Joplin/republic and Neosho/ Willard

[B2B92/93]

Republic pitcher threw a 3 hit shut out!


Neosho has one of the best players!pitchers in the state and elects to not start him, but use him in relief finally down 5-1! Correct me if I am wrong but didn't Carthage do the same the last year and Neosho beat them! Good job Willard! You gotta win the game in front of you!

 

[306008]

It's a dilema that every team faces every year. Do you throw your best pitcher to win round one, or do you save him for round 2 and the chance to get you to the district championship game where anything can happen? Lee's Summit West is facing this decision right now with RHP and LSU signee Alex Lange. Do you throw him against a .500 team in Belton who used their ace to knock off Lee's Summit today or do you save him for the Championship game against (probably) Rockhurst?

Eby from Republic threw a fantastic game against a very good 21 win Joplin team. I believe Joplin threw their ace as well. This was a game where both coaches threw their 1's to advance.

Last year Carthage threw Musser against Neosho. He was the ace of the staff ahead of Drew Bridges. A very good one-two combo. Musser had also beaten Neosho earlier in that year. This was a game where Neosho had used their ace to get to this game and Carthage was using their ace to get them to the championship.

Neosho threw their two against Willard. Willard threw their three. In fact, he didn't start a district or conference game all season. So whoever won had their ace ready to go against Webb City. In fact, this #4/#5 matchup was probably what you would have seen in the championship game if these two teams where on different sides of the bracket. (This would be a great time to talk about Missouri baseball's playoff system which needs an overhaul. Coaches seeding your district while having ulterior motives? How do Willard and Neosho end up 4/5 anyway? Clearly 2 of the better teams in the area even though this district is loaded. There needs to be some sort of points system like Oklahoma and Louisiana.) This was a game where both coaches threw down hoping for the chance to have their best giving them a chance to go to the championship.

So that's three examples of what happens in a district. It's a tough decision and one easy to second guess.

And as far as Turner being one of the best players/pitchers in the state, you are right. Missouri high school baseball continues to produce higher caliber players every year.

Good luck to all the teams left as they make a run for toward the state title.

 

[B2B92/93]

I don't feel like it should be an dilemma! You gotta win to advance, saving for a chance at a district championship for 2015 is now what you have to look forward to playing! Dear senior class thank you, oh by the way we are going to look past our current opponent to the semi-finals!
Or turn in our equipment Monday since we didn't put our best foot forward!!

 

[COCfan1212]

That district seeding was a crock. Missouri seriously needs to find a better method to seed baseball districts. Willard and Neosho should not have been 4-5. Willard beat Webb and Carthage by a combined 24-4 score. Overall record for Willard going into districts was 19-10. Neosho beat Willard 9-1 and their resume was solid too. It's all too obvious to see that Webb, Carthage, and Joplin teamed up to place Neosho and Willard at the bottom. Ridiculous.

Hope to see both Republic and Willard win on Monday!

 

[B2B92/93]

Seeding when all teams are 4-3 should have a better system, but it doesn't right now, so it Still doesn't solve the question of why you don't put your best pitcher on the mound and go from there!

If they wanted to save him to beat WC, someone should call and ask who they play next?

Willard proved again they are a good solid team and have a great chance to make another deep run in the play-offs!

This post was edited on 5/18 11:58 AM by B2B92/93

 

[306008]

You are right. Neosho lost with their best pitcher on the bench. Willard won with their two best pitchers on the bench which gives them the opportunity to win the district. Both teams played it that way. One team has to lose the gamble, one has to win the gamble.

It'll be interesting to watch these games tomorrow. Willard has already won head to head vs. Webb City with one of the two pitchers they will throw on the mound. Republic could very easily beat Carthage and you could have a 5 vs. 6 final.

 

[B2B92/93]

Agreed!

Willard has 3 lefties and the one they start today if it is the Sophmore WC saw in Wlliard they will have there work but for them to beat him!

Should be fun! See everyone at 430 today!

 

[COCfan1212]

Willard 22 Webb 8