PREGAME TIDBITS FROM NCHSAA 3A

The 3-A series sends Wilson Hunt (26-5) against perennially strong East Rowan (29-2). Hunt, which defeated Chapel Hill two games to one in the Eastern regional series, is back in the championship for the first time since 1989. The Warriors are led by third baseman/pitcher Zack Houchins, the Big East Conference Player of the Year with a hefty .562 batting average.

East Rowan, the 2008 state runners-up when the Mustangs lost to Rocky Mount in the championship, has been hot, riding an 11-game winning streak into the finals. Noah Holmes is batting a team-leading .466 for East, and the Mustangs have a strong one-two pitching punch in Parker Gobbel (9-0, 2.03 ERA) and Will Johnson (5-0, 0.69 ERA).

 

Very reliable word "on the street" is ER ace Thomas Allen is ready to go and will pitch in this series.

 

When was Zach Houchins announced the Big East Conference Player of the Year? I was not aware that the voting had taken place. No announcements have been made by the Big East.

 

Noah Holmes Story from Post (06/03/2010)

http://www.salisburypost.com/Sports/060310-Holmes-story

 

Play ball!
I just thought I'd throw that in. Haven't seen a game all week.

 

Pitching & then defense:

On the mound tonight:
East Rowan: Parker Gobbell (9-0) 2.03 era, 48.1 IP,48 hits, 63 k's, 26 bb's
Wilson Hunt: Zack Lee (5-3)------2.90 era, 62.2 IP, 61 kits, 26 k's, 15 bb's

In a big ballpark, defense could be the key to this series, especially in the outfield.

 

Agree about playing good defense.

As for East Rowan, their team strength is actually their pitching depth. The fact that they go about 5-6 deep with no dropoff. Their defense is very solid too. If they have a weakness (which sounds stupid considering they are 29-2), it would be scoring runs. I like what their coach said in today's paper, he wants to score 5 runs because then he likes his chances with his pitching. He said if he only scores 3 runs, his chances drops to 50/50.

I agree with the coach, if a team can jump on ER early with 4-5 runs, ER could be in trouble,,,,,, although ER "did" comeback on Tuscola both times in western finals.

Have fun Karl, keep us posted.

Today's Salisbury Post...
http://www.salisburypost.com/Sports/060410-East-baseball

 

The Magic Number is "5"

Ironic, Tj. Hunt Coach Jon Smith also mentioned in todays paper that the magic number is 5 runs for his Warriors. This matchup looks like a classic good pitching vs. good hitting contest. Hunt's strength is their hitting. Really not a weak spot in their line-up. East Rowan's strength is their pitching staff, which runs 5-6 deep. What effect does playing in a big ballpark have on hitting and defense? We'll see. Hunt is good about getting the big hit when it's needed, and can also put a big inning on you too. Outfielders are going to be tested. The team that can get to the ball quickly & eliminate the extra bases will probadly win this game.

 

All East Rowan games will be carried live by the local Salisbury radio station on internet at:

http://1280wsat.com/ListenLive.asp

 

Btw karl, let me know how you like ER's socks...