Since we haven't had much time to get involved with the spring sports yet, I think it's time to start our team profiles series. This is going to last for a while, we're going to talk about 32 teams and let you know everything you want to know about them. These first two are test previews, the series will evolve the more I'm able to investigate into the teams. We're going to start with two teams who struggled a little this weekend, with Oklahoma & Wake Forest. We will wrap this series up on April 14th, and each Monday morning I'll try to recap what our Top 25 did over the weekend. Profiles after the jump!
 |
| Hunter Lockwood hits the baseball. via Rivals |
The Sooners have won 2 National Titles in their history, the last coming in 1994. Looking at their body of work so far leaves a lot to be desired in Big XII play. They swept Hartford, New Mexico in Albuquerque, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Air Force. They've been swept by Texas at home. They lost one game to UT-Arlington and away at Dallas Baptist. They went to Malibu and lost a series to Pepperdine 1-2 to begin the season. In Eugene they played in the Nike Showcase where they went 2-2, winning against West Virginia and Oregon, while losing to Connecticut & Oregon State.
PITCHING:
Jonathan Gray (So.; Chandler, OK) 2-3 in 6 starts. 5.88 ERA
Steven Okert (Jr.; Rowlett, TX) 2-2 in 5 starts. 5.12 ERA
Dillon Overton (So.; Weatherford, TX) 3-0 in 5 starts. 3.11 ERA
Jordan John (RS So.; Corpus Christi, TX) 3-3 & 3 Saves in 11 app. 2.76 ERA
BATS:
Max White - CF (Jr.; Durant, OK) .345 avg in 84 AB. 21 RBI, 0 HR
Evan Mistich - LF (Sr.; Houma, LA) .266 in 79 AB. 12 RBI, 2 HR
Garrett Carey - 3B (Jr.; Hutto, TX) .243 in 74 AB. 9 RBI, 0 HR
Cody Reine - RF (Sr.; Walker, LA) .314 in 70 AB. 9 RBI, 2 HR
Hunter Lockwood - C (Fr.; Bedford, TX) .273 in 64 AB. 19 RBI, 6 HR; .621 Slug %
It's clear to see that Max White & Hunter Lockwood are the lifeline of this team. Pitching needs to be shored up to really compete in the Big XII where limiting the scoring is premium. Jonathan Gray is in his first season at OU after transferring in from Eastern Oklahoma State and is likely suffering some growing pains. Right now the Sooners are 4th in the pecking order in the Big XII, and will need those arms to really come to life if they want to play long after the Big XII Tournament.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (16-7, 3-3 ACC)
 |
| Brian Holmes. Beast Mode. via Wake Forest Sports |
The Demon Deacons haven't won a title since 1955, which, they don't come every day. But they haven't been to the College World Series since 1955. So, let's root them on to get back, eh? They won the ACC last in 2001 and are looking to try to break an 11 game drought. They swept Valpo, Maryland, EMU, and Marshall, while winning one game against both Georgia Southern & NJIT. They lost a game to High Point, and were swept by NC State which broke their 15 game win streak. They started the season off dropping a series to New Mexico State 1-3. In the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational they went 4-0 vs. UMBC, Cincinnati, Georgetown, and UNC-Asheville.
PITCHING:
Brian Holmes (Jr.; Lawrenceville, GA) 4-0 in 5 starts. 1.44 ERA
Tim Cooney (Jr.; Collegeville, PA) 3-2 in 5 starts. 3.77 ERA
Justin Van Grouw (Jr.; Oakland, NJ) 1-1 in 5 starts. 4.50 ERA
Michael Dimock (Sr.; Greensboro, NC) 0-1 & 6 saves in 10 app. 4.41 ERA
BATS:
Pat Blair - SS (Jr.; Baltimore, MD) .326 avg in 92 AB. 15 RBI, 2 HR
Carlos Lopez - 1B (Sr.; Boynton Beach, FL) .350 in 80 AB. 32 RBI, 6 HR, .675 Slug %
Connor Keniry - 2B (So.; Milford, CT) .370 in 73 AB. 10 RBI, 0 HR
Charlie Morgan - DH (So.; Springfield, VA) .288 in 73 AB. 18 RBI, 1 HR
James Harris - RF (So.; Woodstock, GA) .219 in 73 AB. 11 RBI, 1 HR
The Demon Deacons are an interesting team. They don't have a lot of firepower outside of Carlos Lopez. They have a pretty good ace in Brian Holmes. Outside of these two, the team isn't all that impressive. Yet, they win. If they can compete and make some noise in the ACC is yet to be seen. They are looking like the 6th team in the conference right now. They'll need to not have a power outage too often if they intend to keep up with Florida State, North Carolina, and Miami.
No comments:
Post a Comment