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ACPB was in Welcome, North Carolina to catch the third game in the best of three series for the NC State Western 4A Championship between the Ardrey Kell Knights facing off versus the North Davidson Black Knights. The showdown was a winner take all joust to elimination between the competing Knights.

Ardrey Kell started junior right hander RYAN BUTLER (SC Panthers) and North Davidson countered with sophomore righty JORDAN RAMSEY (Canes). Davidson opened up a one run lead in the bottom of the first off a lead off double from senior center fielder ZACH JOYCE (App State); who came around to score on a single by sophomore CODY ATKINS (Heat). Ardrey Kell answered that run with one of their own when senior JOSH CASE (Brevard) came in to score on a two out double from senior catcher TAYLOR PATTERSON (Francis Marion). Davidson's turn to answer in the bottom of the fourth when junior TREVOR HENSON hit a HR to make the score 2-1. Ardrey Kell again answered in the top of the third with three singles from JACK REINHEIMER (On Deck); ZICO PASUT (ECU/football) and ALEX WOOD (SC Panthers / UGA). Ramsey battled out of the potential big inning inducing a fly ball out.

Bottom of the third; Davidson came right back at them with a HR from Atkins to make the score 3-2. Here comes the AK answer again but this time they counter with two runs and the lead off an RBI double from ALEX BARTOLOMEO (On Deck) and he was singled in by RYAN STETSON (On Deck Os / App State) to open a 4-3 lead. Butler settled in and held the Black Knights scoreless through the sixth while the Purple Knights added a run in the 6th when Patterson hit his second double of the game and scored on an error. The momentum changed in a big way for the Purple Knights when after the first two batters reached in the bottom of the fourth for Davidson; Butler forced the runner at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt; 3B CODY SHELTON (On Deck) faked a throw to first and then caught the aggressive runner rounding second in a run down resulting in two outs.

After giving up two singles in the bottom of the 7th; Butler was relieved by game 2 winner ASHTON LOVER (On Deck) who closed the door for the save an victory for Ardrey Kell.

Ardrey Kell will take on Sanderson High School this weekend for the State 4A Championship.

Players noted with (college and or summer program)

NC State Play Offs - Round 4

ACPB traveled to Sawmills, North Carolina to take in the NC 4A round four contest between the visiting Ardrey Kell Knights versus the home town South Caldwell Spartans.

In front of an overflowing crowd and a perfect rainbow the game set up to be a classic. The game featured two D1 signed pitchers with ALEX WOOD (U of Georgia) on the mound for the Knights facing off versus CODY PENNY (UNC) for the Spartans. The line ups were full of prospects and the coaches were battle tested and had their teams well prepared for this late round one and done contest contest.

AK got on the board first when lead off spark plug 2010 ALEX BARTOLOMEO led off with a sharp single through SS. He advanced on 2011 LOGAN RATLEDGES sac bunt and came in to score on a sharp single by 2009 ZICO PASUT. The Knights added a run in the second when 2010 JACK REINHEIMER reached base and was driven home by a Bartolomeo double in the gap. With two runs on the board early and Wood dealing on the mound it looked like AK might cruise to victory.

The home town Spartans would have something to say about that. Penny got a little more dialed in in the top of the third and silenced the Knight bats and in the bottom of the third Wood lost the ever changing strike zone and loaded the bases. Senior third baseman JON GREY lined a single to drive in the Spartans first run and then with two outs and two strikes on Penny he lined a hard single to left scoring two for a 3-2 lead. The sweet swing Grey would add to the Spartans lead in the fifth with a deep drive over the LCF fence and the home crowd was feeling pretty good about their chances.

AK proved once again they would not pack up and fold their tent when in the top of the sixth they got runners on second and third off hit by pitch and walk. Reinheimer laced a single to RF scoring one and then the Spartans brought in relief in the form of senior ace CODY POARCH (UNCG) to get the last out. He got the out but not before 2010 3B CODY SHELTON fought off a third strike breaking pitch and dropped a double into right field scoring the tying and leading run.

Wood took it up a notch in the sixth and seventh and shut the Spartan bats down. Alex would strike out 10 for the game and was touching 90+ from start to finish. Penny and Poarch were the hard luck losers as each showed next level abilities with high 80s fastballs and advanced breaking pitches.

Ardrey Kell advances to the NC Western 4A finals versus North Davidson in a best of three series where they will defend their 2008 Western crown.

Players to follow this summer are:2010 Jack Reinheimer; 2010 Alex Bartolomeo; 2010 Cody Shelton and 2010 Ashton Lover from Ardrey Kell all play for the On Deck O's. 2010 Ryan Butler; 2011 Logan Ratledge and 2011 Brett Lang each play for the SC Panthers and 2010 Alex Baker plays for the CBC Diamond Rats.

NC Game of the Week - Week 11

ACPB attended the finals of the NCISAA State Championships at Charlotte Country Day in a repeat of last seasons championship match up between Charlotte Christian and defending champion Wesleyan Christian.

Charlotte Country Day hosted the finals at the recently refurbished Ed Walton Field at the CCDS campus. Coach Walton was honored this year when the field he cared for for over 30 years was named in his honor. With many new improvements including VIP seating overlooking the 12 foot left field fence the field continues to be one of the best in the state of North Carolina.

Wesleyan knocked off the host team in semi final action on the arm of 2009 LOGAN SELF (Campbell). Self pitched in the 86-88 range and held the Bucs to 3 hits in the 4-0 victory. The Bucs started 2011 WILLIAM FRAZIER. The young lefty showed why he was later voted NCISAA All State when he gave up 3 hits himself yet walked 6 and his defense gave up a couple of errors to take the loss. He settled down after giving up 4 in the first two innings and got 13 outs in a row. Frazier will be a pitcher to keep an eye on as he has solid command of three pitches and is throwing 78-79 from the left side.

Christian started out their semi final game slowly and found themselves behind Providence Day 5-1 after 3 innings. Senior ace LUKE BARD (Georgia Tech) came into the game and stopped the bleeding cold. The Kinghts then became a little more selective at the plate and before the dust had settled had taken a 10-6 victory to the finals. The Knight offense was led by 2010 TY LINTON who hit a bomb to RCF high onto the light pole; 2010 JAKE WATSON who singled and drove in the go ahead run and 2009 SCOTT GLOVER (High Point) who put an exclamation point on the victory with a HR and two RBIs. 2011 SAM ARNIE CF and 2012 ANDREW POPE SS/P are a couple of young Providence Day players to keep an eye on.

The NCISAA finals are a best of three that take place immediatly following the semi finals games. In game 1 the knights jumped on the Wesleyan starter CLINTON INGRAM early and often as their bats remained hot from the earlier semi final. TY LINTON hit another deep blast to LCF and added 2 doubles in driving in 5 runs for the game. 2010 TREY LANEY (Western Carolina) added a HR of his own on a 2 for 2 night and JAKE WATSON went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored as the Knights ended the game early with a 14-0 win. Wesleyan All American WILL MYERS (USC) did not see a pitch to hit in the CCDS semi final as he was walked three times. In the Christian game he got to swing the bat and just missed on a couple of deep fly outs. 2012 CASEY CORN is a middle infielder to keep an eye on in the future. The youngster showed good actions in the field at second base and collected a hit in each of the first two games.

With a win under their belts Christian showed up Saturday morning expecting to take back the championship crown. They broke out to a 5-0 lead early off the hot bat of Linton who had a double and triple in this game. After a rain delay Wesleyan came storming back to tie the game. Myers finally got a pitch near the plate and it left the yard in deep RCF. Christian brought their ace Bard back in and once again he put a stop to the momentum. Luke collected two relief wins for the series to take his season record to 10-0. The Wesleyan pitcher TYLER HICKERNELL lost a little control late and ended up mixing some walks and hit batters into a couple of hits that led to a Christian 8-5 victory.

LUKE BARD: TY LINTON and WILL MYERS were all voted to the NCISAA All State Team in an announcement following the game.

Ty Linton; Jake Watson and Trey Laney can all be seen with the South Charlotte Panthers this summer. William Frazier will play with the CBC Diamnond Rats; Sam Arnie and Andrew Pope will be on the fields with the On Deck O's.

NC Game of the Week - Week 10

ACPB was in attendance for the finals of the SW4A Conference Tournament hosted by Myers Park High School. The championship matched up conference #3 seed Myers Park versus #4 seed Butler High School.

Myers Park knocked off #2 seed Ardrey Kell 2-0 in semi final action behind an exceptional pitching performance by senior ROBERT BALSLEY. The Surry CC signee and On Deck alumni allowed one hit, struck out 5 and induced 12 ground ball outs in the game. Butler advanced after beating regular season conference champion Providence 4-0 behind senior pitcher MATT VARNADOE's one hitter. The Limestone College signee and South Charlotte Panther alum allowed the first three batters to reach base, worked out of the jam and allowed only one other runner the rest of the game. Battery mate 2009 TYLER TEWELL who has signed with Appalachian State and is also an SCP alum was the offensive star of the game with a bases clearing 3 RBI double in the 7th inning of the scoreless game.

The final matched up Myers Park's senior uncommitted ace and Dirtbag alum CHRIS OVERMAN versus a planned multi pitcher strategy by Butler. Overman was throwing in the 87-88 range with a few 90s from start to finish and with solid command shut the Bulldogs down on 2 hits while striking out 5.

Myers Park got on the board early versus sophomore starter MITCHELL RAWLINGS when lead off hitter JOE HAGER doubled in the right center gap; BRIAN HOLBERTON hit a hard single to right and J.D. EY hit a deep sacrifice fly to center to score the run. The Mustangs added to their lead in the third off a Holberton double; and back to back RBI singles by Ey and ANDY WILSON. The home team added to their total in the 5th when Holberton collected his third hit of the game with a double off the top of the right center fence followed by Ey's second hit of the night.

Overman worked out of the biggest threat he faced after Butler SS JAKE FINCHER tripled deep to center field followed by an infield single by Varnadoe and walk. He got the next hitter to hit into an inning ending double play to snuff out the threat.

Myers Park junior BRIAN HOLBERTON was voted the tournaments Most Outstanding Player. He went 5 for 8 with 3 doubles and 4 RBIs. Behind the plate for the Mustangs he threw out two runners on attempted steals and handled a pitching staff that allowed 0 runs and 4 hits in three games. Holberton can be seen this summer playing with the South Charlotte Panthers 2010 team.

Prospects to keep an eye on from this game include a number of up and coming players.

For Myers Park - Four underclassmen who compete in the summer for On Deck Baseball all show next level skills and futures. TYLER POWELL 2011 is a 6'3 plus 3B who has displayed a solid bat throughout the Mustangs season. OF JOE HAGER 2010 is another big body who leads off and bats left handed. He had a lead off double and later got on base off an error; scoring 2 of the Mustangs 4 runs. 1B GRANT FISHER 2010 adds one more 6'3 plus body in the field for Myers Park. The athletic first baseman got on base twice off a walk and an error. Sophomore GRANT GOODSON played CF this night but also plays middle IF. Butler kept Goodson off base this game but he is one of those guys who always seems to be on.

Butler also featured a number of underclassmen to keep an eye on. SS JAKE FINCHER 2011 is a very athletic player who showed big time pop with a deep triple and displayed plus speed in each of his at bats. Fincher shows good actions in the field at SS; he can be seen this summer with the South Charlotte Panthers. 3B TOMMY HIBBARD 2011 is the lead off man for the Bulldogs and came through with a nice single after struggling versus Overman early. Hibbard has a very athletic make up and projects well. The sophomore is also a quarterback for the strong Butler football program. Junior PATRICK McMAHON is one of the Buldogs top pitchers and was saved this night for the play offs later this week. Patrick is a versatile fielder and played both center and first in this game. The lefty will be pitching this summer for the SC Panthers.

Myers Park enters NC State 4A play offs as the SW4A #2 seed and will face off versus McDowell HS in round one. Butler will travel to West Meck as the conference #4 seed. If Myers Park and Butler win they will face each other again in the second round of state play offs next week.

NC Game of the Week - Week 9

ACPB traveled around the rain this week in hopes of seeing the East Rowan Mustangs take on NPC Conference leading Lake Norman High. The match up featured Lake Norman senior left hander NICK LOMASCOLA who has signed with Catawba versus senior right hander and UNCC commit CORBIN SHIVE for East Rowan. In spite of tornado warnings in Charlotte and wash outs in Winston Salem the rain held off in Iredell County for this exciting match up.

East Rowan would hand Lake Norman their first conference loss and end a 14 game winning streak in a 6-0 victory.

Shive has been eased back into the rotation following minor shoulder surgery in the fall. He is definately getting back into form as he would deal this night for six solid innings and the win. Shive had masterful control of his arsenal and touched 87-88 when needed in allowing only two scratch hits while striking out 4. Lomascola has impressed this writer a couple of times this season and although a loser this night continued to display why Catawba is excited about having him in Salisbury next season. He has good command and really moves the ball around the zone. I have seen him a little faster as he pitched in the 84 range yet he kept the lakers in the game until he exited after the sixth behind 0-3.

The Mustang offense put a lone run on the board in the 3rd off a walk; and two singles. 2010 SS PRESTON TROUTMAN got the two out RBI off a chopper up the middle after a lead off walk to senior ALEX LITAKER. The big damage occured in the sixth when led off man BEN DECELLE got a hit; Troutman walked in a multi pitch at bat and RF DAVID IAMES drove a 2 strike pitch in the gap for a 2 run double. The Mustangs put up 3 more in the seventh off of reliever ROSS WHITLEY on a hit; walk and two errors to take the margin to 6-0.

Shive limited the Lake Norman offense to two singles; one being a bad hop grounder to SS and the other a two strike scratch to right. I expect this bunch will come back with a vengance as they complete the conference schedule this week and likely still roll into the playoffs as the NPC number 1 seed.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

East Rowan 2010 SS PRESTON TROUTMAN had four quality at bats; drawing two walks; a sacrifice bunt and slapping a single up the middle driving in the game winning run. Preston displayed a plus arm in the IF and next level actions including a stab at a sharp liner for a double play to end the game.

NOAH HOLMES 2010 East Rowan is one of the top 3B prospects in the state. Holmes has excellant range and is as solid as they come at the hot corner. In the game he started a 5-4-3 double play that was above next level fast beating a good runner by two steps. Noah centered a ball in the fifth inning; driving it to the fence for a stand up double.

ERIC MANSER 2009 Lake Norman 2B hits in the three hole for the lakers and had a couple of just misses at bat. He hit shots to both SS and 2B that were inches from hits on both. Keeping Manser off the base paths and at bat without runners was a key to the Mustang victory.

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