NCHSAA 2A 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 Schedule
Game 1: Ledford at North Lincoln-Tuesday May 22 at 7pm
Game 2: North Lincoln at Ledford-Thursday May 24 at 7pm
Game 3 if necessary: Ledford at North Lincoln May 26 at TBD
A Look at North Lincoln
Record: 25-2
South Fork 2A: 13-1 (1st)
Path to the Regional Final
Round 1: North Wilkes (7-2)
Round 2: Foard (17-4)
Round 3: Mount Pleasant (9-5)
Round 4: Smoky Mountain (8-6)
Key Players
Tyler McPeak,C, 2018-Campbell commit
Nick Solomita,SS, 2018-UNCG commit
Tyler Lilly, RHP/OF, 2018-Erskine commit
Will Thornhill, P/OF,2018
What Has To Happen to Advance
North Lincoln goes into the regional final series on an 18 game win streak. They have been a very offensive ball club this season and will need to continue to be against Ledford’s pitching staff. They have had big innings throughout the playoffs and are never out of a game. They have also shown toughness as team overcoming a 5-0 deficit to come back and beat Mount Pleasant in round 3. If the bats stay hot in this series, and the Knights have a big challenge in front of them to keep them hot, then the odds are good they will be playing for a State Title next week.
A Look at Ledford
Record: 26-3
Central Carolina 2A: 16-2 (2nd)
Path to the Regional Final
Round 1: Walkertown (8-0)
Round 2: West Stanly (7-1)
Round 3: R-S Central (2-1)
Round 4: North Davidson (2-0)
Key Players
Logan Whitaker,RHP,2018-NC State commit
Chris Villaman, LHP/OF, 2018-NC State Commit
Cameron Mills, SS,2018-Catawba Commit
Avery Cain, C,2018- Winston-Salem State Commit
Noah Soles, OF, 2019 - NC State commit
What Has To Happen to Advance
Ledford heads into the Regional Finals on a 6 game winning streak. They have shown the makings of a tough and confident team going on the road to win their last 3 games against teams who all won their conference. Much of Ledford’s success can be attributed to their talented pitching staff which has not given up an earned run this postseason. It may be the best 1-2 punch in the state, but there is depth behind Whitaker and Villaman as Bethune has pitched well too. They will be challenged against North Lincoln who has proven to be a good offensive team. Ledford has played like a team that has some weight on their shoulders, expecting to get to this series and being a favorite for much of the year. With a three game set, instead of do-or-die scenarios, look for the players to relax. Pitching carries this club, but the offense can be explosive. If they play well, it will be a lot for North Lincoln to contend with for two to three games.