Mike Kaffee
Hurricanes Baseball Reporter
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OOPS! Last minute change of venue. Someone forgot to tell the grounds crew at Boca that it might be raining and they forgot to cover the infield. On the better side of caution, the team cancelled the trip and instead had an intra-squad 8 inning scrimmage back at the Light where our grounds crew had a higher IQ as to the weather.
Pitching once again was back in focus as our top 4 pitchers made their appearance each pitching 4 innings. When you get right down to the nitty gritty to who are are best pitchers, no one is really killing it on the mound. Even Carson Palmquest who is probably our best is having issues. Last year until the post season he was unstoppable. Even he is getting hit upon. That being said, I have not seen anyone maybe other than Carson, assume the role of Closer. In Gino’s mind which is more important: starter or closer. And again, what does arson want, if given the choice.
Opening today’s session on the mound was Jake Garland and Carson Palmquest. I would say two of the frontrunners this year but as I earlier mentioned no one is beating down the door especially our freshman class. Jake cruised through his innings only relinquishing one run which was unearned in the second. In the first, a one out single by Ariel Garcia taking advantage of the shift was short lived with CJ Kayfus hitting into a DP to end the inning. I mention Ariel’s single to the opposite field because this is something we need to take more advantage of when the shift is put on. The open field is there for the taking and more emphasis needs to done by our batting coach is working with our hitters to benefit from this gift. In the second, a grounder through the legs of Henry Wallen playing second set up the initial run. Man on first, one out single by Renzo Gonzalez to right sends Pitelli to 3rd. Person who was playing right had no play at 3rd, but instead of going to second with the ball elects to show his throwing arm, which he does not have, as Dominic easily makes it to 3rd and Renzo on the throw goes into 2nd. This is a mental mistake which could end up costing 2 runs. The error earlier did cost a run with a Carlos RBI single. 3rd and 4th 3up/3down.
Today was about pitching. Hitting resumed it rightful place behind the boys on the mound. Tomorrow I don’t expect the same. The bats should once again come alive a bit more from what we saw today. After seeing may second week of scrimmaging, I am not exactly singing Omaha and hopefully the time remaining, things will start looking more promising. Tomorrow, I expect another 8 innings and last I heard 11:15 start time