Head coach Loren Hibbs takes a quick look back at a rare streak in Charlotte history. |
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Pair of Consecutive Losses Ends Tremendous Streak for Charlotte
April 18, 2008
Charlotte, N.C. - One remarkable streak came to an end for the Charlotte 49ers in the bottom of the 12th inning in their Wednesday loss to North Carolina. The Niners lost back-to-back games for the first time since the final two contests at end of the 2006 season. Charlotte had not lost consecutive games over a stretch of 95 games. In that span, the Niners recorded a 76-19 record, winning 80 percent of their games during that time.
"When you consider the environments we've played in over that time, it's some pretty rarefied air," said Charlotte head coach Loren Hibbs. "I'm not sure that many people understand how special that streak was. It was not something we talked about, but to look at it once it is over, it's a special thing."
That streak includes one conference tournament, one NCAA regional, 10 non-conference series of at least two games (one four-game series), and 13 Atlantic 10 conference series.
In 2007, Charlotte set the school record for wins in a 49-12 season, with each of the 12 losses sandwiched between two wins. It is the only season in school history without consecutive losses. Charlotte extended that run in 2008 to game 35. Charlotte lost in the ninth-inning at home Sunday to Xavier 10-9 and then lost in the 12th inning to No. 4 North Carolina in Cary, N.C., both losses when the opponent scored the game-deciding run in their final at-bat.
"To win four out five games in that long a time period with the opponents on our schedule and the travel issues we have had says a lot about our guys and our program," said Hibbs.
Another number that speaks to the accomplishments of the team is the grade point average record set in the fall of 2007, when the team GPA was 3.01.
"We push our guys to work hard in the classroom as well as on the field. We make sure our academic responsibilities are met. Our guys deserve a tremendous amount of credit."
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Charlotte will look to begin another remarkable run when they travel to Amherst, Mass. This weekend to battle Massachusetts in Atlantic 10 Conference play. Charlotte is 27-8, with a 9-3 conference record
