NC State Next Up for Terps in Raleigh
3/28/2013 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 28, 2013
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Maryland (14-10, 3-6 ACC) at NC State (17-9, 3-6 ACC)
Fri., March 29 (6:30 p.m.) | Sat., March 30 (6:30 p.m.) | Sun., March 31 (1 p.m.)
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Stadium: Doak Field at Dail Park
Live Stats: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
ESPN3: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Listen Live: GoPack.com
Probable Pitching Matchups
Game 1 (Friday), 6:30 p.m.: LHP Jimmy Reed (4-1, 1.96 ERA) vs. So. LHP Carlos Rodon (2-2, 4.75 ERA)
Game 2 (Saturday), 6:30 p.m.: RHP Brady Kirkpatrick (2-3, 3.16 ERA) vs. Sr. RHP Ethan Ogburn (2-2, 3.15 ERA)
Game 3 (Sunday), 1 p.m.: TBD vs. Fr. LHP Brad Stone (1-1, 7.36 ERA)
Scouting the Terps
-With only three home runs, Maryland's bats have been adept at manufacturing runs through 24 games. The Terps are averaging 6.25 runs per game and have scored at least six runs in 13 of their last 21 games. In addition, they have reached double digits four times this season (15, vs. Oakland, 2/22; 10, at James Madison; 2/27; 16 vs. Princeton, 3/2; 10, vs. James Madison, 3/19).
-The Terps have been one of the most aggressive teams in the country on the bases. At the beginning of the week, Maryland ranked eighth nationally and currently leads the ACC in stolen bases with 60. The Terrapins are averaging 2.45 stolen bases per game, which also ranks eighth nationally.
-Charlie White has been the focal point of Maryland's running game so far this season. White has an ACC-best 22 stolen bases, which is tied for third in the nation. He stole four in game one of a Friday doubleheader against Oakland (2/22) becoming the first player to do that since 1998 (Larry Long vs. Howard 4/15/98).
-In 10 games this season, Maryland has benefited from one explosive inning and scored at least four runs during the frame. Most recently, the Terps scored four in the bottom of the eighth against Wake Forest on Sunday. The fifth, the sixth and the seventh innings have been the Terps' prime offensive innings. Maryland has scored a combined 70 of their 150 total runs in those three innings (47.6%) including outscoring its opponents 22-5 in the sixth.
-Maryland's bats have been finding the gaps in the outfield. The Terps have 61 doubles, which ranks second in the conference and is tied for 10th nationally (as of 3/25). The Terps are averaging 2.48 per game, which ranks eighth in the nation. Wade leads the team with nine and is tied for fifth in the ACC. Kyle Convissar, Jordan Hagel, K.J. Hockaday and White each have six and are tied for second on the squad.
-With a sacrifice hit against Florida State (3/15), Jack Cleary became the all-time leader Maryland history with 29 sacrifice hits.
-Convissar has reached base in 21 consecutive games entering this weekend. Convissar's streak is the longest on the team this season.
-Through 24 games, Convissar leads the team in hitting (.352) and RBI (25). Hagel leads the team in OBP (.453) and slugging % (.525). Hagel, Anthony Papio and Blake Schmit are tied for the team lead in home runs (1).
Scouting the Wolfpack
-Last weekend in Charlottersville, Virginia swept NC State. The Wolfpack bounced back with a 10-6 win over UNC Wilmington on Wednesday to end a four-game slide. In three ACC series, NC State lost 2 of 3 to Clemson and won 2 of 3 against Wake Forest before losing all three games in Charlottesville.
-The Wolfpack is hitting .283 on the year and .273 in ACC play, which ranks sixth and seventh in the conference, respectively. It is third in the ACC with 60 doubles, one double shy of Maryland.
-NC State has given up at least four runs in seven of its nine conference games. The pitching staff enters the weekend with a 5.61 ERA in league play, which ranks 10th in the ACC.
-Trea Turner returned to the lineup for the the Wolfpack against UNC Wilmington. Turner is hitting .468 this season and slugging .855. The Wolfpack was 5-6 without him in the lineup.
-Wolfpack ace Carlos Rodon has been up and down this season. Rodon leads the conference in strikeouts with 62 and is averaging 15.5 per game. But the sophomore is sporting a 4.75 ERA. Last time out against UVa, Rodon walked six over 5-2/3 innings and took a no decision.
Looking Ahead
Maryland plays host to Rider in a midweek contest on Wednesday, April 3 at 4 p.m., and then hit the road to take on No. 1 North Carolina in Chapel Hill beginning Friday, April 5.
