New polls out

N. Meck still lost. Polls are also killing East Rowan's rankings for playing tough schedule. I do have to give a shout out thought that your coaching is thinking ahead giving #4 pitcher the ball in championship game. It will help in the long run. Good Luck N. Meck

 

What about the gamble of the NW Cabarrus coach who played the first 2 games of a single elimination tournament WITHOUT throwing his ace, because he was hoping to have the kid available if they were in the championship game,,,, and he was,,,, and it worked. Shout out to that coach too.

 

I was surprised Finley pitched against Robinson in the semis, this would have been a better game to pitch Gaillard...Also, North did not score against NW..I'm not sure it would have mattered who North put on the hill.

 

What grades are these 3 pitchers in that goto North Meck?

 

Finley and Foreman are Sr's....Pope and Gaillard are Jr's...

 

A big surprise for me was Watauga not making it. I know they had the loss to AC Reynolds and that killed them but they are one of the hottest teams right now. They beat DH Conley in the Easter tournament 4-3. Although I was not there I heard it was a great game. They took down South Caldwell AT Sawmills. They beat an impressive South Central team 4-3 and they just don't seem to be slowing up. Where's the love? I know they have three losses but one was to Ardrey Kell in a tight game, another was to Mt. Tabor but then they bounced back and beat them the next day and the last was to AC Reynolds which was just a loss. Nothing else to it, they broke down in the last two innings and everything went downhill. They have a couple of tough conference and out of conference games this week so we will see what it tells. They have East Burke at Icard Monday, Alexander Central at home Tuesday, TC Roberson at TC Friday, and North Davidson at home Saturday. Then they take a break for a day and prepare for the Battle in Boone vs South Caldwell. Good luck and stay hot Watauga.

 

You have to give it to Pete Hardy. He is not scared to play anyone at Watauga. He searches out the competition for non-conference games and it will show in the long run. With his non-conference schedule a .600 winning pct is excellent and only makes them better in the long run.

 

Right you are... There are a lot of great high school coaches in NC, but boy he has to be one of the best. He coaches the way you are supposed to. I gained the maximum respect for him when Mt Tabor was ranked number 10 in the state. He went down and played them and got spanked 10-1. The next day they were supposed to come to Boone but it rained. He could have easily just called it off and said no we got spanked it isn't even worth it. But he called up the coach and got the team together and drove down there again and took care of business 5-4. The Mt Tabor coach had to be saying to himself what is he thinking? We just spanked them and he wants to come play us again. But he got his team ready, got them in the right mindset and they bounced back for a huge win. He also might be one of the most intimidating on field coaches I have ever seen, which leads to respect from his team and opposing teams. If you come to a Watauga game and ever see a ball in the hole that nobody gets dirty for. Turn away because you don't want to see the earful they are about to receive. If you don't think he wants to win more than anyone in the state. Stand on the third base side of the field while they have their pre game talk after infield and try to get a listen into the clubhouse. From what his past and present players say, that is their favorite part of the game. He gets the entire team motivated within a 30 second speech that revs them up. His non conference schedule this year consists of North Davidson twice, Providence twice, Mt Tabor twice, Ardrey Kell, TC Roberson, and West Wilkes. Then he goes to an Easter tournament and and plays number 3 DH Conley, South Central, and Kinston. Come on now... except for South Central and Kinston those are all teams that have been ranked in the last two years. That has to be one of the toughest non conference schedules in the state. As for results... he is winning. So far they have split with Mt Tabor, lost to Ardrey Kell in a tight game, spanked West Wilkes 17-1, and swept at the easter tournament against DH, South, and Kinston. With this tough non conference schedule they are 5-2. Their record against ranked opponents is 3-2 with wins vs South with Messer on the hill, Mt Tabor, and DH Conley. Thats a pretty strong resume to not be ranked if you ask me. Thanks Pete for all your work that you do. It shows why your one of the best coaches in the state.

 

This is a great post, but I had to point this out.

The funny things is, you may be right, but it is not something he does intentionally. He's a unique coach in that he demands respect for the game, won't hesitate to get after his players, but has a warm fellowship with all his players (off the field). If I had to characterize him, I would call it a Bobby Knight passion for baseball and Roy Williams compassion for his players.

 

and don't forget he has the respect of all the other coaches around