R, (2 earned), 8BB
J. Bass (L) - 2.2 inn, 3H, 1R, 1BB

[Hitting:
Grassfield
#2 2-3, run scored
#14 2-4
_____________________

#2 is Dean Lowery
#14 is Max Burcham

Hey Dawg, do you know who the VCU coach was looking at, at the game tonight?

quote:

Originally posted by GF:
Hey Dawg, do you know who the VCU coach was looking at, at the game tonight?

I believe he was there to see Zach Rice pitch.

Curious, anyone know what year Tyler Lilley of Lakeland is? Having 5 hits in a game is an accomplishment and he was Lakeland's pitcher to boot.

WB Reporter: Tyler Lilley is a sophomore. He was hitting 529 coming into last nights game. In his last contest he was 3 for 3 with three RBIs

WB Reporter: Also Lilley drew a walk in his 3 for 3 night.

With tomorrow's contests, I suspect we will see more separation in the district. How many losses will the eventual SED regular season champ have? Two, three or four losses in the district? Conversely, will five losses eliminate a team from the first two spots in the district and require the team to play an extra game at tournament time?
Although will the current SED tournament schedule, not sure if it matters much.