The next few weeks

Just a heads-up on what I'll be doing the next few weeks.

I am undertaking a project that will take a solid two or two-and-a-half weeks to complete. I'm doing a story highlighting several female athletes in the county who have torn their Anterior Cruciate Ligaments recently, and examining why female athletes are much more at risk than their male counterparts.

My stories in the newspaper and my blog posts will be down a bit, but we think it's worth it to spend most of my time on this project.

Stats from M/LN baseball

For some reason, I really like quirky, obscure stats. So here's some that stand out from Friday's game between Mooresville and Lake Norman, a contest the Blue Devils won 3-2.

Lake Norman belted eight hits and scored two runs, a 4:1 hit-to-run ration. Mooresville scored three runs on three hits, an almost unheard of 1:1 ratio. Those three hits were: an Aubrey Meadows single, a Johnny McElhany infield single and a Jon Crucitti two-run homer. And of those three hits, only Crucitti scored.

Check out Mooresville pitcher Aubrey Meadows' fourth inning. Garrett Braun smacked a double on the first pitch of the inning. Jordan Farell grounded out on a 1-0 count. Jacob Finkbiner grounded out on the first pitch. Joe Faist hit a single on the first pitch. Ross Whitley hit a single on the second pitch. Faist was picked off at third base by catcher Aaron Meadows after two pitches to Nick Lomascolo.

To recap: one inning, six batters faced, three hits, one run on only NINE pitches.

The Wildcats put a ton of first-pitch balls into play, which turned out to be a good thing. Five of their eight hits came on the first pitch of the at-bat. As a team, Lake Norman was 5-for-7 on the first pitch with four singles and a double.

LN/M soccer thoughts

Some general thoughts on Lake Norman's 1-0 win over Mooresville on Monday:

Both the Wildcats (No, 4) and Blue Devils (No. 9) were ranked in the top-10 in the state among 3A teams in the state coaches poll. Both deserve that accolade. There was some serious skill on the pitch. I know it's just a handful of games into the season, but I could see both teams making it to at least the third round of the playoffs.

Top to bottom, the Wildcats are still incredibly talented, but they're missing some of the departed seniors right now. The midfield played well, but didn't attack as much without Kelly King, who's at Alabama. The defense was stout for the most part, but the Blue Devils got off a few shots that Rachel Steeb wouldn't have allowed. They'll get there, though.

One thing I like about Mooresville is its mix. This group plays well together, and they have members of every class - including two freshmen - starting. Courtney Smith (freshman) is fast and skilled. She nearly gave the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead, but just missed the goal on a pretty cross from Emmie Tyson. Hannah Mack, the other starting freshman, also has good speed and is a tough player. She took some big shots against the Wildcats in what was a physical game.

Line changes a bad idea

Here's an interesting story from Steve Reed at the Gaston Gazette.

http://www.carolinagrowl.com/Read.aspx?Story=523

It's a good read, but the Cliffs Notes version is that the Panthers may have different starters at all five offensive line positions next season.

Apparently, Carolina's brass is interested in Boise State tackle Ryan Clady. The suggestion in this story is that a rookie first-round draft pick would play right tackle, which would move Jordan Gross back to left tackle. Again.

Ryan Kalil is penciled in at center, with Travelle Wharton at left guard and Justin Hartwig/Geoff Hangartner/Keydrick Vincent at right guard.

I don't understand this thought process. Marty Hurney and John Fox were both adamant about the offensive line needing some stability to thrive. So why is - again, potentially - mixing up the entire line a good idea? That's the opposite of stability.