Southeastern District Games: April 2-7 (Week 4)

Understand that Friday's game of Hickory at King's Fork has been moved to Thursday.

Hickory 6 DC 2

Western Branch 3, Nansemond River 1.

The game had all of the tension one expected and a few unusual plays. Nansemond River's only run was scored by the very first batter of the game, Brandon Lowe, who was walked and later scored on a sac fly by Kyle Moore. NR did threaten in the 4th. With one out and runners at second and third, NR was unable to bring a runner home. In all NR left 6 batters on, 5 in scoring position. Nansemond's 5 hits were spread among 5 players, Ty Brown (DB), Zach Vann, Travis Johnson, Kyle Moore and Blake Eure (DB).

Western Branch's first batter of the game also scored. Garrett Brooks reached on a walk and was brought home by Shane Johnsonbaugh's fielder's choice. Western Branch's hitting was not as balanced as NR's. WB's 6 hits were by Kyle McPherson (3-3), Bobby Barefoot (1-3, DB) and Grant Maiorana (2-3). WB's second run was scored in the 3rd. Kyle McPherson lead off with a single, advanced to third on the next play when both the second baseman and right fielder committed errors, and scored on Alex Hunt's fielder's choice. In that same inning, Brandon Lowe (NR) made a nice play on a ball hit to short and threw out the third base runner who took off for home.

WB's third run was scored in the 5th inning, a strange inning. Barefoot led off with a double and was thrown out advancing to third when the next batter, Zach Rutherford, bunted. When Rutherford attempted to steal 2nd, the catcher's throw hit Tyler Brown (NR's pitcher) in the back of the head, allowing Rutherford to advance to 3rd. NR brought the infield in, allowing Grant Maiorana's chip shot to drop in as a single, scoring Rutherford. In all, WB left 6 batters on, 4 in scoring position.

Ryan Bennett picked up the complete game win.


I know that Go Dawgs will provide complete stats.

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:
Hickory 6 DC 2

My source said 7-2.

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:
Hickory 6 DC 2

My source said 7-2.

I was there. It was 7-2. My above post was a typo.

Photos from Western Branch vs Nansemond River

Photo feature

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Western Branch 3, Nansemond River 1.

The game had all of the tension one expected and a few unusual plays. Nansemond River's only run was scored by the very first batter of the game, Brandon Lowe, who was walked and later scored on a sac fly by Kyle Moore. NR did threaten in the 4th. With one out and runners at second and third, NR was unable to bring a runner home. In all NR left 6 batters on, 5 in scoring position. Nansemond's 5 hits were spread among 5 players, Ty Brown (DB), Zach Vann, Travis Johnson, Kyle Moore and Blake Eure (DB).

Western Branch's first batter of the game also scored. Garrett Brooks reached on a walk and was brought home by Shane Johnsonbaugh's fielder's choice. Western Branch's hitting was not as balanced as NR's. WB's 6 hits were by Kyle McPherson (3-3), Bobby Barefoot (1-3, DB) and Grant Maiorana (2-3). WB's second run was scored in the 3rd. Kyle McPherson lead off with a single, advanced to third on the next play when both the second baseman and right fielder committed errors, and scored on Alex Hunt's fielder's choice. In that same inning, Brandon Lowe (NR) made a nice play on a ball hit to short and threw out the third base runner who took off for home.

WB's third run was scored in the 5th inning, a strange inning. Barefoot led off with a double and was thrown out advancing to third when the next batter, Zach Rutherford, bunted. When Rutherford attempted to steal 2nd, the catcher's throw hit Tyler Brown (NR's pitcher) in the back of the head, allowing Rutherford to advance to 3rd. NR brought the infield in, allowing Grant Maiorana's chip shot to drop in as a single, scoring Rutherford. In all, WB left 6 batters on, 4 in scoring position.

Ryan Bennett picked up the complete game win.


I know that Go Dawgs will provide complete stats.

Pitching
NR Tyler Brown (3-1) 6IP 3R 6H 6K 1BB (and one large knot on the back of his head)
WB Ryan Bennett(3-0) 7IP 1R 5H 6K 3BB

Hitting
Nansemond River
Tyler Brown 1-2, 2B
Blake Eure 1-2, 2B

Western Branch
Kyle McPherson 3-3 run scored
Grant Miaorana 2-3 RBI
Bobby Barefoot 1-2, 2B

Great Bridge 8 Oscar Smith 2

troy jones had 14 k' 2bb 4 hits 2 runs in 5 2/3 ip and at one time had 8 k"s in a row to improve to 4-0

quote:

Originally posted by CARDS FAN:
troy jones had 14 k' 2bb 4 hits 2 runs in 5 2/3 ip and at one time had 8 k"s in a row to improve to 4-0

Did anybody else play for Great Bridge?

Per the Pilot, Great Bridge's Austen Owens had 3 hits and Charlie Cody, Dane Smith and Taylor Lane had 2 hits each. Also, per the Pilot, Great Bridge committed no errors. I wonder if they made a middle infield change I had heard was forthcoming, moving the SS to second base and moving a JV player up to play SS while the usual second baseman recovers from injury. Perhaps Luvbaseball,QUADAAAA or Tigers59 will round out the report.

Also, per the Pilot:

Grassfield 1, Lakeland 0

Indian River 13, King's Fork 7 with Milvo 2-3 with 2 triples, 5 rbis and Roger Hall 3-4 with 2 rbis

In what was a contest between pretty evenly matched teams, WB again managed to find a way to win. Bennett went the whole way and recovered from his rocky outing against GB on Friday. NR managed to get its bats on the ball, but couldn't get key hits when it needed them. It wasn't pretty, but WB got the job done.

By playing sound, fundamental baseball and taking advantage of other teams' miscues, WB finds itself 7-0 with one game to go before Spring Break. The game with IR on Thursday should be a good one, but I am looking most forward to the games on Monday, April 16. No. 1 WB vs. a surprising No. 2 Hickory team and NR vs. GB (the loser of that game may find itself on the outside looking in as far the SED regular season title goes). Not sure what game I will attend, but leaning towards NR-GB. It will be interesting to see who GB throws against Nansemond in a week in which GB also has IR and a rematch with Hickory. I know Troy Jones has been their Tuesday starter. Any educated guesses?

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
I wonder if they made a middle infield change I had heard was forthcoming, moving the SS to second base and moving a JV player up to play SS while the usual second baseman recovers from injury. Perhaps Luvbaseball,QUADAAAA or Tigers59 will round out the report.

It doesn't sound like it. Taylor Lane and Dane Smith are the regular SS and 2d basemen.

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Per the Pilot, Great Bridge's Austen Owens had 3 hits and Charlie Cody, Dane Smith and Taylor Lane had 2 hits each. Also, per the Pilot, Great Bridge committed no errors. I wonder if they made a middle infield change I had heard was forthcoming, moving the SS to second base and moving a JV player up to play SS while the usual second baseman recovers from injury. Perhaps Luvbaseball,QUADAAAA or Tigers59 will round out the report.

With 14 of T.Jones 17 outs recorded coming via strikeout, there weren't many opportunities out there for the GB defense to worry about.

Who closed for GB?

quote:

Originally posted by CARDS FAN:
troy jones had 14 k' 2bb 4 hits 2 runs in 5 2/3 ip and at one time had 8 k"s in a row to improve to 4-0

Assuming WB holds serve against the middle and bottom of the district the game against Hickory might just about clinch the title for them if they win.

If that happens the only way they can be caught is if GB or NR win out and they lose to both of them. If GB and NR split they won't get caught.

Troy Jones is putting up big numbers for GB, so it will be interesting to see if they start him over Connor Jones in what might be a game to save the season against NR. I don't think they will.

The GF and IR game is shaping up as a pretty important game since the winner grabs a firm grip on the 5th spot in the district.

Connor is their ace. Troy is putting up numbers against the easier teams.

OSCAR SMITH SCOREKEEPER GAME SUMMARY:

G. Bridge - 3 - 0 - 0 - 4 - 0 - 0 - 1 // 8 - 11 - 0
O. Smith. - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 0 // 2 - 5 - 4
WP: T. Jones (4-0) LP: Loudon (0-3)

The first OS pitch thrown was hit for a line drive base-hit up the middle by Charlie Cody, which was indicative of the difference between the two teams today. Dane Smith followed with a blooper base hit to RF & Brian Beard walked to load the bases. Stephen Dudley then grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, scoring the 1st run. With 2 outs, Conner Jones doubled to right-center which scored D. Smith; then, Austin Owens' RBI single knocked in C. Jones to make it 3-0 going into the bottom of the 1st... and that’s all GB would end up needing.

For the next 5 innings, the story was Troy Jones. He mowed through the Oscar Smith line up & at one point, from the 2nd inning through the first batter of the 6th, he struck out 12 of the 13 batters to walk to the plate. He absolutely had the breaking ball working today and showed the domination he has displayed in the league thus far this year.

He (T. Jones) ran into trouble in the 6th. After a leadoff K (his 14th of the game), OS fought back a little when Stephen Lorkiewicz hit an 0-2 fly ball down the RF line that dropped in for a triple. Jae Damewood followed with a walk; then, Conner Smith hit a line drive base hit to right on the next pitch, driving in the first OS run. After walking David Loudon, Troy Jones was replaced by Cooper Jones. A wild pitch scored Damewood before Thomas Packert grounded sharply back to the mound, getting out at first and Conner Smith was thrown out at home trying to score (a 1-3-2 DP to end the 6th).

Great Bridge scored 4 runs in the 4th as follows: 2-3 groundout, double (A. Owens), E5, 2-run double (T. Lane), 4-3 (should have been 3rd out), RBI double (C. Cody), RBI single (D. Smith), HBP, F7.

GB scored again in the 7th, courtesy of the 4th error of the game (all @ 3B) for OS.

On the other side... Oscar Smith's David Loudon did settle down after the rough 1st inning to allow just 1 more earned run while pitching into the 7th.

Side-Note:
* GB had 2 clutch RBI base-hits with 2 outs both in the 1st & in the 4th innings.... 5 of their 8 runs came with 2 outs.

G.BRIDGE:
C. Cody: 2-4, 2B, 2R, RBI
(DH)D. Smith: 2-4, R, RBI, SB
B. Beard: 0-2, BB, HBP
S. Dudley: 1-4
Con. Jones: 1-3, 2B, R, RBI
A. Owens: 3-4, R, RBI
K. Matthews: 0-4, R
(2B)T. Lane: 2-3, R, 3RBI, HBP
(SS)C. Higgerson: 0-3
-----------------------------
Troy Jones: 5.1 IP, 4H, 2ER, 2BB, 14K
Cooper Jones: 1.2 IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 1K

O. SMITH:
S. Lorkiewicz ('12): 1-3, 3B, R
J. Damewood ('14): 1-2, R, BB, SB
C. Smith ('13): 1-3, RBI
T. Packert ('15): 1-3 / 1 IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, 1HBP
M. Grawey ('15): 1-3
------------------------------
D. Loudon ('13): 6 IP, 10H, 8R, 4ER, 1BB, 1K, 1HBP

Luv, I am waiting for your undefeated prediction that you tagged the 2011 WB team with last year. Heard the odds are 40-1 in Vegas?

Also heard that defense played another role in WB's win last night. Two double plays including a game ending double play that erased WB's only error of the game and ended NR's threat to tie the game. Must have been a good game between two good teams

Sounds like WB has a good combination of hitting, pitching and defense.

According to '59Tiger, Higgerson batted and played short, T.Lane batted and played second while D.Smith was the dh. I guess GB did make the change to their infield.

quote:

Originally posted by El gato:
Luv, I am waiting for your undefeated prediction that you tagged the 2011 WB team with last year. Heard the odds are 40-1 in Vegas?

Also heard that defense played another role in WB's win last night. Two double plays including a game ending double play that erased WB's only error of the game and ended NR's threat to tie the game. Must have been a good game between two good teams

Sounds like WB has a good combination of hitting, pitching and defense.

I think there is a looooong way to go. Based on my observations regarding the district race thus far, and how things may evolve going forward, I believe...

* Great Bridge will be consistently better in the last few weeks than they have been in the first few
* Hickory will be a stubborn contender throughout
* Western Branch, while talented, is young and will pull back to the pack. (they have been good, while also having some good fortune)
* Nansemond River's sleepy bats will awaken and their talent will ultimately win out

quote:

Originally posted by El gato:
Luv, I am waiting for your undefeated prediction that you tagged the 2011 WB team with last year. Heard the odds are 40-1 in Vegas?

Also heard that defense played another role in WB's win last night. Two double plays including a game ending double play that erased WB's only error of the game and ended NR's threat to tie the game. Must have been a good game between two good teams

Sounds like WB has a good combination of hitting, pitching and defense.

Learned my lesson. I don't think they'll go undefeated but if Hickory doesn't beat them I don't think they'll lose more than twice in the second half.

I actually think WB was one of the top 6-7 teams in the state last year and had they gotten out of the district would have been as good a bet to win the State as either GB or NR was.

In the end no surprise that it's another talented well coached edition of Bruins.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoHeels:

I think there is a looooong way to go. Based on my observations regarding the district race thus far, and how things may evolve going forward, I believe...

* Western Branch, while talented, is young and will pull back to the pack. (they have been good, while also having some good fortune)

I am curious if you think WB will lose to anyone beside Hickory, NR or GB?

Way too early to predict who will win or who will lose. Any of the top SED teams can beat another top SED team on a given night. Just depends on who shows up, and who minimizes their errors or mistakes. The teams are that closely matched.

As far as last year, any of the top 3 teams in the SED could have competed for the state title. The same will happen this year. With only two teams advancing to regionals, another deserving team (or teams) will be eliminated at tournament time.

Great pics!

quote:

Originally posted by wgarlick:
Photos from Western Branch vs Nansemond River

Photo feature

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoHeels:

I think there is a looooong way to go. Based on my observations regarding the district race thus far, and how things may evolve going forward, I believe...

* Western Branch, while talented, is young and will pull back to the pack. (they have been good, while also having some good fortune)

I am curious if you think WB will lose to anyone beside Hickory, NR or GB?

I'm not going to predict whether or not WB will lose to someone other than the three that were mentioned. I do think it's as likely as not, that they could win or lose any of the four remaining games against that bunch. I also know that games are played on the field, and an Indian River, Oscar Smith, or Grassfield, on a given day could play out of their minds, while WB (or anyone for that matter) has an off night.

Also, while the target may have been squarely on another teams' back going into the season, Western Branch has played themselves into the position of the hunted. Being young, their mental makeup will play a key factor in determining their success over the remainder of the year. For all of the above reasons, I believe they will come back to the pack, and others will rise to the occasion.

To be clear, I am not suggesting that they lose a bunch of games. They are a very talented and well coached team. I am suggesting, however, that the others right behind them are as good, at a minimum, and over the course of a full season, that will work itself out.

Then again, and just noticed, Western Branch just cracked the recent Perfect Game Top 50. They come in at No. 45 nationally. Its a nice recognition!

Any stats/info on the GF-Lakeland game?

quote:

Originally posted by El gato:With only two [SED] teams advancing to regionals, another deserving team (or teams) will be eliminated at tournament time.

At a September 2011 meeting of the Eastern Virginia Athletic Directors Association, all members were "encouraged to discuss Dr. Robertson’s, Eastern Region Chairman, proposal to expand the playoffs in baseball, softball, and s****r to twelve teams with their districts before the next region meeting." Anyone know anything more re the proposal to expand the Eastern Region baseball playoffs to twelve teams? (The Northern Region has used a 16-team playoff at least the past couple of years.)

Well you don't become 7-0 just because. The sad thing is those kids haven't played their best baseball just yet. Certain kids have come through in big situations. Just wait until all nine wake up one game. If that happens watch out!

quote:

Originally posted by GoHeels:
Then again, and just noticed, Western Branch just cracked the recent Perfect Game Top 50. They come in at No. 45 nationally. Its a nice recognition!

Well let me tell you this, other teams that WB has played so far this year have had plenty of chances to score runs and they couldn't so what good fortune are you talking about. You don't have to be curious about them losing because the only other team they haven't played is Indian River and Hickory. GB and NR had chances to blow out the game and couldn't get it done. 7-0 speaks for itself.

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoHeels:

I think there is a looooong way to go. Based on my observations regarding the district race thus far, and how things may evolve going forward, I believe...

* Western Branch, while talented, is young and will pull back to the pack. (they have been good, while also having some good fortune)

I am curious if you think WB will lose to anyone beside Hickory, NR or GB?

WB Reporter,
Your comments on Dr. Robinson's proposal for expanded Spring sports is more than worthy of it's own topic ! Please start one and perhaps this will get some interest going for future Eastern Region baseball teams that could benefit from this becoming a reality. Thanks !

Western Branch 6, Indian River 3.

After the first IR batter of the game led off with a hit, Shane Johnsonbaugh, pitching for WB, set the next 15 batters in order, throwing approximately 44 pitches in 5 innings.

WB scored one run in each of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd innings and threatened to break it open in the 5th when WB scored 3 runs making it 6-0 at the end of 5 innings. Then the IR bats came alive. The first 4 IR batters of the 6th inning reached on hits but only 1 crossed the plate. With bases loaded and no outs, Johnsonbaugh retired the next three batters (3-hole - 5-hole), leaving the bases loaded. Score was 6-1 at the end of 6. IR continued their hitting campaign in the top of the 7th. Again, the first 4 batters reached base (a BB and 3 consecutive hits) and scored 2 runs. The top of the order came to the plate with no outs but Brooks, who had come to the mound to face the 4th batter of the inning, retired the top of the order to end the game.

WB's usual hitters (McPherson, Barefoot and Maiorana) went hitless. All other WB batters had at least one hit - Brooks (S), Johnsonbaugh (S), Hunt (2-2, S, DB), Rutherford (2-3, S, DB), Beagle (2-3 in what may have been his first varsity appearance) and Roth (DB).

IR's hitting attack was also well balanced. Sorry, I don't have all of the names. #18 (2-4), Milvo (nice bunt single), Montes (DB), #4 (2-3), and #25 (2-3).

Hickory over Kings Fork 12-0

Oscar Smith 3R 4H 3E 6LOB
Nansemond River 9R 10H 0E 6LOB

A 2-2 game through 4 innings before NR broke it open with a 7-run 5th inning. Zach Rice was not sharp in the 1st when OS's Stephen Lorkiewicz opened the game with a walk, moved to second on a sac bunt and then took third on a passed ball. He scored on a groundball out to 2B by Connor Smith. David Loudon followed with a single and he scored after a walk, hit batter and the 3rd walk of the inning. NR got 2 in the 3rd when Ryan O'Hara led off with a HR to left field. Brandon Lowe followed with a single and TY Brown hit what looked to be a sure double play ball to SS however the 2B made an errant throw to 1B allowing Brown to advance all the way to 3B. Brown then scored on another errant throw back into the infield.

Rice settled down in the 2nd through 4th innings holding OS scoreless until the 5th when they scored after a Smith single up the middle, stolen base and move to 3B on a passed ball. Smith then scored on a Loudon sac fly to center. In the bottom half of the frame NR broke it open with a Brown single, Hit batter and a Kyle Moore bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Starting pitcher Thomas Packert was then lifted. Travis Johnson hit a sac fly scoring Brown. Blake Eure followed with a two run double. After a flyout to CF the next batter was hit and OS changed pitcher's again. The rest of the inning went BB, HBP, 1B, 1B before the last out was made making it 9-3.

NR Pitching
Zach Rice (3-0) 5IP 3R 3H 6K 5BB (3 in the 1st inning)
Colin O'Brien 1IP 0R 1H 2K 0BB
Travis Johnson 1IP 0R 0H 1K 0BB

OS Pitching
Thomas Packert L 4IP 5R 7H 4K 3BB
Jarrett McNeil 0.2IP 2R 1H 0K 0BB
Chris Scianna 1IP 2R 2H 1K 1BB
Corbin Tanner 0.1IP 0R 0H 1K 0BB

NR Hitting
Brandon Lowe 2-3, 2B, RBI, run scored
Tyler Brown 2-3 RBI 2 runs scored
Blake Eure 1-3, 2B, 2RBI, run scored
Ryan O'Hara 1-1, HR, RBI, run scored

OS Hitting
Remington Johnson 2-2, RBI
Connor Smith 1-4 RBI, run scored
David Loudon 1-2 RBI, run scored

quote:

Originally posted by nrbb07:
Well let me tell you this, other teams that WB has played so far this year have had plenty of chances to score runs and they couldn't so what good fortune are you talking about. You don't have to be curious about them losing because the only other team they haven't played is Indian River and Hickory. GB and NR had chances to blow out the game and couldn't get it done. 7-0 speaks for itself.

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoHeels:
They are 7-0 and have played very sound baseball but in the great bridge game if the ump had not blown call at plate they would have 1 lost. However the call went there way and they fought out a tough win and and on a roll.
I think there is a looooong way to go. Based on my observations regarding the district race thus far, and how things may evolve going forward, I believe...

* Western Branch, while talented, is young and will pull back to the pack. (they have been good, while also having some good fortune)

I am curious if you think WB will lose to anyone beside Hickory, NR or GB?

You are correct that was Beagle's first varsity appearance.

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Western Branch 6, Indian River 3.

After the first IR batter of the game led off with a hit, Shane Johnsonbaugh, pitching for WB, set the next 15 batters in order, throwing approximately 44 pitches in 5 innings.

WB scored one run in each of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd innings and threatened to break it open in the 5th when WB scored 3 runs making it 6-0 at the end of 5 innings. Then the IR bats came alive. The first 4 IR batters of the 6th inning reached on hits but only 1 crossed the plate. With bases loaded and no outs, Johnsonbaugh retired the next three batters (3-hole - 5-hole), leaving the bases loaded. Score was 6-1 at the end of 6. IR continued their hitting campaign in the top of the 7th. Again, the first 4 batters reached base (a BB and 3 consecutive hits) and scored 2 runs. The top of the order came to the plate with no outs but Brooks, who had come to the mound to face the 4th batter of the inning, retired the top of the order to end the game.

WB's usual hitters (McPherson, Barefoot and Maiorana) went hitless. All other WB batters had at least one hit - Brooks (S), Johnsonbaugh (S), Hunt (2-2, S, DB), Rutherford (2-3, S, DB), Beagle (2-3 in what may have been his first varsity appearance) and Roth (DB).

IR's hitting attack was also well balanced. Sorry, I don't have all of the names. #18 (2-4), Milvo (nice bunt single), Montes (DB), #4 (2-3), and #25 (2-3).

quote:

Originally posted by nrbb07:
Well let me tell you this, other teams that WB has played so far this year have had plenty of chances to score runs and they couldn't so what good fortune are you talking about. You don't have to be curious about them losing because the only other team they haven't played is Indian River and Hickory. GB and NR had chances to blow out the game and couldn't get it done. 7-0 speaks for itself.

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoHeels:

I think there is a looooong way to go. Based on my observations regarding the district race thus far, and how things may evolve going forward, I believe...

* Western Branch, while talented, is young and will pull back to the pack. (they have been good, while also having some good fortune)

I am curious if you think WB will lose to anyone beside Hickory, NR or GB?

I think it would have been beneficial to have read the entire thread before commenting. I think your posture would be different if you had done so. Otherwise, they are 7-0, and a fine ball club as has been previously mentioned several times, apparently unbeknownst to you.