Mount Olive Alums Represent Conference Carolinas in Major League Reunion
For what might be the first time since being called up to the Major League three years ago, University of Mount Olive alums Carter Capps and Tommy Layne are facing off against each other during the regular season. Layne's Boston Red Sox are hosting Capps' Miami Marlins in a two-game interleague series at Fenway Park. The two teams opened the series Tuesday.
It might not be accurate to call their meeting a reunion since the two ballplayers were at Mount Olive at different times. Layne was at Mount Olive in 2007 for his senior year, during which he posted a 10-1 record and earned Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Year and All-America honors. Capps enrolled at Mount Olive in 2008 and after redshirting his freshman year, compiled a combined 24-1 record during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He was the ABCA National Player of the Year in 2011.
Starting pitchers in college, both have made an impact in the Majors coming out of the bullpen.
Capps has a 1-0 record with a 1.54 earned run average in 21 appearances, all in relief. He has recorded 45 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings. Capps has one of the highest strikeout ratios among relief pitchers.
On June 15, Capps struck out the side in the Marlins' win over the New York Yankees, topping out at 100 miles per hour. His performance prompted ESPN baseball analyst Buster Olney to tweet "Carter Capps's eighth inning tonight was as dominant an inning we've seen this year by anyone not named Aroldis (Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman)."
Layne 0-1 with one save and a 3.46 ERA. In 33 relief appearances, he has 28 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched.
Normally in a set up role, Layne earned his first save of the season June 7 against the Oakland Athletics. He retired the side in order with two strikeouts in the ninth.
Boston won Tuesday's contest 4-3. Capps pitched a scoreless 1/3 inning, while Layne did not pitch.
Capps and Layne have pitched in both leagues, but never at the same time. Capps was with the Seattle Mariners of the American League in 2012 and 2013 before getting traded to the Marlins prior to the 2014 season. Layne was with the San Diego Padres of the National League in 2012 and 2013, then signed with the Red Sox as a free agent prior to the 2014 season.
While both the Marlins and the Red Sox have some ground to make up as the All-Star Break approaches, here's hoping Capps and Layne can meet again in the World Series!