Looking Back

A couple of months later, the good vibe that the Rowan County American Legion baseball team created for the area is still radiating.

The team's annual banquet was held Monday night and everyone involved from the players themselves to the people who followed the team religiously were there to celebrate a historic season.

I personally followed this team to Greenville, Sumter and Fargo and it was an experience that I will not soon forget. Seeing everyone back together again brought back many memories from this past summer. Bob Lowman, who served as team manager, recounted many memorable moments from the season which started all the way back on May 19 in a game with Randolph County.

Lowman recalled Alex Litaker's one inning pitched against Las Vegas, Nev. that he called one of the most clutch pitching performance's he's ever seen a Rowan pitcher pitch. Litaker of course got out of a bases loaded, no out jam with Rowan's season seeming dwindling away. Litaker got the three outs he needed and the rest they say is history.

Lowman also recounted Jon Crucitti's miraculous catch against Alabama in the regional title game. He said it might rank third on the all-time best catches list for Rowan Legion players. Lowman also mentioned the fact that every player on this year's team made a big contribution to the success of the team and that these guys just wanted to keep on playing.

Between the reminicising, eating, hugging, picture-taking and congratulating, Rowan players receieved some jewelry that they had all been waiting on for a couple months. The rings will be a valuable memento later on in life as they recall that special summer of 2009.

Some of the same players will return next summer to create more lasting memories. So who knows, maybe next year at this time we'll be talking about a World Series trip to Spokane, Wash.

Hey, anything can happen.

This is it

This can’t be it, can it? I’m graduating from college in three weeks! I wonder how I ever made it to this point in my life? It seems like I was just entering high school as a freshman and now I’m a senior in college at Appalachian State University and soon to be an alumnus.

I remember my first day at App. I was nervous to start classes at a four-year university. I knew the course load would be heavier than what I had become accustomed to at the community college, so I wasn’t quite sure of what to expect. As soon as I got here, I got to jump right into my major (Journalism), and start classes in the communication department.

I never thought I would end up at App. My brother graduated from here in 2004, so I was familiar with the school and Boone. I had known since high school that I wanted to get into the risky career of Journalism, and I’ve had several people try and sway my decision to stay with Journalism when the job outlook looks so bleak.

But I will never regret sticking to my guns and pursuing my dream of becoming a journalist. Although it definitely hasn’t been an easy road, I truly have enjoyed every minute of my time at App and in the Comm. Department, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t have wanted to go anywhere else.

I feel that the Comm. Department prepares students very adequately for what lies ahead and that we get pushed harder than anywhere else. The professors in the Comm. Department should be commended for this, although it does become very stressful, they are professionals and they know what it takes to succeed out there in the ‘real world’. So I say to all you younger Comm. Majors, enjoy every article you write, design you create, ad club meeting you attend, interviews, public relations events, etc. Join clubs and get involved, write for the Appalachian, talk to professors, seek advice, attend job fairs, and just get out there and do as much as you possibly are able.

But seriously, enjoy your time here, because it will go by insanely fast and you will be out there trying to find a job before you know it. When you get out there, represent Appalachian State University and be proud to know you received the best education at the best school.
I want to offer some tips of some things I wish I knew when I entered the Comm. Department.

> Talk to some of your older peers, don’t be afraid to ask them questions of what classes to take, they can provide you with a lot of beneficial knowledge.
> Don’t skip class! I know most of you won’t follow that rule, and neither do I, but seriously, it really doesn’t benefit you to lay out of class just because you don’t feel like going that day.
> Don’t put off assignments. As much of a procrastinator as I am, I have learned that if you just go ahead and get something done, you will be very glad in the end and your grade will show for it.
> Don’t be afraid to speak to professors, coming to a smaller school such as App, the class sizes aren’t as large and professors genuinely care about you and they want you to succeed!
> Take the time to have fun! Get out there and make friends in the Comm. Department, ask each other questions, form study groups, and ‘communicate’!

Best of luck to all and Go Apps!
“Journalism is literature in a hurry.” -Matthew Arnold

Bridge Day: Same place, new memories

Every year, without fail for the past 18 years or so, a group of roughly the same people have made the annual trek to West Virginia for the annual Bridge Day festival that marks the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge.

Usually, just a handful of people actually camped, while others stayed in a motel room. But now, only a handful of people stay in motel rooms or cabins. The rest actually camp out in West Virginia's Wild and Wonderful wilderness.

The weather can be a little unpredictable. We've had all kinds of weather, usually the weather is good one year and bad the next. This year's weather wasn't the best to say the least, but if the company is good, which it always is, the weather is obsolete.

The company is precisely the reason that we come back every year. We don't come back to see the base jumpers, or the vendors, or the weather, or even the beautiful nature that surrounds us.

The people that come back every year genuinely enjoy each others' company, and for some, it's like a reunion. This past year, I got to see some old friends in which I hadn't seen in a couple years.

We laugh, eat, drink, hike, sit around a warm fire, sleep in tents and did I mention that we eat? Yeah we eat way too good to be in the woods.

I've had people ask me several times, why do ya'll keep going back year after year, and the answer is simply the company. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to go with and I can't wait till next mid-October.

Zoomie....Zoomie 1 1

Oh so close

After falling behind East Carolina 17-0 and trailing 27-7 at the half, Appalachian State's football team could have rolled over like a helpless dog and took the severe beating that many ECU and ASU fans thought might happen after that forgetful first quarter.

ASU had other plans, that included almost coming back to win the game behind freshman quarterback Travaris Cadet. With star QB Armanti Edwards sidelined after a lawnmower accident this summer, Cadet did his best Edward's impersonation nearly leading his Mountaineers to a unbelievable comeback win.

With ASU trailing 29-21, Cortez Gilbert intercepted a Patrick Pinkney pass at the 33 yard line and returned it to the 49 yard line. Cadet led the black and gold to the ECU 22, but had to settle for a Jason Vitaris 43-yard fieldgoal that cut ECU's lead to 29-24 with 3:24 left to go.

ASU got the ball back after a huge three-and-out and moved the ball to midfield, but a sack on first-and-10 forced Cadet to spike the ball on the next down. After an eight yard strike to Blake Elder, ASU faced a fourth-and-10 and Cadet's pass to CoCo Hillary was just out of reach ending what looked like to be a miraculous comeback by the Apps.

ASU showed their worth Saturday to many who didn't believe the Mountaineers could hold their own with the so called 'big boys' of college football. ASU is poised to have another great season which could enventually lead to a 4th national championship title in five years for the school.

Thanks for the memories guys

Well, that’s it. After falling behind 12-0 to Midland (Mich), most of Rowan Legion’s fans had given up on their team, heads pointed toward the ground, already thinking about heading home tomorrow and reminiscing on a magical season. I mean could you really blame us for thinking this was the end of the road for our guys?

Turns out in the end, it essentially was, but after an eight run inning, those heads started to turn upwards and Rowan fans began to think, can they really do this?

Unfortunately for our guys, they came up one run short, stranding the tying run at second base, ending a season that no one who was a part of this cardiac bunch, will not soon forget.

This T-E-A-M brought passion, desire and a will to win that cannot be matched.

Other Rowan teams may have had more talent than this year’s bunch, but that desire and want-to is something that you have to have in order to make it this far.

The 2009 American Legion World Series will have to be completed without those Rowan boys, disappointing to say the least. I know all of Rowan County seemed to latch on to what was going on in Fargo, ND the past couple of days and I know the team appreciates the support.

So it’s back to Salisbury now, for us and for the team. I know a big crowd will be waiting on the Rowan team when they get off that bus at Catawba College.

It’s always sad when the season ends. You’re around the same people for two months and you form friendships and share your life with those same people, and then it has to come to an end. People have to go back to school, parents go back to work, and people go back to their non-American Legion baseball lives, in which they have come accustomed to.

You get used to it after a while, and then one day, maybe in the dead of winter, you think of those people, and those awesome players, and you’ll remember that awesome ride they took you on in that summer of 2009.

I’d say that’s a nice memory to live on.

Drew Sechler column: Legion team just finds a way

These boys just keep finding a way to blow your mind. Of course I'm speaking of Rowan Legion's recent big win against the defending champions from Las Vegas. This Rowan County team just keeps finding a way to do it.
With the bases loaded and no one out in the bottom of the seventh for Las Vegas, things looked pretty grim for Rowan's chances. But somehow, Alex Litaker got out of it and gave his teammates a chance to score some runs, which they did, and somehow got three outs to secure a huge win in the Legion World Series.
Many fans, like me, said afterwards that they couldn't take too much more of this (referring to the closeness and intensity of the games), but we're all just so happy that our hometown boys are still in it.
It really is hard to fathom how momentous an occasion this is. The fact that Rowan is guaranteed at least a fourth- place finish in the entire nation is mind-blowing.
Before the game I said to someone, "Rowan County vs. Las Vegas, that just sounds funny, doesn't it?" She replied that it was just a name, and she was right.
So folks, stay tuned, stay excited, and keep on pulling hard for your Rowan County boys. They might just find a way to surprise you.

Sechler column: Rowan rises above rain delays, hard loss

After the rain ruined the first night of Rowan Legion's stay in Fargo and forced postponement of the team's first game, we finally got to play some baseball after a long wait. Many, like me, were thinking: Are we going to get to see our team play after coming all this way?
But Rowan finally did get to play on Saturday and nearly found a way to win its first game, despite not playing particularly well the majority of the game.
Many Rowan fans from Fargo to Salisbury held their breath as Rowan looked as though the team might escape a bases-loaded, no-outs jam while leading Festus, Mo., in the bottom of the ninth. Unfortunately, destiny and luck weren't on the side of Rowan that game. A fly ball fell softly on the right field grass after three Rowan players tried their best to make the catch, and Rowan fell 6-5 to Festus.
I'm sure many who haven't followed the team closely this year wondered how Rowan would respond after such a gut-wrenching defeat. The answer to that is: very well. The team hasn't had many back-to-back defeats this year, and the Rowan boys have always responded well after a loss.
That was the case once more as they took the field Saturday against Mount Airy (Md.). It didn't look good early on for the Rowan boys, trailing 2-0, but they rallied big time for a staying-alive 8-3 victory.
I've had many people ask me what we do to pass the time in Fargo when Rowan is not playing. The answer to that is: whatever we can find to do. We always find time to eat, and even on Sunday we found some time to visit the local WalMart. The rest of the time we spent just hanging out in the motel room or on the phone with numerous people who want to know what is going on and when would Rowan play next. It can be frustrating because we have no idea what to tell them because we don't know ourselves.
With the weather being uncooperative the past couple of days and games being pushed back, we just have to sit and wait until we hear some news.
The waiting game can get old, but for now we just have to relax and enjoy this monumental moment.

Sometimes it rains

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and sometimes it rains.” If you recognize that quote, than you know it’s from the movie Bull Durham. I thought about that as we watched the rain come down on Newman Field Friday night.

After finally arriving to our destination in Fargo, ND for the American Legion World Series at 11 am Friday, Mother Nature decided she would interfere with the festivities. Rowan really didn’t have a scheduled time, so there’s always a little waiting around to do.

As the game between Medford, Oregon and Midland, Michigan was winding to an end, the clouds began to move in. Not wanting to think the worse, I said to everyone around me, “It’s not going to rain.” Sometimes optimism and positive thinking can blind the reality. That was the case this time.

As I looked over at Leigh Michalec’s blackberry cell phone, I saw the blob of green heading our way. The rain began to fall very gently for a short while and we thought positively again that we might get to play. Well that was a bad thought, a gust of strong wind and rain blew in moving all the fans and even players to the concourse. Shortly after, we all realized we weren’t playing this game tonight.

One of the locals said to us with just a hint of sarcasm, “Don’t you just love North Dakota weather?”

So the first day of games in Fargo results in no home runs or three up and three down innings for the Rowan County boys, but the best thing about baseball is even when you don’t play well one night, or at all in this case, there is always a game tomorrow, we hope.

Road cones and corn

As my journey to Fargo for the Legion World Series continues, I found myself taking in country that I had never before seen and some of it that I don’t care to see again. I did enjoy our ride through Chicago, as we tried our best to take snap shots of the Sears Tower and other surrounding buildings of the “windy city” skyline.

That however, besides the lively conversation between us, was the highlight of our Thursday ride from Sellersburg, Indiana to St. Cloud, Minnesota. You know how in the movie “The Wizard of Oz” in the beginning when you see nothing but corn fields before the tornado takes Dorothy’s house away, well imagine that for several hundred miles in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Besides the seemingly endless corn fields, there was plenty of road construction to really get under your skin.

Each time we saw a sign for road construction, our driver Jenny Fox could only give a small growl to show her begrudge for the familiar orange road cones that became an all too familiar sight for us.

We’re still about two and a half hours or so from our destination on the border of North Dakota. We decided to get some rest and finish our journey in the morning when we will pick up Leigh Michalec (Russell Michalec’s mom) at the Fargo airport.

Rowan plays the last game of the day on Friday, so there really is no telling when Rowan County’s boys and the boys from Festus, Missouri will toss that ball around.

So I leave you again, signing off from St. Cloud, as we will finally make it to Fargo, North Dakota for the Legion World Series Friday.

Car full of fans heard north

The first day of our quest to Fargo, North Dakota for the American Legion World Series is now a day old after leaving Salisbury a little after 11 am Wednesday and arriving in Sellersburg, Indiana that evening (just outside of Louisville, Kentucky). I am making the once in a lifetime trek with longtime Rowan Legion fan Jenny Fox, die-hard fan (and cousin) Brent Yost and left fielder Russell Michalec’s grandmother Genny Reed.

We all know each other very well through the season and the past seasons, so it’s not like I’m riding with strangers. The first part of our journey took us through the mountains of North Carolina heading west on interstate 40, taking us through Knoxville, Tennessee. From Knoxville we headed north to Lexington, Kentucky.

It’s interesting to see a part of the country you’ve never seen before and I know that over the next day or so, I will definitely get to see some country that I’ve never before seen. I know it sounds cliché to say “once in a lifetime,” but this trip truly is once in a lifetime. I may never get to make it to another Legion world series in my lifetime and Rowan is not guaranteed another trip back.

I’ve been a pretty avid and some might say religious Rowan County American Legion baseball fan for the past four years or so, so the decision to make the trip to Fargo wasn’t an easy one but I never had any doubts about wanting to go. At first of course, there was talk of getting together a fan chartered bus, but with little time to plan and lack of commitments, the bus ended up not being an option.

Plane tickets to Fargo were outrageously pricey, so many of the parents and fans just decided to just drive and take their time getting to Fargo to watch their Rowan boys of summer continue this magical ride.

So with a long day of traveling ahead of me Thursday, I sign off for now, and should report on my ‘Trek to Fargo’ from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Rowan County Legion is your state champs!

After another long but seemingly short summer of Rowan County American Legion Baseball, here we are about to enter the month of August, and Rowan's boys of summer and their fans, parents and others are planning a trip to the southeastern regionals in Sumter, South Carolina after winning the 2009 North Carolina American Legion State title with a 5-3 victory over Shelby.
"We did it!" Many Rowan fans exclaimed after Billy Veal struck out the last Shelby batter on a 1-2 count, sending the Rowan fans who made the trip to Greenville into a mad frenzy of cheers that echoed relief and joy.
Myself, being the huge fan that I am, took in the moment glancing around to see the expressions on many of the fan's faces, all so relieved and thrilled to death to see their boys win one (the program's seventh) for the county of Rowan and the program's past players.
I've been following Rowan fairly religously for the past four years or so, and it felt wonderful to be a part of that state title, even though I didn't throw a pitch or swing a bat. I have people tell me all the time about how much they appreciate my support and enthusiasm for the team.
I don't know any different than to pull like hell for my team and yell my lungs out for their success. It's great to get to know some of the parents, even becomming good friends and sharing these great moments.
I look forward to what the regionals have in store for my boys as they travel southward to the Palmetto State. I'm not sure what to expect as far as what my team will do in Sumter, it's been one heck of ride this year and whatever happens, I'm going to remain proud of my team.

My definition of America

In a recent article I wrote for the Salisbury Post, I stated that "if you ever wanted to see a clear picture of what America is, then go to Faith in late June and early July and you will certainly see just that."

Well much to my shagrin, someone commented in the comments section at the bottom of my article on http://www.salisburypost.com/ website saying that "I wish people would stop referring to Faith as this All-American town when it's full of racists, and that I didn't see any pictures of African Americans."

That may be true, but you cannot find a town in this great country of ours that doesn't have racists. Faith definitely has it's history when it comes to it's past referring to the lack of minorities living there.

Faith is one of those towns that has been the same since it was established. Everyone that lives there is just about if not related. Everybody knows everybody's name and knows about everyone's business. You can tell that just by walking around and listening to people's conversations and they way they act around one another.

That is what America should be, people knowing everybody, and keeping that tight close-knit type of family atmosphere.

The Faith-type town is dying in America, and I'm glad that Faith has kept it's heritage alive with the annual Faith Fourth Festivities. The Faith Fourth of July Parade is annually the top fourth of July celebration in the state of North Carolina.

I'm so glad that towns like Faith still exist with all the big cities and sub-divisions of today where people don't even know who lives next to them.

Regardless of the fact that racism still exists today, and the old stereo-types that people have placed on towns like Faith, just because there aren't equal numbered races living there, having towns like Faith is so very important to keeping our country's proud tradition alive and well.

Rowan County American Legion Baseball: More than just a game

When you walk into Newman Park, whether it's for the first time or the thousandth, you get the sense that this is one special place. You can't exactly explain why, well maybe you can if this is your thousandth time, but even if it's your first time, you sense it.

Newman Park is an icon to many baseball players, coaches and fans. It has a certain mystique and atmosphere that cannot be matched. Some other ballparks may come close, but Newman owns the number one spot.

Rowan County is a baseball hotbed, always has been and always will be. There is a lot of talented baseball players in Rowan and even some that have made it to the major leagues.

When those players who are lucky enough to play for Rowan slip on that red uniform, something happens that is almost magical. They become almost like local celebrities. They may not feel that way, but where else can you see little kids asking for autographs from their favorite players?

I've heard many people, who have been coming to legion games their whole life say that when they were little, they thought they were at a professional game.

How is that? Don't we know that we are just watching a bunch of high school kids and maybe a few college players? Why does it feel that way?

I'll tell you why it doesn't feel that way, it's because what Rowan legion has built is the model or ideal legion program, not just in the state of North Carolina, but the United States as well. Rowan has it all: loyal fans, a beautiful home ballpark, enormous half 'n half drawings, great newspaper coverage, two radio stations (yes two), chartered buses for road trips and then of course Cheerwine slushies and fresh roasted peanuts!

Every little leaguer grows up dreaming of playing in that environment and putting on that Rowan uniform, and is there any wonder why?

Many great players have doned the Rowan uniform over the years such as Cal Hayes Jr., Buck Hamrick, Bobby Parnell, Justin Roland, Aaron Rimer, and I could go on and on. I know I am missing some of the program's players from the past, but you would be reading this all day.

Bottom line is, there is nothing like Rowan County American Legion baseball, and the only thing that will come close to it, is Rowan County American Legion baseball.

Let's play ball.

Blogspot status update?

Well apparently I have not "blogged" since May 3, even though it doesn't seem that long ago, so I'm just going to let you know what is going on in my life at the current place in time.

The summer is starting off very well for me. I just recently started my internship at The Salisbury Post and my first article (I would call it a blurb) was in Saturday's edition of the Post (in the Area section).

My first assignment was covering the Apple Ugly eating contest over at East Rowan High School. This was supposedly the 50th anniversary of East's yearbook and so the yearbook staff threw a carnival to celebrate the occasion.

I was admittedly nervous because this was my first time going on a "real" coverage of an event. I definitely learned from my first experience and will hopefully not be as nervous the next time and just do my thing.

Other than that, the usual sign of summer is beginning to heat up. That would be Rowan County's favorite pastime, baseball. East Rowan's baseball team was not devouring Apple Uglies, but was nearly devouring their season right down the drain when they trailed the Piedmont Panthers by two runs heading into the 7th inning on Friday night.

I thought I had seen some crazy things last year, but apparently I had not seen anything yet with the amazing comeback put on by the Manic Mustangs. Zach Smith alertly stole home after David Ijames had hit the game tying single to win the game for East.

So East really did "steal" one literally and figuratively. The Mustangs move on to to face the Mustangs, Parkland that is, on Tuesday.

I say now that I really have seen it all, but judging by Friday's craziness, this may just be the beginning of the May maddness?!

Rowan County Legion is scheduled to start their season Tuesday at Randolph County. The majority of the legion team is comprised of East Rowan, so they will be missing some faces for a while.

Returning are veterans Trey Holmes and Billy Veal, fresh off their first years of college, should provide that veteran leadership to the team when needed. West Rowan's baseball season ended with a 6-2 setback at the hands of T.C. Roberson, so the players from West will be ready come Tuesday.

This summer looks to be an exciting one, so I guess you should stay tuned.

Carrie Prejean: Majority Ambassador

Most years the Miss America Beauty Pageant comes and goes and little is made over who even wins, which happend again this year. The story this year of course if you haven't heard was the controversy sparked by runner-up Carrie Prejean from California.

Prejean was asked by judge Perez Hilton if every state should legalize same sex-marriage and Prejean responded with a surprising politically incorrect response that really ruffled Hilton's feathers in a later blogged video.

Prejean stated "I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and my family I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone out there but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be between a man and a woman."

As I was wittnessing what she said, I felt an overwhelming since of pride that finally someone stood up for what most believe in this country. She was simply answering what was asked and she answered truthfully instead of giving that minority opinion shared by few in this country, she remembered how her parents raised her and expressed herself much to the begrudge of Hilton.

It is my hope that God has instilled in Carrie, the guts to finally step up and let everyone know that the Christians in this country are tired of all the crap that we have taken from the minorites that have taken away prayer in schools, and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Christians must take initiative and be willing to show their colors to others and be a wittness to those who have doubted Christ or who just don't know Him. The Lord is trying to tell us something, I just hope that we are all listening.

The End Is Near

I guess when we hear that statement, we all think of that cartoon where the guy is holding or wearing a sign walking down the sidewalk telling everyone that the "end is near."

But if you're a college student, you know exactly what I'm talking about and hearing that the end is near is sweet music to your ears.

Another semester of college is over, and for some, graduation is on the horizon and the quote on quote "real world" (because we all live in a fake world now) is about to rear its' ugly head.

Others, like myself, have one more college semester to stress, pull all-nighters, write ten page papers at the last minute, go to games and yell till your lungs can't stand it, and simply have unrestricted and unlimitted amounts of fun.

Although we all are praying that we do great on our finals and get these last minute projects and papers turned in. We are really glad to see the semester come to an end. It might be cliche, but time certainly does fly, even when you're not having fun.

We will cherish our summers, as we should, because they will not last long. Another semester of college will be back to haunt, I mean enrich our lives before we know it. So enjoy your summer all you college students, cause as Darius Rucker says, "It won't be like this for long."

Round 2 goes to............

The West Rowan Falcons. Forgive me if this is all I have to say for the time being, but that is how the game went from the very beginning, all West, all the time.

A shell-shocked East Rowan team and crowd watched as West took advantage of 5 uncharacteristic Mustang errors. East starter Preston Troutman had to leave the game due to leg cramps and reliever Cody Laws was roughed up to say the least by the Falcon onslaught.

Hernan Bautista helped West draw first blood with a solo shot in the top of the 2nd inning and the Falcons never looked back building a 7-0 lead before East got on the board with a Casey Little homer.

Randy Shepherd, inserted into the game in the 4th inning, was nearly untouchable with his hard slider and fastball. Mustang fans pleaded and growned to their team to start a rally, but there was little that could be done to stop the Falcon momentum.

When all was said and done, the 9-1 drubbing had West's NPC record at 4-4 following a surpring loss at the hands of North Iredell, and East had dropped to 7-2, two games back of league leading Lake Norman.

The North Piedmont Conference is living up to its' billing as the year progresses, proving that no team is a pushover.


Garrett White held East to three singles in the first three innings but was relieved by Shepherd after two walks in the 4th inning.

Every Falcon recorded a hit except second baseman Tyler King.

Falcons vs. Mustangs Round 2

High expectations usually accompany the baseball hotbed that is Rowan County, but West Rowan's Baseball team came into the season with unusually higher than normal expectations.

The Falcons were preseason ranked # 3 in the Impact Baseball poll. After starting the season 0-6, West is on a roll recently winning the Wilmington-Ashley Easter Tournament defeating some top notch competition.

With a North Piedmont Conference (NPC) victory on Monday, the Falcons have squared their conference record at 3-3.

High expectations are always on the tradition-rich East Rowan Mustangs whose only blip on the conference radar so far is a loss at the hands of Nick Lomascola and Lake Norman.

Both teams will have to play back to back nights thanks to Mother Nature's "kindness" on Tuesday. Both teams also figure to counter with good arms in this highly anticipated match-up Friday night in Granite Quarry.

A West Rowan win would surely shake up the conference standings and a East Rowan win would keep the Mustangs at pace with Lake Norman.

So with all the high expectations aside (yeah right), it should be a hotly contested game Friday night.

West Rowan Baseball off the Schneid

An old baseball adage, "off the schneid" is completely appropriate when talking about the West Rowan High School Baseball team after their 8-5 victory over the South Rowan High School Raiders Tuesday night in Mt. Ulla. After zero wins in six trys, the Falcons finally broke through the win column with a strong relief performance from pitcher D.J. Webb.
West Rowan starting pitcher Zack Simpson was ineffective and Webb entered the game in the top of the third inning with bases loaded and a 4-4 tie. Webb proceeded to fan Jacob Dietz leaving the bases loaded.
West led early 4-0 but South rallied to tie the score at 4-4 with a four-run third inning thanks to two run scoring wild pitches and a bases loaded walk. But instead of maybe panicking and folding in the clutch, the Falcons responded and got the big hits when they needed them to pull out their first North Piedmont Conference (NPC) win of the season. West took the lead for good in the fifth on a Jon Crucitti double to right-center.
It may be hard for West Rowan to win the NPC this year with East Rowan and Lake Norman still undefeated, but the Falcons are going to be no pushover for any of the opponents left on the schedule.