HS Baseball Notes: Jake Neville literally stealing the show for North Meck baseball

With six wins so far this season, North Mecklenburg High baseball coach Andrew Martin thinks his team has a shot for its first winning season in 10 years.

A big reason for Martin’s optimism is junior Jake Neville, who has 21 stolen bases in 12 games this season, good for second in the state behind Northwest Guilford’s Bristol Carter (25 in 13 games)

“He (Neville) is definitely our leader out there, there is no question about that,” said Martin, whose team is 6-6 and plays at Harding (1-7) on Thursday. “He definitely brings leadership to the table and is a guy that we as a coaching staff can count on. He works hard, shows up and does what he needs to do, but I am more proud of him for the kind of teammate that he is. I see him all the time helping out other players, and I feel that is most important and definitely value his leadership.”

For Neville, it is important to know that his coaches have this immense amount of respect and confidence in him, and it ultimately gives him the edge that he needs to be great each and every game for the Vikings.

“I really appreciate coach’s kind words,” Neville said. “I think as a team we are all on the right track together. Me being a good teammate can help others and get a good chemistry going. I feel like I’m almost a coach and mentor to all the kids out there on the field. I feel like it is a great environment, and I just love it.”

To get as many stolen bases as Neville has, of course, you have to get on base. Neville is batting a .481 with a .641 on-base percentage. But to compile so many stolen bases it also takes a keen eye on what the opposing pitcher is doing, he said.

“It is really all about timing,” Neville said. “Once you’re at second you are pretty much already at third. So, it is really all about timing and trying to pick up tendencies on (the opposing pitcher). A bunch of times it has been successful. I think I have only been thrown out one time this season.”

This is a Viking roster composed of a lot of key players who are — like Neville — juniors and younger. While Martin is still focused on this season, he knows that he has a good foundation to build upon for next year, as well.

“It is really exciting,” Martin said. “What’s good is that a lot of these guys, my first year as an assistant was their freshman year. I see growth in us every year, and I feel that if we take the right steps in the offseason that we can get a lot better and continue to take those steps forward.”

Three keys from last week’s games

▪ No. 1 Hough got a statement win over No. 4 South Meck, which vaulted it to the top of the rankings this week.

▪ No. 2 Weddington played a three-game series with No. 3 Sun Valley and won 2-of-3 games against the Spartans last week.

▪ No. 5 Ardrey Kell picked up two wins against No. 8 Myers Park, scoring eight runs in each game.

Games of the week

▪ No. 10 Charlotte Christian faces Cannon School, and if the Cougars can secure a win Thursday against the Knights, it will likely bump the Cougars into the rankings.

▪ No. 4 South Meck will face No. 5 Ardrey Kell in a pivotal game for conference standings. Both teams are unbeaten in conference play and will be key moving into the latter part of the season.

Observer Sweet 16 Poll

Dropped out: Hickory Grove (IND, 7-4); Cox Mill (4A, 5-5). Also receiving consideration: Lake Norman (4A, 5-5); Cuthbertson (4A, 5-4)