Ouch.The Pack's woes on the diamond continue, losing at home to the 16th-ranked ECU Pirates 14-4.
The loss drops State, coming off a tremendous season in 2008, to a rather ho-hum 15-13 overall.
It's the first win the Pirates have notched against State in six tries, a streak dating back to 2006. ECU jumped all over the Pack's pitching, notching two three-run homers and a two-run homer, with four more RBIs sprinkled in for good measure.
State starter John Lambert lasted just one full inning, relieved by eventual losing pitcher Joey Cutler (0-2). Elliot Avent tried any and every avenue to shut down ECU's offensive showcase, employing another eight pitchers after Cutler's exit for a grand total of 10.
The Pirates improved to 22-5 for the year and are looking every bit like the strong ECU teams of recent memory.
Up next for State is a three-game conference series with Boston College in Chesnut Hill. The Eagles are 5-5 in the conference, just ahead of State (5-7 in-conference) in the Atlantic Division standings. It's a huge series for both clubs, obviously.
Friday's game starts at 2:30 and can be heard online through WKNC 88.1's iTunes feed.
I am wondering if the Pack 9 are even going to make the ACC baseball tournament where only the top 8 teams make it (hello ACC basketball) let alone the NCAA tournament. I had hoped State baseball had turned the corner or rebuilding years after the past 2-3 years. Sbas2.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, they do stand a chance of missing out.
ReplyDeleteRight now they're 8th overall at 5-7, with three teams behind them with only 3 wins (Wake, Maryland and Virginia Tech).
It will be interesting to see how this team fares down the stretch.