The Hoos swept the Toledo Rockets this weekend in their first home weekend set of the season. THE story of this weekend was the pitching, specifically the pitching of freshman Brandon Waddell, who has burst onto the scene this year with two impressive outings. Waddell threw 6 shutout innings Friday night while racking up 15 strikeouts, the most by a freshman since a fellow you may remember named Danny Hultzen. This Waddell kid is no joke. We've long stated the young pitching will be the key to the ultimate success of the Hoos this season, and Waddell has certainly risen to that challenge. Veterans Scott Silverstein and Whit Mayberry combined to blank the Rockets on Saturday, combining for 8 strikeouts and only 5 hits allowed. This veteran combo will help provide stability for the essential Saturday game if they keep their performances up. On Sunday, sophomore Nick Howard started with 4 shutout innings en route to a 6-3 Wahoos victory. In the Sunday game, freshman Josh Sborz earned his first save throwing 1 2/3rds innings and only allowing one hit.
Freshman Nate Kirby, responsible for the only runs given up during the series, continues to struggle. However this kid has a world of potential, and this staff is still proven to be able to develop arms. I think we will see Kirby turn it around.
The HooBats continued their smoking hot start. Fisher, Downes, King, and Towns all homered as the Hoos pushed in 21 runs over the series. The top of the lineup continues to get on base ahead of the big bats. Cogswell scored 5 runs at the top of the lineup. This offense continues to smoke, which is essential as they ease the young pitchers into the rigors of college baseball.
The Hoos host a midweek game against George Washington on Tuesday, and then a three-team round robin with Harvard and Bucknell this weekend at Davenport.
Go Hoos!
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