Ardrey Kell at North Meck

The cross county rivals square off in a 4A West district match-up with the winner gaining entry into the Elite-8 and one step closer to the state finals in Raleigh.

Ardrey Kell, SW4A champions (24-4) traveled to North Meck, MECA 7 titlist (21-4) a month ago (4/16), winning 7-2 in a contest stuck between league games as both teams were battling for their respective loop crowns. That result will give little in the way of clues and play no bearing in how Friday’s outcome will be determined.

North Meck has battled there way into the third round, besting RJ Reynolds 10-7 in the first round and stopping Davie County 3-1 on Tuesday to reach the districts. Ardrey Kell has blasted their first two opponents, winning 11-1 over Mallard Creek and shutting out Greensboro Page 10-0.

The Vikings have the experience on their side. A roster that includes 10 seniors, they were a number one seed last year before falling in the third round to number 3 seed NW Guilford 7-1. Once again they have produced a 20 win season and a number one seed.

AK is only in their second year of existence. After an initial season, where the Knights went 18-8 before losing on a walk off in the second round of the 4A playoffs in 2007, Ardrey Kell took their first SW4A title landing them a number one seed. AK is still youthful and only four seniors are regulars in the starting line up.

Play off pressure is mounting. Talented roster are beginning to litter the playoff road as the top teams advance. One more will be left behind after this one.

The Match-Ups

Infield:
1B – North Meck: Adam Echstenkamper – SR; Ardrey Kell: Jordan Darnell– SR
Both can swing the stick and provide the long ball at any time. Darnell picks it well at the bag and covers a lot of ground, a key against a Viking team that is not afraid to lay the ball down.
Advantage? Echstenkamper is an excellent player and is capable of providing a key blow, but Darnell has been one of the top players in the SW4A and the state this season – ADV AK

2B – North Meck: Aaron Plummer– SR; AK: Logan Ratledge – FR
While Ratledge has had a nice freshman season and picks it very well, Plummer is bigger, stronger, faster, more experienced and is one on the top hitters in the MECA.
Advantage? No question here. Ratledge will be an excellent player, Plummer is. – ADV NM.

SS – North Meck: Cody Buch – SR; Ardrey Kell: Jonny Eaker– SR
Two guys that get it done for their respective teams. Eaker is the quintessential lead off man for the Knights. When he is going good, so are the Knights. Buch swings the big stick in the middle of the Viking line up, but will steal a base at any time as well. Both are more than capable with the glove. Game could very well turn on which one of these two players has a big night. A key for both teams will be to control the other.
Advantage? - Even

3B – North Meck: Brad Clay – SO; Ardrey Kell: Jack Reinheimer– SO
Clay had helped solidify the Viking infield defense when Sean Pope is on the mound. Reinheimer proved to be as good as anyone in the SW4A at the hot corner this year.
Advantage? Something tells me that both of these players will be tested before the night is out. Maybe just a lean towards Reinheimer’s defense. ADV – AK

Outfield
RF – North Meck: Kyle Mastroianni - SR; Ardrey Kell: Zico Pasut - JR
Pasut is a big strong bat in the middle of the AK line up while Mastroianni sets the table at the top of the order for the Vikings. A walk to Mastroianni is like giving up a double. His speed also allows him to track down many balls that were tagged for extra bases.
Advantage? Pasut will be a tough out in the middle of the AK line up but Mastroianni’s speed and defense could play key roles. ADV – NM

CF – North Meck: Jimmy Wood - JR; Ardrey Kell: Ryan Stetson - JR
Wood can track it with the best of them. In fact, Wood robbed his counter part twice in the first meeting between the two earlier. Stetson will take no back seat to anyone when it comes time to go and get it, and while he has cooled some in the second half of the season, Stetson is still batting well over .425 for the year and can turn a game with one swing.
Advantage? The defense may be even, but the offense is not. ADV – AK

LF – North Meck: Michael Gragilla – JR; Ardrey Kell: Andrew Miller – SR
Miller just quietly goes about his business, providing all the little plays that coaches love for the Knights. Gragilla is the hottest stick in the play offs for the Vikings.
Advantage? – Miller provides many key contributions but Gragilla has hit going for the Vikings. ADV – NM

Catching – North Meck: Patrick Ledford – SR; Ardrey Kell: Taylor Patterson - JR
Patterson does an excellent job in handling the Knight’s pitching staff and has been on a hot streak at the plate. Ledford is one of the premier receivers in the state with a quick release, a rocket of an arm, and his blocking allows Viking pitchers to throw the slider in the dirt for strike 3 often. Ledford’s HR late helped hold off Davie on Tuesday.

Advantage? Patterson is good and playing extremely well. Ledford better! ADV – NM

DH/Pinch Hitting
North Meck: Steven Phiffer -JR; Ardrey Kell - Brett Nyenhuis - SR
Phiffer had a pair of hits off Butler last time. Nyenhuis has gone deep three time his season.
Advantage - Phiffer may be left on the bench for just one AB, Nyenhuis will be in the DH role - ADV AK

Starting Pitching – North Meck: Sean Pope – SR; Ardrey Kell: Ryan Butler – SO
Butler got the start and the win vs. Pope and the Vikings earlier this year. He has been a key to AK’s success this season, coming through when injuries provided the opportunity. Pope has been the number one all season and has taken the ball in the big games.

Advantage? While Butler won earlier, that was not in the playoffs. Pope has had the ball in the tough games all season long for the Vikings. ADV - NM

Relief Pitching:
North Meck: Ryan Shoemaker, Ryan Forman, Aaron Spano, Eric Finley
Ardrey Kell: Blake Parsley, Alex Wood, Alex Baker, Jordan Darnell

Shoemaker picked up the save for the Vikings on Tuesday. AK bullpen has recorded seven saves on the season.
Advantage? The key will be how far the starters go. Bagwell’s AK has not been afraid to turn to his pen, even in the first inning, and they have come through. A large factor could be that Finley pitched a tough full game on Tuesday and may be available only for an inning or so. Darnell breezed through a five inning affair and could be called upon for several innings. The biggest factor could be the health and effectiveness of Wood if called upon. ADV - AK

Intangibles: The Vikings are at home and experienced. The Knights have had opportunities to win every game this season with all four of their losses coming in the final AB for the opponents. – ADV NM

 

This has to be the most comprehensive preview I have ever seen for a HS game.

Of all the great things that you have said, I do detect a note of sandbaggin' here. I know Bags and while I agree he can be innovative, when it comes to his pitchers during the playoffs, he's like Vince Lombardi's offense....predictable, but try and stop it. There is absolutely no way he won't start one of the best lefties in the state.

 

AK

Mincmi, I need your help. You seem to know alot about AK. I picked up a player last year form that school and thought he was a good player and kid and still do. The last time I spoke to coach Bagwell about him he said he was doing well. I only had time to see them once this season. I'm really looking forward to having him again on my Scout Team called Anglers. His name is Josh Case. Just wanted to know has anything happened I need to know about why I never read his name anywhere. As far as I know he has been playing on that team also.

 

Josh Case

Josh has played a critical role for AK this season. He plays first when Darnell is on the mound and has done an excellent job there. He has thrown well when called upon, just not that many innings available with the AK staff so deep. He will be counted one much more at the plate next season. This year when he is at first, Nyenhuis’ bat is too good to leave out of the line-up, so Josh is in the DH spot in the order.

 

Ditto...

Bravo geeeeeez does this guy have a real job? Better than most collegiate reports I have seen Kudos to him!

 

AK v. North Davidson

Are you doing to do a breakdown of tomorrow nights' game?

 

N. Davidson VERY strong

I heard the N. Davidson has a pitcher signed to go to Wake Forest, a second baseman/pitcher going to LSU, and shortstop going to UNC and another pitcher going to Catawba.

Wow !

 

Yep, yep, yep and yep. There was a reason they were selected #1 in the pre-season poll. They are an outstanding team with a lot of character. I'll never forget the activities after the final game at South Caldwell last year. It was something that brought tears to many eyes.

I don't believe it's a stretch to say that Tyler Hanover and Levi Michael are the best at their position in the state. And for those that may not believe it...you have never seen them play. They're a treat to watch

 

Their center fielder committed to Appy last week too. So North Davidson is loaded w/ talent, but when you get this far...everyone is. AK is a quality team from a quality league. I'll be there tomorrow ready to watch a great game between 2 great teams.