4A State Championship- South Caldwell vs. Ashley

Ashley

Ashley is a strong team that is well-coached by Brian Stewart. They are a sound team that plays hard.

 

bobby dale

You can look through 1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a coaches and you will have a hard time finding a better coach than Bobby Dale Reynods. He is old-school , hard-nosed, and he knows how to win. I would never bet against him!

 

Ashley is a very experienced team (11 seniors). They can hit from top to bottom of the lineup. It's been a magical year for them; they are the true "cardiac kids" winning back to back playoff games in extra innings with walkoff HR's.

Their stud pitcher is Justin Bradley (UNC-W). He pitched 10 innings in the 12 inning game. They will use him and use him often.

They have had a hitting star every game, so they are deep...and they love FB's.

They will have a hard time with Messer, though (Who hasn't?)....and I feel comfortable in saying they have never faced someone like Bumgarner. But this is a team of destiny...much like North Davidson. They will fight you all of the way.

IMO, the strongest teams this year are out West and SC is the cream of the crop. If they go out there being aggressive at the plate, everything else will take care of itself.

The area that will benefit the Spartans is both Messer and Bumgarner will have a weeks rest.

Beware of Bradley...the kid can pitch

 

There are fastballs, and then theres fastballs. Ashley did quite alright against Stephen Harrold who was consistantly poppin 92's and 93's all night against them. They've also hit Brad Mincey when he was running it up to 94. Im not taking anything away from what bumgarner does, he's an outstanding pitcher, but it takes more than a fastball in this day in age...

P.S. For everyone who's trying to find info on Ashley through the newspaper & school website, hahahaha, good luck...they're the red headed stepchild of wilmington. They get no press - or if they do, they find some way to screw it up (wrong names, scenarios, etc.). I dont know who heads up the school website, but they're not very good at it, I know that much...

 

I saw them beat Richmond. Two things that come to mind: their ace and their shortstop. Their #1 pitcher is pretty stout. Good fastball and good breaking stuff. Their shortstop is a freaking vacuum cleaner. Good range and quick. I'm not sure who the big bats are, but I know their first baseman crushed our spirits.

 

You are right in all points except I would like to add that Bobby is not just "Old School" he is "Old Testament" You just have to love Bobby..... you either love him or love to try to beat him.

 

Please guys

these radar readings are getting totally out of controll.

 

theres a difference...

...in a 95 mph fastball and a 95 mph fastball on your hands or spotted up where Bumgarner wants to spot it. Then just as you start to tune in to that FB, you get the slider low and in that you just can't hold up on... not just your average 95 mph FB, but its 95 with some outstanding movement. Good luck hitting it consistantly. I've been behind the plate a few times with Bumgarner pitching and its not your "average" 95 mph FB.