Rough Start to 2010

We have started the season 1-4 and have made it tough to win games up to this point due to spotting our opponents early runs. In three of our four losses and prior to yesterday’s loss to CNU we have spotted our opponent 3 (Methodist), 4 (Averett) and 5 (Rowan) runs respectively in the first inning. Thus, our first goal yesterday (Sunday) against CNU was to put a zero on the board in the first inning and that we accomplished. Drew Elkins did a spectacular job yesterday giving us 7 strong innings on the bump. He has pitched well both times out this season providing us with a chance to win in each game. However, yesterday he was matched by the strong performance by the CNU senior ace Josh Brinkman. Both teams played well and CNU took advantage of their opportunity in the bottom of the ninth to give us our second straight ninth inning loss.

The day before we battled back from a four run first inning deficit against a strong Rowan team to tie the game only to lose in the bottom of the ninth. Other than our first inning woes, our pitchers have been progressing each time out. Unfortunately, an early deficit creates additional pressure on your offense to respond earlier, takes away your aggressiveness offensively and leaves no room for error on the mound for the remainder of the game.

Offensively, we are being lead by freshman, Andrew Hacker, who went 2 for 2 with a home run and 3 RBI in the game against Rowan. Unfortunately, he rolled his ankle trying to avoid the tag at second on a missed hit and run in the fifth and is now out of the line-up indefinitely.

Offensively, we continued to swing the bats well and once our pitching settles in I expect us to turn the tide and start winning games. Defensively, we managed runners better and held an aggressive CNU running game down.

As far as the week ahead, we are off Monday. The Shenandoah U. home game on Wednesday is unlikely with snow still laying on the field. With our infield tarp down, I do expect to play this weekend against Messiah with rain and warmer weather in the forecast this week.

Opening Weekend

The weekend trip to Methodist was a positive start to the season. Realizing we had not been on a field since February 4^th I was pleased overall with our play this weekend. The first game we struggled early to manage the Monarch running game and effectively make our pitches. We looked like a team that had not been outside much.

Between games we adjusted (just like halftime in football) and did the things we expected to do in game two.

Our pitching was on point in the second game and we manage to get the offense rolling. Our hitters started to see the ball better after four at-bats in game one and thus we had more success scoring runs in game two. Foltz (Sr.)threw well in game one and Elkins (Sr.), Chandler (So.) and Lucas (Fr.) pitched well in game two. Two freshmen, Jonathan Mason and Andrew Hacker both had RBI hits in their first college at-bats and went four for seven with three RBI. A number of players got on track in game two as we pounded out 13 hits to win 10-3. Defensively, we were solid making only one error in the doubleheader.

Next we look to travel to Averett U. for a single game on Thursday followed by two single games at Christopher Newport against Rowan U. on Saturday and CNU on Sunday. I’ll catch up with you next Monday.

Ready to Start the Season

Twenty plus inches of snow haven’t stopped our preparation for the opening weekend of our 2010 season. We were originally scheduled to play three games in Richmond this weekend but due to snow across the state we are now scheduled to play a three game series with Methodist in Fayetteville, N.C.

The ODAC vs. USA South match-ups have been rescheduled between Greensboro and Fayetteville (NC) and Newport News and Norfolk (VA). We have not played Methodist since the high scoring affair at the NCAA Regionals in 2007.

The players are excited to get going and are looking forward to the 12:00pm game time and doubleheader tomorrow followed by a single game. We will be throwing all of our starters (six) and another four relievers over the three game weekend.

I am expecting our pitching to give us a chance to win while our offense will need to take advantage of the opportunities we create or are giving throughout the weekend. Of course, the latest forecast for Fayetteville is 2-4 inches of snow Friday night, which may move our start to a doubleheader Sunday.

Wish us well!