UNCW, Northeastern Open Play In NCAA Baseball Regionals On Friday

UNCW, Northeastern Open Play In NCAA Baseball Regionals On Friday

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Rob Washburn

RICHMOND, Va. (June 1, 2023) – UNCW and Northeastern get underway in the NCAA Baseball Championship on Friday afternoon as the conference has two representatives in the 64-team event for the first time since 2018.

The Seahawks (34-21) face Duke in the first game of the Conway, S.C. Regional at 1 p.m., while the Huskies (44-14) take on Maryland in the opening game of the Winston-Salem, N.C. Regional at 1p.m. Both contests will air on ESPN+.

UNCW captured its seventh CAA championship last Sunday and is participating in the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in the past 20 years. The Seahawks, who are riding a six-game winning streak, are led offensively by third baseman Jac Croom (.363, 7 HR, 34 RBI’s), outfielder Trevor Marsh (.321, 11 HR, 47 RBI’s), first baseman Tanner Thach (.290, 15 HR, 67 RBI’s) and CAA Tournament MVP Dillon Lifrieri (.304, 10 HR, 40 RBI’s). The Seahawks’ pitching staff features starters Zane Taylor (7-2, 3.25) and Jacob Shafer (7-4, 4.46 ERA) and relievers Ethan Chenault (5-2, 3 svs.) and Brett Banks (1-3, 8 svs.).

Duke (35-21) is in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in 11 years. The Blue Devils’ offense is powered by Jay Beshears (.340, 12 HR, 52 RBI’s) and Alex Stone (.327, 14 HR, 57 RBI’s). Closer James Tallon is 1-1 with 11 saves and a 1.69 ERA.

Other teams in the Conway field include host and #10 national seed Coastal Carolina (39-19) and MAAC champion Rider (35-15).

Northeastern earned an at-large berth after setting a program record for victories. The Huskies are in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five years and 10th time overall. NU’s powerful offense has smacked a school-record 103 home runs this season. The Huskies are led by outfielders Mike Sirota (.359, 18 HR, 54 RBI’s) and Cam Maldonado (.357, 13 HR, 45 RBI’s), first baseman Tyler MacGregor (.339, 18 HR, 53 RBI’s) and designated hitter Alex Lane (.326, 15 HR, 57 RBI’s). The Huskies’ pitching staff ranks second nationally with a 3.57 ERA. Aiven Cabral (9-3, 2.26 ERA) and Wyatt Scotti (6-3, 3.80 ERA) anchor the starting staff, while Jake Gigliotti (8-0, 3.02 ERA) and closer Griffin Young (10 saves, 2.15 ERA) top the bullpen.

Maryland (41-19) is led offensively by Nick Lorusso (.369, 23 HR, 99 RBI’s) and Matt Shaw (.347, 23 HR, 67 RBI’s). Pitcher Jason Savacool is 8-5 with a 4.30 ERA.

Other teams in the Winston-Salem field include host and #1 national seed Wake Forest (47-10) and Atlantic 10 champion George Mason (34-25).