Wednesday, May. 11, 2011

Preview: Baseball playoffs start for Tri-Nine teams

Middle Creek, Green Hope on hot streaks

EDITOR'S NOTE: Match-ups that were unknown going into Monday night have now been updated with correct times and opponents.

In early April, Middle Creek's chances to make the N.C. High School Athletic Association baseball playoffs were bleak. At 3-10 overall and 4-8 in conference play, the Mustangs looked headed for an uncharacteristically bad season.

Despite nothing to smile about, coach Jeremy Thompson told his team to have fun.

And the Mustangs (14-10) haven't lost since.

"We go out there, joke around and have fun with it," senior Britt Cherry said. "Everyone here knew what we were capable of and that we had underachieved so far. And if we put it together everything would be changed then."

Middle Creek went into Apex last week controlling its destiny, one that once seemed more of a daydream, for the Tri-Nine Conference's final automatic playoff spot. The Mustangs defeated Apex, who was also fighting for fifth place along with Lee County, 5-1.

The Mustangs got two RBI from Jordan Powell, including the game's first run in a three-run third inning.

"We just pulled the team together and said we needed to get through this," Powell said.

Red-hot teams from the Tri-Nine are the norm. Middle Creek enters Friday's first round playoff game on a 11-game tear, while Holly Springs has won 12 straight, Green Hope has won 10 of its last 12 and Fuquay-Varina has won 10 of its last 14.

Holly Springs vs. Millbrook: The Tri-Nine champs are scheduled to host the No. 5 seed from the Cap-8 Conference, Millbrook, on Thursday at 7 p.m.

When the Raleigh school visits Holly Springs (19-2), it will have to deal with a pitching staff that has allowed just 2.1 runs per contest this year.

The Golden Hawks have ace Carlos Rodon, but fellow starter Justin Manning has been almost as dominant.

Athens Drive vs. Wake Forest-Rolesville: After finishing the season second place in the conference for the second straight year, Athens Drive (14-6) will host the Cougars.

The Jaguars enter the game having won six of their last eight, having gotten solid starts from seniors Chris Williams and Ben Snotherly.

This game will be played at 4 p.m. Friday.

Green Hope vs. Richmond County: The Falcons finished third in the Tri-Nine all by themselves, giving them a first-round home game against Richmond County, the third seed out of the Southeastern Conference.

Green Hope (14-8) has a strong pitching staff, with Max Povse (0.83 ERA) and Will Gilbert (1.06 ERA) each capable of shutouts.

The Falcons will host the Raiders on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Fuquay-Varina at Riverside: The Bengals will be in Durham Friday. But as of Monday, it was still up in the air as to which Durham school would be hosting the Bengals.

Fuquay (16-8) was slotted to play at the runner-up in the PAC-6 Conference, which was determined when Jordan defeated Riverside 9-2 Friday.

Middle Creek at Jordan winner: The Mustangs will play the PAC-6 champion, which means they were awaiting Monday's final between Riverside and Jordan to figure out who they would play.

Jordan has been ranked among the state's top 10 teams in 4-A this year, but no one is as hot as Middle Creek going into the playoffs.

This game will be played Thursday.