Foley’s Quick Hits for March 2nd

Here are my Quick Hits for March 2nd. There was one major story in which the College Baseball Hall of Fame ended up having to check in on while there is still a couple of programs throughout the nation scuffling along. 

• The biggest story of the night was Florida International junior RHP Kyle Fitzpatrick tossing a complete game no-hitter against Northeastern as the Panthers grabbed a 4-0 victory. He ended up walking one batter while hitting another, and Northeastern had another baserunner reach on an error. The game marked Fitzpatrick’s second division 1 start as he pitched four innings against Mississippi Valley State in the second half of a doubleheader this past Saturday. He gave up one run on three hits in four innings of work before being lifted. Fitzpatrick pitched the previous two seasons at Tallahassee Community College.
• The hunt for a third starter for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will define their season. In games not starter by Mark Pope and Jed Bradley, the Yellow Jackets are 1-4 with losses to Georgia Southern, Georgia State, St. John’s, and Kent State. On Wednesday night, they sent freshman Matt Grimes to the hill against Georgia State where he picked up the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits in five innings as they lost 6-3. If they do not find another starting pitcher or two, then the Yellow Jackets will be sitting home during the 2011 NCAA Postseason.
• Coastal Carolina ended College of Charleston’s eight game winning streak to start the season by pounding the Cougars 12-3 in Mount Pleasant. Sophomore Josh Conway struck out 12 batters in 5.2 innings while giving up four hits and two runs. The offense was led by Daniel Bowman who hit two homers and stole two bases as he went 2-3 with three runs scored and six RBI. This win was huge for the Chanticleers as they need to pick up some wins over quality programs after going 1-3 last weekend with losses to Kansas State, Cal, and NC State. College of Charleston will get a chance to bounce back this weekend when they play Western Kentucky, Auburn, and NY Tech in a round robin tournament at home.
• Bethune-Cookman Wildcats grabbed an impressive 5-2 road victory over Auburn in non-conference action on Wednesday night. The Tigers were able to contain All-American catcher Peter O’Brien to two hits and one RBI but four other hitters also had two hits to lead the offensive charge. Bryan Rivera picked up his first win the of the season for Bethune-Cookman giving up two runs on four hits.
• I spoke with Michigan head coach Rich Maloney before the season and he said that the Wolverines had to get their pitching straight for the season during the non-conference portion of the schedule. This is especially true as after Wednesday’s 6-4 loss to Florida Gulf Coast to put the Wolverines record at 0-7 on the year. The pitching staff is sporting a 6.90 ERA while having opponents hit at a .350 clip off of them.

Photos are courtesy of FIU Media Relations/Matt Ratner