Wolfpack Baseball (45-14) took the first step (hopefully of many) towards Omaha Friday night, when it took care of business against the Bearcats from Binghamton (30-24)
The Pack jumped to an early lead behind Tarran Senay’s first inning two run blast, his 7th of the season. Senay was 2 for 4 on the night with the HR, a double and 2 RBIs. Not happy with being 2nd on the Pack’s season HR list, Trea Turner delivered a solo shot of his own in the 6th inning, his 7th of the season.
Brett Austin (2 for 4, double) and Jake Fincher (2 for 4, run) each also had multi hit games as well.
But it was Jake Fincher’s clutch grab in right field that had the crowd oohing and ahhing last night. The catch might not have looked QUITE as spectacular as the grab Brett Williams made earlier in the year vs New Mexico State. But given the circumstances and the fact that it saved at least one run, and more likely two, from scoring for Binghamton (and that Fincher sacrificed the body big time, eating about a pound of track dirt for his efforts), I personally give it AT LEAST equal props, Probably more.
If you missed it you can see it here (thx to elvislives for the link).
Ethan Ogburn got the start on the bump for the Pack, but would take a no decision after 3.2 mostly effective innings, despite living dangerously pretty much every inning. Andrew Woeck came on with 2 down in the 4th and pitched a nice scoreless transition inning, but even he wasn’t his usual self.
But Woeck did enough to hand it off to Josh Easley who was lights out. Easley tossed 4.1 innings of one hit scoreless ball, and seemed to only get stronger as the game went on. By the 8th and 9th innings, there was little doubt that the Bearcats’ hitters had no answer for him. He would get credit for the win, his 6th of the season out of the bullpen (6-2).
NC State Tops Binghamton in Regional Opener (GoPack.com)
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Earlier in the day in Raleigh, the Tribe of William & Mary asserted themselves and represented the CAA with mucho gusto, defeating a lackluster Ole Miss Rebels squad by a final score of 4-2.
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Saturday in Raleigh
So, today’s games shape up like this…
Ole Miss and Binghamton will each be playing for their NCAA Tourney lives as they face off in the the loser’s bracket at 2pm. The loser goes home.
The Pack and the Tribe from Bill n Mary will face off in the winner’s bracket at 7pm. The winner moves on to Sunday’s SECOND game (6pm). The loser must then face whoever survives today’s Ole Miss/Binghamton affair in tomorrow’s early game (1pm).
If the Pack can get thru today’s contest with Bill n Mary with a win, then someone will have to beat them tomorrow AND Monday in order to advance. If the Pack loses today, then they’ll need to take three straight (two tomorrow and one on Monday).
So….win today, please.
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Today’s games are only being shown in their entirety on ESPN3. But if you have cable/satellite, be sure to check and see if your system/provider is carrying the temp channel ESPN Bases Loaded. It’s a whip around type channel (a la the NFL RedZone) where they try to keep the viewer abreast of all the goings on by showing pertinent points in all games.
It’s really cool.
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We’ll have periodic updates of the Ole Miss/Binghamton game today (it’s 2-1 Rebs in the 6th at the time of this posting), as well as other pertinent goings on around the country. Then we’ll have timely updates and maybe even true play x play for the State/W&M game tonight at 7pm.
So, please join us for that and talk your asses off during the game in the comments section below. I get bored talking to myself. 🙂
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Let’s Go Pack…Beat the Tribe!!!!
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