A simple challenge to speak the truth, here, with only a month to go before the district tournaments begin.

 

With each passing day, a member of the "supposed" Regional Top 10 (not enough coaches vote to know what really is their learned consenus) either wins or loses a game many of us on BG Preps predict will go the other way. As has been written by many more knowledgable than me, until we start seeing the seeding games and get into the tourneys where we will start seeing each team's number 1 and 2 pitchers go heads up against each other it is all conjecture on who is best.

 

I for one think that any of the top 6 or 8, and maybe even more, can get hot at the right time and find their way to Applebees. Likewise, any of those same 6 or 8 could lay an egg and have an early exit.

 

One thing is certain, there is no dominant, odds on favorite in the region this year. It is as wide open as I have seen it in several years. Each of the contenders has their weaknesses, as well as their strengths.

 

We all like to tout our home schools and start lively debate among our fellow posters, but the truth clearly is this is a year where no one in their right mind would take their team against the rest of the field, and it is not always that way.

 

All that being said, I will gladly post the first self-analysis.

 

Boone seems to have one of, it not the best hitting team up here, top to bottom, but just like anyone else can be shut down by a good pitching performance (See the 3 runs they scored in losing to Simon Kenton and 1 run scored in the shortened game Saturday against St. Henry).

 

Pitching has been top heavy. Nick Houlehan is 4-0 and looked good doing it. He has beaten NewCath, Highlands, Holmes, and Ryle. Only one of these would not be considered one of the better teams in the 9th.

 

Kevin Williams has done a nice job as the main reliever. They finally got another decent starting effort yesterday vs. Conner by Tony Krohman.

 

Bottom line is another starter needs to step up and prove they can throw strikes and get the job done, or it will be impossible for them to sustain the kind of streak needed to contend for the district and region crowns.

 

Corey Farris and Mark Reed are as tough a 1-2 punch offensively as their is around, plus enough other players are hitting well (Lokesak, Cotton, Todd Krohman, Houlehan, Whitaker) to keep teams from always pitching around the big two.

 

Bottom line: They are experienced, with a largely senior lineup. Seniors are usually a good thing to have it HS baseball. If Boone can get another pitcher or two to step up they can make a run. Otherwise, they will have to win any game without Houlehan 8 to 6 or something like that to go deep.

 

What do you really think of your team?

They say that baseball is a game of inches, and the six inches between between your left ear and your right ear can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

 

Once the Raiders shake the cob webs out they will prove to themselves that they can play with anyone.

 

Pitching- out of five or six, maybe two or three are up to par. A couple have the tallent but still have the cob webs.

 

Hitting- they won 26 games last year by hitting the ball. This week some of the bats are comming back.

 

D- man for man probably the best D in the 9th.

Come on all you homers. No one other than the always reliable DD willing to go on the record! TOG, where are you? Others too. You don't have to be specific as to individuals anymore than you are comfortable. Accept the challenge. Analyze like a scout would.

A simple challenge to speak the truth, here, with only a month to go before the district tournaments begin.

 

With each passing day, a member of the "supposed" Regional Top 10 (not enough coaches vote to know what really is their learned consenus) either wins or loses a game many of us on BG Preps predict will go the other way. As has been written by many more knowledgable than me, until we start seeing the seeding games and get into the tourneys where we will start seeing each team's number 1 and 2 pitchers go heads up against each other it is all conjecture on who is best.

 

I for one think that any of the top 6 or 8, and maybe even more, can get hot at the right time and find their way to Applebees. Likewise, any of those same 6 or 8 could lay an egg and have an early exit.

 

One thing is certain, there is no dominant, odds on favorite in the region this year. It is as wide open as I have seen it in several years. Each of the contenders has their weaknesses, as well as their strengths.

 

We all like to tout our home schools and start lively debate among our fellow posters, but the truth clearly is this is a year where no one in their right mind would take their team against the rest of the field, and it is not always that way.

 

All that being said, I will gladly post the first self-analysis.

 

Boone seems to have one of, it not the best hitting team up here, top to bottom, but just like anyone else can be shut down by a good pitching performance (See the 3 runs they scored in losing to Simon Kenton and 1 run scored in the shortened game Saturday against St. Henry).

 

Pitching has been top heavy. Nick Houlehan is 4-0 and looked good doing it. He has beaten NewCath, Highlands, Holmes, and Ryle. Only one of these would not be considered one of the better teams in the 9th.

 

Kevin Williams has done a nice job as the main reliever. They finally got another decent starting effort yesterday vs. Conner by Tony Krohman.

 

Bottom line is another starter needs to step up and prove they can throw strikes and get the job done, or it will be impossible for them to sustain the kind of streak needed to contend for the district and region crowns.

 

Corey Farris and Mark Reed are as tough a 1-2 punch offensively as their is around, plus enough other players are hitting well (Lokesak, Cotton, Todd Krohman, Houlehan, Whitaker) to keep teams from always pitching around the big two.

 

Bottom line: They are experienced, with a largely senior lineup. Seniors are usually a good thing to have it HS baseball. If Boone can get another pitcher or two to step up they can make a run. Otherwise, they will have to win any game without Houlehan 8 to 6 or something like that to go deep.

 

What do you really think of your team?

 

Agree with the hitting part (at least for the first half of the line up :creepy:). They need pitching bad or they won't be able to go anywhere.