South Charlotte Panthers

The SC CATS earned the North Carolina State Championship ring this past weekend with an 8-1 win over perennial state powerhouse Greensboro Batting Center. The championship will earn the CATS a #1 NC seeding at the AAU Nationals in July. The CATS, 23-3 on the season, were 4-0 on the rain shortened weekend in earning their fifth championship in five outings for the season. Game Recaps: Game 1: 6-0 win over the Carolina Royals. Matt Sanders(4-1) earned his team leading third shutout win. Matt struck out 6 and scattered 5 hits in the complete game win. Leading hitter for the CATS was Justin Schumer with an RBI triple and RBI sacrifice fly. Game 2: 7-3 win over the Charlotte Cobras. Erik Sommerville(2-0) earned the win with Justin Schumer relieving in the fifth and picking up the save. Leading hitters were Kolby Epley 3-4 and Josh Salay 2-4. The defense played a solid game in less than great field conditions with SS Whit Merrifield(5 assist & a DP) and Skip Hutchins(3 assist & a P.O.) leading the way. Game 3: 7-3 Semi Final win over the Pitt Co. Pirates. Josh Salay(4-0) got the win. Matt Sanders earned a save in relief. Leading hitters were Erik Sommerville 3-5(2B); Brent Lalas 2-2; Kolby Epley 2-4; Justin Schumer 2-4. Other CAT hits were supplied by Nick Verhein and Josh Salay. The outfield defense of T.J. Freeman(4 P.O.); Corey Norman, Graham Fronk and Brent Lalas recorded 9 outs in the error free game. Game 4: 8-1 Final over Greensboro Batting Center. Corey Norman(4-1) pitched an outstanding complete game win, striking out 5, scattering 4 hits and walking no GBC hitters. Graham Fronk led the CAT bats with two 2B driving in 3 RBI. Other CAT players getting hits were Justin Schumer, Kolby Epley, Corey Norman and T.J. Freeman with an RBI triple in the first inning. The defense supported Corey with a second error free game with big plays by Chris Kinard in LF, Whit Merrifield at SS and Skip Hutchins at 3B. The CATS ended the first half of this summer season by reaching many of the initial goals we set. In the next five weeks the team will focus on improving their skills and teamwork; establishing second half goals and enjoying some great baseball trips to Atlanta, Charleston, Virginia Beach and back to Atlanta.