Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Baseball Team Gears Up for Wolfpack
3/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Marshall Baseball Team Gears Up for Wolfpack
3/6/2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Marshall head baseball coach Dave Piepenbrink has taken his team south once again for an early season test versus the North Carolina State Wolfpack. The Thundering Herd will face NCSU three times beginning with Friday?s 3 p.m. contest at Five County Stadium.
Piepenbrink hopes to see his 3-5 ballclub, coming off a 6-5 victory over Eastern Illinois on Sunday, continue to improve in a number of areas as the young season continues to roll along.
?We need to tighten up defensively,? Piepenbrink said. ?It?s been a focal point for us thus far, but it?s simple, if we play good defense we have a chance to win.?
After committing 14 errors in the first five games of 2003, Marshall has been more poised in the field as of late, committing only five errors in last weekend?s tournament at UAB.
The Herd pitching staff received a solid boost in the form of freshman Chris Koutsavlis? (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 7.1 innings of work in the win over EIU. Koutsavlis registered a no decision on the day, but his performance led to Marshall?s only victory in the three-game tournament.
?We?d like to have those types of outings from our pitchers all the time,? pitching coach Tom Carty said. ?He (Koutsavlis) was outstanding on Sunday and gave us a chance to win.?
Koutsavlis is scheduled to pitch on Sunday, while junior Grant Harper (Grayson, Ky.) and senior Rick Suter (St. Clairsville, Ohio) will throw on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
The Wolfpack (9-4) have two front line pitchers in the form of right handers Michael Rogers and Vern Sterry, both of which the MU coaching staff expects to see on the mound in this series.
Marshall and NC State will play at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C., due to delays in the $5 million renovation of the Wolfpack?s Doak Field. Saturday?s showdown was moved from 1:30 to 3 p.m., while Sunday?s game remains at a 1:30 p.m. start.
