Playoff Preview: Greene Central
It’s down to one team. Lets get straight into it.
Greene Central's recent win against Farmville Central marked the 20th consecutive victory for the Rams. It's been 70 days since the Rams' last loss to Hunt High School. As Eastern Plains Conference champions and holders of the number two overall playoff seed, the Rams have placed themselves in an excellent playoff position, enjoying an home every round until the state championships.
The Rams' squad boasts multiple leaders, including senior Leland Barrow and junior Braden Burress. Both players are exhibiting exceptional form at the plate, with Barrow hitting .410 and Burress ranking 22nd in the state, hitting .557. Both leaders have been starters since their freshman year. Freshman starting catcher Will Radford has been a significant addition for the Rams, proving invaluable behind the plate and as a formidable hitter, batting .381 and leading the team with 26 RBIs in 25 games.
Tonight, Leland Barrow is the anticipated starting pitcher against #3 seed South Granville. Barrow has been a reliable option for the Rams with a 2-1 win record and a 3.09 ERA. We may also see Freshman Riley Radford on the mound; he has a 4-0 win record and a 1.93 ERA. Burress pitched in the last game, achieving his 11th win of the season, leading the state of North Carolina, and ranking 8th in the nation in pitching wins according to maxpreps.com.
South Granville enters tonight's game on a 15-game winning streak after defeating South Lenoir 10-4 last Tuesday. The Vikings have stormed into the playoffs, outscoring their opponents 75-1 in their last six regular-season games. They finished first in the Northern Lakes Athletic 2A/3A conference with a 19-3 season record, securing the number three overall seed in the playoffs.
The Vikings have seven players batting over .400, outshining the Rams' two. Senior Charlie Vestal, a varsity starter since his freshman year, has a career batting average of .421 and an impressive .500 this season. The other senior leader, Cade Currin, is batting .470 with three home runs.
Currin also happens to be the Vikings' best pitcher with a 5-0 record this season and a remarkable .51 ERA. He's faced 112 batters, walking only five, striking out 57, and allowing just two earned runs. While he didn't start the last game, he did throw 58 pitches. It remains to be seen whether he'll get the nod, or if they'll turn to their other ace, senior Craig Vacher, who is 3-0 this season with a 1.70 ERA.
Prediction
Trey Scott: Rams are about to take on one of their toughest task of the season. Rams defense will keep them in almost any game and I think tonight it will be a major factor. Rams win a close one 2-1.
Chance Scott: The Vikings will play right into the Rams defense. The bats will come alive tonight in Snow Hill, Rams win 8-2.
Kymonte Roberts: The smoking hot Rams advance to the regional finals against a good South Granville team that’s on a 15 game win streak in a nail bitter 5-4
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