Heels double up Middle Tennessee 40-20 but it could have been different
After being frustrated by South Carolina, most experts figured that North Carolina would clobber Middle Tennessee State at home. And I suppose a 40-20 victory qualifies as a solid win.
But the game could have been much different except for a replay ruling early in the game. The game started with an unusual coin toss where the Tar Heels chose the direction the visitors would travel, allowing Middle Tennessee to take the opening kickoff and the second half kickoff.
Middle Tennessee drove right down the field and looked to score but, after looking at the replay, officials changed their ruling calling the receiver down at the half-yard line. The Tar Heel defense stiffened, throwing a runner for a two-yard loss. After a motion penalty put MTSU back at the seven, an incompletion brought up a third and goal from the seven.
Instead of MTSU getting a touchdown or even a field goal, preseason All-ACC safety Tre Boston made a brilliant one-handed interception in the end zone to change the momentum.
“Our defense bowed up on that first drive and that was huge,” UNC coach Larry Fedora said. “I was proud of the way those guys responded.”
The Tar Heels offense went to work, getting the score up to 23-0 by halftime. The offense had less success in the second half althought the Tar Heels finished with 511 offensive yards.
The first-team defense really only gave up one score as a fumble gave MTSU a short field for one score and the second-team defense gave up a TD late.
“We still have a long way to go, a lot of work to do. There were a lot of bright spots too,” Fedora said, pointing out that the defense, much-maligned last year and suspect after the Gamecocks game, ended up with four turnovers.
But had that first drive ended in a touchdown, it may have been a different story as momentum and confidence seems to count more in college athletics than in pro sports.
The Heels were playing Middle Tennessee State for the first time ever as a result of a vacation spot in the schedule caused by Minnesota pulling out of a home-and-home series with the Heels.
By the way, the Moe’s free Heels Queso deal is in effect Monday. Anytime the Tar Heels score 40 points in a game, the next day, Queso and Chips are free at any of Moe’s 16 Triangle locations.
Post-Game Notes:
• Carolina is now 1-1 overall and 1-0 at home this season. The Tar Heels are idle next week and return to action on Sept. 21st at Georgia Tech. UNC is next at home on Sept. 28th against East Carolina.
• The Tar Heels gained 511 total offense yards, the fifth time in 14 games under Larry Fedora that UNC has topped the 500-yard mark. UNC has gained at least 400 yards in 13 of Fedora’s first 14 games as head coach.
• Carolina scored 40 points, the seventh time in 14 games under head coach Larry Fedora that the Tar Heels have scored 40 or more points. Fedora’s teams are averaging 47.6 points in eight games at Kenan Stadium.
• QB Bryn Renner completed 23 of 34 for 339 yards and a touchdown. His fourth quarter scoring strike to Quinshad Davis was the 56th touchdown pass of his career, two shy of T.J. Yates (58) for second all-time at Carolina. Renner also scored his third career rushing touchdown, a 1-yard score in the first quarter.
• Renner saw his career-best streak of pass attempts without an interception snapped at 140 in the second quarter. The school record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception is 154 (Oscar Davenport, 1996-97).
• Three Tar Heels completed passes – 23 by Renner, one by tailback A.J. Blue (for 23 yards) and one by sophomore QB Marquise Williams (a 15-yard touchdown pass to Bug Howard). It was Blue’s second career completion and first since 2009. It was Williams’ second career touchdown pass. Williams also was on the receiving end of Blue’s 23-yard pass completion.
• TB Romar Morris scored his first two touchdowns of the season, a 26-yard scamper in the first quarter and a 1-yard plunge in the second. Morris had four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) as a freshman in 2012. Morris gained 46 rushing yards on 10 carries in addition to two catches for five yards.
• Freshman TB Khris Francis saw his first collegiate action and gained 42 yards on 10 carries.
• WR Sean Tapley caught four passes for a career-high 93 yards.
• Twelve different Tar Heels caught passes, including eight players who had at least one reception that gained 15 or more yards.
• WR Quinshad Davis caught his second touchdown pass of the season, an 18-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Davis has seven career touchdown receptions.
• WR Mark McNeill pulled down a 59-yard reception in the first quarter, his longest career play. Entering Saturday, McNeill had 13 career catches for 95 yards with a long of 21 yards.
• Freshman WR Bug Howard scored for the first time as a Tar Heel, hauling in a 15-yard pass from Marquise Williams in the fourth quarter.
• S Tre Boston’s interception in the end zone to snuff out a Middle Tennessee drive in the first quarter. It was Boston’s ninth career interception and his first of the season. He now has intercepted a pass in each of his four seasons as a Tar Heel.
• CB Tim Scott picked up his sixth career interception in the second quarter. Scott matched a team high with four picks in 2012.
• The Carolina defense had three interceptions (Boston, Scott, Darien Rankin) for the first time since the Idaho game in 2012.
• OT James Hurst started his team-leading 38th career game Saturday. Hurst was joined on the offensive line by C Russell Bodine (16 career starts), OG Landon Turner (six), OG Caleb Peterson (two) and OT Jon Heck (two).
• PK Thomas Moore made all four of his extra point attempts Saturday, making him a perfect 55 for 55 in his career. Combined with Casey Barth (126), Carolina has made a school-record 181 consecutive PATs. Moore also made a pair of field goals – a 39-yarder in the second quarter and a 35-yarder in the third.
• The Tar Heels scored five touchdowns, going 80, 73, 82, 75 and 43 yards respectively in the five scoring drives, an average of 71 yards per touchdown drive.
• Carolina wore an all blue uniform for just the fourth time since 2001. UNC defeated ECU 24-21 in 2001, lost to Florida State 37-0 in 2003 and lost to Duke 30-22 in 2003. All three games were in Chapel Hill.
Bulls sweep Indy to advance to Governors’ Cup Finals
Merrill Kelly, Adam Liberatore and Juan Sandoval combined to send the Durham Bulls to a 2-1 win over the Indianapolis Indians Friday night at Victory Field, completing a three-game, first round sweep that sends the Bulls back to the Governors’ Cup Championship Round for the first time since 2010.
The Bulls scored twice in the third and final inning of work by Major League rehabber Wandy Rodriguez thanks to a single by Cole Figueroa and a force-out grounder by Jason Bourgeois. Those two runs would hold up, but not without same late inning drama.
Kelly (W, 1-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings to earn the win. Liberatore recorded four outs before turning the game over to Sandoval (S, 1) for the save. Sandoval allowed a run in the last of the ninth on a pinch-hit single by Ivan DeJesus Jr. With the tying run at third and two outs, Figueroa handled an in-between hop grounder by Robert Andino and with his throw to first base, sent the Bulls back to the International League championship series.
The Bulls will now await the winner of the Pawtucket/Rochester series. The PawSox took a 2-1 series lead tonight with their 5-1 win over the Red Wings, and are now a game away from joining the South Division champs in the IL Finals.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park will host Game One on Tuesday, September 10 and Game Two on Wednesday, September 11. Both contests are scheduled for 7:05pm. The best-of-five series will then move to the home park of the Pawtucket/Rochester series winner.
The eventual International League Champion will move on to face the winners of the Pacific Coast League title in the one game, winner-take-all, Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA on September 17.
Single game playoff tickets are $10 for all seating bowl locations. Groups of 20 or more can purchase playoff tickets for $8 each. Tickets for the Governors’ Cup Championship Round can be purchased at the DBAP box office during regular business hours, by phone at 919.956.BULL or online at durhambulls.com.
Area high school football games, predictions for Week 3
Some good games among the 12 local contests today – Friday, Sept. 6 – including Ravenscroft traveling to rival Cardinal Gibbons and Cary playing at Wake Forest. Actually almost all the local games should be competitive except for one or two. Several other matchups take place outside the Triangle area.
Most area high school football teams are playing their third games of the season and most games start at 7:30 pm with a few beginning at 7. Try to make a point to get out there and support high school athletics this season. Temperatures tonight hover around 75 at game time with no chance of rain. My record in picking games last week was 10-3 for a season record of 20-5. Below, the predicted winners for this week are in bold.
Local games
Apex at Sanderson
Carrboro at Chapel Hill
Cary at Wake Forest
Cedar Ridge at East Chapel Hill
East Wake at Millbrook
Enloe at Southeast Raleigh
Garner at Broughton
Green Hope at Jordan
Heritage at Knightdale
Northern Durham at Wakefield
Orange at Riverside
Ravenscroft at Cardinal Gibbons
Cutcliffe interview: Duke faces a test playing at Memphis
Duke Coach David Cutcliffe says that for the second time in two weeks he’s preparing for a team without the luxury of seeing game tape. While this will be Duke’s second game, it’s Memphis’ first.
“It’s always interesting to be basically playing another opening game,” Cutcliffe said. I can say this: they really did a great job of coaching a year ago, a much better team at the end of the season than they were early.”
He noted that Memphis is an experienced team that is physical and can run. After blowing out NC 
“It’s always a challenge to go on the road,” he said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how we handle that test, certainly how we handle playing a really good football team, a much better football team in Memphis.”
Question and Answer
Q. Coach, a year ago you guys defensively dominated Memphis. They seemed to really improve later in the season. What did you see over the course of the year that made them better at the end of the year?
COACH CUTCLIFFE: I think the biggest difference was their commitment to the run game. They’re physical. They’ve got some backs that are good backs, strong, but really quick. They got the ball outside effectively. They developed a power game inside. I think it made them a better team.
The other part of it is their kicking game and field position came into play. They played the kicking game well down the stretch. Made the offense a little more short field to work with than it had. We won the field position game a year ago, and that certainly helped us defensively.
Q. Speaking of field position, because of situational punting, the numbers don’t look real good in terms of a 32 yard average. Placed one inside the 5, one inside the 15. Can you talk about the job he did in his first game back.
COACH CUTCLIFFE: Will is a special talent. Hope we don’t keep him as busy as we did last year really. But he is really a consistent punter. He gets outstanding hang time. I thought it was a really good start.
One that gave him successful roll, but didn’t have much field to work with. The key is to get inside the 20s. He did that two on of his three punts.
Q. David, what is the dynamic like in practice when you’re around the team with Anthony Boone, Brandon Braxton, (indiscernible), the guys that have known each other a long time.
COACH CUTCLIFFE: They have fun. I like it about all three of them. They’re all energized, spirited, competitive. They do enjoy being around each other. So it is unique that they get to be on the same field, same practice field.
But they’re always into what they’re doing. They work hard and have fun. That’s the key. I love these guys that can have fun because they are working hard.
I think they help push each other. It’s really great to have all three of those guys around.
Q. You mentioned Memphis committed to the run more later in the season and that’s what they got better. How did your defensive line do in their one on one battle?
COACH CUTCLIFFE: Played better than we played against Central a year ago by a longshot. That’s all you really have to compare it to because of being similar opponents.
I liked what we did. I liked what our backups do. Do we have a lot of work to do? Yes.
This is a different offensive line and also a different style of running game. A little bit more two back run game with some one back run game mixed in. Be interested to see how we handle more of a power run game than what Central runs.
Q. About Justin Foxx, his first game after the injury, how he came out of that.
COACH CUTCLIFFE: Thought he played well. He had 26 or 28 snaps, something like that. He looked good. Felt good on Sunday. He played a lot of football. He didn’t show any ill effects from the injury at all.
Q. Dave, given that you open up against an FCS team, was there anything you were able to learn about your team from that game?
COACH CUTCLIFFE: Sure. We played a clean game, which doesn’t matter who your opponent is. When you know what to do, you’re not sloppy, you don’t have sloppy penalties. We managed our offense well. We managed defensively really well, being where we were supposed to be. We lined up well. We tackled better than we had. We played the kicking game exceptionally well. We played with a lot of energy, played faster than we’ve played.
There were a lot of positives coming out of it. You always find things you know you’re going to have to work on. We found a lot of those. I think we’ve improved over the last two days of practice. That’s the key to all of this. This same thing has to keep repeating itself every week. We have a lot of getting better to do. We have to make sure we take the opportunity of every Tuesday and Wednesday practice we get.
Q. What would it mean to have a better conference record, going .500 or better?
COACH CUTCLIFFE: Well, that’s the key to all of this as long as I’ve been in college football, is the first thing you’re doing is you’re competing in your league. The only way to compete well in your league is to win more conference games than you lose. If you put yourself in a position in November to have a chance to compete for a division championship in our ACC league, that’s what everybody’s trying to accomplish.
Last year we had one of those golden opportunities. We hadn’t been great, but we were good. In November, we put ourselves in a position if we win some games, we have a chance.
Now you have to take the next step. That’s what the goal is. They’ve got to believe it. The most important who believes it is the players. I certainly do. That’s where our thought process is. To play well in the ACC, we’ve got to play well right now in non conference games.
Obviously we start the next two weeks with two coastal division opponents. If we think we’ve got a chance to win either one of those games, we’ve got to get better this week. That’s why this week is such a big test.
That’s where our minds are as to competing in the ACC.
Q. Do you still feel there needs to be a culture change that needs to be put into effect to get to the next level you want to get to?
COACH CUTCLIFFE: I see us every day in practice, I know who we recruited. We’ve continued to get better each year we’ve been here. Sometimes you’re not fortunate with a ball bounce or injury, et cetera, et cetera. There’s no question we’ve gone a lot of levels, we’ve taken a lot of steps. Obviously now at this point there’s some that we talk about that are important to us.
This team is a better football team than we were a year ago, and that’s at this moment. At points throughout the season you have to be able to say that. I think this team likes to work. I think that’s one of the things that makes them most opportunistic as far as making those levels, those strides. We’ll see if we can do it. That’s the fun of it, finding out.
State’s Thomas in at QB with Mitchell injured and Stocker a redshirt option
Manny Stocker, a sophomore from Coatesville, Pa., earlier was in the mix to start or be the backup. ” We’re trying to redshirt Manny,” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. “If we have one more injury, we’ll have to bring him up.”
Doeren said coaches felt he needed time to develop. “I think him playing last year was premature for his growth as a player,” Doeren said of the Tom O’Brien recruit.
Mitchell, who beat out Pete Thomas for the job during training camp, broke a bone in his foot after directing N.C. State to touchdowns on its first two possessions of the season. Now Thomas, who was 15 of 27 for 212 yards and a interception in relief last week, is the man.
“We need him to not beat us,” Doeren said. “Just distribute the ball to the right people, don’t try to win the game, just don’t lose it.”
He said quarterbacks often force too many plays that they don’t have to. He wants Thomas to put the ball in the right guy’s hands. “When it’s third down, he’s going to have to make the throws we need,” Doeren said. “We’re looking forward to see him take his opportunity and do something with it.”
Thomas, a junior transfer from Colorado State, isn’t as mobile as Mitchell was so that will change the play calling a bit. “We may have to be more creative with how we do some of our run game without a mobile quarterback.,” Doeren said. “We showed that by bringing in (backup QB freshmen) Bryant Shirreffs and Josh Taylor. We have some other skilled quarterbacks that can do some things.”
Taylor is a 5-foot-11 walk-on from New Bern and, along with Shirreffs, figures to see some playing time Saturday at home against Richmond.
Another QB recruit Jacoby Brissett transferred from Florida and has to sit out this season but will have two years of eligibility.
Offensive coordinator Matt Canada said the competition at quarterback has been a positive one. “Competition has never been a bad thing,” Coach Canada said. “If you’re competing at whatever profession you’re in, if they bring somebody in to do your job, you’re going to be better. Hopefully we compete against ourselves and we all try to do that. The great players in our game do that, guys who compete every day to be better than they were. Having someone push you is always positive, so it has been a great, healthy situation for us.”
Bulls open up 2-0 as they survive late Indy rally
The Durham Bulls put the Indianapolis Indians on the brink of elimination with a 6-5 win Thursday night at the DBAP. J.D. Martin cruised early before the South Champs had to survive a late scare in the ninth to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
After waiting until the eighth inning to score in the opening game, the Bulls wasted no time in Game Two. Tim Beckham led off the game with a double for the second straight night and was promptly doubled in by Cole Figueroa. Jason Bourgeois followed with a single, and Vince Belnome doubled off the wall to score Figueroa and Bourgeois.
Ten pitches into the game, Indianapolis manager Dean Treanor had seen enough. He took out starter Graham Godfrey without recording an out, giving him an ERA of infinity for the postseason.
Leslie Anderson greeted reliever Brooks Brown with a home run to right, the Bulls first postseason blast since Justin Ruggiano on September 14, 2010. It also snapped a six-game homerless drought for the Bulls, since Beckham went yard on August 28.
The Bulls appeared to be cruising to victory for the next seven innings. Martin (W, 1-0), the IL’s Most Valuable Pitcher, went 8 innings, allowing just two runs on a Jerry Sands home run in the seventh. Martin scattered 8 hits and walked none.
The Indians jumped on reliever Steve Geltz in the ninth, however, as Sands hit a three-run homer, his second blast of the game, to cut the lead to one run. Charlie Montoyo again called on Kirby Yates to nail things down, and the Hawaiian struck out three straight Indian batters to record his second save of the series.
The series now moves to Indianapolis, where the Bulls need only a single win to advance to the Governors’ Cup Championship Round. Game Three will be Friday at 7:05pm. RHP Merrill Kelly starts for the Bulls against rehabbing Major Leaguer Wandy Rodriguez.
Play-by-play
Indianapolis Top of the 1st
Chase d’Arnaud grounds out, shortstop Tim Beckham to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Robert Andino grounds out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Gregory Polanco grounds out, second baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Durham Bottom of the 1st
Tim Beckham doubles (2) on a ground ball to left fielder Russ Canzler.
With Cole Figueroa batting, missed catch error by Robert Andino on the pickoff attempt, Tim Beckham to 3rd.
Cole Figueroa doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Jerry Sands. Tim Beckham scores.
Jason Bourgeois singles on a line drive to right fielder Jerry Sands. Cole Figueroa to 3rd. Jason Bourgeois to 2nd on the throw.
Vince Belnome doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Russ Canzler. Cole Figueroa scores. Jason Bourgeois scores.
Pitching Change: Brooks Brown replaces Graham Godfrey.
Leslie Anderson homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Vince Belnome scores.
Ryan Roberts pops out to second baseman Brian Bocock.
Mike Fontenot lines out softly to shortstop Robert Andino.
Kevin Kiermaier walks.
With Craig Albernaz batting, Kevin Kiermaier steals (1) 2nd base.
Craig Albernaz grounds out to first baseman Matt Hague.
Indianapolis Top of the 2nd
Matt Hague grounds out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Jared Goedert strikes out swinging.
Russ Canzler doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jason Bourgeois.
Jerry Sands grounds out, pitcher J. D. Martin to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Durham Bottom of the 2nd
Tim Beckham grounds out, shortstop Robert Andino to first baseman Matt Hague.
Cole Figueroa grounds out to first baseman Matt Hague.
Jason Bourgeois grounds out, second baseman Brian Bocock to first baseman Matt Hague.
Indianapolis Top of the 3rd
Carlos Paulino grounds out, second baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Brian Bocock grounds out, shortstop Tim Beckham to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Chase d’Arnaud triples (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Leslie Anderson.
Robert Andino strikes out swinging.
Durham Bottom of the 3rd
Vince Belnome walks.
Leslie Anderson grounds into a double play, second baseman Brian Bocock to shortstop Robert Andino to first baseman Matt Hague. Vince Belnome out at 2nd.
Ryan Roberts grounds out, pitcher Brooks Brown to first baseman Matt Hague.
Indianapolis Top of the 4th
Gregory Polanco flies out to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Matt Hague grounds out, second baseman Ryan Roberts to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Jared Goedert doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jason Bourgeois.
Russ Canzler lines out to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Durham Bottom of the 4th
Pitching Change: James McDonald replaces Brooks Brown.
Mike Fontenot flies out to center fielder Gregory Polanco.
Kevin Kiermaier walks.
With Craig Albernaz batting, wild pitch by James McDonald, Kevin Kiermaier to 2nd.
Craig Albernaz walks.
Tim Beckham grounds into a double play, third baseman Jared Goedert to second baseman Brian Bocock to first baseman Matt Hague. Craig Albernaz out at 2nd.
Indianapolis Top of the 5th
Jerry Sands singles on a line drive to left fielder Leslie Anderson.
Carlos Paulino flies out to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Brian Bocock grounds into a double play, second baseman Ryan Roberts to shortstop Tim Beckham to first baseman Vince Belnome. Jerry Sands out at 2nd.
Durham Bottom of the 5th
Cole Figueroa grounds out, second baseman Brian Bocock to first baseman Matt Hague.
Jason Bourgeois grounds out, shortstop Robert Andino to first baseman Matt Hague.
Vince Belnome strikes out swinging.
Indianapolis Top of the 6th
Chase d’Arnaud lines out to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
Robert Andino singles on a ground ball to left fielder Leslie Anderson.
Gregory Polanco grounds into a force out, shortstop Tim Beckham to second baseman Ryan Roberts. Robert Andino out at 2nd. Gregory Polanco to 1st.
Matt Hague grounds into a force out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to second baseman Ryan Roberts. Gregory Polanco out at 2nd.
Durham Bottom of the 6th
Pitching Change: Atahualpa Severino replaces James McDonald.
Leslie Anderson grounds out, second baseman Brian Bocock to first baseman Matt Hague.
Ryan Roberts strikes out swinging.
Mike Fontenot strikes out swinging.
Indianapolis Top of the 7th
Jared Goedert singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
With Russ Canzler batting, wild pitch by J. D. Martin, Jared Goedert to 2nd.
Russ Canzler grounds out, shortstop Tim Beckham to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Jerry Sands homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Jared Goedert scores.
Carlos Paulino singles on a line drive to left fielder Leslie Anderson.
Brian Bocock called out on strikes.
Chase d’Arnaud grounds into a force out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to second baseman Ryan Roberts. Carlos Paulino out at 2nd.
Durham Bottom of the 7th
Kevin Kiermaier reaches on a missed catch error by first baseman Matt Hague, assist to third baseman Jared Goedert.
Craig Albernaz out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Matt Hague. Kevin Kiermaier to 2nd.
Tim Beckham strikes out on a foul tip.
Cole Figueroa singles on a ground ball to center fielder Gregory Polanco. Kevin Kiermaier scores.
Pitching Change: Ryan Reid replaces Atahualpa Severino.
Jason Bourgeois singles on a line drive to center fielder Gregory Polanco. Cole Figueroa to 2nd.
Vince Belnome strikes out swinging.
Indianapolis Top of the 8th
Robert Andino grounds out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Gregory Polanco grounds out to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Matt Hague grounds out, third baseman Cole Figueroa to first baseman Vince Belnome.
Durham Bottom of the 8th
Pitching Change: Erik Cordier replaces Ryan Reid.
Leslie Anderson pops out to third baseman Jared Goedert in foul territory.
Ryan Roberts flies out to right fielder Jerry Sands.
Mike Fontenot grounds out to first baseman Matt Hague.
Indianapolis Top of the 9th
Pitching Change: Steve Geltz replaces J. D. Martin.
Defensive switch from right field to left field for Jason Bourgeois.
Defensive Substitution: Evan Frey replaces left fielder Leslie Anderson, batting 5th, playing right field.
Jared Goedert doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Jason Bourgeois.
With Russ Canzler batting, wild pitch by Steve Geltz, Jared Goedert to 3rd.
Russ Canzler walks.
Jerry Sands homers (2) on a fly ball to center field. Jared Goedert scores. Russ Canzler scores.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ivan De Jesus replaces Carlos Paulino.
Pitching Change: Kirby Yates replaces Steve Geltz.
Ivan De Jesus walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brett Carroll replaces Brian Bocock.
Brett Carroll called out on strikes.
Chase d’Arnaud strikes out swinging.
Robert Andino strikes out swinging.
Special Military Appreciation events planned for NC State-Richmond game
Saturday’s game against Richmond will mark NC State’s annual “Military Appreciation” game at Carter-Finley Stadium. This event has become a favorite for the Wolfpack faithful, as the university pulls out all the stops to honor those who protect our freedom.
There are many special events planned for the day as men and women from all branches of service will be guests at the game.
The Backhome Box Foundation will be collecting items to send to troops overseas outside the gates and cash donations will be taken inside the stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring items from the “Soldiers’ Wish List” to send to deployed troops.
The Department of Athletics and Coca Cola are hosting a pregame tailgate party for 400+ military personnel, including the Wounded Warriors. Wolfpack Club members will also be hosting troops at their pregame tailgates through the “Adopt-A-Serviceperson” program. These troops will also attend the game with complimentary tickets from athletics.
At 5 p.m., fans are encouraged to head to the North entrance for the Wounded Warriors Walk of Champions. The Wounded Warriors will be escorted by the Patriot Guard motorcycles, as well as the band, cheerleaders and dance team, and will be honored on the field during the game.
Stay in your seats at halftime, as the NC State Marching Band will have a special military tribute, a full-field sized flag will cover the playing surface and a parachute team jumping into the stadium.
Montross to speak at Raleigh Sports Club
UNC basketball radio color analyst and Tar Heel legend Eric Montross will be the Raleigh Sports Club special guest Thursday.
Montross is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA. He was part of the North Carolina Tar Heels team that won the NCAA Championship against Michigan in 1993 and was named an All-American as a junior and senior.
Montross will make brief comments and then open the meeting to the audience for questions. Montross has requested that this be a time that he can interact with the attendees.
Due to the popularity and huge demand for Montross to appear at the RSC, a capacity crowd is expected. It is recommended that you arrive early to ensure you get a seat. Please share this announcement with all those you know who have plans to attend.
The weekly Wednesday meetings are held in Bradley Hall at Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Rd., Raleigh, at the corner of Lake Boone Trail, just inside the I-440 Beltline. Due to construction on Ridge Road, parking is not allowed on the street.
Buffet lines will open at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting starting promptly at noon.
It is not too late to join North Carolina’s oldest and largest sports club. To become a member, click here to print the Membership form.
Membership dues for the 2013/2014 year (meeting through April 2, 2014) are $60. For Members, the Weekly Attendance fee is $15 while guest fees are $25.
Bulls rally to even best of five series at a game each
Mired in a hitting slump, the Durham Bulls benefited from an errant knuckleball and an overdue clutch hit to beat Pawtucket 2-1 in the final game at the DBAP this season. The victory ties the best-of-five Governors’ Cup Championship Series at one game each.
The Bulls, who led the IL in batting this season, entered Game Two hitting .202 during the postseason, and on pace to have their lowest average in the Governors’ Cup Playoffs in team history.
For the first five innings, the Bulls struggled to muster any offense against Pawtucket knuckleballer Steven Wright. Vince Belnome’s two singles were the only Bulls hits until Craig Albernaz added a double in the fourth.
The Bulls couldn’t come up with a clutch hit, however. After Tuesday’s 0-for-8 showing with runners in scoring position, Durham was 0-for-6 Wednesday leading into the late innings.
Jason Bourgeois led off the sixth with a line single to center and advanced to third with two outs.
That’s when the Bulls were visited by lady luck. A wayward knuckleball got away from catcher Dan Butler, his third passed ball of the night. Bourgeois scored to tie the game and kept IL Most Valuable Pitcher J.D. Martin from taking a hard-luck loss.
Martin pitched 6.0 innings, allowing four hits and one walk. Two of the hits came to lead off the third, however, and Butler scored on a groundout by NC State alum Jonathan Diaz.
C.J. Riefenhauser entered the game in the seventh, coming one borderline pitch away from striking out the side on 9 pitches.
In the bottom of the seventh, Albernaz reached on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Heiker Meneses. Kevin Kiermaier broke through with a double to left center to score Albernaz, giving the Bulls their first hit with runners in scoring position in the series.
Riefenhauser earned the win in his first appearance of the postseason. Kirby Yates pitched the ninth for his third save of the postseason.
The win closes the doors on the DBAP this year. The series will conclude in Pawtucket where the Governors’ Cup champion will be crowned. Game Three is Friday at 7:05pm. RHP Matt Buschmann (8-2, 2.97 in the regular season) makes his first start of the postseason for the Bulls, against RHP Matt Barnes (0-1, 9.00).