Area 3 Playoffs thru the semifinals...

Kernersville 0
Randolph 11
Final/ 7 innings

WP: Bauman
LP: Justin Bolens

Randolph wins the series with Cam Cockman's walk off game winning homerun

HR: RC: Nolan, McSwain, Cockman

I will say this...the umpiring for the entire series was awful. How can pitchers even have a chance in legion ball if the low strike is never called?? If they are not going to call the low strike or the strike just above the knees, then legion needs to go to a wood bat and at least give the pitchers some type of chance because if pitchers are forced to pitch up and in the middle of the plate then they have no chance of succeeding. Thats my bit for umpires. Congratulations to Randolph County for moving on and to Kernersvile for a good season. Good luck to the Area III North teams and to all of Area III in the state tournament!

 

Lexington-5 over South Rowan-4

All I can say is,,,, great game by both clubs. Lexy gets a huge 3-run homer in 1st inning and both teams had great pitching the rest of way,,, despite the fact the homeplate umpire game NOTHING. Way too many walks on good pitches for a game of this magnitude,,, although I will say ump called it same both ways, but he clearly frustrated all pitchers involved.

Hopefully LegionGuy17 or someone will provide more game details.

Lexy takes 2-1 lead in series with Game 4 in China Grove tomorrow,,, problem could be storm heading into area by Friday.

 

Lexington 5
South Rowan 4

WP: Luke Wilhelm
LP: Alex Ingold

Real thriller at Holt-Moffitt Field tonight. Matt Tysinger hit a 3 run homer off of Randy Shepherd in the top of the 1st to give Lexington a 3-0 lead. After a sac fly by Wilhelm in the 2nd made it 4-0, Coach David Wright of South decided Shepherd didn't have it and brought in Alex Ingold to relieve. Ingold did a great job keeping South in it while they tried to make a comeback against Lexington started Zach Joyce. As tj21 mentioned, the strike zone was tight and South continued to mount baserunners against Joyce but could not strike through with a big two out hit. South scored single runs in the 4th and 5th on a bases loaded walk and an infield RBI single by Matt Ingold. Joyce finished by going 6 innings and allowing two runs. Michael Pilcher relieved him but was then lifted for Wilhelm after allowing two baserunners in the 8th. Caleb Shore produced an RBI single and Matt Ingold walked to bring in another run to tie the game. Alex Ingold, who had held Lexington scoreless from the 3rd to the 7th, went back to the mound and finally made a mistake, allowing a leadoff home run to Jared Albright in the 8th. South produced a leadoff hit in the 9th, but the runner was stranded at second and Lexington escaped with another 1 run victory.

Game 4 at South tomorrow night as Lexington leads 2-1. Really hope the weather doesn't ruin this series. There's a chance of rain tomorrow and Friday and this series has the potential to have a great ending.

 

South Rowan 9
Lexington 6

WP: Zach Wright
LP: Kelly Sechrest
SV: Weston Church

There will be a game 5 at Holt-Moffit Friday night thanks to a strong pitching performance by Zach Wright. Wright held a good hitting LD bunch hitless for 5 innings. SR got three runs in the bottom of the 2nd to jump on top. Weston Church had a two run RBI single to get South jump started. Lexington really didn't mount a threat until the top of the 9th when Wright probably had exceeded his limit, was left in to more than likely try to save some arms for Friday's contest. Church induced a flyout and a groundout to end the game and give SR a chance to play at least another day. I would expect Clay Watson to be going for Post 8 and Walker Snow for SR Friday night for a right to play Randolph County.

 

west boy's pretty much got it except the big innings for South were a 4-run first and a 4-run seventh. The first was keyed by Church's 2 run single and the 7th was keyed by Randy Shepherd's 3 run homer. Wright ended up giving up 6 runs, (1 in the 2nd, 5 in the 9th) but (I'm fairly sure) all of them were unearned. After trailing 9-1 entering the 9th, Lexington got the tying run to the plate with cleanup man Matt Tysinger but Church worked out of the jam. Ryan Bostian, Walker Snow, Church should all be available to give South some innings and it's unclear who will get the start. As stated, Clay Watson will probably go on 3 days rest for Lexington.

 

Yeah I couldn't remember which innings exactly they were. I was close, lol. I need to write this stuff down.

 

^By the way, west boy, I'm sure you've heard, but the playoff format has slightly changed. Rowan plays Burlington regardless of the outcome of the Lex/SR series and the winner of Game 5 tonight plays Randolph.

 

Yeah I know, I still don't exactly understand it, but it doesn't matter. It does seem a little fishy the way it just changed seemingly over night but whatever. Rowan vs. Randolph or Rowan vs. Burlington is going to be a good series regardless.

 

I'm totally out of the loop on this, but I have to add: Jim Lippard is the Area 3 Commish this year. If he had anything to do w/ this decision, you can be 100% certain it was done by the book. Look up integrity in the dictionary & you'll find his picture.

Here's one rooting for Rowan & Lex/SRowan winner tonight to make it to the Finals.

 

UKDook3, I agree that Jim Lippard is a class act.

Btw, South Rowan defeated Lexington tonight in Game 5 by a score of 4-2 to win this series 3 games to 2. I'm sure LegionGuy17 will provide specific game details. Anyway, huge win for South Rowan as they advance to the 3rd round against Randolph County. Next series will be best of 7 as the 2 winners of the 3rd round (SR vs. Rand,,, Rowan Co vs. Burlington) will represent Area 3 at the state tournament in 2 weeks.

Congrats to South,,, and congrats to Lexington on a great season.