Green Hope at Cary

I arrived at Cary High school around 6pm so I could take a look at both teams during infield. Instead I got to sit under a shelter by the softball field and watch the Cary coaching staff and the players work their magic in order to get this one in. We had to cancel the camera for this one not only because of the rain but the chance it might start raining again once the filming began. So we will just try it again next week at another game yet to be determined.

Green Hope came into this game in first place with a 16-4 overall record and a 8-2 record in the Tri-8 Conference. Cary was playing the role of the spoiler tonight and was determined to knock off the first place Falcons.

Cary would start Senior RHP/SS Hunter Carr on the mound and Green Hope would counter with Soph RHP/1B Max Povse. Carr is a 5'9 145 Senior who worked his fastball in the 79-81 range and bumped a couple of 83's in there. He relied heavily on a cb that ranged in the 64-68 range with some pretty good depth. He also showed a good change up in the 72-75 mph range. Povse is a 6'9 Soph who showed solid mechanics from the right side and worked the fastball in the 77-79 range bumping 80 several times. He has some nice arm side run on his heater. His deuce was in the 66-69 range. He started out a little shaky with his command but seemed to get better as the game wore on. Povse has alot of upside with his 6'9 frame and solid repeatable mechanics on the hill. He needs to get stronger especially in the lower body and should over the next couple of years. Both of these guys competed hard.

The Falcons Eric Brady (Duke Univ) impressed on the night. He hits in the lead off spot for Green Hope and started the game with a shot on a 2-1 deuce to the lcf wall for a double. He showed patience at the plate and plenty of bat speed. He should develop into a very good college hitter with some juice. In the field he was outstanding and showed top shelf infield actions at the SS posistion. He plays through the baseball and has a very quick release with good arm strength. The guy is a very good player. Another player that caught my eye was 2B Grant Shambley a Jr MIF/OF. He showed very good athletic ability in the field. At the plate he like Brady is a patient hitter that has a game plan in each at bat. He lets the baseball get deep and he punished two balls back up the middle and reached on a bunt single as well. Then there was Soph Catcher Anthony Colantino. He showed some very good tools behind the plate and blocked very well. He has a good arm that with some work on his mechanics could show even better. I had him at 2.07 bi and 2.13 ig. He picked one base runner off first during the game. With some work he could develop into a very good defensive catcher.

For Cary I was impressed with Jr SS/OF Stephen McKinney. He is nice looking player standing in there at 6'2 and 180 lbs. He hits from the left side and showed an advanced approach at the plate. He has a plenty of batspeed and showed a nice flat swing. McKinney is a talented player that college coaches need to get a look at. The guy can hit. I like the way he carries himself on the baseball field. You can tell he is all business out there. I also liked Hunter Carr he started on the hill but later moved to SS when a pitching change was made. He is more suited for the right side of the infield at the next level. He showed very good infield actions and the ability to make plays and throws from different angles. He gets after it pretty darn good. Freshman Tony Sanchez was 3-3 on the night and swings it from the leftside.

Adam Boghosian would come in relief of Povse and the righty worked in the 81-83 range with a hard breaking pitch that was in the 75 range.

Blake Bealize would come in relief of Carr and worked in the 67-70 range with and off speed pitch in the 57-59 range. He was very effective for the Imps.

Green Hope would go on to win this game 8-5. It was a very competitive game with Green Hope jumping out to a 4-1 lead and Cary fighting back throughout to make a game of it.

I came away from the game excited about getting the chance to see Eric Brady play. He is very good. I also came away from the game really liking Mr Shambley. Also It was good to see Stephen McKinney play as well. The guy is really good and is only going to get better. He is a def a guy that can play at the next level.

Player of the game: Eric Brady

 

Nice job skip, you just may be the next Tim Kurkijan...

 

Good game. My two cents as I have seen each team play several times this year and took in the game myself last night.

Green Hope is good, case closed. Brady is one of the top players in the State and Shambley is not far behind. Colantino behind the plate looked very strong as well but his bat looks to be a concern. I've seen Povse bring it a little harder at times this year than he did Friday night, but its still unbelievable to think he is just a Sophomore standing up there at 6'9".

Cary's not near as bad as their record shows, I believe they are something like 6-14? They beat Middle Creek on the road Tuesday night and then dropped a hard fought game at home against rival Green Hope on Friday night. Cary is right there talent-wise, but can't seem to make the plays when needed which seperates them from a top half type team. McKinney is very good and I am glad that folks are starting to take notice. It is really hard to believe that Sanchez is just a freshman, I am sure the people at Cary High hope he doesn't move anytime soon.

Not sure what Green Hope finishes with but I heard Cary plays Apex twice next week. Those games are huge for Cary's playoff hopes. Can Cary do it?

 

I'm not sure how Green Hope stacks up on a statewide basis, but I do know that Shambley is a player, and his folks are first class people.

 

Not sure if GH has the pitching to compete state-wide. But they are very good without a doubt.