New polls out

TJ jinx ???

Sorry Braves, I'm skeered to recommend anyone else for a poll, so far have recommended several schools for 2 different polls and each time the team I recommended was on a strong roll, but after my recommendation they immediately lost a ballgame, heck one of those teams took on a 3 game losing streak.

I do agree its awful difficult to do a poll, but to folks outside the Piedmont region (Andy and others) I think you will see East Rowan at the end of the season, they are serious contenders for the state 3A title especially if all their pitching gets healthy. So far they have only lost 2 nonconference games to 4A power North Davidson and someone else (sorry cant recall). East has UNCC signee Justin Roland at SS, and return 7 other starters who finished 2nd place in a very strong 4A CPC last year. When healthy, East has 2 very good starting pitchers, that along with this experienced 1-8 lineup from HS & legion, they just won't beat themselves, play solid D and can hit with most anyone.

I'll stick by East and if they now go on a losing streak, then I'm done with predictions...

 

That's a good recap, tj. It is exactly what Andy wants.

 

Ragsdale is just a team full of sophomores and juniors. I think they have us rated too high...

 

You guys are probably right about South Rowan rated a little too high at #6. However, this poll was done before they lost to Mooresville. And you mention that South has lost to East and Mooresville, but they have done so with Shive and Meadows on the mound. For the year, they have faced what many considered the best 4 arms in the NPC before the year started (not knowing how Holmes would come back): Lamascola, Overcash, Shive, and Meadows. They came out 2-2 in those games. Also, I'm not sure why it's bad to squeak out a win against Davie when they were 9-1 entering the game. For what it's worth, I am agreeing with you that they may be a little bit overrated but they have put together a very successful season so far. I also think that East is going to win the NPC b/c when Holmes is healthy, they have a 1-2 punch on the hill that can't be matched in the conference. Anyways, polls are created for discussion and I guess that's what this one has done.

 

NPC Arguments

I think the debate between East Rowan, South Rowan, and Mooresville has been brought to attention everytime an Impact Poll or a Sweet 16 poll has come out. I think the evidence has been laid out everytime (if you look at past threads), but very little changes. It seems everyone agrees that South has a good team, but simply isn't on the same level with East Rowan and Mooresville. It simply is going to have to be settled on the field. It only matters who is ranked highest at the end of the season, anyway.

 

I agree that South is not right now on the same level as East Rowan. But I'm not sure how you can say they're not on the same level as Mooresville. They lost 3-1 to Mooresville's Ace, who threw a 1-hitter, and the game was basically decided by a 2 run double (or triple, I can't remember) in the first inning. They have the same conference record, about the same overall record, South destroyed a team (NWC) 12-1 that Mooresville lost to with the same pitcher on the mound (Overcash). South may or may not finish ahead of Mooresville in the conference, but it's going to be hard to convince me they're not on the same level.

 

Ragsdale is playing like #1

Ragsdale may be a team of Junior and Sophomores but their record is 5-0 in the Conference and 11-1 on the season. As of today, they have earned #1.
But, the season is only 1/2 over and polls are fluid so.....
I think we will know more after next week.
Ragsdale plays at SEG on Tuesday.

 

Polls are to subjective. If it is based off of the caliaber of play. That is one thing. But, just like stats they are subject to opinion or even based on opinion. And we all know how many there are. For those at the top of any poll (generally speaking) the only way to go is down. They look to be fairly close to right. One or two could trade places or one may just be off in 11th. But, it only takes one loss to change things.

 

huge game next week with #4 SE Guilford. It's at their place. SEG can really hit the ball and other than Hopewell Ragsdale hasn't run into a team yet that can hit through the lineup like SE.

Should be a great ball game.

 

Yes, Ryan Overcash pitched a great Championship Game in the Kannapolis Intimidators Classic against North Meck; however, I just wanted to mention that North Meck was on their 8th game in just 13 days. North Meck pitched their #4 pitcher (Kyle Gaillard). Gaillard only gave up 5 hits which was an outstanding performance considering he has only been back playing baseball less than a month due to the basketball state championship quest. Had North Meck thrown Finley, Pope or Foreman (all three are undefeated) then just maybe the outcome would have been a little different. Coach King is preparing this team for the stretch giving everyone valuable innings.