NCHSAA 1A West Regional Final Preview
May 22, 2018
The NCHSAA State Tournament has reached its best of 3 scenario as each of the four classifications begin their Regional Finals this week. As we prepare for the Regional Finals, we will take a look at each team and how they may expect to advance to a State Championship series.
Game 1: Lincoln Charter at Murphy - Tuesday May 22 at 6:00pm
Game 2: Murphy at Lincoln Charter - Thursday May 24 at 7:00pm
Game 3 if necessary: Lincoln Charter at Murphy - Saturday May 26 at 7:00pm
A Look at Lincoln Charter
Record: 21-5
Southern Piedmont 1A Conference: 13-2 (1st)
Path to the Regional Final
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: North Moore (8-1)
Round 3: Polk County (2-1 in 8)
Round 4: East Surry (2-0)
Key Players
Spencer Bright, C, 2019
Ryan Restino, LHP, 2019
Matthew Upchurch, LHP, 2019
Jackson Farnsworth, INF/RHP, 2018
Zach Horton, INF, 2019
John Burns, Util, 2019
What Has To Happen to Advance
The Eagles come into the week hitting .346 with an ERA of 1.38. They will need every ounce of offense and pitching to take down Murphy. An opportunistic offense will need to capitalize when given the chance and they may need to create a few chances as well. With 80 stolen bases on the year, the Eagles are more than capable of putting pressure on the Bulldogs. The key may come down to the left handed arms of Lincoln Charter being able to attack the Murphy lineup, keeping them off balance and stringing zeroes early.
A Look at Murphy
Record: 25-0
Smoky Mountain 1A Conference: 16-0 (1st)
Path to the Regional Final
Round 1: Bye
Round 2: Mount Airy (13-0)
Round 3: Pine Lake Prep (11-1)
Round 4: Uwharrie Charter Academy (6-5 in 8)
Key Players
Royce Peterson, 3B, 2018 - Emmanual College commit
Nathan Barolet, RHP, 2018 - Gardner Webb commit
Joey Curry, INF/RHP, 2018
Caleb Irwin, C/RHP, 2018
What Has To Happen to Advance
In 2017, in the State Championship series, the Bulldogs ran into PBR National Player of the Year, Whiteville HS MacKenzie Gore. In 2018, the Bulldogs have been on a rampage to get back to Raleigh. As a group they have hit .430 and fielded at a .975 clip. There are not a lot of holes and on the bump, Nathan Barolet gives them an ace to rely on. Barolet is not the only arm in the stable as four arms have more than 15 innings, each with an ERA under 2.00. The bulldogs were tested and answered that test in the 4th round, scoring in the bottom of the 7th to extend the game, and then in the 8th to win. They will have to win a close game in the Regional Finals to advance.