Viking Softball Battles Rival Mitchell, Travels to Cloudland

The Avery softball teams took the diamond with a pair of home games this past week, looking to pick up positive momentum and victories on the scoreboard.

Last Tuesday, April 13^th, the Lady Vikings played host to neighboring Mitchell in a border battle. In the varsity contest, the two teams played a close affair with the Lady Mountaineers winning by a 7-2 final score.

Mitchell picked up a run in the top of the first inning to take the early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame Avery looked poised to tie or take the lead when Becca Biggerstaff and Justina Rieger each reached base. The players were left on base, however, to keep Mitchell in front.

The Lady Mountaineers sent eight batters to the plate in the top of the second and scored three times to take a 4-0 lead, but pitcher Biggerstaff prevented further damage by inducing a fly out to center field to end the threat.

Avery put runners on base during each of the next three innings, but was not able to produce the big hit to bring the runners to the plate. To help its cause, however, the Lady Vikings prevented Mitchell from scoring in both the third and fourth innings, respectively.

The Lady Mountaineer bats woke up in the top of the fifth inning to the tune of a pair of runs to lead 6-0. Again, however, the Avery defense prevented a bigger inning by getting a huge out to leave two base runners stranded.

In the bottom of the sixth inning the Big Red found its offensive stroke to get on the board. Biggerstaff singled to lead off the frame, and two batters later Rieger earned a walk. Both runners came around to score, cutting Mitchell’s lead to only 6-2.

Mitchell added an insurance run in the top of the 7^th to lead 7-2 and Avery was unable to narrow the gap in the bottom of the inning to close out the contest.

“The girls are being patient at the plate and drawing walks, and they’re also playing tighter defense. Becca is also pitching really well for us,” Avery softball head coach Stephen Bunger said following the game. “We just can’t seem to get the timely hits we need to get to bring runners home. That’s pretty much been the story the whole year.”

Eight of Avery’s nine starters reached base safely at least once in the contest, while Justina Rieger got on base after each of her three plate appearances. Kaylea Davis, Biggerstaff, Haley Hicks, and Michelle Cuthberson each reached safely twice in the game.

The junior varsity teams played a high scoring affair that was called after four innings due to darkness. Mitchell seized an early lead but Avery batted around to narrow the margin. Avery’s rally was halted as darkness fell, giving the Lady Mountaineers an 11-7 win.

Mitchell picked up a pair of first inning runs and five more in the second to take a comfortable 7-0 lead. The Lady Vikings put multiple runners on base through the first three innings, but were unable to push across any runs to show for their strong effort.

After Mitchell scored four runs in the top of the fourth to lead 11-0, the Avery comeback began. The Lady Vikings offense exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning alone. A total of 13 batters went to the plate for the Big Red during the inning. The bottom seven hitters in the Avery lineup, which included steady bats such as Nikki Wright, Sara Carter, Charley Puckett, and pitcher Brittany Brewer, each scored a run during the rally. Avery brought the tying run to the plate with two outs in the inning, but could not get one final clutch hit to completely erase Mitchell’s lead before the game was called.

“We’ve got to learn to avoid the big inning and be able to bring runners home,” Coach Bunger said. “They jumped on us pretty early and we settled in on defense to make plays. It’s a similar story to the varsity game. The bats came alive in that final inning. I think if we had another inning we might have been able to come back all the way to win.”

A number of junior varsity players continue to improve and help the team, according to the coach.

“Nikki Wright has been hitting the ball well with a triple today. Jordan Reep hit well. Kenzie Thomas with her speed is able to do about anything she wants on the bases,” Coach Bunger stated. “Brittany Brewer and Paige Henderson both have been pitching well for us. Charley Puckett has helped the JV a lot with her catching and her bat, and the whole team has been playing more solid.”

On Monday afternoon Avery traveled for a non-conference affair with the Cloudland Lady Landers.

Avery grabbed an early lead as Kaylea Davis tripled and came in to score to put the Big Red ahead 1-0. Cloudland responded with offense off Avery starter Brittany Brewer to take a lead of 8-1 after two innings of play. The Vikings rallied with five runs to narrow the gap to 8-6 in the top of the fifth, as Justina Riegar, Michelle Cuthbertson, Jessica Banner, and Becca Biggerstaff all pitched in with base hits.

Cloudland was able to hold off the Viking rally, scoring a pair of runs in the final innings to hold on for a 10-6 win.

“The varsity played well for the most part. We still need to learn to avoid the one big inning. If it wasn’t for that, it would have been a win for us today,” Coach Stephen Bunger said after the game. “Defensively we played well and settled down after the second inning. We showed a lot of heart and spirit in being able to get ourselves back into the game after falling behind. We just couldn’t seem to quite bring ourselves back all the way.”

Sara DeWitt led the Avery hitting brigade with a pair of base hits.

The junior varsity contest was cut short due to darkness, playing only three innings. The teams decided to use the contest as an exhibition in order to afford all the players an opportunity to bat, with Cloudland outscoring Avery 5 to 2 in the contest.

“Paige Henderson pitched and threw pretty well. She was a bit nervous in the first inning and gave up some walks, but she settled down in the next two innings and kept us in it for the most part,” Coach Bunger said.

Henderson doubled at the plate for Avery to lead off the second inning as the Lady Vikings eventually loaded the bases. LaKota Turbyfill singled to plate Henderson and Charley Puckett for the two Avery runs.

The Lady Vikings host games this week against Thomas Jefferson Academy early in the week, and will host Hendersonville this Friday afternoon.

Vikings Play Quartet of Diamond Duels

The Avery baseball teams continue to jump start their seasons with victories as Western Highlands Conference action prepares for the home stretch.

Last Tuesday the 13^th, the Vikings welcomed neighboring Mitchell to town. In the junior varsity contest the Vikings and Mountaineers managed to only play three innings before the game was halted by darkness. Mitchell held a 3-0 lead at the point the game was called, but Avery was poised to bounce back offensively to give the Mountaineers a run for their money.

Prior to the JV game, the varsity squads took the field under sunny skies. Through the first five innings of play, the Vikings dominated in virtually every facet of the game. Over the final two innings, however, the Avery bullpen surrendered a four-run lead, was given another lead of three runs, and surrendered seven Mountaineer runs in the top of the seventh inning as Mitchell defeated Avery 15-14.

Viking starter Daniel Huff was on his game during his outing on the mound, giving up only three runs over five innings of work. Huff helped himself in the bottom of the first inning from the plate, where he and teammate Steven Daniels hit back-to-back home runs to give the Big Red a 2-0 lead.

Mitchell plated two runs in the second to tie the game, only to see Avery score in the bottom of the frame to retake a 3-2 edge. The Mountaineers tied the game in the top of the third with a single run, but was held scoreless by the Viking hurler for the remainder of his outing.

The Vikings bounced back for a run to take a 4-3 lead in the third when C.J. Vance drew a walk and teammate Danny Cole scored him with an RBI double. Two innings later the Vikings padded their lead with three runs to build a four-run advantage. Nine Avery hitters came to the plate in the frame.

Starter Huff was replaced in the top of the sixth as the Vikings were slated for three games and coach Benny Wellborn worked to keep his pitchers available for the long week. Avery’s relief pitching had a bumpy road over the final two innings, and its defense did not help matters, either. Avery struggled to make simple plays like infield throws and fielding a ground ball. Mitchell capitalized with five runs in the top of the sixth to take its first lead at 8-7.

Undaunted, Avery battled back to regain an 11-8 lead with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. In the top of the seventh and final inning, Avery quickly gained two outs on the Mountaineers and had the win in hand. A fielding error gave Mitchell life, however, and they took advantage to the tune of seven runs in the seventh to lead 15-11.

Avery mounted one final charge in the bottom of the seventh, as a three-run home run by Huff, his second dinger of the day, drew Avery within one run. Mitchell rose to the task and managed to retire the Avery lineup for a third out before giving up the tying run, leaving the heartbroken Big Red one run short.

“The guys battled back and got us back in the game, but it was a tough outcome,” Vikings head coach Benny Wellborn said of the defeat. “We hit the ball well, but didn’t pitch and didn’t field well. You have to make routine plays, and when we don’t do that we’re not going to win ballgames.”

The following afternoon the Vikings traveled to Marshall to make-up a game with Madison which was rained out earlier this season. The junior varsity squad picked up a much-needed road win as they defeated Madison 12-9 in six innings. The top two hitters in the lineup, Landon Powell and Bennett Sweat, combined to score five runs in the win, and seven of the nine hitters in the Viking lineup scored at least one run.

Avery led 3-2 after one inning and scored three additional runs to take a 6-2 edge. Madison scored a run in the bottom of the second to cut the margin to 6-3, but Avery batted around in the key top of the third inning, scoring five times to take a commanding 11-3 advantage.

Madison rallied for four runs in the fourth inning and two more in the sixth, but Avery quelled the rally to capture the win.

Dustin Clark was a one-man wrecking crew, going 4 for 4 from the plate and driving in six runs for the Big Red. Walker Carswell reached base three times in the game and scored twice in the win.

“I think for the most part the kids responded to my challenge to them before the game. Bennett Sweat pitched a really good game and was able to control hitters. We did the little things right, putting the ball in play and running the bases,” JV head coach Samuel Phillips said after the win. “Dustin Clark had a great game and he’s really been coming on for us as of late and helped us a lot. It’s been a long road for these kids and for me, but we’re seeing improvements as we go along.”

The varsity game between Madison and Avery was also a nip-and-tuck affair, with the Patriots holding on to take an 11-9 win.

Avery began the scoring spree with three runs in the first inning. The key hit in the frame was a three-run double by pitcher Jared Clark which put the Vikings on the board.

Madison bounced back to score two runs in the bottom of the inning to cut Avery’s lead to 3-2.

The Vikings left runners on base in each of the next three innings, but could bring no runs home to extend its total. Madison meanwhile added one run in each of the three innings to take a 5-3 lead into the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth the Vikings offense kicked back into attack mode and plated four runs. Huff reached on an error and scored on Daniels’ third base hit of the game to cut the Patriots lead to one. Jack Buchanan then singled to score pinch runner Luke Pittman to tie the game, and later himself scored on an RBI ground out by C.J. Vance. By the bottom of the frame, the Big Red was ahead again by a 7-5 margin.

Madison took advantage of a pair of Avery errors and a passed ball to bat around and score six runs in the bottom of the fifth. The flurry put the Patriots up 11-7 with two innings left to play.

The score remained unchanged until the top of the seventh as the Vikings tried to stage a rally. Avery scored twice in the inning as Daniels and Buchanan each reached base and scored. But much like the day before, Avery came up just short in its comeback bid, falling by the 11-9 score.

“We bounced back pretty well from the Mitchell game. I gave the ball to Jared and asked him to show me what he was made of, and he threw a good five innings for us and left with a lead,” Coach Wellborn said. “Like the Mitchell game it was back-and-forth and neither team quit. We made five or six errors and it seemed like each one cost us a run. We have two out of the three things we need to be successful, but we still lost. You’ve got to be able to field routine plays, put the ball in play, and throw strikes. We also have to stay out of the big inning.”

Friday was a tough day all around for Avery baseball, as the Owen Warhorses came to town and routed both Avery’s varsity and junior varsity clubs. Avery’s varsity team fell by a lopsided final score of 32-4, while the junior varsity team was blanked by a final score of 25-0.

Owen’s teams sprayed the field with base hit after base hit. Unlike previous contests, the Avery defense did not direction contribute to Owen’s success.

A lone bright spot for the varsity team was back-to-back singles from Daniel Huff and Ethan Sluder, followed by a three-run home run to right field by the hot bat of catcher Steven Daniels to account for three of the four Viking runs. Unfortunately for the home clubs, the visitors were simply too strong for the Vikings to contend with on Friday afternoon.

This past Monday the Vikings hosted the Cloudland Highlanders in a non-conference tilt, winning by a final score of 19-9.

Avery scored seven runs through the first two innings before Cloudland rallied with for a pair in the top of the third. The Vikings broke the game open with a strong third inning. Eleven batters came to the plate in the inning and five runners crossed the plate, highlighted by a towering home run to dead center field from Daniel Huff to stake the Vikings to a 12-2 edge. Huff reached safely in each of his five plate appearances and scored all five times, Teammate Ethan Sluder, hitting in the spot ahead of Huff, drew three walks, was hit by a pitch, and reached on an error. He too scored all five times he reached base safely.

With their backs against the wall, the ‘Landers battled back with six runs in the top of the fourth. Avery committed three errors in the frame which led to prolonging the inning as Cloudland cut the margin to 12-8.

Needing to jump start the offense again in a close game, Avery sent another ten hitters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth and scored five runs to lead 17-8.

In the top of the fifth the ‘Landers plated a run as Casey Pritchard scored after being hit by a pitch. Pritchard homered earlier in the game to provide offensive punch for the boys from Roan Mountain.

In the bottom of the inning, the Vikings sealed the win with a pair of runs, the second coming on a steal of home by Huff off a failed squeeze bunt attempt, providing for the game’s final margin.

“We kind of throttled down when we were ahead 12-1. We had chances to advance base runners, but didn’t do so. They came in and had their big inning which built their confidence and helped them get back into the ballgame. I told the guys we needed to pick it up and get after it,” Coach Wellborn said after the game. “Our team responded well. They had some guys struggle a little on the mound that we took advantage of. The kids’ spirits were high after Friday’s game despite the loss, and this was one of those games that our players expect to win. They came in ready to play, and for them it is not acceptable mentally to lose this game. We just hit the ball well from one through nine in the batting order.”

In the junior varsity matchup, the Vikings defeated the Landers going away by the final score of 11-1. Avery’s Grant Norman got the starting nod on the mound for his first high school start and pitched two thirds of an inning. Dillon Nelson came on in relief, struck out the side in the second inning, and finished the contest to complete the victory.

Dustin Clark had two hits in the win, while Ty McCoury and Tyler Edwards each had a base hit to help lead the Big Red attack.

“We swung the bat very well as a team,” JV head coach Samuel Phillips said after the win. “We made plays in the infield we needed to make, and I was really pleased with our swings and plate discipline. This, along with the Madison game, was one of our better hitting displays we’ve had this season.

The Avery teams return to the diamond to host Thomas Jefferson on Wednesday April 21^st and host Hendersonville this Friday.

Little League Kicks off Another Season with Opening Ceremonies

On a cool and brisk Saturday morning the Avery County Little League officially opened its 2010 season with its traditional opening ceremony. The league introduced each of its players and teams from all baseball, softball, and tee ball divisions.

“Today went much better than I expected. I was nervous but everything fell in place as it always does,” Avery Little League President Bill Daniels said following the ceremony. “We’re excited to get the season started.”

The ceremony was kicked off with the presentation of our nation’s and state’s colors from the 24th Judicial District Law Enforcement Honor Guard, with the National Anthem performed by Mrs Michelle Dearmin. Throughout the morning members of the Appalachian State University baseball team were on site handing out flyers for the team’s annual baseball camp.

Once the teams were assembled on the field, Captain Reo Griffith made a special presentation to the league of a flag which was flown on September 11, 2009 over the base at Camp Alamo in Kabul, Afghanistan under the authorization of Col. Dan South, former ACCL president who currently serves our nation in that region.

“The honor guard graciously offered their services and we thought it would be fitting to have law enforcement here,” Daniels said. “What an honor to have the flag that was flown on September 11^th of all days over a military base,” Daniels stated. “Dan did so much for Little League, and for him to send this to our league is such a great honor.”

The league was blessed to have Jim Greene of Glory 1130 WECR-AM on hand to announce each individual player as the teams were announced and took the field. The league also afforded Greene the opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch to begin the 2010 ACLL season.

“I was not expecting it at all,” Greene said about his surprise at being asked to throw out the first pitch. “Words can’t express how honored I am. Over the years I started out playing, I’ve coached and supported as a parent, and announced a lot of players. Seeing them grow up through the years means so much. I appreciate the fact that they chose to honor me. I was very touched by it.”

The league continues to look for ways to raise funds to help with support and financing the many needs to operate the organization. Little League will be holding two separate raffles during this season. One raffle will be for a $600 gift certificate to The Personal Touch in Linville, and the other is for a $400 gift certificate to Mountain Jewelers in Newland.

Each coach has received tickets to sell, and tickets can also be purchased at the concession stand during games as well as from league board members. The raffle drawing will be held on June 15^th.

Bray leads White to victory in UT Orange and White game

During this time of the year, most high school seniors across the country are getting ready for their high school prom. Of course, Tyler Bray isn’t your typical high school student.

Bray, an early enrollee, and the rest of the Tennessee Volunteers wrapped up their spring practice with the annual Orange and White game inside Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon. One of the main storylines for the Vols was who would the quarterback for next season as Bray and Matt Simms will enter fall camp neck and neck for the title.

However, Bray may have separated himself from the rest of the back as he played with the poise of someone who shouldn’t be worried about high school prom.

“I was really pleased with his presence out there,” Dooley said. “He’s really a high school senior. He wasn’t nervous or jittery. He performed the way he has been performing all spring, and that says a lot about him. He made some good throws and he missed some throws. He did a good job.”

The team was spilt on the Wednesday before the contest by a draft held by the seniors. The result saw starters on both teams, and produced a competitive game.

“I thought it was a good, competitive matchup,” Dooley said. “Both sides played hard. Of course, the White jumped on them early and had a good lead, probably was feeling pretty good at halftime. The Orange came out and put one heck of a drive together in the third quarter and made it 13‐7. And like so many games and so much of what we worked on this spring, we’re sitting there with 3:23 to go in the game and it’s 13‐7. It’s such a critical time in the game to execute and make good decisions. Don’t make bad mistakes. Do the common things commonly well. Don’t make bad decisions. We had a big play by the White on an interception and that ended up being the difference in the game.”

The costly interception came after the Orange squad was threatening to score in the closing minutes of the game, and came off the arm of Simms, which was his third interception of his day.

Bray ended the game with two touchdowns as he was 18 of 40 for 200 yards, while Simms was 12 of 26 for 125 yards. Gerald Jones caught six of Bray’s passes for 84 yards including one touchdown. Denarius Moore also caught a touchdown pass.

A crowd of 35,891 UT fans showed up to see the contest, which was the third largest crowd at a spring game, and Coach Dooley was quick to make a note of it.

“First, let me thank the fans,” Dooley said. “What a great turnout by our fans. It was the third‐largest spring game that we’ve ever had. I’m so appreciative of how supportive they’ve been. They have been through a lot, too, over the last couple of years. They’re proving to be the best fans in the country. That’s good for the recruits, as well.”

The Volunteers open the 2010 season when they host UT-Martin on September 4^th.

Sources: Appalachian Targeting Assistant Coach Capel to Fill Head Coaching Vacancy

According to multiple sources, Jason Capel has been offered the job as Appalachian State's men's basketball coach.

Sources said that Capel has tentatively accepted the job, according to the Winston-Salem Journal. Assuming there is no snag in contract details that were being worked out Monday night, Capel could be officially named coach as early as Tuesday.

Capel was an assistant coach at Appalachian State last season — his first season as a coach. The ASU head-coaching position became vacant when Buzz Peterson was named UNC Wilmington's coach last Friday.

Capel played four seasons at North Carolina from 1998 through 2002, and then played professionally in Serbia, Japan and Italy and in the NBA's Developmental League. His father Jeff Capel Jr. is an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats. His brother Jeff Capel III is the head coach at Oklahoma.

BREAKING NEWS: Peterson Reportedly to Leave as ASU Men's Basketball Coach for UNC-W

Reports are "buzzing" this early afternoon that Buzz Peterson is leaving Appalachian State University just one season into his second stint as men's basketball coach to accept the head coaching job with the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks.

Winston-Salem Journal sports reporter Tommy Bowman broke the story around noon and is quoting sources close to the situation that the move is imminent.

Peterson coached the Mountaineers to a 24-13 record last season, his first back as a college head coach after serving as director of player personnel for the Charlotte Bobcats. Peterson, who has also been the head coach at Tennessee, Tulsa and Coastal Carolina, coached at ASU for four seasons in the late 1990s.

A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon at 4:15 p.m. at UNC-Wilmington, presumably to introduce Peterson as men's head coach.

LIVE FROM...MacDonald Stadium (Avery Lady Vikings Soccer)

We're live from the Press Box at MacDonald Stadium as the top-ranked 1A girls soccer team in North Carolina, the Avery Lady Vikings, host the conference rival Owen Warlassies.

Update #1: Mary Chesnut Smith scores with a goal in the 8th minute to give the Big Red the early 1-0 lead. In the 11th minute of play Smith served as the helper, with a pass to teammate Emily Banner who found the back of the net for the second goal of the night. Avery leads 2-0 with 20 minutes left in the half.

Update #2: Emily Banner just scored her second tally of the evening in the 21st minute, staking the Big Red to a 3-0 lead. Also got news in the press box that Friday's home soccer match will begin at 4:30 p.m. against Ashe County.

Update #3: Halftime from MacDonald Stadium and the Lady Vikings soccer team leads Owen 3-0 on a pair of Banner goals and a goal from Smith.

Update #4: Melinda Eggers assists to Elyse Perry, who scores in the 41st minute to put the Big Red ahead 4-0 over Owen. Avery looking to move to a perfect 10-0 on the season.

Update #5: In the 50th minute Owen is awarded a penalty kick after an Avery foul in the box. Avery fends the shot off as the kick goes wide left, helping the Lady Vikings preserve its 4-0 advantage.

Update #6: Mary Chesnut Smith breaks through to steal an Owen pass between two players, dribbles about 40 yards, and places a low ball to the left of the keeper into the back of the net in the 59th minute to put Avery ahead 5-0.

Update #7: Avery's defense continues its streak of strong play as the Lady Vikings remain unbeaten with a 5-0 whitewash of the Owen Warlassies this evening. Congrats to the ladies on another conference win. Avery ventures out of conference on Friday when they host the Ashe Lady Huskies at the new time of 4:30 p.m. Thanks for reading!

Clark Overcomes Obstacles, Inspires on Baseball Diamond and in Life

From first glance on a baseball diamond during an Avery High School varsity baseball contest, you might not notice anything out of the ordinary. Nine Vikings players are fielding positions and are poised to compete. If you look a little closer, specifically at the first base position or perhaps the pitcher’s mound, you will find an astounding baseball player in Jared Clark.

Jared is a senior at Avery who is anything but ordinary. Jared is a passionate young man who loves the game of baseball like many young players and competes with a gritty determination. Jared will often strike out batters on the mound, make diving plays at ground balls from the field, and even flash his power at the plate, as he did earlier this season sending a home run over the fence at North Wilkes and this past Monday at home against Mitchell.

What makes Jared astounding, you might ask? Jared performs each of the tasks mentioned, in addition to all other tasks in sports and life, with only one hand. Jared was born without a left hand, and has managed to evolve into an extraordinary athlete who has turned the stumbling blocks in his life into stepping stones.

Jared is the son of Dee and Gwen Clark of Crossnore. I had the pleasure to speak with the family last week for an extended and informative interview.

Upon listening to Jared, it’s obvious that he is a determined individual who lives with a great passion for baseball and life.

“When I was younger Mom and Dad encouraged me to try out for every sport, and told me that I could do whatever I wanted to do. From a young age I really enjoyed baseball,” Jared said regarding his choice of sports to play.

“We’ve always emphasized to Jared that he is not limited, and that he is only handicapped to the degree that he allows himself to be. We have encouraged him in whatever he wants to do, and wouldn’t make any concessions for his disability,” Jared’s father Dee added. “It’s like someone who asked us when he was younger why we didn’t buy him Velcro shoes. We told them it was because he would never learn to tie his shoes if he didn’t have to.”

As one might expect, Jared receives a variety of responses when he takes the field for a game, usually from those who he has never met.

“I’ve received mixed reactions. People who know me say that they think of me as being two-handed and don’t think twice about it,” Jared stated. “I’ve had players say “wow” when they earn a walk and I’m playing first base. Usually I act like it isn’t a big deal because it’s something I’ve been used to my entire life. It’s all I’ve known, so I’ve had to make everything my own.”

Jared’s mother Gwen, a teacher at Avery High School, identified with her son and found his journey to be a learning process for he and his parents.

“I am left handed, and I’ve found this to be a right-handed world. With Jared not having a left hand and learning to do things with his right hand, I found doing things right-handed to be hard and I had to learn along with him,” Mrs. Clark remarked. “I figure that someone is how they are for a reason, and God has a purpose in that. While playing sports we concluded that for Jared it wasn’t a matter of “what can he do” with one hand, but instead became a matter of “what can’t he do” because he can do pretty much anything. There’s really nothing he hasn’t figured out how to do or modified it in a way he can do it.”

Jared’s father Dee related an experience regarding a reaction he received from an opposing coach after a game. “In traveling baseball after a game, a coach came to me saying “I knew there was something different about your son, but I never could figure it out until we shook hands in the line after the game,”” Clark shared.

A defining moment in Jared’s baseball career came when he and his family went to a Winston-Salem Warthogs minor league baseball game. One of the starting pitchers in the game was Jim Abbott, a successful left-handed pitcher who won 87 major league games in his career and even threw a no-hitter as a member of the New York Yankees, all despite being born without his right hand.

“Jim Abbott was pitching in Winston during a rehab stint. Watching the way he played the game showed me that I could do it too,” Jared recalls. “I was amazed at what he was able to do. Just watching him sign a baseball was the coolest thing.”

The Clarks were able to not only watch Abbott pitch, but also visited with him briefly before and after the game.

“Jared sat and was glued on what Jim Abbott did for the entire game. I’m convinced that watching him intently like that helped him figure out how to pitch and do what he does,” Gwen said. “Before that game Jared yelled Jim’s name when he warmed up, and when he got his attention he stuck his nub in the air. Jim immediately came over and told us he’d speak to us after the game. He had a great impact on Jared, and probably doesn’t even know it.”

As for his own baseball career, the Clarks expressed enormous gratitude to a number of coaches who helped shape Jared’s career, including youth tee-ball coach Chantee Hoilman, Little League baseball coaches Danny Aldridge, Jeff Daniels and Bill Wise, and current Avery baseball coach Benny Wellborn and his staff. Outside the county, baseball has helped Jared and his family form lasting friendships with other players like Mountain Heritage’s Steven Wilson, as well as J.D. Chaplain and his family from Owen High School.

“Jared’s youth baseball coaches put a lot of thought and heart into how he could be successful,” Gwen stated.

“Every coach I have ever played for has been great about telling me to pursue my dreams and put me in a good situation,” Jared interjected. “They believed in me, and I owe a lot to those coaches.”

The family especially mentioned Avery basketball head coach Bo Manis as a strong influence in Jared’s athletic development.

“Jared’s story can’t be told without mentioning Bo Manis,” Gwen explained. “Jared respects him so much, because when Bo would tell him “I know you can do this”, Jared could relate with him. Bo was a successful athlete, and Jared saw what he was able to overcome in his life and accomplish.”

Faith is a sustaining force and a lasting positive impact to the Clarks, The family unanimously affirms its effect in the development of Jared as an individual and the family as a whole.

“I have faith to know that God will guide me through any problem that I face and that He is going to guide me in how to adapt to whatever situation I’m in,” Jared shared. “It’s a blessing every time I get the opportunity to walk onto the field and I try to treat it as such. He has blessed me very much.”

“We’ve always felt God had a plan for Jared. How things have fallen into place is the proof of that,” Jared’s father Dee said. “Jared has gotten to play for some of the best coaches in Western North Carolina, and we see God’s hand in everything that has happened.”

Jared’s unforgettable prep career is almost complete, and upon graduation intends to attend Lenoir Rhyne University this fall on a Teaching Fellows Scholarship. While he is disappointed that the door is closing, Jared hopes to stride through another door to continue playing baseball for the Bears at the collegiate level.

“I have thought some about the end of the season. It’s bittersweet, but we still have work to do this season. I know the coaches and seniors have encouraged the team to work as hard as they can and go out playing the best ball that we can,” Jared stated. “As of right now, I plan to walk-on at Lenoir-Rhyne and try to make the team.”

“It’s been a tough decision for Jared on whether he should try to play at the college level, but we’ve told him that we never want him to have any regrets, and that you’ll never know unless you try,” Mrs. Clark added. “When Jared walks off the field, if it’s the last game, he can look back with no regrets.”

Once Jared’s playing career ends, he desires to stay around the game of baseball, preferably as a high school baseball coach.

“I would love to be a high school baseball coach someday. I have a passion and love for the game, and that is something I’d like to instill in other people,” Jared shared.

“Jared is a good teacher and we are a super-blessed family,” Gwen stated. “Our daughter Carson has many of the same qualities as Jared, and he has been a role model to her. She plays softball and wants to be as good as Jared in baseball. They talk a lot and he helps her with ideas and tips.”

I asked Jared and his family what advice they would give to youngsters who might be living with a physical or other disability to continue to do their best and chase their dreams.

“I would first encourage them to pray, because God will guide you through any situation,” Jared quickly remarked. “Secondly I would tell them to never give up. If it’s something you’re passionate enough about and something you love, you can do it.”

Jared’s mom drew from her unique experience as a parent to share insight.

“Everyone has gifts and skills, no matter how insignificant we think they might be,” Gwen said. “I would encourage parents to not limit what their children can and can’t do, because you never know how someone can surprise you with their ability.”

Special thanks to Jared Clark, his parents Dee and Gwen, and sister Carson for sharing their story.

Top-Ranked Lady Vikings Remain Unbeaten with Win over Mitchell

This past weekend, the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association released its latest weekly women's 1A soccer poll, and the Avery Lady Vikings have moved up one spot from second to the top ranking in the state.

No Avery sports team in recent memory has ever reached a #1 ranking in the state, illustrating the rarity and great accomplishment for the Lady Vikings, who have reeled off nine straight wins to begin this season.

Avery switched positions in the poll with the NC School of Science and Math, who lost 2-0 to Carrboro this week for its first loss of 2010.

“I am proud of what these girls have accomplished thus far this season. They have achieved several things that surpass even the best teams from the past, and this is still what I consider a “young” team with only two seniors on it,” Lady Vikings head soccer coach Tom Evaul said after the rankings were released. “The ranking is just another one of those outstanding accomplishments by these athletes, and all the credit goes to them.”

Although the ranking is a great accomplishment, the team still has goals it wishes to attain and do not want the notoriety to deter them from its ultimate goal of a state championship.

“The pressure is really on them if they want to maintain that ranking. That means they can't afford to have a single let down in any game of the 11 left this season, and I know of at least three teams that are going to be gunning hard for us,” Coach Evaul stated. “It becomes irrelevant to be ranked #1 in the state if you go and blow the season losing out early in the state playoffs. The ranking should serve as a motivation for the girls to continue doing what they are doing, but improving with each practice and each game. If we peak this early, then a conference championship becomes only a dream.”

Despite the stress that comes with such high expectations, Coach Evaul believes this team can shoulder the burden and go further than any club in school history has before.

“We can't take any team lightly from here on out despite the things we hear and know about them. Instead, we have to take each game and work on the parts of each girl’s individual skills as well as how they combine those with their teammates to get better and stronger both physically and mentally,” Coach Evaul said.

“Goliath looked past and over David and his pride and arrogance brought him down by the least of his enemies, so you can never look over any opponent. The girls have worked hard in practice and maintain a positive, determined attitude, they believe in themselves and their teammates, and as long as they continue building each other up and picking each other up when they falter, these girls are capable of anything they set their minds to.”

Coach Evaul also expressed his and the team’s appreciation for the support they have received this season.

“The coaching staff and I are extremely proud of this group of girls, and we thank God for allowing us to be a part of their lives,” the coach added. ”Each and every girl on this team is very special to us. We also would like to thank the fan support that we have had this season, as they are an important part of the success of these girls.”

The Lady Vikings had their first game since the new rankings when they hosted the Mitchell Lady Mountaineers on a clear and breezy Monday evening at MacDonald Stadium.

After more than a week without games, the Lady Vikings started slow out of the gate. There was a perceived lack of energy and the Mitchell Lady Mountaineers were beating the Lady Vikings to the ball.

Five Avery players spent the weekend competing with their club basketball and soccer teams and others were recovering from the abbreviated Spring Break. However, when Mitchell scored the first goal, the team realized that their brand-new number one ranking in the state was on the line.

The girls started to settle down, but it took the coaches taking out four starters at a time and talking to them about what was not happening and what needed to change to see a significant difference in the quality of play.

The Lady Mountaineers got on the board first when they were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out in the 6^th minute. The kick by Blevins was well placed and out of Bentley’s reach as Mitchell led by an early 1-0 margin.

Less than a minute later, the Lady Vikings responded with a goal of their own when Mary Chesnut Smith got the ball at midfield and took it through the defenders, placing a shot out of reach of the keeper. Twelve minutes later, Emily Banner got the ball to Smith who again took the ball to the goal and got it behind the keeper for a 2-1 Avery lead.

The last goal of the first half was off a throw-in. Katelynn Eudy put the ball in front of the goal where Melinda Eggers scored, making the first half score 3-1 at halftime.

The Avery coaching staff continues their practice of letting the team discuss among themselves what went right in the first half and what they need to work on in the second half before they talked with the girls.

The Lady Vikings looked sharper in the second half, with some beautiful plays and another trio of goals.

In the 45^th minute Avery earned a corner kick which Smith took, placing the ball in front of the goal and in the vicinity of Arden Stanley’s head who netted the goal. Stanley was thrilled to get another score off a header.

Nine minutes later, Melinda Eggers dribbled the ball up the sideline and crossed the ball in to Banner who took the ball in close, made the keeper commit, and put the ball where she wasn’t to score Avery’s fifth goal.

After several runs towards goal, Eggers received a through-pass up the center from Smith and scored in the 74^th minute for the sixth and final tally of the evening.

Every Lady Viking saw action on the field Monday evening, and head coach Tom Evaul was encouraged with how a number of the younger players on the team are progressing.

Fewer than ten percent of the shots taken by the Big Red scored. The Mitchell keeper was able to save ten shots. A total of six shots scored and 46 shots missed their mark. Mitchell took only five shots on goal, with keeper Mercedes Bentley recording two saves.

The win takes Avery to 9-0 on the season and 6-0 in Western Highlands play. The victory also keeps the Vikings one step closer to holding on to their number one ranking this week.

Avery will play two more home matches this week, playing Owen on Wed., April 14th at 6 p.m. and non-conference rival Ashe on Friday, April 18th. Friday’s game time might be played earlier. Fans can visit the Avery Journal-Times Sports Blog at www.ajtsports.blogspot.com for updated information or time changes.

Next week, the Lady Vikings take on the only conference team they have yet to play. Thomas Jefferson and Avery are tied at this point for the conference lead. The game will be on the road, and on Wednesday, April 21^st the Lady Vikings will travel to Hendersonville where they look to make it a clean sweep against the Bearcats this year.

Avery Team Leaders (through 4/12/10):
Goals: Mary Chesnut Smith (15), Elyse Perry, Melinda Eggers, and Emily Banner (7 each), Arden Stanley (5)
Assists: Emily Banner (14), Mary Chesnut Smith (13), Melinda Eggers (7), Katelynn Eudy (6)

(Special thanks to Serena Smith for statistical information and contributing to this report.)

Southern Soccer Showcase

The ’92 Lady Avalanche of the High Country Soccer Association traveled to Winston-Salem for their final college showcase of the spring. Their first game was at 8AM Saturday morning, which meant a very early wake-up call for most.

The team is made up of girls from five high schools, in five different counties so it has been difficult to get enough together on a given weekend. Some of the girls had played high school games the night before. Emily Banner and Mary Chesnut Smith of Avery High play with two girls from Ashe, two from Wilkes Central, two from Hibriten and seven from Watauga High. The girls are all sophomores and juniors. It was 37 degrees on the field when the girls arrived for their 7 a.m. warm-ups. The field was soaking with dew and it wasn’t long before the girls’ socks and cleats were soaked.

The Three Rivers Soccer Alliance Legacy were the HCSA’s first opponents. The Legacy were ranked 8^th in Minnesota. In spite of the wet feet and the paucity of practices, the Lady Avalanche played great ball, going out eagerly and challenging for every ball. The wet ball made the play a little unpredictable and throw-ins a challenge.

The first thirty-minute half ended in a scoreless tie. Three minutes into the second half, the Lady Avalanche got on the scoreboard when Hibriten forward Hallie Hilliard connected with Watauga forward Skylar Hicks for the score. Twenty-five minutes later the Legacy tied the game up, leaving only a couple of minutes to play. The Lady Avalanche was not able to score again, ending the match with a 1-1 draw.

The Lady Avalanche had an early morning turn into a long day, as the various teammates found ways to occupy themselves until their 5 PM game. The showcase provided lots of soccer to watch, as there were club and college teams playing all day long.

The ACC teams played each other and the other NCAA teams played two games each during the afternoon. There were also three question-and-answer periods hosted by the Twin City Soccer Club, showcase sponsors, featuring college coaches from Wake Forest, Elon, UNC-W and Western Carolina.

Players, parents and club coaches asked questions of the coaches about their school and about the whole recruiting process.

For the 5 p.m. game, the conditions were vastly different. During the day the temperature had risen about 25 degrees and the fields had dried out, and the sun was also a factor. The opponents were from the FC Carolina Alliance club, with this team of girls being from Rowan County.

All of the scoring came in the first half, with the Lady Avalanche getting on the board first in the 10^th minute. Skylar Hicks netted her second goal of the day, being in place to get a loose ball which had bounced off the FCAA Rowan keeper and placing it in the back of the net.

About nine minutes later the Rowan team got a corner kick and before the Avalanche could get the ball cleared, an FCAA player put the ball in the goal.

In the 25^th minute, a FCAA Rowan forward took the ball up the left-side of the field and crossed the ball to the goal. The ball hit the far goal post and bounced into the goal for the go-ahead goal.

In the second half, the two teams battled back and forth, but neither team got a lucky break or made a mistake that the other team could take advantage of, so the score remained the same as FCCA Rowan took a 2-1 victory.

The Lady Avalanche traveled back down the mountain on Sunday for their third game of the weekend to face a CASL Spartan United team. The game was played on BB&T field #11 at 11 a.m. on April 11^th, and was probably the best game of the weekend as far as excitement factor.

It started out looking like the Lady Avalanche were playing a bigger, more physical team with numerous subs sitting on the bench, ready to give the starters a break in the mid-day heat. It took the CASL Spartans only two minutes to get on the scoreboard, reinforcing the early impressions.

However, the Lady Avalanche settled down and the defense stepped up, seeing lots of action early in the game. As the HCSA defense was able to get the ball up to the offense, the game momentum evened out, and it became more of a give-and-take game.

The Avalanche evened up the score at the halfway point in the first half when Kendyl Baird of Watauga got the ball to Avery’s Mary Chesnut Smith, who was able to get the ball past the Spartan keeper.

Not to be outdone, the Spartans got another goal in the closing minutes of the first half to take a 2-1 lead into half time. Coach Kiki Wallace, who is also Director of Coaching for the HCSA, made some position changes to start the second half.

Normally mid-fielders together, Coach Kiki placed Smith and Ashe’s Kebrina Keys on the front line together for the first time this year. About nine minutes into the second half, the pair connected; Smith crossed the ball into the goal face where Keys made a beautiful goal off a header.

The Spartans got fired up and eight minutes later scored a goal off a high shot which was difficult for the Avalanche keeper to even see due to the sun position and the angle of the shot.

About four minutes later, the Lady Avalanche was awarded an indirect free kick off of a Spartan foul.

With the Spartans on all sides of the box, ready to charge the ball, the kickers made sure the referee gave them ten yards clearance in all directions. The Spartans charged the ball on the whistle instead of waiting for the first tap, deflecting the shot.

Coach Kiki was irate and let the referee know in no uncertain terms his displeasure with the no-call. He was awarded a yellow card for his efforts, and eventually Coach Kiki was given a red card and ejected from the game for continuing to challenge the call or lack thereof.

With only one substitute his ultimate hope was to fire the girls up, as he wasn’t needed on the sidelines to help the team with their subbing. HCSA president and team parent, Darren Mullenix took over as coach. About a minute later, the Avalanche were awarded another free kick, a direct kick this time and Keys sent a beautiful shot into goal to tie the score. Neither team was able to break the tie before time ran out as the match ended tied at 3-3.

Around the Diamond with Middle School Sports

Monday: Avery vs. Cranberry

County rivals Cranberry and Avery squared off against each other in baseball and softball Monday night, with Avery notching wins in both sports.

Avery's softball girls held off a late-surging Cranberry team by a final score of 12-10.

Avery (3-5) was up 11-2 going into the sixth inning, but Cranberry scored eight in that inning to make it close.

"We definitely lost our focus," said Avery coach Chris Lecka. "But we hung in there."

Avery scored once more in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 12-10.

Cranberry (0-8) even had the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, but got its third out before any more scores.

Lecka gave Cranberry a lot of credit, saying "they did not give up."

"They all did really good today," Cranberry coach Angel Dugger said of her girls.

Shannon Smith led Avery scorers with four runs, and Ellie Lecka, Ashley Yoder, and Christian Burleson had two runs. Autumn Church led Cranberry with two runs.

Yoder, Smith, and Morgan Lecka pitched for Avery, while Emily Brown pitched the entire game for Cranberry.

Over at the Newland Elementary field, Avery's boys beat Cranberry 11-1 in six innings. The guys had no such late surge as the Lady Wildcats did. Cranberry coach Phillip Greene said his guys may have let their nerves get the best of them.

"I think we should have done better," said Greene, acknowledging his team's errors.

Avery coach Donnie Johnson said his team's strength during the game was base-running.

"I thought we were aggressive on the bases," he said. Johnson also noted that his guys played with a lot of confidence. Luke Wotell led Avery scorers with three runs; Ty Polsgrove, Chance Watson, and Daniel Childress had two apiece. Nathan Hicks had the lone score for Cranberry (0-8), with Austin Daniels driving in that run.

Polsgrove pitched for Avery (2-7), striking out 13 batters. Stetson Stafford started for Cranberry, and Hunter Guinn finished the game.

Last Wednesday: Avery vs. Harris

Avery hosted Harris in both sports Wednesday of last week. The Lady Panthers won their second game of the season on Wednesday, a 12-9 decision in six innings.

Avery started slowly, as Lecka said his team is prone to do, and was down 4-0 at its first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning.

An Avery double play ended the top of the second, and momentum shifted the Panthers' way as they scored eight runs in the second inning and never trailed the rest of the game.

Many of those first runs came on Harris walks or errors.

Shannon Smith, after relieving starting pitcher Morgan Lecka in the third inning, held Harris scoreless until the top of the sixth when the Devils had four late scores. (Avery's largest lead, 12-5, was just prior to those scores.)

"Shannon pitched great," Coach Lecka said, pointing her out as one of two who performed particularly well in this game.

The other was Ashley Yoder, who he said "really did a good job catching."

"Overall I was pleased," he said of his team's performance.

Coach Lecka wanted to recognize his assistant coach, Phil Leaman, for his help this season. "He's done a wonderful job," said Lecka. "Couldn't do it without him."

The boys, meanwhile, lost 11-7 to Harris, but all of Avery's points came in the last four innings. Down 11-0 coming into the bottom of the fourth, the game's midpoint as innings go, the Panthers battled back. Ty Polsgrove pitched during Avery's offensive run. Chance Watson started the game. Daniel Childress led Avery scorers with two runs.

Upcoming games
Cranberry hosts Harris (both sports) on Wednesday at 4:00. Next week: Cranberry's last regular season game (in both sports) is against Avery on Monday at 4:00, and Avery hosts Ashe County in a doubleheader (baseball only) Tuesday at 4:30.

Around the Course with Avery Golf

Last Monday was a landmark day on the golf course at Grassy Creek in Spruce Pine. The team shot low, and a number of individual players reached career lows as the Vikings played solid golf in Spruce Pine.

Three unprecedented accomplishments marked a successful day on the course. For the first time in three seasons, the Vikings boys golf team carded a score below 360 with a team score of 353. For the first time in four years, each of Avery’s players shot under 100 for the round, and Viking captain Chase Watson broke 80 for the first time in his high school career, firing a score of 78 to tie for third lowest individual score.

Mitchell captured the team tournament win with a score of 320, while Owen finished second with a score of 328 and Polk County came in third with a team score of 330. Mountain Heritage came home fifth behind Avery, followed by Madison. Two conference teams, Thomas Jefferson and Hendersonville, did not compete in Monday’s tournament.

Avery played an exhibition round at Mountain Glen Golf Club on Tuesday afternoon with Mitchell, and will return to the course for conference competition with a tournament at Mount Mitchell on Thursday afternoon.

Simply the Best! Lady Vikings Take Top Spot in Latest 1A Soccer Poll

The NCSCA released its latest weekly women's 1A soccer poll, and the Avery Lady Vikings have moved up one spot from second to the #1 RANKING IN THE STATE!

No Avery sports team in recent memory has ever reached a #1 ranking in the state, illustrating the rarity and great accomplishment for the Lady Vikings, who stand at an undefeated 8-0 for the season.

Avery switched positions in the poll with the NC School of Science and Math, who lost 2-0 to Carrboro this week for its first loss of 2010.

The Lady Vikings return to action on Monday evening with a home match at MacDonald Stadium against rival Mitchell.