CAA Baseball Weekly Report - Feb. 21
CAA BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Joey Cujas, VCU
So., 3B, Midlothian, Va./Manchester
Cujas batted .583 (7-for-12) with four doubles, three runs scored and three RBI's as VCU went 1-2 in three one-run games at perennial power Long Beach State. Along with leading the Rams offensively, Cujas was perfect in 13 chances at third base.
CAA BASEBALL PITCHERS OF THE WEEK:
Mat Batts, UNCW
So., RHP, Winston-Salem, N.C./Mount Tabor
In his UNCW debut last Friday, Batts threw seven innings of no-hit baseball but didn't get a decision in a 6-5 win over Ohio. The sophomore allowed one walk and one run while fanning eight. It was the longest no-hit effort by a UNCW pitcher since 2002.
Brett Koehler, William & Mary
Jr., RHP, Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees
Koehler gave up just one hit over seven shutout innings in W&M's season-opening 2-1 victory over Rhode Island last Friday. The junior struck out five and walked two and surrendered only a third-inning single in the contest.
Ben Marshall, Georgia State
Sr., RHP, Loganville, Ga./Loganville
Marshall gave up only one hit in a complete-game, 7-inning shutout as GSU blanked Western Illinois 7-0 last Friday. It was the first career win for the senior right-hander, who struck out six, walked two and didn't allow a runner past second base.
CAA BASEBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:
Kody Adams, Georgia State
Fr., OF, Williamson, Ga./Pike County
Adams batted .286 with two doubles, a homer, three RBI's and a team-high six runs scored as GSU went 3-1 in a season-opening series with Western Illinois. The freshman outfielder also drew four walks and stole a base for the Panthers.
DIAMOND NOTES:
DELAWARE (0-3)
The Blue Hens were swept in a three-game series at Houston last weekend. UD took a 5-0 lead into the 8th inning of the opener but gave up seven runs in the bottom of the frame. Senior pitcher Eric Young gave up just two hits and fanned six through the first seven innings. D.J. Long batted .364 with three extra base hits and E.J. Stoltzfus drove in three runs in the series. Freshman shortstop Brock Niggebrugge hit .333 and scored a run in his collegiate debut.
GEORGE MASON (1-2)
The Patriots opened with a 2-1 win over Appalachian State last Friday before being swept in a doubleheader by host Elon on Saturday. Sophomore pitcher Anthony Montefusco, who missed last season following Tommy John surgery, scattered six hits and gave up only one run over 6.0 innings and struck out six vs. ASU. Chris Cook contributed an RBI in the victory. Outfielder Dan Schafferman had four hits in the doubleheader with Elon.
GEORGIA STATE (3-1)
The Panthers won the final three games of their 4-game set with Western Illinois. GSU averaged 8.0 runs per game and 26 of the team's 35 total hits came from players who weren't members of last year's team. Senior Jonathan Kolowich batted .500 with four doubles and five RBI's, while preseason All-CAA selections Brandon Williams and Drew Shields combined for eight hits and drove in six. Senior pitcher Ben Marshall won his first career game with a one-hit shutout in Friday's nightcap as the Panthers won 7-0.
HOFSTRA (0-3)
The Pride dropped all three games of their season-opening series at #9 Florida State despite holding leads in each contest. Jared Hammer batted .417 in the series with three RBI's and Kenny Jackson hit .364 and drove in two. Preseason All-CAA pick Danny Poma had four hits on Saturday as the Pride dropped a closed 10-8 decision. On the mound, Joe Burg and Cody Normand didn't allow a run in 2.2 and 2.1 innings of work, respectively.
JAMES MADISON (0-2-1)
The Dukes went 0-2-1 against a tough field at the Caravelle Tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. JMU battled to a 4-4 tie with #17 Virginia on Saturday after scoring 2 runs on three straight hits in the 8th before rains halted the contest. Johnny Bladel batted .400 over the weekend and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. In his first games at catcher, Bradley Shaban hit .500 with four RBI for the series. On the mound, freshman Patrick Toohers limited UVA to one run on two hits over five innings in his collegiate debut. Freshmen threw 15.2 of the 24 innings for the Dukes over the weekend.
UNCW (2-1)
The Seahawks opened the season by winning two of three over Ohio. Junior transfer Tyler Molinaro batted .357 with three runs scored and four RBI in his UNCW debut. He homered in Saturday's first game and scored the game-winning run in the nightcap. Sophomore pitcher Mat Batts threw seven no-hit innings in Friday's opener with eight strikeouts, but didn't get a decision in a 6-5 victory in 10 innings. The 7 innings of hitless baseball was the most for a UNCW pitcher since 2002. Freshman hurler Jordan Ramsey tossed four shutout frames on Saturday, allowing only two hits and striking out four.
NORTHEASTERN (0-0)
The Huskies head to Florida this weekend where they will open the season with a three-game series at Jacksonville. Northeastern will be led offensively by sophomore outfielder Aaron Barbosa, who was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 2011 after batting .335 with 29 stolen bases. Leading the pitching staff is senior Andrew Leenhouts, who has a 3.25 career ERA in 41 appearances.
OLD DOMINION (2-1)
The Monarchs took two of three from Temple in their first games under coach Chris Finwood. Senior Brandon Shelton batted .333 with a double, triple and three RBI to lead the ODU offense. Freshman catcher Michael Perez knocked in the game-winning run in the 10th inning of Friday's 5-4 victory. Junior pitcher Brandon Smith struck out the side in the 10th to earn the win on Friday and gave up just one hit in 2.1 innings in the series. Junior pitcher Brett Harris, who missed last season with an injury, threw five scoreless frames on Saturday, allowing just one hit and fanning four.
TOWSON (1-2)
The Tigers went 1-2 at The Citadel Memorial Challenge, defeating the host team 6-5 on Friday before being swept by Liberty in a twinbill on Saturday. Sophomore Dominic Fratantuono batted .364 in the series and scored twice, including the game-winner vs. The Citadel. The Tigers started three freshmen in each game and rookie infielder Peter Bowles hit .364 with a double, triple and three RBI. Brandon Gonnella was 2-for-5 vs. The Citadel and also picked up the save with three innings of relief. Coach Mike Gottlieb is one win shy of 600 for his career as he enters his 25th season with the Tigers.
VCU (1-2)
The Rams played well in three one-run games at Long Beach State, taking the opener 5-4 before falling 7-6 and 3-2. It's the third straight year that VCU has won its season opener as it needs just four wins to reach 1,000 in the history of the program. Brent Mikionis, who missed most of last season with an injury, went 4-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's victory. Sophomore Joey Cujas batted .583 (7-12) in the series with four doubles and three RBI. Pitcher Kyle Pelchy allowed just three runs over seven innings on Sunday, but took the loss.
WILLIAM & MARY (2-1)
The Tribe won two of three in a season-opening series with Rhode Island that featured three one-run contests. Junior pitcher Brett Koehler allowed just one hit over seven shutout innings as W&M won 2-1 on Friday and starter Matt Wainman gave up only one run on four hits as the Tribe picked up another 2-1 victory on Saturday. Senior Tadd Bower batted .364 in the series with two doubles and two runs scored. Freshman Michael Katz hit .300 with a double and two RBI.