ALWS semifinals: A closer look

No. 1 California vs. No. 2 North Carolina (4 p.m.)

San Mateo, Calif., Post 82

Record: 35-5

Stat leaders: Tyler Villaroman (.486, 11 runs 10 RBIs); Angelo Bortolin (.385, 9 runs, 2 HRs, 15 RBIs); Felix Aberouette (.344, 7 runs, 1 HR, 14 RBIs, 1-0, 1 save); Ramon Enriquez (.281, 7 RBIs); Kaleb Keelean (270, 6 runs); Jordan Brandenburg (.355, 10 runs, 1 HR, 9 RBIs); Nick Knecht (.333, 7 runs); Spencer Stewart (2-0, 4.50); Alex Waldsmith (2-0, 3.00).

Verbatim: Assistant coach Bob Sargent on how his team has dealt with the murder of former teammate Calvin Riley. “For these guys, it gives them an extra purpose, to dig deeper, because it puts life in perspective. When you’re talking about a one-run game in the ninth inning, does it really matter? That’s really the reality.”

Rowan County, N.C. Post 342

Record: 40-13

Stat leaders: Chandler Blackwelder (.257, 8 RBIs); Dalton Lankford (.250, 9 runs); Hunter Shepherd (8 RBIs); Lee Poteat (.364, 10 runs, 8 RBIs); Juan Garcia (.294, 6 RBIs); Brandon Walton (.314, 6 runs); Jake Pritchard (.400, 7 RBIs); Trevor Atwood (.292, 5 RBIs); Tanner File (.385, 6 runs); John Owen (1-1, 2.40); Bryan Ketchie (1-1, 1.38); Hunter Shepherd (2-0, 0.56).

Verbatim: Coach Jim Gantt on his team’s two consecutive wins in pool play. “I think it says everything about them, as far as their mentality, their confidence level and the fact you can’t just give up because you play poorly one day.”

No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 2 Arkansas (7:30 p.m.)

Rockport, Ind., Post 254

Record: 35-1

Stat leaders: Kobe Stephens (.250 BA, 6 runs, 7 runs batted in); Trever Zink (.256, 5 runs, 7 RBIs); Spencer Deom (8 runs); Jakob Shuler (.433, 10 runs, 8 RBIs); Sammy Rowan (7 runs, 6 RBIs); Caleb Helms (.313); Jesse Stallings (3-0, 4.38 earned-run average); Andrew Hayden (2-0, 2.57); Caleb Ebelhar (6 saves, 0.00 ERA).

Verbatim: Coach Jim Haaff on preparation for the semifinals. “We can’t control who we play. We’ve just got to concentrate … and look at one game at a time – not look ahead. We always have things to work on and talk about.”

Texarkana, Ark., Post 58

Record: 40-5

Stat leaders: Matt Goodheart (.294, 5 runs, 4 RBIs); Blake Hall (.345, 5 runs, 4 RBIs); Will Smith (.345, 1 HR, 5 RBIs); Parker Ribble (.375, 5 runs); Beau Burson (.346); Logan Vidrine (.308, 5 runs, 4 RBIs); Austin Cross (1-0, 1.50 ERA); Tanner Vaught (1-0, 2.63 ERA); Patrick Flanagan (1-0, 4.86 ERA).

Verbatim: Manager Dane Peavy on his team bouncing back from an opening loss in pool play. “We’re just going to go out and do what we can every day. We suffered a loss in the first round, and I told our guys … you still have two more to get after it. We knew that we had a good team.”

ys everything about them, as far as their mentality, their confidence level and the fact you can’t just give up because you play poorly one day.”