Southeastern District Games: May 7-13 (Week 8)

Great Bridge 4, Lakeland 2

Hickory 14 Deep Creek 3

Great Bridge 4, Lakeland 2
GB 4R, 8H, 0E
L 2R, 8H, 3E

Pitching Lines:
GB
T.Jones 5 2/3 IP, 7H, 0BB, 7K, 2ER
B.Cristelli 1 1/3 IP, 1H, 2BB, 0K, 0ER

Lakeland
#18 6 IP, 7H, 1BB, 0HBP, 3K, 4R, 2ER
#21 1 IP, 1H, 0BB, 2HBP, 0K, 0ER

Batting Lines
GB
D.Smith 2-4, 2B
C.Cody, 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 Runs
T.Lane 3-4
K.Matthews 1-2, BB

Lakeland
T.Lilley 1-3, BB
R.Fitzwater 1-4
J.Bass 1-3
R.Jones 1-3, run
C.Bennett 3-3 2B, run scored, rbi
T.Strange 1-3, 2B, rbi

GB scored 2 runs in the third on D.Smith's double followed by C.Cody's HR. Lakeland came back with 1 run in the bottom of the third on a single by T.Lilley and an rbi double by T.Strange.

In the top of the 5th, GB scored 2 unearned runs on consecutive e4, e6, e5 and a single by T.Lane. Again, Lakeland answered with a solo run in their half of the inning with a single by R.Jones and an rbi double by C.Bennett.

Lakeland had 2 other opportunities to score but could not get the runners across the plate. In the 6th inning, they had a single (Lilley), single (Fitzwater), K, followed by a single (Bass). The last single was to rf, where Con.Jones threw home and GB caught the runner in a rundown. C.Cody, the third baseman applied the tag at home plate for the out.

In the seventh inning, Bennett had a one out single and stole second. Strange then hit a chopper toward third that hit Bennett in the foot as he approached third. If this ball does not hit him in the foot, Bennett socres easily for the third run. As it turned out, this was the second out. Lakeland then got 2 BB's to load the bases but could not score.

My compliments to Lakeland for a very competitive game and good starting pitching by both teams.

Thanks to ofs10 for the Lakeland names.

#18 Tyler Lilley
#21 Jared Bass
#10 Robert Fitzwater
#3 Randall Jones
#8 Colby Bennett
#24 Tyler Strange

It will be interesting who the top SS will be in the SED this year. Hard choice for the coaches to make. Matt Campbell is as good as they get. Made two great Jeteresque plays tonight against Deep Creek. Would love to be a fly on the wall during that All Conference discussion.

Tyler Best has to be considered as one if not the best 2d Basemen. Hands down the best double play tandem in the SED.

Not sure I agree they are "hands down the best DP tandem" the Nansemond River tandem of Tyler Brown and Brandon Lowe are every bit as good. It will be hard to ignore Lowe who has had 1 error all year, hits for average and power. Undoubtedly the most difficult decision to make at any position in the SED this year.

quote:

Originally posted by mathews41:
It will be interesting who the top SS will be in the SED this year. Hard choice for the coaches to make. Matt Campbell is as good as they get. Made two gretat Jeteresque plays tonight against Deep Creek. Would love to be a fly on the wall during that All Conference discussion.

Tyler Best has to be considered as one if not the best 2d Basemen. Hands down the best double play tandem in the SED.

Although I'm bias....I completely agree.

quote:

Originally posted by Go Dawgs:
Not sure I agree they are "hands down the best DP tandem" the Nansemond River tandem of Tyler Brown and Brandon Lowe are every bit as good. It will be hard to ignore Lowe who has had 1 error all year, hits for average and power. Undoubtedly the most difficult decision to make at any position in the SED this year.

Both 2B's are good but I think Best is clearly better than Brown. IMO, I don't think is is close. Best is going to college to play INF an Brown is going to pitch. There isn't a 2B in the area who turns a DP better than Ty Best.

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:

quote:

Originally posted by Go Dawgs:
Not sure I agree they are "hands down the best DP tandem" the Nansemond River tandem of Tyler Brown and Brandon Lowe are every bit as good. It will be hard to ignore Lowe who has had 1 error all year, hits for average and power. Undoubtedly the most difficult decision to make at any position in the SED this year.

Both 2B's are good but I think Best is clearly better than Brown. IMO, I don't think is is close. Best is going to college to play INF an Brown is going to pitch. There isn't a 2B in the area who turns a DP better than Ty Best.

I thought the statement was concerning double play tandem which would include the SS. I haven't seen one better than Brandon Lowe this year.... but then again I'm biased as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Go Dawgs:

I thought the statement was concerning double play tandem which would include the SS. I haven't seen one better than Brandon Lowe this year.... but then again I'm biased as well.

I don't think you can go wrong with either SS. They are both studs.

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:

I don't think you can go wrong with either SS. They are both studs.

A very difficult choice to make for 1st team all-district.

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:

quote:

Originally posted by Go Dawgs:

I thought the statement was concerning double play tandem which would include the SS. I haven't seen one better than Brandon Lowe this year.... but then again I'm biased as well.

I don't think you can go wrong with either SS. They are both studs.

That was my point...and why I would love to be a fly on that wall during that discussion. Not changing my opinion though about who is the best DP tandem is. I am biased as well.

quote:

Originally posted by mathews41:
It will be interesting who the top SS will be in the SED this year. Hard choice for the coaches to make. Matt Campbell is as good as they get. Made two great Jeteresque plays tonight against Deep Creek. Would love to be a fly on the wall during that All Conference discussion.

Tyler Best has to be considered as one if not the best 2d Basemen. Hands down the best double play tandem in the SED.

I can only go by what I have seen on the field during the spring season. As such, Best has looked to be very good at 2nd, but not far and away better than TY Brown. That is quite arguable. Again, within the confines of the spring baseball season.

Regarding the shortstop, Lowe gets the nod. When you overhear opposing players, from different programs, suggest "he's the best hitter in the district", and these guys are D1 players themselves...I'll let his peers speak to his ability. As GoDawgs has mentioned, one error all season long defensively, as well.

Campbell and McPherson are also wonderful players, and deserve plenty of recognition.

Man, three ACC shortstops in the same district. That's doesn't happen everyday!

When comparing Lowe an Campbell, please understand it is splitting hairs. I've coached them both the last 3 years.

As for Best and Brown, if you wanna talk offense, Best has had the better year. Just perusing through the game recaps of NR, Brown hasn't hit nearly as well as Best. I've been to 5-6 games of Hickory's and Best has hit VERY well in every game. I think the degree of separation at 2B is pretty significant. Put them on the mound and the nod goes to Brown, though.

I agree with redbird, comparing Campbell and Lowe is splitting hairs but will say i've seen them both at least 5 times this season and I think teams where not afraid to pitch to or challenge Lowe earlyer in the season and knowbody purposely challenges Campbell. both great player with bright futures. As for Best and Brown, again agree with redbird but Brown is exciting to watch, at 2b or on the mound, kid is 110% at all times and what a awesome arm.

With two games remaining it sounds like its time for a separate thread discussing all district players.

QuadAAAA In the Lakeland game last night. Bennett gets hit by batted ball advancing to third(Dead Ball) Should T. Strange be awarded a single for the hit?

bleedingblue,

He does indeed get credit for a hit.

quote:

Originally posted by playright:
I agree with redbird, comparing Campbell and Lowe is splitting hairs but will say i've seen them both at least 5 times this season and I think teams where not afraid to pitch to or challenge Lowe earlyer in the season and knowbody purposely challenges Campbell.

In the early part of the season (games prior to spring break) Lowe was hitting over .500. So three cheers to the teams that are not afraid to pitch to him and here's hoping they challenge him more often down the stretch!

Lowe should get the most votes. He is a constent threat at the plate and can get to any ground ball hit to him. Not taking anything away from Campbell, but the times I've seen him, balls eat him up. Lowe brings a number of tools to the plate thats why he is challenged so much. If you know you can get a kid out then there is no need to challenge him. Lowe just seems to see things play out before they happen and he is always in the right position to make a play. He'd get my vote if I was sitting in that room.

Is the Tournament going to be at Nansemond River this year?

Yes.

quote:

Originally posted by IR12:
Is the Tournament going to be at Nansemond River this year?

OS 7 NR 4

quote:

Originally posted by nrbb07:
****Not taking anything away from Campbell, but the times I've seen him, balls eat him up. ****

???? I've been watching him for 3 years and have never seen balls "eat him up". He consistently makes plays that most shortstops wouldn't get to.

Western Branch 4, Indian River 2

More after dinner. Things all tied up in the SED?

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Western Branch 4, Indian River 2

More after dinner. Things all tied up in the SED?

Waiting on results of KF and Hickory.

quote:

Originally posted by Go Dawgs:
OS 7 NR 4

Is that a final?

Hickory 18 Kings Fork 11.

Great Bridge 7 Grassfield 2

I was not able to keep full stats but the star of the game for GB was C.Cody who was 5-5 including 2 homeruns, 2 doubles and a single.
B.Beard 2-5
A.Owens 2-4
K.Matthews 1-3
Con.Jones 2-3
L.Harrelson 1-2

GF:
K.Saladay 2-4
D.Lowery 2-2

Pitching:
GB
Con.Jones 6 IP, 6H, 5K, 1BB, 2HBP 2R
S.Beinlein 1 IP, 1H, 0K, 2BB, 0R

GF
C.White 4 IP, 8H, 4K, 1BB, 2 HBP
A.Ovalle 3 IP, 3H, 0K, 0BB

GF-can you add more?

I will leave details to '59Tiger, but the story of the game was David Loudon who came in relief in the 3rd down 4-0 and shut it down giving up 2 hits over the last 5 innings. OS fought and scratched scoring 1 in the bottom of the 3rd and 6 in the bottom of the 5th. Jae Dame wood with a 2RBI single, Stephen Lorkiewicz with a 2RBI double and Connor Smith with a 2RBI single.

Amazing run for OS at the end of the season beating GB and NR. OS is one game out of a playoff spot with one game to go.

A 3 way tie for first with one game to go.
Huge game on Thursday for Hickory and WB.

quote:

Originally posted by Diamond Stalker:

quote:

Originally posted by nrbb07:
****Not taking anything away from Campbell, but the times I've seen him, balls eat him up. ****

???? I've been watching him for 3 years and have never seen balls "eat him up". He consistently makes plays that most shortstops wouldn't get to.

I've coached him for 3 years and have yet to see a ball eat him up.

quote:

Originally posted by mathews41:
Hickory 18 Kings Fork 11.

Any idea who pitched for Hickory? That 11 concerns me.

quote:

Originally posted by QuadAAAA:
Amazing run for OS at the end of the season beating GB and NR. OS is one game out of a playoff spot with one game to go.

A 3 way tie for first with one game to go.
Huge game on Thursday for Hickory and WB.

Brings up a number of playoff scenarios. If Oscar Smith beats Indian River and Grassfield loses to Deep Creek, GF and OS would be tied for that last playoff spot and I am guessing there would be a playoff game for the spot.

If Great Bridge beats Nansemond River, the winner of the Western Branch / Hickory game claims the Southeastern District regular season championship and Nansemond River and the loser of the Western Branch / Hickory game would be tied for second place. In the previous 4-team playoff, it didn't matter. But now, the second seed gets a bye. So would the teams tied for second place play an extra game to determine who would not have to play an extra game (i.e., the third versus sixth place playoff game)?

AND, if Nansemond River beats Great Bridge, Nansemond River and the winner of the Hickory / Western Branch game would be Co-District Champions and would have a playoff game to determine who gets the automatic berth to the Eastern Regionals.

What we do know is that Great Bridge is locked into 4th place (and hence the rumor they are not playing to win on Friday) and Indian River is locked into the 5th place.

Egads. I am beginning to sound like Diamond Stalker and El Gato.

It was the Shane Johnsonbaugh story tonight. The senior pitcher/outfielder was 3 for 4
with 3 rbis and pitched a complete game 1 hitter (although the IR scoreboard showed two hits). WB got on the board first in the top of the first inning. G. Brooks led off with a single, advanced to second on K. McPherson's sac bunt and scored on S. Johnsonbaugh's first hit of the night.
WB added three more in the second. With one out Z. Rutherford singled, advanced to second and scored on an infield error. After two walks to G. Brooks and K. McPherson, Johnsonbaugh singled again, driving in two more runs. WB would not score again as Roger Hall and Rob White limited the Bruins to three hits during the remaining five innings.

IR scored in the bottom of third. D. Redd walked with one out. After a fly out and a walk, N. Milvo singled, driving in Redd. On the play, Inskeep, who had walked, was thrown out at third base by a throw directly from Brooks playing center field (8-5).

IR made the game very interesting in the seventh. A.J. Hunt reached on an infield error, as did I. Montes. With one out and runners at second and third, R. White flew out to center field, scoring A.J. Hunt, but Montes was thrown out at third base for the final out of the game, 8-2-5.
Final score - WB 4, IR -2.

WB hitters:
B. Brooks 1-2, 2 BB, 2 runs
S. Johnsonbaugh 3-4, 3 rbis
B. Barefoot 1-4
Z. Rutherford 1-3, 1 run
G. Maiorana 1-3

IR hitters:
N. Milvo 1-3, 1 rbi
R. White 0-2, 1 rbi
D. Redd 0-1, BB, 1 run

WP - S. Johnsonbaugh
LP - I. Montes

no dog in this Hunt, but Balls eating up Campbell?? come on man, UNC bound, he's that good, he's a game changer, I saw him last year during spring break and he hit a BOMB into the wind at FC, yea, he's that good, come on man, be grateful u see him every year, he's special,

Lakeland 5, Deep Creek 2.

I didn't say the kid was awful, I just stated that I thought Lowe was better. Yes, the kid is going to UNC and has talent, but I've seen balls hit to him in pre-game and game situations that he simply miss played. Lowe and Campbell are both great shortstops, but my vote goes Lowe.

quote:

Originally posted by Pilots81:
no dog in this Hunt, but Balls eating up Campbell?? come on man, UNC bound, he's that good, he's a game changer, I saw him last year during spring break and he hit a BOMB into the wind at FC, yea, he's that good, come on man, be grateful u see him every year, he's special,

OSCAR SMITH SCOREKEEPER GAME SUMMARY:
*Unbelievable comeback win against a VERY talented Southeastern District opponent …
Ranked #1 in the area, and totally deserving of that designation!*

NR: 3 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 // 4 - 7 - 4
OS: 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 6 - 0 - X // 7 - 5 - 2
WP: Loudon (2-5) LP: Moore
HR: Travis Johnson (NR)

TOP of 1: Nansemond River came out with the gas pedal down as the 2nd batter of the game, Travis Johnson, hit a solo HR to left, followed by a Brandon Lowe single and a Zach Vann double. After a strikeout for the 2nd out, Brandon Savage bunts up the 3B line for an RBI hit; then, Blake Eure hits a towering fly to shallow left that the LF calls for immediately (although it should have been the SS's ball) but never gets there... the ball drops and scores the 3rd run for NR.

TOP of 2: Trevor Riggs, from the 9-hole, walks to lead off the inning; steals 2B & 3B; then scores on a sac fly by Johnson... 4-0 NR after 2.

TOP of 3: Starting pitcher Jarrett McNeil is replaced by David Loudon. Savage, the first batter he faces, gets a base-hit; but, no further damage in the inning.

BOTTOM of 3: After the first 8 batters of the game go down in order to start the game for Oscar Smith, Daniel Barnett walks & steals 2B. Jae Damewood then strokes an RBI single to center to put OS on the board... 4-1 after 3.

BOTTOM of 5 (The big one): After a leadoff 4-3 out, Thomas Packert attempts to bunt for a hit. The ball is popped into the air but directly between the 3rd baseman and the pitcher. After a split-second confusion of who was going to grab the ball, the 3rd baseman grabs and throws on the run low; the ball isn't picked and Packert reaches. The catcher tries to back-pick Packert, but throws it into RF, moving him to 2B. After a full-count walk by Tyler Ennis, Daniel Barnett lays down a beautiful bunt up the 3B line for a hit to load the bases.

Jae Damewood then lines a base-hit over the 1st baseman's head, scoring 2, and leaving runners at 1st & 3rd... score 4-3 NR.

After Damewood steals 2B, David Loudon falls behind 1-2; but, is hit by the 4th pitch to load the bases for Stephen Lorkiewicz (the best 2B in the SED no one wants to recognize).

Lorkiewicz drives a ball to the fence in left-center for a go-ahead 2-run double (RBIs 20 & 21 on the season). Kyle Moore is then replaced on the mound by Travis Johnson... score 5-4 OS.

On the first pitch from Johnson, Conner Smith laces a line-drive to CF scoring Loudon & Lorkiewicz... score 7-4 OS.

TOP of 6: Pinch-hitter Colin O'Brien hits a leadoff double and is balked to 3B. Nonetheless, Riggs, Tyler Brown & Johnson all pop-up in the infield for outs, stranding O'Brien at 3B.

TOP of 7: Lowe walks to lead-off the inning; then, Vann reaches on an E6, putting runners at 1st & 2nd for Kyle Moore. Loudon gets him to swing up and out of the zone for strike 3 & out 1. Loudon then strikes out Savage on a breaking ball for out 2. Eure follows with a towering fly in the infield that SS Packert squeezes to end the game.

In the end, relief pitcher Loudon was the story, as he kept NR off-balance for the final 5 innings of the game.

OSCAR SMITH:
Damewood: 2-3, R, 3 RB, SB (Note: In 1st AB, hit a line-drive that NR’s SS Brandon Lowe got parallel and caught for an AWESOME 1st out! From my viewpoint... 1st Team SED SS caliber material? Yes!)
Loudon: 0-2, R, HBP
Lorkiewicz: 1-3, 2B, R, 2RBI
Conner Smith: 1-3, 2RBI
Johnston: 0-3
McNeil: 0-3
Packert: 0-3, R
Tyler Ennis: 0-1, R, BB
Barnett: 1-1, 2R, BB, SB
-----------------------------
McNeill: 2 IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 2K
Loudon: 5 IP, 2H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 4K

NANSEMOND RIVER:
Tyler Brown: 0-4
Travis Johnson: 1-3, HR, R, 2RBI, SF
Lowe: 1-2, R, 2BB
Vann: 2-4, 2B, R
Moore: 0-4
Savage: 1-4, RBI
Eure: 1-4, 2B, RBI
O'Hara: 0-2
O'Brien: 1-1, 2B
Riggs: 0-2, R, BB, 2SB
-----------------------------
Moore: 4.1 IP, 4H, 7R, 6ER, 2BB, 4K, 1HBP
Johnson: 1.2 IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1K