Alexander Central and everyone else

AC should be stacked this year. With the depth in pitching from Payne, to Hall they should do well. Payne is a great pitcher with a nasty duece. his fastball is good to and the change always throws you off. Hefner is a solid all around player. His bat is good, and along with payne these two are about the two best on the team. Teague was hurt last year, but coming back this year i hope he will help out the team. He is a great pitcher, and fielder. His bat has already been good, and it will continue to get better. Hall, Corbett and Kinnard are all well rounded players. These threw can hit and play. Look for Kinnard to be hitting upper 80's lower 90's all year this year if he stays healthy. Payne and Teageu in the unpper 80's, and if they get lucky they could touch 90(lucky tho), Corbett throws pretty hard for a junior. He will stay consistantly in the mid 80's. Hall and Hefner round out the speed with low to mid 80's. Never overlook there speed though because they can get ya. Comer plays favorites like crazy, and don't worry guys if you don't get to play because i know your good. Dustin Kerley, Daniel Walker, Brent Loudermelk, Neil Johnson, Zach Orren, Jordan Lail, and Preston Davis are all returning. (hope i didn't leave anybody out). The team is a well rounded team with great bats 1-9 with great talent on the bench. Some of the upcoming juniors will contribute a little but guys you will not play MUCH at all. This is one of AC's best years, and hope for the best. Last year was a great time. We were ranked 10th in the state with a 18-6 or so record and didn't get to go to the playoffs. We will never forget the memories. Have fun this year and take it to em.

 

post some other comments and other things for your team or for AC

 

we'll find out how good two teams are early on when AC meets Providence. Should ba good game if Payne throws, providence stuggles with the deuce. Should be interesting.

 

I think not!?

Providence can hable the hammer as well as any HS team it is JUST a matter of kknowing when to look for it moreso don t you think?

 

ALEXANDER CENTRAL WILL BE ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE WEST THIS YEAR IF NOT THE TOP TEAM. THEY ARE VERY STRONG WITH A LOT OF PITCHING DEPTH. TO BAD WE COULD NOT SEE WHAT THEY COULD HAVE DONE LAST YEAR.

 

With the talent that Providence has this year, they should be able to handle anything that is "thrown their way!"

 

Payne gave providence problems in the playoffs, i think two years ago, they scored 4 but not until late, if i'm not mistaken.

I agree O, it is knowing when its coming but, typically they dont handle the offspeed too well, look at woodard last year, 10 K's granid he has a good fastball, but he also located his slider and change-up, but the pirme example is fulginiti last year, prob 45% curves, to a line-up returning many of the same players. Although they didnt have much of an approach last year, so this year it may be different. We'll find out in a couple months either way should be a good game.

 

You bet!

both observations in reference to Woodard and the kid from East meck are correct! On the nose... Remember however Providence beat handily woodard for an 8 spot the first game I believe. From my observations is the hitters were not accustomed to someone not throwing as hard as Fulghi was in which they typically face in the summer i e and everyone elses ACE's! He pitched a spectacular game against Providence last season that wound up costing them a share for the conf title i believe and Rob was pretty awesome the 2nd time around! from what I recall the Northrup kid just missed a three run homer in the 7th of that second game that would ve tied it??? It was no doubt out of the ball park just wrapped around the foul pole no? Approach to hitting the baseball is simple! See it, go down and get it, be quick about it, and hit it where it is thrown!! And yours State Fan is?

 

your right about the first time, they did beat around woodard, not sure if you were at the game, but from what i saw, woodard did not locate and offspeed pitch for a strike, you approach to hitting works in this case. what if he is on his game like the second time.

I pitch i have no approach, but in school ball our approcach is patience in the first at bat, see what he throws, and stay gap to gap. this will allow you in the following at bats, to open up because not only have you seen other pitches but you also established good contact, up the middle. this will also keep you from pulling off the ball.

Dietrich at providence probably has one of the best approaches in charlotte, couldnt tell you how many times i've seen a hard line drive up the middle in his first at bat. and hes emerged as one of the top hitters in the state. ask him what his approach is.

 

Good answer!

quality reply statefan... Yet alot of the approach goes in watching the pitcher in the bullpen pregame as well as how he handles himself in the early innings!?!? If you feel confidendt or know your are going up against a strong pitcher who has good stuff and "on" then it is very very difficult to be "patient" knowing you can easily falll behind in a count and then be a victim of a KO if guessing with two on you... A pitchers tendencies as well if can be taken into account need to obviously! Kevin is a very talented young player with great raw ability and skills I look forward to seeing him in action this spring and in the hopes he has a "break out " year.. Good luck to Dietrich