Fike-Rocky Mount: The Rivalry

It has quickly become a rivalry unlike any other. In 2008, the teams split the series 2-2, Rocky Mount winning the first and last games. Many remember this hit in the Top of the 6th with two outs and the score tied 0-0 in the 4th round last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN_63-6FXRE There will be a playoff like atmosphere tomorrow night when these two step between the white lines again, first pitch is set for 7:00 PM at Fike.

Probable Starters: Rocky Mount- Hobbs Johnson(5-0)
Wilson Fike- William Prince(2-1)

3 Players to Watch:Rocky Mount- Brian Goodwin, Ben Fish, Thomas Berry

Wilson Fike- Mitchell Wheeler, David Gibbons, Russell Ward

Rocky Mount: 12-1(2-0)
Wilson Fike: 7-3(2-0)

 

It would be hard to top those four games from last year. RM boys said Massey was one of, if not THE toughest pitcher they faced all year. AND, to have to see him four times.....well that didn't help.

 

Players To Watch: Better Watch Everybody!

Both teams are loaded with good players, so spectators better watch everybody.

Expected Lineups:

Rocky Mount:
Dillon Cockrell (ss)
Collins Cuthrell (3rd)
Brian Goodwin (cf)
Ben Fish (c)
Thomas Berry (1st)
Michael Whitehead (2nd)
Parker Helms (rf)
Hobbs Johnson (p)
Carter Varnell (lf)

Benton Moss (p)

Wilson Fike:
Michael McLawhorn (ss)
Mitchell Wheeler (3rd)
David Gibbons (cf)
Russell Ward (c)
Tripp Sauls (1st)
Brett Allen (2nd)
Richard Carr (rf)
William Prince (p)
Michael Brown (lf)
Cullen Carter (dh)

It's going to be a challenge for Fike. Rocky Mount's pitching is stingy. They've given up only 30 runs in 13 games (2.31 runs per game ave.)
Fike is hitting the ball real well this year, but has not seen a pitcher as good as Hobbs Johnson.

If both Hobbs Johnson & William Prince bring their A-game this could turn out to be a low-scoring affair.

 

I love this rivalry. It's a little different without Massey and Leggett, but one can feel the intensity for this game out west.

I hope both teams ensure that Stretchy doesn't have the plate...or it will be a long night with a bunch of walks.

 

Always a good rivalry here for sure!! Karlrocket, how'd you get the line up that early. Must be on the ball. When did the Allen kid become a Fike player? Those guys have always been southern nashers?

 

Rocky Mount 1 Wilson Fike 0

WP: Hobbs Johnson
LP: William Prince

Great Game! Johnson throws one-hitter! Prince gives up 4 hits.

Scoring: Goodwin reaches on an error in 1st. After a groundout & a Collins Cuthrell base hit, Goodwin sits on 3rd. Goodwin scores on a Ben Fish sacrifice fly. That's all the scoring.

Hobbs Johnson had 11 strikeouts, 3 walks, faced 26 batters.
William Prince had 6 strikeouts, 3 walks, faced 29 batters.

Hitting:
RM: Brian Goodwin (1-3)
RM: Collins Cuthrell (1-3)
RM: Thomas Berry (1-3)
RM: Nick Hahula (1-3)
WF: Tripp Sauls (1-1)

 

Two good teams, one great game. Like many others though, wondering how in the world Rocky Mount can sit that senior Gabe Brown, who was named a returning starter. That kid had a great year last year, and in the state championship, was awesome. Had a great bat, made some game busting hits, and great glove. No errors on his part. Between Brown and Cockrell, nothing got through them. Thing that make ya go hmm...

 

I'd speculate that it's a coaches decision and leave it at that. Let's see, Pat Smith with over 100 victories at RM vs. you and, "many others". I'll take Pat Smith.

 

Who else is in the dugout other than the 3 coaches and the players?