This post was written by Hatchet senior staff writer Josh Solomon.
What: Baseball (9–9 A-10) vs. Richmond (11-10 A-10), Conference Series
Where: Tucker Field at Barcroft Park, Arlington, Va.
When: Friday, May 13 at 5 p.m.; Saturday, at 1 p.m.; Sunday, at 3 p.m.
If the season ended today, GW would not be in the playoffs.
Tied for the final spot into the Atlantic 10 Championship with Davidson (9-9), the Colonials for the first time all season are in peril. The season goal to win the conference tournament and advance to the College World Series is only possible if they make A-10’s.
But with two series remaining the team still controls its own destiny.
The Colonials host Richmond (11-10) in their final home series of the season this weekend. Come Sunday, which is also Senior Day at The Tuck, GW hopes it will be in a better spot to jockey for positioning in the postseason.
Two wins against the Spiders, and at least one win at Saint Louis (10-8) the following weekend should guarantee GW entry to the A-10 Championship, hosted by Fordham at the end of this month.
Case for the Colonials:
Two weeks ago, GW entered a series against VCU with a chance to take first place in the A-10. Instead the Colonials dropped the series and then unexpectedly were swept at Fordham this past weekend.
GW is now 1-5 in its last six games. In those past two series, the Colonials have averaged 3.5 runs per game. The biggest issue overall in this cold stretch has been a consistent offense – a consistent offense from game to game, from inning to inning and from at-bat to at-bat. At times, the team seems poised to break out for a dozen runs and at others, GW can barely string a couple good at-bats together, particularly one without a strikeout.
The Colonials have averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game in the last six. Prior to those six, GW had struck out on average 5.1 times a game. One of the team’s focal points over the past few years of rebuilding was to limit strikeouts. One of the team’s strengths is its speed and its ability to hit and run. Countless times in the past couple of weeks the Colonials have cost themselves a potential big inning by failing to convert on a hit and run opportunity.
If GW can hit, and hit early, the team should be a comfortable spot to win each game in the series – particularly if starters like senior Bobby LeWarne pitch up to their standards all season long.
Case for the Spiders:
Richmond has hit the most home runs in A-10 play, with a towering total of 26 (compared to GW’s eight). The Spiders have scored the second most runs in the conference, with 170 (compared to GW’s second lowest total of 83). The team has the second most walks, with 100 (compared to GW’s league-low 49).
In other words, Richmond can hit.
If the team can continue to hit in conference play, Richmond has a good chance to win the series. The team’s pitching is the Spiders’ weak suit but the team may be able to hold themselves up by their prolific hitting. And if the wind is blowing out, the short wall in left field could be friendly.
A series win very likely means Richmond will secure themselves a bid in the A-10 Championship. So the Spiders are playing for their postseason birth.
The Bottom Line:
Richmond may be a superior hitting team on paper, GW’s pitching and defense may be able to carry them with just a little help from the offense.
The Colonials have the top fielding defense in the A-10 and the second best team ERA (3.35). The Spiders have hit the most home runs and have scored the second most runs.
If GW loses the series, it could be the end of the line for the team’s postseason hopes. If Richmond loses the series, the same is likely so for the Spiders. It’s do-or-die season in conference play.
The first game was pushed back to 5 p.m. because of weather. Sunday’s game is at 3 p.m. because of graduation and senior day at The Tuck.
