LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Breaking News: I want to wish everyone the best and hope all your baseball/softball dreams come true in 2008...My thanks to all the STARS......Many thanks to Tony Doughtie and Kenny Dickerson for a great show this past Sunday night......This coming Sunday night at 8:30 pm on Channel 17 and on the web at www.whigtv.com I will be hosting, along with special guests, the 6 year anniversary of the sports show. Hope you will tune in and give us a call during the live calls segment.......The 13u Stars went undefeated this weekend in Wake Forest and won their 2nd tournament of the fall to go along with two second place finishes in only 5 events. They are now 15-4 and will end the season in Myrtle Beach in two weeks. Congrats to all the boys.......The Falcon has landed!! Big Edmund Gravely will have baseballs flying over the fences at Newberry College next year. I very proud of how dedicated he is and how much he loves the game of baseball. The best to Edmund and congrats to the entire family........Congratulations to my good buddy Zach Furl of Lee County High School. Today he made his college decision. He will be a Spartan and will be pitching for Coach Roberts in the fall of 2008. I sure hope to be at his first start...Congrats to all the Furl's and I expect GM Shady to have worked out a great deal for his older brother.......Here is the names of the new 13u Stars that won the first tournament of the fall that they entered. Front Row:
Mic Howard
Brennan Beck
Chase Roupp
David Williams
Dylan Hodges
Back Row:
Edgar Brown
Mike Roupp
Jeff Williams
Bradley Jackson
Mr. Reese
Jordan Braswell
Tyrie Mack
Thomas Knott
Jordan Rogers
Chip Hodges......
I was fortunate enough to get a call from Wesleyan head baseball coach Charlie Long to umpire his fall world series game yesterday. I was behind the plate and got to watch the following STARS bat or pitch: Tony Whitehead, Richard Wall, Bradley Taylor, Desaray Rosser, Jason Gay, Thomas Sykes, Daniel Moore, Joe Toler, Justin Diener and Andrew Webb. It was exciting to see how far the Stars have come in our 9 year history. Good luck to each of them in College ball.... It was an awesome surprise for me as I was viewing the Minor League website to find a former STAR in the pro's. His name is Logan Morrison and he is the starting 1st baseman for the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the South Atlantic League. Logan and his dad flew in from Kansas City to join us for the 14u National Tournament at Disney World in December of 2001. He helped lead our team to a 4th place finish in the Country. Congrats to him for going Pro and he currently has 21 home runs on the season......... Stars 2007 graduate Adam Hodges from RMA is headed to Virginia to play college ball at Hampden Sydney. You all might get to see him pitch against his old buddies when they play Wesleyan College next spring............. In case you haven't heard, the 14U Stretchlon Lady Stars are the 2007 USSSA NC State Champs. They went 4-0 in bracket play, and stayed undefeated in Kernersville last weekend to take home first place out of 16 teams. The girls were awesome, scoring 30 runs, giving up 10. They had super defense, turning 3 double plays, 2 pickoffs, 2 caught stealing. Great pitching with Betsy Braswell, Kayla Hinton, and Mariah Gray getting wins, while Stephanie Rose, Betsy, Kayla, Mariah and Erica Hux led the offense. They all got super sweet trophies and Chuck Braswell received a very nice plaque.......Another year of Rocky Mount Little League has been completed and for the 4th year in a row Stretchlon has sponsored the Rookie of the Year Awards. Congrats to Chase Roupp and Micah Varnell for being the outstanding rookies of 2007....They join previous winners 2006 Adam Bayless & Tas Pittman, 2005 JR Parks & Dillon Moore, 2004 Matthew Berry, Andrew Morales, Michael May and Parker Helms.......... Andrew Webb having just completed his high school career by playing for NNash in the 3A East Regional Finals has announced that he will be playing this fall for Wesleyan College. Coach Long and Jones are getting a stick of dynomite as Webbie is a hard nosed player with tremendous desire. He is expected to pitch and play infield for the Battling Bishops. Good Luck Buddy.......... Stars lefty Matt Parsells of West Guilford will go on to pitch for Limestone College next season. Matt is a crafty and smart pitcher and will do great in the CVAC conference.......Congrats to the 12u Lady Stars for going undefeated again at the RM Complex this weekend and winning another softball title........ Take a look at the picture of the week on the right. Instead of me doing the arguing now I am the one getting chewed out!!!!.... Stars catcher Lyle Donaldson of Northwood High School will be catching next season for Greensboro College. They will be getting a great family as well..........The 12u Cooperstown bound Stars went 3-0 in pool play in the first ever USSSA tournament in the opening weekend of the new RM Sports Complex making it to the Championship game. The team looked great in their fancy uniforms...........The 14u & 12u Lady Stars went undefeated this weekend in the first ever tournament at the new RM Sports Complex...What a fun time I had watching them play....A great way to break in the new fields and to let the competition know that you won't be beat on your home turf.....Congrats Ladies........Tony Whitehead, starting rightfielder for the Stars from Greenfield Academy will continue his baseball career as a Battling Bishop at Wesleyan College this fall....Congrats Tony......The 12u Cooperstown bound Stars went to ECAP this weekend and won the first tournament of the season going a perfect 4-0. Congrats to Ron Polk and the team (see story on 12u page)...............Justin Diener, starting centerfielder and pitcher for the Stars this fall will be playing baseball next season for Coach Long at Wesleyan College. Justin is a senior at East Wake HS...Congrats to "Louie" and his parents....It will be nice to be able to see his home games next year...........Coaches Ron Polk, Jeff Williams and Keith Beck will be taking the 2007 12u Stars to the Cooperstown National Tournament in June (The worlds best baseball experience) If you would like to help sponsor the trip please call Richard Sarmiento 903-5734..........Tarron Robinson, starting pitcher and 1st baseman, for the Stars will be in a UNC Tarheel uniform next year playing for Coach Fox. Tarron tossed a shutout in the Virginia Tournament this past fall for the Stars. This spring he will play his final high school season with the Chapel Hill HS Tigers. Congrats to a fine young man and a great family. Go Heels!!.......... Happy New Year to all the Stars and I wish everyone the best on the ballfield in 2007...................(Showcase Stars 2006 Recap)...Record: 14-14-2 (we had the lead in both tie games)....
Season: Started July 22 and Ended Nov 19 (actually played 11 different weekends)....
Players: 45 different guys from 25 high schools and 2 colleges.....
Most hits: Andrew Webb 26....
Most rbi's: Alex Pearce 15....
Most extra base hits: Edmund Gravely, Joe Toler, Bradley Taylor 5.....
Most innings pitched: Justin Diener 30....
Most Wins: Matthew Watson 3.....
Season Cost: Priceless........well actually it cost Stretchlon $3,200 dollars net after parent contributions SO if you win the lottery please feel free to send me a check......
Highlights of each event:......
UNC-Pembroke: Coach Britt Johnson schmoozing the college coaches, Brandon Roberts pitching like a bulldog with a blister on his finger, Brain Allen going 5 for 9, Matt Parsells tosses 5 innings allowing only 2 earned runs to the mighty Hurricanes and goes 3 for 7 at the plate, Evan Daniel pitches last inning of each game, Will Edgerton (MVP of the 12u Stars in 2003) has a double in the win over Potomac Virginia, Justin Blue reaches base 4 times in 9 plate appearances and is also robbed of 2 hits by great plays....
Methodist Showcase at Pine Forest HS: Justin Diener tossing 3 hitter against the Hurricanes, Matt Watson hurling a 1 hitter against Riptide, Alex Pearce 6 for 8 with 6 rbi's, Chris Pace 4 for 7 with 4 rbi's in first game back after breaking leg in the spring, Chase Surles tosses two shutout innings in relief against Overhills and Brett Allen playing up gets two hits in his Stars debut......
Catawba/Pfeiffer: Outhitting the South Charlotte Panthers 10-7 with Matt Parsells pitching great until a blister forces him off the mound, Tarron Robinson hitting 2 triples against the Charlotte Heat, Joe Toler 5 hits and 4 rbi's. Adam Hodges gets the win and Andrew Webb the save against the South Carolina Victory Crusaders.......
Coastal Carolina: Bradley Taylor and Brad Fletcher hit home runs, Kyle Harmon tosses 4 shutout innings and Tony Whitehead has 3 hits and an rbi against the Diamond Devils, Richard Wall hits a home run against the Megastars and Justin Diener makes the catch of the year in centerfield, Caleb Shelton joins team and throws 3.1 shutout innings against the Megastars, Coach Jon Moore is harassed by Diamond Devils coaches over the Stars parents keeping the home run balls, Coach Sarmiento sends over two new cheap baseballs that are refused by the Diamond Devils macho coaches.......
Wesleyan College: Stars host Dirtbags but lose to them in a rain shortened game. Bentley Massey is on the hill in relief for the Stars when the rains came.......
Wesleyan/Tom Stith/Chapel Hill Showcase: Stars avenge loss to Dirtbags beating them under the lights at Tom Stith Park with Lyle Donaldson driving in the winning runs with a double off the wall as Joe Wagstaff, Justin Diener and Chad Womble combine on the mound. Brad Fletcher has 2 hits and 4 rbi's and Edmund Gravely hits a 3 run bomb as the Stars beat the Dirtbags again at Chapel Hill HS, Tarron Robinson and Caleb Shelton allow only 1 earned run in 7 innings on the hill, Kyle Adair shows some fancy glove and footwork at shortstop as a guest player for the Stars, Zach Moore and Dustin Pate each have hits in their first game with the Stars.......
UNCW Club Team: Marc Sarmiento gets a two rbi base hit on the first pitch he see's since his last high school game in the spring, Edmund Gravely hits another home run, Steven Sands guns down the tying run at the plate in game two to save a Stars victory, Stars sweep both games 17-3 and 4-3, Coach Scalf of UNCW attends game one, Coach Mike and Coach Pete both make an easy out in their only pinch hitting appearance of the year.......
Richmond Virginia: Freshman Dylan Brown gets game winning hit in the 7th inning in a come from behind win over the Ashland Patriots, Tarron Robinson in front of Coach Brittle of Radford University tosses a complete game shutout against the Braddock Bearcats, Richard Wall tosses 3 no hit innings against the Virginia Cardinals and Lyle Donaldson hits a home run, the Beasley brothers Zack and Austin join the team and help the Stars to a 3-1 record with all 3 wins being come from behind wins, Stars enjoy watching cd's in the hotel lobby provided by Marilyn Wall of all the highlights of previous games. Joe Toler, Andrew Webb, Lyle Donaldson, Edmund Gravely, Tarron Robinson and Zack Beasley make the Perfect Game all tournament all star team. Coach Mike Pearce stays at the wrong hotel and can't get the World Series game on the television........
UNC Club team: Joe Wagstaff tosses 5 innings allowing only 1 run, Zach Furl hits a towering home run into the trees at East Wake HS but Stars get swept by UNC team that made it to the College Club World Series this spring. Greg Murray, DJ Scott and Brian Mills help the shorthanded Stars as guest players while regulars Justin Diener and Andrew Webb are playing in Jupiter at the WWBA. (Murray & Mills last played in 2005 for the Stars).....
Duke Club team: Jim Leggett and Richard Wall combine to shutout the Blue Devils allowing only 3 hits in game one. Daniel Moore rejoins the Stars and gets 2 hits with an rbi and a stolen base. My wife Trish and daughter Lauren attend game one and my daughter falls in love with # 10 on the Duke team.......
NCST Club team: Kelly Webb & parents host an awesome cookout for the teams. Both games go extra innings as Jim Leggett, Zach Woodley, Richard Wall, Tyler Joyner and Drew Davis all pitch outstanding. Casey Bissette gets called up from the Stretchlon Wood Bat Stars and scores 2 runs......
Myrtle Beach this weekend: 18u Stars won't attend BUT the Beasley and Webb families can't get enough baseball so they are going down to watch the Stretchlon 12u Stars play. (Bill Beasley is actually coaching his 12 yr old sons team the Carolina Cobras).......
Once again I want to thank everyone for playing and supporting (special thanks to JD Pearce) the team this year. It was by far the most fun season and the best competition. Merry Christmas and I hope you all have a blessed 2007. See you at a field in the spring. Thanks. RS..........Kelly & Tina Webb, Doug Brown and all our parents treated the Stars to a wonderful season ending cookout as the Stars ended the fall season hosting the NCST club team at Wesleyan College on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. The food was delicious and the games were very exciting....At the same time that we were eating the Lady Stars were placing in Kinston, the 14u winning Gold and the 12u winning Bronze, what a great season they had (read more on softball page)...The 12u boy's finished 3rd at ECAP in a tune up tournament as they will be heading for Myrtle Beach on Dec 1st weekend for their season ending tourney. Good Luck to Ron Polk and the boy's........(18u)..The Stretchlon Showcase Stars closed out the fall season with a 4-4 extra inning tie and a 3-1 extra inning loss to the North Carolina State Club team on Sunday at Bauer Field on the Wesleyan Campus. In the nightcap the Stars rallied from being down 3-0 to take a 4-3 lead before senior Ryan Reynolds would hit his second home run of the day tying the game in the top of the 7th inning sending the game into extra frames. Darkness eventually ended the game after 8 innings in a tie. Andrew Webb was 2 for 2 with an rbi and a stolen base, Zach Woodley had a triple, Daniel Moore had an rbi and a stolen base, Edmund Gravely had a single while Dylan Brown, Casey Bissette and Webb scored the runs for the Stars. Starter Richard Wall worked 4 innings, Tyler Joyner tossed 3 innings allowing only one hit and Drew Davis hurled a hitless final inning. In game one the Stars got outstanding pitching from starter Jim Leggett (3IN 3H 2BB 3K 1ER) and Zach Woodley (5IN 0H 1BB 5K 0R) before NCST was able to scratch out 2 unearned runs off of the Stars bullpen in the top of the 9th to win the game 3-1. Andrew Webb, Daniel Moore (2SB, 1R) and Bradley Taylor had the only hits for the Stars. Stretchlon ends the fall showcase season with a 14-14-2 record........(College games) The Stretchlon 18u Showcase Stars played a flawless game and got outstanding pitching and timely hitting to earn a split of a doubleheader against the Duke Club team at Wesleyan College on Sunday winning game one 5-0. Jim Leggett (5IN 2H 3BB 5K OR) and Richard Wall (2IN 1H 2BB 1K 0R) combined on the shutout. The Stars scored in the first as Daniel Moore singled, stole second and was driven home by an Edmund Gravely single. In the fifth inning the Stars got 4 insurance runs as Chris Pace singled, Alex Pearce was hit by a pitch, Tony Whitehead reached on an error , Adam Hodges had an rbi base hit and Daniel Moore had an rbi double. In the nightcap the Stars defense fell apart committing 5 errors leading to 6 unearned runs as Duke won the game by a score of 9-6. Justin Diener, Alex Pearce (RBI), Chris Pace (RBI)Tony Whitehead, Adam Hodges, Richard Wall (RBI) Jim Leggett and Edmund Gravely each had a hit in the game for the Stars. Andrew Webb worked 3 innings in relief allowing only 2 hits and 1 unearned run. Stretchlon is 14-13-1 on the fall season and will host the North Carolina State Club team next weekend in the season finale..........Richmond Va: Richard Wall doubled to start the 7th inning and Dylan Brown drove him home with his second hit of the game to lead the Stretchlon 18u Stars to a come from behind 4-3 victory over the Ashland Patriots. The Stars trailed 3-0 before scoring 3 runs in the sixth on hits by Caleb Shelton (2-3), Lyle Donaldson (2RBI) and Zack Beasley (RBI). With the win in the last game of the tournament the Stars finished as Champions of the 18u bracket with a 3-1 record. Andrew Webb got the win in relief with 2 shutout innings. Starter Austin Beasley tossed 5 solid innings. Edmund Gravely and Joe Toler had the other hits for the Stars. In the first game of the day on Sunday Tarron Robinson hurled a four hit complete game shutout as the Stars defeated the Braddock Bearcats 8-0. Austin Beasley had a two run hit in a five run 7th inning to break open a 3-0 game. Andrew Webb and Joe Toler each had two hits, Zack Beasley stroked two doubles while Richard Wall, Edmund Gravely and Dylan Brown each had a hit in the game. On Saturday night under the lights the Stars once again came back erasing a 4-3 deficit by scoring 3 runs in the last inning on hits by Austin Beasley, Andrew Webb and a two run double by Edmund Gravely to down the Richmond RBI Club by a score of 6-4. Caleb Shelton got the win on the mound while Andrew Webb recorded the save with one shutout inning. Bradley Taylor and Lyle Donaldson each had a hit while Dylan Brown and Richard Wall each had an rbi base hit. The only loss for the Stars was in the opening game of the tournament as the Virginia Cardinals were able to hang on for a 4-3 win. The Stars out hit the Cardinals 10-7 but left the bases loaded in both the 6th and 7th innings. Lyle Donaldson had two hits and two rbi's including a solo home run. Andrew Webb and Edmund Gravely each had two hits while Justin Diener had an rbi base hit. Bradley Taylor, Joe Toler and Austin Beasley each added a hit for the Stars. Richard Wall tossed 3 no hit innings in relief giving the Stars a chance to win the game. Stretchlon improved to 13-10-1 on the fall showcase circuit..... (Stars beat College boy's)............The Stretchlon 18u Showcase Stars traveled to Wilmington to showcase in front of UNCW head baseball Coach Mark Scalf in a doubleheader against the UNCW Club team. The Stars won both games by scores of 4-3 and 17-3. In game one the Stars banged out 14 hits and jumped on the board scoring 8 runs in the first inning on rbi hits by Bradley Taylor (3RBI), Brad Fletcher, Marc Sarmiento (2RBI), Alex Pearce and Tony Whitehead. Edmund Gravely(2RBI) hit a two run homer and Lyle Donaldson (3RBI) a two run double as the Stars scored 6 more runs in the second inning. Taylor, Fletcher, Gravely and Whitehead each had two hits. Joe Wagstaff and Steven Sands each had an rbi hit, Chad Womble had a hit while Joe Toler and Justin Diener each added an rbi for all the Stars offense. Diener, Wagstaff and Womble allowed only 3 hits while striking out 8 in the mercy rule shortened game. Game Two came down to the last play of the game as rightfielder Steven Sands gunned down the potential game tying run in the bottom of the 7th allowing the Stars to come away with 4-3 victory. Chad Womble was the winning pitcher while Justin Diener recorded the save. Joe Wagstaff had two rbi doubles in the game, Lyle Donaldson had two hits and Alex Pearce had the game winning rbi hit. Starter Steven Sands tossed 3 innings and also had a hit in the game. The Stars improved to 10-9-1 on the showcase season and travel to Richmond Virginia for the Perfect Game East Coast Regional Showcase next weekend........(Wood bat recaps).....The Stretchlon 18u Wood Bat Stars avenged two straight losses to the Wilson Bulldogs by routing them 11-0 at Tom Stith Park on Thursday night in wood bat league action. Leading the way for the Stars were pitchers Jim Leggett (4-0) and Andrew Webb who combined on a one hit 15 strikeout shutout. The hitters were led by Chris Pace with two hits and an rbi, while Dylan Brown, Alex Pearce and Jacob Davis each had a hit and two rbi's. Colin Haggerty, Eric Moore and Leggett each added a hit. Stretchon improved to 5-3 on the fall season. ....Jeremy Proctor (2-2, GWRBI, RS, 2SB) singled to score David Wittman breaking up a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the 8th as the Stars defeated Raleigh by a score of 5-4 at Tom Stith Park on Wednesday night. Jim Leggett got the win on the mound tossing 3 no hit innings in relief and Andrew Webb recorded the save with a no hit 9th inning. Starter Chad Womble and Brain Allen each hurled two hitless innings while Justin Shannonhouse pitched an inning. Andrew Webb led the Stars with 2 hits and 3 rbi's, Chris Pace had 2 hits including a double, while Casey Bissette, Colin Haggerty and Chad Womble had the other hits in the game. Brett Allen scored a run for the Stars. The Stars (3-2) are back in action Thursday night against the Wilson Bulldogs with Jacob Davis expected to start on the hill for Stretchlon......(Showcase Games)........The Stretchlon 18u Stars knocked off the Dirtbags 17's at Tom Stith Park Saturday night by a score of 6-4. The Dirtbags are the premier team in the state of North Carolina and are headed this Thursday to Fort Myers Florida for the World Wood Bat Championships. The Stars were led by pitchers Joe Wagstaff, Justin Diener and Chad Womble as they combined to allow only 5 hits while striking out 10. Dierner got the win in relief and Womble the save. The Stars jumped out to a 3 run lead in the top of the 1st on the strength of a Richard Wall 2 run double and an rbi by Alex Pearce. The Dirtbags answered with single runs in the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th to take a 4-3 lead. In the top of the 8th Joe Toler led off with a walk, Bradley Taylor singled and Lyle Donaldson doubled scoring both runners. Richard Wall followed with a single to score Donaldson with the 3rd run of the inning to secure the comeback victory. Brad Fletcher had two hits while Tony Whitehead and Andrew Webb each had a hit as the Stars out hit the Dirtbags 8-5. The Stars are now 8-9-1 in showcase action.................(Stars host showcase)...
The 18u Stars hosted the Dirtbag 17's and the Duplin County Sr Legion team in the 1st Annual College Prospect Showcase at Wesleyan this past weekend. Many thanks to Charlie Long and his staff for making everyone feel so welcome. Kudos to Wayne Wallace for running the PA system as the kids loved hearing their name as they played on a college field in front of college coaches and pro scouts. The Dirtbags, one of the best teams in the country, went undefeated downing Duplin 3-2 in a great game and defeating the Stars 9-3 in a rain shortened game. The Dirtbags used wood bats this weekend which made for some fun baseball........The Stretchlon 18u Wood Bat Stars rebounded from an opening day loss and took it out on the Carolina Cardinals in a 20-0 shellacking at Tom Stith Park on Thursday night. Jeremy Proctor (3RBI) and Alex Pearce (RBI) led the way with 3 hits each, Jacob Davis and Chad Womble each had 2 hits and 2 rbi's, while Brandon Smith (2RBI), Chris Pace (RBI), Gabe Brown (2RBI) and David Wittman each added a hit as the Stars banged out 14 hits. Christopher Lamm and winning pitcher Jim Leggett each had an rbi. Leggett, Womble and Wittman combined on a no hitter with 9 strikeouts........ The Stretchlon 18u Wood Bat Stars outhit the Raleigh Allstars 5-2 but gave up 3 unearned runs to lose 3-1 in the opening day game of the Triangle Wood Bat League. Andrew Webb, Justin Shannonhouse, Drew Davis each had a single while Jacob Davis had a double and Chris Pace had an rbi base hit. The loss was the first in 3 years for the Stars in wood bat league competition. The games are played at Tom Stith Park at 7 pm....... A very special congratulations to our 12u player David Williams on hitting his very first home run at the Wake Forest Tournament. He helped his Stars team make it to the championship game........(Stars go the beach)...
The Stretchlon 18u Showcase Stars endured early and late game times and wet fields this weekend but competed very well at the Coastal Carolina College Prospect Showcase Tournament this past weekend.
Game 1: Stars 16 Carolina Fungo Red Sox 3
Highlights: Joe Toler, Bradley Taylor and Caleb Shelton each had 3 hits. Brett Allen contributed with an rbi base hit while Joe Toler had 3 rbi's to take the team lead with 9.
Matthew Watson got the win with Tarron Robinson, Kyle Harmon and Andrew Webb each tossing an inning.
Game 2: South Carolina Diamond Devils 10 Stars 8
Highlights: Stars fight back from a 10-0 early deficit to rally for 8 runs including getting home runs from Brad Fletcher and Bradley Taylor. Catchers Alex Pearce and Lyle Donaldson each had 2 hits while Tony Whitehead and Brad Fletcher each had 3 hits. Kyle Harmon was awesome on the hill in relief hurling 4 shutout innings. The Stars left 13 runners on base and gave up 6 unearned runs in the tough loss. Brian Cisco grandson of former major league player and manager Galen Cisco started for the Devils but was chased in the 4th inning when the Stars plated 4 runs on 5 hits. The Devils went thru 5 pitchers before finally holding off the late game scoring by the Stars.
Game 3: Charlotte Megastars 8 Stars 1
Highlights: A second straight 8:30 am game proved to much as the Stars were out of gas to start this game. Richard Wall hit a home run on the first pitch he saw this weekend for the Stars lone run. Justin Dierner made one of the best catches of the year in centerfield laying out for a line drive in the gap (he also survived being hit in the head by a line drive in the Devils game on the mound). Starter Caleb Shelton tossed 3.1 shutout innings in his first start of the year. The Stars showcase record stands at 6-7-1 on the season........
(Stars compete against the best)........
The Stretchlon 18u Showcase Stars played two of the best teams from North Carolina and one of the best from South Carolina this weekend at the Catawba/Pfeiffer College Prospect Showcase Tournament.
Game 1 South Charlotte Panthers (40-13) 5 Stars 2
Notes: Stars outhit Panthers 10-7 but stranded 14 runners in the loss. Andrew Webb, Brad Fletcher, Richard Wall, Tony Whitehead and Joe Toler each had two hits in the game.
Game 2 Charlotte Heat 10 Stars 9
Notes: Stars lead 8-4 but gave up 4 unearned runs in the 5th and lost in the final inning. Tarron Robinson had two triples and 2 rbi's, Richard Wall had an rbi double.
Game 3 Stars 10 South Carolina Crusaders 4
Notes: Stars erased a 3-0 deficit scoring 6 runs in the final 3 innings. Bradley Taylor had two doubles and an rbi, Joe Toler had two hits with two rbi's, Alex Pearce and Justin Diener had rbi base hits as the Stars banged out 11 hits in the win. Adam Hodges got the win tossing 6 innings while Andrew Webb recorded the save with 3 shutout innings.
The Stars are 5-5-1 in college showcase games on the season. The Stars travel to Coastal Carolina next weekend.......... If you like to hear the crack of the bat then come on out each Wednesday night at 7 pm to Tom Stith Park and watch the 18u Stars play in the wood bat league. The boys really enjoy swinging the lumber and the games are fun. Team members this fall are Andrew Webb, Alex Pearce, Drew Davis, Colin Haggerty, Brandon Smith, Casey Bissette, Chad Womble, Jacob Davis, Jeremy Proctor, David Wittman, Justin Shannonhouse, Brett Allen, Brian Allen, Edmund Gravely, Jim Leggett and Chris Pace..............The 12u Stars were great this past weekend in Wake Forest making it to the championship game in their first tournament of the fall under new head coach Ron Polk (details on 12u page later this week)........... The 18u Showcase Stars went 2-1-1 at the Methodist tournament this past weekend in Fayetteville. Local players Alex Pearce 6 for 8, 6RBI, Andrew Webb 5 for 12, 3RBI and Chris Pace 4 for 7, 4RBI had great weekends at the plate. Sophomore Brett Allen had some fine at bats and got some good big game experience. Matthew Watson tossed a one hitter for a win while Brandon Roberts and Chase Surles combined on the mound for the other win. Justin Denier pitched his heart out against the Hurricanes and had them beat 5-3 when he came off the mound in the 7th only to have the bullpen let the game end in a tie. Adam Hodges played a flawless 3rd base while Brian Allen, Joe Toler and Bradley Taylor contributed to the offense with multiple hits and rbi's. As always Daniel Moore was solid in centerfield and Matt Parsells held down some strong Prepstars hitters...............
(Tribute to our son-May 2006) Another hour plus ride down a two lane country highway with the sun setting in front of us, Trish and I drove to our son Marc's last ever baseball game last night. On the way to Creedmoor, North Carolina for the state high school baseball playoffs we reflected on the thousands of memories of watching our only son play and thought of all you that have coached him. What a ride, starting at age 6 in the Englewood tee ball league and ending at age 18 at Northern Nash High School. In between he played as far North as Cooperstown, New York, as far South as the Disney Sports Complex and believe it or not as far West as you can go in Honolulu, Hawaii at the Cal Ripken International Camp. Twelve years that will last us a lifetime as we will forever celebrate every hit he ever got, every catch he ever made and every strike he ever threw. I must tell you this is not at all a sad day for us, as you would have thought it would be, instead it is a great day to be thankful for the numerous blessings that Marc has had in his career. Just never missing a game due to injury is a big one let alone getting a game winning hit now and then. As all of you know baseball is my passion, if not my addiction, and my son gave me a wonderful gift of playing hundreds of games just so his Dad could be happy. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for putting up with me. In closing Trish and I want to thank each one of you for having helped Marc along the way.
It is time for me to say "my little baseball boy has become a man." May the Lord continue to bless his life. RS
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