Tri-9 Predictions

I have been out of the state for some time. What are the predictions for Tri-9 baseball this year? Thanks, and keep supporting high school and Legion baseball.

 

Well, so far Panther Creek is 2-0 and Holly Springs is 0-2. Athens Drive is also 0-2.

Cary upset Holly Springs in the season opener 1-0, but then dropped a game to Sanderson before getting spanked by Apex.

Fuquay and Middle Creek haven't played conference games yet. Fuquay beat Clayton out of conference and Middle Creek beat Broughton. Middle Creek was also smacked by Garner.

Lee County beat Apex 1-0 in a classic pitchers duel. Durazo and Tenuta each had double digit strikeouts.

Green Hope beat Athens pretty good and lost to a very good Leesville team.

I'd say the surprise so far is definitely Panther Creek. Cary looks like they will atleast be more competitive this year. Holly Springs and Athens may have lost more than people think, but it is still early.

"Updated Predictions" from my earlier 2 cents:
1) Fuquay -- Too much offense, tradition, coaching, you name it.
2) Apex -- Tenuta and Oaks will be tough to beat. Swing it good enough to beat you and play hard enough to scrap out a close win.
3) Green Hope -- They just find a way to win. Walsh will be bigger piece to success than people are thinking.
4) Middle Creek -- Can they bounce back from ugly loss to Garner? Lots of new faces in that lineup but pitching should keep them in top 5.
5) Lee County -- Can Durazo and Furl carry them on the mound? Still think they bounce back from a down year last year.
6) Panther Creek -- Can they keep it up all spring? Do they have the firepower to compete all season?
7) Holly Springs -- It's just a matter of time before the new guys step up, but they still might be stuck in a tough rebuilding year.
8) Athens Drive -- Yes Patrick Graham is only All-Conference 1st team returner, but does he have any help? Starting out 0-2 not good.
9) Cary --- Hate to put them this low but still don't think they are "better" than the teams above them. They will get some W's and upset some folks, but just not ready to contend.

 

Coach of the Year: Milton Senter
Player of the Year: Addison Braswell/Tony Sanchez/Garrett Suggs

1. Fuquay-- There too much to handle 1-9. Great bats. 5 players already signed or commited. Suggs and Boraski will hold it down on the mound.

2. Apex-- Tunuta and Oaks will have do most the work on the mound. Average hitting but find ways to get the wins.

3. Green Hope-- No studs on this team just alot of solid ones. Have been sitting under the radar. Just find ways to win games.

4. Panther Creek--My wild card pick. Not sure if they can maintain at the top of the league but seem to be winning games early. Thomas will be carrying the load at the mound.

5. Middle Creek-- Having a little down year losing many seniors. Having Boyd and Edwards do most the pitching. If the bats get going watch out for them.

6. Lee County-- Just out of the playoffs. I dont think they have the pitching to win enough. Durazo will win his games but no depth. Furl will be the go to guy at the plate.

7. Athens Drive-- Showing early they can put up runs. Nobody coming back for them expect one all-conference. Not enough talent to contend this year.

8. Holly Springs-- After losing the enough pitching staff it will be difficult. But the real problem is the bats. Scoring 1 run in 3 games. Young group rebuilding year. Cobb/roachs/sconzo will carry the team

9. Cary-- Even after the win to HS i just dont see enough talent for cary t0 contend in anything. But if they keep up the pitching theres a chance.

 

CL17ECU

Some thoughts on Tri-9 Baseball-
1. Holly Springs has too much pride to stay down long. They will make a late run for the playoffs.
2. Panther Creek has a great new coach who knows how to win. This may be the year for the playoffs.
3. Middle Creek will be consistant all season long and make the playoffs.
4. Green Hope is too well coached to have an off year. They will be in the thick of the playoff race.
5. Lee County may suprise many and make the playoffs.
6. Athens Drive is under a new coach. This will be an up and down year.
7. Fuquay has great coaching, good players and the desire to be on top this year. They may go far in the playoffs.
8. Apex has solid coaching with good players. They to will advance into the playoffs.
9. Poor Cary. Dressing sloppy, growing beards, and wearing mohawk hair styles does not win baseball games. What a shame.

 

Poor Cary huh? It's easy to put down Cary since they haven't had a coach who stays long enough to establish a program. I think they have one now who has changed a lot of things already. Dressing sloppy? What team are you looking at? Wearing mohawks? Ever heard of doing something for team unity? What will you say when they all shave their heads for St. Baldricks?Growing beards? One player has one and the rest probably can't grow one. Ever heard of just being a kid? We have a great group of young men who are doing everything they can to get better. They will be more competitive this season, ask Holly Springs and Sanderson. Cheap shots against good kids don't win many ball games either. Go Imps!

 

Saw a very good game last night down in Lee County.

Durazo (LC) vs Boyd (MC)

Final Score: Middle Creek 9, Lee County 1

Boyd and Durazo were both lights out as each pitcher had a NH through 3-4 innings and Boyd carried a PG into the bottom of the 5th. Tight ball game until late when Durazo was chased from the game and Middle Creek capitalized on some Lee errors (5 total if I am correct). Boyd roped a backside double that cleared the bases late to put the game seemingly out of reach for Lee. MC had a sophomore come on to pitch the final two innings and looked very good. Lee's infield defense was atrocious so I expect meeting #2 between these two to be a lot closer.

 

I heard it was a tight pitchers duel until Boyd's double broke the game open.

The MC sophomore I think is Jordan Toler (sp?).

Green Hope beat Holly Springs 7-4 but HS may have turned the corner finally offensivley.

 

Fuquay escapes from Cary at Cary. 5-0 scoring 4 in the top of the 7th. Boraski pitched 6 shut out innings. Suggs leading team hitting.

Middle Creek just fell to Riverside 10-8. Boyd and Herring both with HRS.

Athens Drive with a big win over Garner 4-2. Needed win for the jags and ends Garners perfect season.

 

MC/Riverside box score looks like Middle Creek blew a 8-0 lead. Good thing to take from that is that it is non-conference and should feel good about a potential playoff matchup.

Cary at Middle Creek on Friday night will be interesting.

 

Cary at Middle Creek has been moved to tonight because of Friday's forecast.