Tulane is going with Luc Fladda tomorrow against UTSA. I was not sure which direction they would go in the unappetizing choice between Fladda and Trey Cehajic to face by far the best hitting team in the AAC. Cehajic fared better in San Antonio than Fladda, but I think they believe Fladda is more capable of exceeding his normal level in a big setting that Cehajic and will not beat himself. I agree, but I'm not sure either one of them is good enough to give the Wave a good chance to win. Fladda has been crushed this year, giving up 91 hits in 71.2 innings, including a whopping 20 doubles and 12 home runs. The way the ball carries at BayCare Ballpark, that spells trouble.
Tulane will need to score early and often against a right-handed pitcher, Zach Royse, who is so-so. He gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings while opposing Fladda, who allowed seven runs on seven hits in five innings at UTSA (he was reasonably OK until the 6th, when he did not get an out).
What Tulane has going it for it is the knowledge it already has beaten UTSA once, joining Incarnate Word as the only teams to win on the Roadrunners' home field all year, and its incredibly run over three years in Clearwater. This is the highest hurdle the Wave will have to clear, though.
Tulane will need to score early and often against a right-handed pitcher, Zach Royse, who is so-so. He gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings while opposing Fladda, who allowed seven runs on seven hits in five innings at UTSA (he was reasonably OK until the 6th, when he did not get an out).
What Tulane has going it for it is the knowledge it already has beaten UTSA once, joining Incarnate Word as the only teams to win on the Roadrunners' home field all year, and its incredibly run over three years in Clearwater. This is the highest hurdle the Wave will have to clear, though.
