Lenoir Rhyne vs Belmont Abbey Recap

A well played game played in perfect baseball weather. I had my first opportunity to catch a college game this year and what a good game to go watch.

It was my first time seeing the Smith Dome in a year and I am constantly amazed how Coach Smith and his staff have continued to improve their facility and more importantly have upgraded the talent on their team. Udwari, Castellano and Waller are a pitcher's nightmare, but the player I liked a lot is Nick Popp. He just looks like a kid that can take his talent to the next level. Which brings me back to Seth Waller. Seth was always a player that could go yard in a hurry, but he had some major holes in his swing. He could not hit an outside pitch; he would try to pull everything. It appears Coach Smith has worked with Waller to learn to go oppo and Wow...has he become dangerous. Good job Seth!!!

The Bears countered with perhaps the best team they have had in years. They play with the toughness that have been lacking in years past. With the addition of freshmen Evan Taylor and Hank Wofford to the lineup plus Jordan Ackley, who has been crushing the ball, the Bears lineup from top to bottom is very strong. But having said all that, the LR Bears have something that they needed...Derek Pugh. He has given them the leadership that was missing.

The final score was 6-5, Da Bears...and the game was played as well as the score indicated. BA jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but you could sense that the score was not go to end that way. The Bears scored all of their runs in one inning to take a 6-4 lead, then it was nailbiter time the rest of the way. BA consistently put pressure to tie the score up, but couldn't get the key hit. Credit Josh Keller in his save appearance. He threw strikes and made the important pitches when he had to.

It was a game of good hitting, decent pitching, no errors and unbelievably good weather...what more could I ask for attending my first game.

Also, it was fun to see some of my buddies I haven't seen in awhile; Mark Tarleton, John MacCurdy, L/R's living legend John Rhyne, Richard Wofford and "The Earthquake" John Hendricks.

Good luck this weekend to Da Bears when they meet Wingate

EDIT I have heard through a source that Mark Tarleton is taking credit in predicting that Hank Wofford would make a difference in this year's team.....don't believe him. It was me all along

 

yeah yeah yeah ....

i walked up just as the centerfielder caught the last out.. But i did get a recap from several people.. sorry i missed ya Braves...

 

Castellano is going to be one of the best players in college baseball the next four years. He also saved a pair of runs on a nice play in the 4 hole.

Waller was an unknown to me until today and I won't forget him soon. That kid is so strong he can accidently hit homeruns.

the staff at belmont Abbey are my good buddies and I hate that someone has to lose that game but I'm awful glad we won. Next week will be a great rematch

 

When and where? I would like to see that one.

 

I doubt Alex Castellanos sets foot on a college baseball field next year....

 

we play abbey again on feb 27th at LR, 2pm

Intcoach- I will have to see alex again. I thought he was pretty big time. I also found out late last night that he was 21 and draft eligible. I can offer this much, Da bears hope he signs!!!!

 

Amen

 

we have the bats to stay with anyone.. we just need to get our pitching together...

I'm sure the coach's will have this worked out by the end of the year when it counts...

 

BAC

It's funny...

I felt like we've pitched well for the last week. Some of our young guys have stepped up with the absence of a few. An inning or two would have changed it.

Dallas Tarleton, the best catcher I've seen up until this point. Jesse Jordan, one of the top arms in the area DII. John Hendricks has taken him from a skinny lefty with not much stuff to a guy that has a chance to play for money.

LR's a good team. Like Lefty said... hate someone had to lose, but I wish it were them.