I think this will be a VERY exciting quarter-finals.
#8 Appo (14-5) @ #1 St Marks (16-3)
Appo coming off a very close game against St Georges in the first round winning a back and forth game 5-4. St Marks was also in a close game despite the 7-3 final. St Marks was losing 3-2 going into the bottom of the sixth were they scored 5 to break the game open. Now in this second round game, to show the difference in experience, St Marks will be playing in its 102nd playoff game since 1970 (81-20 record), Appo in its 8th playoff game ever. These two teams met in 2013 in the second round with St Marks winning 12-1. More recently though a few weeks back Appo & St Marks played one of the best games of the season, an 11 inning 6 to 5 game. In that game it was Steckline/Banning vs Sullivan/Reich/Perry. So though Appo will be without its ace most likely, Garrett, hopefully we will see another classic game. Both Appo and St Marks are averaging around 7 runs per game and giving up around 2 runs per game. I think St Marks will have the experience advantage as well as the pitching advantage. But both teams can hit the ball, so i'm thinking this could be a back and forth game, scoring type game.
#4 Hodgson (15-4) @ #5 Dover (15-4)
Hodgson is coming off a blow out of Mt Pleasant in the first round, scoring fast (9 runs by the 4th), winning 10-0. But more concerning is that Walter threw a complete game and won't be available for this game. IF Hodgson can get through Dover, they will be setup nicely in the semis with Walter going...but they got to get there first. Dover played a much close game in the 1st round, beating DMA 4-3. Dover was down 2-0, before a 4 run fourth inning rally (including a 2 run HR by Kendall Small) put them ahead and they held on. Now in this second round game, Hodgson plays in only its 17th playoff appearance (seems like it should be more) with an overall record of 5-11. Dover on the other hand has played in 41 previous game, going just below .500. Hodgson is looking to go to its first ever Semi-final game while Dover is looking for its 10th Semi Final appearance, most recently losing a close one in 2014 to Caravel. Hodgson played Dover in the first round of the playoffs in 2013 and lost 8-2. Hodgson and Dover did not play in the regular season in 2015. Of their common opponents this year, they both beat Appo in a close game, both lost to St Marks, both beat DMA and Charter pretty good. The only difference in common opponents this year was that Hodgson lost to CR 7-2, while Dover beat CR 6-0. Hodgson and Dover are both scoring about 6 runs per game and giving up just under 3 runs per game. But it must be mentioned that Hodgson gives up a lot more runs when Walter isn't pitching. Hodgson gave up 51 runs in the regular season this year, 43 were when Walter wasn't on the mound. Andrus has been the #2 guy this year, going 4-1 on the season. But i saw that Sayers pitched last week, so i don't know if he is available??? Dover pitched their 6-0 ace Rowley last game, but still have their other 2 starters available, Small (4-1) and Johnson (2-3). I have to give Dover the advantage due to pitching. This second round is tough on teams. You have to have the depth to survive with your #2 guy.
#10 Cape (12-7) @ #2 Sallies (16-3).
Cape is coming off a huge win last week going on the road beating Tech 8-4 in a game that was really a blowout from the start. Cape jumped on them scoring 5 in the first, then another 3 in the third. Sallies did the opposite in the first round, starting slow, but hanging in there and showing strength later in the game. Sallies went down 2-0 in the first, but settled down and chipped away at the lead over the next couple of innings tying it up at 2 and then scoring 3 runs in the 5th to secure the lead. Sallies is looking to get to their 22nd semi final appearance since 1970, second only to St Mark's 23 semi final appearances. Cape is looking to make only its 2nd semi final appearance in that same time period. Cape last played Sallies in the playoffs in 2004, with Sallies winning 17-1. This year, Cape and Sallies played about mid-season and Sallies won that 3-1 with Robino on the mound going against McCoy. It was a very good game, where Sallies scored 2 in the first but then both teams only scored 1 run each the remainder of the game. Cape also outhit Sallies 6-3, but just didn't get more runs across. This was also before Cape really started to pick up steam and go on their 6 game winning streak. But fairly, Sallies has won 12 straight games. Since mid-april, St Marks is the only team to beat either of these teams. Both teams pitched their #1 guy in the first round, McCoy for Cape and Hinton for Sallies. So i would assume it will be Robino (5-0) for Sallies, who already beat Cape once and it will be either Vitella, Elliott or Jarrell. Cape has been one of the hottest teams in the state since mid season. But arguably Sallies is just as hot or hotter with their 12 game winning streak. Cape scores about 7 runs per game, but does give up over 5 runs per game. Sallies on the other hand score about 5 runs per game for the season but during this 12 games is over 7 runs per game. The big difference between these two teams is on defense, because Sallies only gives up about 2 runs per game. Sallies run production in big games has been their downfall this season. Cape doesn't have the pitching that Sallies usually struggles against with run production, so i'm leaning toward Sallies if they can score. Because i'm thinking Cape will score this go round.
#11 Tower Hill (16-3) @ #3 Caravel (15-4)
Tower Hill is coming off a big statement win in the first round against Archmere 7-2. Tower HIll was the underdog and the team that nobody wanted to give credit to because of its easy schedule. But Tower Hill after going down 1-0 in the first inning, scored a run or 2 in each of the next three innings jumping out to a 5-1 lead against one of the better pitchers in the league, Voge (7-1), then dropped 2 more runs on Archmere in the 7th to seal the deal. Just what a legitimate playoff team does !!! Tower Hill hasn't had a win the playoffs in many years with their overall record being 9-17. But now they move on to one of the more successful teams in the state, Caravel, who has been in the 3 of the last 4 championship games and are the defending state champs. Caravel played a very good game in its first round matchup with Smyrna. Caravel started off slow with a scoreless tie going into the bottom of the 4th, but piled on 6 runs over the next two innings to pull away from Smyrna. Tower Hill pitched its #1 guy, Brendan Harris (7-1) who pitched a complete game and won't be available. Caravel pitched both of its top pitchers, Carney (3 innings), Fraley (4 innings). Tower Hill and Caravel did not play in 2015. They only had 2 common opponents Sallies and Charter. Caravel won a close game with Sallies, while TH lost big 10-2 but TH beat Charter 5-3, while Caravel lost to Charter 4-3. Tower Hill last played Caravel in the playoffs back in 2007, it was the year that Tower Hill last made it to the second round of the playoffs. Caravel greeted Tower to the 2nd round in 2007 by beating them 9-0. Tower HIll has been averaging 7 runs per game this season, including the 7 they scored on Archmere on Saturday. Tower HIll has given up less than 3 runs per game this year. Hill will be without Harris, so i assume they will go with their #2 Fagan, who is 5-2 on the season. Caravel only averages 5 runs per game, but does that against some pretty stiff competition. Caravel only allows 3 runs per game. I'm not sure what Caravel will do for pitching as they pitched both Carney/Fraley. But both should be available, but will they start someone else hoping this will be a managable game and they might want those two rested for a potential Semi Final matchup. Silan started 3 games during the regular season. If Caravel goes to its #3 pitcher, i think Tower HIll might have a chance to do something. But unfortunately, i just don't see Tower HIll beating Caravel, especially without its own #1 guy. Sorry Caravel, but who doesn't love a good underdog story...go Hillers.
#8 Appo (14-5) @ #1 St Marks (16-3)
Appo coming off a very close game against St Georges in the first round winning a back and forth game 5-4. St Marks was also in a close game despite the 7-3 final. St Marks was losing 3-2 going into the bottom of the sixth were they scored 5 to break the game open. Now in this second round game, to show the difference in experience, St Marks will be playing in its 102nd playoff game since 1970 (81-20 record), Appo in its 8th playoff game ever. These two teams met in 2013 in the second round with St Marks winning 12-1. More recently though a few weeks back Appo & St Marks played one of the best games of the season, an 11 inning 6 to 5 game. In that game it was Steckline/Banning vs Sullivan/Reich/Perry. So though Appo will be without its ace most likely, Garrett, hopefully we will see another classic game. Both Appo and St Marks are averaging around 7 runs per game and giving up around 2 runs per game. I think St Marks will have the experience advantage as well as the pitching advantage. But both teams can hit the ball, so i'm thinking this could be a back and forth game, scoring type game.
#4 Hodgson (15-4) @ #5 Dover (15-4)
Hodgson is coming off a blow out of Mt Pleasant in the first round, scoring fast (9 runs by the 4th), winning 10-0. But more concerning is that Walter threw a complete game and won't be available for this game. IF Hodgson can get through Dover, they will be setup nicely in the semis with Walter going...but they got to get there first. Dover played a much close game in the 1st round, beating DMA 4-3. Dover was down 2-0, before a 4 run fourth inning rally (including a 2 run HR by Kendall Small) put them ahead and they held on. Now in this second round game, Hodgson plays in only its 17th playoff appearance (seems like it should be more) with an overall record of 5-11. Dover on the other hand has played in 41 previous game, going just below .500. Hodgson is looking to go to its first ever Semi-final game while Dover is looking for its 10th Semi Final appearance, most recently losing a close one in 2014 to Caravel. Hodgson played Dover in the first round of the playoffs in 2013 and lost 8-2. Hodgson and Dover did not play in the regular season in 2015. Of their common opponents this year, they both beat Appo in a close game, both lost to St Marks, both beat DMA and Charter pretty good. The only difference in common opponents this year was that Hodgson lost to CR 7-2, while Dover beat CR 6-0. Hodgson and Dover are both scoring about 6 runs per game and giving up just under 3 runs per game. But it must be mentioned that Hodgson gives up a lot more runs when Walter isn't pitching. Hodgson gave up 51 runs in the regular season this year, 43 were when Walter wasn't on the mound. Andrus has been the #2 guy this year, going 4-1 on the season. But i saw that Sayers pitched last week, so i don't know if he is available??? Dover pitched their 6-0 ace Rowley last game, but still have their other 2 starters available, Small (4-1) and Johnson (2-3). I have to give Dover the advantage due to pitching. This second round is tough on teams. You have to have the depth to survive with your #2 guy.
#10 Cape (12-7) @ #2 Sallies (16-3).
Cape is coming off a huge win last week going on the road beating Tech 8-4 in a game that was really a blowout from the start. Cape jumped on them scoring 5 in the first, then another 3 in the third. Sallies did the opposite in the first round, starting slow, but hanging in there and showing strength later in the game. Sallies went down 2-0 in the first, but settled down and chipped away at the lead over the next couple of innings tying it up at 2 and then scoring 3 runs in the 5th to secure the lead. Sallies is looking to get to their 22nd semi final appearance since 1970, second only to St Mark's 23 semi final appearances. Cape is looking to make only its 2nd semi final appearance in that same time period. Cape last played Sallies in the playoffs in 2004, with Sallies winning 17-1. This year, Cape and Sallies played about mid-season and Sallies won that 3-1 with Robino on the mound going against McCoy. It was a very good game, where Sallies scored 2 in the first but then both teams only scored 1 run each the remainder of the game. Cape also outhit Sallies 6-3, but just didn't get more runs across. This was also before Cape really started to pick up steam and go on their 6 game winning streak. But fairly, Sallies has won 12 straight games. Since mid-april, St Marks is the only team to beat either of these teams. Both teams pitched their #1 guy in the first round, McCoy for Cape and Hinton for Sallies. So i would assume it will be Robino (5-0) for Sallies, who already beat Cape once and it will be either Vitella, Elliott or Jarrell. Cape has been one of the hottest teams in the state since mid season. But arguably Sallies is just as hot or hotter with their 12 game winning streak. Cape scores about 7 runs per game, but does give up over 5 runs per game. Sallies on the other hand score about 5 runs per game for the season but during this 12 games is over 7 runs per game. The big difference between these two teams is on defense, because Sallies only gives up about 2 runs per game. Sallies run production in big games has been their downfall this season. Cape doesn't have the pitching that Sallies usually struggles against with run production, so i'm leaning toward Sallies if they can score. Because i'm thinking Cape will score this go round.
#11 Tower Hill (16-3) @ #3 Caravel (15-4)
Tower Hill is coming off a big statement win in the first round against Archmere 7-2. Tower HIll was the underdog and the team that nobody wanted to give credit to because of its easy schedule. But Tower Hill after going down 1-0 in the first inning, scored a run or 2 in each of the next three innings jumping out to a 5-1 lead against one of the better pitchers in the league, Voge (7-1), then dropped 2 more runs on Archmere in the 7th to seal the deal. Just what a legitimate playoff team does !!! Tower Hill hasn't had a win the playoffs in many years with their overall record being 9-17. But now they move on to one of the more successful teams in the state, Caravel, who has been in the 3 of the last 4 championship games and are the defending state champs. Caravel played a very good game in its first round matchup with Smyrna. Caravel started off slow with a scoreless tie going into the bottom of the 4th, but piled on 6 runs over the next two innings to pull away from Smyrna. Tower Hill pitched its #1 guy, Brendan Harris (7-1) who pitched a complete game and won't be available. Caravel pitched both of its top pitchers, Carney (3 innings), Fraley (4 innings). Tower Hill and Caravel did not play in 2015. They only had 2 common opponents Sallies and Charter. Caravel won a close game with Sallies, while TH lost big 10-2 but TH beat Charter 5-3, while Caravel lost to Charter 4-3. Tower Hill last played Caravel in the playoffs back in 2007, it was the year that Tower Hill last made it to the second round of the playoffs. Caravel greeted Tower to the 2nd round in 2007 by beating them 9-0. Tower HIll has been averaging 7 runs per game this season, including the 7 they scored on Archmere on Saturday. Tower HIll has given up less than 3 runs per game this year. Hill will be without Harris, so i assume they will go with their #2 Fagan, who is 5-2 on the season. Caravel only averages 5 runs per game, but does that against some pretty stiff competition. Caravel only allows 3 runs per game. I'm not sure what Caravel will do for pitching as they pitched both Carney/Fraley. But both should be available, but will they start someone else hoping this will be a managable game and they might want those two rested for a potential Semi Final matchup. Silan started 3 games during the regular season. If Caravel goes to its #3 pitcher, i think Tower HIll might have a chance to do something. But unfortunately, i just don't see Tower HIll beating Caravel, especially without its own #1 guy. Sorry Caravel, but who doesn't love a good underdog story...go Hillers.
