Series Preview: Paladins Visit Boone for SoCon Weekend Tilt

Saturday starter Seth Grant. Photo from GoASU.com.

After having a mid-week series with Eastern Kentucky wiped out by rain, the Mountaineers (25-9, 10-5 SoCon) will take the field for the first time since Sunday's heartbreaking loss to Georgia Southern against another long-time conference rival as Furman visits Smith Stadium for the weekend. The Paladins enter the series with an overall record of 18-20 and a 7-11 mark in conference. In spite of having a losing record overall and in SoCon play, Furman is a dangerous team who has taken 3-game series from Elon and Georgia Southern. In their last game on Tuesday, the Paladins traveled to Athens and took down traditional SEC power Georgia by a 5-4 final. 


The Apps hope to build on their late offensive surge displayed in Statesboro last weekend and statistically speaking, their is no better conference match-up to revive the Appalachian bats than Furman. The Paladins' pitching staff currently ranks last in the conference in ERA (5.53), runs per game (6.3) and opponent batting average (.286). Given the season long struggles of the FU pitching staff and the offensive power of the Mountaineer line-up, particularly at home, this series provides an opportunity for ASU to bounce back from a rough week on the road.


The Apps will send their regular weekend rotation of Ryan Arrowood (6-0, 4.18), Seth Grant (6-2, 2.98) and Rob Marcello (4-3, 4.59) to face the Paladins. While Arrowood looks to build on a gutsy effort in last Friday's win in Statesboro (7 IP, 1 ER, 7 K, 5 BB), Grant and Marcello will look to bounce back from being roughed up by the Eagles. Both young men struggled with location last weekend, as Grant (4.2 IP, 1 K, 3 BB, 6 ER) and Marcello (5.0 IP, 2 K, 3 BB, 4 ER) took consecutive losses for the first time this season.


Furman will counter Arrowood on Friday with senior righty Bobby Lyne (5-3, 3.78 ERA). On Saturday, junior left hander Nate Smith (3-4, 6.39 ERA) with face off with Seth Grant. For the finale, sophomore righty Tyler Wood (3-5, 6.08 ERA) will take the hill for the Paladins against Rob Marcello. Lyne is the most experienced starter of the bunch and is clearly the ace of the Furman staff. In 52.1 innings pitched this season, Lyne has struck out 36 batters while issuing only 11 walks. Despite taking the loss in the first of a 3-game sweep in Cullowhee last weekend, Lyne pitched 7 strong innings, surrendering 3 earned runs and striking out five men. It will be crucial for the Mountaineers to set the tone for the weekend tonight and if ASU can manage to get past the lone consistent Paladin starter, they should have a great shot to get back to their winning ways and build on their 17-1 home mark.


Offensively, Furman is paced by leadoff man Will Owens. The senior left fielder leads the team with a .353 batting average, .444 on-base percentage and 35 runs scored. The run production in the middle of the Paladin order is provided primarily by senior center fielder Will Miller (.310, 8 HR, 31 RBI) and junior catcher Paul Nitto (.284, 2 HR, 36 RBI). Junior second baseman Will Muzika is also a player to watch on the base paths as he leads the team with 13 stolen bases and is also batting a healthy .291 with 24 runs scored.


The Mountaineers find themselves at a bit of a crossroads, sitting in a 4-way tie atop the Southern Conferences standings at the exact midpoint of a 30-game conference season. Having already played two co-leaders Elon and College of Charleston, it is vital that the Apps take care of business in the following weeks against Furman, Wofford and UNC Greensboro, 3 of the bottom 4 teams in the conference. Having no shortage of rest or motivation, the Mountaineers should be primed to protect their home field this weekend against the rival Paladins. Appalachian leads the all-time series 54-42 and has won 7 of their last 10 against Furman. A series win or possible sweep would put the Mountaineers back on track as they vie for a favorable seed in the SoCon tournament and polish their resume for potential at-large bid to the NCAA Regionals if they cannot lock down the auto bid.


I like the Mountaineers to get back in the win column tonight and take 2 of 3 from the Paladins. Considering the struggles of the back end of Furman's weekend rotation, a sweep is not out of the question, as Grant and Marcello could very well bounce back strong from a disappointing series. However, anything less than a series win at home would be crippling at this key point in the season.


First pitch is set for 6:00 PM Friday, 3:00 PM Saturday and noon on Sunday.