WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – After completing a five-game road swing unscathed, the William & Mary baseball team returns home for a three-game series against reigning Big South champion Campbell this weekend.
The series opens on Friday, March 8
th at 4 pm, resumes on Saturday, March 9
th at 2 pm and concludes on Sunday Mach 10
th at 1 pm.
W&M News and Notes
• W&M and CU will meet for the 16
th-18
th time in series history this weekend. The Tribe holds a slight 8-7 all-time series advantage against the Campbell. However, CU claimed the last two of a three-game series in Buies Creek, N.C., last year. The first and final game from last season were decided by two runs or less. It is also the Camels' first visit to Williamsburg since 1992.
• This weekend marks the second time the Tribe will play a three-game set against a Big South member. So far, W&M is 3-0 against the conference after sweeping a weekend series at High Point. Ironically, HPU and CU squared off in the 2018 Big South Championship game with the Camels coming out on top. Overall, the Tribe holds an all-time record of 43-31 (.581) against Big South foes.
• The Tribe has been nothing short of sensational in its first 10 games. With a 9-1 ledger (.900), the Tribe ties ninth in Division I in win-loss percentage. The last time W&M won nine of its first 10 games was in 2004. It is also the first time the Green and Gold has won its first five road games.
• W&M is riding a six-game winning for the first time since 2014. The team is playing extremely well in all facets. The Tribe hit .350 (14-for-23) with 56 runs scored, 48 RBI and four home runs during the stretch. The pitching staff boasted a 2.00 ERA and restricted opponents to a .221 batting average.
• The most impressive feature of the 2019 Tribe is its pitching staff. An astounding 2.60 team ERA ranks 22
nd in the NCAA. The Green and Gold has held its opponents to three runs or less in eight out of 10 games. The bullpen is also extremely reliable with a 5-1 record, three saves and .207 opposing batting average.
• The W&M offense generated historical stats in its recent win at Norfolk State on Tuesday. The Tribe tied 11
th in school history with 17 RBI and its seven doubles rank fourth. Freshman
Jack Cone tied first in W&M annals with five runs scored. The Green and Gold was just one hit away from recording its 12
th-most and needed one more run to tie 15
th in the record books.
• Following a 4-0 effort last week, sophomore
Matt McDermott was named CAA Player of the Week and freshman
Zach Tsakounis earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors. McDermott led the lineup with a .556 batting average (10-for-18), a double, six RBI and two runs scored. Tsakounis twirled 6.1 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts and four hits at ACC rival Virginia. The Tribe now totals three CAA Weekly Awards after three weeks of baseball. It is the second time a freshman pitcher was named Rookie of the Week.
Tristan Snyder garnered the accolade for the week of Feb. 18.
• Seniors
Jason Waldman and
Owen Socher provided solid production in their first starts at High Point and Norfolk State. Socher tallied four hits, a double and three runs scored at High Point and Norfolk State. Waldman double twice, posted four RBI and scored three runs in the same two games.
• McDermott and senior
Zach Pearson are two of three CAA players holding a batting average above .400. McDermott is riding a six-game hitting streak. The Little Falls, N.J., native tied his career-high four hits twice during the streak. Pearson totaled 11 hits, three doubles, a triple and eight RBI in his last five games.
• Senior
Hunter Smith is one of the most productive as he has reached base safely in all 10 games. The consistency allows Smith to rank top three on the team in batting average (.308), slugging percentage (.590), hits (12), and RBI (8). However, his most impressive stat is three home runs, which ties first in the CAA.
• Senior
Bodie Sheehan improved to fourth in program history in career starts (47), tying Whit Farr '02. The Virginia Beach, Va., product is eight starts away from becoming W&M's all-time leader. With 11 more strikeouts, he will become the 13th pitcher in W&M annals to reach 200 career strikeouts. Sheehan currently owns a 2.45 ERA, 1-0 record and ranks second in the CAA with 181. Innings pitched.
• Plumeri Park, the home of the Tribe Baseball, turns 20 this spring. The anniversary will be celebrated and recognized over the course of the season. The facility was constructed in large part due to the generous donation by Mr. Joseph J. Plumeri II in the autumn of 1996. It is now considered one the finest baseball facilities in the region, consistently receiving upgrades over the course of time. W&M has enjoyed a lot of success at Plumeri Park with a 382-197 (.660) since its completion.
