Southeastern District Playoffs: May 14-23 (Weeks 9 & 10)

IR and GB look to have the hardest road to the 2nd spot here.

They play each other then the winner of WB/NR and will get one of those or Hickory in the final. They will need a three game sweep to get there and that looks pretty steep.

Hickory should get past GF and it will be interesting to see if they save Blake for the loser of NR/WB.

Should be another great week of games.

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
Hickory should get past GF and it will be interesting to see if they save Blake for the loser of NR/WB.

Be careful. If I remember correctly, Hickory had to score runs in the 7th to tie Grassfield in their most recent meeting and beat them by (only) 2 in 8 innings. Wasn't the first game also close, at least for a bit?

The weather forecast shows a lot of thunderstorms. I hope that doesn't wreck havoc with the schedule.

Yup, Hickory had to come back against Grassfield both times. Tough games with some luck involved.

True but with the stuff happening there I am not sure GF is the same team it was earlier in the season. Just past the half way mark of the season they were 6-6 in the district and finished 7-11. Maybe they pull it together for a big effort. I still think Hickory finds a way and of all the games that will be played at the tournament this might be the only game with a true favorite.

Nansemond River and Western Branch postponed until tomorrow.

The Western Branch / Nansemond River game has been moved to Great Bridge High School tonight.

WB,
Is the change in locations strictly due to DC's field being too wet?

Yes. No Tarp and to much rain.

Game time is moved to 6:30.

Postponed. Try it again tomorrow.

Per the Western Branch Baseball website, the Nansemond River / Western Branch game to determine the Eastern Regional automatic berth will be played tonight at Great Bridge High School at 6:30.

That information is correct. 6:30 at GB

Any news on the game?

n/river 7-3 western branch played very sloppy

Thanks Cards,
I expected a better game than that. It seems though, that Nansemond is getting better as the season goes on. They'll be tough to beat.

Uncharacteristically sloppy moments for both teams in the game. Of the 10 runs scored I believe 2 or 3 were earned. Difference was NR's ability to capitalize on WB's mistakes with key hits, while WB left 5 runners in scoring position.

quote:

Originally posted by Go Dawgs:
Uncharacteristically sloppy moments for both teams in the game. Of the 10 runs scored I believe 2 or 3 were earned. Difference was NR's ability to capitalize on WB's mistakes with key hits, while WB left 5 runners in scoring position.

Both clubs' intensity level was there, but it never fails...you get postponed twice, and have to practice indoors, then come out and play in windy, wet, and overcast conditions. I don't know why, but it happens all the time. I noticed some of the same sentiment in the James River/Cosby thread.

I agree with go dawgs and diamond stalker. Defensively both teams had errors, but we did just have 3 days of rain. Timely hitting and the ability to cash in on W. Branchs mistakes was the game breaker. I do think that the pitchers for both teams did well

Awful game, NR did what they had to do when they got runners in scoring position. WB left 5 on in key situations when a hit was needed. Defensive side of the ball was ugly for both teams. Just happened to sink WB and I believe it all happened with 2 outs. No matter who your pulling for you got to give credit where it is due. When NR got hits, they destroyed the baseball. Say their is no collapse in the 5th the outcome may have gone either way by a run or so. On to the tourney we go!!!! Lots of baseball left to be played.

So now that NR is in who gets the 2nd spot? WB and Hickory have been solid all year. GB is capable but inconsistent. IR has been getting better all year while GF faded at the end. I think if Hickory gets past GF then it will be the winner of the WB v Hickory contest. If Hickory loses then WB has the best shot outright.

GB is capable with Troy Jones and Conner Jones!wether they win or not i dont know!Nasemond River also has a good 1 and 2 combo with Zack Rice and Tyler Brown!Never count Indian River out with there Hitting!It's Tournament time so u never know Grassfield was leading Hickory both times!The Indian River vs. Great Bridge Game was 2-1 last time!Personally i think Nansemond River and Western Branch are the best teams but u never know!

Any news on the Hickory / Grassfield game?

Hickory 6 Grassfoeld 1

Yup. Just heard from my son. Connor Eason pitched the first 4, then Spenser Carter came in for the remainder. Looks like they'll have Ryan Blake for next game.

GB 1 IR 0

Charlie Cody with a solo HR

is this a final?

Yep

IR vs. GB

IR 0R, 3H, 1E
GB 1R, 3H, 0E

Pitching Lines:
IR
R.White 6IP, 3H, 3BB, 4K, 1R

GB
Con.Jones 7IP, 3H, 1BB, 1HBP, 10K, 0R

Hitting Lines
IR:
#7 1-3
R.White 1-3
#26 1-2

GB:
C.Cody, 1-3, HR
B.Beard 1-2, BB
K.Mathews 1-2, 2B

IR had all 5 of their runners on base in the first 3 innings but some strikeouts and a double play prevented any runs from scoring. R.White held GB to one hit through 5 innings by mixing a nice fastball and curveball. White faced the minimum 9 batters through innings 3-5. In the 6th inning, GB socred their lone run on a one out solo HR by C.Cody. Connor Jones retired the last 13 batters in route to the win.

Defensive play of the game was on the first batter of the game. The ball was hit hard down the line by the IR leadoff hitter. C.Cody dove towards the line at 3rd, knocked the ball down and from behind the bag, threw the runner out from his knees.

Very clean defensive game on a windy cold night including 5 put-outs by the IR short stop.

quote:

Tuesday, May 22

#1 Nansemond River v #4 Great Bridge 5:30 pm
#2 Western Branch v #3 Hickory 8:00 pm

Wednesday, May 23
Championship Game

Go Dawgs, Can you confirm if the schedule above is correct?

Weather Looking to wreak havoc on the schedule this week, hopefully they can get the games in.

Have to think that GB benefits most by games getting pushed back a day or two if weather is a problem. If that happens they can then bring back a fully rested Connor Jones who is looking like he is in a groove.

Say it does rain all week. Will they even think about pushing the Regional Tourney back or will they make the teams play Saturday and Sunday?

quote:

Originally posted by nrbb07:
Say it does rain all week. Will they even think about pushing the Regional Tourney back or will they make the teams play Saturday and Sunday?

VHSL publishes must be completed by dates. It has been my understanding from past years that it is basically tough luck if rain doesn't allow you to complete your district (or regional) tournament and that if the games cannot be played, some other method of determining the second entry in the regional tournament (including coin toss as one method or seeding as another) will be resorted to.

To clarify my immediately preceding post (in other words, I looked up the dates), the VHSL Handbook and Policy Manual 2011-2012 provides deadlines by which districts, regionals, quarterfinals, semis and finals must be completed for a myriad of sports. For AAA baseball, districts must be completed by May 26, regionals by June 2 and state quarterfinals by June 5.

quote:

Originally posted by nrbb07:
Say it does rain all week. Will they even think about pushing the Regional Tourney back or will they make the teams play Saturday and Sunday?

I am pretty sure that VHSL does not allow competition on Sundays.

Luv, I think you are on the mark. Wondered if Great Bridge would throw their ace against Indian River or save him for the semifinals. Guess the gamble worked, and, now, GB has a chance to use him again if it rains today. Anyone well connected to mother nature, and can tell us the weather forecast at Nansemond River? Will it rain and cancel the games?

Also wondered if Hickory would save their ace for the semifinals. They did, and their gamble paid off.

NR put their tarp on the field last night. Wonder if they took it off before this rain moved in.

quote:

Originally posted by Go Dawgs:
NR put their tarp on the field last night. Wonder if they took it off before this rain moved in.

Updates appreciated its a bit of a drive and don't want to if its called.

THANKS!

Skies clearing...game should start about 6PM

its still raining here!but of course i herd last night suffolk had lightning and thunder and we had only 5 min shower!

So has that game actually started?

Traffic is terrible if coming this way!

Great Bridge 3 NR 1 Bottom 3

GB 7 NR 3 top 6 kid from GB hit a grand slam

GB 9 NR 4. Final

Western Branch 3, Hickory 0.

Storie of the game were a 65 pitch, complete game pitched by Ryan Bennett and 5 multi-base hits by Western Branch (3 doubles and 2 triples.) More later.

troy jones improved to 8-1 as great bridge beat n/river 9-4. alston owens keyed the great bridge attack with a grand slam to break a 3-3 tie. brian beard recorded the final 6 outs for great bridge who will play western branch weds. for crown

Appeared NR was OK to win or lose, but the Vann kid went 4 for 4 with two RBI's and a run scored. Lowe was 3 for 4, but Owens grand slam for GB was a bomb.

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Final District standings for 2012:

Western Branch 15-3*
Nansemond River 15-3*
Hickory 14-4*
Great Bridge 12-6*
Indian River 11-7*
Grassfield 7-11*
Oscar Smith 6-12
Lakeland 5-13
Deep Creek 3-15
King's Fork 2-16

Those with * are in the SED tournament.

Tuesday, May 15
Nansemond River (7) vs Western Branch (3) at Deep Creek, 5:30
for the automatic berth to the Eastern Regional Tournament

Friday, May 18
First round SED tournament at Nansemond River
IF the schedule has been as in past years, it will be:

#3 Hickory (6) vs #6 Grassfield (1) 5:30 pm
#4 Great Bridge (1) vs #5 Indian River (0) 8:00 pm

Tuesday, May 22

#1 Nansemond River (4) v #4 Great Bridge (9) 5:30 pm
#2 Western Branch (3) v #3 Hickory (0)8:00 pm

Wednesday, May 23
Championship Game 6:00 pm
Western Branch v Great Bridge

Go Dawgs, Can you confirm if the schedule above is correct?

if that was the case then why bother throwing rice tonight.

Originally posted by Bubba12:
Appeared NR was OK to win or lose, but the Vann kid went 4 for 4 with two RBI's and a run scored. Lowe was 3 for 4, but Owens grand slam for GB was a bomb.


Bubba:
Not sure how you think NR appeared OK with losing. Their boys, coaches and fans worked too hard all season to win the district....I am sure they were not OK with losing . NR may have lost one game, but to say they appear OK with losing is not in line with their program.

Looks like Johnsonbaugh vs C Jones in the final and should be a great one. GB looks to finally be playing its best ball at the right time. If someone gets 3 or more that might do it.

Looking ahead a little the winner of this one gets Lake Taylor and have to think they'll be favored there. Also like NR to advance past the other Eastern District team. It could be that the winners of the Pininsula vs Beach might have to use front line pitching while the SED team might be tempted to sit on theirs. Some interesting coaching decisions coming up.

Great Bridge 9R 10H 0E 8LOB
Nansemond River 4R 9H 1E 8LOB

I don't agree that Nansemond River was ok with winning or losing, I would say Great Bridge came out like a team whose season was on the line and got it done. They did their damage in the 1st scoring 3 runs and again in the 5th scoring 6 to pull away from a 3-3 tie and Troy Jones pitched well and kept most of the NR hitters off balance getting 5 of his 7 strikeouts looking.

GB sent 8 batters to the plate in the 1st as Rice struggled with command early. After a Dane Smith single, Charlie Cody drew a walk. The runners moved up on a passed ball and scored on a Brian Beard double. After a fly out and strikeout, Kyle Matthews drove in Beard with a sharp single up the middle. Nansemond River scored 1 run in the bottom half with a Tyler Brown single, Brandon Lowe bunt single and Zach Vann RBI single up the middle. Troy Jones then closed the door with back to back strikeouts looking.

Rice settled down and pitched scoreless innings in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th. In the 3rd NR rallied with two outs on a Lowe single a Vann run scoring double off the wall and a Kyle Moore towering double of the top of the left field wall. T. Jones loaded the bases with a walk and hit batter but again closed NR out getting a fly ball to left to end the inning (3-3)

In the 5th GB sent 12 batters to the plate. It started with a Smith bunt that should have been fielded by the third baseman, but the pitcher fielded it and threw the ball away. After a walk and hit batter Rice was relieved. Austin Owens promptly hit a grand slam which was followed by back to back singles by Lane and Kyle Matthews. After another reliever GB added two more runs on back to back walks and a hit batter before the inning ended. NR added a run in the bottom of the inning to close out the scoring.

Pitching
GB
Troy Jones (W) 5IP 4R 8H 3BB 7K
Brian Beard 2IP 0R 1H 1BB 1K
NR
Zach Rice (L) 4IP 6R (5ER) 5H 3BB 3K
Travis Johnson 0IP 3R 3H 0BB 0K
Colin O'Brien 3IP 0R 2H 2BB 1K

Hitting
GB
Austin Owens 3-4 2B, HR, 4RBI, run scored
Kyle Matthews 3-4 RBI, run scored
NR
Brandon Lowe 3-4 2 runs scored
Zach Vann 4-4, 2B, 2 RBI, run scored

lets not forget they are kids playing a game, not machines. mistakes will happen.

Great Bridge 12, Western Branch 7. Final

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Great Bridge 12, Western Branch 7. Final

Congrats to Great Bridge for overcoming the odds! Good luck in Regionals and hope that you move on to State.

Deja Vu? Both SED teams should represent this region well again this season. The only stopper that I see that will give any of them a challenge is Kellam.

Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Diamond Stalker:

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Great Bridge 12, Western Branch 7. Final

Congrats to Great Bridge for overcoming the odds! Good luck in Regionals and hope that you move on to State.

Deja Vu? Both SED teams should represent this region well again this season. The only stopper that I see that will give any of them a challenge is Kellam.

Good luck.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe that the roles are identical, just flip-flopped. I believe last year GB was the district No. 1, having won it in a playoff game with WB. They then lost in the district tournament to NR, which went on to win the district tounament.

This year NR wins the district with the playoff game with WB. NR loses in the first round to GB, and GB goes on to win the district tournament.

I think that's right, or close anyway.

Tough loss for WB. They have tied for 1st after the last 3 consecutive regular seasons and lost the playoff and did not advance to regionals in the last two. Outside of the playoffs I think they have lost only 7-8 games in the district in the last 3 years but in the district playoffs and tiebreakers I think they are something like 2-5 over the same span. The one and done format has not been kind to them.

This is the best team in the state that noone will see play at a regional the last two years. It is really too bad becasue I think they were a top 5-6 team in the state last year and probably top 10 or better again this season. They will be there for the next few seasons as well.

Yes, Luv, it is quite painful. WB lost 3 regular season games in 2010 (once to Indian River and twice to Great Bridge) but then had that great run to the state semifinals. In 2011, WB lost only 2 regular season district games, splitting with Nansemond River and Great Bridge. And we saw how far both of those teams went. This year, WB lost 3 regular season games, splitting with Hickory, Nansemond River and Great Bridge. We will watch to see how far they go. Frustrating to tie for the regular season and be sitting home on Memorial Day.

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:
Yes, Luv, it is quite painful. WB lost 3 regular season games in 2010 (once to Indian River and twice to Great Bridge) but then had that great run to the state semifinals. In 2011, WB lost only 2 regular season district games, splitting with Nansemond River and Great Bridge. And we saw how far both of those teams went. This year, WB lost 3 regular season games, splitting with Hickory, Nansemond River and Great Bridge. We will watch to see how far they go. Frustrating to tie for the regular season and be sitting home on Memorial Day.

I still contend that our Regional Tournament should be somewhat more inclusive. Not drastically, but I agree with the sentiment. Knowing very well, that both WB and Hickory are two of the top 10 teams in the state, much less the region. The SED, with such a deep and consistent talent pool, has for years, and will continue to be impacted negatively by the current regional playoff system.

The Northern Region has 16 teams with the top 4 coming out of each district. That would probably mean an end to District tournaments. I am not sure how often a team has jumped into the Regionals from outside of the top four in the district during regular season but the frequency has to be low.

It's cut throat and I like it. There are teams that back there way into the District Tourney, but overall it's the same quailty teams every year. I feel like if you take more then 2 it isn't right. Yea, maybe all 4 teams are good enough to go, but remember we lost so we don't deserve to play in regionals. It's the principle behind the game. That's what makes this time of year so special and exciting for the players.

nrbb07 - There is a lot of merit to your point. Noone will be able to say GB didn't earn their spot by beating the Co-champions back to back in about 24 hours.

Nothing wrong with the format. Regular season champion is duely rewarded an automatic berth and the district tournament champion is rewarded making the district tourney relevant.

If you have a 16 team free for all with 4 teams from each district, what reward does a regular season champion get?

In my opinion, the two best teams from the SED are going to regionals. I think everyone would agree that NR has been the favorite to win the SED all year based on all of the returning players (seniors) they have. And GB is the hottest team right now, peaking at just the right time. They both earned it and should represesent the SED very well in the regionals.