Final from the 35th.

BW was up 9-5 heading into the bottom of the 6th. Stringer had control issues. CCH tied it up.

 

Bottom of 7 CCH gets a leadoff double from Pope. Languth beats out a SAC bunt. Languth moved to 2nd (wild pitch maybe?). Brown walked. #40 whose name escapes me then hits a sac fly walkoff.

 

Ben Heppler started the game yesterday and finished the game today to pick up the W.

Sounds crazy. I'm sure BW will bounce back for the Regionals and will surely be a tough out for whichever #1 seed they draw next Monday.

First time to see these two 9th region powers play. Heard about BW super- sophs and drove up to watch. Did not know the players, but was most impressed with Suchanek. Fundamentally, very solid and has plate discipline. Biggest difference between CC and BW appeared to me to be a plate discipline mentality. Most players went deep in count, and only saw 3 players swing at first pitch.

 

BW on the other hand has a cluster of players that seem to like the Brandon Phillips hitting style. Wiggle the bat, Lift their front legs off the ground, long stride with weight shift, and can't touch anything on the outside third of plate. Forget touching the curveball unless it starts out inside and breaks into the power zone. Surprised by what I saw versus what I expected. Great athletic talent that would greatly benefit by working with a disciplined hitting coach that stresses fundamentals.

First time to see these two 9th region powers play. Heard about BW super- sophs and drove up to watch. Did not know the players, but was most impressed with Suchanek. Fundamentally, very solid and has plate discipline. Biggest difference between CC and BW appeared to me to be a plate discipline mentality. Most players went deep in count, and only saw 3 players swing at first pitch.

 

BW on the other hand has a cluster of players that seem to like the Brandon Phillips hitting style. Wiggle the bat, Lift their front legs off the ground, long stride with weight shift, and can't touch anything on the outside third of plate. Forget touching the curveball unless it starts out inside and breaks into the power zone. Surprised by what I saw versus what I expected. Great athletic talent that would greatly benefit by working with a disciplined hitting coach that stresses fundamentals.

Maybe it is a style that you don't expect to see at the high school level but when you put up 9 runs on Cov Cath and average close to 10 runs a game throughout a very competitive season then I would think that things have worked out pretty well on the offensive side. It is too bad you did not get a chance to see one of the best pure hitters in NKY in Breyden Combs who is out for the year. My concern is the lack of composure in the late innings of some of the games that appear on the way to a W. BW needs to clean that part of the game up if they want to get out of the region IMO.

I will await the pummeling that follows this comment.....is it time to question Stringer as the closer? The kid is a great player, but is he a closer?

I will await the pummeling that follows this comment.....is it time to question Stringer as the closer? The kid is a great player, but is he a closer?

 

No pummeling here as I have thought the same. There are throwers and there are pitchers. Right now I feel Ethan leans toward a thrower which is fine if you have the command to go with it. He has a very high motor and seems to want to get the out too quickly. If he slows it down a tad he should be fine and I do not necessary mean his pitch velocity. Yes, he is a great player and loaded with talent and will be fun to watch for 2 more years at BW.

I will await the pummeling that follows this comment.....is it time to question Stringer as the closer? The kid is a great player, but is he a closer?

 

No. Not right now. IMO cant have a kid that cant throw strikes consistently in that spot. He has always been a starter, needs the time to warm up. Doesnt do well when rushed to warm up in between innings, and his coach has refused to send out a defensive replacement to allow that. When he throws strikes he is impressive, when not you get what you get.

With Combs out, my guess is Stringer becomes a starter in the regional.

I watched Stringer throughout the entire All "A" tournament including a very tense last game. There were many times he could have lost composure but kept it together and was successful. Last night's game performance was fueled by a dugout that was yelling, screaming,heckling ,hitting their bats against the fences, with every pitch, all encouraged by their coach.It would be very hard for any sophomore to keep composure while being taunted publicly like that. While Ethan will have to learn how to block that out in the future, was very proud that the BW team did not lower themselves to that level when their closer was struggling. While I respect Cov Caths athletic abilities, lost a little respect of their integrity, they can win without it.

I watched Stringer throughout the entire All "A" tournament including a very tense last game. There were many times he could have lost composure but kept it together and was successful. Last night's game performance was fueled by a dugout that was yelling, screaming,heckling ,hitting their bats against the fences, with every pitch, all encouraged by their coach.It would be very hard for any sophomore to keep composure while being taunted publicly like that. While Ethan will have to learn how to block that out in the future, was very proud that the BW team did not lower themselves to that level when their closer was struggling. While I respect Cov Caths athletic abilities, lost a little respect of their integrity, they can win without it.

 

Because kids were getting into the game it means they were taunting Stringer? Do we want the bench players to sit on the bench with their hands politely folded in their laps?

Last night's game performance was fueled by a dugout that was yelling, screaming,heckling ,hitting their bats against the fences, with every pitch, all encouraged by their coach.

 

This has been discussed many times on here. There is a difference between baseball chatter and loud obnoxious behavior that shows no class. Some folks cannot tell the difference. Most spectators find it very annoying and it takes away the pleasure of watching the game for most. Good teams should be able to win without these tactics but it appears to be the better teams that usually deploy them.

This has been discussed many times on here. There is a difference between baseball chatter and loud obnoxious behavior that shows no class. Some folks cannot tell the difference. Most spectators find it very annoying and it takes away the pleasure of watching the game for most. Good teams should be able to win without these tactics but it appears to be the better teams that usually deploy them.

 

I wasn't at the CCH/BHS game last night so I can't really speak on the subject but if you, or anyone else, were there, maybe you can fill us in on what exactly the Colonels were doing that was obnoxious and constituted taunting (according to Tiger mom).

I wasn't at the CCH/BHS game last night so I can't really speak on the subject but if you, or anyone else, were there, maybe you can fill us in on what exactly the Colonels were doing that was obnoxious and constituted taunting (according to Tiger mom).

 

They were loud. Krumps was pumped up.

 

It wasn't anything abnormal. I didn't even consider it having much of an impact on the kid. I simply thought he threw too many curveballs.

You are correct I was not there but I have been to 40 plus high school games this year and from Tiger Moms description I get a good picture of what went on. Been to enough games where this behavior was allowed by coaches and the reaction from the stands is usually the same. "Really" Are we at a little league game here. Although most little league coaches show more class. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and mine is this should not be part of the game. You can pass it off as good old baseball chatter and kids getting pumped but I am not buying it.