Inside CCU Sports

Field house inching closer

Coastal Carolina president David DeCenzo will be in Columbia tomorrow to meet with the Commission on Higher Education in hopes of gaining approval for a number of projects, including the football field house.  If given the green light Thursday, the field house project must still be approved by the bond review committee and by the joint State Budget and Control Board in June.

The good news is the field house has complete funding.

DeCenzo said $3.3 million has been raised privately and another $2.8 million is to be added from university funds that are not related to CCU's recent bond capacity increase. Now, the field house just needs state approval.

Much of the engineering and planning is done for the field house and ideally DeCenzo says he'd like to see ground broken in November.

We'll have a full story in Friday's Sun News. 

Citadel-Coastal

The Chants are looking for a good start from Austin Fleet tonight ... If Fleet can get on track CCU coach Gary Gilmore will feel more comfortable with his latest idea of moving both Nick McCully and Joey Haug

into the bullpen.

The Citadel (23-20)

LF Chris Swauger
3B Matt Arnold

RF Sonny Meade

P Chris McGuiness

2B Bryan Altman

C Richard Jones

1B Matt Reifsnider

SS Kyle Jordan

CF Brad Felder

LHP Chris McGuiness

Coastal (36-9)

CF David Sappelt

3B Scott Woodward

DH David Anderson

C Dock Doyle

1B Adam Rice

RF Tommy Badlridge

SS Tyler Bortnick

LF Chance Gilmore

2B Rico Noel

RHP Austin Fleet

Citadel starter Chris McGuiness stayed in the game despite being drilled by a line drive off the bat of David Sappelt in the first. He pitched a scoreless first frame before the Chants exploded for a six-run second capped off by a David Anderson home run.

Austin Fleet has down 14 in a row and counting .... Fleet is keeping the ball down and has allowed only one walk while striking out three This has to be encouraging for Coastal and Fleet.

Simpson reaction/Draft Day 2

1o:43 a.m. -- The local media reaction to the Simpson selection is mixed at best this morning. Here are some headlines from Ohio newspapers:

The Cincnnati Enquirer's lead headline ``D'oh! Simpson picked ahead of big names'' was followed by Enquirer sports writer Mark Curnutte second-guessing here ``Bengals Bamboozled''

Wrote Curnutte: ``The Bengals ignored defense again in the second round, giving in to the temptation to add a wide receiver from a small school who played against sub-par competition and doesn't even return kicks. Still, the team crowed over Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who was a projected fifth- or sixth-round pick by Pro Football Weekly and other draft publications.

Last year, the Bengals used their second-round pick on tailback Kenny Irons, who blew out his anterior cruciate ligament in the first preseason game and probably won't be available for the start of training camp this season.

Using the second pick on Simpson - or any offensive player, for that matter, and ignoring the need at defensive tackle - looks like another draft-day mistake.'

From the Columbus Dispatch ...

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/04/27/nfl_draft_bengals27.ART_ART_04-27-08_C1_V9A1LER.html?sid=101'

``The Bengals used their second-round pick on receiver Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina, who should replace the troubled Chris Henry as the team's No. 3 wideout, with the potential to grow into a more prominent role.

Head coach Marvin Lewis scouted Simpson personally and decided he had the best combination of size and skill of the receivers still available, despite the fact there were a handful of highly touted receivers from bigger schools still on the board.

"There's all the upside there," Lewis said.''

The national eyebrows had raised eyebrows as well ...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3369696

Losers

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Gary A. Vasquez/US Presswire

The Bengals' efforts to land a defensive tackle fell short when Sedrick Ellis wound up in New Orleans.

1. Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals did well under the circumstances, but they didn't get the defensive tackle (Sedrick Ellis) they coveted. Cincinnati tried all offseason to get a defensive tackle, but trades for Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson fell through, and Ellis went to the New Orleans Saints when they traded up to No. 9. Cincinnati got a break when the Patriots traded down and didn't take linebacker Keith Rivers, who was a great choice for the Bengals. But they needed a defensive tackle.

Round 2 was a scramble for a wide receiver, and the Bengals ended up with Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson, who wasn't the biggest name available.

From Sports Illustarted http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2008/draft/tracker/draft_analysis/round2.html

``The Bengals make a baffling decision by selecting small school standout Jerome Simpson over Limas Sweed, DeSean Jackson and others. Though Simpson brings outstanding speed and quickness, the Bengals passed on an opportunity to get a receiver with starting potential. With Chris Henry's release and Chad Johnson's pending holdout, the Bengals may regret passing on several big college stars.''

11:46 a.m. Cincinnati Bengals to Chad Johnson: we're moving on with or without you. The Bengals selected Florida receiver Andre Caldwell in the third round with the 97th overall pick.

Simpson drafted

The Cincinnati Bengals have selected Jerome Simpson with the 46th overall pick in the second round. The Bengals sent their receivers coach Mike Sheppard to work out Simpson at Coastal's pro day. And with Chad Johnson demanding a trade, the Bengals were in need of receiving depth. Simpson becomes the second Chanticleer to be drafted after Tyler Thigpen was selected in the second round last season.

NFL Draft blog Day 1

Hey folks, happy draft day. I'm going provide periodic updates the next two days here with developments relating to area NFL prospects and players. This includes Jerome Simpson and Mike Tolbert from Coastal Carolina, former Conway star Allen Patrick and the latest Geathers: Jeremy Geathers. We are ready for 20 hours of draft coverage here at Carolina Forest headquarters, fridge is full, DVR is set and David McCullough's John Adams biography is on hand to kill down time. Buckle up. 

2:10 p.m. -- It appears former CCU quarterback Tyler Thigpen can breathe a bit easier. The draft's top rated quarterback, Matt Ryan, is heading to Atlanta with the No.3 pick according to ESPN. That means the Chiefs will go elsewhere with their first selection, defensive line and offensive line appear to be on the top of their priority list. So unless the Chiefs draft a quarterback in the later rounds, Thigpen should remain as KC’s third quarterback. Most NFL teams carry three quarterbacks.

3:53 p.m. -- Matt Ryan went No. 3 to Atlanta and LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey went No. 5 to KC, which is good news for Thigpen. Unless they draft a second-tier QB, it appears KC will go into the season with Brodie Croyle as its starter and Damon Huard as its backup with Thigpen as the No. 3 man. KC does have a second first round pick at No. 17.

We had some of this information in today's paper ... but respected Dallas Morning News NFL writer Rich Gosselin has Simpson rated as his 82nd player overall. While he seems headed to the third round, it only takes one team to fall in love with Simpson. Don't rule out Simpson on Day 1.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/042508dnspodrafttop100.96c05034.htmlRich

82. Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal

Carolina

The draft isn't about college productivity. It's about measurables. Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina caught only 41 passes last season for 697 yards and 11 touchdowns – yet he's rated higher on this draft board than All-Big Ten wide receivers Mario Manningham and Dorien Bryant because of one freaky measurable. He has 11-inch hands, the biggest on this draft board. James Hardy is next with 10¼-inch hands. Big hands translate into reliable hands in the NFL scouting community. Simpson also has size (6-1½, 199 pounds), speed (4.42 seconds in the 40) and productivity, leaving Coastal as the school's all-time leading receiver. When NFL talent evaluators view Simpson, they see measurables that could give him a chance for greatness.

5:45 p.m. -- The Chiefs selected Virginia offensive lineman Branden Albert with their second first round after trading up. It's a move that should help Croyle, Huard and Thigpen as the Chiefs allowed 55 sacks last season. ..... Is anyone going to take a receiver? It's probably not a help to Simpson's cause that Drew Thomas (Michigan St) and Cal's Jackson are still on the board -- keeping the WR supply deep late into the first round. 6:48 p.m. -- Here come the WRs. Houston's Donnie Avery goes 33rd overall to St. Louis and Drew Thomas goes 34th overall to Washington. The Chiefs look pretty comfortable with their qbs as they bypassed Chad Henne and Brian Brohm for Va. Tech corner Brandon Flowers.

Thoughts on the FCS expanded playoffs

No one is more pleased with the Big South landing an auto bid when the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs expand to 20 teams in 2010 than commissioner Kyle Kallander.

The fledgling football arm of the league just became much more secure as teams should have far less incentive to leave the conference as they will control their own postseason destiny. The quality of the league will also improve as Friday’s news will no doubt be a major recruiting boost.

While the revenue and tradition-rich Southern Conference will always entice a team like Coastal, the Chants and

Liberty

are also big winners. The advantage of playing in the Big South over the Southern is now an easier road to the postseason. You can see how Coastal, if it continues its success, could become akin to

Florida

State

of the 1990s when it cruised to an ACC title each year with little resistance.

Coastal-Wake Forest

Austin Fleet gets the midweek nod over David Anderson tonight for the midweek start tonight. Coastal is looking for its 11th straight win and a season sweep of the Demon Deacons.

Lineups ...

Wake (15-25)

Ben Terry CF

Willy Fox LF
Allan Dykstra 1B  11 home runs

Mike Murray DH

Dustin Hood 2B

Andy Goff SS
Austin Jones C

Evan Ocheltree RF
Nathan Frazier 3B

RHP Ryan McGrath (1-0, 9.50ERA)

No. 20 Coastal (34-7)

Scott Woodward 3B

David Sappelt CF
Dock Doyle C
David Anderson DH

Tommy Baldridge FR

Adam Rice 1B

Tyler Bortnick SS
Chance Gilmore LF
Rico Noel 2B

Fleet in early trouble ... Austin Fleet has had trouble keeeping the ball down this season and it continued Wednesday as he allowed an opposite field home run Allan Dykstra to make it Wake 2-0 in the first. It was Dykstra's 12th home run of the season.

In the seventh ... Wake is leading 4-1. Fleet is out. Jeremiah Meiners relieved him and has been replacd by Kent Altman. Fleet had trouble controlling his fastball today. Despite eight walks from Wake starter Ryan McGrath, Coastal had managed just one run In the ninth .... Coastal rallies for five runs but falls short. Wake 8-7.

Simpson draft video

Scroll to the bottom of this link ... http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/jeromesimpson.html ... and you can view a three-minute draft preview video of Jerome Simspon.

NFLDraftCountdown likes Simpson's size and hands but questions his route-running and deep speed. Many have questioned Simpson's speed, but his 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine silenced some of his critics and elevated his draft stock. Simpson is projected to be a mid-round draft pick. The first and second rounds of the NFL Draft take place Saturday. The rest of the draft will be played out Sunday.

Coastal-Asheville series finale

Joey Haug will attempt to continue his dominance today before ESPNU cameras. Asheville is throwing Michael Bogaert who has a good arm (49 strikeouts in 53.1 innings) but struggles with command having walked 30 batters this season. Coastal is looking for its ninth straight win.

Starting lineups....

UNCA (16-26, 2-9)

CF Kevin Mattison

SS Weidenbacher (.360 Avg.)

RF Elliott Arrington

C Reed Kreiser (BIg South-best 11 HR)

3B Justin Schumer (Grand slam Saturday)

1B Danny Baatz

LF Beau Zinman

DH Johnny Martinez (only his ninth start this season)

2B Catlin Carter

RHP - Michael Bogaert (5-3, 3.54 ERA)

Coastal (32-7, 9-2)

3B Scott Woodward (27 sbs)

CF David Sappelt (.321 Avg. 9HR 38RBIs)

C Dock Doyle (.368 Avg. 11HR, 41RBIs)

RF Tommy Baldridge

LF Adam Rice (.385 Avg. 7HR, 28RBIs)

1B David Anderson

SS Tyler Bortnick

LF Chance Gilmore

2B Rico Noel (.254 Avg. 8SBs)

RHP - (5-0, 1.74 ERA)

Instant replay?

Coastal got on the board first with a controverisal call at home plate. Home plate umpire David Hoffman ruled that Chance GIlmore slid under the tag of UNCA catcher Reed Kreiser. Gilmore who tried to catch the UCNA defense sleeping come round from second on a Rico Noel infield single. Asheville didn't like the call.  Coastal led 2-0 after two innings, but three Asheville singles in the third have allowed them to get a run back off Haug.

Coastal 2, Asheville 1 after two and a half.

Haug is not quite as sharp today ... UNCA has tied the ballgame up in the top of the fifth via an infield RBI single by Weidenbacher. Haug has allowed seven hits through five innings.

Coastal sweeps UNCA Haugh goes seven allowing two runs and Pete Andrelczyk closes out the game easily. David Sappelt made several fine defensive plays and delievered the game-winning RBI. Dock Doyle and Rico Noel were also very good in the field.

Coastal 3, UNCA 2

Coastal-Asheville Saturday blog

The Rooster's Nest is vacant 20 minutes before game time, quite a contrast to last night. Everyone must be at the beach enjoying what is a lovely afternoon.

Starting lineups ...

UNCA

CF Kevin Mattison

SS Weidenbacher (.353 Avg.)

C Reed Kreiser (.290 Avg. 11 HR)

RF Elliott Arrington

3B Justin Schumer

1B Danny Baatz

LF Beau Zinman

DH Brett Robinson

2B Catlin Carter

LHP - Chris Brookey (3-0, 4.01 ERA 24.2 IP 27 H 9BB 19BB)

CF David Sappelt (.323 Avg. 9HR 38RBIs)

3B Scott Woodward (.486 On-base, 26 sbs)

LF Adam Rice (.396 Avg. 7HR, 28RBIs)

DH Dock Doyle (.368 Avg. 11HR, 41RBIs)

1B David Anderson

RF Tommy Baldridge

C Evan Noell (making his fourth start of the season)

2B Rico Noel (.239 Avg. 7-of-8 in steal attempts)

RHP - Nich McCully (5-2, 3.57 ERA 45.1 IP, 43H, 17BB, 40K)

McCully was pushed up to Saturday to give Joey Haug some extra rest. Haug will start Sunday's game, which will be televised on ESPNU at 3 p.m..... Keep an eye on McCully today. Coastal coach Gary Gilmore has toyed with the idea of placing McCully back in a setup role in the bullpen where his velocity is better. However McCully has allowed three runs over his last 16 innings as a starter, making it dfficult to remove him from the weekend rotation. ..... Doyle and Kreiser are tied atop the home run standings in the Big South (11). Doyle also leads the conference in slugging (.726). Woodward is secnd in on-base and first in steals.

Color man Randy Clemens is a prophet ... Right before Tommy Baldridge stepped to the plate here in the first, Clemens predicted he would christen the right field deck. Seconds later Baldridge delievered a three-run shot into the Rooster's nest to give Coastal a 4-0 lead. Now that is timely insight.

McCully looks good through four ... hasn't allowed a run and his fastball and slider appear to have good life. A two-run Scott Woodward single in the fourth has staked CCU to a 6-0 lead.

Coastal wins 10-4 ... McCully pitches seven scoreless innings and Woodward goes 3-for-3 with 5RBIs and an opposite-field home run