luvthemraiders

Krumps record speaks for itself as the best coach in NKY.

WOW! Talk about a classic battle between #1 and #2. My heart goes out to CovCath. They outplayed us for 6 innings and then it fell apart. I want to commend the Ryle student section. They stood and cheered on their team in the 6th and 7th innings when it looked like all was lost. That to me is incredible to see students supporting each other. Neat stuff going on at Ryle. The ball team certainly did not have their best night but did not give up. The Raiders showed me a great spirit and will to win. Best wishes to all CovCath seniors. I can't imagine the pain you feel right now.

No idea who Krumps will throw but he will have a committee ready if needed and would not surprise me to see 3-4 CC pitchers tonight. I expect to see Jeff Hatfield start for Ryle with Ryan Hughes ready in the pen. Hatty is the tall righty with a variety of pitches and Hughes is the lefty with pretty good stuff.

These really are the 2 best teams up here without question. I give Ryle an edge due to senior leadership and experience. I would think that all Ryle fans expect the Raiders to prevail. Can't speak for CC fans. Should be a great event.

Ryle did look good except for one sloppy play in the top of the 7th. Ryle and CovCath were both glad that games go 7 innings. Interesting that both teams broke open tight games in the bottom of the 6th. Two good teams in what should be a great regional final.

Ryle has an interesting situation where I have seen 4 pitchers all throw with #1 stuff at times during the year (Collins, Hatfield, Hughes and Weis). Collins was not on his game tonight like when he beat CovCath 7-0. Just happens in baseball. I would guess Hatfield would start vs. CovCath with Hughes in relief again. Ryan Hughes did a super job tonight to stop the bleeding as the Beechies were knocking JC all around the yard. Sebald was terrific in the closer role in his one inning. Ryle has good pitching options for the final game.

Dixie should be proud of getting to the semis. Nichols was incredible and shows what great pitching does for a team. Congrats to CovCath on advancing and good job, Dixie, giving it all you had and playing with enthusiasm.

The game starts at 7. Likely to be a fine crowd at a great facility. Arrogance says you will win before the game is played. Confidence says I expect to win. The Raiders are confident and you are displaying arrogance. Just like the young man on CovCath who says he does not see how anyone up here can beat them.

One of the sloppiest plays I have seen in a while, indeed. Just keep on slopping along, Raiders.

I was not aware that CovCath advanced to the sectionals tonight.

I guess I hope for another sloppy effort tomorrow night.

Future coach must have been one of Ludlow's 30 fans that was crying audibly when 2 calls did not go his/her way. (don't want to assume that future coach is a he). Be proud of your Panthers without belittling refs, other teams, the 9th region, etc. Hmmm? Seems to be a pattern here. I agree with old guy that the steal safe call was clearly the right call. The force play was extremely close and could have gone either way. Best wishes to all of Ludlow's seniors!

Very true cshs. Especially when two CC players were rung up later in the game on pitches not nearly as good as the ones that were called balls 3 and 4 at crunch time early. No way those pitches were too high or too low and Cory never moved his mitt. Interesting????? The better team ended up winning, though, and that's the way it usually works out. Congrats to CovCath and great effort by Boone.

The 9th is weak. Danville is strong. Go figure.

Nichols was brilliant. Congrats to Dixie.

I have seen calls in the past given to "smaller school" teams in games vs. Ryle so I don't buy this small school poor-me garbage. The best team finds a way to win in spite of the bad calls that are bound to come. The game today would not have been close regardless of two close calls that could have gone either way. The best team won easily today and beat a very good pitcher in York.

I bet Scott is glad this is baseball and not basketball. Good luck to all teams and we will root for Scott and Brossart.

Some predictions and thoughts about each team: 1)Beechwood – got the best draw possible as Newport was their only first round matchup where they do not have to throw Elliott. Game could get interesting if Newport plays great D and scores some runs off of Beechies #2. Should be Beechwood fairly easily and on to face the #1 Raiders. 2)Boone – got the worst possible draw for a district loser. Must throw Krohman to have any chance and CovCath got quite a few knocks off him last time. It won’t be easy this time for the Colonels, though. Boone needs Reed’s defense so hopefully Mark can play. Boone would then need to throw Houlehan IMO to have a chance to get to the finals should they upset highly favored CovCath. I expect the Colonels to win a game closer than expected by most. 3)CovCath – got the second most difficult draw. If the favorites win, they will have to get by Highlands and Ryle to head to sectionals. I imagine that Krumps will go with Bleser and see how the game develops to determine how many innings Josh pitches. 4)Dixie – got the most difficult draw and if the Red Colonels shock the world and win the region, they will have beaten the #4, #2 and #1 teams to do it. First round game should be a dandy with Nichols vs. Allen. I think they bow out vs. the Birds. 5)Highlands- will be tempted to save Allen for a possible match with CovCath. I really think they will give Rawlings a shot at shutting down Dixie and if Zach has good control, they should be OK. The Birds will be refocused after the unexpected loss to Newport and I think they take down Dixie and play a great game to upset CovCath with Allen on the hill in the semis. 6)Ludlow – might as well have drawn Ryle because York is a fine pitcher and Ludlow’s only chance to defeat the #1 Raiders would be with him on the hill. Ryle defeated him 3-0 in the wood bat tourney and will be glad to use metal. Would be a shocker for the Panthers to win as the Raiders are playing very well right now. York is very good and one of the top 3 pitchers in the 9th IMHO. 7)Newport – glad to be here and actually got the best first round draw possible. I don’t see Beechwood using Elliott as they want to try to get to round #2 with their #2 on the hill. I think Beechies win a surprisingly close game. 8)Ryle – my favorite to win it all, imagine that. They certainly got the best draw possible and Coach Roesel has a big decision as to who to start vs. Ludlow. He has 3-4 real good choices with Collins, Hatfield and Hughes. My guess is Collins, who shut out Ludlow in the Doc Morris. Revenge matchup with Beechwood in the semis and that is motivation enough for Ryle. In the finals, Raiders take down Birds and advance to sectionals. Good luck to all of the young men who have worked hard to get to this point. And, all of us would like to say a big thanks to Champions management for allowing our sons to play in a first class venue for the regional tourney. Monday will be a great day of baseball.

How many innings did Hughes throw? Congrats to the Raiders on winning the district again. However, Boone could well get an easier first round draw with the loss. Boone either gets Newport, Dixie or CovCath. 2 out of those 3 options look pretty good to a district runner-up.

This is so shocking to me and congrats to Newport. Highlands-CovCath or Highlands-Ryle could now be a first round matchup on Monday. WOWSER!

I guess Ryle has several 3-year starters, which is very unusual for them. A couple of the seniors that are doing well this year did not play much last year.

Sounds like a good game. Congrats to Boone.

Good analysis. DD must really be under your skin. Ryle, CovCath and Highlands are the only 3 teams with a chance to win 3 consecutive games IMHO. I would be shocked if anyone else won the region this year. Congrats to CovCath on winning the district.

Nichols = very good hitter

Outstanding work by the Ryle Raiders JV! Congratulations! I agree with voltage man that Coach Demler is a very good coach.