South Charlotte Panthers

I followed Providence High School south to Union County to take on the Weddington Warriors in both team's initial conference game. Providence entered the game looking for their first win while Weddington came in undefeated; scoring over 10 runs per game.

 Weddington started their senior ace Tyler Pilkington (UNCC) while Coach Hignight countered with junior right hander Richie Shaffer (Clemson). The game set up as a classic pitcher's duel and neither starter failed in that expectation. Providence was able to get a runner to third with less than two outs in a couple of early innings but were stymied both times by the experienced lefty. With no score in the top of the 6th inning, Panther SS C.A. Clayton; already with two hits for the game; led off with a double down the LF line. Shaffer followed that hit with a line shot single to RCF advancing the runner to third. Then with one out, Panther 1B Corey Smith executed a bunt single to drive in the run. Pilkington again worked out of the jam yet this time down 1-0.

In the top of the 7th inning, Panther CF Tyler Zupcic hit his second double of the game off of the LF fence and came around to score to give them a 2-0 lead. Weddington's Brent Watkins set up some bottom of the 7th dramatics with a HR to LF but the next two Warriors struck out and the Panthers won 2-1.

The story this night was the dominant pitching of Shaffer. Richie held the hard hitting Warriors to 2 hits, while striking out 16 and walking 1. He showcased a dominating fast ball from start to finish complemented by outstanding command of his off speed pitches. Junior 2B Drew Casella supplied solid defense to eliminate any threat on balls put in play.

Providence ended the week by knocking off a second undefeated conference rival when they shut out South Meck 4-0. Panther sophomore Kurt Semeniuk (1-0) picked up his first varsity win by shutting down the Sabres for 5 innings. Kurt scattered 4 hits while striking out 3 in the victory. SCP players all contributed hits with 3B Richie Shaffer 2 for 3; CF Tyler Zupcic 1 for 2 with 2 RBI's and SS C.A. Clayton going 1 for 4. 2008 SCP Eric Semeniuk (Marshall) contributed to his brother's victory getting 2 doubles and driving in a run while Kurt helped himself going 1 for 3. Freshman 1B Brett Austin in his first varsity start went 1 for 3 with a towering double to RF. Richie Shaffer closed the game on the mound for the save, striking out 3 in an inning and a third. The Panthers enter week two of conference play 2-1 and are in the thick of what looks to be a dramatic SW4A Conference season.

 SCP Players for the 2008 season are noted in RED