Brian Rosener is the keeper of the Semoball Cup which is presented to the school with the most successful season. It is based on a formula that takes into account the combined winning percentage of all sports teams plus bonus points for advancement in postseason play for both teams and individuals. The bonus points are divided by the number of teams a school fields. Rosener has been the sports editor for the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff, Mo. since December 2001. He was born and raised in St. Louis, where he attended Lindbergh High School and Webster University. He is married to Jennifer, a Poplar Bluff native, has a son Jack and a dog named Satchel who stands in for his @semoballBrian photo.

Clearwater still perfect

Posted Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 8:13 PM

The district final at Clearwater will be played at 4 p.m. Wednesday, moving up a day to beat the rain that's in the forecast for Thursday.

The host Tigers have advanced with two perfect games, both 10-0 six-inning wins. Clearwater has retired 36 straight batters during the district tournament without a walk, hit or error. The Tigers will try to keep that streak going against Greenville in the final.

Clearwater won the district title 11-1 in six innings Wednesday but the perfect streak ended.

Greenville started the game ending Clearwater's 11-inning perfection streak just two batters in. Nick Wren legged out a single to second base and Tim Hills drove him in with a ball over the head of Clearwater left fielder.

The sectional playoff will be Monday at 4 p.m. in Piedmont. The two teams ended the regular season last week playing in Piedmont. The Tigers won that game 12-1 but Twin Rivers pitcher Garret Stockton was limited in his pitch count and left after allowing six runs. Chris Kirkpatrick threw a three-hitter, allowing a run in the first.

Clearwater recorded 44 consecutive outs.

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Not surpising, Clearwater a great team, but super weak district. Championship probably will be another 10-0 game too.

-- Posted by GreatFun on Tue, May 18, 2010, at 4:17 PM
I dont think that clearwater will have much of a test until they run into Valley Catholic.

-- Posted by baseballfanatic1000 on Tue, May 18, 2010, at 5:10 PM
From what everyone says about Clearwater, Valle won't be a test either.

-- Posted by GreatFun on Tue, May 18, 2010, at 8:25 PM
GreatFun

Sounds to me like you may think that Clearwater is possibly over-rated? Either that or you are tired of hearing about them. They are 24-0....if your team had a record like that you would be talking about them too.

-- Posted by baseballfan2010 on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 6:43 AM
baseballfan2010, your suspicions are partly correct. Yes, we continously hear about them being so good. Admittedly, I don't care what kind of schedule you play, in the game of baseball, to be 24-0 is extremely impressive, I do have to admit that. A key error here, running into another team's ace, your own team having quiet bats on a day, your own pitcher being wild on a given day...These are all things that seem to bite even the best teams, which Clearwater has avoided such fate. It is impressive to have accomplished what they have so far.

In all candor, my thoughts on them are their schedule strength. And this is where we would probably have a dispute. Clearwater will beat a team and then say, "See! Look what we just did to X team, and Y team," assuming that everyone believes that those are good teams, but when I see that I do not agree that this evidence is compelling because we have a disagreement on whether that is actually a good team or not. I look at their schedule and who they have played, and two things stand out to me. 1) They have trounced their competition, scoring double digits on offense and rarely, rarely giving up more than 1-2 runs. Very impressive and I do notice that. But on the flip side, I also notice 2) Very, very weak schedule and very weak district. They could meet a team in post-season who has been more battle tested.

I have not seen them play. So I can only speculate which will often get you into trouble. But when they faced a tough pitcher like Thompson from South Pem, he struck out nearly as many Clearwater batters as he did many weaker smaller schools that he pitched against. It makes me wonder how ready they will be in the post-season for such strong pitching competition that they are likely to see. But they certainly have strong pitching themselves, and sound defense, so with that, they are the favorite to stand on the podium in a few weeks.

I hope that explains might position on Clearwater. Although my post(s) might seem like I am irritated by the talk about them, I actually do think that they are a strong team, and I do think they will probably advance to the championship.

-- Posted by GreatFun on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 8:49 AM
In the past that has been the same for Clearwater. They were undefeated 4 or 5 years ago and lost in the district finals to Twin Rivers. However, their schedule is tougher now than it was back then in my opinion. They are legit because they have really good pitching. Now, the offense isn't that great, but with good pitching it doesn't have to be. Good luck to the Tigers!

-- Posted by Kidrayray on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 9:05 AM
I find it hard to believe that their schedule is tougher now. How creampuff was it back then?

Have to agree on the pitching thing though. So many shutouts, not even allowing baserunners in games like I have read here? Even if you are playing a Jr. High team, statistically it is hard to fathom not allowing a baserunner. Their pitching must be really good. And the recipe for state champions, well, among many I guess, but it is very very important to have a ONE-TWO PUNCH on the mound. Most teams in post-season have at least a ONE PUNCH, but ONE-TWO is the key. From what I hear Clearwater has it.

-- Posted by GreatFun on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 9:11 AM
You can also make a case that Clearwater might not only have a ONE-TWO punch but possibly a ONE-TWO-THREE punch on the mound if they need to go that deep throughout the state playoffs.

-- Posted by baseballfan2010 on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 1:31 PM
I read my post above, and it was soo dang long that I think the best way to sum up my view on Clearwater is more like this: I think they are somewhat 'unproven.' There is a BIG distinction is saying 'unproven' and overrated. I am willing to believe that they really are as good as everyone says but their lack of playing good competition has not proven that they are to me. But I do NOT equate this with overrated. I am not saying that they are overrated. Certainly Clearwater has the opportunity to become proven to me if/when they run the table in the playoffs.

-- Posted by GreatFun on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 4:25 PM
GreatFun

Fair enough, which team are you rooting for the most in the playoffs right now??

-- Posted by baseballfan2010 on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 5:19 PM
All of the underdogs :o)

Actually, probably Scott City. I am not from there but for some reason this season I have taken a liking to them.

And Jackson too. I like that team alot. No real superstars, just alot of solid players and a brand new coach who had a heck of a coach for a dad at Cape Central years ago (Terry Kitchen).

-- Posted by GreatFun on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 5:33 PM
Clearwater will definitely be tested in sectionals and quarterfinals. I agree with how they had a weak schedule and a weak district. Although they didn't hit it well against South Pem, they had key pitching to keep South Pems runs to 0. They waited and waited and finally got the chance and Hillis, who hasn't played baseball since 8th grade, came up with the big hit. I think their pitching will come through for them and help them win state. But dont forget Valle is the defending champs and for some reason people seem to be writing them off.

Twin Rivers in sectionals and most likely Valle in quarterfinals unless there is an upset somewhere for either of the teams. Clearwater has great pitching and good hitters but their hitters have yet to find it. If Fay, Morris, and Hillis keep hitting then Kirkpatrick and Devenport can fall right in to place with some key hits. I think it all depends on their pitching and defense. Along with their pitching they have great defense. I am not quite sure who will pitch against Twin Rivers. At first I thought Kirkpatrick, but noticing that Valle has lost to 3 lefties out of their 4 losses, Kirkpatrick might be saved for Valle and Morris used against Twin Rivers. Clearwater beat Twin Rivers 12-1 I believe last thursday with Kirkpatrick on the mound. I guess we will see. Also, they are 26-0 now.

-- Posted by RainmanC2010 on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 8:52 PM
Nobody I have read about is counting Valle out at all. MANY, if not most, are talking about how this is shaping up to be a great game!

-- Posted by GreatFun on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 11:16 PM
Well spoken Rainman, I think I agree with everything you said. That lefty pitcher talks makes alot of sense.

As far as Twin Rivers, what is their record if anyone knows?

-- Posted by GreatFun on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 11:37 PM
They are 14-3. Stockton pitched the majority of their games because they don't really have much depth. The only reason I said that people can't count Valle out is because most people are only talking about Clearwater when Valle to me should be the favorite even though Clearwater is #1. This game is going to be like the quarterfinal Clearwater/Scott City game in 08.

-- Posted by RainmanC2010 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 12:55 AM
Does anybody know the date and time in which the Clearwater vs. Twin Rivers secitional game will take place. Also, where will it be played at?

-- Posted by baseballfan2010 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 7:46 AM
4 at Clearwater

-- Posted by RainmanC2010 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 8:33 AM
Clearwater vs Twin Rivers will be alot better game than most people think. They went extra innings in the fall , and twin rivers beat them 2-1, but clearwater beat twin rivers by the 10 run rule when they played again. Im taking Clearwater 4-2 in the game that matters the most.Setting up a potential matchup with Valle. The winner of the Valle vs Clearwater game will win state.

-- Posted by baseballfanatic1000 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 8:49 AM
Twin Rivers beat Clearwater 7-6 on 9/14/09

Clearwater beat Twin Rivers 1-0 on 10/12/09

Clearwater beat Twin Rivers 12-1 on 5/13/10

Game 1 Stockton pitched 8 McBroom 2

Morris 6 Kirkpatrick 3

Game 2 Stockton 6 Kirkpatrick 7

Game 3 Stockton 1.33 Snider 3

Kirkpatrick 5

-- Posted by 6+4+3=2 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 9:41 AM
valle has only lost once to a lefty i believe, and i think the game was tied when the lefty, left the game. belton had a right, nd had young, and granite city threw a righty. has clearwater played any class four teams? valle beat a lefty from vianney and potosi two class three and four teams ranked in the state.

-- Posted by roll tide roll on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 9:46 AM
From what I just heard, Stockton won't even pitch monday. His arm is shot.

-- Posted by RainmanC2010 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 10:14 AM

Brian Rosener
Stockton is scheduled to start Monday.
Is this just speculation? or do you have that info from a reliable source rainman.

-- Posted by hardball on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 12:39 PM
Clearwater will run the table to Springfield...they are undefeated...no one has or can beat them since they are undefeated!!!

-- Posted by RedShirt on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 2:25 PM
Twin Rivers is 16-4 and Clearwater is 26-0. Both have been very good teams over the past several years. Clearwater has one of the best records in the state in the decade. Could be a close game but Clearwater will be very tough to beat.

-- Posted by FreyGuys on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 5:10 PM
hardball

I did hear from a reliable source but it could be wrong. I don't know if it is true or not as of %right now.

-- Posted by RainmanC2010 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 7:01 PM
I would love to see Poplar Bluff start adopting some of the youth league qualites that Clearwater has. Clearwater is a powerhouse each season and it's not just by accident. It starts at youth. And before anyone says it's because Clearwater is a much smaller school than Poplar Bluff, I want to mention Clearwater beat Poplar Bluff this season.

Not trying to bash Poplar Bluff but as a huge baseball fan and from here, I would love to see the baseball team win its first district title.

-- Posted by FreyGuys on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 7:44 PM

Brian Rosener
... since 1977.
Sorry Boys, Clearwater will get a 10 run whipping by the Valle Catholic boys. Why do you think Ste. Gen. Public is so poor at boys sports this year? All the athletes in Ste. Gen. are going to Valle!!

-- Posted by Bogey Man on Fri, May 21, 2010, at 11:31 AM

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