03/28/2024
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By Sonny Jones

The West Bladen baseball teams is 10-3 and coming off a two-game sweep of rival East Bladen last week.

East Bladen is 4-8, has had a five-game losing streak this season and has won two straight only once.

Yet, in the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Ratings Percentage Index, with five weeks remaining in the baseball season, East Bladen is ranked 19th in the 2-A East classification while West Bladen is 22nd.

How can that be? Strength of schedule, especially non-conference schedule. East Bladen’s opponents have a .712 winning percentage while West Bladen’s opponents have a .355 winning percentage. RPI rewards playing stronger opponents even if it doesn’t result in a lot of victories.

East Bladen has played non-conference opponents South Brunswick (9-1), Terry Sanford (12-2), South Columbus (6-3) and West Brunswick (6-7).

West Bladen has played non-conference opponents South Columbus (6-3), Gray’s Creek (6-6), West Columbus (4-7), East Columbus (1-8), and Union (0-11).

RPI is used to determine state playoff pairings. Although there are exceptions, basically, the top 32-ranked teams qualify for postseason.

RPI will constantly change the rest of the season and conference games will have a larger impact down the stretch following upcoming Easter tournament. There are five weeks left for baseball and softball and six weeks remaining for girls’ soccer.

Here’s how Bladen County teams rate

BASEBALL

EAST BLADEN
Record: 4-8
Winning percentage: .333
Opponents winning percentage: .712
Opponents’ opponents winning percentage: .529
RPI: .544
Ranking: 19

WEST BLADEN
Record: 10-3
Winning percentage: .769
Opponents winning percentage: .355
Opponents’ opponents winning percentage: .523
RPI: .530
Ranking: 22

Ranking for other SAC-7 teams:
1. Midway
5. Fairmont
27. Clinton
29. St. Pauls
38. Red Springs

SOFTBALL

WEST BLADEN
Record: 8-5
Winning percentage: .615
Opponents winning percentage: .412
Opponents’ opponents winning percentage: .450
RPI: .485
Ranking: 25

EAST BLADEN
Record: 4-7
Winning percentage: .364
Opponents winning percentage: .450
Opponents’ opponents winning percentage: .473
RPI: .431
Ranking: 34

Ranking for other SAC-7 teams:
3. Midway
26. St. Pauls
29. Fairmont
39. Red Springs
47. Clinton

GIRLS’ SOCCER

EAST BLADEN
Record: 7-3-1
Winning percentage: .682
Opponents winning percentage: .505
Opponents’ opponents winning percentage: .528
RPI: .565
Ranking: 10

WEST BLADEN
Record: 3-9-0
Winning percentage: .250
Opponents winning percentage: .546
Opponents’ opponents winning percentage: .447
RPI: .428
Ranking: 33

Ranking for other SAC-7 teams:
1. Clinton
30. Midway
32. St. Pauls
44. Red Springs

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