Hogo Baseball = Huge Mess

This.. is a huge mess.
And so is the Hogoheegee. One thing is for certain - baseballs are round. One would have a better shot at more accurately guessing how many fingers I'm currently holding up than predicting the winner in a game between any two of the Hogoheegee teams.


Holston: These guys are 7-8, 4-3 in the district and have the toughest season schedule remaining. They haven't beaten any of the district teams they have left which include George Wythe, Patrick Henry, and Chilhowie - but don't count those chickens yet. George Wythe was humbled by Chilhowie, a team that Holston had a chance to beat late; Patrick Henry had a horrible five game skid before dishing out a 10-2 win over the Cavs just yesterday, and Chilhowie (as previously stated, was a close game for the Cavs). Best case scenario for Holston would be to win two of their next three with one of those two being against PH. That will lock them at third.

Rural Retreat: Patrick Henry probably wasn't expecting the last place team to have a lot of fight in them - but they were wrong - by about 9 points. The next night the Indians notched a tie with Oak Hill Academy. The following night, the Indians were blown away by Holston, 12-2. See the trend here? The good, the bad, the ugly. Who knows what could come of the Indians' season? The Indians travel to Northwood on Friday in an attempt to tie up the fifth spot and avenge a 4-1 loss to the Panthers on April 22. The most RR can salvage from this season at this point is an outright fifth place if they win out and NW loses out. It could happen.

Patrick Henry: What happened? On April 22nd at 4:30 PM, Patrick Henry was 7-3 and 3-0 in the district, looking to have an excellent season. On May 2nd at 7:30 PM, the Rebels were 7-8, 3-4 in the district, looking for a way to just score runs. In a five game skid that lasted from April 22 to May 2, the Rebels were outscored 36-7. This comes directly after the previous 10 game span where they outscored their opponents 87-57. Things may be back on track now after the Rebels welcomed Holston to Glade Spring with a 10-2 beat-down on May 6, but it's tough to say whether or not the effect will carryover into the rest of the schedule. If the Rebels win out and George Wythe or Chilhowie lose out, they could possibly grab or tie second place in the district.

Northwood: While everyone else was laying the licks on PH during their skid, Northwood wouldn't be left out. Jumping in just in the nick-of-time, the Panthers stole a 3-2 win over the Rebels for their second district win of their season, giving them fifth place. Although last night's score between Northwood and Bland County was never reported (if the game was even played), the Panthers have at least two good wins under their cleats over PH and Oak Hill Academy before fending off visiting Rural Retreat for the fifth spot on May 9. Should NW win out and either Holston or Patrick Henry lose out, the Panthers could at least nab a tie for 4th place. In the midst of this jumbled mess, as I've said before, it is very possible. In fact, it is almost likely that whatever you think will happen, probably will not happen.

George Wythe: Devin Smith failed to have a repeat performance of his epic 21 strikeout game that he had against PH - against Chilhowie. In fact he allowed the Warriors 10 hits and 11 runs. But not to worry for him or the Maroons. He is going to play college baseball at Concord regardless and the Maroons have four district games remaining and have a shot at first place in the district. The Roons won their first five district games before the setback to Chilhowie and visit Auburn in Riner, VA to get back on track tonight (May 7). Still remaining in the district are Holston, Patrick Henry, Chilhowie, and Northwood - should GW win out, they are the regular season district champs- anything less will depend on Chilhowie.

Chilhowie: It has been quite a week for the Warriors. The fourth inning had it all - mass confusion, an ejection, and 8 runs - but Chilhowie finally rolled to a 11-5 win over then district leading GW. Since then the Warriors have traveled to Radford and despite a grand-slam by Cody Haga, the Bobcats hit two homers of their own to seal the 8-7 victory. Missing several seniors due to extracirricular activities other than baseball (there are other things than baseball?) the Warriors hosted Oak Hill Academy on May 6 rather than originally slated Rural Retreat and managed a 19-7 win in that affair. A rematch of the high-emotion George Wythe game is slated for May 13 in Chilhowie - if both teams play baseball, all will be well. The Warriors also have Holston and Rural Retreat left on the schedule and although the Warriors beat both teams the first time around, neither win was convincing. There is no such thing as a sure win this season. Should the Warriors win out, they are the district regular season champion. Anything less will depend on George Wythe.