Northwestern-4A scores

AC Reynolds vs. South Caldwell

Dont know the final yet, just that SC leads 5-0 in the 6th.

 

Final score: South Caldwell - 5 AC Reynolds - 0

 

SC Caldwell 5, AC Reynolds 0

Well pitched game for both teams....Howell vs Bumgarner. ACR's defense let them down with 5 errors.

 

Wow.

 

Watauga 10
Alexander Central 7

WP - Lee Amman
Ethan Moyer - HR, 3 RBI's, save ( BTW - sophomore )
Devin Presnell - 3 for 4, 2 RBI's

 

Was at the Hibriten/West Cald. game when I heard South Cald: 5, ACR: 0, Bumgarner tosses a 4-hitter? Wow. That kid shut down one of the best hitting teams I've seen this year, probably the best (I thought they were much better hitting than South is). Sounds like it was a good game to watch, two of the best leftys in WNC going at it, I'll go out on a limb and make a prediction that they'll face each other again at some point this season.... I might actually get to watch that one at South or Conf. Tourn. finals or Playoff game.....

 

Here's the game - pics are available on www.prepalert.com.

Clash of the Titans
Spartans make themselves at home in Asheville, drop Reynolds 5-0

ASHEVILLE: “We knew it was going to be a test,” said South Caldwell coach Jeff Parton, minutes after the final strikeout was thrown in the Spartans' 5-0 victory over the A. C. Reynolds Rockets. “We had two great pitchers on the mound, just battling it out.”

That was probably the best way to describe Friday's highly anticipated Northwestern Conference matchup between the two highest-ranked 4-A baseball teams in the state. With both squads 10-0, and Reynolds ranked first, there was obviously more at stake than a conference win. There were bragging rights, a possible preview of the 4-A Western Sectional Finals, and, of course, some of the best pitching in the state of North Carolina.

Winning pitcher Madison Bumgarner silenced any doubters, befuddling a batting lineup that has eaten alive every pitcher they've faced so far this year. Specializing in homeruns and 10-0 mercy victories, Reynolds' hitters John Hinson and Cameron Duckworth, in particular, have terrorized defenses. WNC baseball fans will remember back to a few weeks ago, when four out of five Reynolds batters hit homeruns in quick succession in the fourth inning of Reynolds' rout of T. C. Roberson.

“We're going to have to change our approach against him (Bumgarner),” Reynolds coach Brian Craig said. “We've got to shorten our up swing. Next time we face him, we've got to get the top half, and hit line drive balls.”

Craig was referring to a surprisingly difficult time at the plate for his batters, who netted only three hits and time and time again caught the ball a little low, sending it sailing back over the press box behind them. In seven innings, Bumgarner's blistering fastball struck out nine Reynolds batters.

Though the 5-0 score implies something different, Reynolds starter Blaine Howell (five and a half innings) and reliever Sam Runion (one and a half innings) combined for nine strikeouts as well, allowing only four hits. Howell, recently described by Runion as 'a bulldog,' lived up to his reputation for being a fierce competitor.

“He's tough,” Coach Parton said. “He beat us two times last year.”

The real edge for South Caldwell came from some surprising errors in the the Reynolds infield. The Spartans jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, with neither run being earned. Josh Severt, leadoff hitter, made a solid connection on his first plate appearance, but wouldn't have made it to first without a Reynolds error. Severt stole second a moment later on another error, stole third, and then ran in on a hard grounder from Shane Clawson.

The second South Caldwell run came from an unidentified pinch runner for Bumgarner, who found home after pinch hitter Bradley Chaviz got himself tied up between first and second. The pinch runner snuck across the plate as Reynolds players chased Chaviz back and forth.

“When you've got two great pitchers on the mound, you have to score early,” Coach Parton said. “That was a big goal of ours coming into the game.”

Coach Craig said the difference between the teams came from a few defensive mistakes.

“We gave them a lot of runs and you can't do that in a big ballgame,” he said. “The more chances you give them, the more they're going to take advantage of it.”

The next four innings were short and sweet, with no more than five batters ever making plate appearances in any given inning and no runs scored. Bumgarner showed off his blazing fastball, thrown with a power and control that led many to wonder if he'd be able to stay at that level throughout the game. He did.

Howell showcased an incredible poise and commanding leadership, holding South Caldwell scoreless despite the fact that the Spartans put baserunners on third two separate times, once with no outs.

Then came the Fourth of July. The Spartans scored three runs in the sixth inning, none earned. Brad Hardee got the biggest hit of the evening, with a huge swat to the center field fence, that netted him an RBI, sending Severt over home plate. Severt had been walked to first, and then stole third on another infielder error. Shane Clawson sent Hardee in, with the help of another Reynolds error, and Madison Bumgarner's pinch runner also found home.

Reynolds finally regained their composure, narrowly preventing another run in a highly disputed play. Sam Runion stepped in to relieve Howell, snagging three strikeouts in one and half innings, and the Rockets resumed their usual defensive control of the game, though they continued to struggle at the plate.

“We made a few errors,” Coach Craig admitted. “We helped them out and gave them runs. We have to eliminate those errors in any game, but especially in a big game like this.”

They'll get another chance to test their mettle against the Spartans, when the two teams meet again in mid-May.

South Caldwell improves to 11-0/5-0 after Friday's win, and Reynolds drops to 10-1/4-1.

Leaders

South Caldwell

Brad Hardee 1 RBI (error)
Madison Bumgarner 1 for 3
Shane Clawson 1 for 3
Bradley Chaviz 2 for 4, 1 double

A. C. Reynolds

John Hinson 1 for 3
Brandon Briggs 1 for 3
Seth Hines 1 for 3
Cameron Duckworth 1 for 3

 

South vs ACR

Just like I promised We (South Caldwell) took it to the rockets tonight in probaly the biggest game we have been in all year!!! 5-0 was a big win for the lefty Madison. We played a great game and we now hold the #1 spot in the State and Conference!!!!!!

 

Great Game!!!

South Caldwell played fundamental baseball while the rockets didn't. That is how you win baseball games. South Caldwell has now outscored their opponents 108-7.

 

Does anyone have the Alexander-South Caldwell score?