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May 17, 2010
Most of Missouri experienced rain through much of the weekend. Not much a story -- rain in spring time in Missouri. However the impact on District baseball maybe significant. The weekend rainouts are pushed back to Monday. In some district, games will be Mon-Tue-Wed! This permits only 10 innings for the ace of your staff. Some coaches had hoped to go with ace over weekend and bring him back on Wednesday. The teams with strong #2's now get a "leg up" in district. Let's race around the baseball districts.
Class 4..
District 10-- The #1 Class 4 team, the Rock Bridge Bruins(20-2), obviously hold the #1 seed. The only hurdle seems to be the #7 ranked team, the Helias Crusaders(17-4) who do own a win over the Bruins. Super Soph-Ryan Phillips maybe the difference in the game for Rock Bridge. This is a district where a best of three series would really be enjoyable since each team is loaded with deep talent on the hill.
District 13 Lee Summit North(16-6) drew the first round bye in a district where the #7 seed brought in a 10-9 record (Warrensburg). Will teams gamble with a #3 in these early round games while North can hold back their ace to the semis or finals. Lee Summit West (16-8) seems to be headed for a semi battle with Lee Summit (12-10) in a game should have plenty of runs.
In the St Louis area, there are some really competitive districts, take a look..
District 9 The two teams with 17+ wins aren't seeded #1! The Timberland Wolves, the GAC-North Champions are 15-8. Jon Glidewell, 6-0 is the premier hurler on a team that only surrenders 3.3 runs/game. Surprising to some, the Ft Zumwalt North Panthers (21-3) drew the#2 seed. Clearly Timberland's 9 inning 8-5 win on April 22 over FtZN was the key in this vote. Timberland scored 4 runs in the 9th to win. I'm feeling like the Panthers may really be "geared up" for this rematch and I like their chances. Listen to the Championship game on www.prepcasts.com
District 8 A likely 4th matchup is in the offing between two of the top ten teams of the State! Ft Zumwalt South(20-6) is 2-1 (but Howell won the last game) against the Howell Vikings(21-7). Tony Perkins always has slugging teams at Howell. This year is no exception. The GAC South Champions average just under 8 runs per game. FZS, who were in the State Playoffs last year have Fred Ford, John Sesti and Dan Seddon to lead the way this year for the Bulldogs. Howell is really tough to beat at C&H Field (their home field), however the district is being hosted at Ft Zumwalt East-will that tiny difference be the key? The Championship game will be heard on www.prepcasts.com
District 4 This district brings in six strong teams that make it tough to "look by anyone"-even in round one. Each team is strong but each has something else to consider. Vianney (19-7) has dropped two of the last three games coming into district. The Golden Griffins potent 9.2 runs per game may help them if the opponents aren't sharp on the mound, #2 Parkway South (14-9) struggled through a tough week just two weeks ago when they went 1-4 for the week. The Patriots have their usual strong pitching and tight defense. Expect close games when facing this team. #3-4-5 Summit (17-7), Marquette (12-10)and Lafayette(11-9) all possess several outstanding ball players but each has been up & down. The Lancers knock off highly ranked Eureka then drop the next three games! Marquette came off a good week and then is dropped by WG (5-20) in its last game. Maybe it was a throw away game--who knows. Summit (17-7) brings in the longest winning streak at 6 games. The championship game will be heard on www.prepcasts.com on Wednesday (weather permitting)
District 7 Every team in this district has at least 10 wins! The MCC drew the top three seeds -- CBC (18-7), DeSmet (12-8) and Chaminade (14-9. DeSmet and Chaminade each have recorded some impressive wins in 2010. Spartan victories over Ft Z South, Vianney, Lafayette and Timberland are noteworthy. Meanwhile the Flyers have beaten SLUH, Parkway South, Lutheran South & Westminster. CBC is is first place (half game lead) in the MCC. The Cadets rely on a lusty batting lineup to generate runs. Derek Mazzio has been excellent on the hill for first year coach, Mason Horne. The Suburban East Champions, the Ladue Rams (18-3) may not have received the notoriety of these larger schools but they do lead the Sub East in runs scored per game and least runs permitted in a game. Sounds like they've overwhelmed many opponents. Listen to this district final on www.prepcasts.com
run-downs on more districts..... District 1 This highly competitive district always provides plenty of thrills and upsets. In round 1, we already have a #7 beat #2 (N. County (12-14)toppled #2 Sikeston (14-6) and a #6 DeSoto (12-14) beat Farmington (15-9). Semifinal matchups are Jackson#4 vs Festus (#1-18-6) and the N.County-DeSoto game. Festus has dropped their last two games to very strong opponents-Pacific and Cape ND but have won only two of the last 6 games. They may be ripe for upset...dont' count out Jackson here.
Class 3
District 7 This district is really interesting. Orchard Farm (14-7) holds the #1 seed based, at least partially, on the key 5-4 win over #2 Winfield (17-7). Lutheran St-Charles has played both of these teams one-run games. These games will likely come down to simply making the routine plays, advancing runners, throwing strikes. I'm picking a long shot here-- #3 Luthean St-Charles.
District 4 Lutheran North(16-8) and Trinity (13-9) are the #1-2 seeds respectively in this North County St Louis District. Trinity is playing real good ball right now! They've won six of their last seven games, including a huge AAA win over DuBourg. North finished fourth in the ABC league but handily beat Trinity way back on March 22. Trey Massenberg is hitting .406 with 9 HR to lead the Crusaders at the plate.
District 2 Seems to belong to Potosi (17-2). The Trojans will have a target on their back but I don't think it'll really matter.
District 5 The Rams of MICDS were chosen as the #1 seed with their 13-6 record. Long time rival, John Burroughs (13-7) holds the #4 seed but has split the yearly series with the Rams. Westminster Christian Academy (17-9) has the best record but has lost to MICDS and Burroughs this year. Whitfield is the #3 seed with a strong 14-8 record. One bad inning for any of these teams could end their season!
District 12 & 13 seem to belong to Carl Junction and Boonville respectively. Each team carries in the strongest credentials.
BEST BET TO BE IN SPRINGFIELD... In my perspective, Valle Catholic Warriors have assembled a terrific 2010 season. Competing against several much larger schools, the Warriors have recorded their 4th consecutive 20 win season. Very strong 1-2 pitching punch, plenty of hitting and experience but the Warriors have to avenge a loss to #1 Seed Crystal City in Class 2 District 4! I'm going with #2 in this case.
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