We knew it would be big and it was! By the first inning, the concession stand had already sold out of 200 Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and the standing room only spots were all gone! The Ardrey Kell-Providence game last night was the most anticipated high school game around these parts in many years. Two of the best high schools teams and coaches in the state battling it out, 12-15 future division one players on the field, many kids that share roster spots on summer showcase teams. The Panthers are led by a bonafide future top 3 or 4 round draft pick for Providence (Richie Shaffer.) One of the top pitchers in the state, Jordan Darnell was on top of the hill for The Knights. Darnell has quietly put together a year considerate of a few all-state votes.
Yes, this one had to be big! And it was.
Play was a little sloppy at times and the home plate umpire made a very strange call to allow Providence's first run to score. I was standing with some of the top baseball guys in the area, one a major league scout, one the coach of a nationally ranked youth team and we still haven't figured out the umpires hand motions with what the call ended up being on a 3rd pitch strike. I don't believe the umpire knew what to call, but from my vantage point, AK cather Taylor Patterson caught the ball in an odd looking pitch. He looked to the umpire waiting to make sure he was crediting the out, the umpire stuck his hand out in a motion similar to an out, but said nothing. Taylor went ahead to throw the ball to first to make sure, but the throw was off and the runner from third scored. I need to ask Coach Bagwell what the umpire said on his visit out to the plate.
The fourth inning brought a play that Ardrey Kell's Jonny Eaker will tell his grandkids about one day. Bases loaded, Richie Shaffer on the hill throwing 88-90 mph fastballs mixed in with 65 mph changeups that would make most players look silly. Eaker delivered a hard shot to score three runs. The Knights celebrated!
Darnell remained steady for three more innings and recorded a three hitter for what may be his biggest high school win ever.
Great game and I am sure these two teams will meet again in the conference tournament and maybe the state playoffs. Can the Knights beat them three or four times in a season?
Kudos to Coaches Bagwell and Hignight and the South Charlotte baseball community for working hard to provide such an incredible matchup.
Note to AK AD Cheryl Feeney -- Next time I will take that reserved seat you offered. Getting old and the back started hurting before the sixth inning :) I probably need to take a few of those aerobic classes with my stepdaughter that you are teaching :)
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