E. Region quarterfinal: Denbigh 2, Maury 0

[Sonny Dearth]

Carter propels Denbigh to victory

By MELINDA WALDROP
mwaldrop@dailypress.com (mwaldrop@dailypress.com) | 247-4634

NORFOLK —
Ethan Carter’s three-hit, complete-game shutout apparently wasn’t satisfying enough.

Carter, Denbigh’s sophomore right-hander, added some emphatic insurance with a solo home run as the Patriots defeated Maury 2-0 in the Eastern Region quarterfinals Monday at Old Dominion University.

Carter struck out 11 batters to improve to 9-0 and propel the Patriots (21-2), Peninsula District regular-season and tournament champions, into Wednesday’s 5 p.m. semifinal against Cox, where they can book a trip to the state Group AAA tournament with a victory.

"My job was pitching today, and had been through the (PD) tournament," Carter said. "Getting moved up to the No. 5 hole kind of put a little pressure on me, so I was just looking to get it going for the team."

The Patriots had to shuffle their batting order when senior catcher Thomas Drewry couldn’t play because of a knee injury he suffered warming up before Denbigh’s 11-3 victory against Bethel in last Wednesday’s PD title game. And for 4 2/3 innings, Denbigh could have used Drewry’s reliable bat.

After seeing baserunners erased on a triple play in the first inning and a double play in the second, Denbigh had just one hit going into the fifth. Ethan Trevathan led off with a single, but was forced out at second when Matt Watlett bunted a sacrifice attempt too hard down the first-base line.

But the Patriots kept the threat going as Watlett stole second and Daniel Murrow walked to bring up reserve Devon Simmons, starting in Denbigh’s new-look lineup. He bunted the ball to Maury pitcher Coby Cowgill, who tried to get Watlett at third, but bounced a low throw in the dirt to allow Watlett to score the game’s first run.

Carter added another when he sent an 0-2 fastball between the 375- and 325-foot markers in right field.

"(Cowgill) threw two fastballs. Those were the two I should’ve hit," Carter said. "I figured after taking two, he was gonna feel confident coming in there again, so I just sat on it."

Carter retired the Commodores (16-7), the Eastern District tournament runners-up, in order in the sixth, thanks to a diving catch by center fielder Jordan Whitlatch, before giving up a two-out single in Maury’s final at-bat. But he struck out Sonny Turner looking to end the game.

"The way Carter was pitching, I’m not sure we would have scored anyway," Maury coach Jack Baker said. "He’s got a good fastball, but his curveball worked well for him too."

Carter watched from the bench as the Patriots lost in last year’s regional quarterfinal. This year, his season will have at least one more game.

"By this time, shoot, he’s already a junior," Denbigh coach Rusty Ingram said. "He’s finished his sophomore year. ... He threw the heck out of the baseball."

DENBIGH 2, MAURY 0
Maury 000 000 0 – 0 3 2
Denbigh 000 011 x – 2 3 1
WP– Carter (9-0). LP – Cowgill (7-4). Standouts – Maury, Ore 2-3; Denbigh, Carter 1-2 (solo HR in sixth). Records – Maury 16-7, Denbigh 21-2.

Granby 6, Bethel 1

Regardless of who the starting pitcher is, three hits won’t help his cause.

That’s all the offense Bethel (15-7-1) managed in a loss to Granby in Monday’s Eastern Region quarterfinal at Old Dominion University.

Mike Adams (3-2-1) started the game instead of sophomore ace Justin Shively, but left in the third with no outs and a 4-0 deficit after Josh Todd’s two-run double. Shively didn’t fare much better in relief, giving up a run on a fielder’s choice before his wild pickoff throw sent a runner to third and led to a sacrifice fly.

Bethel coach Brett Wheeler started Adams, who also took the loss as Bethel fell to Denbigh 11-3 in the Peninsula District tournament title game, with an eye toward the future. Had Bethel won, it would have faced either Southeastern regular-season and district tournament champion Great Bridge or Beach District tournament champ Kempsville in Wednesday’s semifinal.

"Did we go over here to win one game, or did we come over here to go to states?" Wheeler said. "I think going this way was putting ourselves in the best percentage (to win). Now, do I think that because Mike started we lost? No. We didn’t execute."

The Bruins scored their only run in the sixth inning on Shane Hoggard’s RBI single. But with runners on second and third and two outs, Zack Sanders, who had a hit in the second inning, popped up to third base as Granby starter Adam Wisniewski (7-2) led the Comets (20-3) to their first Eastern Region win in at least 20 years.

"He’s done it all year for us," Granby coach Robbie Butler said. "He’s been our horse against all of the big teams."




Granby 6, Bethel 1

Bethel 000 001 0 – 1 5 1

Granby 114 00 x – 6 7 0

W – Wisniewski (7-2). L – Adams (3-2-1). Standouts – Bethel: J. Scott 1-2, double; Granby: Ziesler 2-4, RBI, triple; Todd 2-2, 3 RBI, double. Records – Bethel 15-7-1; Granby 20-3.

[wilson 2000]

If Denbigh is going to compete against Cox they need to generate more offense. They seem to be waiting around for someone else to hit the ball. They only had three hits and could have lost this game. The pitcher threw well but the senior ss needs to play better and run the bases better. A team can't make mistakes like Denbigh did and expect to win against a team like Cox. They will need a strong outing by their pitcher and a much stronger offensive output to win Wed.

[WHATS-UP???]

If Denbigh is going to compete against Cox they need to generate more offense. They seem to be waiting around for someone else to hit the ball. They only had three hits and could have lost this game. The pitcher threw well but the senior ss needs to play better and run the bases better. A team can't make mistakes like Denbigh did and expect to win against a team like Cox. They will need a strong outing by their pitcher and a much stronger offensive output to win Wed.
Lay off the criticism. This is a powerful team that just needs to click.They already have enough troubles without your negative comments. :boxing:

[AA2007]

I dont think there is any question that Denbigh will compete against Cox. Roth should hold his own on the mound and it should be a great game. The base running mistakes do need to be eliminated though because most regional games are very low scoring and every runner in scoring position is very important. I'm sure the Senior SS for denbigh won't let that happen again. I dont think Denbigh needs to pound the ball to win this game. They may have only gotten 3 hits in the Maury game but they drew at least 5-6 walks. (a walks as good as a hit ecspecially in these games) Don't forget to mention the Triple Play in the 1st inning, and the double play in the 2nd that killed a lot of denbigh's offensive momentum. If they get a good outing from Roth and play solid Defense, they will be fine.

[wilson 2000]

Lay off the criticism. This is a powerful team that just needs to click.They already have enough troubles without your negative comments. :boxing:
These were just observations. I've watched Cox play a number of times and they have a solid team. Denbigh needs to play their game and not make base running mistakes. This game will be a 1 run game and one mistake will be costly. Denbigh has their # 1 going for them, so that an advantage. Cox's # 1 pitched against Hickory and their # 2 is down, so they will be throwing their # 3, advantage Denbigh. This is a good match up, as far as teams are concerned, so it should be a very good .

[AA2007]

I've watched Denbigh play a number of times and they have a solid team. Cox will have to play there game & not make mistakes. I havent watched a game yet this year where someone hasn't made a mistake on the field(mental or physical). Its a part of the game. As this is the regional tournament, every game is a good game and usually the pitcher and team defense who out duels the other comes out with the win. Runs will likely be at a minimum for both squads. Best of luck to both teams. The ticket to states rides on tonights game.

[WHATS-UP???]

What time does Denbigh play tonight?????
Can you give me driving directions to the ODU Stadium?????:confused:

[BaseballFan1]

I think Denbigh will show-up for this game. Cox will be a stiff challenge for them and playing in the semi-finals of this Tourn will put added pressure to play at a higher level. They have talent, experience and 6 starting seniors that will need to step-up for them to win this game. Menchville showed them last year that it can be done and that the PD can compete with the Southside.

"Team" play will be most important to over-come mistakes that can/do happen in games like this.
Sure would be great for one or both of the PD/BRD teams to advance to the State Tourn.
All of the Peninsula should get behind these teams and support them know matter how they play or the out come. These teams represent more than just themselves or their school, this reflects upon this baseball area.

Good Luck...and play hard!

[straight skinny]

I think Denbigh will show-up for this game. Cox will be a stiff challenge for them and playing in the semi-finals of this Tourn will put added pressure to play at a higher level. They have talent, experience and 6 starting seniors that will need to step-up for them to win this game. Menchville showed them last year that it can be done and that the PD can compete with the Southside.

"Team" play will be most important to over-come mistakes that can/do happen in games like this.
Sure would be great for one or both of the PD/BRD teams to advance to the State Tourn.
All of the Peninsula should get behind these teams and support them know matter how they play or the out come. These teams represent more than just themselves or their school, this reflects upon this baseball area.

Good Luck...and play hard!

Well put. "Team" means everything. You win as a team or lose as a team, to include the bench players and coaches. Denbigh and Poquoson represent this region well and we, as fans , should support them. All the bad mouthing from other players or fans should go by the wayside. These are "our" teams/boys and I wish each one the very best of luck.

[oldguy]

Good stuff....I'm not a Denbigh guy...but if you haven't been paying attention,
only Denbigh and Poq in baseball remain in the Regionals for baseball/ girls softball. Just like when Menchville made it to the state semi's last year....I would hope we would all rally around the Peninsula teams and support them.

I believe the state AAA is again going to be a CNU.....I sure don't want to just see teams from Central/ Northern and the beach playing on our turf without Peninsula representation....ditto the AA

[WHATS-UP???]

What time does Denbigh play tonight?????
Can you give me driving directions to the ODU Stadium?????:confused:

[BaseballFan1]

Sounds like the Peninsula has some pride...no matter what league or team is being represented.
Sounds like we are trying to give credit where credit is deserved, no matter what name is on the front of the jersey. These teams must have been doing something right to get this far and still be playing. For once we can agree, a win is a plus for all of us....:)

[BaseballFan1]

Denbigh plays at 5:00pm tonight. (Wednesday)

I-64 East to exit I-564 (Naval Base) to Terminal Blvd Exit. Follow Terminal Blvd to the end which runs into Hampton Blvd (Take a left onto Hampton Blvd). Travel on Hampton Blvd for (?? 3 or 4 miles??) till you get to ODU. Take a right at the light in front of the Convention Center (Street name??) (Fire station on the corner) field is down the street on the right!

or

Come out of Midtown tunnel in Norfolk and continue till you see ODU (Convention Center) take a left at light (Fire Station) field is down on the right.

Hope this helps.

[WHATS-UP???]

Thanks, I want to see the PD play and shut the beach team out of STATES again.:clap2: save me a seat.