Toppers triumph in memorable marathon | Daily News; Bowling Green, Ky. | Find Articles at BNET
TROY, Ala. -- Those who followed Western Kentucky baseball on the radio or the Internet on Thursday night might have gone to bed assuming the Hilltoppers authentic Tony Oliva jersey Blue were losers in the second round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
But the folks who elected for sleep missed out on a remarkable Tony Oliva official jersey comeback victory, which put WKU one win away from Saturday's Sun Belt championship game.
Down three runs heading into the top of the eighth, the second-seeded Hilltoppers rallied for six runs. When the nearly four-hour contest, Rod Carew official jersey which began at 8:49 p.m., mercifully ended at 12:44 a.m. this morning, the Hilltoppers were exhilarated but weary 14-11 winners over No. 3 seed and tournament host Troy.
"That's the funnest game we played all year," said WKU outfielder Chad Cregar, who blasted two home runs. "This is up there (in my career games). This was awesome, the way we battled. It was amazing."
Their reward - aside from finally getting a chance to sleep - is a 7:30 p.m. meeting tonight against either the same Troy team or No. 7 Louisiana-Monroe. Despite not finishing until almost 1 a.m., Troy (33-22) must play in a 12:30 p.m. elimination game against ULM today. The winner of that contest will face WKU (39-16) tonight.
"That was just such a huge win for our program," WKU coach Chris Finwood said. "Now they can sleep in. That win means everything tournament-wise."
The Hilltoppers can sleep in largely because of Customized Cardinals Jersey relief pitcher Bart Carter, one of the few pitchers for either team that wasn't cursed on the mound.
Carter, WKU's seventh pitcher of the night, threw two scoreless innings to save the win for Evan Teague and the Hilltoppers.
"This has got to be right up there at the top (for me)," Carter said. "It got us one step closer to a Sun Belt championship. For sure, it has to rank up there as one of the top."
Carter entered in a less-than-desirable spot during the bottom of the eighth. The Hilltoppers took a 12-9 lead with their six-run eighth inning, but saw the advantage cut to 12-11 and had runners on first and second with nobody out when Carter entered.
Steven Rosado's sacrifice moved the runners into scoring position, but Carter struck out Steven Felix and forced Adam Bryant to Albert Pujols official jersey ground out to preserve the win.
"I just poured everything I had into it," Carter said. "Luckily, it worked out."
Added Finwood: "Bart Carter, the hero of the day, without a doubt."
Still, appropriate for Thursday's game, Bryant's groundout included some drama. WKU shortstop Terrence Dayleg's throw was in the dirt, but first baseman Jake Wells made a backhanded, game-saving scoop.
"Amazing pick, amazing pick, unbelievable," Carter explained.
Carter then got authentic Albert Pujols jersey Blue some insurance authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey White for the ninth.
WKU took a 14-11 lead on Jared Andreoli's two-run single and Carter held Troy scoreless in the ninth.
"It took a lot of weight off my shoulders, a lot of weight off," Carter said.
Andreoli was 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs and four RBIs. He scored in the pivotal six-run eighth, when WKU overcame a 9-6 deficit.
Dayleg began the inning by getting hit by a authentic Rod Carew jersey Blue pitch and Matt Payton followed with a single. C.J. Wamsley's walk loaded the bases and Andreoli knocked in one run on a fielder's choice.
Matt Hightower's RBI single got the Hilltoppers within 9-8, and Wade Gaynor's two-out, two-run double hit the glove of diving right fielder Charley Williams for a WKU 10-9 advantage - the Hilltoppers' first lead since 3-2 in the fourth inning.
Cregar then added needed insurance with a towering two-run home run, his second home run of the night. The shot set off a wild Hilltopper celebration in the dugout. "Everybody went off," Cregar said. "I was getting punched in the ribs. It was awesome."
Cregar has now hit three home runs in two tournament games, plus he won Tuesday's Home Run Derby, which has helped him battle out of some prolonged struggles.
"I just finally feel like I'm back in the groove," Cregar said. "I feel great up there ... ."
The Hilltoppers scored 11 of their 14 runs over the final four innings. They teed off on Troy relievers Jeff Green, Chris Sorce and Robby Loew, who combined to give up eight runs in two innings.
Sorce, Troy's closer, suffered the loss. Evan Teague, who threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings for WKU, took the win.
"Just a lot of good at-bats and guys don't quit when things aren't looking authentic Albert Pujols jersey Grey great," Finwood said.
The teams combined Customized St. Louis Cardinals Jersey to throw 14 different pitchers. Neither WKU starter Matt Ridings nor Troy's Tyler Ray were particularly effective.
Ray went 5 2/3 innings and gave up five earned runs on four hits and three walks.
Ridings went five innings and gave up six runs on six hits and five walks as WKU fell behind 6-3 and 9-5 in the contest.
"In this park, with the hitters we have, it's never over," Cregar said. "Guys stepped up. Everybody stepped up. Nobody gave up and nobody gave in."
WARRIORS' RUN ENDS | Palm Beach Post | Find Articles at BNET
On the way to the state semifinal game Wednesday afternoon, the Trinity Christian High School baseball team was lost in more ways than one.
Sure, the team bus got off at the wrong exit on Interstate 95, but that problem was easily remedied and the game, a authentic Matt Capps jersey Cream season-ending 12-6 defeat for Trinity, was played on time and without incident.
It was the other cloud of confusion that wouldn't lift, and still hasn't, with a last-minute court injunction saying that the Warriors had business being at Tradition Field and a slam-dunk ruling by the Florida High School Athletic Association shouting just the opposite.
Coaches and parents and the principal at the small private school in Lake Worth couldn't stand the idea of their kids being denied a shot at a Class 1A state championship regardless of the on-field fight that got them in so much trouble at another playoff game last week.
So they found a St. Lucie County judge who, on the basis of a technicality, ruled that Trinity should be allowed to play Tampa- Cambridge in spite of FHSAA suspensions that basically wiped out the whole roster.
And what was the initial reaction of FHSAA Executive Director Roger Dearing, whose rulebook isn't littered with exclamation marks and BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS but probably should be?
"Not printable," said Dearing, a former schools superintendent in two counties and three times selected as Florida's Teacher of the Year.
Of course, he went on to say Matt Capps official jersey much more than that, explaining that the FHSAA is pretty good about reading its own rules bible, and how the FHSAA has never lost one of these injunction battles, and how Trinity's elimination from the playoffs on Wednesday does not render the entire argument moot.
If the injunction is eventually overturned, every suspended Trinity player in uniform Wednesday, and there appeared to be 14 authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey Blue of them, would result in a fine of $2,500 each. Add in court costs and incidentals and it authentic Kirby Puckett jersey Blue could cost the school close to $40,000 to have their day in court and this one evening on the diamond.
That's a major hit to the entire athletic program, which until just a authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey Cream few days ago was in full celebration mode over a 27-5 baseball season. There may be a lot of bake sales and car washes coming before anyone feels like partying again.
Who's right? Not Michael Cuddyer official jersey the umpires who worked that nasty playoff game Friday between Trinity and Miami Brito, if you listen to the parents who were there. Intimidation was the order of the day, they say, with one Trinity player being spit upon and several more of them cursed and threatened, and all of that was before the violent home- plate collision that eventually cleared both benches.
The FHSAA, unyielding as always in the application of its rules, can only be as right as its umpires were in singling out the offending players by uniform number. Trinity catcher Phildrick Llewellyn was nearly unconscious and sprawled at home plate after being run over by a 6-foot-5 Brito base-runner who led with an upraised forearm and yet Llewellyn, at first, was among those suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Still, would it have been better for Trinity officials to tell their players that life often isn't fair and they'll just have to learn to accept that? It's a thought that might have occurred to some parents after Wednesday's game was finished, a sloppy game that featured four Trinity errors and a generally flat performance. If so, however, nobody was saying it. The protective shield around their students remains strong, resisting doubts and doubters alike.
"At least they finished it on the field," said Phil Aron of Boynton Beach, who has two kids at Trinity. "That was important."
Kathy Johnson, whose son Jacob has a scholarship to Wake Forest as one of Trinity's best players, wanted Wednesday's game to be played, too, but her post-game response was indicative of the kind of restraint that the confused Warrior players will need to hear.
"They did what they had to do," Johnson said of the FHSAA, which based the suspensions on a rule authentic Matt Capps jersey Grey requiring players to remain in the dugout or at their assigned positions on the field regardless of provocation. "I don't agree with it. The school, it had to fight for authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey Grey the kids."
What teenagers are supposed to learn from all of this is beyond me. We tell our boys not to be bullied. We tell them to stick up for teammates, even at the cost of personal gain. We tell them that nobody can deny them a championship if they are the best team, and that trusting the authority and authentic Matt Capps jersey White the wisdom of adults will make everything come replica Matt Capps jersey Blue out all right in the end.
Then tiny Trinity, with a high-school enrollment of 190, sees nearly 10 percent of its student body ruled ineligible to participate in a landmark state semifinal because of a dispute that has left everyone, including the FHSAA executive director, dissatisfied.
"We're emotionally bankrupt," Trinity athletic director Fred Erdman said in summing up the whole day, which began with Warrior players holed up in a Fort Pierce hotel wondering if they would get to play at all.
It was a day that was rainy and raw, a day that was lost in so many ways.
Now, if only it could be forgotten.
~dave_george@pbpost.com
On the way to the state semifinal game Wednesday afternoon, the Trinity Christian High School baseball team was lost in more ways than one.
Sure, the team bus got off at the wrong exit on Interstate 95, but that problem was easily remedied and the game, a authentic Matt Capps jersey Cream season-ending 12-6 defeat for Trinity, was played on time and without incident.
It was the other cloud of confusion that wouldn't lift, and still hasn't, with a last-minute court injunction saying that the Warriors had business being at Tradition Field and a slam-dunk ruling by the Florida High School Athletic Association shouting just the opposite.
Coaches and parents and the principal at the small private school in Lake Worth couldn't stand the idea of their kids being denied a shot at a Class 1A state championship regardless of the on-field fight that got them in so much trouble at another playoff game last week.
So they found a St. Lucie County judge who, on the basis of a technicality, ruled that Trinity should be allowed to play Tampa- Cambridge in spite of FHSAA suspensions that basically wiped out the whole roster.
And what was the initial reaction of FHSAA Executive Director Roger Dearing, whose rulebook isn't littered with exclamation marks and BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS but probably should be?
"Not printable," said Dearing, a former schools superintendent in two counties and three times selected as Florida's Teacher of the Year.
Of course, he went on to say Matt Capps official jersey much more than that, explaining that the FHSAA is pretty good about reading its own rules bible, and how the FHSAA has never lost one of these injunction battles, and how Trinity's elimination from the playoffs on Wednesday does not render the entire argument moot.
If the injunction is eventually overturned, every suspended Trinity player in uniform Wednesday, and there appeared to be 14 authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey Blue of them, would result in a fine of $2,500 each. Add in court costs and incidentals and it authentic Kirby Puckett jersey Blue could cost the school close to $40,000 to have their day in court and this one evening on the diamond.
That's a major hit to the entire athletic program, which until just a authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey Cream few days ago was in full celebration mode over a 27-5 baseball season. There may be a lot of bake sales and car washes coming before anyone feels like partying again.
Who's right? Not Michael Cuddyer official jersey the umpires who worked that nasty playoff game Friday between Trinity and Miami Brito, if you listen to the parents who were there. Intimidation was the order of the day, they say, with one Trinity player being spit upon and several more of them cursed and threatened, and all of that was before the violent home- plate collision that eventually cleared both benches.
The FHSAA, unyielding as always in the application of its rules, can only be as right as its umpires were in singling out the offending players by uniform number. Trinity catcher Phildrick Llewellyn was nearly unconscious and sprawled at home plate after being run over by a 6-foot-5 Brito base-runner who led with an upraised forearm and yet Llewellyn, at first, was among those suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Still, would it have been better for Trinity officials to tell their players that life often isn't fair and they'll just have to learn to accept that? It's a thought that might have occurred to some parents after Wednesday's game was finished, a sloppy game that featured four Trinity errors and a generally flat performance. If so, however, nobody was saying it. The protective shield around their students remains strong, resisting doubts and doubters alike.
"At least they finished it on the field," said Phil Aron of Boynton Beach, who has two kids at Trinity. "That was important."
Kathy Johnson, whose son Jacob has a scholarship to Wake Forest as one of Trinity's best players, wanted Wednesday's game to be played, too, but her post-game response was indicative of the kind of restraint that the confused Warrior players will need to hear.
"They did what they had to do," Johnson said of the FHSAA, which based the suspensions on a rule authentic Matt Capps jersey Grey requiring players to remain in the dugout or at their assigned positions on the field regardless of provocation. "I don't agree with it. The school, it had to fight for authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey Grey the kids."
What teenagers are supposed to learn from all of this is beyond me. We tell our boys not to be bullied. We tell them to stick up for teammates, even at the cost of personal gain. We tell them that nobody can deny them a championship if they are the best team, and that trusting the authority and authentic Matt Capps jersey White the wisdom of adults will make everything come replica Matt Capps jersey Blue out all right in the end.
Then tiny Trinity, with a high-school enrollment of 190, sees nearly 10 percent of its student body ruled ineligible to participate in a landmark state semifinal because of a dispute that has left everyone, including the FHSAA executive director, dissatisfied.
"We're emotionally bankrupt," Trinity athletic director Fred Erdman said in summing up the whole day, which began with Warrior players holed up in a Fort Pierce hotel wondering if they would get to play at all.
It was a day that was rainy and raw, a day that was lost in so many ways.
Now, if only it could be forgotten.
~dave_george@pbpost.com
Lindsey tosses gem | Progress - Index, The; Petersburg, Va. | Find Articles at BNET
DINWIDDIE -- Matoaca is back in a familiar position. The Warriors have reached the region playoffs for the four times in the past seven years.
Matoaca, the No. 2 seed, scored early, often and up and down the lineup as it defeated No. 4 Prince George 10-0 in the Central District baseball championship game at Dinwiddie on Thursday. The game was shortened to six innings because of the 10-run rule.
"It was a little more difficult because we had to play our way into the Central Region tournament," said Matoaca coach Fred Stoots. "But we are extremely excited to be making the region tourney.
"All year long we felt like we had the best pitching staff and we felt we had a good Customized Cardinals Jersey team. Winning the district tournament and advancing to the region, were two of our goals, so any time you achieve two of your team goals, it says something about the way we have played."
With the level of play displayed in the past two games by Matoaca, it is no wonder the team placed eight members on either the first or second team all-district teams that were announced at the tournament.
And for the second straight day, the Warriors pitching staff -- Brandon Lindsey -- proved to be the most consistent player authentic Tony Oliva jersey Blue on field.
Lindsey, a 6-5 junior who battled with illness last week (strep throat), authentic Albert Pujols jersey Grey went the distance. He gave up just one hit, to the Royals leadoff hitter Andy Runion, and recorded seven strikeouts.
The real beauty came in his ability to work ahead in the count.
"I am Albert Pujols official jersey so proud of Brandon," Stoots added. "He was out with an illness last week and he got himself back into shape and ready to go tonight. I couldn't be more proud with one player than I am Brandon right now."
Lindsey, who normally weighs-in at 195-pounds, said he lost almost 10 pounds last week, so he spent the weekend Tony Oliva official jersey getting back in shape and trying to put the weight back on.
"I feel good right now," Lindsey said. "But it helps that we are playing well as a team."
Lindsey said the key to his almost no-hitter was getting ahead in the count, which meant he went to the fastball most of the time on the first pitch.
"That was the key," Lindsey said. 'Getting ahead in the count. Plus, you have to give our defense credit, all I can ask for is to have eight guys around me authentic Rod Carew jersey Blue like we have on this team. It allows me to go ahead and do whatever I need to do to get the out. If that means letting them put the bat on the ball, I know that the defense will make the play."
Lindsey's numbers combined with Cory Ramsey from Tuesday, means the two junior right-handers pitched 13 innings, gave up just five hits and registered 16 Ks.
"Me and him have kind of a bond," Lindsey said. "And this was our, and the whole team's time to shine. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys to play with."
With the win, the Warriors improved to 18-4 and earned a first round region game Customized St. Louis Cardinals Jersey against Hanover, the top seed from the Capital District.
Ironically, these two teams met in the first round of the 2006 region playoffs and Matoaca is likely to see the same Hanover authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey White pitcher -- senior Jake Mayers. Mayers, who is headed to the University of Richmond next year, was a freshman at the time and he battled against Matoaca ace Jesse Haney (UNC Wilmington).
Matoaca won the region in 2006 and lost last year in a heartbreaker to Mills Godwin. In 2003, the team lost to Tabb in the Group AA region tournament.
Matoaca got things started in the first when Michael Howerton singled from his leadoff spot. Ben Smith sacrificed him over to second and he was able to come around to score on error off the bat of Logan Walker for the 1-0 lead.
The Warriors added two more runs in the second. Andrew Cheatham, who is headed to Randolph-Macon College to play, walked after working the count full from Prince authentic Albert Pujols jersey Blue George starter Justin Sebera. Junior catcher Nathan Chamberlin followed with a crisp single to center to put runners at first and second with no outs. Forrest Lodge dropped down the second sacrifice bunt of the game for the Warriors and moved the runners up one base with one out. Junior Tyler Reed, first-pitch swinging, singled to center to score Cheatham while sophomore Tyler Coleman followed with the bunt single that plated Chamberlin.
In keeping Rod Carew official jersey with the symmetrical theme thus far, the Warriors tacked on three runs in the third. The big blow was a towering two- run home run over the left field fence by Austin Kilbourne that scored Walker, who reached on an error. Cheatham followed the HR with a double and came round to score and upped the Warriors lead to 6-0.
It was Kilbourne's only hit of the tournament but he did walk four times in two days, three on Tuesday, for a (.625) on base percentage
In Matoaca' fourth inning, Prince George coach Mickey Roberts was forced to go to his fourth pitcher, in as many innings, but Cody Edlin came in and stranded the bases loaded.
All the while, Lindsey was finding a groove on the mound for the Warriors.
Matoaca added some insurance runs with two outs and then put the nail in the coffin in the seventh as Lodge got his first hit of the game to drive in Kilbourne. Tyler Reed drove in two more runs on his third hit of the night for the 9-0 lead. And Smith closed the game out with an RBI single that made the game over due to the 10-run rule.
Reed, from his No. 9 spot in the lineup, paced the Warriors with three hits while Smith, Coleman and Chamberlin had two apiece as the team pounded out 12 hits in six innings. All but one starter contributed at least one hit on the night.
For the Royals (12-9), their terrific late-season run came to an end.
Five seniors played their final game in the green and gold uniforms including Brett Koch, Ryan Montgomery, Thomas Worley, Eric Tucker and Daniel Clark. Both Montgomery and Worley had secured plans to play ball at the college level.
Matoaca will travel to Hanover for the region first round game.
"I've got a lot of respect for Hanover coach Charlie Dragum and his program" Stoots added. "I expect to see Jake Mayer on the mound. Our job will be put the ball in play and see what happens."
In two tournament games, Matoaca has tallied 20 hits in 12innings.
Prince George 000 000 -- 0 1 4
DINWIDDIE -- Matoaca is back in a familiar position. The Warriors have reached the region playoffs for the four times in the past seven years.
Matoaca, the No. 2 seed, scored early, often and up and down the lineup as it defeated No. 4 Prince George 10-0 in the Central District baseball championship game at Dinwiddie on Thursday. The game was shortened to six innings because of the 10-run rule.
"It was a little more difficult because we had to play our way into the Central Region tournament," said Matoaca coach Fred Stoots. "But we are extremely excited to be making the region tourney.
"All year long we felt like we had the best pitching staff and we felt we had a good Customized Cardinals Jersey team. Winning the district tournament and advancing to the region, were two of our goals, so any time you achieve two of your team goals, it says something about the way we have played."
With the level of play displayed in the past two games by Matoaca, it is no wonder the team placed eight members on either the first or second team all-district teams that were announced at the tournament.
And for the second straight day, the Warriors pitching staff -- Brandon Lindsey -- proved to be the most consistent player authentic Tony Oliva jersey Blue on field.
Lindsey, a 6-5 junior who battled with illness last week (strep throat), authentic Albert Pujols jersey Grey went the distance. He gave up just one hit, to the Royals leadoff hitter Andy Runion, and recorded seven strikeouts.
The real beauty came in his ability to work ahead in the count.
"I am Albert Pujols official jersey so proud of Brandon," Stoots added. "He was out with an illness last week and he got himself back into shape and ready to go tonight. I couldn't be more proud with one player than I am Brandon right now."
Lindsey, who normally weighs-in at 195-pounds, said he lost almost 10 pounds last week, so he spent the weekend Tony Oliva official jersey getting back in shape and trying to put the weight back on.
"I feel good right now," Lindsey said. "But it helps that we are playing well as a team."
Lindsey said the key to his almost no-hitter was getting ahead in the count, which meant he went to the fastball most of the time on the first pitch.
"That was the key," Lindsey said. 'Getting ahead in the count. Plus, you have to give our defense credit, all I can ask for is to have eight guys around me authentic Rod Carew jersey Blue like we have on this team. It allows me to go ahead and do whatever I need to do to get the out. If that means letting them put the bat on the ball, I know that the defense will make the play."
Lindsey's numbers combined with Cory Ramsey from Tuesday, means the two junior right-handers pitched 13 innings, gave up just five hits and registered 16 Ks.
"Me and him have kind of a bond," Lindsey said. "And this was our, and the whole team's time to shine. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys to play with."
With the win, the Warriors improved to 18-4 and earned a first round region game Customized St. Louis Cardinals Jersey against Hanover, the top seed from the Capital District.
Ironically, these two teams met in the first round of the 2006 region playoffs and Matoaca is likely to see the same Hanover authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey White pitcher -- senior Jake Mayers. Mayers, who is headed to the University of Richmond next year, was a freshman at the time and he battled against Matoaca ace Jesse Haney (UNC Wilmington).
Matoaca won the region in 2006 and lost last year in a heartbreaker to Mills Godwin. In 2003, the team lost to Tabb in the Group AA region tournament.
Matoaca got things started in the first when Michael Howerton singled from his leadoff spot. Ben Smith sacrificed him over to second and he was able to come around to score on error off the bat of Logan Walker for the 1-0 lead.
The Warriors added two more runs in the second. Andrew Cheatham, who is headed to Randolph-Macon College to play, walked after working the count full from Prince authentic Albert Pujols jersey Blue George starter Justin Sebera. Junior catcher Nathan Chamberlin followed with a crisp single to center to put runners at first and second with no outs. Forrest Lodge dropped down the second sacrifice bunt of the game for the Warriors and moved the runners up one base with one out. Junior Tyler Reed, first-pitch swinging, singled to center to score Cheatham while sophomore Tyler Coleman followed with the bunt single that plated Chamberlin.
In keeping Rod Carew official jersey with the symmetrical theme thus far, the Warriors tacked on three runs in the third. The big blow was a towering two- run home run over the left field fence by Austin Kilbourne that scored Walker, who reached on an error. Cheatham followed the HR with a double and came round to score and upped the Warriors lead to 6-0.
It was Kilbourne's only hit of the tournament but he did walk four times in two days, three on Tuesday, for a (.625) on base percentage
In Matoaca' fourth inning, Prince George coach Mickey Roberts was forced to go to his fourth pitcher, in as many innings, but Cody Edlin came in and stranded the bases loaded.
All the while, Lindsey was finding a groove on the mound for the Warriors.
Matoaca added some insurance runs with two outs and then put the nail in the coffin in the seventh as Lodge got his first hit of the game to drive in Kilbourne. Tyler Reed drove in two more runs on his third hit of the night for the 9-0 lead. And Smith closed the game out with an RBI single that made the game over due to the 10-run rule.
Reed, from his No. 9 spot in the lineup, paced the Warriors with three hits while Smith, Coleman and Chamberlin had two apiece as the team pounded out 12 hits in six innings. All but one starter contributed at least one hit on the night.
For the Royals (12-9), their terrific late-season run came to an end.
Five seniors played their final game in the green and gold uniforms including Brett Koch, Ryan Montgomery, Thomas Worley, Eric Tucker and Daniel Clark. Both Montgomery and Worley had secured plans to play ball at the college level.
Matoaca will travel to Hanover for the region first round game.
"I've got a lot of respect for Hanover coach Charlie Dragum and his program" Stoots added. "I expect to see Jake Mayer on the mound. Our job will be put the ball in play and see what happens."
In two tournament games, Matoaca has tallied 20 hits in 12innings.
Prince George 000 000 -- 0 1 4
Favorites Lou Brock official jersey Central, Franklin can't meet until title game | Daily News; Bowling Green, Ky. | Find Articles at BNET
If the regular-season favorites in Region 4 are to meet in this week's tournament, it's going to be in the championship game.
District 13 champion Franklin-Simpson (24-7) and District 14 winner Warren Central (23-7) found themselves on opposite sides of the authentic Keith Hernandez jersey Blue bracket after Saturday's draw for this week's Region 4 Baseball Tournament at replica Albert Pujols jersey Blue Western Kentucky University's Nick Denes Field.
But while the Dragons and Wildcats know they won't have to square off before the final round, both squads understand the path to the title game won't be easy.
"Going into the draw you know you're going to draw somebody that can play," said Franklin-Simpson coach Craig Delk, whose team drew Bowling Green (19-12) in the first round and will play in Monday's 7 p.m. game. "Everybody's got a good No. 1 pitcher that's helped get them here and it's really not who you play, but it's how you play. And that's how we're going to go into this."
As for Warren Central, coach Shane Humphrey and company will take on District 15 runner-up Barren County (15-15) in the 1 p.m. game Monday.
The other matchup on that side of the bracket pits District Keith Hernandez official jersey 16 champion Russell County (18-11) against District 13 runner-up Logan County (12-15) in the 10 a.m. game.
"Looking at our team and how the draw went, I wouldn't say it totally went in our favor," Humphrey said. "You've got Bowling Green and Franklin-Simpson down there in the bottom half of the bracket, so you know if one of them makes it out you'll have to play them in the championship game - but that's a big if.
Albert Pujols official jersey /> "We know we've got Barren County right off the bat and if Bob Gibson official jersey we win that we'll have either Russell (County) or Logan (County), so we'll just have to take things one game at a time."
The Purples got perhaps the toughest draw of any district runner-up. But coach Matt Logic said his team won't worry too much about it, choosing instead to simply head out and play.
"Coming out of that runner-up bracket you know you're going to have to face one of the district winners from around here," Logic said. "You know you're more than likely going to have to throw your No. 1 out there and we've got a lot of respect authentic Albert Pujols jersey White for coach Delk and his group down there. It should be a whale of a ballgame."
Awaiting the winner authentic Bob Gibson jersey Cream of the Franklin-Simpson-Bowling Green matchup will be Allen County-Scottsville (14-10), the winners of District 15, or Clinton County (13-11), the District 16 runner-up.
Neither Frankin-Simpson nor Warren Central seem worried about wearing targets this week. Both agreed that the start of the tournament brings about an entire new season.
"It was motivation for us to stay toward the top of the regional standings - we obviously wanted to put together a nice season and we've done that," Delk said. "Right now we're just trying to play our best baseball and go into this tournament and play well."
Humphrey agreed, saying that thinking as a favorite only creates pressure the Dragons don't need.
"I try not to keep the boys thinking about that," authentic Albert Pujols jersey Grey he said. "You've got to take care of 'today' today, and then worry about 'tomorrow' tomorrow.
"We're going to come ready to play Monday."
If the regular-season favorites in Region 4 are to meet in this week's tournament, it's going to be in the championship game.
District 13 champion Franklin-Simpson (24-7) and District 14 winner Warren Central (23-7) found themselves on opposite sides of the authentic Keith Hernandez jersey Blue bracket after Saturday's draw for this week's Region 4 Baseball Tournament at replica Albert Pujols jersey Blue Western Kentucky University's Nick Denes Field.
But while the Dragons and Wildcats know they won't have to square off before the final round, both squads understand the path to the title game won't be easy.
"Going into the draw you know you're going to draw somebody that can play," said Franklin-Simpson coach Craig Delk, whose team drew Bowling Green (19-12) in the first round and will play in Monday's 7 p.m. game. "Everybody's got a good No. 1 pitcher that's helped get them here and it's really not who you play, but it's how you play. And that's how we're going to go into this."
As for Warren Central, coach Shane Humphrey and company will take on District 15 runner-up Barren County (15-15) in the 1 p.m. game Monday.
The other matchup on that side of the bracket pits District Keith Hernandez official jersey 16 champion Russell County (18-11) against District 13 runner-up Logan County (12-15) in the 10 a.m. game.
"Looking at our team and how the draw went, I wouldn't say it totally went in our favor," Humphrey said. "You've got Bowling Green and Franklin-Simpson down there in the bottom half of the bracket, so you know if one of them makes it out you'll have to play them in the championship game - but that's a big if.
Albert Pujols official jersey /> "We know we've got Barren County right off the bat and if Bob Gibson official jersey we win that we'll have either Russell (County) or Logan (County), so we'll just have to take things one game at a time."
The Purples got perhaps the toughest draw of any district runner-up. But coach Matt Logic said his team won't worry too much about it, choosing instead to simply head out and play.
"Coming out of that runner-up bracket you know you're going to have to face one of the district winners from around here," Logic said. "You know you're more than likely going to have to throw your No. 1 out there and we've got a lot of respect authentic Albert Pujols jersey White for coach Delk and his group down there. It should be a whale of a ballgame."
Awaiting the winner authentic Bob Gibson jersey Cream of the Franklin-Simpson-Bowling Green matchup will be Allen County-Scottsville (14-10), the winners of District 15, or Clinton County (13-11), the District 16 runner-up.
Neither Frankin-Simpson nor Warren Central seem worried about wearing targets this week. Both agreed that the start of the tournament brings about an entire new season.
"It was motivation for us to stay toward the top of the regional standings - we obviously wanted to put together a nice season and we've done that," Delk said. "Right now we're just trying to play our best baseball and go into this tournament and play well."
Humphrey agreed, saying that thinking as a favorite only creates pressure the Dragons don't need.
"I try not to keep the boys thinking about that," authentic Albert Pujols jersey Grey he said. "You've got to take care of 'today' today, and then worry about 'tomorrow' tomorrow.
"We're going to come ready to play Monday."
star at cox stirs dj vu | The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET
By Mike Connors
The Virginian-Pilot
Comparing a high school baseball player to a major leaguer brings lots of potential risks, from giving the player a big head to having him crumble under the expectations.
But Cox coach Bill Conroy doesn't hold back when talking about Chris Taylor.
Conroy knows the Falcons won the Beach District regular-season title and are contenders in this week's Eastern Region tournament in large part because of his standout senior shortstop.
"He kind of reminds me of a Ryan Zimmerman," Conroy said. "Really good high school baseball player who went on to U.Va., put on 10-15 pounds, and now he's making a lot of money in the major leagues."
That's a lofty comparison, considering Zimmerman, the Washington Nationals' third baseman, is one of baseball's top young stars.
But it's also not unjustified. Taylor earned all-Beach District honors last season as a junior, when he hit .430. Zimmerman, a 2002 Kellam Rod Carew official jersey graduate, earned all-Beach District honors as a junior, when he played Customized St. Louis Cardinals Jersey shortstop for the Knights.
Taylor has improved his play as a senior, winning Beach Player of the Year honors while hitting a team-high .452 in the regular season. Zimmerman also raised his game as a senior, earning all- Tidewater authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey White honors and a ticket to the University of Virginia - where Taylor will play next season.
And, Conroy said, they both play with maximum effort, as if they were fighting for a roster spot.
"They're both similar in the way they work, the way they carry themselves," authentic Rod Carew jersey Blue Conroy said. "Their games - you never really see them get flustered."
Taylor isn't letting such praise go to his head. As 1 of 3 team captains, he serves as a teacher for younger players during practice. He also leads by example, regularly taking extra swings in the batting cage after practice.
Knowing Tony Oliva official jersey he'd be hitting leadoff this season, Taylor focused on offseason drills designed to improve his speed. That kind of dedication has paid off: Taylor had a team-high authentic Tony Oliva jersey Blue 19 stolen bases in the regular season, and also led the Falcons in runs (30), doubles (6), triples (4) and total bases (64).
"He works harder than anyone else," said Kyle Profilet, who along with Taylor and Austin Erb serve as team captains.
Taylor realizes he won't approach Zimmerman's level unless he continues to get better. Ask him what he needs to work on and he doesn't hesitate.
"The power will come as I get bigger and stronger," he said. "But I'd like to get Customized Cardinals Jersey more consistent throughout the year. This year I got off to a authentic Albert Pujols jersey Grey slow start."
Taylor did go 2 for 11 in Cox's first four games. But the fact that he says he started slowly is more an indicator of his own high expectations for himself than reality. His on-base percentage in those first four games was .500, and he scored seven runs.
"I think you have to be hard on yourself if you want to keep getting better," he said.
Conroy knows Taylor must keep improving if he wants to make his mark in college and Albert Pujols official jersey the pros. He said Taylor needs to add muscle authentic Albert Pujols jersey Blue - he's currently 6 feet, 165 pounds, about 2 inches and 15 pounds less than what Zimmerman was in high school and about 65 pounds less than Zimmerman weighs now.
But Conroy, who has coached Cox since Zimmerman's days at Kellam, also says repeatedly that Taylor has improved more than any player he's had. Asked what Taylor needs to work on, he pauses for a few seconds, as if stumped, before answering.
"I'm sure he's going to get better," Conroy said. "He's going to keep working hard. U.Va. is going to have some of the best players in the country, and he's going to have to get better to play there. I feel like if he gets bigger and stronger, puts on 10 pounds, you're going to see him at the next level."
By Mike Connors
The Virginian-Pilot
Comparing a high school baseball player to a major leaguer brings lots of potential risks, from giving the player a big head to having him crumble under the expectations.
But Cox coach Bill Conroy doesn't hold back when talking about Chris Taylor.
Conroy knows the Falcons won the Beach District regular-season title and are contenders in this week's Eastern Region tournament in large part because of his standout senior shortstop.
"He kind of reminds me of a Ryan Zimmerman," Conroy said. "Really good high school baseball player who went on to U.Va., put on 10-15 pounds, and now he's making a lot of money in the major leagues."
That's a lofty comparison, considering Zimmerman, the Washington Nationals' third baseman, is one of baseball's top young stars.
But it's also not unjustified. Taylor earned all-Beach District honors last season as a junior, when he hit .430. Zimmerman, a 2002 Kellam Rod Carew official jersey graduate, earned all-Beach District honors as a junior, when he played Customized St. Louis Cardinals Jersey shortstop for the Knights.
Taylor has improved his play as a senior, winning Beach Player of the Year honors while hitting a team-high .452 in the regular season. Zimmerman also raised his game as a senior, earning all- Tidewater authentic Michael Cuddyer jersey White honors and a ticket to the University of Virginia - where Taylor will play next season.
And, Conroy said, they both play with maximum effort, as if they were fighting for a roster spot.
"They're both similar in the way they work, the way they carry themselves," authentic Rod Carew jersey Blue Conroy said. "Their games - you never really see them get flustered."
Taylor isn't letting such praise go to his head. As 1 of 3 team captains, he serves as a teacher for younger players during practice. He also leads by example, regularly taking extra swings in the batting cage after practice.
Knowing Tony Oliva official jersey he'd be hitting leadoff this season, Taylor focused on offseason drills designed to improve his speed. That kind of dedication has paid off: Taylor had a team-high authentic Tony Oliva jersey Blue 19 stolen bases in the regular season, and also led the Falcons in runs (30), doubles (6), triples (4) and total bases (64).
"He works harder than anyone else," said Kyle Profilet, who along with Taylor and Austin Erb serve as team captains.
Taylor realizes he won't approach Zimmerman's level unless he continues to get better. Ask him what he needs to work on and he doesn't hesitate.
"The power will come as I get bigger and stronger," he said. "But I'd like to get Customized Cardinals Jersey more consistent throughout the year. This year I got off to a authentic Albert Pujols jersey Grey slow start."
Taylor did go 2 for 11 in Cox's first four games. But the fact that he says he started slowly is more an indicator of his own high expectations for himself than reality. His on-base percentage in those first four games was .500, and he scored seven runs.
"I think you have to be hard on yourself if you want to keep getting better," he said.
Conroy knows Taylor must keep improving if he wants to make his mark in college and Albert Pujols official jersey the pros. He said Taylor needs to add muscle authentic Albert Pujols jersey Blue - he's currently 6 feet, 165 pounds, about 2 inches and 15 pounds less than what Zimmerman was in high school and about 65 pounds less than Zimmerman weighs now.
But Conroy, who has coached Cox since Zimmerman's days at Kellam, also says repeatedly that Taylor has improved more than any player he's had. Asked what Taylor needs to work on, he pauses for a few seconds, as if stumped, before answering.
"I'm sure he's going to get better," Conroy said. "He's going to keep working hard. U.Va. is going to have some of the best players in the country, and he's going to have to get better to play there. I feel like if he gets bigger and stronger, puts on 10 pounds, you're going to see him at the next level."