[BJWilliams]

The Flame Train pulls into Greenville, NC this weekend for the first time since 2011 for the Keith LeClair Classic. The Flames have faced ECU since then, but this is their first appearance in this tournament in four years.

The boys come off a big offensive weekend in Atlanta scoring 28 runs in going 2-1 (11-9 loss to Kennesaw State and 10-7 and 9-1 wins over Georgia State) and will face St John's, UNCG (Who is replacing Michigan who is not participating anymore) and the host Pirates.

[krh44]

Hopefully the weather is better in Greenville than Lynchburg.

[krh44]

Tied at 1 after 4, Lyons getting the start today.

[SuperJon]

Two of the three starters from last weekend aren't in the rotation this weekend.

[jinxy]

3b is still a hole. 2b is too. 2 total dead spots in the lineup.

[jinxy]

Alex close out to another slow start this year too. Killing another rally in the 7th

[krh44]

Flames lose 4-1

[krh44]

Not playing great ball right now. Hope we can win the next 2.

[krh44]

FLAMES up 2 in game 2, 2-1

[krh44]

Flames lead 5-1 in the 9th

[krh44]

5-4 now ugh

[krh44]

wow we lose 6-5 terrible!!!!

[Sly Fox]

Frustrating weekend thus far.

[krh44]

UNCG scores 2 on past ball to walk off with the win. Wow did that just happen. What a 9th inning error by Britt, outfielder dives for ball & misses ball goes to fence, and AP can't get anyone out.

[jinxy]

The offense wont carry is this year. Weve got to have better from perritt and close. I cant believe were still experimenting with close behind the plate. Sloppy look so far this year.

[SuperJon]

I'd act shocked but I'm not. I just don't understand what Toman's trying to do this year.

[newoldschool17]

I'm with ya Jinxy. He is our worst defensive catcher and best hitter. What does putting him back there accomplish, worsen our defense and just tire his legs out for his bat.....there is absolutely no positive to it. I would maybe understand if you had another stud you were trying to fit in the lineup and you had to put them at 1B, but that isn't the case with us.

I think we will be fine, it's just frustrating that our team looks unprepared heading into the season, like we weren't able to figure things out in the fall and spring. Let's get a win today and then get home and hopefully get in a good rhythm!

[jinxy]

Absolutely. Taormina seems to be hitting well. Why not give him a shot at 3b. Allen cant hit and hes booting fairly routine balls. I like cole as a starter so that move doesnt bother me. We cant give up on bean this early though i understand the frustration with him last year. Bottom line is that if our studs play like they are supposed to were 4 and 1 maybe 5 and 0. We have to get perritts pitching and close and bean on track. Also i think cather is a problem again sankey cant seem to keep the ball in front of him either. Graeur certainly improved there last year as the season went on so maybe beck can as well.

[BJWilliams]

We are 5 games in...we were 4-2 and 3-3 the last two seasons after the first 6 games and went on to still win 40 games and in 2013 won the conference autobid. I can understand a bit of concern but really I'm not wringing my hands over this bunch at this early stage of the season

[SuperJon]

We are 5 games in...we were 4-2 and 3-3 the last two seasons after the first 6 games and went on to still win 40 games and in 2013 won the conference autobid. I can understand a bit of concern but really I'm not wringing my hands over this bunch at this early stage of the season

Of course you're not. You don't pay attention to anything but the results.

[BJWilliams]

I try to follow the boxscores as well being a numbers (though not a SABRmetrics or analytics fan) kind of guy. I will say that I can extract from the loss to uncg that I'm sure the guys were gutted in that clubhouse, AP especially. The last couple seasons, its seemed like coach Toman has used the first couple weekends as a lab of sorts and experimented with things a bit. Look at last year...we were 3-5 coming out of the tournament in Wilmington, including getting pasted by UNCW 11-0. We got the ship righted, beat Missouri and didn't lose back to back games again until May. I have confidence that this group will be able to get things straightened out after this weekend (and a win over ECU today certainly will help to that end) and be good to go for the home opener next weekend and beyond.

[newoldschool17]

BJ, no one is doing that. No problem pointing out some real concerns though. There is one thing that was a major difference in last year so far and that was Trey Lambert. There was hardly any bullpen used on Friday night, ever. We have to get that from someone eventually.

[BJWilliams]

I concur newoldschool. As I said prior to Jon's reply, its understandable to be concerned. If we can have an innings "black hole" in our weekend rotation, that keeps us from having to burn through guys on Friday-Sunday and then not have guys available for midweek.

The other concern that I'm sure has been considered is the defense. due to miscues, we have given up two massive innings including blowing that 4 run lead yesterday. pitchers need to know the boys behind them have their back (so to speak).

[krh44]

I don't think anyone is hitting the panic button yet but there is reason to be concerned. As a preseason Top 25 we are not playing like it and are one strike away from being 1-4. Blowing a 4 run lead should not happen especially with AP on the mound.

[sporter]

Could really use a strong start from Parker today.