EAST MECKLENBURG BASEBALL SPRING BREAK SHOWCASE

I am wondering the same thing as far as the impact that Hough will have on Hopewell as well as North Meck. In looking at the JV teams for both schools the majority of the players will go to Hough. I believe like any new school they will have their ups and downs but alot of the players played together at Bailey Middle and Bradley and the players they may pick up from Lake Norman Charter and other private schools they very well could have a really good team out of the gate.

The talent levels all over CMS and surrounding areas are extremely high when it comes to sports. There are so many kids playing on challenge, tournament and showcase teams that it is no wonder there is such good baseball being played.

 

BoxScores

My two cents on Hopewell. What I've seen is a group of very talented Individuals, whom Coach Greeson is trying to get to function as a unit. If anyone can accomplish that mission, Chet Greeson can. And if he does, all of us should watch out. Now for some scores:

Game 1
Mt. Pleasnt 000 000 0 0 3 3
North Meck 312 102 X 9 9 0
MP (9-6); NM (8-4)

WP Aarron Spano; LP Anthony Allende
Hitters: MP AJ James (1-2, 2B); NM Anthony Dimino (2-4, HR, 2B), Adam Vinditti (2-3), Johnny Piedmonte (2-4)

Game 2
Independence 010 002 0 3 10 2
Marvin Ridge 202 130 X 8 7 2
MR (9-3) Indy (6-7)

WP Matt Walzer; LP Carson Plyler
Hitters: Indy, Cody Starnes (3-4), Mike Byrnarsky (2-3, RBI); MR Hunter Hiers (2-3, 2RBIs), Byron Haag (1-4, HR, 3RBIs)

Game 3
Weddingtn 011 130 0 6 6 1
East Meck 200 041 X 7 10 4
EM (10-5) W (10-5)

WP Ben Leach; LP Jeremy Schellhorn
Hitters: W, Ryan Lagevin (2-3, 2B), Wes McDaniel (1-3, 2RBI); EM Olen Little (2-3, 3 RBI), David Daniels (2-4)

Game 4
Butler 040 015 0 10 9 1
Hpwell 003 005 1 9 14 3
B (6-7) H (6-6)

WP Mitchell Rawlings; LP Daniel Whitecavage
Hitters: H, Cole Blythe (2-5, HR), Cody Strickland (2-4, 2B); B, Dalton Eisentbath (2-4, RBI), Ryan Hodge (2-4, 2B)

 

I agree with Mincmi. Talent is up and teams are going to have good nights and bad. That being said, these are kids and some nights they are just not going to show up. What I have seen in the Hopewell games is if the kid has a bad game, the player will get pulled or may not even hit the next game. I can't speak for the entire season, just the 3 games I have seen. Will always be pulling for my Vikings but hate to see the talent they have over on the other side of Huntersville getting pulled. I know at least our parents and coaches know the talent that is over there and college coaches do as well and are probably shaking their heads.

Huntersville is pulling for you Titans (except for the North game!)

 

According to Max Preps Hopewell played MP to 6-7 on 3/5 and 1-4 on 3/24 losing both battles. After looking at the SW4A site I see that Hopewell did win the 1st one 7-6. The point I made earlier still is valid though. In looking at the schedule, they haven't got many "W's" against high caliber opponents. The numbers do not lie. An earlier post noted injuries.....Everybody has them. Weddington's 2B and 2nd in the line up has missed @7 games so far. They lost a couple, but no one is placing an asterisk by the loss and saying well if only.... You miss the player, but someone has to step up and fill the hole.

Hopewell will get there, but something just hasn't clicked. Two things that will get them there is to play a tougher schedule out of conference and staying healthy.

 

I think the not so many Wins against the better teams is also proof of the switching of the line up around based on what I mentioned ealier "what have you done lately" instead of letting the best hitters get the maximum at bats in a game....that is what produces the runs against the better teams. 1 more swing of a bat can change the game. Hopewell will be fine if they can circle the wagons....I know a lot of the kids and my son has played with a lot of them since he was 9 and they are the real deal...just all seem a little unhappy right now.

 

I doubt the college coaches and the parents know more about their players than Coach Greeson does. The man has been involved successfully in HS coaching for over 30 years. Many HS coaches in the area played for him and got their start in coaching from being his assistant. He is well respected by all college coaches. He's seen these kids all fall and now spring. To suggest that the player's parents would know more about whom to play and when is hilarious.

No one better than the coach knows when a player is sick, hurt, skips classes, reports late for school, didn't hustle during practice or game, cusses out a coach or any other of the many things that may prevent a player from playing. I can say this with complete confidence, if you're looking for excuses or to point fingers, the path doesn't lead to this coach. If anything, this being his first year he's probably been more forgiving.

 

(SS, DY) Deja vu again!

 

Sorry...was not saying that our parents knew more than the Hopewell coach, just that we have seen most of them play their entire lives and know the talent level is there for sure. I know there are 1 or 2 that are going D1 and probably more to follow. Definitely not saying that parents would ever know more than a coach.

 

Thanks East Meck Staff and Players

I do want to say what a great job East Meck has done with this tournament. Games have been some of the best I have seen....what a first day! The facilities are awesome, we had the early game on Tuesday against Mt. Pleasant and the concession stand was open and ready....great food and great prices. Thanks to all involved, tournament has been very well ran and I think the staff and East Meck players and all who have helped deserve the recognition!

 

Reads like a Hopewell parent in disguise. I doubt that many fans of other high schools care much about the lineup decisions at opposing schools.