Baseball at the Beach – Weekend Preview

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bbatb
So, I’m really feeling pretty jealous as I’m putting this weekend’s preview together.  Baseball and the beach.  Helluva combination.  In fact, add in one more “B”, some ice cold beer that is, and it’s pretty difficult to beat IMHO.

Yep, Wolfpack Baseball travels to Myrtle Beach this weekend for the 2013 Caravelle Resorts Baseball at the Beach Weekend, hosted by the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers.  But the Pack better not have bikinis on their minds and better be ready to play as they’ll face two quality opponents this weekend (Sorry UMBC…this ain’t Lacrosse).

The Wolfpack arrives in Myrtle beach on a bit of a roll.  After dropping their opening day game to App State, the Pack has reeled off seven straight victories, outscoring opponents 84-12 in the process.  This past week, State took a pair from the Aggies of NM State on Wednesday  and Thursday at Doak Field.  And even if you don’t bother to go and read those write ups about the games, you must at least check out Brett Williams’ fantastic diving catch in Wednesday’s game.  The play was the #2 play of the day on ESPN’s Top 10, and was talked about extensively (considering it’s February college baseball at least) in national and local media.

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Baseball at the Beach Weekend – The Opposition

umbcUMBC

0-0 (2012: 10-42)

Friday – 1:30pm

OK, with all apologies to my friends that attended UMBC (and no, I’m not just talking out of my ass….contrary to popular belief, I really do have friends and some actually did attend UMBC), the Retrievers don’t look to be all that.  Admittedly, they are a bit of an unknown considering they have yet to take the field in 2013 and the Wolfpack will be their opening game of the year.  But basing it on 2012’s results….well, let’s just say the 2013 edition doesn’t have the bar set too high for themselves.

The Retrievers finished 2012 a dismal 10-42 (2-22 America East Conf.), including dropping 30 of their last 33.  They didn’t pitch well (Team ERA 9.01, OppBA .367) to say the least, and this was probably their biggest problem as they gave up more than 10 runs per game on the year.  And while they weren’t putrid at the plate, they weren’t nearly potent enough to overcome their pitching woes as they were outscored by an average of nearly 5 runs per game for the year.

As well as the Wolfpack has been hitting the ball recently, the opening game could become a laugher.  But it is baseball and anything can happen.

UMBC Links:

UMBC Retrievers Baseball (UMBCRetrievers.com)

Stats

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FAUFlorida Atlantic

5-3 (2012: 32-22)

Saturday – 5:00pm

The Owls will be a challenge.  They’re hitting the ball fairly well so far in 2013 (.301 TeamBA) though they don’t have a boatload of runs to show for it (5 per game) and they haven’t been hitting for power (2 HR on the season).

But their pitching has been solid to say the least.  Thru their first 8 games, their staff checks in with a team ERA of 2.52 and opponents are hitting only .212 against them.  The Owls ain’t too shabby defensively either, with a team fielding pct. of .972.

Granted, the season is young.  But if the Owls can find a way to score some runs, it looks as if 2013 might be a pretty good year for them.

FAU Links:

Florida Atlantic Owls Basball (FAUSports.com)

Stats

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CCUCoastal Carolina

Sunday – 5:00pm
3-4 (2012: 42-19)

The Chanticleers have struggled a bit to start the 2013 season, but are always a challenge.  For those who don’t follow college baseball, CCU is one of the more successful programs going quite frankly.  In the past 10 seasons they’ve only failed to win 40 games once, and have notched 50+ wins on four occasions (’05, ’07, ’08, ’10).

Thus far in 2013, CCU’s biggest problem is that they’ve struggled to score runs.  They are only batting .206 as a team, have not hit for power with only 1 HR on the season thus far, and have been able to muster fewer than 4 runs per game in the early going.

Coastal’s pitching has been good at times this year, though their team ERA is currently hovering at 4.50.  But they do have two very quality starters in Soph. Ben Smith (0-0, ERA 1.93) and Jr. Tyler Herb (2-1, 4.76).  Herb finished the 2012 season with a 9-2 record and an impressive ERA of 2.61.

Despite their struggles thus far in 2013, CCU is a quality program with talent.  They won’t go the entire season averaging giving up 6 runs per game while scoring only 4.  Hopefully however, they won’t begin to click before Sunday is over with.

CCU Links:

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Baseball (GoCCUSports.com)

Stats

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Indiana and West Virginia will also be in town for the event, but we’re not scheduled to face either of them so screw ’em. 😀

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Full 2013 Baseball at the Beach Schedule

TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark – (note, home team is always listed second)

MARCH 1 – FRIDAY

  • 10:00 am – West Virginia @ Indiana
  • 1:30 pm – UMBC @ NCSU
  • 5:00 pm – Florida Atlantic @ Coastal Carolina

MARCH 2 – SATURDAY

  • 10:00 am – UMBC @ West Virginia
  • 1:30 pm – Indiana @ Coastal Carolina
  • 5:00 pm – Florida Atlantic @ NCSU

MARCH 3 – SUNDAY

  • 10:00 am – Indiana @ UMBC
  • 1:30 pm – West Virginia @ Florida Atlantic
  • 5:00 pm – NCSU @ Coastal Carolina

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Event Links:

Coastal Carolina draws impressive baseball lineup for weekend tournament (MyrtleBeachOnline.com)

Caravelle Resort’s Baseball at the Beach Field Packed with Talent (GoCCUSports.com)

TicketReturn.com Field Info (MyrtleBeachPelicans.com)

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On the horizon:  The Pack returns home next week and will have a mid-week games vs the Phoenix of Elon (Tuesday) and the Campbell Camels (Wednesday) before opening up ACC play against the Clemson Tigers March 8-10.

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Be sure to get over to the SFN Forums for discussion of all things NC State….and more.

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About Wufpacker

A 2nd generation alumnus and raised since birth to be irrationally dedicated to all things NC State. Class of '88 and '92.

Baseball

24 Responses to Baseball at the Beach – Weekend Preview

  1. Pack78 03/01/2013 at 8:49 AM #

    Wuf-Thanks for the update-really like keeping up with the Pack 9 via Gametracker.

  2. GAWolf 03/01/2013 at 9:40 AM #

    The boys are playing really, really well. The bats are hot, and Trey Turner is leading a pretty potent attack since the App State debacle. The “opening day jitters” cliche has seemed to drown out some genuine concern that us Pack fans were once again in for a let down by an overhyped preseason.

    This team is strong from top to bottom. At the App game, I commented that this is the first year in forever if not ever that every name in the starting lineup was not only familiar but bolstered confidence that the position was well-covered.

    I like how the guys play when they’re loose, and this truly can be a special season with a trip to Omaha. The Clemson series at home becomes HUGE for kicking the meat of the season off properly.

    This weekend it would be awesome to come back undefeated at the beach. As usual, it will likely come down to how many quality innings are starters can give and whether our bats stay hot.

  3. Wufpacker 03/01/2013 at 1:43 PM #

    @Pack78 – Agreed about gametracker. I used to listen to games on the radio a lot as a kid and I guess the gametracker is kinda like a 21st century upgrade to that in a way. But I do get ticked when the feed freezes up. Am looking forward to next weekend as all three Clemson games are streaming on ESPN3.

    @GAWolf – Agreed that the offensive output since App has been refreshing, especially considering the weather issues. The familiar names are great, yes, but I’ve especially been pleased with the new faces (Morgan and Nance come to mind). I’m not so concerned about the starting pitching for some reason, but I have been very happy with the bullpen thus far and hope they can keep it up.

  4. highstick 03/01/2013 at 2:00 PM #

    Don’t be losing no games to Chandeliers, guys. Clemmons already has been snake bitten by the Winthrop Eagles!

  5. Wufpacker 03/01/2013 at 2:18 PM #

    Looks like the baseball gods are teaching me a lesson for disrespecting UMBC (and not being concerned about the Pack’s starting pitching). They score two in their half of the first.

    Strange though that Easley (Pack’s starter today) already got an early hook. Granted, he gave up two hits and walked two others. But to get such an early shower I’m wondering if he’s hurt.

  6. elvislives 03/01/2013 at 2:45 PM #

    Not sure about the early hook either, Wuf. Perhaps its a move to rest the arm if he just doesn’t have it today.

    Hoping to see Turner get out of his “slump” of stolen bases this weekend. 5 steals in 8 games is about 10 below his average.

  7. CaptainCraptacular 03/02/2013 at 8:03 AM #

    Coastal has 2 guys on the ncbwa ‘stopper of the year’ preseason watch list, Aaron Burke and Ryan Connelly, both seniors:
    http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/020813aab.html

    Also, Coastal *may not* be saving their best starter for last, according to this:
    Redshirt-freshman righty Tyler Poole (0-1, 18.00) will make his second collegiate start Friday, with sophomore lefty Ben Smith (0-0, 1.93) throwing Saturday and freshman Alex Cunningham (0-1, 9.95) making his second start Sunday.

  8. Dr. BadgerPack 03/02/2013 at 8:53 AM #

    Captain, If you figure Herb is the best starter for Coastal he pitched Thursday. They do have some rotation flexibility as they don’t start conference play for a while, but they may want to go ahead and settle into the rotation (which is why Smith goes today, presumably).

    Expect Rodon to pitch for us today and our weekend rotation appears to be set as Ogburn/Rodon/Jerningan (or the hot hand as the Sunday guy). This is exactly how I’d want to set up for the conference season.

  9. highstick 03/02/2013 at 12:36 PM #

    Wonder what the weather is there? I just stopped snowing in Rock Hill.

  11. highstick 03/02/2013 at 4:07 PM #

    Just looked at the radar and our snow storm must have fallen apart after it went southeast of Charlotte/Rock Hill. We had huge flakes for a bout 2 hours, covered everything, then quit. Now it’s almost melted.

    Looks like the Cocks and Clempson dodged it in Greenville. When I looked on radar this morning, it was between Greenville and Rock Hill.

  12. elvislives 03/02/2013 at 7:02 PM #

    Rodon with 14 K’s thru the first 6 innings. The kid is so nasty.

  13. Wufpacker 03/02/2013 at 8:19 PM #

    Heckuva game. Pack wins 2-1 in 10. Rodon fans 16 (giving up only the single run) in 7 innings but gets the no decision.

    Regardless however….that’s nine straight.

  14. Pack78 03/02/2013 at 8:20 PM #

    Just win baby!

    Tomorrow’s opponent (Coastal Carolina) has beaten FAU 4-1, and lost to Indiana 9-1 thus far in this event.

  15. Dogbreath 03/02/2013 at 9:02 PM #

    16 K’s and a no decision is taking #NCState Shit to a whole new dimension.

  16. Dr. BadgerPack 03/03/2013 at 3:06 AM #

    ^Nah- That’s just baseball shit. It happens all the time.

  17. Dr. BadgerPack 03/03/2013 at 8:01 AM #

    Here’s a fun box score…

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200105080.shtml

  18. PackerInRussia 03/03/2013 at 1:00 PM #

    Wow, 16 K’s. That is impressive. Over 2/3 of his outs on SO’s. Not bad at all. I think he’ll have plenty of chances to put a notch in the W category this season to worry about the no decision.

  19. Dr. BadgerPack 03/03/2013 at 3:16 PM #

    Rodon’s “job” (and he’d tell you this) isn’t wins anyway… it’s to go deep, save the pen (not leave in the 4th) and put the team in position to win. When starters get wins it’s great, but it’s not the be-all, end-all statistic.

    Heck I’d argue he went too deep yesterday- we have too many arms that need innings! 🙂

  20. elvislives 03/03/2013 at 6:07 PM #

    Another early hook by Avent, Jernigan leaves after 1/3 IP allowing 2 walks, a sac bunt and one HBP. Not sure if there was an injury or just impatience by the coaches. 1-1 after 1 full inning of play against the Chandeliers (thanks ‘Stick)

    Rodon getting some plate appearances today as the DH (batting 6th in the lineup). Struck out his first time up, does that give him 17 K’s for the weekend?

  21. Wufpacker 03/03/2013 at 6:14 PM #

    ^ LOL…I was just coming over to say that same thing Re: Rodon getting a 17th K, but being on the wrong end of this one.

    Great minds elvis 😀

    I’m guessing Jernigan’s control on today’s early hook combined with needing to get some innings for some other guys.

  22. Wufpacker 03/03/2013 at 6:54 PM #

    Rodon reaches on HBP, but gets stranded.

    I guess if you gotta get hit, he has an advantage since he can’t bean himself.

  23. Wufpacker 03/03/2013 at 9:25 PM #

    Man, how much do I love Trea Turner?

    Another 10 inning win, Turner drives in the gamewinner tonight. Also doubled Coastal up on the last play to end it (we’ll ignore the throwing error that made the DP necessary, lol).

  24. Pack78 03/03/2013 at 9:28 PM #

    So the Pack turns off the Chandeliers…great Pack sports day; baseball, men’s and women’s BB, softball all win. Men’s golf tied for 1st after one day of their tournament.

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