(05-15-2017 07:18 AM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  Yes and no is the way I see it. They pitched well this weekend, but didn't hit well at all IMHO. Guys seemed to be pulling off ball and not driving the ball the other way. Way too many strikeouts and not putting the ball in play was the theme. If you can demonstrate that you can hit, you will see the field right about now.

Thorburn being hurt and TC slightly tweaking something running to first midgame didn't help. Such a difference having Thorburn and TC over Canada and Stack in there. But your point is well taken.

I guess just looking at the "macro view" with this team and program, it's pretty amazing what Scalf and co. are able to do. Just look at Zarion Sharpe. He's a microcosm of what makes rooting for this program so easy. The kid has an awesome personality, and an even cooler back story.

Sharpe had a very impressive HS career but wasn't recruited by anybody. He then walked on here despite coming from Pine Tops/Greenville, where ECU and everyone else wasn't interested. Evidently, DI teams didn't think he had the athleticism to perform at this level.

After about a month waiting to get his shot, he got the ball for his first start against Maryland, and thru his first 6 starts he had mixed results. The light switch went on against Delaware, a teriffic offensive squad, and in his last 3 starts he's only allowed 3 earned runs on 12 hits, striking out 12 and walking only 6 in 20.3 innings and is our Saturday starter. He shows superb control for a freshman, can field his position and I bet he can hit too if he's ever given a chance at that. He hit .487 as a Senior at Oakwood, after all.

Oh, and he also wears Hank Aaron's # 44.

That's just the kind of stuff that happens for UNCW Baseball, and it's not by accident.