This post was written by Hatchet senior staff writer Josh Solomon.
What: Baseball (8–4 A-10) vs. VCU (10-5 A-10), Conference Series
Where: Tucker Field at Barcroft Park, Arlington, Va.
When: Friday, April 29 at 3 p.m.; Saturday, at 1 p.m.; Sunday, at 12 p.m.
It’s first place versus second place.
Well, one of five teams in second place. All five of those Atlantic 10 teams also have fewer losses than the first-place Rams – who have more wins than any other team in the league.
It’s VCU versus GW this weekend: a matchup at home that the Colonials certainly have had circled on their calendars all season. It’s their final home series before Commencement weekend, and they’re up against the top team in the A-10.
GW is fresh off a series win at Dayton, which has moved them into a five-way tie for second place. The home series against the Rams is vital, not only for the Colonials’ record and chance to make a move to the top of the conference, but also as a potential mental win.
Case for the Colonials:
If GW has been loud on the bench during the last few series, this week should be even louder at the Tuck.
If the Colonials want to take the first-place spot, starting pitching is vital.
Senior Bobby LeWarne has been cruising during A-10 play (tied for the lead in A-10 wins, four), but will face a tough VCU lineup. Junior Shane Sweeney has pitched well but has was a bit of a tough-luck loser last week. Sophomore Brady Renner, still rehabbing his injury, should continue to get closer to throwing a normal game – while senior Jacob Williams continues to excite out of the bullpen.
GW has averaged a little less than half a run per game in conference play than VCU this season: GW’s 4.83 runs per game to the Rams’ 4.4. Since getting their big guns healthy – in sophomore Mark Osis (batting a team-high .379) and junior Kevin Mahala (driven in a team-high 37 RBIs) – the Colonials have averaged 5.83 runs per game. With that run production, GW should be able to win.
Case for the Rams:
Last year VCU won the A-10 Championship. They went on to the College World Series, winning their way to the NCAA Super Regionals. It was an impressive run, and this year they have rebounded off of last year’s success.
The Rams boast a 27-14 record, on top of their conference leading 10-5 record. They defeated Georgia Tech, Virginia and William & Mary this season. VCU opened A-10 play with a sweep of St. Bonaventure, followed by a series win over Dayton, before suffering their first A-10 series loss to Rhode Island.
The Rams rebounded from that road loss with a road sweep of La Salle.
Last weekend VCU lost two of three to their crosstown rival, Richmond. Following the Rams’ previous series loss, they rebounded a series sweep on the road. The team has shown its resiliency all season long.
VCU has the second-best ERA in conference, at 2.51 – with GW just behind in third at 3.00. And the team’s pitchers average a league-high 7.84 strikeouts per nine innings. Junior left hander, Brooks Vial leads the league in the strikeouts per game at 10.69.
The only closer to have more saves in the A-10 than GW’s junior Eddie Muhl (5) is VCU’s junior Sam Donko (6).
Junior Matt Davis leads the team and is second in the conference with his .429 batting average.
The bottom line:
Expectations of a sweep this weekend would be pretty high for GW. Expectations of a series win, with a preseason expectation of an A-10 Championship, should not be surprising.
With the excitement of playing at home and with a chance to claim first place, the Colonials could show the conference that they are the cream of the crop. A healthy GW team should be able to win against any other team in the A-10, and this weekend could be a testament to that, with a now more potent offense and stable starting staff.
