Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
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Page 4 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, July 1-July 7, 2021 Recapping historic season for Hilltoppers Looking to make history in Game 3 of the NCHSAA Championship Series in Burlington, the R-S Central baseball team unfortunately found themselves on the wrong side of it. Randleman's Ryan White tossed the fi rst no-hitter in the 62 year history of the 2A Championship Series, as R-S fell 4-0. The loss ends the Hilltoppers season at 17-4, but head coach Chadd Fowler says he is still proud of his team. "It's tough because we came up just short of everybody's ultimate goal of a State Championship, but I told the team that one loss does not defi ne us or our season." The 2021 Hilltoppers' season was certainly a memorable one, the best in school history. The Hilltoppers also made the Championship Series in 2017, but were defeated 2-0 that season. Along with their 17-4 overall record, R-S also claimed fi rst place in the Southwestern Conference, with their only conference loss coming to Rutherford County rival CHASE. The 2021 R-S roster was anchored by fi ve seniors who not only had experience at the high school level, but had logged many hours as part of successful Jr. Legion and Little League teams in Rutherford County. Kael Snethen, Cameron Hill, Anthony Walker and Micajah Wall were all part of the Junior League team that went to Taylor, Michigan in 2017. When he was in middle school, Snethen was a member of the Post 423 Jr. Legion team that won a State Title in 2016. The core group of the team also won a Jr. Legion State Title in 2019, representing Post 74. That experience paid off early in the season as the Hilltoppers started the season 6-0. After dropping a close non-conference game to South Caldwell, R-S fi nished the regular season winning six out of their next seven games to enter the playoffs with a 12-2 record. In the fi rst round of the playoffs, R-S defeated North Lincoln 3-1 before topping conference foe South Point 8-3. In the Western Regional Semi- Finals, the Hilltoppers showed heart as they were trailing early, but came back to beat South Rowan 4-3. They faced an even bigger defi cit against Forbush, trailing 4-0, before scoring eight unanswered runs to win 8-4 and advance to the Championship Series. Fowler says that never say die attitude was a hallmark of his team in 2021. "We kept fi ghting all year," he said. "We never gave up or quit. This was a special group." The Hilltoppers were considered underdogs going into the Championship Series facing a Randleman Tiger team that had only loss once all year and had 18 plays on their roster compared to just 13 for the Hilltoppers. R-S jumped out early in Game One as Kael Snethen scored in the fi rst inning to give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead. Randleman took a 2-1 lead, but RBI hits from Micajah Wall and Xavier Toms gave the Hilltoppers the lead back at 3-2. The Tigers scored seven runs in the bottom of the third and eventually captured a 9-5 win. As they had done all season, the Hilltoppers fought back in Game Two. Gavin Bright gave R-S an early 1-0 lead with a hit. After Randleman had tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth, Snethen hit a solo homerun over the left fi eld wall to give R-S a 2-1 lead. That's all the offense Trip Triplett would need as he picked up the win and Snethen earned the save. Later that night, the two teams meet once again for the decisive Game 3, but the Hilltoppers had no answer for White and his historic no-hitter. Even though the Hilltoppers came up just short of a championship, Fowler believes that the fi ve Seniors have laid the foundation for a bright future within the Hilltopper program. "Those guys will go on to do great things on and off of a baseball fi eld," Fowler said. "They have meant so much to our program and to baseball in this area, and they will be missed, but they set an example and standard for the future and we have some very talented players for next year and for years to come." Your health means everything. So don't let painful, unsightly varicose veins slow you down. To learn more, watch our vein video online at MyRutherfordRegional.com To schedule a consultation, call 828.286.5599 The Vein Center at I-85 EXIT 104 • 570 Tribal Rd. I-85 EXIT 104 • 570 Tribal Rd. Blacksburg, SC 29702 Blacksburg, SC 29702 864-839-4900 864-839-4900 sheltonfi reworks.com OPEN 9-9 ALL YEAR HOME HOME OF THE OF THE BIG BIG ONES! ONES! Celebrate July 4th with The R-S Central Hilltopper baseball team came up just short in Game 3 of the 2021 NCHSAA Championship Series. The Hilltoppers fi nished in second place and are seen with their runner-up medals and trophy. Team members are: Nate Ellenburg, Kael Snethen, Hayden Wilson, Xavier Toms, Micajah Wall, Gavin Bright, Tanner Boone, Cameron Hill, Andrei Haynes, Harrison Jackson, Trip Tripplett, Hayden Wheeler and Anthony Walker. Coaches were Chadd Fowler, Sam Hooper, Wesley Smith, Todd Beheler and guest manager Gage McFadden. Congratulations to the R-S Central Hilltoppers on their second place Ðinish in the high school baseball state Ðinals Article Provided By: Jean Gordon This Independence Day, anyone in North Carolina, regardless of age, will be able to fi sh free. Free Fishing Day runs from 12am-11:59pm on July 4, offers residents and out-of-state visitors the opportunity to fi sh without having to purchase a license; however, all other fi shing regulations apply, such as length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions. "Free Fishing Day was created to promote the sport of fi shing and is a great opportunity for families to try a new outdoor activity," said Christian Waters, the agency's chief of the Inland Fisheries Division. "Fishing is relatively inexpensive recreational sport that anyone, no matter what their age or skill level, can enjoy. It's an excellent way to enjoy quality time together in a relaxing setting on the water." Waters added that the Commission's website, ncwildlife. org, is a value resource for tips about where and what to fi sh, and the state's Tackle Loaner Program. "The interactive fi shing and boating maps on the agency's website list more than 500 fi shing and boating areas, many of which are free, that are open to the public. Also, to give anglers a better chance of catching fi sh, the Commission stocks a variety of fi sh in waters across the state. Stocking information can also be found on the website. " Anglers should remember that boating areas likely will be crowded over the busy holiday weekend. Wildlife offi cials urge boaters to be patient, courteous and follow the boating etiquette tips below: • Be patient and remain calm until an open parking space is available. • Wait your turn in the launch line. Don't block or cut off others. • Park vehicle and trailer while someone moves the boat away from the ramp. • Recruit someone to move the boat from the ramp while you retrieve your vehicle and trailer. • Observe no-wake zones and be cautious. While anyone can fi sh for free on July 4, a fi shing license is required for people age 16 and older on all other days of the year. This includes both public and coastal waters. Purchasing a license online is quick and easy. Other ways to purchase a license are: • Call the Commission at 888-248- 6834. • Visit a local Wildlife Service Agent. For more info on fi shing in public, inland waters, visit ncwildlife.org. Free Fishing Day is July 4 Article Provided By: ncwildlife.org