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Game Summary
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Game 1:
It
was the first regular season game as a Titan for new
Head
Baseball
Coach David Brown.
Assisting Coach Brown at 1st Base was Daniel Coles,
and Pitching Coach Pete Greenwood. Returning
for his second year as Home Game Announcer was John
Griffith. The Varsity's opening game of the
2008 season was a warm-up for the Titans and a
tune-up for the Phillip O. Berry Academy of
Technology "Cardinals". Senior Jack Lane pitched
the complete, albeit shortened, 3 & 1/2 inning game,
allowing no hits and issuing only one walk. The
starting line up for the Titans was: (#5) Senior
Jonathan Fisher in Centerfield; (#3) Senior Adam
Waters at 2nd; (#13) Senior Blake McGee at 3rd; (#8)
Cody Murtle in Right field; (#20) Jack Lane at
Pitcher; (#16) Sophomore Keith Prowse at Catcher;
(#12) Senior Rusty White at 1st; (#18) Junior Tyler
Auten in Leftfield; and (#1) Sophomore Harrison Kepley at Shortstop. Substituting for the Titans
were (#9) Junior Kaleb Combs in Centerfield; (#11)
Junior Jonathon Guerrier at 2nd; (#15) Sophomore
Keith Peterson at 3rd; (#7) Sophomore Kyle Himler in
Leftfield; (#4) Sophomore Daniel Whitecavage at
Catcher; and (#14) Sophomore Hunter May at 1st.
There were many hits and doubles by the Titans
during the course of the game, with the major
highlight being a 2 run HR over the right field
fence by Jack Lane in the 1st inning. The Berry
defense faced 16 Titan batters in the 1st inning,
resulting in 12 Titan runs. The game was ended
after the top of the 4th inning. |
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Game 2: * Comments and stats are from my notes and are not the official stats, scoring, or opinion of the Manager, Coaches, etc. |
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Game 3: |
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Game 4:
The Titans outlasted the
Tigers in an 8 inning 4 hour marathon! It was a
cold and windy late winter evening. The game was
moved up from Friday to Thursday ahead of an
oncoming storm. Pitchers on both sides struggled to
find the umpire's strike zone. Starting pitcher
(#20) Senior Jack Lane would go 1 2/3 innings
allowing 5 runs on 2 hits, 5 walks, 1 hp & 3 k's.
Middle reliever (#8) Senior Cody Murtle pitched 2
1/3 allowing 3 runs on 2 hits, 6 walks, 1 k's.
Middle reliever (#18) Junior Tyler Auten pitched 3
innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits, 1 walk, & 5 k's.
Auten would leave the bottom of the 7th with the
score tied 9-9. The Titans would rally in the top
of the 8th scoring 5 runs. Senior closer (#5)
Jonathan Fisher would finish the 8th giving up 1 run
on 2 hits, 1 walk with 2 k's, and get the win. The
Titans were solid in the field. Nicely executed
"get overs" by pitchers Murtle, Auten & Fisher. A
diving catch by Sophomore catcher (#16) Keith
Prowse, an over-the-fence catch by Senior third
baseman (#13) Blake McGee, and a stealing runner
caught in a pickle, 1-4-3 to end the 7th.
Offensively, the Titans would strand 2 lead-off
runners in the 1st and give up 1 run, but rally in
the 2nd scoring 6 runs, including a lead off
in-the-park homerun by Prowse, walk to Murtle, RBI
double by Sophomore shortstop (#1) Harrison Kepley,
a 2 RBI homerun by Fisher, a walk to Waters, an RBI
double to McGee, a walk to Lane, and an RBI single
by Prowse. Titans take the lead. The Tigers would
score 6 in the second to retake the lead. In the
third, Murtle would walk and score on an RBI single
by Fisher to tie the score at 7-7. Ragsdale would
score 1 in the 4th to take the lead. Kepley and
Fisher would single with 2 outs in the 5th and both
would score on a throwing error by the catcher as
Fisher stole 2nd. Titans retake the lead, 9-8. The
Tigers would score 1 in bottom of the 5th to tie the
score and a pitching duel would keep it at 9-9
through the 7th. A lead off double in the 8th by
Senior (#12) Rusty White, a series of walks with
RBIs to Auten & Murtle, a 2 RBI single by Kepley,
and an RBI single by Fisher put the Titans up 14-9.
In the bottom of the 8th, Fisher would give back 1
run to the Tigers, but finish by striking out the
last two batters. A long hard fought battle for
both teams. Prowse-3/4,HR,bb,2rbi;
Fisher-4/6,HR,4rbi; Kepley-3/5,2b,3rbi;
White-3/6,2b; McGee-2/4,bb,rbi; Murtle,3bb,rbi. |
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Game 5: |
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Game 6: |
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Game 7:
Spring-like showers just before the game yielded to
a brief appearance by the sun. The Mustangs, in
their almost-St-Patrick's-Day green jerseys, were
held to two runs by Hopewell's starting pitcher
(#14) Sophomore Hunter May. In six innings, May
would yield only three hits with 2-BB, 1-HP, 1-K,
and would earn the win. Senior (#5) Jonathan Fisher
would close out the game in the 7th with 0 runs, 1
hit, 1-BB, and 1-K. Defensively, the Titans were
solid, committing 2 errors. Senior leftfielder
(#12) Rusty White set the tone on the first play of
the game by making a running catch in foul
territory. Senior first baseman (#20) Jack
Lane and pitcher Hunter May executed two very nice
3-1 "get-overs" at first base. Offensively, the
Titans, down 0-1 starting the bottom of the 2nd,
would rally with a single by Jack Lane, a double by
sophomore catcher (#16) Keith Prowse, and a three
run homerun by senior rightfielder (#8) Cody
Murtle. Sophomore third baseman (#15) Keith
Peterson would reach on a hit-by-pitch, go to 2nd on
a sac bunt by Junior DH (#18) Tyler Auten, and score
on a single by Jonathan Fisher. Score 4-1. The
Mustangs would get one back in the 4th, but the
Titans would answer. With one out, Peterson and
Auten would both walk, prompting a pitching change
by Myers Park. Sophomore shortstop (#1) Harrison Kepley would reach on a perfectly placed sac bunt,
and two runs would score on a ball hit to short by
Fisher. In the 5th, the Titans would add an
insurance run on a lead-off double down the left
field line by senior second baseman (#3) Adam
Waters, followed by an RBI single by Lane.
Highlights include Murtle-2/3, HR, 3-RBI; Lane-2/3,
RBI; Kepley-2/3; Waters-2/4; Prowse-1/3, Fisher-1/4,
RBI; Peterson, walk, HP; Auten, sac bunt, walk. The
game would end in the top of the sixth when, with
one out, a ground ball back to the pitcher resulted
in a 1-6-3 (Fisher-Kepley-Lane) double play. |
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Game 8:
The Titans first trip to the new Mallard Creek High
School was on their last game day before the start
of Spring. The Mavericks have a nice facility,
albeit in a far corner of their campus. Senior (#3)
Adam Waters got the start and the win for the
Titans. Waters yielded only 1 run on 5 hits in 6
innings with 5 K's and 1 BB. Junior (#18) Tyler
Auten closed out the final inning with 0 runs, 0
hits, 3 K's and 1 HP with (#4) Daniel Whitecavage
coming in to catch for Auten. The Titans defense
was solid with 0 errors. Centerfielder (#5)
Jonathan Fisher had a couple of nice running
catches. The Titans were held to 4 hits in the
first 6 innings and scored 1 run in the first 4
innings on a sac fly in the 3rd by Fisher to bring
(#11) Jonathon Guerrier home. In the 5th, (#8) Cody
Murtle walked, stole 2nd and took 3rd on a sac bunt
infield single by (#15) Keith Peterson. Peterson
would steal 2nd and Murtle scored on the play. Guerrier sac bunted Peterson to 3rd, and Peterson
would score on an RBI sac bunt by (#1) Harrison
Kepley. In the 6th, (#12) Rusty White singled and
scored on an error. (#16) Keith Prowse reached 1st
, and scored on an RBI double by Murtle. In the
7th, after a pitching change by the Mavericks, the
Titans scored 7 runs on 4 hits, 3 errors, and 2
hit-by-pitch. Guerrier had a 3 RBI double.
Highlights include (#3) Adam Waters-2/4; Murtle-1/2,
RBI; Peterson-1/2 (sac bunt), BB, HP; Guerrier-1/1,
3RBI double, sac bunt, 2HP; White-1/4; (#9) Kaleb
Combs, RBI; (#7) Kyle Himler-1/1 RBI; (#14) Hunter
May-1/1. |
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Game 9:
The first day of Spring was mild with variable and
sometimes gusting winds. Senior (#8) Cody Murtle
pitched the complete shortened five inning game for
the Titans and got the win. The Cougars scored one
unearned run on Murtle who allowed just 2 hits with
0 BB, 9 K's. The Titans defense played well,
committing 2 errors. Offensively, the Titans
started strong, scoring 4 runs in the top of the
1st. Senior centerfielder (#5) Jonathan Fisher led
off with a single and stole 2nd. Senior leftfielder
(#12) Rusty White walked. Senior (#3) Adam Waters
RBI singled scoring Fisher. Sophomore catcher (#16)
Keith Prowse RBI singled scoring White, followed by
Senior first baseman (#20) Jack Lane RBI scoring
Waters and Murtle RBI scoring Prowse. The Titans
would add 2 in the 3rd including an RBI double by
Lane, and add 5 runs in the 4th, including a 2 run
homer by Waters followed by a double to the fence by
Prowse. Prowse would score on the hit taking third
and home on throwing errors. Sophomore third
baseman (#15) Keith Peterson and Junior second
baseman (#11) Jonathon Guerrier would both have RBI
singles. The final run was scored in the 5th by
Junior (#9) Kaleb Combs on an RBI double by
Sophomore (#4) Daniel Whitecavage. Waters was 3/3,
HR; Prowse 2/3, 2B; White 1/1, 2BB. |
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Game 10:
Senior (#20) Jack Lane got the start and pitched the
first five innings for the win allowing 1 run on 1
hit with 1 BB, 1 HP & 8 K's. Junior reliever (#18)
Tyler Auten pitched the final two innings with 0
runs, 1 hit, 0 BB, 1 K. The Titans defense was
solid with 0 errors. Offensively, the Titans
started the top of the 1st with a first pitch single
up the middle by senior centerfielder (#5) Jonathan
Fisher, who then stole 2nd, and was moved to third
on a single by senior first baseman (#12) Rusty
White. White stole 2nd, but both would be stranded
in scoring position. White walked in the 3rd
followed by a double by sophomore catcher (#16)
Keith Prowse. Both would score on a 2 RBI single by
Lane. White singled in the 5th and scored on a hard
hit ball to the third baseman by Prowse. Senior
rightfielder (#8) Cody Murtle singled in the sixth
and was driven home on a ball hit to short by
sophomore third baseman (#15) Keith Peterson. The
Titans would add 3 in the 7th with a single by
White, an RBI triple by Waters, a walk to Prowse,
and a 2 RBI triple by Peterson. Highlights were
White-3/3, BB; Combs-2/3, Peterson-2/4, triple,
Waters-1/3, triple, BB; Prowse-1/3, double, BB;
Lane-1/3; Murtle-1/3; Fisher-1/4. |
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Game 11:
The Championship Game of the Easter Tournament
between the Titans and the Wolves was played in cold
and breezy conditions. Senior (#3) Adam Waters
pitched an excellent complete game for the win. One
unearned run scored in the 3rd inning. Waters gave
up only 2 hits with 2 walks, and 8 strikeouts.
Playing a night game was good experience as the
Titans defense struggled with the lights. Three
(really four) errors were recorded. Offensively,
the Titans were held to 4 hits in the first five
innings, but aggressive base running, and taking
advantage of walks and errors plated 3 runs. In the
2nd, senior (#20) Jack Lane singled, reached 2nd on
a throwing error, stole 3rd, and scored on a ball
hit to left by sophomore (#15) Keith Peterson. In
the 3rd, Waters walked, reached 2nd, moved to 3rd on
a ball hit to center by Lane. With Lane on 2nd on
the error, Waters on 3rd and 2 outs, Peterson was
intentionally walked to load the bases. With
sophomore (#1) Harrison Kepley at the plate, the
runners were put in motion to squeeze a run home.
The pitch was too low to handle and Waters was so
fast and far down the line that the pitch hit Waters
as he slid across the plate and it caromed toward
the first base dugout. In the ensuing confusion
Lane scored and Peterson reached 3rd. The score at
the end of 5 was 3-1. In the sixth, lead-off batter
junior (#9) Kaleb Combs would single to right,
prompting Lincolnton to relieve their starting
pitcher (#12) Paul Robinson with (#25) Rob Fox.
With senior (#5) Jonathan Fisher at the plate, Fox
would pick-off Combs. Fisher would single to left
and also get picked-off. With two outs, senior
(#12) Rusty White would single, and steal 2nd.
Sophomore (#16) Keith Prowse hit an RBI double
scoring White. Lane is intentionally walked and
loaded the bases. Senior (#8) Cody Murtle walks and
scores Waters. Statistical highlights are
White-2/3, 1BB; Lane-2/3, 1BB; Combs-2/3;
Prowse-1/4, Dbl; Fisher-1/4; Waters, 2BB; Murtle,
2BB; Peterson, 2BB. Four Titans players were named
to the All-Tournament Team. They were Jack Lane,
Keith Peterson, Adam Waters and Rusty White. Lane
was honored as the Tournament MVP. |
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Game 12:
After a 30 minute rain/thunderstorm delay, the game
started with mild early spring temperatures under
clouds moving briskly in the upper atmosphere. As
the game progressed, the damp conditions yielded a
haze and ground fog across the field that at times
almost covered the center and left fielders.
Sophomore (#14) Hunter May got the start, pitched 5
strong innings, and carded the win. The Warriors
scored 1 unearned run. May gave up 2 hits with 3
walks and 3 strikeouts. Senior reliever (#5)
Jonathan Fisher entered in the top of the 6th to
pitch what would be the last inning of the shortened
game. Fisher faced the Warriors 4, 5 and 6 batters
chalking up 2 K's and a nicely executed 3-1
(Lane-Fisher) get-over-there groundout. The Titans
defense was solid, committing one error, and making
several nice plays in the infield and catches in the
outfield. Offensively, the Titans scored 3 in the
first inning and never looked back. Senior
centerfielder (#5) Jonathan Fisher took a lead-off
walk, but was forced out at second on a ball put in
play by senior leftfielder (#12) Rusty White. With
2 outs, senior first baseman (#20) Jack Lane and
sophomore catcher (#16) Keith Prowse both walked.
The bases were loaded for senior rightfielder (#8)
Cody Murtle. On a 2-0 count, Murtle ripped a ball
to the fence in right center for a 3 RBI triple.
Leading off in the third inning, senior second
baseman (#3) Adam Waters walked and scored on a
double by Lane. Top of the order in the forth,
Fisher hit, beat out a low throw by the shortstop,
stole 2nd, and scored on an errant throw by the
catcher. White reached on a dropped-third-strike
and scored on a 2 RBI homerun over the fence in
right center by Lane. Score: 7-1. Top of the
order, again, in the sixth, Fisher infield singles
to deep short, White walks, and both score on a 2
RBI triple by Waters. Lane walks. Sophomore
catcher (#4) Daniel Whitecavage enters for Prowse,
and scores Waters on a sac fly. Murtle walks. Lane
scored on a single by sophomore third baseman (#15)
Keith Peterson. The score is 11-1 and the game ends
by the 10-run rule. Statistical highlights include:
Lane-2/2 (HR 2B), 2 BB; Peterson-1/2, BB, HP;
Combs-1/2; Murle-1/3 (3B), BB; Waters-1/3 (3B), BB;
Fisher-1/3, BB. |
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Game 13: |
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Game 14: |
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Game 15: |
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Game 16: |
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Game 17: |
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Game 18: |
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Game 19: |
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Game 20: |
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Game 21: |
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Game 22: |
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Game 23: Vance "Cougars" at Hopewell “Titans" Tuesday, Apr. 29, 2008 7:00 PM by Don Fisher* Score: Titans (10) - Cougars (0) in 5 innings. Titans Record: 20-3-0 (9-2-0) Titans Head Coach: David Brown; Asst. Coaches: D. Coles & P. Greenwood A windy, chilly spring evening with the temperature falling throughout the game. The senior players, Jonathan Fisher, Jack Lane, Blake McGee, Cody Murtle, Kodi Schrenk, Adam Waters & Rusty White, and their parents were honored in a pre-game ceremony. Senior (#20) Jack Lane got the start, pitched 4 innings of the shortened game, and got the win. Lane allowed 0 runs on 1 hit, 4-BB with 8-Ks. Senior (#17) Kodi Schrenk took the mound for the 5th inning and allowed 0 runs, 1 hit, 2-BB with 2-Ks. Defensively, the Titans were solid, committing no errors, and making several nice plays. Offensively, the Titans accumulated 11 hits and 2 sac flies. They took no walks, and had no strikeouts. Statistically, Kepley-2/2, Triple, RBI, HP; Murtle-2/3, Homerun, 2-RBI; Lane-2/3, 2-Dbl; Prowse-2/3, Dbl, RBI; Peterson-1/2, Sac Fly RBI; Combs-1/2, RBI, White-1/3, RBI; Fisher Sac Fly RBI. In the bottom of the 5th, Lane led of with a double to the gap to right center, Murtle ripped a homerun over the leftfield fence, scoring 2 and bringing the Titans total to 9 runs. Sophomore (#15) Keith Peterson singled to left, and scored on a triple by sophomore (#1) Harrison Kepley. The game ended by the 10-run-rule. With the win, the Titans reached a milestone of 20 wins in the regular season; a first in the history of Hopewell Baseball. * Comments and stats are from my notes and are not the official stats, scoring, or opinion of the Manager, Coaches, etc. |
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Game 24: Hopewell “Titans" at North Mecklenburg "Vikings" Friday, May. 2, 2008 7:00 PM by Don Fisher* Score: Titans (3) - Vikings (2) in 8 innings. Titan Record: 21-3-0 (10-2-0) Titans Head Coach: David Brown; Asst. Coaches: D. Coles & P. Greenwood It was a beautiful mid-spring evening as the top two teams in the MeCa-6 Conference started the last game of their regular season. Senior (#3) Adam Waters got the start for the Titans, and pitched 7 strong innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. The defense committed 2 errors, but played well and made some exceptional plays. In the 1st inning, 3rd baseman, (#15) Keith Peterson made an excellent catch of a line-drive. Sophomore (#6) Nelson Broyles filled in at first base, and was on his toes as Waters kept runners close with his excellent pick-off move. Junior (#9) Kaleb Combs played in leftfield, and junior (#18) Tyler Auten was the DH, and centerfielder in the 8th inning. Offensively, in the first inning with 2 outs, Waters singled, followed by a shot to left center by sophomore catcher (#16) Keith Prowse. Waters rounded third headed for home, slid under the tag, but was called out. The controversial call lit a fire in the Hopewell fans and motivated the Titan players. In the third inning, sophomore shortstop (#1) Harrison Kepley and junior 2nd baseman (#11) Jonathon Guerrier both walked. Senior centerfielder (#5) Jonathan Fisher sac bunted them to 3rd and 2nd. Both scored on a single by Waters. The Vikings would score 1 in the third, and one in the fifth. Waters battled against North Meck's Sean Pope through 3 2/3, and Ryan Forman through the 7th. The game would be forced to an extra inning as Waters would finish the 7th with the score tied 2-2. With Foreman on the mound in the top of the 8th and 2 outs, Prowse singled and his courtesy runner freshman (#2) Michael Russell stole 2nd. Russell scored on an RBI single by senior (#8) Cody Murtle. Score: 3-2. With a palpable tension and anticipation in the stadium, Fisher took the mound in the bottom of the 8th, facing the heart of the Vikings lineup. Two hits and one out later, with runners on 2nd and 3rd, Fisher would get a strikeout and a pop-up to the first baseman to end the game. Russell's score on Murtle's single became the game winner, and gave Waters the win. Fisher would give up 0 runs on 2 hits with 0 walks, 1 strikeout, and got the save. Statistically, Waters-3/4, 2-RBI; Prowse-3/4, double; Murtle-1/4, RBI. With the win, the Hopewell Titans tied with the North Mecklenburg Vikings for the best conference record and became MeCa-6 Co-Champions. * Comments and stats are from my notes and are not the official stats, scoring, or opinion of the Manager, Coaches, etc. |
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Game 25: Post Season - for MeCa-6 Conference Seeding to the State Playoffs North Mecklenburg "Vikings" vs Hopewell “Titans" at Mallard Creek HS Monday, May 5, 2008 7:00 PM by Don Fisher* Score: Titans (9) - Vikings (13) Titan Record: 21-4-0 Titans Head Coach: David Brown; Asst. Coaches: D. Coles & P. Greenwood A nice evening for baseball with the wind blowing out to left center. The game was played as a seeding tie breaker to determine the #1 and #2 seed from the MeCa-6 Conference into the State Playoffs. By rule, the game had to be played at a neutral site, and the Mallard Creek "Mavericks" were gracious enough to let their field be used. Titan's coach David Brown choose pitching-by-committee to keep his pitching staff fresh and healthy for the State Playoffs, which were to begin later in the week. Sophomore (#14) Hunter May got the start. May pitched 3 innings, giving up 8 runs on 4 hits and 4 errors with 3-BBs and 3-Ks. Senior reliever (#17) Kodi Schrenk pitched 2 innings. Schrenk gave up 1 run on 4 hits with 2-BBs and 2-Ks. Second reliever junior (#18) Tyler Auten pitched 2 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 errors with 2-BBs and 4-Ks. Senior closer (#5) Jonathan Fisher entered with 2 outs and the bases loaded. Fisher allowed 1 run to score on a wild pitch and then got the final out of the 8th inning. The defense committed 7 errors, including 3 on one play in the eighth inning that allowed 2 runs to score on a bunt. Offensively, the Titans rallied in the bottom of the 1st and in the bottom of the 5th to tie the game, but never led. The Titans left the bases load in the bottom of the 8th. Statistically: Prowse-3/5, 2-Dbl; Murtle-2/4, Dbl, 1-BB; Waters-2/4, 1-BB; Peterson-1/3, 2-BB; Auten 1/4, 1-BB; Kepley-1/4; Fisher-1/5. With the loss, Hopewell became the MeCa-6 #2 seed to the State Playoffs. * Comments and stats are from my notes and are not the official stats, scoring, or opinion of the Manager, Coaches, etc. |
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Game 26: Post Season - State Playoff Game Round 1 Alexander Central "Cougars" at Hopewell “Titans" Thursday, May 8, 2008 7:00 PM by Don Fisher* Score: Titans (11) - Cougars (0) in 5 innings. Titans Record: 22-4-0 Titans Head Coach: David Brown; Asst. Coaches: D. Coles & P. Greenwood This 1st Round State Playoff game was moved up from the normal Friday schedule to avoid a possible rain-out on Friday and subsequent conflict with the Hopewell Prom on Saturday. Before and during the game, thunder clouds were accumulating and the wind was gusting out to left field. Senior (#5) Adam Waters got the start and pitched beautifully for the entire, shortened 5 inning game, and got the win. Waters allowed no runs on just three hits with one walk and six strikeouts. The defense was solid, committing no errors, and making some great plays. In the first inning, senior rightfielder (#8) Cody Murtle made a beautiful throw from close to the right field line to get the batsman out at 2nd. In the second inning, Murtle made a great over-the-shoulder running catch. In the third inning, junior second baseman (#11) Jonathon Guerrier made a very nice running catch, and in the fourth inning, senior centerfielder (#5) Jonathan Fisher made a diving catch of a line drive in the gap to right center. Offensively, the Titans scored at least one run in every inning, with five runs in the fifth to end the game. Statistically: Prowse-2/3, 3-RBI, BB; Waters-2/4, Dbl, RBI; Fisher-2/4, RBI; Lane-1/2, 2-RBI, 2-BB; Guerrier-2/4; Auten-1/2, 3-RBI, BB, HBP; Murtle, 2-BB. Auten's single in the fifth scored 2 runs, and ended the game by the 10-run-rule. With the win, the 2008 Titans became the first team in the history of the school to win a State Baseball Playoff Game. * Comments and stats are from my notes and are not the official stats, scoring, or opinion of the Manager, Coaches, etc. |
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Game 27: Post Season - State Playoff Game Round 2 Grimsley (Greensboro) "Whirlies" at Hopewell “Titans" Tuesday, May 13, 2008 7:00 PM by Don Fisher* Score: Titans (5) - Whirlies (3) in 6 1/2 innings. Titans Record: 23-4-0 Titans Head Coach: David Brown; Asst. Coaches: D. Coles & P. Greenwood A beautiful evening for baseball. The Grimsley Whirlies of the Metro Conference had advanced to the 2nd Round by beating Myers Park 3-2. Sophomore (#14) Hunter May got the start for Hopewell and pitched 2 innings plus 2 batters. May gave up 2 runs on 3 hits with 2-BB, 2-HP and 2 Ks. Senior (#20) Jack Lane moved from 1st base to the mound in the third inning, (sophomore (#6) Nelson Broyles took over at 1st). Lane inherited runners on 1st and 2nd. One run scored (charged to May) on a bad hop at the edge of the infield, but it would be Grimsley last. Lane allowed 2 hits in 5 innings with 0-BB, 1-HP and 6-Ks. The defense was solid committing 1 error, and making some great plays. In the first inning, an excellent throw from right field to 3rd base by senior (#8) Cody Murtle forced a base running error, run-down and eventual 3rd out tag at home by sophomore catcher (#16) Keith Prowse. In the third, sophomore shortstop (#1) Harrison Kepley made an excellent diving catch. Offensively, leading off in the bottom of the 1st, senior centerfielder (#5) Jonathan Fisher hit a stand-up triple, and scored on a sac-fly by junior 2nd baseman (#11) Jonathon Guerrier. Score: 1-2. In the second, Murtle singled to right, stole 2nd, was moved to third by junior DH (#9) Kaleb Combs, and scored on an double by junior left fielder (#18) Tyler Auten. Score: tied at 2. Grimsley scored 1 in the 3rd. Leading off in the fourth, Prowse hit the 1st pitch over the right field fence for a homerun. Score: tied at 3. In the sixth, Murtle walked, stole 2nd, and scored to take the lead on a single by Combs. Combs stole 2nd and 3rd, and scored on a sac bunt by Tyler Auten. Score: 5-3. The Whirlies would fall in order in the top of the 7th to end the game. Statistically: Fisher-2/3, triple; Auten-1/2, double, 2-RBI, sac bunt; Murtle-1/2, BB; Prowse-1/3, homerun, RBI; Combs-1/3, RBI; Waters-1/3. With the win, the Titans Baseball Team advanced to the NCHSAA 4A State Playoffs District Level for the first time in history of the school. * Comments and stats are from my notes and are not the official stats, scoring, or opinion of the Manager, Coaches, etc. |
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Game 28: Post Season - State Playoff Game Round 3 - District Level - West Region Quarterfinals Providence "Panthers" at Hopewell “Titans" Friday, May 16, 2008 7:00 PM by Don Fisher* Score: Titans (1) - Panthers (2) Titans Record: 23-5-0 Titans Head Coach: David Brown; Asst. Coaches: D. Coles & P. Greenwood The temperatures were pleasant as the game began, but a Nor'easter' pushed strong winds left to right across the field, making fielding fly balls a challenge, and putting a chill in the air. A pitching duel ensued in which Titans senior (#3) Adam Waters and Panthers (#20) Richie Shaffer each pitched the complete 7 innings, and carried a 0-0 tie up to the 7th inning. Providence scored 2 runs in the top of the seventh. A misjudged "satellite-shot" fly ball gave the Panthers an RBI triple, which subsequently scored on a pass ball. Waters pitched beautifully, allowing just 3 hits with 2 walks, 3 hit-by-pitch, and 5 strikeouts. Defensively, the Titans recorded just one error and played well. Offensively, the Titans were held to just two hits: a single by junior (#11) Jonathon Guerrier in the first inning, and a solo homerun by senior (#20) Jack Lane in the seventh. It was a close loss for the Titans that brought an end to a great season. * Comments and stats are from my notes and are not the official stats, scoring, or opinion of the Manager, Coaches, etc. |
