Big games at Southport today

The girls semi-state at Southport today features teams with a combined record of 100-3. In the 2A game 25-0 Winchester takes on 24-2 Austin. The Massey ratings have this as a 63-63 game, so it's pretty close. The Sagarin predictor ratings give Winchester a 4-point advantage. Austin has won 2 semi-states (1985, 1999(2A)). This is Winchester's first trip to the semi-state. My gut is telling me that Austin will win this game due to a tougher schedule and having been there before.

In the 4A game, 26-0 Ben Davis plays 25-1 Floyd Central. Massey gives Ben Davis a 67-45 advantage while the Sagarin predictor shows a 19-point difference for the Giants. This is Ben Davis' 12th trip to the semi-state and they have won 4 of those. They also have three state titles in their history. This year was the first sectional win for Floyd Central since 1993 and their first regional title ever. They are participating in their first semi-state. I think schedule strength will be a big factor in this game. According to Sagarin, BD has the 2nd toughest schedule in the state while Floyd Central's is ranked 88th. I don't think BD will have a problem in this game.


The Ball State baseball team went to UAB and beat the Blazers 9-5. The Cardinals were in a tight game that was tied 5-5 after 8 innings, but the Cards put up a 4-spot in the ninth to get the victory. Kolbrin Vitek and Ian Nielsen each had three hits in the game. Nielsen had 2 RBI and scored three runs. Brad Piatt started and struggled again, giving up 3 earned runs in 3-2/3 innings. The relief crew of Perci Garner, Hobbs, and Morgan Seth Coombs allowed only 1 earned run in 5-1/3 innings. Ball State is now 2-2 on the season. The two teams play a double-header today starting at 1pm.