Northwest Cabarrus @ East Rowan Preview

This one will be a fight between 2 evenly matched teams and could go either way. The teams split 2 games earlier in the season, with NWC winning 11-7 http://www.salisburypost.com/Sports/040410-east-game and ER winning 6-2 http://www.salisburypost.com/Sports/041010-East-baseball.

Coaches: Both coaches are excellent and two of the best around, watching these two coaches is like watching a "clinic" on how the game is played. Should be a well coached game.

Pitching: Depending on the status of ER "ace" Thomas Allen, it's impossible to guess who gets the start for East. Coach Hightower isn't afraid to go with any of his very talented pitchers. East probably has more depth here than NWC. However, NWC has Taylor West and Weston Smith... and West has been "lights out" in his recent starts. Smith pitched 2 shut-out innings against ER in relief in the second game won by ER.

Offensively: Both teams can jump on you quick and score runs in bunches. However, I see this being a close game and whichever team can execute moving runners into scoring position, probably wins. NWC second baseman Cory Seager is on fire and the entire NWC lineup has the ability to change the game on one swing. ER can hit too, Preston Troutman and Noah Holmes are two of the best hitters around. They also have a "loaded" lineup that can hurt you in a hurry.

Defensively: Both teams are fundamently sound and the game could come down to who makes that costly mistake.


This will be battle to the end and I'm leaning towards Northwest to win a close one. If this was a three game series, I would pick East Rowan. Anybody else care to share your prediction?

 

Taking nothing away from NWC, but I think East is the better team. I think defensively they are incredible. I think pitching wise they have the advantage even with Allen hurt. Parker Gobbel was held out by Hightower last week but should be available tomorrow. I expect him to get the ball even if Allen is available. Offensively, I may give a slight edge to NWC, but not by much. If I was NWC, I would pitch very carefully to Troutman and Holmes. Both are experienced players who thrive in these type games. The bigger the stage the more they want to be responsible for the victory. I would take my chances with East's younger players who may feel the pressure a little. Both teams are very well coached. NWC handed East their first loss of the season, which I think shocked East a little bit. I don't think they saw it coming, but I guarantee they remember it. The largest intangible is this game is that it will be played on East Rowan's home field where people get there early and come in droves. East plays very confidently there. I think East wins this game 7 out of 10 times at Staton Field, but NWC is a very high quality team that wouldn't suprise me if they were to pull this game out.

Lots of folks talk about ER pitching depth. They may run out 4 pitchers a game and Hightower isn't afraid to situational pitch and to pull a guy quickly if he isn't performing. Sometimes I like to see a guy face a struggle and have to pitch through it and overcome it. I wish Allen was healthy, because he is the one horse Hightower would ride.

I'm not daring to make a prediction.

 

All I care about are the 3 G's

- Good seats
- Good food
- Good game

I'm excited to be coming to the hoedown

 

Wouldn't this be a great game to be played at Fieldcrest Stadium or at Catawba? Don't know if Staton will be large enough, but I will be there early! Hey Braves, I am reserving a spot for you and tj21. Just remember good seats don't come cheap!

 

Hot off the press!!!

http://www.salisburypost.com/Sports/052510-East-preview

Looks like ER goes with Parker Gobbel and NWC with Taylor West. Gobbel had success against NWC in the second game they played, but can NWC use the fact that they have seen him to their advantage? Taylor West is a lefthander with a "funky" delivery and it's very difficult to "time" his pitches down. In my opinion West is NWC best pitcher, with all due respect to Bain.

 

Better have plenty of hotdogs ready,,, Braves and tj21 are coming.

With that said, NW Cabarrus is playing as good right now as anybody I've seen all year. They're hitting 1-9, solid on defense and have 2 great pitchers. East Rowan has simply been playing solid defense and getting great pitching all year, my only question about ER is their hitting and yet their sticks came thru in the clutch against a very strong MP team last round. Both teams are obviously young, yet they have experience (if that makes sense),,, great players on both sides, colleges will get many of these players in the future, and at least several have pro opportunities.

Can't wait.

 

Gonna be fun!

 

I believe this game has been postponed due to weather

 

Correct...will play at 7PM tomorrow

 

Braves, I will be late getting there tomorrow (maybe gametime, dangit other job calls), but I will look for you when I get there.

For those coming up from Charlotte, easiest directions are up I-85 North, in Salisbury take Jake Alex Blvd exit (turn right), go about a mile to about 3rd stoplight looking for Hwy 52 (turn right again away from Salis), stay on 52 about 2 miles you will pass M&K Barbecue on right, take a right at next stoplight. Cross RR tracks, stay straight and Granite Quarry Elem.School is on your left, ballpark behind school.

They do NOT play at East Rowan HS, they play behind this Elem.School.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate on Wednesday, and get there early if you can, because there was already a crowd in the rain an hour early tonight.