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Speedy Devils get aggressive to clinch win
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Published: April 20, 2009
With top-end speed sprinkled throughout the lineup, Mooresville's baseball team took some chances on the base paths in Friday's 9-3 win over Statesville.
The Blue Devils collectively stole three bases and advanced four other times on two wild pitches and two passed balls.
"We were going to put the pressure on them," Mooresville coach Jeff Burchett said. "We were trying to be aggressive on the base paths, and at the plate as well."
In addition to two stolen bases, Nathan Abraham turned an apparent bloop single into a double and Dylan West went from first to third on an error.
Billy Nantz, who may be the fastest player on the team, batted in the No. 6 spot after leading off for most of the season.
That gave the Devils a more balanced lineup, especially in terms of speed.
Abraham took Nantz's spot at the top of the lineup.
"Billy is fast, but Nathan is too," Burchett said with a chuckle. "That would be a good race."
MAKING AN IMPRESSION
Sophomore Jake Beaver has impressed coaches and teammates with his approach to the plate this season.
Beaver, who can play first base or be the designated hitter, sports a .325 batting average with nine runs batted in, four doubles and two home runs.
It caused a giddy Burchett to make quite a comparison.
"Jake is a hitter," Burchett said. "He reminds me of Kyle Seager. He's in the batter's box and he digs in … he has that potential."
A former Northwest Cabarrus standout, Seager is batting .400 for the UNC this season and is widely considered one of the best juniors in the nation.
CLEARING THE BAR
There have are only a handful of high school athletes in the state who can clear 6-foot-8 in the high jump.
Mooresville has two on its roster.
Tyrell Sutton jumped that height his first-ever day of track practice.
Germaine Leach joined him earlier this month, and his came in an official capacity — at the Blue Devil Invitational.
That mark practically guarantees Leach the No. 1 seed at next month's 3A West Regional.
Mooresville's girls soccer team has officially bounced back.
After losing three consecutive games to 3A teams ranked in the top-15 in the state, the Blue Devils have bounced back to win six consecutive games by a combined score of 33-1.
At 11-3 overall and 8-3 in North Piedmont 3A play, Mooresville now faces a three-game stretch against those same teams it lost to earlier — Northwest Cabarrus (today), Lake Norman (Wednesday) and Statesville (April 27).
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