Staff report
The Cliff Peeler Baseball Classic will have a new look this season, with just two Rowan teams, but the eight-team field is as strong as it’s been in a while.
North and Salisbury will represent Rowan.
Rowan Baseball Inc. spokesperson Marny Hendrick cheerfully points out that three teams in the tournament have beaten East Rowan this season, and if you beat the Mustangs you’re pretty good.
The 12-game tournament is again sponsored by Rowan Baseball Inc. and the Salisbury Civitans.
Davie (16-2) and Lake Norman (16-3), a pair of 4A powers, are the co-favorites. Davie brings a host of arms and mashers, while Lake Norman boasts stout left-handed pitching and airtight defense.
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West Iredell, tied for second in the NPC, is another quality squad. The Warriors have the unenviable task of facing Davie in the first round.
West Iredell shortstop Travis Fetter is one of the NPC’s top players.
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Games will be played at two sites tonight. The games on Saturday and Monday will all be played at Salisbury.
Davie and West Iredell meet at North at 5:30 tonight. That game will be followed by a North Rowan-Central Cabarrus matchup. Central, a 3A SPC team, brings a 9-9 record into the event.
West Stokes, 12-3 at last report, and Lake Norman will tangle at 5:30 at Salisbury’s Robertson Stadium. Salisbury will entertain McMichael (11-7) in the second game of the doubleheader. McMichael comes in with a four-game winning streak.
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East, West, South and Carson will be playing in another Easter Tournament on April 27-29. They’ll be in the F&M Bank Rowan-Cabarrus Challenge, taking on A.L. Brown, Northwest Cabarrus, Robinson and Mount Pleasant.
Some of those games could be playoff previews. There will be two NPC-SPC first-round matchups in the 3A bracket.
Carson won the Peeler tournament last season, so the event will crown a new champ.