I've been interviewing Gary Gilmore on and off for the last six years or so, and I've only seen him more proud of his team one time than I did after Sunday's win over N.C. State. That was after the Chanticleers clinched the 2008 Conway Regional.
If Coastal can get back to that level or better it with an appearance in Omaha, I think it's safe to say it will be because of the confidence the Chants gained with wins over James Madison, UC Irvine (twice) and N.C. State. This may prove to be a watershed weekend for Coastal's program.
"I think the greatest challenge we have here -- and we talk about it all the time ... If they don't believe they can compete for a chance to go to Omaha after this weekend there is nothing I can do to help them," Gilmore said. "We beat three No. 1 starters in one weekend. All three of those teams have a chance to be in the playoffs. I couldn't be any prouder of these guys if I had dialed it up myself."
Train to Birmingham
Coastal got another outstanding start from Penn transfer Jim Birmingham on Sunday. The lefty scattered seven hits and gave up just one run in six innings. He threw just 86 pitches, beating an ACC foe for the second time this week (Tuesday vs. Wake Forest).
Birmingham is now 2-0 with a .82 ERA. You have to wonder if his form will earn him a spot in the starting rotation. Lefty Matt Laney has made two starts, but he has a team-worst 8.53 ERA, giving up six earned runs and seven walks in 6 1/3 innings. Perhaps a few weeks in the pen (or longer) will help him find a groove.
Healthy returns
Coastal starting shortstop Taylor Motter missed Sunday's game due to a strained hamstring suffered on Saturday. Gilmore said after the game that Motter's injury isn't expected to keep him sidelined for long. In fact, the All-American sophomore may return next weekend.
Even if he doesn't, Coastal isn't in dire straits. Freshman Josh Conway has played extremely well this season and made several fine plays on Sunday. He probably doesn't have quite the range that Motter does, but not many people do.
The only problem with having Motter out of the lineup is the added strain it puts on the bullpen. Conway was scheduled to be the first reliever out of the pen today, but, with a lack of backup options on the left side of the infield, that obviously wasn't a possibility.
If Coastal can get back to that level or better it with an appearance in Omaha, I think it's safe to say it will be because of the confidence the Chants gained with wins over James Madison, UC Irvine (twice) and N.C. State. This may prove to be a watershed weekend for Coastal's program.
"I think the greatest challenge we have here -- and we talk about it all the time ... If they don't believe they can compete for a chance to go to Omaha after this weekend there is nothing I can do to help them," Gilmore said. "We beat three No. 1 starters in one weekend. All three of those teams have a chance to be in the playoffs. I couldn't be any prouder of these guys if I had dialed it up myself."
Train to Birmingham
Coastal got another outstanding start from Penn transfer Jim Birmingham on Sunday. The lefty scattered seven hits and gave up just one run in six innings. He threw just 86 pitches, beating an ACC foe for the second time this week (Tuesday vs. Wake Forest).
Birmingham is now 2-0 with a .82 ERA. You have to wonder if his form will earn him a spot in the starting rotation. Lefty Matt Laney has made two starts, but he has a team-worst 8.53 ERA, giving up six earned runs and seven walks in 6 1/3 innings. Perhaps a few weeks in the pen (or longer) will help him find a groove.
Healthy returns
Coastal starting shortstop Taylor Motter missed Sunday's game due to a strained hamstring suffered on Saturday. Gilmore said after the game that Motter's injury isn't expected to keep him sidelined for long. In fact, the All-American sophomore may return next weekend.
Even if he doesn't, Coastal isn't in dire straits. Freshman Josh Conway has played extremely well this season and made several fine plays on Sunday. He probably doesn't have quite the range that Motter does, but not many people do.
The only problem with having Motter out of the lineup is the added strain it puts on the bullpen. Conway was scheduled to be the first reliever out of the pen today, but, with a lack of backup options on the left side of the infield, that obviously wasn't a possibility.
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