Marshall University Athletics
Baseball Set For Two Games At NC State
3/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 25, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Marshall University baseball team will square off against the North Carolina State Wolfpack for a pair of non-conference baseball games Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday at Doak Field in Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday's game is slated for 6:30 p.m. with Wednesday's first-pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Marshall enters the midweek series with an 8-11 overall record, while NC State stands at 13-7 on the season.
Marshall and Rice played a three-game series at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, W.Va. this past weekend to open up Conference USA action for both teams. Rice earned the three-game sweep with 6-1, 13-9, and 7-1 victories respectively over the Herd.
Marshall took a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning of Friday night's game before a pair of errors helped Rice score six runs, all of which were unearned. Marshall pitching held the Owls scoreless for the rest of the game, but the damage was done as the Owls took game one 6-1.
Saturday's contest saw Rice get off to a quick start, as the nation's 11th best team scored three runs in the top of the first. Marshall responded in the bottom of the second with an eight-run inning, highlighted by junior third baseman Brandon Casamassima's solo shot to left center field. Rice scored four in the fourth and three in the fifth to regain the advantage, 10-8 before Marshall cut that lead to 10-9 in the bottom of the sixth. The Owls put the game out of reach with three runs in the top of the seventh to post a 13-9 victory. Junior shortstop Adam Yeager tallied two triples in the losing effort.
In Sunday's series finale, the squads took a pitcher's duel into the top of the fourth before Rice plated a pair of runs, and then struck for two more in the fifth. The Owls notched its fifth run of the game in the sixth inning before the Herd was able to score its lone run of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Rice scored two more times in the top of the ninth to pull away to a 7-1 victory.
Marshall will start freshman right-hander Justin Moore in Tuesday's contest. Moore has appeared in four games this season (including two starts) and has an even 8.00 ERA. The first-year pitcher has struck out four batters in 9.0 innings of work. Marshall's Wednesday starter is yet to be determined.
NC State enters Tuesday's game having won four of its last six games. The Wolfpack is led by center fielder Marcus Jones who leads the team in runs (15), hits (23), RBIs (15), walks (11) and stolen bases (7-8). He also has a .343 batting average and a .507 slugging percentage.
Wolfpack first baseman/outfielder Ryan Pond leads the squad with four home runs. He has a .509 slugging percentage and is third on the team in RBIs with 11.
Right-hander Jeff Stallings will take the mound in game one for NC State. He has a 5.68 ERA and a record of 1-0 in tree appearances (including two starts). He has 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched.
Right-hander Sam Brown will start Wednesday's contest. Brown has made three starts this season and has a 4.22 ERA but is yet to record a decision. Brown has registered eight strikeouts in 10.2 innings of work on the hill for NC State.
