Scott Forbes describes challenges of facing Derek Clark despite size

North Carolina will have a formidable task facing West Virginia starting pitcher Derek Clark during the upcoming Chapel Hill Super Regional series. And head coach Scott Forbes was highly complimentary of the diminutive hurler during his press conference ahead of the weekend.

The transfer from Northwood University stands just 5-foot-9, but Forbes explained that Clark being small doesn’t make him any less difficult to hit. And with one of the 25 best earned run averages in the country, Clark has earned the recognition.

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“He’s got a quick arm, he hides the ball, he’s got some deception,” Forbes said. “He throws three pitches for strikes and can throw the ball where he wants to. His fastball’s got a little ride to it, as they say now. But it’s got that late life, he can go up in the zone when he needs to. He’s ultra competitive, he’s very athletic.”

And what ultimately stands out about Clark to Forbes isn’t his height, but his ability to hammer the strike zone.

“So, three pitches for strikes, it doesn’t matter if you’re 6-6, if you’re 5-8, 5-7, you’re going to have a chance to be good and keep hitters off balance,” Forbes said. 

Betting odds are out for the Chapel Hill Super Regional

FanDuel, and the ever changing odds, favor the Tar Heels, since they’re the host school. But still, you can’t count out the Mountaineers and you have to play the game on the field.

North Carolina is -250 to advance to the College World Series while West Virginia is +190 and the clear underdog. So start placing your bets!

The reason why North Carolina is a favorite in the Super Regional? Well, Forbes can break down why the bottom of the lineup is so good.

Good luck West Virginia.

“I mean that’s why our lineup is so good,” Forbes said. “We’ve got speed distributed, power distributed, right, left, right, left throughout, and that can be hard.  I was a pitching coach for a long time. It’s hard to make decisions pitching-wise when it’s lefty and then righty.”

In UNC’s final game of the Chapel Hill Regional against LSU, Forbes went with third baseman Gavin Gallaher, second baseman Alex Madera, and shortstop Colby Wilkerson in the seven, eight, and nine holes respectively. Together, they combined to go four for 11 at the plate, with two RBIs, two walks, and a run scored.

“These two guys – I have a soft spot for a division three guy [Madera] –  and then Colby Wilkerson. Coach [Jesse] Wierzbicki found him first and said, ‘I really think this kid can play shortstop.’ I went to watch him and Colby will tell you a lot of people told him he was probably never gonna play at UNC when he came here, and that’s what makes college baseball so awesome,” Forbes said.

“These guys have been really good for us all year. They’ve done a really good job of lengthening the order and getting on for [Vance] Honeycutt, [Casey] Cook, [Parks] Harber, [Anthony] Donofrio, and all those guys.”

West Virginia certainly has its chance to win the Super Regional and get to the College World Series. But, the Mountaineers will have to get through a raucous crowd and a talented Tar Heels team.