hardball

Somerset is a very good offensive team and has played a good schedule.

Somerset is very athletic and likes to run, bunt, basically anything to put pressure on the defense. They have pretty good power in the middle of the lineup, but the key to this season so far has been the bottom of the order and its ability to get on base. When that started to happen, Somerset really started to play well. As far as pitching, they are pretty solid. They won't strike out double digits, but they'll make you put it in play and their infield is solid. Good little catcher as well.

Might this be Coach Hamilton's last high school game?

The Jumpers will hopefully be making their first trip to the state tournament since 1992. Not sure about Jessamine's last appearance...

I picked Somerset before the tourney, and I'll stick with them now. However, they're a bit thin on pitching right now, and I'm not sure who West has left. Somerset 6-4 again...

Just a couple questions about this field: First, could anyone give me directions from I-75? Second, what is it like? Dimensions, playing surface, mound, stuff like that? Thanks for any help.

So far, I'd say the draw has helped Somerset and West. Which will take the next step tonight?

Somerset plays hard and creates opportunities for themselves. Mercer just had some letdowns on defense. Good luck Jumpers, bring the regional title back down to the 48th, er, 47th district. BTW, who will Somerset throw tonight? Price?

It was a very good game. Witten made two nice plays on attempted squeezes, one a safety and the other a suicide. The play on the attempted suicide was an off-balance, bare-handed flip to the catcher to nail the man at home. Very nice play.

Word out of Somerset is taht Grundy is leaning towards Molen. Could be a smokescreen, but Mercer does have 6 lefties in the lineup.

Hated my summer coach at the time. It's amazing how your perspective on things change with age...

I had a summer coach once that benched me for 5 games for striking out and throwing my helmet. Needless to say, I didn't throw my helmet again. But I struck out many, many more times...

You're right, parents should be held responsible for their childrens' actions. I didn't say that Coach Morse encourages his players to act this way. In fact, Coach Morse has always been a class individual as far as I know. However, on the baseball field, the actions of players ultimately are a reflection on the coaching staff. And frankly, that's two straight years I've seen some embarrasing behavior come from a very good program in Danville. We can agree to disagree, I guess. And to answer your question, every time a kid throws a helmet, argues with an official, gets an attitude, etc., etc., you take him out of the lineup.

Looks like Franklin couldn't get LexCath out...

Should be a great second round game between Mercer and Somerset. Will Grundy throw Wallen or Molen? Big decision....

Rockastle was aggressive at the plate and took it to Cooper. I'm not sure if they struck out more than two or three times.

We had a similar discussion last year about the Danville players' attitudes after ther semi-state loss to LexCath. There were many people defending the players last year after those events. I don't know if the players get it from the parents or the coaches, but it's a shame that Coach Morse allows this behavior on his team, period. Congrats to Witten on a great high school career.

That's the way I look at it as well....

First 4 on Monday, two on Tuesday, and Championship on Wednesday.

Danville (26-9) Mercer (19-10) 12:00 Wayne (13-20) Somerset (20-9) 2:30 Rockastle (22-9) Boyle (24-7) 5:00 W. Jessamine (19-11) Southwestern (12-22) 7:30

Yep, that's it. Great draw for Somerset and West Jessamine IMO.

Not sure, but I think that Somerset drew Wayne first round. Should help the Jumpers to save some pitching.

I picked Somerset to win the twelfth before the season, and I would like to stick with that pick. They have the most potent offense in the region. The injury to Molen seems to have slowed his progress, though, and in the district tourney, Hughes didn't look to be 100% either. Some of the talk floating around the stands was that his shoulder may have been aggravated a bit. Any word on that?

Not sure; possibly Friday.

After watching last night, I'm not sure if Somerset has the pitching, unless they draw Wayne the first round. Same with Boyle and Rockastle. Mercer has the deepest staff, especially with the injury to Danville's grimes. Therefore, I would rank them like this: 1A Mercer 1B Danville 2A Somerset 2B West Jessamine 2C Boyle 2D Rockastle 3 Wayne 4 Southwestern It's just that close. Should be a dandy of a tournament.