How's this one going to shake out folks? South won the earlier matchup, 7-4 in the Diamond Classic. Both teams are coming in with lots of momentum after spirited come-from-behind wins earlier in the tourney.

No comments or predictions????

How's this one going to shake out folks? South won the earlier matchup, 7-4 in the Diamond Classic. Both teams are coming in with lots of momentum after spirited come-from-behind wins earlier in the tourney.

 

I will go with a repeat of the first game, 7-4 with South Laurel coming out on top.

I think it will just come down to who gets a break in this game. Both were just a hit or a fielded ball away from being eliminated already. The 13th has shown a lot of parity this season and not necessarily in a good way.

I think it will just come down to who gets a break in this game. Both were just a hit or a fielded ball away from being eliminated already. The 13th has shown a lot of parity this season and not necessarily in a good way.

 

There is not a team that has been consistently better than the pack this year, but there does seem to be more teams that I would call pretty good team, which has resulted in some very interesting games.

 

I expect Middlesboro, South Laurel, Corbin and maybe another team or two to raise the bar a little next year though.

There is not a team that has been consistently better than the pack this year, but there does seem to be more teams that I would call pretty good team, which has resulted in some very interesting games.

 

I'm not so sure that the parity is the result of improvement by some second tier teams as much as a rejoining of the pack by what is normally top teams. I will concede it as more entertaining. With the exception of OBI, any team there could have won the regional this year along with NL and Corbin who would have had an equal shot had they made it. However, I do like what's happening at Whitley, and I like having North and South in the region. By next season KC will be in their new school and get a full season on their own field for the first time, hopefully the new indoor practice facility will be ready to go, and the consolidation of all the elementarys into one middleschool will be a big plus for the feeder program. If the new Harlan consolidation stays in our region this will be one tough area to come out of.

I'm not so sure that the parity is the result of improvement by some second tier teams as much as a rejoining of the pack by what is normally top teams. I will concede it as more entertaining. With the exception of OBI, any team there could have won the regional this year along with NL and Corbin who would have had an equal shot had they made it. However, I do like what's happening at Whitley, and I like having North and South in the region. By next season KC will be in their new school and get a full season on their own field for the first time, hopefully the new indoor practice facility will be ready to go, and the consolidation of all the elementarys into one middleschool will be a big plus for the feeder program. If the new Harlan consolidation stays in our region this will be one tough area to come out of.

Next year will be tough for Clay County. Losing 11 players from this years team. 6 starters, and rumor of 1 more leaving. Things could get tough. I look for the Tigers to start a few freshman and possibly some 8th graders. They might not be good for the next two years, but from then on out eveyone needs to watch out. As far as the game Thursday I'll take South. They are a great team. Even though I thought there coach should have been hanged after him pulling Smith when he had a perfect game. Luckily for him Smith came back in and shut it down. Will Pittman pitch for Middlesboro????

Who will be pitching? I know of a couple pitchers for South that could get pounded by the Jackets.

Who will be pitching? I know of a couple pitchers for South that could get pounded by the Jackets.

 

I would expect some combination of Philpot, Riley and Martin. But if it rains Thursday, you may see Smith again. He's been nothing short of spectacular down the stretch.

South 6-2

Smith and Hoskins can't pitch until Saturday, right? Over five, and you get to sit for 3 days, correct?

The way I read the rule, it's two days. So they could go Friday.

5-one day

6-two days

7-three...

 

I look for South to come away with this; I think they've been the team to beat in this region all year long.

Smith and Hoskins can't pitch until Saturday, right? Over five, and you get to sit for 3 days, correct?

 

Smith can't pitch until Saturday. He pitched the first six yesterday and then came back in during the seventh. If a pitcher throws one pitch in another inning, then that counts as an inning as far as how many days he would have to sit out. Therefore, Smith technically pitched 7 innings and will need three days rest. That will be big if the game got rained out because although he couldn't pitch on Friday, Hoskins could go 5 innings if they needed him.

 

Middlesboro has been hitting the fall extremely well and I look for that to continue. I am predicting a 7-3 victory for the Jackets with Pittman throwing a very strong game.

First game starter Earls is also available in relief.