Bourne starting to look good

By: Zac Vierra

There was a lot to like about the Braves 5-1 victory over the Orleans Firebirds Friday at Doran Park.  Bourne was clutch scoring all five runs with two outs and got great pitching performances along with offensive production from some old names and some of the new guys. 

Travis Jankowski (Stony Brook) had the big hit for the Braves in the sixth with bases clearing triple.  With the runners going with a 3-2 count and two outs Jankowksi hit an absoute laser into the right-center gap.  He ended the night 2-4 and continutes to set the table for Bourne.  Along with his hot bat, Jankowski has been playing great defense.  He has excellent range and is a reliable center fielder. 

Josh Conway (Coastal Carolina) picked up the W in his second start of the season.  Conway looked solid pitching six innings striking out six, not allowing an earned run on two hits.  He looked most impressive in the sixth inning.  After loading the bases Conway struck out the number six hitter Rudy Flores on three pitches and got Ronnie Shaeffer  to fly out to right to end the threat.  It is great to see a pitcher bear down like that and end their night on a high note.

A pair of North Carolina products, Tommy Coyle and Colin Moran, both started their second game for the Braves.  Coyle had two hits and scored a pair of runs and Moran had an RBI single in the third.   Moran and Coyle were the only Tar Heels to hit over .300 this year, batting .355 and .311 respectively.  These guys could really help the Bourne offense as the Braves came into the game hitting a league low .209. 

The Braves bullpen again looked good in the win.  RC Orlan (North Carolina) relieved Conway and didn't allow a hit in two innings of work.  Orlan pitched with the Braves last season and posted a 1.62 ERA in 13 appearances and he has proven to be a great lefty option out of the pen.  Tyler Maloof (Georgia) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning and has yet to allow a run in six appearances.  With Orlan, Maloof and Slade Smith (Auburn) to go along with the closer RJ Alvarez (FAU), the Braves now have some great options out of the bullpen.  Just like last season, the bullpen could be one of the strengths for Bourne this year. 

Overall the Braves are looking good.  With the win they are now over .500 (8-7-2) and there is a lot to be opimistic about with this team.  The pitching staff has been great all season and may only get better, the offense should improve with the new additions and despite three errors in this one, defense has been solid all year for the Braves. 

Player of the Game:  Josh Conway-W, 6 IP, 6 K, 3 BB, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 87 Pitches (52 strikes)
It was a quality start for Conway and he showed some grit getting out of the bases loaded jam at the end of his night.  With a trio of Conway, Chris Pickering (URI) and Ryan Eades (LSU) pitching well right now, the Braves might have found three starters they can rely on on a regular basis.