4A West Regional

Mirror-Mirror - Two very evenly matched teams to battle it out.

You can remove the word arguably from the phase: “the SW4A is the toughest conference in the state”, at least of the rest of this season.

A day after number four seed Providence stopped number one, and nationally ranked South Caldwell at Saws Mill on Tuesday, fellow SW4A member Ardrey Kell joined them in the 4A West Regional with a thrilling 4-3 victory over preseason number one North Davidson.

Providence last won the Regional in 1997 before losing to Greenville Rose in the state championship series 4-3 and 7-3. In the Panther’s other finals appearance they won it all in 1995 when the upset a highly ranked New Hanover team 8-7 and 4-1.

While Ardrey Kell is playing in their first ever Regional, it will not be a new experience for their coach Hal Bagwell. Bagwell’s South Mecklenburg club lost to Providence in the 1997 west regional. The regional was not a series at that time. Bagwell has won two other Regionals, in 1999 and 2005. It was in 1999 that Greenville Rose was once again waiting for the SW4A foe as the Ramparts won 8-0 and 11-3.

Just so happens that Greensville Rose is once again in an East Regional hoping to return to the state finals for the first time since 2003 when they beat SW4A’s Independence. A Rose win will guarantee another Rose-SW4A final.

Providence head coach, Danny Hignight joined Bagwell’s staff at South Meck after the 1999 run before taking the Panther’s helm in 2003. Since then Hignight has guided the Panthers to back to back SW4A titles in 2005 and 2006. The 2008 regional will be Hignight’s first.

The two south side rivals have split a total of four games played. The Panthers won the first two including a 10-9 extra inning thriller in their initial meeting last year. The AK Knights swept the Panthers 3-2 and 5-2 this season leading to their SW4A title.

Both teams were knocked out of the SW4A tournament by identical 2-0 scores before they went on their runs to reach the 4A West Regional.

Providence has become the road warriors after falling to the number four seed when Weddington won the SW4A tournament. The Panthers have won four straight play off road games. They opened the play-offs with a 6-1 victory at West Forsyth and then shut out East Gaston 8-0. The Panthers beat Hopewell 2-1 in the districts before their 10-4 win over South Caldwell on Tuesday.

AK opened the 4A play offs with an 11-1 win over Mallard Creek and then shut out Greensboro Page 10-0. A come from behind 7-3 victory over North Meck put the Knights into the sectionals. After Mother Nature won on Tuesday, AK was able to get past North Davidson 4-3 on Wednesday.

The Match-Ups

Infield:
1B – Providence: Corey Smith – JR; Ardrey Kell: Jordan Darnell - SR
Both provide excellent glove work around the bag. Darnell has the more consistent bat. ADV - AK

2B – Providence: Drew Casella - JR; AK: Logan Ratledge – FR
Like at first, both player are strong glove men. Ratledge bat may be a touch stronger. ADV - AK

SS – Providence: Richie Shaffer– JR; Ardrey Kell: Jonny Eaker – SR
A big loss for the Panthers when starting SS CA Clayton broke his hand when he was it by a pitch. Shaffer moved to SS to keep the Panthers strong up the middle but he can only play one position at a time. Eaker continues to have the key hits for the Knights in the play offs. ADV - Providence

3B – Providence: Alex Askey– JR; Ardrey Kell: Jack Reinheimer– SO
Askey has played a lot on the hot corner when Shaffer is on the mound. Reinheimer’s glove continued to sparkle Wednesday against North Davidson and he also hand a key hit for the Knights – ADV AK

Outfield
RF – Providence: Eric Semenuik - SR; Ardrey Kell: Zico Pasut - JR
Semenuik delivered one of the key blows for the Panthers in their win over South Caldwell. Both have the ability to go deep. Semenuik covers more ground in the outfield. ADV - Providence

CF – Providence: Tyler Zupcic,– JR; Ardrey Kell: Ryan Stetson - JR
Zupcic has been the spark plug for the Panthers in their tournament run. Stetson keeps catching everything his way and driving in runs. – ADV AK

LF – Providence: Will Helms– SR; Ardrey Kell: Andrew Miller – SR
Miller had a key sac bunt on Wednesday to help get AK to the Regionals. Helms' base hit on Tuesday drove in the first Panther run to start their comeback. – ADV Providence

Catching – Providence: Matt Lee– JR; Ardrey Kell: Taylor Patterson - JR
Another Panther injury has hurt, but their depth is showing with Lee handling the catching duties more than adequately. Patterson continues to get on base for the Knights – ADV AK

DH – Providence: Brett Austin– FR; Ardrey Kell: Brett Nyenhuis – SR

Both players are switch hitters. Nyenhuis has heated up when the Knights needed him most and he had two key hits in Wednesday’s win– ADV - AK

Starting Pitching – Providence: Kurt Semeniuk – SO; Ardrey Kell: Alex Wood – JR
If this turns out to be the pitching match-up, both pitchers will be on full rest. Could very well be the only time in the series. Wood was able to work out of trouble for the win in the first match up this year. ADV - AK


Relief Pitching:
Providence: Jordan Fuller – JR;
Ardrey Kell: Blake Parsley – SR;

This series could very well be decided on the relief pitching, beyond Fuller and Parsley. With Darnell throwing a lot of pitches on Wednesday, it will be unlikely he is available for any action until Saturday at the earliest. Shaffer and Helms are somewhere down the line for the Panthers. The extra day’s rest is huge for Providence – ADV Providence

 

Help

With the short turn-around could use some help. Will some of the Panther Backers check the classes and make any other corrections. Thanks

 

Okay...here it is: The Queen City Brawl

I just left my seat at the Kastle knowing I will be there tonight. I ain't predictin' nuthin'

There is something I noticed last night. I salute all the students that attended the AK game last night. I was impressed..............But here are some tips for you:

- It is acceptable to cheer for your team. You don't have to wait for the final pitch of the game to stand up and cheer

- When your team bats, it's not acceptable to be able to hear "chirping crickets"

- This is not a Legion game---this is The Western Final Championship. Stand up, Yeeeeelllll, Scream, Shake Cow Bell if you must, but let people know that you are there.

- Watch Mrs. Darnell's lead----she will show you how to do it

I'm looking forward to this great series.

 

Thanks, Mincmi

Believe it or not, I woke up this morning looking forward to the breakdown of this series by Mincmi. Thanks for doing it!!!

 

Hey.....what's wrong with a Legion game.

I'm telling TJ21 on you Braves.......

 

Charlotte Legion games- where you can hear the flies walking on concrete

 

Did I mention how poorly the students at Providence attend their games...................

 

Braves - Be Quiet !

Braves - You got the AK fans going that is enough for one season. Let the Providence students drink their Lattes in peace !

 

Last time I'll listen to Braves!

I arrived at the ND / AK game last night about 7pm (you know, fashionably late). I figured I'd beat the crowd other than the fans from ND and hoped that this SW4A rival would not be recognized amongst the AK arrivals. But to my surprise, a full house with standing room only. I believe I'll get there a little earlier tonight.

Congrats to ND on a tremendous season and Good Luck to AK / Providence in their quest of a championship. Play well and stay healthy.