SW4A Preview - 2011

Bounce

Commonplace in locker rooms across the country is an anonymous quote saying “It is not how far you fall but how high you bounce.” Thus will be the case in the SW4A in 2011.

After dominating throughout the first decade of the 21st century, where a team from the SW4A played in the western 4A regional eight times, winning five titles, 2010 became a season of discontent for most of the league members.

For the first time in over two decades, the SW4A did not have a team win at least 20 games. Five schools were slated onto the North Carolina state 4A western bracket, but before the third round was to begin, all but the final wild card qualifier, Myers Park, were sitting home. The Mustangs joined them three days later as the SW4A failed to have a loop member reach the sectionals for the first time since 1994.

It was a rough season for the league right from opening day when South Meck was thumped by Charlotte Catholic in the first game of the season 7-2. The league’s schedule was washed away on the next two days and then defending state champion Ardrey Kell was run over by North Meck only to fall again a day later losing to Weddington 2-1. Later that day, eventual league champion Providence blew a three run lead late to the Vikings to fall 4-3 and then were crushed by Pinecrest 10-0 at the Impact Invitational. After the first week of play, league teams were 6-10, a far cry from what was the normal winning percentage for the SW4A against non-conference opponents where the league was 276-131 against non-league teams in the proceeding four seasons including the state playoffs. The SW4A was only 51-31 in 2010.

The close of the season was little better for the league. Champion Providence was upset in the first round after looking like they had found themselves and was ready to make an extended run in the state playoffs. South Meck was blanked 11-0 and East Meck was bounced 5-3 in the first round as well. Defending state champion Ardrey Kell was shut out 3-0 in the next round by eventual regional champion East Forsyth before TC Roberson ended the last of the SW4A hopes in an 11-3 whipping of Myers Park in the district.

2011 should be a bounce back season for the league. Nine players have signed or committed with division one schools including six with teams from the ACC. Four others inked National Letters of Intent this month to division two schools with at least a half dozen or more to follow. The top four home run hitters in the league all return to their respective line-ups plus a plethora of other top level sticks. But possibly one of the largest improvements in the coming season for the SW4A will be the return of power arms that had been the stable of the league for years. 2010 saw the league full of good pitchers but no dominate ones, thus no dominate teams in the conference in 2010. In the past, the likes of Alex Wood, Richie Shaffer, Jordan Darnell, Andrew Smith, Matt Andress, David Mailman, Ryan Morris, Jonathan Ratledge, TJ Worrell (both before arm injuries) and Robert Woodard were able to lead their teams to league and tournament titles and deep into the state playoffs, many of them to the finals. Further research would find similar result and the reason why the SW4A has been to 16 finals in 41 years. In 2011 there are a number of “live arms” that could become one of those “special” ones, that will once again lead a SW4A squad deep into May or even June.

That is why league coaches have been hard at work all fall refining their talent and preparing for what should be an excellent and exciding season of SW4A baseball. Following November’s dead period, area ball fields will once again be active as players work through the holidays in anticipation of the new season, looking for one thing. Bounce.

 

Preview - Page 1

For release: November 28, 2010

SW4A Preview – 2011

Ardrey Kell Knights – Coach: Hal Bagwell (288-114) – 5th season (15th SW4A)

2010 Record: 19-9, 8-4 SW4A – T2nd
Last Conference Title: 2008
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: None
Last Play-off Appearance: 2010 – Second Round
Last State Finals: 2009
Last State Title: 2009

Key Losses: Jack Reinheimer – SS (All-State, All-SW4A, Braves, 31st Round)
Ryan Butler – P (All-SW4A)
Ashton Lover – P (All-SW4A)
Cody Shelton – 3B (All-SW4A HM)

Top Returns: Logan Ratledge – SS (All-SW4A – North Carolina State)
Brett Lang – C (Charlotte)
Chris McCue – P (North Carolina)
Alex Leach – 1B (Appalachian State)
Colin Keefer – 3B (UMass-Boston)
Trent Thornton – P (North Carolina)

After two straight runs to the state finals, AK was knocked out of the 4A playoffs by eventual western regional champion East Forsyth in the second round in what turned out to be a microcosm of the Knight’s season where a good pitch becomes a home run and a ball destine for the outfield with the bases loaded is turned into an inning ender. Ardrey Kell will start turning over their team as only two players remain from their state title squad of 2009, NC State signee Logan Ratledge and Charlotte signee Brett Lang. Ratledge, fourth in the SW4A in HRs in 2010, will move back to SS where he played in ’09 and Lang will handle the majority of the catching duties. If the Knights are to win a SW4A title in 2011 the pitchers will be the key. Right handers senior Chris McCue and junior Trent Thorton (4-1 in 2010) , both who signed or committed with/to North Carolina will provide a good 1-2 punch and should be supplemented by junior Brian Hummel and seniors Quint English and Ethan Garrett. Critical to the Knights success will be seniors Drew Davies and Appalachian signee Alex Leach. Big years at the plate for Leach and Davies could lead the Knights back to the SW4A crown.


Butler Bulldogs – Coach: Kim Cousar (204-130) – 14th season

2010 Record: 8-14, 4-8 SW4A – 6th
Last Conference Title: 2007
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 2007
Last Play-off Appearance: 2009 – 3rd Round

Key Losses: Ryan Mas – P (All-SW4A)
Patrick McMahon – P/1B (All-SW4A)
Matt Rose - C
David Anderson – LF
Nick Salisbury - 2B

Top Returns: Brandon McWhirter – P (UNC-Pembroke)
Ryan Hodge - SS
Chase Gehringer - CF
Tommy Hibbard – 3B/P

The Bulldogs where the youngest team in the league in 2010 with only two seniors in their regular starting line-up, that included sophomores in center and first and a freshman at second. That will not be the case for Butler in 2011. The last time Butler had this much talent laden squad returning was 2007 when they romped through the SW4A going undefeated, in route to a 27-1 record before falling to South Caldwell and Madison Bumgardner in the 4A sectionals. The 2011 edition of the Bulldogs will feature junior Chase Gehringer, one of the swiftest players in the league, in center and an excellent SS senior Ryan Hodge. Both corner infielders Tommy Hibbard (a two year veteran to the SW4A wars) and Dalton Eisenbath at first also return to the Bulldog line-up. The Dawgs feature four pitchers that have logged significant innings in the league, including seniors lefty Brandon McWhirter, who has signed with UNC-Pembroke, Mitchell Rawlings, and Hibbard. Throw in junior AJ Larson who was 1-1 last year and the Bulldogs should be a factor in the SW4A race. The loss of sophomore second baseman Nick Salisbury to Independence will hurt.


East Meck Eagles – Coach: Clint Koppe (15-10, 6-6) – 2nd season

2010 Record: 15-10, 6-6 SW4A – 4th
Last Conference Title: 1994
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 1983
Last Play-off Appearance: 2010 – 1st Round

Key Losses: Leighton Daniels – SS (All-SW4A)
Olen Little – P (All-SW4A)
Christian Lee – OF


Top Returns: Lou Trosch – P
Jackson Reisterer – 2B
David Daniels – C (All-SW4A)
Jonathan Crews – P

2010 was a year of streaks for the Eagles. Winning their first seven non-league games, East would drop their first four SW4A contests (three by a single run, the other a two run loss) to fall to the bottom of the league standings. From there, the Eagles would whip off six straight loop victories to put them at the precipice of their first league title in 15 years before dropping their final two regular season contests to finish fourth in the league at 6-6. An upset loss in the opening round of the conference tournament and a first round defeat in the 4A playoffs put the Eagles on the sidelines with a four game losing streak to end the year and a hollow feeling of what could have been. The graduation of all league players Leighton Daniels and Olen Little leaves two large holes for the Eagles to fill in ’11 but three returning pitchers that won 10 games last season, more that any group of returning pitchers in the SW4A, will help soothe the loss. East will be led by three year veteran Lou Trosch. Trosch, an All-SW4A pitching selection when he was a freshman, quite probably will have been the starting pitcher in more SW4A games than any player in league history by season’s end. Following Trosch to the hill will be Ben Leach (4-0) and lefty Jonathan Crews. All-league performer David Daniels and junior Jackson Reisterer, who had an outstanding summer season, will provide a lot of punch at the top of the Eagle order. If East can fill some of the graduation loss holes, they will contend for the title.

 

Page 2

Independence Patriots – Coach: Matt Dykema (22-47) – 4th season

2010 Record: 8-16, 2-10 SW4A – 7th
Last Conference Title: 2004 (MECA) 2001 (SW4A)
Last Tournament Championship: 2004 (MECA) 2001 (SW4A)
Last Play-off Appearance: 2009 – 1st Round
Last State Finals: 2004
Last State Title: 1984

Key Losses: Cody Starns – C/CF (All-SW4A)
Deano Psaroudis – OF
Jake Chisum – P

Top Returns: Carson Plyler – 2B/P
Brandon Wolf – SS/P (Wingate)
Taylor Cook – P (Newberry)
Tyler Bridgewater - OF
PJ Sardinia – 3B


Much was expected from the 2010 Patriots, but after a 2-1 victory over East Meck to open the conference season, Independence would win just once more on the SW4A circuit to finish in the league basement for the third consecutive year. No team lost more players to graduation than Independence as 12 seniors were part of the 2010 Patriot squad. Fortunately for the Patriots, several of their top players do return as Independence looks to regain the form of a decade ago when the Patriots shared the league championship and won the SW4A tournament. If Independence is to make a run, middle infielders and pitchers Carson Plyler and Brandon Wolf will both have to have big years. The two have been the backbone of the Pats for the last three seasons but need more help, especially from the defense. Taylor Cook, who led the team in innings pitched, would also benefit from improved defense. Tyler Bridgewater came on in the second half of the season to supply some pop to the Patriot offense and junior PJ Sardinia returns to man the hot corner. But for Independence to be a top division team they will need some excellent performances from players that have yet to experience varsity competition. The opening of Rocky River in the adjacent pupil assignment area will make finding varsity caliber players even more difficult for the Patriots this season, however the addition of sophomore Nick Salisbury from Butler due to pupil reassignments will be a huge plus for the Patriots.


Myers Park Mustangs – Coach: John Spencer (34-21) – 3rd season

2010 Record: 15-12, 5-7 SW4A – 5th
Last Conference Title: 2003
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 2009
Last Play-off Appearance: 2010 – District
Last State Finals: 2003
Last State Title: 1970

Key Losses: Brian Holberton – C (All-State, All-SW4A)
Grant Fisher – P (All-SW4A)
Joe Hager – OF (All-SW4A)


Top Returns: Matt Hedberg – P/OF
Grant Goodson – CF
Matt Keeter – P
Tyler Powell – 3B/P (Western Carolina)

After finishing a disappointing 5-7 and in fifth place in the SW4A, Myers Park slipped into the State 4A playoffs as the final wild card selection. Once in the tournament, the Mustangs advanced to the districts, further than any other SW4A squad, by knocking out two number one seeds before bowing out at TC Roberson. The loss of three all-league performers, including all-stater Brian Holberton, will be a challenge for the Mustangs to overcome but the talent is on the roster. Matt Hedberg started slow on the hill for the Mustangs in 2010 but caught fire at the end of the season to finish the year with a 4-3 record, including a shutout of I-Meck champion Hopewell in the second round of the state playoffs. Tyler Powell (Western Carolina) is the best defensive third basemen in the league and speedy Grant Goodson can play both center or in the middle infield for Coach Spencer as needed. Breaking ball specialist Matt Keeter was very effective for the Mustangs out of the pen last year going 3-1. MP has the talent to contend and with a few key contributions from newcomers, the Mustangs could win their first title since 2003.

Providence Panthers – Coach: Danny Hignight (147-49) – 7th season

2010 Record: 18-8, 9-3 SW4A – 1st
Last Conference Title: 2010
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 2010
Last Play-off Appearance: 2010 – 1st Round
Last State Finals: 1997
Last State Title: 1995

Key Losses: Kurt Semeniuk – P (All-SW4A)
Zack McKelvey – P
Ben Brown – 2B

Top Returns: Brett Austin – OF (All-State, All-SW4A – NC State)
Jackson Campana – 3B (All-SW4A – Clemson)
Jake Fincher – SS (All-State, All-SW4A – NC State)
Jacob Rothman – 1B
Andrew Maclatchie – C

Providence won their second consecutive SW4A title, their 10th overall, and also won the league tournament for an eight time, both SW4A records. After struggling early, the insertion of sophomores Jacob Rothman and Andrew Maclatchie (Diamonds in the Rough) into the line-up help turn the Panther season around. The moved freed up senior all-stater Brett Austin (NC State) from behind the plate to help shore up the outfield and added some protection to Austin in the line-up who led the league with 11 home runs. Austin will be far from the only threat in the Panther line-up as once again he will be flanked by senior all-state short stop Jake Fincher (NC State) and junior all-league third basemen Jackson Campana (Clemson) who both tied for second in the league with eight HRs each. After a stunning opening round loss in the state playoffs, Providence will be loaded on the offensive side, ready to make a run in 2011 but replacing the arms will be the key. The Panthers graduated over 90 percent of the innings pitched in 2010, as only Ty Buttery (1-1) returns as a Panther pitcher that saw any significant action. Campana has a 90+ fastball and has thrown some on the showcase circuit. If the Panthers have the new arms groomed, a state title is a possibility.

 

Page 3

Rocky River Ravens – Coach: Shawn Schmitt (0-0) 1st Year

2009 Record: None
Last Conference Title: None
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: None
Last Play-off Appearance: None
Last State Finals: None
Last State Title: None


Key Losses: None

Top Returns: None

For novice SW4A baseball followers, much might not be expected from first year school Rocky River. But to do so would be a mistake and ignore the conference history of newly opened schools entering the league in baseball. Look at the last three new schools: If you have followed the SW4A in recent years, if was hard to miss Ardrey Kell’s entrance into the league in 2007. After going 18-9 and making the playoffs in their initial season, the Knights won the league the following year and advanced to the state championship series before winning the state title in 2009. Butler joined the SW4A in 1998, at the height of the Sabre/Panther cat fight era where each would represent the league in the state title series for three consecutive seasons from 1997-99. But the Bulldogs quickly made their mark on the league finishing fourth their first year and then winning three consecutive titles from 2000-2002 making a run to the 4A regional in each of the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Providence joined the SW4A in 1990, battling the defending state champion Sabres and Independence for league supremacy before falling to the Patriots. The next season would be the first of back to back titles for the Panthers leading to a record 10, before Providence would win it all in 1995. The Ravens maybe an unknown quantity at this time but I would not discount them, especially if you know the history.


South Meck Sabres – Coach: John Tuscan (16-10) 2nd Year

2009 Record: 16-10, 8-4 SW4A – T2nd
Last Conference Title: 2004
Last SW4A Tournament Championship: 2006
Last Play-off Appearance: 2010 – 1st Round
Last State Finals: 2005
Last State Title: 1989


Key Losses: Deuce Wright – C (All-SW4A)
Caleb Cunningham – P/OF (All-SW4A)
Trevor Hovis - OF

Top Returns: Andrew Maulin – SS (All-SW4A HM)
Tim Youtsey - OF

No team leaned on their seniors more than South Meck in 2010 as the Sabres had their best finish in the SW4A since 2006 when Hal Bagwell was still leading the Sabres. Under the direction of first year head Coach John Tuscan, South finished tied for second in the SW4A with an 8-4 record. After a slow 1-3 start in the first two weeks of the season, Tuscan turn the ball over to his senior pitchers almost exclusively as they accounted for 15 of the Sabers 16 wins. In fact, Mitchell Wagner, who was credited with the win in relief in a 25-0 victory over Harding, was the only non senior pitcher to receive a decision for the Sabres all season. In the field, it was much of the same, as junior shortstop Andrew Maulin and senior outfielder Tim Youtsey were the only non seniors in the regular starting line-up. Daniel Brown, who DHed some in 2010, will likely see action in the outfield and the Sabres will look to senior Chris Pearlman to join with Wagner on the hill. Sophomore Earl Oliver swings a good stick and could take over one of the corner infield positions for Coach Tuscan. Other new faces that could play key roles if South is to win their first title since 2005 are catcher/pitcher Logan Koch and possibly freshmen Brooks Kennedy and Michael Smith.

 

Schedule Glance

All schedules are not complete and are subject to change.

Ardrey Kell

2/19 Fort Mill/Marvin Ridge (Scrimmage)
2/23 Mt. Pleasant (Scrimmage)
3/1 @ Weddington
3/2 Hopewell
3/5 Watauga
3/7 @ West Meck
3/9 @ West Stanly
3/11 @ South Meck
3/15 Independence
3/16 Marvin Ridge
3/18 Myers Park
3/22 @ Butler
3/25 @ East Meck
3/29 Rocky River
3/31 Providence
4/5 South Meck
4/8 @ Independence
4/9 Richmond Sr.
4/12 @ Myers Park
4/14 Butler
4/18 Charlotte Latin - Jack Sink Tournament - 7:30
4/20 Charlotte Christian - Jack Sink Tournament - 5:00
4/21 Providence Day - Jack Sink Tournament - 1:30
4/26 East Meck
4/29 @ Rocky River
5/2 @ Providence

Butler

2/19 Hopewell/East Gaston (Scrimmage)
3/1 North Meck
3/3 @ Weddington
3/7 Hickory Ridge
3/11 @ Myers Park
3/15 Rocky River
3/16 @ North Meck
3/18 East Meck
3/22 Ardrey Kell
3/25 Providence
3/29 @ South Meck
3/30 North Meck
3/31 Independence
4/5 Myers Park
4/8 @ Rocky Rivver
4/12 @ East Meck
4/14 @ Ardrey Kell
4/18 Hopewell @ East Meck Spring Break Tournament (4:30)
4/19 Hough @ East Meck Spring Break Tournament (11AM)
4/20 Marvin Ridge @ East Meck Spring Break Tournament (4:30)
4/26 @ Providence
4/28 @ West Meck
4/29 South Meck
5/2 @ Independence

East Meck

2/19 NW Cabarrus/Parkwood (Scrimmage)
3/1 West Charlotte
3/2 @ Mallard Creek
3/4 @ Vance
3/8 West Meck
3/11 @ Independence
3/15 Myers Park
3/18 @ Butler
3/22 Rocky River
3/23 @ Harding
3/25 Ardrey Kell
3/29 @ Providence
3/31 South Meck
4/2 A.L. Brown
4/5 Independence
4/6 Hopewell
4/8 @ Myers Park
4/12 Butler
4/14 @ Rocky River
4/18 Weddington - East Meck Spring Break Tournament (7:15)
4/19 North Meck - East Meck Spring Break Tournament (4:30)
4/20 Hough - East Meck Spring Break Tournament (7:15)
4/26 @ Ardrey Kell
4/29 Providence
5/2 @ South Meck

Independence

2/19 @ South Point (Scrimmage)
2/26 @ West Meck (Scrimmage)
2/28 @ West Charlotte
3/3 Mallard Creek
3/10 @ Vance
3/11 East Meck
3/15 @ Ardrey Kell
3/18 @ Providence
3/21 West Meck
3/22 @ South Meck
3/25 @ Rocky River
3/29 Myers Park
3/30 @ Hopewell
3/31 @ Butler
4/5 @ East Meck
4/8 Ardrey Kell
4/12 Providence
4/14 South Meck
4/18 Hough @ East Meck Spring Break Tournament (1:45)
4/19 Weddington @ East Meck Spring Break Tournament (1:45)
4/20 North Meck @ East Meck Spring Break Tournament (11AM)
4/26 Rocky River
4/29 @ Myers Park
5/2 Butler

Myers Park

3/4 Hopewell @ USA Complex Cary
3/5 Olympic
3/9 @ North Meck
3/11 Butler
3/14 @ Weddington
3/15 @ East Meck
3/18 @ Ardrey Kell
3/22 Providence
3/23 Marvin Ridge
3/25 South Meck
3/29 @ Independence
3/31 @ Rocky River
4/5 @ Butler
4/8 East Meck
4/11 Cox Mill
4/12 Ardrey Kell
4/14 @ Providence
4/18 Charlotte Country Day - Jack Sink Tournament - 1:30
4/20 Providence Day - Jack Sink Tournament - 7:30
4/21 Charlotte Christian - Jack Sink Tournament - 11A
4/26 @ South Meck
4/29 Independence
5/2 Rocky River

Providence

2/19 @ West Stanly (Scrimmage)
2/26 Weddington (Scrimmage)
3/1 Olympic
3/4 Hough
3/9 Hopewell
3/11 @ Rocky River
3/12 Alexander Central
3/15 South Meck
3/16 @ Weddington
3/18 Independence
3/22 @ Myers Park
3/25 @ Butler
3/29 East Meck
3/31 @ Ardrey Kell
4/5 Rocky River
4/8 @ South Meck
4/12 @ Independence
4/14 Myers Park
4/16 @ Watauga
4/19 Charlotte Christian - Jack Sink Tournament - 7:30 (Home Run Derby preceeds at 5:00)
4/20 Charlotte Latin - Jack Sink Tournament - 11A
4/21 Charlotte Country Day - Jack Sink Tournament - 5:00
4/26 Butler
4/29 @ East Meck
5/2 Ardrey Kell

Rocky River

2/19 @ Mallard Creek (Scrimmage)
2/21 West Meck (Scrimmage)
3/1 @ Highland Tech
3/2 Porter Ridge
3/3 @ Hickory Ridge
3/11 Providence
3/15 @ Butler
3/17 @ Porter Ridge
3/18 South Meck
3/22 @ East Meck
3/25 Independence
3/28 Highland Tech
3/29 @ Ardrey Kell
3/31 Myers Park
4/5 @ Providence
4/8 Butler
4/12 @ South Meck
4/14 East Meck
4/26 @ Independence
4/29 Ardrey Kell
5/2 @ Myers Park

South Meck

2/28 Charlotte Catholic @ Jack Hughes
3/3 @ Porter Ridge
3/4 @ West Meck
3/9 @ Marvin Ridge
3/11 Ardrey Kell
3/15 @ Providence
3/16 Porter Ridge
3/18 @ Rocky River
3/22 Independence
3/25 @ Myers Park
3/29 Butler
3/31 @ East Meck
4/5 @ Ardrey Kell
4/8 Providence
4/12 Rocky River
4/13 @ Hough
4/14 @ Independence
4/19-21 @ Jack Sink Tournament – Myers Park
4/25 West Meck
4/26 Myers Park
4/29 @ Butler
5/2 East Meck

 

Other top conferences.........

I do not have the perspective but it would be very interesting for someone to do a similar in-depth write-up on some of the other conferences. That certainly would keep the off season interesting. Who has that perspective and objectivity??

iff

 

No one does it better than Mincmi -

Maybe you should do it for the other conferences?

 

Mincmi should write for the Observer, the dude is that good...

 

He is good! Better than any newspaper around here.

 

What a great report!! How bout some of the other local teams in the city... i.e. Marvin Ridge, Charlotte Catholic, Cuthbertson