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In just the third series, Tech has decided to switch up the weekend rotation. This isn't really a surprising move with how much the rotation has been struggling the last couple weekends. Junior southpaw Jonathan King (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will be the only guy returning to the rotation. Joining him will be senior righty Cole Pitts who is coming off of Tommy John surgery and sophomore righty/third baseman Brandon Gold.
Since this series is wholly against one team and not round-robin style like the last two weekends have been, I'm going to go ahead and preview their offense here.
There's two guys to keep an eye on this weekend offensively for the Sycamores: redshirt-senior second baseman Derek Hannahs and senior center fielder Landon Curry. In his six games this season, Hannahs has hit .417/.481/.583 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with four doubles and three RBI. Curry has hit .321/..367/.393 with five RBI which is tied for second on the team.
Another guy that has played a key role as a reserve is redshirt-sophomore outfielder Tony Rosselli. In limited playing time, Rosselli has torn it up. He's hit ..375/.455/.875 and is one of three players for Indiana State to have a home run.
Game 1: Friday, Feb. 27, 4:00 p.m.
Game 1 will send King to the mound for the Yellow Jackets. He's been the most serviceable member of Tech's rotation so far. In his two starts, he is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA, and in 10.0 innings pitched, King has struck out five batters and walked four.
Going to the mound for Indiana State will be senior southpaw David Stagg. Stagg has started two games for the Sycamores but has yet to receive a decision. In his 8.1 innings, he has amassed an ERA of 6.48 while striking out 11 batters and walking seven.
Game 2: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2:00 p.m.
Senior right-hander Cole Pitts will go to the mound Saturday for the Jackets. This will be his second appearance since returning from Tommy John surgery last season and his first start since then. In his first appearance, Pitts pitched a no-hit inning and struck out two batters.
Redshirt-junior southpaw Jeff Degano will be going to the mound for Indiana State. He's been the Sycamores' best starter so far this season. He's 2-0 with an ERA of 3.55 and has struck out 12 batters while walking two in 12.2 innings.
Game 3: Sunday, March 1, 1:00 p.m.
Closing out the series, Tech will send sophomore right-hander Brandon Gold to the mound for his first career collegiate start. In his relief appearances this season, Gold has proven to be more than manageable. In his 7.1 innings between two appearances, Gold has an ERA of 2.45 while striking out seven batters and walking two.
Redshirt-junior southpaw Greg Kuhlman will be closing out the series for the Sycamores. He's had a bit of a rough season so far. Between two starts, Kuhlman has gone 5.1 innings and is 0-2 with an ERA of 8.44. He has struck out three batters and walked six.
What do y'all think of the matchup? How does this new-look rotation work for Tech?