Another rough week for the Niners last week as they went 1-3. After a convincing win vs Upstate, the Niners were swept by Dallas Baptist to drop our record to 10-10.
Conference play begins this week as the Niners travel to Rhode Island who was picked to finish 2nd in the conference by the coaches.
Before the road trip the Niners will face Winthrop tonight. We beat Winthop pretty handily on the road earlier in the season with a strong effort by Joe Yermal. Interestingly, we have not named a starter for this game which makes me think that Yermal may have jumped into the weekend rotation. He has pitched well in lately and has only allowed 2 ER all season in 4 starts.
Some interesting stats on where we rank compared to the rest of the country (291 teams)
Regardng those offensive stats, what’s the difference in “scoring” and “runs”?
I knew our fielding was causing problems, but I’m a little surprised to see our fielding at 223 out of 291. And the fact we are 68 in hitting and 161 in scoring proves we are having trouble scoring after getting runners on base (but those of us attending the games already knew that).
[quote=“49r9r, post:2, topic:26585”]Regardng those offensive stats, what’s the difference in “scoring” and “runs”?
I knew our fielding was causing problems, but I’m a little surprised to see our fielding at 223 out of 291. And the fact we are 68 in hitting and 161 in scoring proves we are having trouble scoring after getting runners on base (but those of us attending the games already knew that).[/quote]
I think that ‘scoring’ is Runs per Game (5.2), and Runs is overall runs scored (104).
Niners win 7-4. Brock Hudgens got the start (probably the 1st of his career) and we pitched 5 other relievers in the game. This leaves the door open for Yermal to get into the weekend rotation. He certainly deserves it.
Rhody will be a tough test out of the gate in conference play as they were picked to finish 2nd in the A-10 Pre-season Coaches poll and by Baseball America.
Baseball America also picked SS/RHP Mike LeBel as their Pre-Season A-10 Player of the Year and 2nd best prospect in the A-10. They also list LHP Chris Pickering as the 3rd best prospect in the A-10.
Charlotte was 2-1 in their series vs URI last season at the Hayes and also defeated URI in the A-10 Tourney.
Rhody has not played a home game yet this season so Friday will be thier home opener. I am sure emotions will be high as they plan on retiring Joey Ciancola’s jersey in a cermony before the game. Ciancola died during pre-season workouts this year.
Baseball America:
Since arriving at Rhode Island in 2005, Jim Foster has built the Rams into one of the A-10's best programs, and he says this is the strongest roster from top to bottom since he arrived. Foster has a knack for identifying raw Northeast talent and developing it, and the Rams brought in a strong freshman class, including SS Tim Caputo, who has good hands and actions, enough arm to play shortstop, good speed and the ability to hit for average; and RHP Shaun McGrath, who touches the low 90s. Neither one will be counted on right away on a veteran squad, however. The Rams' top player should be Sr. SS/RHP Mike LeBel, who is the school's career home run leaders and played in the Cape Cod League last summer. He has touched 93 mph off the mound and can hit for power and average. He'll be the starting shortstop and bat third while also serving as closer. The starting pitching is experienced, with fifth-year Sr. LHP Chris Pickering (4-3, 4.11) fronting the rotation. The biggest questions are in the bullpen behind LeBel, and the Rams are also still dealing with the death of RHP Joe Ciancola, who died after a conditioning workout in October.
A-10 Pre-season release:
Rhode Island earned its ninth-straight trip to the A-10 Championship last season and will seek the program’s second league title and first since 2005. Last year’s Conference Coach of the Year, Jim Foster returns for his seventh campaign in Kingston and welcomes back a trio of All-Conference selections in outfielder Greg Annarummo, shortstop Mike LeBel and designated hitter Jeff Cammans. Annarummo, the Rams lone first-team selection, posted a .341 average to go along with 59 hits - 17 of which were for extra bases - 34 runs and 34 RBI. He recorded 17 multiple-hit and 10 multiple-RBI games and finished the regular season ranked fourth in the conference with a .378 average in Atlantic 10 games.
[quote=“49r9r, post:10, topic:26585”]Knee Injury? Any other terrible news you want to share? That was the last thing we needed.[/quote] Sorry, that’s all I know. I just happened to see him Thursday night at a restaurant. He was with his girlfriend and I figured he had better things to do than have me give him the third degree. He was limping quite obviously, though. I have to hope the knee just needs a few days off from baseball.
Yermal pitched well and got the W on Saturday. Didn’t get to listen at all this weekend but saw that Rothlin started game 3. Anyone know what happened to Barnette?
I’m not sure exactly what happened, but he hasn’t played since the Mizzou series 2 weeks ago due to an arm injury. It is tough to get details on injuries as I found out about the Elwood injury from the Uh Huh guy.
I wonder if Elwood can still get a medical redshirt? He has played in 14 games this year.
I still have not heard anyhting on Barnette, but it sounds like Steedley should travel to X this weekend according to Hibbs post game interview on Sunday.
