A Week's Worth of Updates

Carolina Games
We split two games with the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. We lost Game 1 2-1. The base umpire and I had disagreed with a play at second base where Wes Wilson was trying to stretch a single into a double. He did a great job in being aggressive on the outfielder, who took his time getting to the ball. Mr. Umpire didn't want to listen to what I had to offer and gently asked me to leave the field (I got ejected). From there Coach Hanson took over the rest of Game 1 and all of Game 2. In the last inning the we had the bases loaded and no outs, but were unable to get in the tying run.

In Game 2, we ran the bases and hit the ball the way we had earlier in the season: very aggressively. It was to our advantage as we won the game 9-1. Kudos should go out to Tyler Howard, Mike DiPietropolo, and Rodney Francis. All stepped in to help out our pitching staff in ways they usually wouldn't. You can read more about them in the game recaps below.

The split series puts our record at 14-10.

Statistic Updates
Statistics should be updated at some point today. They can be found here.

Players of the Games
June 23rd vs. Anson- Mike Pagano
This was a tough game. Mike did a great job of keeping us in the game. In seven innings he allowed just two runs, one earned, on three hits and had seven strikeouts. Unfortunately, our offense struggled again, and we blew up in the ninth inning. We allowed seven runs in the ninth inning. In that inning we committed four physical errors, multiple mental errors, and had a lack of hustle. We ended up losing 10-2. Another player to note was Rodney Francis, who went 2 for 4 scored a run and had two stolen bases on the night.

June 25th @Anson- Mike Goltz
Mike has really started to come on lately. He is hitting the ball well, and this night was no exception. Mike went 2 for 4 and had four RBIs. Each of his hits came in key parts of the game. We started a two out rally in the first inning, which was huge in giving us some confidence through the rest of the game. Nick Chinners started the rally with a walk, then AJ Albee was hit by a pitch. Mike then came through with a single to put us up 1-0. The next batter was Tyler Howard, who hit a double to the gap. This hit easily scored AJ and Mike came barrelling around third to put us up 3-0 before Anson even came to bat. In the fifth Mike came up with the bases loaded and two outs and hit a base clearing double to put us up 7-0. The game was close in the seventh and Mike put down a two-strike bunt that moved AJ Albee from first to second, which allowed him to score on Wes Wilson's two-out single.

Another huge part of this game was Mario Sencion starting. Dan Gross was scheduled to start, but decided he couldn't after a few warm-up pitches. Mario was in the bullpen at the time and Coach Hanson told Mario that he was starting. On minimal notice, Mario threw five innings and allowed three runs. We won this game 9-3.

June 27 @Kernersville Game 1- Alex Loftin
Alex went 2 for 4, scored a run, had two RBIs, and a stolen base. On top of his offensive performance, he had three assists at shortstop and got us out of some jams while making a couple of tough plays look pretty easy. In his first at-bat of the game, we had Mike Goltz on base when Alex hit a triple to the gap. Also in this game, Mike Pagano pitched well again. He allowed three runs on four hits. Mike pitched a complete game, which really helped our pitching situation. We ended up winning the game 6-3.

June 27 @Kernersville Game 2- Zach Deutscher
After catching all of Game 1, Zach took to the mound in Game 2. Zach struggled early, but was able to settle down. Zach also pitched a complete game, but ended up coming away with the loss as we were not able to muster any runs and were shutout for the first time this season. In the first inning, Zach allowed two runs on two hits and three walks. Those were the only runs he would allow the rest of the games. Although he got into trouble throughout the game, he regularly got out of it with the help of our infielders, Steele Myers, Alex Loftin, and Steve Galella. These three turned three double plays in six innings. We lost 2-0.

June 28 @Carolina Game 1- Tyler Howard
Tyler gets his second Player of the Game honors as a pitcher this season. He has done a fantastic job in an unexpected position for us this year. Tyler allowed two runs, neither earned and had five strikeouts in six innings pitched. This is at least the third time this season we have had a pitcher earn POG by pitching a great complete game but still earn the loss. Our offense came away with 11 hits, but we were only able to get one to cross the plate. We lost this game 2-1.

June 28 @Carolina Game 2- Morgan Gregory
Morgan was 2 for 3 in this game, with a run, two RBIs, and a triple. Morgan struggled earlier in the season, but has worked hard and has really played well as of late. In the last seven games, Morgan is hitting .385, with four RBIs, and has played well at third and first. Morgan helped us come out on top and win this game 9-1.

Mike DiPietroplo also took an unusually role today. In true Joba style, we took Mike from the bullpen and he started Game 2. Mike is not used to being in the starters role, but did a very nice job. In five innings he allowed no runs and struck out two.

Rodney Francis also played well scoring two runs and pitching the last two innings. After looking at Rodney's past statistics, this is the first time he has pitched since he was eight. In that game Rodney gave up 15 runs, including three homeruns to that kid who usually hides on the end of the bench. Much better this time around for Rodney!

This Week
We play two against the Monroe Channelcats this week. Tonight's game is in Pageland and starts at 7 p.m. EST. Wednesday we play at Monroe and start at the same time. Dan Gross will pitch today and Mike Pagano will pitch on Wednesday.