Changes Pay Off in Seahawk Sweep
UNCW makes it through must-win weekend
There was no denying it from anyone, no coachspeak or softening the message.
With its back to the wall amid a four-game losing streak, UNCW faced an absolute, must-win situation vs. UNC Asheville.
The Seahawks can finally breathe a little easier after finishing the sweep with a 4-3 victory on Sunday afternoon, as Brooks Baldwin’s two-run homer was just enough to save a strong bounce-back pitching effort from Luke Gesell.
Box Scores: Friday | Saturday | Sunday
“We did just enough and that’s really all that matters,” UNCW coach Randy Hood said. “We can sit here and talk about how bad we were for most of the game; bottom line is we did just enough and that’s what it takes some days to get a win.”
Here’s what we learned from an interesting weekend at Brooks Field that saw the Seahawks make some progress.
New Rotation
The biggest change for UNCW (18-13) headed into the series was the first pitching shakeup since the opening weekend, as Adam Smith moved into Saturday’s starting role and Gesell slid back one day.
Landen Roupp remained in his spot as the Friday night ace, and boy, did he show why in a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits as he struck out 10 and walked one on 116 pitches.
Largely dominant over the past month, the only trouble Roupp had gotten into was caused by command, mixing in a few too many walks, hit batters and wild pitches.
Friday night was just how good it can look when he’s hitting his spots.
“His command was great, he was sinking the baseball, getting some ground balls and getting some strikeouts,” Hood said. “Just an outstanding job by him.”
Things didn’t drop off much for Smith, as he made his first career start on Saturday, allowing two runs over six scoreless innings, backed up by excellent defense.
Things weren’t so easy for Gesell, who quickly allowed two runs. Pair that with a shaky relief appearance on Wednesday and it’s only natural that a pitcher’s confidence would be shaken.
“That’s been hurting me, the first couple of innings in the last couple of starts that I’ve had,” he said. “I’ve just got to come out more focused.”
Instead of imploding, Gesell got stronger, allowing just three hits after the third inning, allowing three runs and striking out 10 in the seven-inning outing.
“So proud of Luke hanging in there and really getting his second wind after the second inning,” Hood said. “He really … got on top of the baseball better and got a better angle and just really competed great for us.”
In all, the UNCW starters got 25 ground outs vs. 16 fly outs.
Afterward, Hood told play-by-play man Mike Vaccaro that he expects to keep that same rotation next weekend at Elon.
A little optimism
The Seahawks made things a little tougher on themselves than they needed to at times, like failing to score after loading the bases with one out in the third on Sunday, but still, they had just enough offense to secure the sweep.
UNCW’s offense just couldn’t find a rhythm on Saturday or Sunday, as nine of the 12 total hits were singles. The Seahawks stole just one base in the two games, but did manage to draw a total of nine walks.
“We’ve got to do a better job of trying to keep the ball out of the air as much,” Hood said. “The hits that we did get were on the line, hard ground balls, that kind of thing.”
There’s something to be said for finding a way to win when things aren’t exactly going your way, and that’s exactly what happened.
Even more importantly, the Seahawks found a way to get over the hump in a 1-run game, as they were 2-6 in such games up until winning two straight vs. UNCA.
“We accomplished a big feat this weekend, getting three wins and finding a way to grind through a few games that could have gone either way for us,” Hood said.
On a weekend with no margin for error, UNCW committed just two errors and allowed one unearned run.
Brandenbreakout?
Adding to UNCW’s recent struggles, the Seahawks’ most consistent bat had been in a slump, as Kip Brandenburg (.313, 14 RBI) was mired in a 3-for-22 stretch over the past seven games, striking out 10 times.
After going 0-4 in the first two games out of the fifth spot in the order vs. UNCA, the big man showed signs of a turnaround with a key sixth-inning homer that cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 3-2.
Brandenburg’s hitting and on-base streaks were a major reason for the Seahawks’ success this season, and to get where they want to go, they’ll need him back on track.
One thing is certain — no one is concerned about whether he’s putting in the work to make it happen.
“Baseball is tough, hitting the baseball is hard and he’s had some games recently where things haven’t gone as well as hitting during the streak,” Hood said. “Kip is going to keep working; he’s over here early, he’s over here late, he’s going to stay locked in with his approach.
“Hopefully that’s something he can build off, to develop that confidence to get him back to where he was during that 22-game hitting streak.”
Baldwinning
The Seahawks’ best hitter all season is back on a hot streak, as Baldwin (.319, 7 HR, 26 RBI) has eight hits in the past six games, including the go-ahead bomb on an 0-2 pitch in the seventh on Sunday.
Typically a man of few words, Baldwin was visibly upset with himself after striking out with the bases loaded in the third. Add that to a first-inning ground out, and it had been a frustrating day before he turned it around with a single in the fifth.
“After my first two at-bats, I tried to collect myself and not let my emotions get to me,” he said. “That last at-bat there, I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit and had that confidence that I had coming out at the beginning of the season and just tried to drive the baseball.”
In addition to couple of nice pieces of hitting, Baldwin had a solid day in the field in his first start of the season at second base.
He’s certainly in line for All-CAA honors, but if the Seahawks finish strong and Baldwin keeps on hitting, he’ll be a strong candidate for the league’s player of the year.
Masterful Mongero
Always a good weekend when the hitter occupying the nine slot is your most productive hitter, as Taber Mongero 3-7 with four RBI and a triple, along with a beautiful sacrifice bunt on Sunday.
In addition to his work at the plate, the shortstop was perfect in the field on 12 chances, giving him six straight error-free games.
An outstanding defender, Mongero dealt with some uncharacteristic struggles early in CAA play, but seems to have put that behind him with just one error in his past 10 games and 36 chances.
Bridges on Base
Noah Bridges had a solid 4-10 weekend at the plate along with a walk, knocking in three runs thanks to a home run and a double.
Just as important were the pitches he didn’t swing at, as Bridges struck out just twice in the series — something he’s done just one other time this season.
The junior added scored two more runs over the weekend, giving him 18 in 32 times on base (56 percent) this season.
Up Next
How about another must-win?
At 4-5 in the CAA, both UNCW and Elon sit at the bottom of the league’s South Divison, looking up at Charleston (7-5), William & Mary (6-6) and James Madison (3-3).
Much will change this weekend as JMU meets W&M and the Seahawks head west to meet the Phoenix for a three-game set, starting at 6 p.m. on Friday night.
UNCW took the series vs. Elon (11-16) at Brooks Field in March, dominating the rubber match after splitting two close ones.
Base Hits
UNCW used just six pitchers on the weekend and needed a total of 346 pitches over the three games.
Matt Suggs has reached base in 21 straight games, while Bridges has an eight-game on-base streak.
Striking out 15 times in the three-game series ties (at W&M) a season-low.
The Seahawks hit into a season-high four double plays on Saturday after tying a season-high by turning two double plays on Friday.
UNCW’s .154 batting average on Sunday was its worst performance of the season and fifth time it has hit under .200 this season — three of which have come in the past six games.
Seahawk pitchers are still yet to commit a balk this season, while opponents have been called for six.
Saturday’s 2-hour, 8-minute game was the shortest of the season, followed closely by Friday’s 2:14 contest.