newsobserver.com blogs -- easternwake

Mudcats' Tice is Carolina League Player of the Week

dclaybest — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:47:49 -0400

The Carolina League announced today that the Carolina Mudcats Jeremie Tice was named the Player of the Week for the week of April 23-29.

Tice was stellar in a four game series against the Lynchburg Hillcats at Five County Stadium. The slugger from Dacula, Ga., was 9-for-14 with three home runs, three doubles, seven RBI and six runs scored. He finished the week with a .643 batting average.

The 25-year-old leads the Mudcats with four home runs and 18 driven in. Hes raised his batting average to .328.

Carolina Mudcats National Anthem tryouts set for Saturday at Five County Stadium

dclaybest — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:33:48 -0400

The Carolina Mudcats Baseball Club will be hosting their annual National Anthem tryouts on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Five County Stadium. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the third base side of the stadium and will be first come first serve. Tryouts will end at noon. All singers, including solo and groups, wanting to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" must tryout on this date, including those who have sang in years past. All auditions must be sung a cappella. All performers will sing the National Anthem on the field as if it were a real game. Info: (919) 269-2287.

Garner vs. South Johnston volleyball match cancelled; Garner-East Wake match moved

dclaybest — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:16:57 -0400

Today's prep volleyball match between Garner and South Johnston has been cancelled. It will not be made up. Garner's scheduled Tuesday meeting with East Wake has also been moved to Oct. 5.

Mudcats' broadcaster Kinas is Southern League Broadcaster of the Year

dclaybest — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:02:16 -0400

Carolina Mudcats broadcaster Patrick Kinas has been named 2011 Radio Broadcaster of the Year for the Southern League, as selected by other league broadcasters and the Southern League's league’s general managers.
Kinas has been broadcasting for the Carolina Mudcats since 1999 and was honored with this same award in 2003. Since 2009, he has been president of Play-By-Play Sports Properties which is involved in several national broadcast and sponsorship events spanning baseball, football and other multi-media projects.
This fall, Kinas will once again be the TV play-by-play broadcaster for East Carolina Pirates football and men's basketball games on their local/regional networks, along with other sports and championships on the ACC Network. Additionally, Kinas will continue to call N.C. State women's basketball. In January, 2012, Kinas will be calling the national radio broadcast of the 87th Annual East-West Shrine Game from Tropicana Field.
Kinas, who lives in Raleigh, grew up in Pontiac, Ill. and received his M.A. from Northwestern University. Kinas is also president of the Northwestern University Alumni Club of the Triangle, and founded the Triangle Sportscaster Camp for youth broadcasters in 2009.

From a Mudcats' News Release

Reds' Chapman expected to remain with Mudcats until June 15

dclaybest — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:23:42 -0400

The Cincinnati Reds have confirmed that left-handed Aroldis Chapman will be continuing his Major League rehabilitation assignment in Zebulon as the Mudcats host the Tennessee Smokies in a five-game series that runs from Thursday through Sunday.
Chapman allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning in his first rehab outing for Carolina against Chattanooga last night. He threw 24 pitches, 12 of those for strikes.
Chapman, a 23-year-old originally from Cuba, is currently on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder inflammation, and has been out since May 16. Chapman has appeared in four games as part of his rehab assignment (three with Triple-A Louisville).
No announcement was made on when Chapman might pitch for Carolina.
Chapman is eligible to be activated from the disabled list, but is expected to be with the Mudcats until June 15. For the Reds this season, Chapman has appeared in 16 games with a 2-0 record over 13 innings, fanning 15 and walking 20 while compiling an ERA of 6.92.

Reds' fireballer Arodlis Chapman on assignment with Mudcats

dclaybest — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:33:23 -0400

The Cincinnati Reds have announced that left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman will be joining their Double-A affiliate Carolina Mudcats on a major league rehab assignment beginning tonight in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Chapman, the 23-year-old flamethrower originally from Cuba, is currently on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder inflammation, and has been out since May 16. Chapman has appeared in three games as part of his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville (0-1, 13.50), and then returned to Cincinnati for a few side sessions. Chapman is eligible to be activated from the disabled list, and has about 10 days remaining on his rehab assignment, and could be with the Mudcats until June 15.

Chapman made his major league debut on August 31, 2010, striking out his first batter, Milwaukee's Jonathan Lucroy, on a pitch clocked at 103.9 mph according to www.reds.com. During his brief major league debut season, Chapman hit 100mph or better 75 times according to Pitch/FX.

This season, Chapman has appeared in 16 games with a 2-0 record over 13 innings, fanning 15 and walking 20 while compiling an ERA of 6.92. Chapman has fanned 34 hitters over his 26-inning major league career.

From a Mudcats' Press Release

Mudcats hosting Armed Forces Day Saturday at Five County Stadium

dclaybest — Wed, 18 May 2011 20:00:00 -0400

The Carolina Mudcats and Support U.S. Armed Forces have partnered to host an Armed Forces Day celebration at Five County Stadium Saturday as the Mudcats host the Chattanooga Lookouts. Active military personnel will receive free General Admission tickets to the game with military identification.

Retired four-star General Dan McNeill will be on hand to represent military personnel by throwing out the first pitch. General McNeill, a Warsaw native, served for over 40 years in the Army, retiring as the Commanding General of the International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan in 2008. He also served as Commander of the Coalition Forces in Afghanistan (2002-2003), as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Forces Command (2004-2007).

“We are excited to be able to host military personnel and their families,” said Carolina Mudcats General Manager Joe Kremer. “We are happy we can play a small part in recognizing their tremendous service and sacrifice."

In-game promotions will involve active and former military personnel, as the National Guard Vocal Group will sing the National Anthem and the Southern Nash High School Air Force JROTC will present colors. Personnel from Fort Bragg, Seymour Johnson, Cherry Point, Camp Lejuene, New River Air Station, the Coast Guard and the National Guard are slated to attend.

“There is nothing quite as “American” as a warm summer night, the thrill of Minor League Baseball, all while supporting the men and women who protect our freedom – it’s just an unbeatable combination and we look forward to a fantastic turnout,” said Support U.S. Armed Forces President Neal Clark.

First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. with stadium gates opening at 5:15 p.m. Saturday’s game is part of a 10-game home stand for the Mudcats (May 20-29) and also features an appearance by the Sweetright Brothers. Tickets are available by calling the Mudcats ticket office at 919-269-2287 or online at carolinamudcats.com.

West Johnston, Knightdale to meet for final GNRC baseball playoff spot tonight

dclaybest — Tue, 10 May 2011 09:40:03 -0400

Regular-season play in the Greater Neuse River 4-A Conference baseball ranks concluded on Monday but there's still one post-season spot left to be decided. West Johnston and Knightdale tied for fifth in the league, both with 6-8 records. Those two teams will meet today (Tuesday) at Clayton High School at 6 to see who moves into Friday's NCHSAA 4-A playoffs against Southern Pines Pinecrest.

Clayton, Harnett Central, East Wake and Garner claimed the league's other playoff spots. The final league standings...

Clayton 12-2

Harnett Central 11-3

East Wake 9-5

Garner 8-6

Knightdale 6-8

West Johnston 6-8

Smithfield-Selma 4-10

Southeast Raleigh 0-14

Mudcats accepting donations for tornado victims at Saturday's game

dclaybest — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:27:10 -0400

The Carolina Mudcats will partner with WTVD, The Salvation Army and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern Carolina to hold a product drive at Five County Stadium this Saturday for items to provide relief to victims of the storms that struck North Carolina last Saturday. The Mudcats encourage fans to bring canned food, new or gently used clothing and other essential living items to the game on Saturday. Donations will be accepted at each gate starting at 5:15 p.m. ahead of Carolina’s game against the Chattanooga Lookouts that begins at 6:15. Fans who bring a donation will receive one complimentary admission ticket to the game.
“The Carolina Mudcats are honored to have the opportunity to partner with WTVD and these fine community organizations,” said Mudcats’ General Manager Joe Kremer. “Many of those that have suffered tremendous loss from the storms have been coming to Mudcats games for many years and we very much want to reach out and help in any way possible. We hope this can help put lives back together.”
Throughout Saturday’s game, public address and video announcements will be made to inform fans of how they can help donate to the Triangle Community Fund, which is also helping local victims.

Reds' pitcher to start rehab assignment with Mudcats

dclaybest — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:09:18 -0400

The Cincinnati Reds have sent right-handed pitcher Jose Arredondo to the Carolina Mudcats to begin a major league rehab assignment.
Arredondo had a scintillating rookie season in the majors with the Los Angeles Angels in 2008, going 10-2 with a 1.62 in 52 appearances. He began experiencing elbow injuries in 2009 with the Angels and Triple-A Salt Lake, before missing all of the 2010 season following Tommy John surgery.
Arredondo, 27, is currently on the Reds' 15-day disabled list.

Mudcats downloadable schedule and roster

dclaybest — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:40:56 -0400

The Carolina Mudcats open the 2011 Southern League Double-A baseball season this weekend at home against the Mobile BayBears. Check out the downloadable schedule and team roster attached below...

Carolina Mudcats to open 2011 Southern League baseball season Thursday at Five County Stadium

dclaybest — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:20:00 -0400

The Carolina Mudcats will opening of their 21st season against the Mobile BayBears at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, at Five County Stadium. The series against the BayBears, a Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, continues through Monday, April 11.
The Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds will play at 7:15 on Friday night, with fireworks following the game, at 6:15 on Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday and 11 a.m. on Monday.
Education Day is scheduled for students of all ages on April 11. The Carolina Mudcats invites interested schools, classes or daycares to enjoy a day of Minor League Baseball. For more information, call Chris Signorelli at (919) 269-2287 or e-mail csignarelli@carolinamudcats.com.
“We are excited to welcome our longtime fans and meet new ones as we take the field at Five County Stadium once again,” said Mudcats president Steve Bryant. “We hope everyone will come out and show their support on Opening Day and the following four days. The Mudcats expect this year to be a great one for our team, and our team mascot, Muddy, is ready to cheer us on to victory.”

Carolina Mudcats announce opening day roster (attached)

dclaybest — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:10:28 -0400

An astounding 20 of 24 players on the Opening Day roster marks a familiar tone as the Carolina Mudcats announced their staring 24-man club on Monday night.
Only prospect infielder Netfali Soto, pitcher Mark Serrano, catcher Kevin Coddington and outfielder David Cook did not don a Mudcats uniform in 2010. Soto, Serrano and Coddington spent most of the season in A-ball, while Cook was outside the Cincinnati organization in Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Round Rock.
Eleven of the 12 active pitchers played for the Mudcats last summer, including RHP Daryl Thompson, who is the Mudcats' lone representative on the Reds' 40-man roster.
Slugger Mike Costanzo, blue-collar infielder Jake Kahaulelio and the budding Cuban outfield prospect Felix Perez highlight a veteran lineup for third-year manager David Bell.
The Mudcats will meet the media Tuesday afternoon from 2:30-4:00 PM at Five County Stadium.
The Mudcats open the 2011 regular season on Thursday night at 7:15 PM ET against the Mobile Baybears at Five County.

The complete Mudcats' roster is attached in an Excel document.

Knightdale Honors its own

dsherman — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:13:25 -0400

The town of Knightdale honored its own at a Town Council meeting recently.

“I’m so proud of this community,” said Knightdale Mayor Russell Killen.

It was Killen’s job to hand out the awards that started with the family of Wayne Shultz, a community supporter who died recently. Killen said his work with the Planter’s Walk Homeowners Association, the Knightdale Public Safety Center, the Eastern Wake Fire Department and the Knightdale Historical Society was noteworthy.

Schultz created the web site for the Historical Society and entered many submissions. Killen talked about his level head and his desire to help his neighbors.

“He wasn’t a ranter or raver,” said Killen. “When he came to you to discuss a problem, he had his facts and his figures to back it up.”

Killen also recognized Chris Chapman and Rachelle Friedman who he said brought positive national attention to the town of Knightdale with their moving story.

The young couple’s wedding was delayed after Friedman suffered a head injury at a party to celebrate their engagement last year. A playful push in the pool left Friedman paralyzed from the waist down.

Enter the NBC Today Show, homemaker show George to the Rescue, the town of Knightdale, the Planter’s Walk Home Owner’s Association, Wake County Building Inspection office, the Knightdale Public Safety Department and the Remodelers Council of the Wake County Homebuilders Association.

The television morning show featured the home makeover of the couple’s home to a handicapped accessible house. It included a remodeled master suite, a deck with a handicapped accessible ramp, a new kitchen and an elevator.

Killen gave the Remodelers Council an award for going to their vendors who donated materials and for doing the actual work of the remodeling along with the crew of George to the Rescue. Everybody had a part, Killen said.

The couple took turns thanking members of the community. Rachelle Friedman said she wanted to throw a party and invite the community to come and see the work of so many hands.

Killen topped off the awards ceremony by recognizing Tim Guffey and Ron Fullerton for rescuing a Knightdale woman from a house fire.

Margaret Blalock was cooking chicken Friday, Jan. 28 at her home 503 South Hampton Street when the pan caught fire.

Mrs. Blalock who uses a walker became unbalanced and fell. She couldn’t get up and crawled into the living room and called 911.

Fullerton and Guffey pulled Mrs. Blalock to safety while Goley Boggs, Chris Rozier and Candler Thornton were coming in the back door to rescue her.

Fire chief Tim Guffey said the work of the EMS medics was stellar.

“They began treating her there for smoke inhalation and transported her to Wake Med,” said Guffey.

All those kudos were a memorable way to open a routine meeting.

Lady Knights, Lady Warriors advance

amoody3 — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:57:30 -0500

The East Wake and Knightdale girls basketball teams squeezed through the first round of the state playoffs.

The East Wake girls (19-6) traveled to E.A. Laney (14-10) in Wilmington and won it's first-round game in overtime 53-52.

Knightdale's girls (12-13) upset the No. 1 team from Southeastern Conference, Richmond, in round one in a low-scoring 36-32 victory.

Knightdale's boys (14-13) fell to Jack Britt (17-11) in Fayetteville, 62-49.

The Lady Warriors advance to take on South View (26-0), the No. 1 seed out of the Mid-South conference, on the road on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Lady Knights return a little closer to home for their second-round game in facing Greater Neuse No. 2 Clayton (21-5) Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Four Warriors advance to state wrestling tourney

amoody3 — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:37:33 -0500

Four local wrestlers made it through this weekend's regional wrestling to advance to the state tournament this Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 24-26.

East Wake wrestlers Cullen Casper and Kyander Moore placed fourth in the 160- and 189-pound classes, respectively, in the regional. P.J. Shuler placed third at 285 pounds and Connor Porter took second with his only loss being a 16-0 decision to Nick Kee of Scotland High School, the No. 1 wrestler in the state at 152 pounds.

No Knightdale wrestlers placed in the top four in the regional.

Area wrestlers receive conference honors

amoody3 — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:20:15 -0500

Several wrestlers at East Wake and Knightdale high schools were recently named All-Conference.

All-Greater Neuse Warriors included Azzam Dhamra, Scott Staples, Devin Markland, Connor Porter, Cullen Casper, Mitchell Morgan, Kyander Moore, Austin Smith and P.J. Shuler.

All-Conference Knights included Aaron Mitchell, Aaron Williams and Tim Coston. Coston was also the recipient of the conference Sportsmanship Award.

It marked the third All-Conference selection for Warriors Staples and Porter.

One local team left in conference tourney

amoody3 — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:52:32 -0500

The Knightdale boys basketball team is the only local team to make it through the first round of the Greater Neuse River 4-A Conference tournament this week.

The girls games began Monday and boys games began Tuesday.

Knightdale's girls fell in a 51-50 heartbreaker to Harnett Central after leading the majority of the game and by as many as 12 points.

East Wake's girls were upset 53-51 by Garner Monday in what Warrior coaches considered one of the team's most disappointing games of the season.

The East Wake boys also fell in round one, 50-36, to the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs.

The Knights advance to Thursday night's semifinal game against the top-seeded Garner Trojans at Garner at 7:30 p.m.

Greater Neuse River 4-A Conference Basketball Standings entering tonight's games

dclaybest — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:15:34 -0500

Here's how things stand in the Greater Neuse River 4-A Conference basketball races entering tonight's regular-season finales for all of the teams. The league tournament starts next week. The top five finishers earn NCHSAA playoff bids. Garner and Southeast Raleigh have clinched the respective regular-season titles.

Boys
Garner                  13-0
Clayton                   9-4
SE Raleigh              8-5
West Johnston         7-6
Knightdale              7-6
East Wake               3-10
Smithfield-Selma   3-10
Harnett Central       2-11
Girls
SE Raleigh               12-1
Clayton                    11-2
East Wake                10-3
Harnett Central          7-6
Knightdale                 6-7
Garner                     3-10
West Johnston         3-10
Smithfield-Selma   0-13

Tonight's Match-ups: Garner vs. Harnett Central, Smithfield-Selma vs. Clayton, West Johnston vs. Southeast Raleigh and East Wake vs. Knightdale.

The Belle of the Ball

eastwake — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:23:02 -0500

Friday night marks the date of the Valentine's Ball in Wendell. You can still buy tickets at the Wendell Chamber of Commerce for $25. The dance begins at 8 p.m. and the fun lasts until 11 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center.

It'll be worth your time. The ball was the brainchild of Brigitte Gros, the Wendell Chamber of Commerce's Member Services Director. She came up with the idea of hosting the ball as a fundraiser to support the East Wake Education Foundation, in the wake of a decision by town commissioners to cut all donations to community service groups in this year's budget.

As part of their conversation, town commissioners agreed that the town could seek other ways than cash outlay to support institutions like the education foundation.

Gros got the Wendell Chamber of Commerce to sign on as a ball sponsor, thinking it would help bring out a crowd. But she bears the entire expense for the event from her own pocket. That's a significant investment on the part of one person. The town provided the space.

The East Wake Education Foundation has always been a busy organization, but it's hard to imagine they can do much more than they are right now. In addition to their major work, which is working with young children and their families, the foundation is also busy preparing for this year's Stars in the East show and they've been working diligently to close on the purchase of their office space on Fourth Street for several months now.

That's part of the reason you should want to attend Friday night's ball. It's a good feeling to know that your money supports a worthwhile cause.

But here's the other reason you should want to attend: It's a party! Who doesn't like a good party. There'll be plenty of friends there for you to visit with and, if you're a dancer, the music will beckon you at every turn. That alone is worth the price of admission.