UNCW opens an eight-game homestand with series vs. Kennesaw State

UNCW (7-5) vs. Kennesaw State (8-4)

Friday, 1 p.m. | Saturday, 4 p.m. | Sunday, 1 p.m. | Series Notes

So far, we’ve seen a little of everything from UNCW on the baseball field this season.

The Seahawks have walked it off and fallen victim to a stunning rally. They’ve been on both sides of 2-0 games and also put up a few crooked numbers up on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, they’ve dropped a couple of slugfests, too.

Such is life for a team with 31 freshmen or sophomores on the roster — one with obvious talent and potential, but one figuring out how it all fits together.

Luckily for UNCW (7-5), it will have an eight-game homestand to work things out at Brooks Field, with Kennesaw State coming in Friday to begin at three-game set.

Here’s what you’ll need to know about this weekend’s series.

A Change-Up

The Seahawks are switching up the pitching rotation this weekend, flip-flopping their Friday and Sunday starters.

That means Brett Banks (0-1, 7.71) gets the ball for the opener, while righty RJ Sales (0-1, 9.58) remains in the Saturday slot. Lefty Matt Gaither (1-1, 3.00) will start the finale.

It might seem a little unorthodox to move your best starter into the Sunday slot, but it makes sense when you consider the depth and talent coming out of the UNCW bullpen.

We’re living in an era that “starting” pitchers don’t mean a whole lot, as teams are leaning more heavily on bullpen games and openers.

Gaither, who has pitched into at least the sixth inning of every start, has worked a total of 18 innings.

With that in mind, putting Banks (11.2 IP) and Sales (10.1 IP) up front means the Hawks will have fully-rested relievers available to pitch when it’s more likely they’ll have a bigger workload.

Aside from that, it’s just a different look. Hitters had a couple of games to get in a groove and saw a righty the day before Banks took the mound. Now, he’ll have the chance to come in fresh.

Both he and Sales have shown promise this season, and once they’re able to cut their walks down, they’ll be able to eat up more innings with more productive outings.

Penning Them Down

UNCW’s bullpen was anticipated to be a strength, and despite a few hiccups, the relievers have performed quite well.

Among the eight pitchers who have made at least three appearances out of the pen, they’ve allowed 16 run on 35 hits in 47.1 innings, with a WHIP of 1.31 and ERA of 3.08.

Those numbers include ERAs of 8.31 for Hunter Hodges and 4.82 for Carter Holjes — both of which were inflated by App State’s wild rally on Saturday in Boone.

Marty Gair — who hit 100 mph on Sunday — has tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out 12.

Bryce Cota has 10 strikeouts without a single walk in 5.2 innings, while Cody Benton (0.82 WHIP) and Cole Benton (2.08 ERA) have been strong.

Jason Hudak has taken another step forward, too, allowing one run over seven innings in five appearances.

Brooks At Bat, On Base

Preseason CAA Player of the Year Brooks Baldwin has lived up to the hype, and maybe even exceeded it.

Over the first three weeks of the season, he’s already jumped into must-watch, “What’s he going to do next?” territory. Just as a baseball fan, it’s a lot of fun to have a guy like that in the lineup. (Opposing fans might feel less positively.)

A quick rundown: Baldwin is hitting .415 with an OPS of 1.186 with four doubles, two triples and three homers. He’s knocked in 10 runs while crossing the plate 12 times himself. Oh, add in 8 for 8 on stolen base attempts, too.

Overall, he’s 15th nationally in hits, tied for 17th in triples, 22nd in hits per game and 28th in total bases.

It’s shaping up to be one of the most impressive seasons in UNCW history, and we’ve got plenty left to enjoy. Not bad out of your leadoff man — not bad at all.

Croom Coming On

New position? No problem for Jac Croom.

After a middling season at the plate while mostly playing second base last season, Jac Croom has elevated his game to a new level since moving to third base.

A career .234 hitter over his first 64 games at UNCW, Croom is off to a strong start in 2022, hitting .308 with five RBI.

Croom posted an on-base percentage of .292 last season, striking out 35 times with 13 walks. This season, he’s walked four times and struck out three times while upping his on-base percentage to .387.

In addition to his improvements at the plate, Croom has staked a claim to third base with excellent defense — answering what was a question for the Seahawks after the departure of Cole Weiss.

More on that…

Trust Your Defense

Control issues have plagued the pitching staff to the tune of 62 walks — 5.28 per nine innings — and 10 hit batters, meaning UNCW is putting six batters on-base per game.

As much fun as it is to make hitters swing and miss, it’s all about filling up the zone, forcing them to make weak contact and allowing the guys behind you to take care of it.

That strategy is a pretty good one for the Seahawks, given their defense currently ranks 38th nationally in fielding percentage at .979.

First baseman Ron Evans leads the way, a perfect 85 for 85 on fielding chances this season, while catcher Bryan Arendt (50 chances), Trevor Marsh (30), Dillon Lifrieri (20), Noah Bridges (17) and

Croom (14) are also errorless.

The Seahawks are tied for 60th nationally in double plays with nine, largely thanks to shortstop Taber Mongero, who has just one error in 41 chances this season.

Hit the strike zone and the UNCW defenders will take advantage of their chances.

Base Hits

• UNCW is tied for 68th nationally in stolen bases at 18.

• The Seahawks have been outscored 11-1 in the first inning this season.

• Marsh has reached base in eight straight games and leads the team with six doubles this season.

• Lifreri’s four homers and 14 RBI lead the Seahawks.

• Baldwin (1st) and Lifrieri (2nd) are the only players to start and hit in the same spot in the order in every game.

• Marsh has hit in six different spots, ranging from third to eighth in the order this season.

• Three different players (Marsh, Matt Suggs and Noah Bridges) have hit in the cleanup spot, while six have hit fifth in the order.

• UNCW is 5-1 when leading after seven innings this season.

• The Seahawks have outscored opponents 43-16 in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.