2011 Capital 8

Wakefield takes out Richmond County 8-0 to set up a probable match up with Holly Springs.

 

Wakefield will have to step it up a notch with the bats for the Holly Springs pitching staff! Could very well be an interesting match-up. Holly Springs is real strong pitching wise..

 

coach....If there is a team in this area that might match up well against the Holly Springs staff, it would be Wakefield. They swing the bats from 1-9 as well as any team I have seen this year. If Holly Springs gets by Fuquay, I am assuming it was rained out yesterday since I haven't seen a score, then i think it will be a great match up of conference champs.

 

Holly Springs is a pretty good hitting team themselves! How will the Wakefield hitters match up against Holly Springs pitching and How will Holly Springs hitters match up against the Wakefield pitchers?

 

We played both teams twice this year....Holly Spring in a preseason scrimmage and spring break tournament....Wakefield twice in conference play. In my opinion, Wakefield's lineup hits better from top to bottom. Will Butler from Wakefield is one of the best hitters that I have seen. Holly Springs was very good through the middle of their lineup, but I didn't feel they were as strong at the top or bottom as Wakefield. There were a few guys that you felt your pitcher definitely had the advantage and could get them out without making your best pitch.... With Wakefield you always felt they were going to make you pay for a mistake no matter where you were in their lineup.

Holly Springs definitely has the advantage on the mound. Rodon and Manning are a super 1-2 punch. Wakefield's top guy is a lefty who is very tough when he is on; however, he can get have stretches where he has trouble finding the plate. Unlike Rodon who just overpowers you, this kid beats you by hitting spots and mixing up pitches. When we played them their top guy in relief was a freshman who can be very tough....good fastball and knee buckling curve. This kid has the potential to be one of the best in the state in my opinion in a couple of years.

Like I said, it should be a great match up unless Fuquay manages to spoil the party. I would probably give Holly Springs a slight advantage due to their pitching....they say good pitching will tend to neutralize good hitting.

 

Leesville takes out Durham Jordan 11-4 to advance to the third round.

Third round match-ups for the Cap 8:

Holly Springs at Wakefield
East Chapel Hill at Leesville

Both games are currently slated for 7pm on Friday night. Good luck to both Cap 8 teams!! If they can both win, the conference will be guaranteed to have a team in the 4-A Eastern finals.

 

Holly Springs elminates Wakefield 7-0
Leesville advances over East Chapel Hill 5-2

Leesville plays at Holly Springs Tuesday night for the right to advance to the Eastern Regional Finals.

 

The season for Cap 8 teams comes to an end as Holly Springs eliminates Leesville 9-4 on Tuesday night. Hats off to Leesville and Wakefield for making nice runs in the playoffs.

I also pass along best wishes to the kids over at Holly Springs as they continue their run toward the championship. I hope they bring it back to the Triangle area!! They are a strong team with the pitching depth to get the job done. They were the only team Sanderson faced this season where I felt the Spartans were totally out matched....of course we were facing Rodon that day.