Seahawk Perch preview:
https://seahawkperch.substack.com/p/seah...new-streak
Seahawks Look to Start New Streak
UNCW plays host to N.C. State on Tuesday night
Brant Wilkerson-New
8 hr ago
N.C. State (4-9) at UNCW (12-5)
RHP Jacob Shafer (1-0, 5.23) vs. LHP David Harrison (0-0, 1.93)
6 p.m. | Brooks Field | FloSports | 95.9 The Breeze | Live Stats
The Seahawks make a brief stop back in the Port City on Tuesday night as UNCW plays host to its second midweek game of the season, this time welcoming a struggling Wolfpack team.
As things usually go for matchups with ACC programs, Brooks Field is likely to have a little more energy than usual — something that seemingly played a major factor for the Seahawks last week in a victory over East Carolina.
That could be key for a UNCW team coming off a shaky performance at William & Mary, where the Seahawks weren’t able to carry their momentum into the weekend and had to settle with a single victory vs. the Tribe.
Given State’s struggles this season, there’s a little less buzz surrounding the mtchup this season. Here’s a preview from the State perspective via The Technician, but the mood is a bit dark right now for Wolfpack fans.
Here’s what we’ll be watching:
Meet the Wolfpack
Hitters to Watch: Luca Tresh (.340, 7 HR, 16 RBI), Jonny Butler (.361, 3 HR, 9 RBI), Austin Murr (.381, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI) Tyler McDonough (.280, 4 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI), J.T. Jarrett (.280, 3 2B, 8 RBI).
Winner of 84 games over the past two full seasons and chosen to finish second in Atlantic Division in the ACC’s preseason poll, it’s safe to say no one saw this coming for State, which currently stands No. 180 in the RPI rankings — six spots behind William & Mary.
The Wolfpack hasn’t had any trouble putting runs on the board, averaging 6.2 runs behind Tresh, a catcher with early-round potential in the MLB Draft, Butler and Murr.
The issue has been on the other side, with opponents putting up an average of 8.5 runs against a pitching staff with an ERA of 6.92 and a not-so-hot WHIP of 1.53.
A batting average of .270 against State pitchers doesn’t jump off the page, but 33 doubles allowed is alarming. Add two doubles and 17 homers to that, and nearly 42 percent of hits off the Wolfpack have gone for extra bases.
Tonight’s starter, Harrison, fared well in his only start of the season, tossing three scoreless innings vs. Campbell on March 2, allowing three hits.
State has played just two midweek games this season: losing 16-13 to UNCG on Feb. 23 and the 14-6 victory over the Camels.
Shafer Starts
Jacob Shafer was phenomenal last week against a potent East Carolina lineup, retiring 11 straight Pirates at one point.
How will he follow that up against another big-time opponent with future pros in the lineup?
It’s another excellent opportunity for the freshman righthander, who also pitched well in his collegiate debut vs. Cincinnati on March 4, giving up four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings.
At 6-8, 230 pounds, Shafer has physical profile of a future MLB Draft selection, and with another big performance against a program from a more high-profile conference, the scouts on hand will certainly take notice of an impressive body of work over his first month at UNCW.
He showed some impressive stuff in rallying from early struggles against ECU, adjusting his angle and locking in to get the victory.
Lineup Shuffle?
Early on this season, UNCW coach Randy Hood was more than willing to mix up his lineup and grab a bat off the bench.
Last weekend in Williamsburg, he largely stuck with the established starting lineup aside from starting Zachary Bridges at catcher in the second game on Saturday while moving Matt Suggs to designated hitter. Trevor Marsh started two games and was called on to pinch hit in the other, while Jack Howell got an at-bat as a pinch hitter.
Coming off three games in two days with another CAA series set for this weekend, will we see anyone else get a shot?
Ron Evans seems like the most likely candidate to get a few swings, given State will start a lefthanded pitcher.
Bridges Breakout
Noah Bridges has shown flashes of his impressive tools this season, using his speed to get on base and cause trouble once he gets there, while also blasting a couple of big homers, including a 3-run shot in Sunday’s victory.
Seeing State on the schedule might just help the outfielder start a streak, as Bridges has at least one hit in every game he’s played against the Wolfpack, going 5-14 overall with five RBI — all of which came in the April 16, 2019 matchup when he had an RBI single and then hit a grand slam in the sixth inning of a 14-7 loss.
Base Hits
UNCW is 19-72 all-time vs. State, losing six straight games in the series by an average margin of 6.1 runs and 15 of the past 16.
UNCW’s last victory against the Wolfpack came on March 22, 2016, when Brian Mims hit a 2-run homer and had an RBI single in a 6-4 win.
Tonight’s game will be Randy Hood’s 34th (23-10) as head coach and the 1,871st (1,117-753) for State coach Elliott Avent.
The Seahawks have started fast this season, outscoring opponents 20-6 in the first inning and 12-8 in the second. UNCW has gotten on the board in its first at-bat in nine of 17 games this season.
No errors or multiple errors seem to be the formula. UNCW is 6-0 when it commits no errors and 4-0 when it commits two or more, but the Seahawks are 2-5 when committing one error.
Walks continue to be an indicator of success, with UNCW drawing 5.1 per game in wins and only 2.0 per game in losses.
The Seahawks are striking out an average of 5.5 times over the past four games.
