From staff reports
Asheville’s Juan Nicasio was nearly flawless on Thursday at McCormick Field and shut out the division-leading Kannapolis Intimidators 5-0.
Nicasio, a 22-year-old right-hander, held Kannapolis to four hits.
First-round pick Jared Mitchell had two of those hits and has reached base in 22 straight games. Brandon Short also had two hits.
– Wood bat leagues
Wade Moore (West Rowan, Catawba) is now involved in the final series of the Petitt Cup to decide the champion of the Coastal Plain League.
Moore plays for the Forest City Owls, the nation’s No. 1-ranked collegiate summer baseball team. The Owls set league records with 25 home wins and a 46-9 regular-season mark. They’re playing the Peninsula Pilots for the title.
Moore has been a fine leadoff man and center fielder for the Owls with a .303 batting average, 46 hits, 32 walks, 30 steals and 41 runs scored.
Raleigh’s WRAL.com had a “Carolina Traveler” report on the Owls on Thursday.
– Minor leagues
Clinton’s Kyle Seager (NW Cabarrus, UNC) had two hits on Thursday to raise his batting average to .284.
n Spencer Steedley (East Rowan, Charlotte) faced only one batter Thursday but got a key strikeout in the ninth to help New Britain win.
* Jerry Sands had a double for Great Lakes on Thursday.
– Southeast Middle
Fall sport dates for Southeast:
* Football: starts Monday, Aug. 17, 5:30-7:30p.m.
* Softball: Tryouts start Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2:30-5 p.m.
* Girls tennis: Tryouts start Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
* Cheerleading: Tryouts start Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2:30-5 p.m. All participants must have a current physical and proof of insurance prior to practicing or trying out.
– North Middle
The first official day of football practice for North Rowan Middle seventh-graders and eighth-graders is Monday, Aug. 17, at 3:30 p.m.
All players must bring a copy of a current physical in order to participate. Shorts, T-shirt, tennis shoes and cleats are required. Contact coach Kent Ryan for information at 704-245-2658.
– Racing celebration
Richard Childress Racing will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Oct. 22 with RCR Fan Day at its headquarters in Welcome. Proceeds from RCR Fan Day will benefit the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma.
The celebration runs from 9-5 and will include self-guided tours of RCR’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series shop, autograph sessions with Childress and the RCR drivers, a pit crew competition, sponsor displays and much more. General admission for RCR Fan Day is $5 and there are three other package options, with additional access, at $15 and $25.
– Catawba Fall 5K
The Department of Athletics at Catawba has announced a new 5K road race on the running calendar for local and regional runners on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The race begins at 9 a.m. Pre-registration fee is $20 (on or before Sept. 23) and race day registration is $25. For specific details contact Craig Turnbull at 704-637-4475 or cturnbul@catawba.edu.
– Junior Mac event
The last of this summer’s Junior Mac Golf tournaments at McCanless was held on Thursday. The tournaments introduce youngsters to competitive golf in an informal setting.
* Landon Shuping won the 7-under division, shooting 28 for six holes. Gavin Sprinkle (31), Ben Childress (39) and Marshall Overcash (44) followed.
* Bryson Sprinkle shot 44 for nine holes to win the 8-9 division. Michael Childress (52) and Cole Perry (63) were next.
* Justin Allen’s 44 for nine holes won the 10-13 division. Nick Lyerly (46) and Levi Strickland (54) followed.
* In the 14-17 girls division, Emily Cleveland shot 47 for nine, while Tabitha Warren shot 55.