UNC Has Tough Start to Season
The Bears opened at Wichita State and got absolutely hammered in the first two games and then gained a measure of revenge by winning the get-away game 4-3. Two youngsters led the charge in this game (lets not discuss the routs) by getting two hits each. Freshman Tyler Yamaguchi went 2-5 with an RBI and sophomore Brett Minnick went 2-2 with a walk and an RBI. And the young shall lead. Starting pitcher Alex Werbach went 4 IP and struck out 5, walked only 1, and gave up 2 earned runs. The pen did alright also with Cody Carroll getting his first save. The Bears scored two runs in the ninth with sophomore (another youngun') Cole Maltese knocking in the winner in this come-from-behind win. Gratifying.
The two games at Kansas were killers. Three runs in the bottom of the ninth turned the Bears from winners to losers in game one by the score of 5-4. The Bears had led 4-2 up 'til the ninth but the roof caved in the bottom half as Allen Cook and Cody Carroll were unable to finish off the Jayhawks. Kansas is not a powerhouse but they are still a member of the Big 12 and it's always nice to beat a big boy conference member. Senior Rob Cashel went 3-4 with a run and an RBI for a highlight.
The Bears (now 1-4) lost the next game to the Jayhawks by 2-1 as coach pitched just about everyone. Ian Doughty had the most work at 1 2/3 IP to give you an idea. Close losses are a bit hard to take as you always think you missed some chances but the Bears had only 4 hits which doesn't suggest that.
Other than the first two ugly games against Wichita State, the pitching has held up. Stop with the walks and get some situational hitting and things could improve.
What's up next? A weekend series with Northridge which is a member of the tough Big West. The Matadors are 2-2 with wins over Pepperdine and Bakersfield State. The Bakersfield games are telling as they are members of the WAC so those were good wins for the WAC.
The Bears opened at Wichita State and got absolutely hammered in the first two games and then gained a measure of revenge by winning the get-away game 4-3. Two youngsters led the charge in this game (lets not discuss the routs) by getting two hits each. Freshman Tyler Yamaguchi went 2-5 with an RBI and sophomore Brett Minnick went 2-2 with a walk and an RBI. And the young shall lead. Starting pitcher Alex Werbach went 4 IP and struck out 5, walked only 1, and gave up 2 earned runs. The pen did alright also with Cody Carroll getting his first save. The Bears scored two runs in the ninth with sophomore (another youngun') Cole Maltese knocking in the winner in this come-from-behind win. Gratifying.
The two games at Kansas were killers. Three runs in the bottom of the ninth turned the Bears from winners to losers in game one by the score of 5-4. The Bears had led 4-2 up 'til the ninth but the roof caved in the bottom half as Allen Cook and Cody Carroll were unable to finish off the Jayhawks. Kansas is not a powerhouse but they are still a member of the Big 12 and it's always nice to beat a big boy conference member. Senior Rob Cashel went 3-4 with a run and an RBI for a highlight.
The Bears (now 1-4) lost the next game to the Jayhawks by 2-1 as coach pitched just about everyone. Ian Doughty had the most work at 1 2/3 IP to give you an idea. Close losses are a bit hard to take as you always think you missed some chances but the Bears had only 4 hits which doesn't suggest that.
Other than the first two ugly games against Wichita State, the pitching has held up. Stop with the walks and get some situational hitting and things could improve.
What's up next? A weekend series with Northridge which is a member of the tough Big West. The Matadors are 2-2 with wins over Pepperdine and Bakersfield State. The Bakersfield games are telling as they are members of the WAC so those were good wins for the WAC.
