Tri-9 Predictions

Bottom Teams improving in Tri-nine

With Holly Springs upsetting Fuquay before break, Athens upsetting Middle Creek and now with last night's results looks like to me the bottom teams in the tri-nine are improving while the top teams are sputtering. Maybe the top tier was overrated to begin the season or the bottom teams have been working harder. Either way, I say go underdogs and let's make it interesting in the last two weeks!

 

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. 3 Conf games a week (rain makeups are the devil) and injuries to some big name players can play into some of these upsets. It's good to see the bottom half making some noise, but this will still come down to MC/FV/GH when all said and done. I've said it before and I will continue to say it, FV is strong and will likely go the farthest of any Tri9 playoff team. MC could really be a contender as well IF Jimmy Boyd returns to the mound this spring.

Right now, the 2nd half showdown looks like April 24th, Middle Creek @ Green Hope. We know things can change quickly though in this league.

 

Every team in the conference deals with injuries, rain outs and 3 games a week at times. It is what it is. If we want to say that has something to do with upsets, at times yes it does. But not always. If we want to blame injuries or whatever else..let's say that's why Holly Springs started 0-5. That's bs..they started 0-5 because they couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag at the time. In their last 10 games they are 7-3. They are finding their stride. So is Cary, they've won four straight. Athen's is starting to figure it out and playing better.

In years past, the conference has had more dominant teams. This year it's pretty balanced throughout. Some observations after 1st half:

1) MC will win the conference, they've built a pretty good lead. Pitching is solid. They do the little things well. They aren't great..but they find a way.
2) GH is young and building confidence, starting to believe they can win. They built decent depth with pitching.
3) FV is decent. They struggle to hit at times and pitching depth is a problem.
4) Apex is scrappy as usual. Typical Valder team.
5) Lee County struggles to hit a times. Pitching depth looks like an issue.
6) Holly Springs is starting to hit better and gaining momentum
7) Cary is starting to figure it out. They are scrappy!
8) PC is better than in years past, they have a lot of senior talent. Still trying to figure out how to put teams away
9) Athens...young team. Starting to figure it out and are playing better

Just my two cent's...but I'm sure I'm way off.

 

Tri-Nine

Agree that rainouts and injuries can be misleading with some upsets however, after the first round no team appears to be that dominating like Holly Springs was last year so with that being said, I still think MC will win conference if Boyd healthy as they have the pitching depth and coaching. FV is over rated and does not have the pitching. I have seen their number one get hit hard at times.
Apex is always pesky and they do have pitching.
Green Hope is strong when Gilbert pitches. Other pitchers are very beatable.
Panther Creek could still be a surprise. They are much improved but have given up some runs lately. Not sure how Holly Springs scored six last night as they did not hit when we played them.
Athens is back to full strength and Patrick Graham is always a contender to put up a good fight on the mound.
Holly Springs pitching is a surprise this year with Wantz and Fortier looking stronger with each outing but getting no help from their defense by the box score errors. If they get James back that gives them three legit pitchers.
Lee County has Durazio but he can not pitch every game.
Cary looks better and better. Again, not much pitching depth but nice to see them winning.
Going to be a fun ride the ast two/three weeks!

 

Middle Creek beats Lee Cty 1-0 in a classic pitchers duel between Boyd and Durazo. Only 6 total hits.

Holly Springs takes Green Hope to extra innings but comes up short.

 

Three close games in Tri-9 again

And PC loses in late innings to Apex, 2-1. Gotta feel for PC. Have had several tough losses in a row. GH gets a huge win. Not much drama until the bottom of the 7th, then it became really exciting!! Could have gone either way. Moms are threatening to stay at home as their nerves are fried. Will Friday be any different? My guess is no. See you 'round the diamond.

 

Looks like Boyd is back for MC and they have beaten Durazo twice, Tenuta once, and don't play rival Fuquay again (split in reg. season). Clicking at the right time but they will continue to see everyone's best shot down the stretch.

Same can be said for Green Hope. They continue to win. Nothing flashy but getting good pitching and timely hits. Gilbert/Walsh/Weygandt are having great years.

Game of the year looks like it is being set up for next Tuesday night at Green Hope between MC and GH. Gilbert vs Boyd, Conf Title on the line? Middle Creek won first game between the two, 8-0.

Currently:
1. Middle Creek (15-4, 9-2)
2. Green Hope (14-4, 9-2)
3. Fuquay (12-6, 8-4)
4. Apex (9-7, 6-5)
5. Holly Springs (7-10, 5-7)
6. Panther Creek (5-12, 5-7)
7. Lee County (4-11, 3-7)
8. Athens Drive (7-10, 3-8)
9. Cary (7-10, 3-9)

This conference continues to amaze me. Cary is last place but extremely competitive (two very close L's vs top place Middle Creek plus sweeping Easter Tournament).

Looks like MC/GH/FV and probably Apex are good to go for playoff berths. HS/PC will bang it out for the 5th and final spot.

Good luck Tri-9!

 

Looks like Fuquay won in the bottom of the 8th tonight so Green Hope falls to 9-3 in the league while Middle Creek wins again to improve to 10-2. Middle Creek @ Green Hope on Tuesday is big, big, big.

 

Standings....

From my experience with the Tri-9 it regular season standings are not as important as you might think. Yes it is nice to have home playoff games, the tri-9 teams can compete with anyone in the state, top to bottom. 1-5 who make the playoffs can make a deep run in the playoffs. It all depends on who is playing good at the right time of the year, and pitching matchups in the playoffs. Remember just a few years ago Lee County the #5 seed who had to win its last 3 regular season games just to make the playoffs went all the way to the eastern regional game. And that year the #6 seed Apex who was a added team, played Lee County to see who made it to the Eastern Regionals. Both teams were playing their best baseball at the right time of the year. It is kind of like March Madness, it doesnt matter where you finish the regular season, you just want to make the tournament, cause once you are in it, anything can happen.

 

GH moves into tie with MC for first

I agree with GR42, final standings in Tri-9 have not been good predictors of advancement in playoffs with last year the exception. Having said that, guys (and coaches) want to win in the regular season too. Big game tonight at Green Hope in the standings and in the pitchers. Will Gilbert shuts out MC at home (7-0), returning the favor for GH having been shutout at MC by Graham Edwards earlier in the year. With three games left, the conference top spot is down to three schools.