Pack Off On The Right Foot in 2019

The Wolfpack were finally able to start their 2019 season this weekend after a week's worth of rain delays washed out their first 3 games. They took on the Cardinals in the morning doubleheader on Mother's Day and were able to hit the ground running witha 7-5 victory in Game 1.

Curtis Smith (1-0) provided a quailty six-innings on the mound and had his swing and miss stuff on full display as he retired 16 batters by way of the strikeout. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits while walking only 2 batters. The walk numbers were a pleasant surpise after he battled walks throughout 2018, but too many 3-ball counts and the resulting elevated pitch count still cost him a complete game in this one and he will have to work on his efficiency moving forward.

Axel Christoffersen made his first appearance with the Wolfpack since 2016 as he came in to relieve Smith and try to close out the game. The cobwebs from 3 years away from the game while serving his country seemed apparent, as he threw well but was unable to record an out before being pulled to turn the save opportunity to Christian Lapointe. Lapointe's first relief appearance of the year delivered exactly what the doctor ordered, after walking his first batter to load the bases he recorded a strikeout, a foul pop out, and another strikeout to close the book on Game 1.

The Wolfpack offense was more than ready to swing the bat on opening day, and it only took them a couple innings to get the hits to start dropping. After Charmell and Armstrong were left stranded following singles in the first inning, the bottom of the order was able to set the table for the second time through the order in the second inning. Rookie Ray Tamayo led off with a hit-by-pitch, Jon Young drew a walk, and Austin Baran beat out an infield error to load the bases for Trevor Czernick who knocked in an RBI to tie the game and turn the lineup over with an infield single. Charmell singled home two more before 2018 Rookie of the Year Roly Diaz doubled home Czernick to take a 4-1 lead that the Pack would not look back from.

With a few new faces on the Wolfpack in 2019, it was going to be intersting to see how the new roster looked, and if Game 1 is any indication, the Pack have taken a step forward in terms of talent, despite already being a champsionship contender.