3A Championship Series - Rocky Mount vs. East Rowan

i'm usually not a big believer that the "2 best teams" always end up meeting in the finals. i don't necessarily believe that the two best teams are always the ones left standing in the end simply because they were the ones who got past all the other teams in single elimination or short-series situations.

however, for the first time in a few years in 3A, i definitely believe that the two BEST teams will be playing for the championship in 2008. i'm very excited about watching rocky mount and east rowan play. baseball is an extremely hard sport for the best teams to survive in the playoffs in - just ask southeast guilford. the two teams that are playing in the finals should be proud of both their overall seasons, as well as the way they've played over the past couple of weeks in the playoffs.

nobody can have any problems with this matchup. neither of these teams was some .500 club that simply got hot at the right time, and neither team cruised through the playoffs without having to beat some very formidable opponents. both teams certainly earned this opportunity they will be given next weekend.

any early thoughts on the series? i simply cannot wait to see a Jim Leggett vs Corbin Shive matchup on friday night in raleigh!

 

WHIG-TV Special on the Stretchlon Sports Show

Tonight at 8:30 pm at www.whigtv.com streamlined on the web my guest will be Baseball Britt. The show will be a Gryphon review of their run to the State Final as well as a preview of the upcoming series with East Rowan. We will be taking live calls 252-407-1111 on the air so give us a call tonight if you have any input on either of these teams.

Click on the watch it live icon on the website!!

 

can I call even though i don't have anything to say? Actually, I have a lot of input, but nothing I could say on the air.

 

Please call

I really want you to be one of our callers Braves. I want a TBR segment as it has made the state so much closer this year during the playoffs.

 

I will put on my "on air" makeup and try to call. But in reality, you were the reason the eastern part of the state is interested in TBR...and old warriors, Coach May and Evans.

I can't tell you how excited I am to have all the guys from out east. I feel like I know them and their sons. Heck, last year I didn't know what a "Fike' was. Now I know them very well and their pitchers, players, coaches and favorite fan (Grayben).

 

Stretchy- it won't allow you to connect to the server for Media Player

 

Rocky Mount vs. East Rowan

Going to have to agree that the 2 best teams are playing. Don't want to step on my own team's toes (Fike) or South Granville, or Conley. But, it is what it is. Don't know that much about East Rowan, but I'll take everyone's word that they are the real deal. Their record speaks for itself.
But, I'm very famaliar with Rocky Mout after having played them 4 times this year. They are well coached, fundamentally sound, and are simply very, very good. Let's not forget, they beat Greenville Rose twice this year (that's right, the same Rose that's playing for the 4A title) and scored 17 runs in Greenville. They have the pitching depth (Leggett, Berry, and Moss) and a couple more if they need. Everyone knows that Goodwin and Fish are good (believe me, they are), but I really like the way Barringer, Berry, and Johnson have stepped up. Not making any predictions here, but RM is a very worthy opponent. However, I will predict a 3 games series. Good luck RM. Remember, you are representing the East and the NEW-6!!!!!!!

 

I think Rocky Mount needs to take game 1. If East Rowan takes game 1 with Corbin Shive on the hill and still has Justin Roland on the mound in game 2 or game 3, Rocky Mount could be in trouble. I'd bet that no team has as much pitching depth as ER, which pays huge dividends in a 3-game series. Again, I'm not making any predictions because I'm unfamiliar with Rocky Mount. That's the beauty of these championship series's, the fans on each side really don't know much about the opposition because of location. I'm not even an East Rowan fan, just a fan from the western part of the state. I think this 3A championship game is the most intriguing of all the series's.

 

There is no question that ER has a much deeper pitching rotation than RM. We went to South Point and I was very impressed with ER. They are very fast very soild defensively and Rowland was a stud on the hill. RM has there work cut out for them....but its not supoosed to be a cake walk either way!!