|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Canes continue to spiral downward after dropping 3 of their last four games. Having a rough season, Nick Robert allowed three home runs, one of which was a grand slam in the 4th inning. The Canes were completely overwhelmed, managing just three hits and suffering a disappointing 8-0 loss.
The only positive takeaway from this game is that we effectively managed our bullpen, thanks to Jake Dorn’s relief pitching, who put forth an effective three innings on the mound. Wake only managed to score one other run in the 8th inning, which was unearned, stemming from an attempted pick off at first base that allowed the runner to advance to third and ultimately score on an RBI single.
Nick Robert, who started tonight’s game, once again dug himself into a deep hole from the first inning. He unrailed quickly, recording the first two outs, but then everything went south with a single followed by a two-run homer to left center—the first of three home runs he served up. The second came at the beginning of the second inning, on the very first pitch thrown. The Deacons pressed the attack, loading the bases before a fly out to center. In the fourth inning, they loaded the bases again, but Marek Houston delivered, clearing the cases with his 9th home run of the year, extending Wake’s lead to 7-0.
Nick’s position as the Friday starter is no longer up for debate. Tonight’s performance clearly highlights that JD must orchestrate the switch before next week’s Seminole series. Given the doubleheader tomorrow, implementing this change is essential and could not have come at a better time.
Offensively, this team’s performance was yet another disappointing struggle we’ve witnessed too frequently this season. They managed only three hits, with two coming from Jake Ogden. The eleven strikeouts and a batting average of .103 highlight a consistent issue with their performance, not just tonight but throughout the entire year. One moment, they seem to have things figured out, as demonstrated in their games against Villanova and the third game against Connecticut, only to be blown away by UCF and Wake tonight. There is a puzzling mental lapse whenever they step up to the plate, and it is unacceptable.
A doubleheader tomorrow. We cannot afford to see more of the same lackluster performance we witnessed in their last two outings; it must start with solid pitching. If Hugus and Walters struggle as badly as Robert did tonight, the offense waking from its coma will be irrelevant. Without competent pitching, the offense won’t be able to keep up with the potent Deacon bats. As I stated last time, this team is a rudderless ship drifting aimlessly in a sea of uncertainty.
The first game is scheduled to start at 4PM, with game two at 8.
