SW4A Champions-South Meck Sabres!!!

Thursday, 4/29 @ East Meck
South Meck 9 vs. East Meck 1
WP: Jonathan Ratledge
Close: Kevin Spain
LP: Ben Buchanan

The South Meck Sabres takes the SW4A conference title, their first conference crown since 1999! South Meck Sabres, No. 2 in the state 4A poll, won its 16th straight game Thursday, claiming the Southwestern 4A title with two regular season games yet left. South Meck Records: 21-1 Overall, 12-0 Conference. See story on front page of the Sports section continued on 6C of the Charlotte Observer today @ http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/high_school/

-SW4A Conference Tournament – 5/10 thru 5/14
1st Round of the SW4A Conference Tournament Play:
# 4 Seed vs. #5 Seed @ South @ 6:00pm
# 1 Seed (South) vs. #8 Seed @ South @ 8:00pm
#3 Seed vs. # 6 Seed @ Providence @ 6:00pm
#2 Seed vs. # 7 Seed @ Providence @ 8:00pm
2nd & 3rd Rounds of the SW4A Conference Tournament Play will be held @ Providence.

-The way the 1st Round of the NC 4A Regional Play-off bracket looks at this time (5/18-6/4), the winner of the SW4A #1 seed, South Meck, will host the 1st round game against the NW4A #3 seed (probably either S. Caldwell or McDowell) as Alexander Central and Watauga already have 1st and 2nd seed locked up in the NW4A conference. The state has decided to expand the Regional to a best of three, games.

-NC 4A State Final Championship games 6/11-13 @ NC State. The sites for the championship round are Five County Stadium in Zebulon and Doak Field on the Campus of N.C. State in Raleigh.

 

Congrats to the Sabres for winning the SW4A. They have been an outstanding team the entire season.

 

Who knows how far this South Meck team will go into the playoffs. A hot pitcher, on any given night, can upset anybody, but they have that special look about them of a champion and now they are. They have a relaxed, confident attitude that serves them well in big games. I have seen them beat some teams during their pre-game warmups as Coach Bagwell sends them through a college type infield/outfield drills. They are impressive, they are confident...and they refuse to get caught up in the hype.

But, in my opinion, what makes this team better than other Sabre teams in the past few years is not the talent. They always have that....but it is in their leadership. There are players through out the state that have put up some incredible numbers this year...SM's Kyle Shelton is one of them, batting near .600 and an on base % that is ridiculous, but there is one player that ties the string through all the parts....and that is Elliott Arrington. There is no one person that is respected more by his peers than this young man. Some teams may have "player of the year" candidates and SM has a few, including Elliott, but there is nobody that has a better MVP in this city. He sets the standard for his team and refuses to allow others to lower it. If you have a problem...go to Elliott...if you need a pat on the back...he's already there. If you need a boot in the pants...well, Elliott wears big shoes. Each year there is one player that stands among the rest as far as leadership. Last year, it was Robert Woodard...this year, it is Elliott Arrington. Hmmm...didn't Robert lead them to the State Championship last year?

 

Congrats to Coach Bagwell and all the Sabres! Good luck in the playoffs! :applause:

 

South Meck Sabre Roster

South Meck 2004 Sabre Varsity Roster:

Seniors:
Elliott Arrington - 1B/P
Kyle Shelton - SS
Brandon Stanford - Catcher
Kevin Spain - P
Clayton Erickson - OF
Austin Henderson - IF
Scott Pesta - OF

Juniors:
T. J. Worrell- P
Zac Kennedy - OF
Jonathan Ratledge - OF/P
David Rubinstein - OF/P
Wes Borden - IF
Josh Cable - Catcher
Cyril Daniel - OF
Daniel Foster - IF

Sophomores:
Chase Austin - IF
Reid Rollison - IF
Ryan Morris - P
Matt Layman - P
Matt Andress - P

Head Coach: Hal Bagwell
Assistant Coaches: Eric Jaeger, A.J. Wright & Randy Rummage

 

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:xyzthumbs ! :applause:

 

Congratulations Sabres!!!

Way to go Sabres…live to play another day!!!!!!!!!! :applause: :applause:

Congratulations to the South Meck Sabres to an outstanding season thus far! Good luck as well in the SW4A conference tournament plus the NCHSAA 4A Baseball championship rounds!

Remember... "Victory happens when hundreds of hours of practice, training, and dedication meet one moment of opportunity."

This year, the South Meck Sabres are very fortunate to have a fantastic group of players, a great coaching staff, and very supportive parents as well that just plain click together!!!

Key games remaining for the South Meck Sabres even though they have already locked down the #1 seed in the SW4A this year: Myers Park (5/4 @ South @ 6:30pm), Providence (5/6 @ Providence @ 6:30pm).

Also, Tuesday, 5/4, is Sabre Senior Night and is the last 2004 Home game for the Sabre seniors. Please come out and honor the 7 graduating seniors, Elliott Arrington, Kyle Shelton, Brandon Stanford, Kevin Spain, Clayton Erickson, Austin Henderson, and Scott Pesta with the ceremonies starting around 6:00pmish!

 

On top of the South Meck Sabres already clinching the SW4A conference title, the Sabres are also still undefeated in conference play at this time (13-0) with one regular season game left on 5/6 against Providence @ Providence @ 6:30pm.

 

Congratulations...

Congratulations to the SM Sabre's for such an incredible and fun regular season! Great job guys! and wonderful season. It is so much fun watching our mom and dad's going back and forth during the game and giving one another high five's and having such a great time watching their "little boys" giving us such joy. GROWWWLLLLLLL!!

 

SW4A South Meck Sabres' Records:
Conference: 13-1
Overall: 22-2

Congratulations to the South Meck Sabres...now it's off to the conference tournament and the NC 4A State Play-offs! :applause: :applause: :applause: