Game 2 Notebook

The White team evened the series up 1-1 with a 6-3 victory over the Blue team in the second game of the first series.  Sophomore Benton Moss took the loss for the White squad who had a home run by junior catcher Matt Roberts.  The Blue squad countered with a long ball from freshman Skye Bolt.  Brian Holberton, Cody Stubbs and Chaz Frank all swiped a bag in this game as the Diamond Heels have been putting in work behind the plate and on the base paths.



Sophomore Benton Moss took the loss today for the Blue team, giving up 5 earned runs in 6 innings and allowing a mammoth home run to junior backstop Matt Roberts.

Putting it in Perspective

Moss uncharacteristically struggled in the early going in the game.  "I thought for Benton's mentality today for the most part was probably less aggressive than we wanted it to be," Jackson discussed about the sophomore right handed Morehead Scholar. "He had a hard time finishing some hitters.  You have got to give the Navy hitters a little bit of credit there because I thought they fouled off some good pitches.  Matt Roberts at bat was a great example.  We felt like we needed to throw something a little different up there and he threw a change-up and Matt did not miss it.  For the most part I think that Benton would tell you that he needs to be a little more aggressive and attack earlier in the count and get in better counts.  He only punched out two in six innings which is very uncharacteristic for him.  He can definitely be better and hopefully we will get a chance to roll him back out there and get better."

Moss' mechanics looked fine in this start, where his first couple starts as a freshmen were a bit uneven as he was rushing his delivery according to Coach Forbes last year.  "I felt good coming out of the pen," Moss stated about his comfort level on the mound to start the game. "I got out of class late so I had to hurry down but I was right on time.  30 minutes before to warm up.  Felt good.  Some innings go like that - the first inning.  I let it define my day so that is on me."

Moss spent 6 weeks this summer in Ethiopia working in an orphanage and started his throwing program after his return right around the start of fall practice.  He was able to reflect back upon that experience to put this first start into perspective, "It was an experience really," Moss described about his experience with the Morehead summer program. "Serving the orphans and seeing how thankful they are.  On a day like today for me on the mound I should think about that.  They have one pair of shoes and clothes they wear every day.  They don't have parents.  They don't have a lot of things we take for granted.  Myself included.  Especially like on days like today.  It was a good experience."



Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Coach Jackson (heading up the Blue team) argues an obstructed foul ball call on a potential home run by Kayden Porter in the second FWS game.

Athletes in the Outfield

The Blue Team has a pair of dynamic outfielders who pack a toolbox of athletic skills in freshman Skye Bolt and Zach Daly.  Bolt has impressed so far in the fall with his bunting, speed out of the box, going 1st to 3rd in addition to showing some power with the bat to go along with his 6'2" 170 pound frame.  Bolt is not just fast but also quick and shows advanced base running instincts.

Not to be overshadowed fellow freshman on the Blue team Zach Daly also measures in a 6'2" and 175 pounds.  Daly has shown some power as well in fall scrimmages hitting one notable home run earlier previous to the Fall World Series in addition to being an instinctive and natural defender in space.



Freshman outfielder Skye Bolt round third heading home after hitting his first FWS home run. The freshman switch hitter has been very impressive so far this fall and will be in  contention for a starting position this spring.

"He is an athlete with a lot of tools," Coach Jackson revealed about Skye Bolt. "He has done some really, really good things for us offensively.  I think he is a threat at the plate in a lot of ways.  He can bunt, he can run and he certainly has shown some power for us.  So to have a guy that that who is a switch hitter and who can do it from both sides of the plate we are real excited."

Jackson has also been impressed with his right fielder on the Blue team in Zach Daly from Gastonia, NC, "Zach brings a lot to the table," Jackson elaborated after the game. "Same kind of mold as Skye I think as far as the athleticism goes.  Zach goes up there and does not get cheated and puts an aggressive swing on the ball and athletically in the outfield they both move so well and I think that is where Zach has impressed me the most in by getting to some balls and he has had a little arm trouble this fall and that is something we will get cleaned up in the off season.  But, he has a strong arm and can really run and those two guys have a lot of tools and are very dynamic on the ball."

The incumbent starters for the Diamond Heels have some competition from this pair of precocious freshmen.  This spring the Tar Heels will have a glut of capable outfielders who can run, hit, throw and play defense.