UNCGFans.com

I figured since I was posting updates on another thread, I'd just make a new one that made more sense.

I've not had a chance to make it out to see the Spartans play that much this year due to their early mid-week start times. Luckily, the start times are getting later. So, I'll be able to make it to more games coming up (starting with the A&T game at NewBridge next week). So ...

After a 2 game mid-week sweep of Albany, the Spartans sit at 17-5. They've won 9 in a row.

RPI
Boydsworld - #44*
WarrenNolan - #43*

* These sites don't reflect that changes from todays game yet. I'll post them when I get the chance.

Up Next - 3 games @ WCU, @UNC, NC A&T (again at NewBridge Park).

Both sites have UNCG's RPI at #40 today.

Nice thread...keep it updated. We've still got Duke, UNC, and NC State coming to our field. What a surprise we've been so far...especially after having been picked to finish #7 in the SoCon. I know it's still early, but at this point it looks as though we were highly underestimated.

Having so many seniors in the lineup has helped a bunch. The pitching staff is what will make-or-break UNCG this year. I think that's why they were picked so low in the SoCon. Plus, I think everybody expected Western to be better than they are playing right now (knock on wood).

Who knows right now, though. I remember a few years ago when they started so hot and fizzled at the end. Let's hope they can keep it going this time.

We'll see how they play against the ACC coming up soon. That should be a good indication of where this year will go.

Not a good showing from the Spartans this weekend at WCU, dropping 2 of 3. UNCG now has a record of 18-7 (4-2 SoCon).

RPI
Boydsworld - #69
WarrenNolan -#68

A win against UNC would get things back on track.

Losing a series to WCU drops you 30 spots in the RPI? Yikes.

Their RPI was in the #176-179 range going into the weekend. It's ok, though. I can see them giving a bunch of teams trouble coming up. When Western has Drew Saberhagen as their Friday starter, they're going to win a lot more than they lose.

BTW, the UNC game tonight is being carried on ACCSelect. I don't recommend paying for it though. I bought it back in December to watch basketball games that weren't being carried on TV (VT vs UNCG). I thought it was just a one-time payment thing. Instead, I've been charged for it every month b/c I forget to cancel it. Procrastination is something I do well.

4-1 ... #3 UNC over UNCG

A very entertaining ballgame, but the Spartan bats just never could get much going. Pitching and defense were really good (there's a new twist). Several of the younger guys did a really good job of pitching in some tough spots.

UNC had a rain-out on Sunday. So, their normal Sunday starter went against G today and he was really good. It just seemed like none of the hitters were really comfortable in the box and it showed. I still think we can beat them in a couple of weeks in Greensboro.

Now, on to tomorrow. The game is at 6 @ Newbridge Bank Park (First Horizon). It'd be awesome to get a bunch of people over there for it. So, come on out.

Wow, an absolutely pitiful performance last night against NC A&T. The Spartans went down 10-7. Quite frankly, it wasn't that close.

Carrier hit a HR to start off the game and Orton hit a 2-run double 3 batters later. Basically after that, the bats went to bed. Gaski used about 90+ pitchers on the night and none of them could get the last out in the 6th.

I'll just skip updating RPI for now. I was only doing that b/c it was looking like UNCG could get themselves in the mix for a national ranking and a possible at-large NCAA bid.

What a difference a week can make. Hopefully the guys can start turning it around this weekend.

Up next ... 3 vs Furman (home), @ Duke, 3 vs Wofford (home).

We were playing over our heads a little, but we'll be alright. Since the SoCon is so highly rated in baseball, do we usually get more than 1 team into the post season? Also, who goes to the post season....the SoCon tourney champ or the Reg season champ?

I agree they've played over their heads for a bit, but it hurts to lose games that you probably should win. The hitting has been the big letdown recently. UNCG is going to have to outhit most of it's opponents to win, and they're just not doing it right now.

The SoCon tourney Champs are the automatic, but I think the league has been a mutliple bid league before. I definitely think it can be this year. Elon, CoC, Ga Southern, Citadel and UNCG are in position to make a run at it. If more than one team can get in the top 40-45 RPI, they'll have a shot. There are some other mid-major conferences that could be 2+ bid leagues too. CAA, Big South, MVC, Big West and WCC.

Going 1-2 against Furman this past weekend leaves the Spartans at 19-11. UNCG got caught in a weird scheduling quirk with weather related problems. They played 7 1/2 innings on Friday (seemed like the rain helped with some big time Spartan errors). They finished the game on Saturday in 20 mintues with UNCG losing 5-2. The teams split a doubleheader on Sunday.

The mid-week game today is @ Duke.

Here's to hoping that the bats come alive and the guys start playing with some urgency before this season gets away from them (which may have already happened). Go G !!!

Finally, the Spartans recover from the tailspin that they had been in over the last few weeks. UNCG swept Wofford over the weekend and brought themselves into a tie for 3rd place in the SoCon. Their record is 22-12 (8-4).

Elon is trying to pull away in the title race (which is about halfway through right now). But the Spartans are only one game back in loss column. So, if the guys can keep playing well, they've got a chance to finish very high. Let's just hope that the bats can stay hot. Their next 3 SoCon series' are against the teams at the top (@Citadel, Elon-home, CoC-home)

Up next ... UNCG has 2+ very tough weeks ahead.
Tuesday - #4 UNC @ UNCG - The game starts at 6. Even though it'll be a little chilly, it should be a fun game based on the game a few weeks ago.
Weekend - 3 @ the Citadel.

I plan on being there for the UNC game. If any students wear UNC hats or shirts and pull against their own school, they should be asked to leave. You can pull for them the rest of the year, but not tomorrow.

A good news-bad news week for the Spartans last week. The guys took a pretty bad beating from #4 UNC. They then went to Charleston and took 2 of 3 from the Citadel. G's record is 24-14 (10-5).

That leaves UNCG tied for 2nd in the SoCon with CoC. The team is tied with league-leading Elon in the loss column (5) but 3 back in the win column (Elon has played an extra conference series).

Up next ... another tough week.
Mid week games - Tues. Duke @ UNCG, Weds. NCSU @ UNCG
UNCG is O'fer versus the ACC this year. Really got to get one of these sometime soon.
Weekend - 3 against Elon at home
These are huge. CoC took 2 of 3 from Elon this past weekend. G needs to pull the same feat.

BTW, the Spartans current RPI is sitting in the 66-70 range.