SG ESQ

Pics from the game. https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5881373652985611153?authkey=CI692OGq1dbk3AE#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5881373652985611153?authkey=CI692OGq1dbk3AE

A few additional thoughts re: Highlands * JR Evan Allen was very solid at 2B. Made two plays in paritcular that were big. Opening batter (after Grau's injury) hits a hard ground ball up the middle that he backhanded and made strong throw to get the out. Later in the game (5th or 6th?), he made a great backhand pick on a low throw in the dirt. He doesn't make these plays, and NC's in business. * Cochran's improvement is especially evident in 2 ways from last year. First and foremost, he doesn't let adverse events affect his performance. Last year, an error or not getting a call snowballed into a big inning. This year, he bows his back and grinds it out. Second, his off speed stuff is dramatically better. He throws them with confidence, for strikes, and without tipping them. * IMO, with Cochran and Jones, HHS has the most underrated 1-2 (you could flip a coin as to which is the #1 and which is the #2) going into next week. * The seniors really stepped up their leadership in the last few weeks. Before the season, I posted that this was the biggest question mark. This team was Mitch Meyers' last year (as the only senior starter). His bat was solid (but I think we can agree that Ramey has met that challenge). A bigger question was the leadership void that his departure created. In the last few weeks, I've seen that group step up and take the reigns. They lead by example and they have figured out how/when to pick a teammate up (whether it's a pat on the back or a kick in the butt).

Pics from the game. https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5880960718992564065?authkey=CNWHr7Kl3s3ZpwE#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5880960718992564065?authkey=CNWHr7Kl3s3ZpwE

Pics from the game. https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5879539933763078049?authkey=COPh2tjX0quf9gE

4 at bats. 4 times he squared it up. He's locked in. In 2 months he's transformed from a good jv player to (IMO) one of the best hitters in the 9th region. Great kid too.

I know a little bit about him... * Sophomore * 6' * 80-82 * Good potential. Aggressive - throws strikes and will throw his curve (more of a slurve) at any count. Needs to develop a consistent 3rd pitch. Won 6 games as a frosh for the varsity and is 4-2 this year (including a 2 hitter CG v. Cov Cath).

Pics from the game. https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5867247792335976625?authkey=CMr799Gj2fjNxwE#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5867247792335976625?authkey=CMr799Gj2fjNxwE

Pics https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5866431877780926577?authkey=COjwyLTPmK38mgE#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5866431877780926577?authkey=COjwyLTPmK38mgE

Pics from Newport and Myrtle Beach https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5865019838750363953?authkey=CISv59KU6YHm9gE#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5865019838750363953?authkey=CISv59KU6YHm9gE https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5864211759731968929?authkey=CPSazKPiwZmb5gE#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5864211759731968929?authkey=CPSazKPiwZmb5gE

Pics https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5865395500342556417?authkey=CPDjq-SgqsuSxAE#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5865395500342556417?authkey=CPDjq-SgqsuSxAE

Pics https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5865225628844428737?authkey=COeTnJOu59DIBA#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5865225628844428737?authkey=COeTnJOu59DIBA

As you might expect, he was solid. HHS actually squared him up pretty well the 2nd and 3rd inning, but hit some loud outs. The 2nd guy (who I think pitched the last 4 innings) was nasty. He threw easy gas, tight curve, and with his length, seemed like he was handing the ball to the catcher. He was the real deal. Pics from the varsity and JV. https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5861366122607884865?authkey=CMm2l93emqzQew&banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5861366122607884865?authkey=CMm2l93emqzQew&banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1

^ While I'm not 100% sure, I believe each game goes towards your total. What I do know for sure is that this is not a tournament. Win or lose, the Birds will only play 7 games, and there are no brackets, championships, etc.

They will play 7 games. Here is the schedule. * 4/1 v. Bishop McNamara (MD) at 8:30pm * 4/2 v. Liverpool (NY) @ 12PM * 4/2 v. Andrews (SC) @ 3PM * 4/3 v. Victor (NY) @ 3PM * 4/4 v. Elizabeth (NJ) @ 9AM * 4/5 v. Lenape (NJ) @ 12PM * 4/5 v. Archbishop Hoban (OH) @ 3PM

SO - Martin went 6 2/3. SR - Schultz with the save. Martin was outstanding. Threw strikes - spotted his fastball and changeup. Defense was solid. HHS won this game because they were tougher. Every time Elder threatened to score, Highlands bowed their backs and responded. The only scoring by both teams was in the 1st inning. HHS with 2 runs in the top on (I believe) only 1 hit. Special shout out to SO - Hennigan playing his first game at 1B since maybe back in the days of the Wildcats :-) He made a big time pick of a low throw in the bottom of the 7th. Great win that makes the ride to Myrtle Beach tomorrow that much more fun. Will try to send updates on twitter @nkywildcat Will also post pics of the JV and Varsity games in the next day or so.

I'll try to post updates via twitter @nkywildcat I'm usually pretty good unless a certain kid is on the mound. Pics from last night are linked below. https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5860194150126336385?authkey=CJX--Yek8OuUIA#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5860194150126336385?authkey=CJX--Yek8OuUIA

Pics https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5858958806623087217?authkey=COidl9eSyq3pLA#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5858958806623087217?authkey=COidl9eSyq3pLA

Pics https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5858950249537227729?authkey=CP29kJegrojDAw#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5858950249537227729?authkey=CP29kJegrojDAw

Pics from the game https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5858401143092326945?authkey=CIvR4vXttpj2UA#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5858401143092326945?authkey=CIvR4vXttpj2UA

Pics from the games @ Lawrence Co. https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5856419348228887873?authkey=CMWFqdSr4uiqggE#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5856419348228887873?authkey=CMWFqdSr4uiqggE

Pics from Saturday's scrimmage. https://plus.google.com/photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5853769033609618049?authkey=CNquvMXS4Y2jLw#photos/104497968313180471011/albums/5853769033609618049?authkey=CNquvMXS4Y2jLw

IMO, the biggest question mark is who fills the leadership void left by Meyers' graduation. They'll miss Mitch's bat, but even more so, he was a great leader. The good news is that there is a big senior class to step up and fill that leadership role. RE: The Spring Break Schedule, here it is: * 4/1 v. Bishop McNamara (MD) at 8:30pm * 4/2 v. Liverpool (NY) @ 12PM * 4/2 v. Andrews (SC) @ 3PM * 4/3 v. Victor (NY) @ 3PM * 4/4 v. Elizabeth (NJ) @ 9AM * 4/5 v. Lenape (NJ) @ 12PM * 4/5 v. Archbishop Hoban (OH) @ 3PM

While I wasn't there, I have to comment on this. I paid for college in part by calling a lot of games, and Stink worked a number of those games with me. So, he's worn those shoes plenty. If he thought the guy was bad, then based upon your criteria, he had the right to voice his opinion.

Tryouts for the 2013 ATY 16U team will also be held on Saturday August 11th at Boone County from 9AM-Noon.

Coach Cravens was at Silver Grove in the late 80's to early 90's. I had graduated by the time he came along, but he had a number of winning seasons at SG, and that's not always easy to do. I respected his work ethic and approach. I'm happy for him. Best of luck, Coach Cravens.