Big week for 6A MWL teams and Marist

  I'm hearing talk of North running the table and Andrew Moore tossing more no hitters.  Wow.  How quickly we forget.  It's tough to throw a no hitter.  I've been fortunate enough to see both of Moore's gems.  A great infield play saved his first no hitter, and he didn't have to face Gus Craig against South.  A blooper to the outfield, a grounder two more feet to the right of the glove - that's all it takes to ruin a no-no.
  It's early in the season to think a team or pitcher is going to run the table.  Team wise, North has only played three games in league - 13 to go.  They haven't exactly been killing the ball, although they've shown more power this year than at the same time last year. There are enough good pitchers in this league to keep North within reach throughout a game, and when a team is close, anything can happen.
  It's a huge week for Marist (3-0) and a couple of the 6A teams.  Marist plays 6A Thurston and South Eugene, with Springfield in the middle.  Marist can line up their pitchers however they want, but they could end up seeing their opponents aces in all three games.  Spartan power bats have to come out this week.   
  South Eugene (2-2) gets Sheldon and Marist with a bye in between.  Axemen Joe Schindler could be used for both games.  Schindler gives South a great shot in both games.  We think of Schindler as a pitcher, but he already has 3 doubles and 4 rbis for South. South needs Gus Craig back in their line up.
  Sheldon (4-0) gets South, North and Willamette.  Sheldon threw Neilsen for three innings last Friday, so they may not come back with him against South.  That would be lucky for South.  Will Sheldon see Andrew Moore? North's Moore will probably go Monday and Friday, so Sheldon would see lefties Woods or Clatyon or both.  (Note that Sheldon has a lot of left handed batters.)  At the plate, Irishmen Daniel Herr shares the league lead in rbis with 5 and Ryan Land shares the lead in trips with 2.
  Thurston (1-2) has two of the three undefeated teams behind them.  They start the week with undefeated Marist.  The Colts have a good shot at putting a blemish on the Spartans schedule.  Thurston then finishes the week with Willamette and Churchill.  A Colt sweep this week would put them at 4-2 and back in the pennant race.  Thurston needs to get their bats going, and should, having played a tough schedule so far.  Joey Urness has a couple of triples and Stephan Drake has a homer.  But that's about it for Colt power.
  North (3-0) has Willamette Monday.  Moore is in cycle to throw this one.  If North wins and Sheldon beats south Eugene, neither game a lock, North and Sheldon would be undefeated going into their game Wednesday. 
  Willamette (2-2) has the toughest schedule this week.  North Eugene - with Moore likely on the mound, then 6A's Thurston - with Kyle Watson likely on the mound, and Sheldon.  Trent Waggoner could get the Monday/Friday starts.  Waggoner has 16 k's versus 4 walks in league this year.  That's a ratio that should keep Willamette in both games.  The Wolverine bats have been pretty solid so far.  Drath and Concannon have dingers and the team has 14 doubles in four games.
  The Millers have played South, North, Willamette and Sheldon.  This week it's Marshfield and Marist.  Bates is on cyle to pitch against Marist.  Springfield has been playing good D, but their bats haven't come alive.
  Churchill (0-4) and Marshfield (0-3) face each other Wednesday.  Churchill has a bye Monday, while  Marshfield plays Springfield in Coos Bay.  There's a possibility that the Lancers and Pirates are both 0-4 when they play each other.

Pitchers ahead of batters
  I'm not a big believer in the theory that pitchers are always ahead of hitters early in the season, however....
they are this year.  I thought there might be two or three really outstanding pitchers this year and many solid ones.  At this point, it looks like Moore will be over the top good.  Springfield's Kameron Bates may come on and regain intimidator status as he regains his strength from fall surgery.  He is hitting his spots with 11 k's to 2 walks, but isn't up to full speed on his fastball yet. Hopefully he'll be stronger at playoff time.  There are two or three others who may end up being dominant, time will tell. Sheldon's Cason Cunningham was tough Friday against Springfield.  If Cunningham gets his K to Walk ratio up to 3 or 4 to one, he'll be dominant.
  Lots of non seniors are looking good. I haven't seen all teams, and if I've seen a team, I usually have seen only one of the team's starters.    But here are some non seniors that are looking good.  Frosh Aaron Clift of Thurston - and he was sent into Swede against Moore - that's Roman Colosseum stuff.  Sophs Kyle Watson of Thurtson,  Britt Neilsen of Sheldon and Joe Schindler of South.  Juniors Trent Waggoner and Toby Woods of North.  I'm sure there are more blossoming non seniors, but I haven't seen them play yet.