Anxiety Builds as Teams Anticipate SW4A Title Run

If you think the intensity of the SW4A this season has been greater than a hospital delivery ward during a hurricane at full moon, you best call your doctor now and have your digitalis prescription refilled; the portable defibrillator fully charged; and a reservation at the Belk heart center would not hurt, for the fervor, anxiety and tension should only increase from here.

In the 33 games played in the league thus far, a full 1/3 of them have been decided by one run and nearly half the games have been two runs or less. Eight games (almost one in four) have gone extra innings and five of those had double digit innings played including a 14 inning affair between AK and Butler. Those same two teams hooked up last week to play 10 more innings, meaning the two schools have played 3 ½ games worth in their two meetings. On the same nights that the Bulldogs and the Knights were battling, Myers Park and Providence were going 12 and 9 innings respectively. Each team in the league as had a SW4A game go nine or more innings.

As the league thunders down the stretch in its last full week of play, no less than four teams are still vying for the title. Currently, Providence holds a ½ game lead over Ardrey Kell with both teams still in total control of their final position in the league standings. East Meck and South Meck are two games back and need some help but either can still grab a share of the title.

While the Panthers lead the league at 7-2, ½ game ahead of Ardrey Kell, the Knights would earn the top spot in the conference tournament and a first round bye if they win out by virtue of their what would be then two wins over both East and South Meck. The Panthers have a loss to both East and South. Likewise, if Providence wins out, they will win the title outright, claiming their second consecutive and a league record 10th championship plus the first round bye in the SW4A tournament.

East Meck is in position to make a run at the top to claim a share of the title. The Eagles have won five straight after starting the league season 0-4 and have both Ardrey Kell and Providence on the schedule this week. If the Eagles win out and have either Butler or AK up end Providence, the Eagles will win a share of the title, their first since 1994. If East ends up in a tie, East will be the number one seed in the conference tournament and have the tournament bye as they would hold tie breakers over Providence and Ardrey Kell.

South Meck needs the most help, as they have already played the top two teams and needs each of them (Providence & AK) to lose twice before the season ends next Monday and win the remaining three games on their schedule. If that happens, South would earn a share of the crown, their first since 2004 but the Sabres cannot be the number one seed in the conference tournament due to NCHSAA tie breaking procedures.

And do not think that Myers Park, Butler and Independence are just going to be mailing it in. Both Myers Park and Butler are still within striking distance of one of the four state playoff positions in the league. If either or both win out, they most likely will be in the playoffs or at worst will need to advance in the conference tournament to earn that position. Even Independence, while eliminated from an auto qualifier position, have amassed enough non conference wins and with a strong finish could qualify for one of the three wild card slots on the western 4a bracket.

It all starts to play out tonight (barring rain). East Meck with Olen Little on the mound will host Ardrey Kell. South Meck travels to Myers Park with Grant Fisher scheduled to pitch in a critical match-up for both teams while Butler host Providence after losing to both East Meck and Ardrey Kell in 10 inning games last week. Friday’s featured game will be East Meck at Providence while South will tangle with Butler and Myers Park will conclude their schedule at Independence. Next Monday, the current top two teams Providence and Ardrey Kell may very well settle it all. And that is just the warm-up for the league and state tournaments.

My tranquilizer, please. Make it a 2B, err a double.

 

You couldn't script a conference to be tighter than that. If college coaches value kids that have learned to battle, then they should have a field day in that conference.

 

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, everyone except you know who!

 

SW4A

What an unbelievable conference. Can't imagine any other conference being better from top to bottom. There are legitimately 6 teams in the conference that could make a push for the state title.

This could be another interesting thread........How many signed players, sophomores, juniors, or seniors are moving on to play at the next level? I guess we could go team by team. This list is going to be very impressive!

 

The birth of the new King

Reminds me of the night Luis was born back in 1936....the moonshine was just a flowing in celebration!!!

 

Wait a minute, now. I was told that Luis was only 34, which would make him my age.

 

You are correct, sir. Stretchy just likes to imagine that most are his age

 

Great situation in the SW4A. Probably comes down to who has the freshest and most effective pitching. So close.

 

The thing I've noticed most about the SW4A is the mutual respect that the various programs have for one another. Yes, there are intense rivalries and healthy disagreements from time to time, but in the end players, coaches, and fans all seem to recognize that across the board teams in this league go about things the right way. All you have to do is look at the facilities at each school to know that these guys take their baseball seriously. Its fun to see well prepared teams flat out get after it each and every game. In the end, great coaching plus top level talent equals a pretty damn good league.

 

State Title Format

If advancing in the state playoffs was always based on a three game series, I have to believe a team from the SW4A would be in the finals almost every year. The depth of each team is impressive and hard to match. There are certainly some teams out there that will match up well in a three game series, but top to bottom this conference is very strong in terms of quality and depth.

In the single game elimination format, a number of teams will throw their one true ace against the teams from this conference in the state playoffs, and if you run into one having a hot night anything can happen.

Wish they would change to a three game series format through each round of the state championships (Georgia and I think Texas do this). I think the kids would get a lot of fun from it too....

One other thing to think about - how would you like to run into teams as strong as Myers Park, South Meck, East Meck or even Independence as a WILD CARD opponent? That will drive some opposing coach that just won his conference - and the right to play a "wild card" - to the bar for a number of very stiff drinks...