Pirates hope to get back on track against Herd

East Carolina has dropped six of last nine

Following a series win at Memphis, East Carolina sat at 25-10-1 overall, 8-3-1 in CUSA, and appeared to be in fine position for securing an at-large berth for the NCAA Tournament.

However, following two frustrating weeks, Billy Godwin and his Diamond Bucs must right a ship that has been taking on water of late.

ECU (28-16-1, 10-7-1), which has 11 games left before the CUSA Tourney in Pearl, MS, has been punchless at the plate in recent weeks. The Pirates have produced just 15 runs in their last seven games and six of those came in last Sunday’s sweep-avoiding win over Tulane. They have not homered in nine games.

Drew Reynolds and Tim Younger are tied for the team lead with .333 averages. John Wooten, who is fourth on the team with his .318 mark, leads the club with seven homers. Zach Wright started extremely slow, but the Pirates’ catcher is nearing .300 (.295) and has a team-best 29 RBI.

With a trip to Southern Miss awaiting next weekend, the Diamond Bucs need to capitalize when last-place Marshall visits Clark-LeClair Stadium this weekend.

The Thundering Herd (15-28, 3-12) has lost four of its last five and nine of 11. MU dropped two of three to Southern Miss in Charleston (WV) last weekend. They opened and closed the series with two-run losses (2-0, 5-3), but managed to win a 2-1 decision on Saturday.

Marshall is hitting just .258 as a team and its line-up features only four regulars hitting higher than .265.

First baseman Nathan Gomez, who is the only player hitting above .300, is batting .317 while also topping the club in doubles (13) and RBI (32).

Centerfielder Isaac Ballou, who is second on the team at .293, has a team-high four triples and 18 stolen bases.

Gray Stafford is tied for the team lead in homeruns (4) and is second in doubles (8), but is hitting just .227.

The Herd’s team ERA is 4.46 and Jeff Waggoner’s club has just a .959 fielding percentage.

The top two spots in the weekend rotation have been good enough to win with much of the time it appears, but they haven’t received much run production.

For instance, last Friday Aaron Blair (1-7, 3.92) no-hit Southern Miss through seven innings and allowed just two unearned runs on two hits in eight innings of work. However, the Herd fell 2-0.

On Saturday, Mike Mason (4-5, 3.26) went 6.1 innings and allowed just one run on five hits to notch a 2-1 victory.

Marshall has searched for a consistent third starter to close out the rotation and freshman Lance Elder (6’2”, 175) went against the Golden Eagles. Elder lasted four innings and allowed three runs on five hits.

Projected pitching match-ups

Friday- ECU – Kevin Brandt (5-4, 2.16) vs. Marshall- Aaron Blair (1-7, 3.92)

Saturday- ECU – Tyler Joyner (5-2, 2.70) vs. Marshall – Mike Mason (4-5, 3.26)

Sunday- ECU – Jharel Cotton (8-0, 3.21) vs. Marshall – Lance Elder (1-4, 5.60)

Final Analysis and Prediction

If the Pirates aren’t on the bubble, they’re approaching it. A solid performance this weekend is critical to develop some momentum as East Carolina enters a vital stretch run that will determine its postseason fate.

There’s no doubt that East Carolina is the better team, as they field it, pitch it, and hit it better than Marshall. However, the better team doesn’t always win—especially in this game.

If ECU comes to play and executes, it should at least take the series and a sweep is probable. However, if it swings the bats the way it has of late then one or two losses definitely aren’t out of the question.

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