They’re not internet hosting an NCAA baseball regional, however they’re a No. 2 seed within the Tuscaloosa Regional, and can sq. off in opposition to Troy on Friday.
The Eagles (35-18, 16-14) realized Monday they had been the odd workforce out of the 16 packages assigned to host a regional match from the sphere of 64. Instead the ultimate slot went to Alabama, and the Eagles needed to accept the No. 2 seed on the Tuscaloosa Regional. The SEC had six packages awarded regional websites whereas the ACC obtained 5; BC completed sixth within the convention.
On the opposite aspect of city, the Northeastern Huskies (44-14) had been awarded the No. 3 seed within the Winston Salem Regional and can face Maryland (41-19). Wake Forest (47-10) was the No. 1 general seed and the Deacons will open with George Mason (34-25).
BC meets Troy (39-20, 18-12 within the Sun Belt Conference) within the regional opener at Sewell Thomas Stadium on June 2 at 3 p.m. The No. 1 seed Crimson Tide (40-19), internet hosting a regional for the primary time since 2006, will face Nichols (34-22) at 7 p.m.
BC has by no means performed any of the three groups within the Tuscaloosa bracket within the lengthy historical past of this system. The regional employs a double-elimination format and each video games can be broadcast on ESPN Plus.
“We were one (ACC) win away and what it did change was the ability to host which is still on our list of goals,” mentioned BC coach Mike Gambino. “Unfortunately, we did not get that this year but we believe we can build a Northeast program that can make runs in the post season and we want to start one right here.”
BC had management of its personal future once they had been assigned the No. 6 seed in final weekend’s ACC match in Durham, N.C. BC opened in Pool 3 with a win over Virginia Tech however fell 4-1 to Clemson within the quarterfinals. Seventeen wins is the ACC threshold to host an NCAA Regional, however the Eagles are utilizing the oversight as a motivational car.
“This is a long time coming,” mentioned Vince Cimini, a right-handed senior shortstop from Scranton, Pa. “We all have been very excited to seek out out the place we had been going to finish up and we knew for the reason that starting of the 12 months we may make a particular run at this factor.
“This is the popularity of a variety of laborious work. After final night time we had been executed speaking about it (internet hosting) and we figured wherever we go we might make run at it. We have put a chip on our shoulders the entire 12 months and originally of the 12 months no person had us even making a regional no much less a two seed.
“We would have liked to host. It would have done a lot of good for the program. But I think we have just as good an opportunity as a two seed.”
Gambino expects to have injured starters Travis Honeyman and Cameron Leary again within the lineup in opposition to Troy.
The ready sport
BC is making its first look within the NCAA match since successful the Oxford, Miss., Regional in 2016. The longest tenured participant on the BC roster is left-handed catcher Peter Burns, a fifth-year graduate scholar from Reading.
Burns appeared in 48 video games with 44 begins and batted .261 with 41 hits, six doubles, three dwelling runs and 23 RBI.
“This is huge not only for the guys in the locker room, but the alumni, the donors, the coaching staff and it’s been a long time coming,” mentioned Burns. “Throughout the year we were really grinding through it with ups and downs and we’ve been playing with that chip on our shoulders the whole year.”
A tall order
The one massive benefit the Eagles have going into the regional are the dual towers on the high of the pitching rotation.
Chris Flynn, a graduate switch from Division 3 Roger Williams College, is 6-4 and ideas the scales at a lanky 210. The proper hander from Naugatuck, Conn., is 7-3 in 15 begins with two shutouts, 82 strikeouts and a 4.21 ERA.
John West is a 6-8, 250-pound, junior proper hander from Shrewsbury. West is 5-3 in 15 appearances with 11 begins. He pitched stellar shutout aid in opposition to Clemson within the ACC match. West has a 4.52 ERA over 61.2 innings with 63 strikeouts.
“With Flynn and West, we really do feel like we have two No. 1’s or a 1 and a 1A however you want to say up,” mentioned Gambino. “That is one thing we’re going to have a look at and resolve what we’re going to do with the rotation as a result of they’re two totally different guys.
“Flynnie likes to be at the top of the zone. Westie kinds of sinks it a little bit more. They are two separate guys but they are both tremendously competitive and both want the ball in big games. It is a great problem to have.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com