Butler-Providence One

With the first trip through the conference loop nearly completed, the Bulldogs and Panthers have shown to be the clear class of the SW4A thus far as they prep for their initial clash on Tuesday.

Providence is still undefeated after their 11-10 extra inning victory over AK on Friday, while the Bulldogs lone blemish was a 4-3 L at Anson County the second week of the season.

Both teams had impressive blow out league wins this past week. Providence whipped then undefeated Independence 20-0, no-hitting the Patriots; while the Bulldogs chomped on South Meck 14-0 in a one hitter.

Providence is the two time defender and plays with the confidence of a champion. Their line-up is loaded with dynamite which goes off frequently and violently.

Butler has been blessed with a group of talented players that have been thrown into the SW4A fires, for many, since they were freshmen and sophomores. This group was good enough to compete when they were younger with anyone in the league, but had their coaches and fans frustrated when more often then not, a mental rather than a physical error would cost them games. That firing has now hardened them to steel and they no longer give games away, rather they go out and dominate.

Both teams have excellent coaching staffs that will be ready to throw in a wrinkle that might just make the difference.

Tuesday’s game winner will have bragging rights for a month, which will be fun, but they will see each other down the line in May when it really counts.

The Match-Ups

Infield:
1B – Butler: Hunter Glass – SR; Providence: Will Clayton – SR
Both are excellent players, but that can be said about both teams entire line-up. Clayton has a more speed, picks it like the converted middle infielder that he is and has big game experience; but Glass will hurt you deep when the pitcher misses and is solid in the field as well.

2B – Butler: Derek Blanton – SR; Providence: Evan Wilkinson – SR
Once again it is the Providence player that has played in the big games and often is involved somehow in the key game winning rally. Wilkinson is not flashy, but makes very few mistakes. Blanton has a quick bat and good range.

SS – Butler: Drew Gehringer – SR; Providence: CA Clayton – SO
Here is where the experience factor swings. Gehringer has been a started for Butler since his freshmen days and is one of the top players in the league. Clayton is where many of the Butler players were two seasons ago: talented, yet untested to the SW4A wars.

3B – Butler: Shawn Wixted – SR; Providence: Richie Shafer – SO
It is difficult to think of Shafer as a sophomore, but he is just that. However he has already demonstrated that he is a prime time player, especially at the plate. While Wixted does not have Shafer’s power, he picks it at third better than anyone in the league and consistently comes up with key hits.

Advantage? Maybe just a lean towards the Butler experience in the field and the Panthers at the plate, especially as hot as Shafer has been this year.

Outfield
Butler: Patrick Deckbar – LF; Micky Brewer, SR – CF; Tyler Tewell, SO – RF
Providence: Will Helms, JR – LF; David Mailman, SR - CF; Eric Semeiuk, JR – RF
Both teams are similar in the fact that they had to replace their entire outfield from last year and both did so by finding talented young athletic players. Providence moved POY candidate Mailman from first to help anchor the Panther defense when he is not on the mound. Brewer is a standout wide receiver for the Bulldog football team and fills the senior leadership role for the Butler OF.

Advantage? With the offensive fire power of Mailman, Semeiuk, and Helms a lean towards the Panthers, but Tewell and Deckbar have shown capable sticks.

Catching:
Butler - Matt Crump, SR
Providence - Kevin Shackelford, SR

Advantage? Crump has been the big bat for the Bulldog line-up all season with key home runs to break open close games. An arm injury has limited his time being the plate, up is now nearing full speed. Shackelford is excellent in handling the Panther hurlers which allows them to throw their breaking balls in any count or situation with confidence. A slight lean towards the Bulldogs if Crump is 100%.


Starting Pitching:
Butler: Andrew Smith, SR; Matt Robinson, SR; Brandon Otis, SR
Providence: David Mailman, SR; Spencer Handel, SR; DJ McMurchie, SR

Advantage? Mailman has been the big game pitcher, but Smith is healthy, unbeaten, and throwing extremely well. Robinson and Otis have been solid all season for the Bulldogs. With Handel just coming back from an arm injury and the other Panther starters just learning how to get SW4A hitters out, the pendulum has swung towards the Bulldogs, especially in Tuesday contest that has the pitching rotation with Smith on the hill while Mailman will most likely be in center field. A completely healthy Handel will also be a factor.

Relief Pitching:
Butler: Jace Bollinger, Tony Hearrell
Providence: Kyle Kaiser, Mac Hunter, Richie Shafer

Advantage? Bollinger and Hearrell have been effective when called upon for the Bulldogs. Did AK expose a possible chink in the armor of the Panthers when they rallied for seven in the seventh despite having a lead off double go to waste when he was picked off? While the Bulldog pen has been effective, it was not facing Panther hitters. A lean towards Butler until they show otherwise.

Intangibles: The Panthers are the champs until someone knocks them out. While the Bulldogs are more than capable of doing that, it has not happened yet. Tuesday’s game is at Butler where the dimensions are a little large than at Providence. While the Bulldogs have a number of big bats (Gehringer, Smith, Crump, Glass) the Panthers have more. The bigger park might just retain a few of those shots that would be gone at Providence.

 

The Match-Ups
catchers:
Crump-Butler..
Shackleford-Provodence

Even...both strong but Crump has 3 3r HR's this year...

Infield:
1B – Butler: Hunter Glass – SR; Providence: Will Clayton – SR
Both are excellent players, but that can be said about both teams entire line-up. Clayton has a more speed, picks it like the converted middle infielder that he is and has big game experience but Glass will hurt you deep when the pitcher misses and is solid in the field as well.

even..

2B – Butler: Derek Blanton – SR; Providence: Evan Wilkinson – SR
Once again it is the Providence player that has played in the big games and often is involved somehow in the key game winning rally. Wilkinson is not flashy, but makes very few mistakes. Blanton has a quick bat and good range.

Butler....Blanton...suprising power for size....good range

SS – Butler: Drew Gehringer – SR; Providence: CA Clayton – SO
Here is where the experience factor swings. Gehringer has been a started for Butler since his freshmen days and is one of the top players in the league. Clayton is where many of the Butler players were two seasons ago: talented, yet untested to the SW4A wars.

Butler...Gehringer...more experience...speed....pop in his bat

3B – Butler: Shawn Wixted – SR; Providence: Richie Shafer – SO
It is difficult to think of Shafer as a sophomore, but he is just that. However he has already demonstrated that he is a prime time player, especially at the plate. While Wixted does not have Shafer’s power, he picks it at third better than anyone in the league and consistently comes up key hits.

Even...Wixted defense...Shafer...hitting....

Advantage? Maybe just a lean towards the Butler experience in the field and the Panthers at the plate, especially as hot as Shafer has been this year.

Outfield
Butler: Patrick Deckbar – LF; Micky Brewer, SR – CF; Tyler Tewell, SO – RF
Providence: Will Helms, JR – LF; David Mailman, SR - CF; Eric Semeiuk, JR – RF
Providence

Starting Pitching:
Butler: Andrew Smith, SR; Matt Robinson, SR; Brandon Otis, SR
Providence: David Mailman, SR; Spencer Handel, SR; DJ McMurchie, SR

even

Relief Pitching:
Butler: Jace Bollinger, Tony Hearrell
Providence: Kyle Kaiser, Mac Hunter, Richie Shafer

Butler

With that being said...
Providence is still the team to beat...A strong hitting team that if it gets the pitching, will play with anyone...Advantage off paper...Providence

 

This was great; I enjoyed reading it. I believe Hignight discovered a pitcher that he wasn't sure how good he is.....Shaffer. Don't be surprised to see him throw more.

This was the best pre-game thread I have ever seen. Great job guys!!!!!