Hattiesburg, Mississippi- Milton Wheeler Field is the site of our 2nd Big Series of the Week this season. Both William Carey (MS) and Clarke (IA) start the year outside of the coaches poll Top 25, but both head into the final weekend of February with at least one ranked win. Both teams won 30- plus games last season, William Carey went 0-2 in the Lawrenceville, GA bracket ending their year 37-17, and Clarke was snubbed from the postseason with a 39-16 record. Both have plenty to play for with ratings two weeks away.
Who’s Playing
Clarke enters the year 5-2 winners of 4 straight, with ranked wins over #11 Oklahoma City & #19 Science & Arts (OK), they are 2-2 overall versus the Top 25. William Carey will be 8-2 in their first 10 games, they are 1-1 against the Top 25 with a win over #24 Taylor (IN).
History
These teams have met 3 times before all in a 2021 series in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. William Carey leads the all-time series against Clarke 2-1, with the scores of the series being: 3-2 WCU, 5-2 WCU, 5-4 Clarke.
Schedule
Game 1- Friday 2/24 5p (CST)
Game 2- Saturday 2/25 1p (CST)
Game 3- Saturday 2/25 30 minuets after game 2
How to watch
Click on the corresponding game to be linked to the website!
The Teams
Clarke (IA) will come into the weekend with a record of 5-2 but 12 days removed from it’s last game at the Cajun Collision. The Pride are 2-2 this season against coaches poll Top 25 opponents with wins over #11 Oklahoma City and #19 Science & Arts (OK). While Clarke had a decent opening weekend in a series loss to #11 Oklahoma City, where they made a splash was going 4-0 in the Cajun Collision, where they outscored opponents 42-3, and did not allow an earned run in 28 innings of play. Clarke has a big opportunity to make some major leaps nationally in the next two weeks with this series in Mississippi, then two games down in Lawrenceville with #7 Georgia Gwinnett. Some bats to watch include Daniel Phyle .360avg, 9h, 5, Victor Lara .417avg, 10h, 10rbi, and Bubba Thompson .350avg, 7 h, 4xbh, 2hr, 6rbi. On the mound I’ll be watching left handed pitcher Isaac Rohde who is 2-0 with 14 innings pitched 2 earned runs, 3 walks, and 25 strikeouts for a K/9 of 16.07.
(RV) William Carey (MS) opens the year 8-2 in their first 10 games of the 2023 campaign. The offensive side of the game has shined the brightest for the Crusaders, they have scored 10-plus runs in 6 of their 10 games this season. Senior infielder Patrick Lee has 19 hits on the season, 11 of those are for extra bases, while 4 have left the yard. Lee also leads the team with 20 runs batted in on the season. William Carey most impressive run this season has been last weekend when they took 2 of 3 in the Southeast Rumble. They gained wins over a ranked Taylor (IN) program with an impressive 12-3 win, and defeated Point Park (PA) 16-5 in a 7 inning run rule. Their lone loss of the ‘rumble’ came to a ranked Reinhardt (GA) program at home last weekend. William Carey has four different arms who have started games this season, three of whom have pitched a majority of the innings. The pitcher I want to highlight is Junior closer John Snyder who in 5 innings pitched this season, already has 4 saves recorded, which is tied for the lead nationally.
Final Thoughts
Both of these teams are vying for Top 25 placement and consideration, and this series will be used as a moniker for that. Mind you that the Top 25 with so many ways to automatically qualify for the postseason it is not a huge factor, but it does help keep you in the national attention span. William Carey has back to back postseason trips and has been ultra competitive in the Southern States Athletic Conference. Clarke was snubbed of an at large postseason birth last year by the committee, and is playing a tougher 2023 schedule and working to prove themselves. Both of these teams return experience in many facets, and I think both come early May will be in the conversation.
Predictions
Conner- Clarke sweep
Robby- William Carey 2-1
Should be a great matchup!