January begins our pre-season workouts in preparation for tryouts. This includes both MS and V teams.
Session Dates: Jan 9, 16, 23; Feb 6, 13
Time: 10am – 1pm (we will run 2 sessions 10-11:30 & 11:30-1:00)
If you are interested, but have not yet registered (mandatory), email Coach King (Varsity) or Coach Mac (Middle School). Cost will depend on the number of participants, but has historically been around $50. All checks will be made out to NRCA.
The baseball team wants to give props to the Football Knights for opening the season with a 13-6 victory. Way to go KNIGHTS!!
In each of the past two seasons North Raleigh Christian Academy’s Middle School baseball team has arrived in the finals of the Triangle Middle School Conference tournament undefeated in regular season conference play. In both instances, teams the Knights had beaten twice earlier in the year came out on top, disappointing the favorite Knights.
But for the first time, the 2009 Middle School Knights bested the conpetition to emerge as both regular season and tournament champions with a 13-3 victory over the visiting Cary Academy Chargers. Hunter Winstead picked up the win for the Knights, with three-year starter John Cook closing.
North Raleigh Christian Academy’s season started and ended strongly. Throughout, the Knights lost only two games, both to Ravenscroft’s high school JV team. NRCA won its three other games against high school JV teams (St. David’s and Durham Academy), and beat Wake Christian Academy, the only middle school team to have beaten the Knights in the 2008 season.
The Knights’ success is the result of the contributions of all 17 roster players. In fact, every player ended up earning a starting role in at least 3 games this season. That level of talent, hard work, and execution led to solid offense, defense, and pitching all season.
NRCA was led by eight eighth graders, including three-year starter John Cook. Cook transitioned from short stop to catcher this season and was a solid defensive contributor, helping guide pitchers and throwing out over 90% of attempted steals. Cook also pitched and led the team at the plate. Two other eighth graders, Hunter Winstead and Josh Pitre, were the primiary starting pitchers, each picking up important wins in conference and non-conference play. Winstead batted clean-up and was third in slugging. Tyler Ligon started both at first and third, alternated batting in the two and four holes, and was second on the team in slugging percentage. His play in the infield was solid, keeping the Knights in a number of game. Brian Ligon transitioned to short this season after starting at second in 2008, and played solidly all season. Matthew Becker contributed both at the plate, in the outfield, and catching, but his greatest contrbution was his speed, which added value running down fly balls in left and getting him around the bases. Centerfielder Chad Gibson regularly led off for the Knights and played solid defense. Newcomer Matthew Wrenn added a strong arm in right, helping him throw out several hitters at first.
NRCA benefitted as well from the contributions of five seventh graders, including three returners from 2008, led by pitcher Cameron Metcalf, who also regularly led off or hit in the sixth spot, and was a leading hiter. When not pitching, Metcalf played third, left, and right, demonstrating his versatility. Tyler Wright played the middle infield and center, and used his speed to contribute on the bases. Jordan Maye pitched, caught, and played second, performing well at all three positions. Two newcomers, Blanton Smith and Trey Hogan, were great additions this season. Smith patrolled the outfield and played some second base. His was a leader in on base percentage, and is one of the faster Knights in the field and on base. Hogan played third base and transitioned into a pitching role. His contributions at the plate and on the mound helped the Knights considerably.
Four sixth graders rounded out the roster for the 2009 Knights. In a remarkable turn, all four would have probably been standout performers on any other team. Shortstop Russ Smith also took to the mound in two games this season showing promise beyond his offensive performance. Trevor Edge caught some and played some solid right field. His batting was the strongest contribution on the season. Lachlan McKinion played second base and on three instances made all three outs in the inning. Jeff Gemmell played first base and pitched, picking up a win against Cary Christian.
Although they will be losing eight 8th graders this season, the nine underclassman all started multiple games, adding invaluable experience to their considerable talent. All nine exhibit a real penchant for hard work. The off-season will be an important part of continued improvement and preparation for next season, when the Knights will have to defend their regular season and tournament championships.
Middle School baseball at NRCA has a legacy for winning and for developing athletes for the varsity team. We wish the rising freshmen great success as their work to prepare themselves to try out for varsity baseball, and to make a contribution to the program’s success.
Just a reminder about practices over Easter break. Varsity will practice Wed-Fri at 3:00. Middle School will practice Thur-Fri at 4:00.
The MS Knights game from March 20, against East Wake will be made up on April 21 at 4:00 at East Wake.
Both the Middle School and Varsity Knights have conference games in a home twin-bill today at Knights field. The MS Knights take on Cary Academy for the first time on the season. Last year the Chargers gave NRCA strong opposition when the two teams faced off in Cary. While Cary Academy has struggled this season, they still offer the promise of formidable competition in TMSC play at 4:00.
The Varsity Knights will be hosting conference rival Ravenscroft after the completion of the Middle School game. Last season the Ravens took three from the Knights, but NRCA is a much improved team this year. NRCA and Ravenscroft will play at Knights Field Monday, at Ravenscoft on Tuesday, then back to NRCA for a Thursday game.
The Middle School Knights came out strong hitting the ball and whipped Wake Christian Academy behind shutout pitching from starter John Cook 10-0 in a wet Thursday game. NRCA scored 10 runs on 9 hits in four innings of action. Cook picked up his second complete game win of the season.
Cook started the first inning by striking out the Bulldogs’ leadoff batter, then getting the second hitter out with a soft comebacker to the mound. He then hit the third batter with two strikes before popping up the cleanup hitter to end the top of one.
In their half of the first, NRCA began with the first two batters flying out to left and grounding out, respectively. Cook then doubled to the gap to start a two-out rally that ended with the Knights picking up two runs. With Cook on second, Hunter Winstead walked and was followed by Tyler Ligon, who singled to score Cook. Winstead and Ligon moved up a base on a wild pitch. Blanton Smith then scored Ligon on a single to right field.
In the second, Cook gave up a single and a walk, but struck out two WCA batters. Third baseman Tyler Ligon made a great play the other out of the inning.
The Knights responded in the bottom half of two with four runs. Cameron Metcalf led off the inning with a single. Tyler Wright and Chad Gibson both walked to load the bases. Catcher Matthew Becker grounded out to second to score Metcalf. Cook followed with a walk. After a stikeout to give the Knights two outs, Tyler Ligon singled to left two drive in two more runs.
The leadoff batter for the Bulldogs on the third struck out but reached on an error by the catcher. Cook then struck out the next batter and put out number three on a comebacker. The fourth batter was hit by a pitch. Becker then picked off the baserunner at third to end the inning.
After the Knights led off with an out in the third, Metcalf reached on an error and stole second. Tyler Wright reached on a bunt that moved Metcalf to third. Chad Gibson then reached on a bad throw by the catcher, scoring Metcalf. to make then score 7-0.
Cook started the fourth with his sixth strikeout of the game, then hit the next batter to give the Bulldogs only their sixth and final baserunner of the game. Ligon made another great charging play at third and second baseman Tyler Wright ended the top of four fielding a grounder and throwing to first.
The Knights scored three in the bottom of the fourth. Cook led off with a single. Courtesy runner Lachlan McKinion then stole second base and scored on a double by Winstead. Russ Smith entered the game as a pinch runner for Winstead and stole third. Tyler Ligon walked, stole second, and moved to third on the passed ball a passed ball that scored Smith. Ligon then scored on a single by pinch hitter Josh Pitre.
With the score 10-0, and Bulldogs’ hitters unable to offer any challange to Cook’s pitching, the game was called leaving the Knights with their first 5-0 record.
The Knights sent 25 hitters to the plate and were again led offensively by starting pitcher John Cook, who went 2-2 with a walk, a single, and a double, and three runs scored. Tyler Ligon was also 2-2 with two singles on the day. Winstead, Blanton Smith, Pitre, Metcalf, and Wright all had a hit on the day. NRCA also drew five walks.
Coach Mac had this to say about the win: “Wake Christian was our best competition of the year. They are an excellent ball team with good pitching and aggressive hitters. They didn’t swing at bad pitches. There are some great athletes on that time. Today, though, our boys just got it done. Cook’s pitching speaks for itself. He has the tools and the head for this game. Becker was superb behind the plate. Tyler Ligon showed everyone how third base is supposed to be played. We just didn’t make errors or bad decisions on the field. At the plate, there are some improvements we can make, but we got some great production from a bunch of our guys.” Coach continued, “I am most pleased with the improvement on the basepaths. Our running looked good today. The guys are starting to understand what’s happening a little better. That’s important. Being almost flawless in the field is good as well. We have a team full of guys who’ll have the chance to play high school baseball, which is my goal as coach.”
Conference play resumes on Monday, April 6, as the Knights host rival Cary Academy. The Chargers are also undefeated in the conference this season. Game time is 4:00 at Knights Field. Come out and enjoy some great baseball!
In a second conference matchup of the week the MS Knights beat the Magellan Mariners 20-2 behind a complete game, 2-hit outing by pitcher Josh Pitre. Pitre took the Mariners into the fourth inning with a no-no, giving up 1 walk with 4 K’s over three innings. In both the fourth and final innings, Magellan had a walk, a single, and one run. “Pitre was just unhittable today,” Coach Mac said after the game, “I’m really proud of how well he performed. He has turned into a reliable and strong pitcher. To get a complete game win like this is just huge.” Pitre faced 20 batters of the five-inning game shortened by the run rule, allowing only five baserunners. The Knights didn’t commit an error that allowed anyone on base.
Catcher John Cook led the Knights at the plate with a walk, a single, a double, and a triple. He scored all four times he was on base. Blanton Smith was 2-2 and Hunter Winstead 2-3. Tyler Wright was 1-1 with a walk, and Chad Gibson, Russ Smith and Cameron Metcalf each picked up a hit. NRCA hitters walked nine times and struck out three times.
Action resumes on Thursday as the MS Knights host the Bulldogs of Wake Christian Academy in a non-conference matchup. Wake Christian has lost only once on the season, so the game hold great promise for strong competition. Make plans either to come out to Knights Field to support the Middle School Knights or travel to the Cary Academy Chargers Invitational Tournament to cheer on the Varsity Knights as they take on Rocky Mount Academy. There is plenty of baseball to enjoy!
For the fourth game in a row the MS Knights pushed more than 15 runs across, this time in an 18-0 win over conference foe Cary Christian. NRCA pitchers Cameron Metcalf and Matthew Wrenn gave up no runs on no hits, and only two walks. Metcalf walked the first batter of the game, then struck out the side. In the second inning a baserunner reached on a third strick, wild pitch, but was later thrown out trying to steal by catcher John Cook. Wrenn came in to close and gave up one walk. Josh Pitre caught a routine fly ball in center and Wrenn fielded a comebacker to the mound for the only other outs of the game that were not strikeouts by Knights’ pitchers.
Cary Christian pitchers struggled on the day giving up 16 walks and 5 hits. Offensively, NRCA was led by Trevor Edge with 2 hits. Blanton Smith, Trey Hogan, and Cameron Metcalf each had a hit, including a triple by Metcalf. Russ Smith, Jeff Gemmell, Edge, and Tyler Wright each scored three times, and Lachlan McKinion scored twice for the Knights.
The MS Knights play another conference game Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 against Magellan at Honeycutt Park.
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