Cast Your Vote! | Plus, the Bracket Battle of the Broadcasters

Cast your vote for who should be the favorite to win the title, and witness the bracket contest between our Luckies commentary team

Jason "Jay" Ramey, Jr.

Joe Dexter

, and

Santa Eric Smith

Jul 26, 2023

It’s playoff time in the Old North State League, and it’s time for you to tell us who you think will win the title! Check out the Bracket Battle of the Broadcasters between Joe, Eric, and I, and scroll to the end to vote on who you think walks away from Pineville with rings.

“Santa” Eric Smith

Opening Round, 3 Sandhills Bogeys vs. 6 Clayton Clovers — Pick: 3 Sandhills Bogeys

Opening Round, 4 Pineville Porcupines vs. 5 Sanford Spinners — Pick: 4 Pineville Porcupines

Semifinals, 2 Hendersonville Honeycrisps vs. 3 Sandhills Bogeys — Pick: 2 Hendersonville Honeycrisps

Semifinals, 1 Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs vs. 4 Pineville Porcupines — Pick: 4 Pineville Porcupines

Championship Series, 2 Hendersonville Honeycrisps vs. 4 Pineville Porcupines — Pick: 4 Pineville Porcupines in 3

Santa cites the massive amount of momentum for Pineville as his reason for picking the Wild Card. He acknowledges that the Honeycrisps have been struggling, but he thinks that they can squeeze out one last win against Sandhills. However, it won’t be enough to bring down Pineville. He thinks that the Porcupines will defeat the Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs due to Brunswick’s easy schedule, and the possibility of underestimating Pineville.

Jay “the Kid” Ramey

Opening Round, 3 Sandhills Bogeys vs. 6 Clayton Clovers — Pick: 6 Clayton Clovers

Opening Round, 4 Pineville Porcupines vs. 5 Sanford Spinners — Pick: 4 Pineville Porcupines

Semifinals, 2 Hendersonville Honeycrisps vs. 6 Clayton Clovers — Pick: 6 Clayton Clovers

Semifinals, 1 Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs vs. 4 Pineville Porcupines — Pick: 1 Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs

Championship Series, 1 Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs vs. 6 Clayton Clovers — Pick: 1 Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs in 3

The Clovers recently tied with the one-seeded Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs in an away game to finish the season, while Sandhills finished their season by falling to the Reidsville Luckies in a 10-0 shutout mercy rule. Pineville is riding a massive wave of momentum, whereas the Spinners have dropped off significantly.

The Honeycrisps dealt with the same problem Sanford had, steadily degrading over the course of the season. I’ve got the Surfin’ Turfs taking down the Porcupines. I get that the Porcupines would’ve won about eighty-seven games in a row by then, but the Surfin’ Turfs are the one seed for a reason.

As mentioned, the Clovers tied with Brunswick due to darkness to cap off their season. I think that a series between them would be a slugfest, but Brunswick would ultimately notch the victory.

Joe “the Voice” Dexter

Opening Round, 3 Sandhills Bogeys vs. 6 Clayton Clovers — Pick: 3 Sandhills Bogeys

This is what playoff baseball is all about.

Sandhills brings one of the best offenses to the table, led by Nick DiCarlo (.340/.444/.850), Colby Thorndyke (.371/.481/1.133), and Chance Purvis (.336/.403/.929). The lineup is sprinkled with a bevy of all-stars, finishing third in runs scored throughout league play.

The pitching staff features three D1 arms, led by Noah Walker, who has only given up 4 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings pitched. Walker has struck out 39 while only walking 7 and holds a .225 batting average against.

The Clovers have been unbelievable in the second half, winning five straight out the gates, finishing the season winning nine of the last 12 games, before tying with Brunswick in the season finale.

All-Star Mike Snyder has hit all seven of his home runs in the second half and Clayton’s offense is fourth in league scoring, while ranking in the top half of the league’s runs allowed.

This is going to be a must-watch game and could easily go either way. I'll stick with the Bogeys, based on the fact that pitching wins championships and the Bogeys are 12-4 on the road this season, and this will be a neutral site game.

Opening Round, 4 Pineville Porcupines vs. 5 Sanford Spinners — Pick: 4 Pineville Porcupines

Pineville is a team of destiny, willing their way into the playoffs with seven straight wins to end the season. Great team chemistry is just the start of things, as the Porcupines roster is chucked full of talent.

Pineville holds a strong 4.00 team ERA, led by staff ace Spencer Cipro, who holds a 1.15 ERA through nearly 48 innings of work. Cipro, who last pitched on Saturday, bolsters 44 strikeouts to just 19 walks this season.

For the Spinners, it’s been a tough road in the second half, dropping four straight at one point before righting the ship at the end of the year against the Hushpuppies and Luckies. The Sanford offense has been clutch all season, finishing third in league play in runs scored.

Gage Bibey, Adam Joseph, and Kaden Sigmon will all be tough outs for an offense that holds a .278 average heading into the post season. At the end of the day, I think Pineville’s pitching will be too much.

Did I mention the Porcupines are 14-3 at home, where the playoffs are being held? That’s a huge advantage.

Semifinals, 2 Hendersonville Honeycrisps vs. 3 Sandhills Bogeys — Pick: 3 Sandhills Bogeys

The rematch!

Hendersonville was an apple away from a title last year and you better believe that will be on their mind. But, the Honeycrisps have lost five of their last seven, with Sandhills picking up wins in five of their final six contests.

It should be a good one, but I’ll take the Bogeys to advance.

Semifinals, 1 Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs vs. 4 Pineville Porcupines — Pick: 1 Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs

While I admittedly know very little about Brunswick, it’s clear that their pitching is strong enough to match up with the Porcupines — as the staff holds a 3.95 ERA. Offensively, they scored 23 runs against the Porcupines during their two regular season matchups.

I think this game will be close but I’m taking Brunswick to advance to the championship series.

Championship Series, 1 Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs vs. 3 Sandhills Bogeys — Pick: 3 Sandhills Bogeys in 3

For the first time in league history, Sandhills edges out back-to-back titles in a series to remember. Both teams will put on display the talent that makes up the Old North State League, but Sandhills will walk away with the ONSL cup.

Now, it’s time for you, the fans, to cast your votes! All six teams are available to be picked, and are on separate polls because of Substack limitations. Choose within the next twenty-four hours, and I will reveal the percentages tomorrow.

Those who make the correct pick will receive special recognition on Luckies Ledger. No, I won’t be giving out e-mail addresses, so go ahead and make your vote! Why not?