#3 in the nation South Caldwell vs. AC Reynolds

I think James got the win last year for AC when they defeated South Caldwell in Taylorsville, Maybe Comer knows something. But I do agree whoever pitches has to bring there A game because theres no weakness in that line-up.

 

I talked to one guy who said he thought Reynolds coach was going to use Haley for about 3 or 4 innings and then bring in Runion. Would have been great strategy if SC had not gotten the lead. When you face a good team you have to try something and if Haley who is a good pitcher could have held SC in check for those innings bringing in Runion may have worked. Reynolds has a very good ball team and no doubt will be in the playoffs but chances of an SC- Reynolds matchup are slim euther team could lose in a one and out situation so I doubt that is the reason the coach didn't go with Runion. I would bet the house we see him in Fairveiw in 4 weeks.

 

I haven't seen James pitch and I don't mean to diminish his ability, it's just that I have seen Dustin Harrington, and consider him one of the elite pitchers in NC.
After the second inning on Tuesday, he was absolutely unhittable.
He seemed to get faster as the game went along, finishing with 16 K's.
The only close game SC has had this year was against St. Stephens with Patrick Johnson starting.
Harrington's stuff on Tuesday was right up there with Johnson's.

 

I disagree

I can't speak for 007, but out of respect for the game of baseball you have to respect ACR's talent and their overall program. They have a strong tradition and the SC / ACR rivalry has developed into a good one.

I for one did not view starting Haley as conceding the game. I felt that it was strategical move that just didn't pan out. If it had, then everyone would be calling the coach a genius. However I thought the Haley kid did a good job, had good movement, hit his spots, etc. He may have gotten rattled a little, but overall he is a very good pitcher with a future in college.

ACR always swings the bat well, and they put the ball in play the other night, however most everything was hit right at people. As I said previously, I feel ACR is a formidable opponent any day of the week.

 

Sorry, but out of respect for the game of baseball, you throw your best against their best, especially when 40 scouts want to see you pitch, and first place is on the line.

 

Exactly the point I was trying to make.....

While the scouts mightve been disappointed, I would imagine that Runion has been seen before by those 40 and probably tons of more scouts over the last few years playing for the teams he's played for - Midlands, Aflac, etc etc Sams got what it takes and moreso, and I would find it very difficult to believe that not throwing in 1 game would be hugely detrimental to his future.

 

Respect

Out of respect for the game, you do what you think will give you the best opportunity to win, not what others think will.

We've seen it go both ways, look at game three against Scotland last year.

It is always easy to second guess, but the coach is the one responsible for the decision. I still say you have to respect that.

 

If I need to qualify my position, I will.
You throw your best against their best, with proper rest.
Didn't Bumgarner start game 3 on Sunday against Scotland, after starting game 1 on Saturday ?

 

Coaches Strategy

007, I appreciate your position, and I can see your point, but I hope you can see mine as well. I don't think it is always as simple as "Grip It" and "Rip It" or "Mono-E-Mono". Strategy is a huge part of the game for a coach. Look at Scotland's strategy in games one and two last year. They did not throw their #1 against our #1 in game one, they held him for game two, and call it what you like, when the dust had settled, it had worked in their favor.

Now I still believe we should have beaten Scotland in three if not two. My point being there coach decided to implement a different strategy, and it worked. Agreed?

 

I do see your point, but there is a big difference in strategy when it is a best of three series, as opposed to a scheduled-well-in-advance regular season
single game where you can set your rotation as you please.
When two unbeaten conference teams meet in this scenario, why get tricky ???
I'm going "mon-E-mono" every dogone time.
This is baseball, not poker.
Did ACR gain any strategic advantage for their next meeting by getting mercy-ruled ?
I don't think so.