Providence-South Meck I

No longer the bitter cat fight it once was, especially since Butler and AK moved onto the same block, nevertheless the two rivals are set to tangle Friday.

Who would have predicted that it would be South that enters the game undefeated and Providence a whisker away from a zero in the left column?

The Sabres have come out of the blocks smoking, averaging over 10 runs a contest as they have dominated while sprinting out to a 5-0 start. Following a 10-16 season, there was hope for improvement this year; but they only had two seniors returning to the squad, neither who had extensive playing time, so expectations were less than soaring.

Conversely, what was expected to be a heavy hitting Panther team has scored more than two runs exactly once; and in that one time, they gave up back to back home runs in the bottom of the seventh for a walk off loss. Only an outstanding 16 strikeout performance by Richie Shaffer has help keep the Panthers, 22-6 last year, out of the league basement as they hung on to stop a highly ranked Weddington team that was undefeated at the time.

Rain outs last Friday have loaded the conference docket this week and the schedule maker did the Panthers no favors. They were dealt a loaded Weddington squad and the defending champions Butler off the top forcing them to use their top two pitchers. South, had an easier schedule, opening with the two teams that finish below them in the standings last year allowing them to set up their rotation for the showdown.

Everything looks like it is leaning towards the Sabres. They are swinging the hot sticks, their pitching is lined up, and they have round one that their place. Their biggest problem will be it is a wounded Panther that is going to be calling. That, and it has taken all of two games of the league season to demonstrate that you need to expect the unexpected in the SW4A. Just ask Providence.