FPN Series of the Week shifts to mid-majors Belmont, Eastern Kentucky
After several weeks of Power 5 focus for the Series of the Week, Fastpitch News has decided to turn the focus to mid-majors. This weekend, the Belmont Bruins will try to add to their record-setting Division I-era win total.
The Bruins (25-8, 2-2) are coming off splits with Ohio Valley Conference foes Eastern Illinois and SIUE. The Eastern Kentucky Colonels (13-17, 2-1) will try to upset one of the hottest starts in Belmont history. The two teams will meet Saturday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville at noon for Game 1 of the daytime doubleheader.
At the Plate
The Bruins lead the OVC in at bats (937) and hits (297). Are second in batting average (.317), home runs (30) and runs scored (187). They are second-to-last in strikeouts (110). Kayla Wells ranks sixth within the OVC in batting average (.398). Chelsey Deloney leads the Bruins in runs scored and is tied for fourth in the conference with 29. She also leads the conference in home runs with 12.
Rachel Minogue and Mia Sanchez enter the weekend with two of the highest individual batting averages in the conference (.448, .398). Johnkyria Alston leads the conference in doubles (11) and has the most RBI for the Colonels (27).
In the Circle
These two teams are unique in that they rely heavily on freshmen arms on the mound this year. Belmont has the luxury of throwing four others at any time compared to EKU’s one.
Belmont’s Brooklin Lee brings a 10-4 record and 2.13 ERA. In 82.1 innings pitched, she has given up 65 hits, 20 runs, 25 earned runs and 24 walks while striking out a team-high 85. Opposing teams are hitting .217 against the freshman. Lexi Rouse and Ashley Johnson are the next two pitchers who will pitch the other game. Rouse is 7-3 with a 2.75 ERA in 56 innings and Johnson is 6-1 with a 3.09 ERA in 68 innings.
EKU’s Mollie Paulick has stepped up in a big way for the Colonels. Her record is 4-6 but that’s quite deceiving as her ERA is 1.55. She as started 10 of 18 games and in 63.1 innings, she has only given up 14 earned runs. Opposing teams are hitting a mere .188 against her. Alex Sallberg has pitched the most innings, 83.1, and has a 6-7 record with a 2.69 ERA. She has surrendered 90 hits, 49 runs and 32 earned runs. The two have struck out 141 combined.
Analysis & Prediction
I have to say that the teams are most likely to split the weekend or Belmont will sweep. Lee should win her game and if Paulick pitches the other, she has a good shot at winning hers. The difference maker will be who can move runners and play defense. EKU has struggled this year in the field. The Colonels have a .946 fielding percentage compared to Belmont’s .967.
Pick: Belmont
