SPORTS

 

Davidson’s return to the diamond this weekend also marks the start of Atlantic 10 Conference play.

The Wildcats, now 19-5, will welcome the Richmond Spiders for a three-game series at Wilson Field, beginning Friday at 6 p.m.

It’s the start of a 24-game A-10 schedule, which includes eight three-game weekend series, for the 12-team league.

“We’re looking forward to getting on the field again Friday against another quality opponent,” said Davidson coach Rucker Taylor. “It should be great weather, and hopefully we’ll have a nice turnout from the Davidson community.” 

The league has returned to its typical schedule format this year, after the 2021 pandemic-altered season, in which teams played six four-game series and were aligned in North and South divisions.

In A-10 play, the Wildcats will host, along with Richmond, Rhode Island, UMass and George Mason and visit VCU, St. Bonaventure, Saint Louis and Saint Joseph’s.

The Wildcats are coming off a 3-2 13-inning loss at N.C. A&T on Tuesday night.

Davidson allowed just two hits all night while Jacob Hinderleider hit a game-tying home run and Michael Carico went 3-for-6 with a double.

SCOUTING THE SPIDERS
Richmond enters 12-9, having lost its last five contests, including an 8-2 setback to No. 4 Virginia on Tuesday. Last weekend, the Spiders dropped three games to Villanova.

Richmond features one of the top bats in the A-10 in Dominic Toso, who hits .440 with nine doubles, four home runs and 34 RBIs (2nd in A-10).

Alden Mathes is among the league’s most versatile players, splitting roles as a center fielder and starting pitcher. He hits .348 and leads the A-10 with three triples, while posting a 3.62 ERA and 2-1 record through five starts. The lefty has struck out 43 batters, second in the league only to Davidson’s Nolan DeVos (61).

Pitching Probables
Friday
RHP Nolan DeVos (Dav) vs. LHP Jeremy Neff (UR)
Saturday
RHP Blake Hely (Dav) vs. RHP Brock Weirather (UR)
Sunday
RHP Ryan Feczko (Dav) vs. LHP Alden Mathes (UR)

BASEBALL FOR LIFE
Sunday, the Wildcats will welcome special guests through their partnership with Baseball For Life.

Baseball For Life is a volunteer-driven Charlotte-based non-profit founded by former St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt and North Carolina Hall of Fame high school coach Ed Walton. Its mission is “to enhance the lives of young people through a mentoring program that reinforces positive behavior and develops life skills through baseball.”

“We’re excited to have a formal day to recognize and promote Baseball For Life,” said Taylor. “We’re fortunate to be able to do something in person this season and are hoping to grow this relationship in the future. We are lucky to be able to help join their efforts to make a positive impact in the Charlotte community. For Davidson fans that are not aware of Baseball For Life, I’d encourage them to contact me for more info or visit Baseball For Life’s online resources.” 

Baseball For Life offers programming throughout the year that involves baseball, community service projects and activities such as coming to a Wildcats’ game. The program welcomes new players of all skill levels, grades 5-9, into the fold each summer through camps (2022 dates TBD) and has peer models in grades 10-12 to help coach and encourage the young players.

For more information, visit Baseball For Life’s website here.

SUPER SOPHS
Carico and Ryan Wilson are making the most of their second college seasons, forming a 1-2 super sophomore punch in the Wildcats’ lineup.

Carico’s .477 average (42-for-88) is first in the nation, while Wilson ranks second in the country in on-base percentage (.591), followed closely by Carico (.586).

Carico, from Kernersville, typically leads off and leads the A-10 with 13 hit-by-pitches (5th nationally), an .875 slugging percentage (6th nationally), 12 doubles, 77 total bases and 29 runs.

Wilson, from Durham, hits cleanup and is first in the league and third in the nation with 28 walks. He is second in the A-10 with 12 stolen bases and ranks third with a .419 batting average and 28 runs.

SHUTDOWN PITCHING
Davidson’s pitching staff is getting the job done on the mound.

The Wildcats’ 2.78 team ERA (66 earned runs in 213.1 innings) is the best in the league and seventh in the country. Additionally, the Wildcats lead the A-10 with a 1.03 WHIP (2nd nationally), a 4.36 strikeout-to-walk ratio (3rd nationally), 2.57 walks per nine innings (5th nationally) and 6.71 hits per nine innings (6th nationally).

Individually, DeVos is the A-10’s ERA (1.50) and strikeout leader, while Ryan Feczko is second in ERA (1.86). Feczko leads the conference and is fourth nationally in both strikeout-to-walk ratio (19.00) and walks per nine innings (0.62).

Gabe Levy’s six saves lead the A-10.