NCAA Mideast Regional Game 4 Preview: (6) Case Western Reserve vs. (4) Franklin
The Spartans eliminated Penn State-Altoona earlier today with a 12-6 victory. Junior Bradley Potter pitched very well (7.2 IP, 3 ER, 10 H, 2 K, 1 BB) in relief of freshman Ray Kelly (1.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 K, 2 BB) after the game was suspended last night. Matt Keen and Brett Ossola each had three hits, including one double.
That means the Spartans keep playing, and will next go up against Franklin College, who has only played two games thus far, beating Frostburg St. and losing to Marietta. The game is at 4:30 today.
Scouting Report: Franklin College Grizzlies (30-13)
For some reason, when I’m typing the name Franklin, the old kids TV show with the turtle is coming to mind (as seen in the photo, whoa, fancy!).
Anyway, they’re a good team, but their pitching staff is also not Adrian or Heidelberg caliber, so I’d expect a fair number of runs scored, just like this morning’s game.
Hitting: They have an amazing amount of power (sixth in the nation in home runs per game), led by sophomore DH Nick Stoia (.363/.403/.615, 10 HR), freshman LF Scott Windler (.424/.483/.712, 8 HR) and senior 2B Ian Sanders (.346/.448/.610, 7 HR). As a whole, their offense is almost at Case-level, scoring 8.0 runs per game to Case’s 8.7.
Pitching: The Grizzlies have had three main starters this year: senior RHP Cody Nees (5-3, 3.66 ERA, 76 K/24 BB in 71.1 IP), junior RHP Nathan Ellis (9-2, 3.73, 64 K/13 BB in 89.1 IP) and junior RHP Shawn Mattingly (7-3, 3.97, 51 K/12 BB in 68 IP). They are the only pitchers with ERAs under 4.00, though, so if Case can get into the bullpen, it’ll be a big day for the offense.
Game Preview: Assuming there are no surprises, junior Noah Lieberman (4-3, 5.30, 31 K/29 BB in 37.1 IP) will probably start for Case. Lieberman is the only regular pitcher to have not given up a home run this season. Mattingly is almost guaranteed to start for Franklin. He has been the most inconsistent pitcher, with two complete game shutouts, but the third-best ERA. He also has given up six homers, which plays into Case’s strength.
You Know By Now: Live Stats, Live Video, Something Called Twitter. Hopefully I have to keep writing these things!
