Preview: 3A State Championship Series
May 31, 2018
The NCHSAA State Tournament has reached its finale, a best of 3 to decide a State Champion. As we prepare for the State Championships, we will take a look at each matchup and a detailed look at each team still playing.
Game Schedule – Burlington Athletic Park, Burlington, NC
Game 1: Friday, June 1st at 5:00pm
Game 2: Saturday, June 2nd at 11:00am
Game 3 if necessary: Saturday, June 2nd at 5:00pm
A Look at Crest
Record: 27-3
Big South 3A Conference: 13-1 (1st)
PBR/NCBCA Coaches Poll Rankings:
03.13.18 5th
03.27.18 3rd
04.10.18 3rd
04.24.18 2nd
05.08.18 2nd
Path to the State Championship Series
Round 1: Dudley (10-0)
Round 2: Northwest Cabarrus (6-0)
Round 3: Alexander Central (2-1)
Round 4: Jesse Carson (3-2)
West Region Final: 2-1 Series win over AC Reynolds HS (1-5, 10-3, 7-0)
Key Players
Riley Cheek, RHP/SS,2018-Charlotte commit
CJ Mayhue, LHP/OF,2019-Western Carolina commit
Nick Melton, SS/RHP, 2018-Queens Commit
Luke Scism, INF, 2018 - Wake Tech CC commit
John Kyle Mitchell, INF, 2019
Inside the Chargers
Been there… Done that! The Chargers are a very confident group that has anticipated being in this situation for a year now, since losing to Northern Guilford in a close, hard fought State Championship series last year. Returning a large majority of that roster, the Chargers have faced some obstacles with a few injuries, as well as playing with a target on their back the entire year.
Seniors Riley Cheek and Nick Melton lead the charge on the bump but they have help. A very steady defense that makes the routine play, often playing at a faster pace than their opponents can make life a little easier and allow the pitching staff to flood the zone with strikes. Both Cheek and Melton can throw their offspeed stuff in the zone, and while it is not over-powering, the mix has kept hitters at bay all year. At the back end, Junior lefty CJ Mayhue can come in from CF and miss bats when needed. A hard, riding fastball jumps on hitters and has allowed the Chargers to play in and win a lot of close games.
Offensively, there is depth and speed. Ground balls tend to apply pressure on most defensive units. But the lineup is not light on thump. Five to six players in the lineup have a chance to drive the baseball. The Chargers can play station to station and execute but they have big inning capabilities as well.
This weekend they may not be able to speed up New Hanover who has talent as well defensively, but the State Championship moment can apply pressure and the Chargers can break down the flood gates if the Wildcats give them an opening.
A Look at New Hanover
Record: 26-1
Mideastern 3A/4A Conference – 14-0 (1st)
PBR/NCBCA Coaches Poll Rankings:
03.13.18 2nd
03.27.18 4th
04.10.18 1st
04.24.18 3rd
05.08.18 3rd
Path to the State Championship Series
Round 1: Eastern Guilford (14-0)
Round 2: Gray’s Creek (5-2)
Round 3: West Carteret (7-0)
Round 4: Chapel Hill (3-1)
West Region Final: 2-1 Series Win over Terry Sanford HS (3-0, 0-3, 3-0)
Key Players
Mitch Baddour, OF, 2018 - William Peace commit
Jac Croom, 2B, 2019 - UNCW commit
Max Hildreath, SS, 2018 - C of C commit
Brett Kemp, OF, 2018 - Francis Marion commit
Kyle Smith, C, 2019 - UNC commit
Alex Sniffen, 3B, 2019
Blake Walston, LHP, 2019 - NC State commit
Inside the Wildcats
Deep… Talented… Tested. These words describe the 26-1 Wildcats entering the State Championship series. They have won close games. They have come back after suffering their first defeat to clinch a Regional Title. They have star power and they have role players that have become stars. This may be the most complete team in the state.
It starts on the defensive side where both middle infielders have committed to play at the D1 level, along with their catcher. Strength in the middle is complemented by an ace in Blake Walston. When Walston is not throwing, Brayden Barry, Mitch Baddour, and others have held their own. Offenses have to earn their right to score as the Wildcat defense is fielding at a clip of .965, but that has been tough as the ERA is under 1.00 entering the State Championship Series.
Offensively, this group can drive the baseball and has bludgeoned opposing staffs with doubles. As a team they are hitting .333 and catch Kyle Smith in the middle of the order can dominate a game offensively. He has seen pitches as the top of the order has done a good job getting on base. Jac Croom and Max Hildreth are both hitting above .300. The lineup does not stop after Smith. Again, depth has keyed a remarkable year and when the stars have been contained, others have stepped up in big ways.
Like Crest, New Hanover was on this stage last year, losing a tough series to TC Roberson for the 4A State Championship. The experience should help each club settle in early and the club that can stay true to their roots may just walk away with hardware this weekend.