There is only one game on today's docket in Cary, and it is a big one. Cal Poly Pomona, who dominated Catawba yesterday, has to try and do it again today in the winner-take-all national semifinal game at 3 p.m. Eastern.
Friday, May 29th, 3:00 PM Eastern (Elimination Game)
Catawba (46-14)
vs
Cal Poly Pomona (46-16)
NCAA Live Stats ||| NCAA Live Video
It is the winner-take-all national semifinal, with the winner moving on to face Tampa on Saturday (May 30). It will be a tall task at hand for either one of these teams, as the winner will have to defeat the Spartans twice on Saturday to take the crown, as Tampa has yet to lose in Cary this season.
This is the time when some big choices have to be made in terms of pitching staffs.
For Catawba, they could come back with Sean Grant (2-1, 3.03 ERA, 28/9 K/BB in 38.2 IP) on short rest for this game. Or...they could roll out potential national pitcher of the year Craig Brooks (9-1, 1.48 ERA, 153/33 K/BB in 97 IP, .156 BAA), who they have yet to put on the mound in Cary. However, if you do that, he isn't an option for Saturday's potentially two games against Tampa. Catawba could also choose to go with Matt Farmakis (3-2, 3.89 ERA) or Connor Johnson (5-1, 4.36 ERA).
When it comes to the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona, they have a plethora of options as well. I think their preference would be to keep Cody Ponce (5-3, 1.44 ERA) and Ryan Olson (12-0, 1.73 ERA) available for both games against Tampa on Saturday. With that said, they don't have the use of Chris Powell or Max Bethell for today, which is a must-win situation in itself. They could go with Ryan Alsworth (4-2, 4.30 ERA) or Richie McWilliams (1-0, 5.45 ERA), but neither would instill a great amount of confidence, I don't think. I could see a situation where one of them starts, and if they get in to trouble, they bring in Ponce, or just dip in to a very good bullpen to piece together nine strong innings. I don't think they want to use Ponce or Olson, but as I said, this is a must-win just as much as both games on Saturday would be must-wins, so you have to figure it out as you go.
If for some reason Pomona gets through this game without using Ponce or Olson, they would have a fantastic chance at beating Tampa twice on Saturday. If Catawba gets through today's game without using Brooks, they could have just as good a shot against Tampa as well. Watch today to see what happens!
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