MOUNT ULLA — Both West Rowan and East Rowan have started this baseball season with serious momentum. But there’s good news and there’s bad news. The county rivals are hurtling along in opposite directions in the 3A South Piedmont Conference race.
Everything’s going right for West, while everything’s going haywire for the Mustangs.
The Falcons added to perennial power East’s early-season woes on a bone-chilling Wednesday afternoon with a 3-0 win keyed by six shutout innings by veteran right-hander Jared Barnette.
West is 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the league. Meanwhile, the frustrated Mustangs are 0-3 and all those damaging losses are in the SPC. They may already be out of the chase for the regular-season title. Their concern now is turning things around in time to reach the state playoffs.
West is keeping company with Central Cabarrus (3-0) and Piedmont (3-0) atop the league, while East is languishing in uncharted waters at the bottom of the SPC sea. But before anyone writes East’s obituary, it should be noted that its trio of low-scoring losses are to teams with a combined record of 12-0.
However, that’s little solace to East coach Jeff Safrit who’s been beaten just one fewer time in the last eight days than he was in a two-season stretch in 1994 and ’95. “It’s the same old story every time,” fumed Safrit, who declared he had never been 0-3. “I honestly don’t know what else to do.”
Grab a bat, maybe? Safrit could hit.
East’s continuing story is its failure to produce in the clutch. It’s scored four runs in three games with a lineup laced with familiar names. East lefty Julian Sides has thrown two outstanding games, but he’s 0-2. Central nailed him 2-1, then Barnette outdeuled him.
“I feel bad for Julian,” groused Safrit. “He’s doing the job. What we’ve got to do is find some more people who care about getting it done.”
Meanwhile, the sun keeps shining on coach Chris Cauble’s Falcons, even though they scare no one with their sticks. West keeps getting outstanding pitching and solid defense, while Cauble conjures up a run or two out of thin air. The runs West scratched out against the Mustangs left Safrit scratching his head.
Sides, who fanned nine with his nasty curve, struck out the first two Falcons he saw. But Barnette slapped a single and his courtesy runner David Terry took second on a wild pitch. Then Ben Hampton fisted a curve far enough over the infield to plate Terry.
West scored again in the fifth on a pinch-double by Corey Rolla. Rolla’s shot to left drove in Ryan Schenk who had walked and stolen second.
“I told Rolla to be ready, that he’d get a chance,” said Cauble, delighted that he’d pushed the right button. “I know Corey had to be cold just sitting there, but he came through.”
In the sixth, Justin Graham singled and worked his way around on a wild pitch, a bunt by Clay Everson and Schenk’s bouncer.
Meanwhile, East burned opportunities.
It had Barnette in real trouble in the third when Adam Cornelius’ double to the fence in left-center put runners at second and third with no outs. But Barnette struck out Chad Sansbury and retired Cal Hayes Jr. on an infield pop on a pitch high and away. Then he got Drew Davis, who took a curve for a called third strike.
“I just tried to throw strikes, so the guys could play defense,” said Barnette. “They made all the plays. I can’t praise ’em enough.”
Barnette, who struck out 10, wore down in the sixth. East loaded the bases that inning, but catcher Hampton bailed out Barnette when he nailed straying Rowan Legion buddy Nick Lefko with a snap throw to third baseman Cory Ruff.
“There’s no time to think on a play like that,” said Barnette. “Ben was heads up and his ability took over.”
After surviving the sixth, Barnette (2-0) told Cauble that although he wasn’t hurting, he was exhausted. Cauble then called on John Brooks, who mowed down the Mustangs in the seventh. Brooks’ only scare was a rocket that Cornelius laced to left fielder Matt Morgan for the second out.
“We played well,” said Cauble, “although I think we should have scored more. I feel for what Jeff’s kids are going through, because my last year as jayvee coach at East, I coached a lot of those kids.”
History tells us, though, not to worry about a Safrit-coached team. It never stays down long.
“My whole career, East has had great teams,” Barnette said. “it’s sort of unbelievable that they’re 0-3 right now, but I have all the respect in the world for those guys. Anytime you beat them, it’s a real big win.”
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