Tri-9 Predictions

1) Middle Creek (6-0, 8-2)
2) Green Hope (5-2, 6-3)
3) Apex (5-2, 5-3)
4) Fuquay (4-2, 6-2)
5) Panther Creek (4-3, 4-6)
6) Holly Springs (2-5, 3-7)
7) Lee County (2-5, 2-6)
8) Athens Drive (1-5, 2-6)
9) Cary (1-5, 2-7)

First place Middle Creek who looks to be like the team to beat right now goes on the road for three conference games next week. Huge test. In my opinion, I still think Fuquay is the best team in the conference once all is said and done.

 

Midway

Here we are midway and only 2 losses separate the top 5 teams. What I can't understand is that it seems to be anybody's year in the Tri-9 and hardly anybody is talking about it. I don't remember the last time the conference being balanced as it is this year, with #9 able to beat #1 (and no one makes much of a fuss about it). Many games have been close, with many walk-offs in extra innings. $5 will get you more baseball this year for sure. I look forward to another half of entertaining games that are played hard yet not turn ugly, as many of the players know each other well and appear to respect each other (maybe because they'll be teammates this summer or fall).

 

Midway II

Since comments on the Tri-9 continue to go silent, I'll add a few words:

Congratulations to Middle Creek and Green Hope for winning their respective spring break tournaments. I was sad to hear that Jimmy Boyd had injured his pitching arm recently (from the N&O). Obviously my moniker indicates my ties but I hate to hear of any talented ball player in the area having arm trouble, especially someone as talented as Jimmy. Their victories against good competition in the tournament despite the injury to a key player speaks to their talent and coaching. MC was not picked as a #1 team preseason in the Tri-9, having lost some talented players from last year, but the new guys have stepped up.

I am also happy to see Panther Creek make progress this year, possibly a record year for them. It has been a while coming, but they have a very solid group of seniors (including D'Elia, Harris, Malinsky, Young, and others) who I have watched since LL. They represent PC well and I hope they make the playoffs for the first time.

Finally, I want to recognize someone who usually gets overlooked. Green Hope is 1/2 game back of first in the Tri-9 currently, and I think for most making predictions, this too was unexpected as GH lost some key pitchers from last year (Povse and Sondag). Will Gilbert and Keith Walsh are pitching well for GH and both have been mentioned previously in this forum. However, Daniel Weygandt has not to my knowledge. Currently Daniel leads the team in wins (5-1) including being the winning pitcher against FV, Cary, and Sanderson and has an ERA under 2.00. On Monday, he threw a complete game win against Enloe despite being under the weather, getting 15 outs in the last 17 batters he faced. His only loss was in relief against Leesville Road (currently undefeated) on a seeing eye single on a low outside strike (kudos to the LR kid who hit it). Also, could not be a nicer human being and the most coachable kid I know.

I fully expect other teams to make moves. I know Athens has a key player just coming of the injured list. Holly Springs has improved since the beginning. Whatever happens in the 2nd half, it won't be boring.

 

You nailed it FFalcons. Boyd has already been playing the year with a football injury but if this baseball injury keeps him off the mound, MC is in trouble. Fuquay is better than people think and if they can get their pitching to come together, they will really be tough to handle in the playoffs because that lineup can swing it.

 

From what I hear it has been more about Jimmy resting his arm which is why he was not utilized in the Easter tournament. Hopefully he will be back on the bump for the 2nd half of the season.

The conference is up for grabs in the 2nd half. The top of the conference benefited from MC's 2 game skid to end the first half.

Apex, FV, GH & MC will be battling it out. I think HS and PC will be competing for the final playoff spot. Should be very entertaining.

 

2nd half will be lots of fun for sure. Anybodys league.

 

Sanderson Spartans should get a TRI 9 bid

The Spartans are 5 and 1 against the TRI 9 this year
Beating Cary 3-2, Athens 2-1 before falling 8-7 to Green Hope. They then picked up 3 wins in the TRI 9 challenge beating Holly Springs 5-0 behind a complete game 4 hitter by Junior Tyler Hardee, then winning 5-2 against Panther Creek with Sophomore Daniels Delaney picking up the win, and then winning 3-2 at Apex in the their second game Saturday behind Senior Tom Preisters strong 6 1/3 innings. GO SPARTANS!!!

 

Congrats Sanderson. You've beaten the bottom few Tri-9 teams.

 

take what you can get

Sometimes you gotta take what you can get!!

 

2nd half starts with flourish

Cary wins in walk-off upset, GH slips past AD in last at-bat, HS comes back to win in 7th over PC. Haven't heard from Lee County, but at least 3 exciting and close games in the Tri-9 tonight. I expect plenty more to come.