This past weekend was a very important one, especially in regards to our overall and league records. We had a big three game series up in Bluffton, who was 3-1 in the HCAC. We entered the weekend 8-8 with a 1-3 record in our conference. We looked at these games as ones that could either make or break us. It's hard to dig yourself out of a hole with the strength of the conference. We knew what we had to do--we had to sweep them.
We played a double header on Friday because there was a chance of bad weather up there on Saturday, so we didn't know if we were even going to get our Saturday game in. The last thing we wanted to do was stay up Bluffton another day because there is absolutely nothing to do up there except stare at cows. Anyway, Friday was a huge day. It was about 60 degrees and a great night for a game. In the first game, we only scored runs in the 1st and 6th innings. Luckily, it was enough to come out with a victory. The second game was better. We put runs up on the board and our defense was stellar. The pitching did well too. We won this game as well. It was clutch winning both these games because now we had the momentum and confidence going into our Saturday game.
Saturday was a cold, dreary, and windy day for a game. It only got up to 40 degrees which was quite a change from the day before. Despite that fact, we continued with our success. Bluffton made a run late in the game but never took the lead. A thing that I noticed was that not once did Bluffton have the lead during any of the three games. This is something to be proud of as a team. It means we all did our job. We now have a 11-8 record and are 4-3 in the HCAC. We accomplished our goal by sweeping them, which was good to see.
Tomorrow we have another HCAC game against Hanover out at Midland. This too is a must win. As long as we play smart baseball, we should have no concerns.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Franklin Series
I don't think there is a word in the human language that could describe how the Franklin series went. Franklin was our first conference home opener at UC and I can say that if you didn't come to the games to watch, you didn't miss too much.
As you know, we play three game series against conference opponents, minus Transy and Hanover. Anyway, we played Franklin Friday evening in a single nine inning game. If there was a highlight in this series, then this is the night it occurred. They jumped to a commanding lead through the game, crushing balls right and left. They were definitely a good offensive team, however their defense was shaky. We were down by seven going into the fifth inning. We had an 8-run fifth inning to retake the lead. It was amazing. Everything seemed to go right for us. They would boot a ball and we would capitalize on it. I'm sure Franklin's five errors in the game helped us out tremendously as well. Anyway, we ended up winning the first game, improving our conference record to 1-1.
Our double header Saturday against them was just plain ugly. They scored 10 runs in the first two innings. They were hitting piss ropes. I think I got whip lash from watching the balls fly by my head, but that's what happens when you see waist high fast balls at this level. Teams make you pay for those mistakes. Anyway, we got blown out of the water 14-3. The second game was a little bit better, but not by much. I mean they took an early lead again and we fought back. However, we came up short, losing 10-9. They had six errors that game and we still lost. They scored over 30 runs in three games against us and had close to 14 errors in the series!! It was like watching something out of the Twilight Zone. You couldn't believe what was happening.
Now our conference record in 1-3. We play a non-conference opponent Wednesday, which is Wilmington. They usually have a pretty good team so it should be interesting. We will see just how bad we want to avenge our losses thus far.
As you know, we play three game series against conference opponents, minus Transy and Hanover. Anyway, we played Franklin Friday evening in a single nine inning game. If there was a highlight in this series, then this is the night it occurred. They jumped to a commanding lead through the game, crushing balls right and left. They were definitely a good offensive team, however their defense was shaky. We were down by seven going into the fifth inning. We had an 8-run fifth inning to retake the lead. It was amazing. Everything seemed to go right for us. They would boot a ball and we would capitalize on it. I'm sure Franklin's five errors in the game helped us out tremendously as well. Anyway, we ended up winning the first game, improving our conference record to 1-1.
Our double header Saturday against them was just plain ugly. They scored 10 runs in the first two innings. They were hitting piss ropes. I think I got whip lash from watching the balls fly by my head, but that's what happens when you see waist high fast balls at this level. Teams make you pay for those mistakes. Anyway, we got blown out of the water 14-3. The second game was a little bit better, but not by much. I mean they took an early lead again and we fought back. However, we came up short, losing 10-9. They had six errors that game and we still lost. They scored over 30 runs in three games against us and had close to 14 errors in the series!! It was like watching something out of the Twilight Zone. You couldn't believe what was happening.
Now our conference record in 1-3. We play a non-conference opponent Wednesday, which is Wilmington. They usually have a pretty good team so it should be interesting. We will see just how bad we want to avenge our losses thus far.
Conference Play
We opened up our conference play with an away game to Transylvania...we had a heck of a time getting there with all the vampire bats flying around. Despite that, it was a perfect evening for a ball game. Transy was 0-1 in conference play coming into this game so we knew they were hungry for a victory. I wish I could have said the same thing for us.
The game started out with them scoring the first runs. A couple run deficit then turned into a huge deficit after we gave up two home runs. I believe that one of the home runs is still up in the air and has failed to reach the ground. It was a shot. What I like about our team is that we never give up, no matter what the score seems to be. We chip away inning by inning. Before you know it, we are right back in the ball game, as in this case. We cut the deficit to just three runs but couldn't get over the hump we needed to be victorious. Anyway, as you can probably assume, we ended up losing our conference opener 10-7. It was a tough one to swallow. The good thing about baseball though is that there is always another game to correct your mistakes. We started off crummy last year in the conference but still ended up winning it. It's still early and I have to say that we will be alright.
The game started out with them scoring the first runs. A couple run deficit then turned into a huge deficit after we gave up two home runs. I believe that one of the home runs is still up in the air and has failed to reach the ground. It was a shot. What I like about our team is that we never give up, no matter what the score seems to be. We chip away inning by inning. Before you know it, we are right back in the ball game, as in this case. We cut the deficit to just three runs but couldn't get over the hump we needed to be victorious. Anyway, as you can probably assume, we ended up losing our conference opener 10-7. It was a tough one to swallow. The good thing about baseball though is that there is always another game to correct your mistakes. We started off crummy last year in the conference but still ended up winning it. It's still early and I have to say that we will be alright.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Two of Three
The final three games down in Florida went fast. First, our double header against Albion College went just how we wanted it to go. After our tough loss to Mount Union, we needed something good to happen, and that is just what we received. Albion was not the best college team around, but nonetheless they are a college team, and any team can win on any given day. Our bats started hot in the first game and never cooled down. In the first game we jumped out to a 4-2 lead. Then our lead lengthened to 7-2 after the sixth inning. We had a total of 14 hits in the game. The pitching was very good too, allowing only 2 runs. The final score was 7-2.
The second game was better than the first, both offensively and with our pitching. After the first inning, we were up 3-0. We had a huge fifth inning, scoring six runs. We added two more runs in the sixth inning as well. Our pitching recorded a shut out, making the final score 11-0.
In our final game at Florida, we played Suffolk University. Unfortunately, we couldn't leave Florida on a win. We just couldn't get things to click during this game. Hitting, pitching...nothing came together. It was just one of those games where there really is not too much to talk about. We lost 7-4. The good news is, is that we start conference play on Tuesday against Transylvania. These are the games that really count and it is an opportunity for us to start off well in our conference.
The second game was better than the first, both offensively and with our pitching. After the first inning, we were up 3-0. We had a huge fifth inning, scoring six runs. We added two more runs in the sixth inning as well. Our pitching recorded a shut out, making the final score 11-0.
In our final game at Florida, we played Suffolk University. Unfortunately, we couldn't leave Florida on a win. We just couldn't get things to click during this game. Hitting, pitching...nothing came together. It was just one of those games where there really is not too much to talk about. We lost 7-4. The good news is, is that we start conference play on Tuesday against Transylvania. These are the games that really count and it is an opportunity for us to start off well in our conference.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Mount vs. Mount
Today in Florida was not particularly a good one. We had a single game against Mount Union, which is the perennial powerhouse that always seems to win the NCAA D3 national championship in football. Their baseball team is good too, but not to those standards. This is our second year in a row playing this team in Florida and I have to say that we are pretty evenly matched. It was a hot one today, but it sure beats the hell out of playing in the snow up in crap hole Cincinnati.
Anyway, we drew first blood, scoring the first two runs of the ball game. Everything seemed to be going smoothly but that soon changed. They had a big inning, taking the lead. We battled back and got a run here and there. They had another big inning scoring four runs. Like yesterday, we counter-attacked with a huge inning, regaining the lead. But the next inning they retook the lead. It seemed to keep going back and forth with lead change after lead change. They had a one run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning and we had our 3,4,and 5 hitters coming up. You couldn't ask for anything more. However, we couldn't get that run we needed to tie up the ball game. Mount Union took the victory with a score of 10-9. One run ball games are always a tough one to swallow. The good thing about baseball is that there is always tomorrow. Our record is now 5-3 with three more games down Florida.
Tomorrow we have another off day. We may have to practice, but it all depends on what our coach wants to do. Thursday is another big day because we have a double-header against Albion College. I don't know much about this team because I have never heard of them. Hopefully we come out on top with two victories. I'll be sure to post the final results after Thursday.
Anyway, we drew first blood, scoring the first two runs of the ball game. Everything seemed to be going smoothly but that soon changed. They had a big inning, taking the lead. We battled back and got a run here and there. They had another big inning scoring four runs. Like yesterday, we counter-attacked with a huge inning, regaining the lead. But the next inning they retook the lead. It seemed to keep going back and forth with lead change after lead change. They had a one run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning and we had our 3,4,and 5 hitters coming up. You couldn't ask for anything more. However, we couldn't get that run we needed to tie up the ball game. Mount Union took the victory with a score of 10-9. One run ball games are always a tough one to swallow. The good thing about baseball is that there is always tomorrow. Our record is now 5-3 with three more games down Florida.
Tomorrow we have another off day. We may have to practice, but it all depends on what our coach wants to do. Thursday is another big day because we have a double-header against Albion College. I don't know much about this team because I have never heard of them. Hopefully we come out on top with two victories. I'll be sure to post the final results after Thursday.
Clean Sweep
Yesterday was a huge turnaround for the baseball team. It was like a completely different team then Saturday. Wittenburg was a good team and we definitely needed both wins to even out our record in Florida. We played two seven inning games that seemed to go on forever. It was definitely a long day, but very enjoyable.
Our first game we jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. They made it somewhat close towards the end of the game but they were never able to take the lead. We had some key hits that definitely propelled us to a victory. The final score was 6-4.
The second game was alot longer than the first. We jumped out to an early lead again but made some errors midway through the game that really cost us. Wittenburg took advantage of this and scored several unearned runs. They took a huge lead in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run home run. By the end of the inning they were up by five with a score of 9-4. In the top of the sixth, we strung together six consecutive hits, which added up to a huge inning. We finished the inning scoring seven runs and putting us up by two, 11-9. We showed great determination by not folding and giving up. We held them in the bottom of the sixth and failed to do anything in the top if the seventh. They scored one run in the bottom of the seventh and that was it. We held them for our second victory of the day, winning 11-10.
Our first game we jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. They made it somewhat close towards the end of the game but they were never able to take the lead. We had some key hits that definitely propelled us to a victory. The final score was 6-4.
The second game was alot longer than the first. We jumped out to an early lead again but made some errors midway through the game that really cost us. Wittenburg took advantage of this and scored several unearned runs. They took a huge lead in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run home run. By the end of the inning they were up by five with a score of 9-4. In the top of the sixth, we strung together six consecutive hits, which added up to a huge inning. We finished the inning scoring seven runs and putting us up by two, 11-9. We showed great determination by not folding and giving up. We held them in the bottom of the sixth and failed to do anything in the top if the seventh. They scored one run in the bottom of the seventh and that was it. We held them for our second victory of the day, winning 11-10.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Rocky Start
Today was not a good day for the College of Mount St. Joseph baseball team. We played two very good teams on a beautiful Florida day. Heidelberg was a team that could hit, probably one of the main reasons they are ranked so high nationally. However, we did not help our cause at all, only scoring two runs. We could not get anything going on offensively whatsoever. We'd get a hit here and there but nothing consecutively. Our defense made some mental and physical errors as well. You can't do things like that at this level, and we saw what happens when you do. The final score was 14-2, not the outcome we were looking for.
Our next game against Ohio Wesleyan was no different. They were not as good as Heidelberg but we played just as bad as the first game--mental errors, physical errors, and inconsistent hitting. We never acquired a lead in any of the two games, and in this game we lost 6-1. Only scoring three runs in two games against teams like these are not going to cut it.
Today was a sloppy day, plain and simple. It is definitely not the way we wanted to open up our spring break. Tomorrow we play a double-header against Wittenberg. Hopefully we change things around and come out with a couple victories.
Our next game against Ohio Wesleyan was no different. They were not as good as Heidelberg but we played just as bad as the first game--mental errors, physical errors, and inconsistent hitting. We never acquired a lead in any of the two games, and in this game we lost 6-1. Only scoring three runs in two games against teams like these are not going to cut it.
Today was a sloppy day, plain and simple. It is definitely not the way we wanted to open up our spring break. Tomorrow we play a double-header against Wittenberg. Hopefully we change things around and come out with a couple victories.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Doin' Work
This past Tuesday, the baseball team was originally scheduled to play a double-header against Alice Lloyd College. The trip to their field is a long one, close to five hours. However, our games against them got cancelled, but the day wasn't over. We were notified that instead of playing them, we were going to play the University of the Cumberlands, located in Cumberland, Kentucky. Like the other two teams we played this year, they were a member of the NAIA. They were an extremely good team, ranked #20 nationally with a very good record. We knew this would be our toughest game thus far. In case no one knows, teams that are members of NAIA are allowed to offer athletic scholarships unlike NCAA D3. We made the three hour bus ride to their home field for another cold game.
They jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, making it the earliest we have been down. We slowly battled back tying the game up at two. Yet again, our pitching and defense was very good and kept us in the game. We made all the routine plays, finishing a game without any errors. In order to beat a team like this, you must make all the plays. You can't give them extra outs because they will take advantage of it and make you pay. Midway though the game we took the lead 3-2. They quickly tied the game at three and I knew we were in for a very close game. In the seventh inning we scored a crucial run thus taking the lead 4-3. We held them for the final two innings and finished with another victory, improving our record 3-0. This was a huge win for our team and really boosted our confidence.
Right now I am in Winter Haven, Florida, enjoying the extremely warm weather. Tomorrow we take on the #4 team in the country, which is Heidelberg. After that game we play Ohio Wesleyan in a nightcap. These are two very good teams, and we will definitely see what we are made of. They will probably be two of the toughest teams we may play all season and hopefully we come out on top.
They jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, making it the earliest we have been down. We slowly battled back tying the game up at two. Yet again, our pitching and defense was very good and kept us in the game. We made all the routine plays, finishing a game without any errors. In order to beat a team like this, you must make all the plays. You can't give them extra outs because they will take advantage of it and make you pay. Midway though the game we took the lead 3-2. They quickly tied the game at three and I knew we were in for a very close game. In the seventh inning we scored a crucial run thus taking the lead 4-3. We held them for the final two innings and finished with another victory, improving our record 3-0. This was a huge win for our team and really boosted our confidence.
Right now I am in Winter Haven, Florida, enjoying the extremely warm weather. Tomorrow we take on the #4 team in the country, which is Heidelberg. After that game we play Ohio Wesleyan in a nightcap. These are two very good teams, and we will definitely see what we are made of. They will probably be two of the toughest teams we may play all season and hopefully we come out on top.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Cold Start, Perfect Finish
As you know, yesterday was our season opener against Marian (IN) College. The weather didn't seem to think it was baseball season because it was absolutely freezing out, literally. Cloudy skies, cold temps, and windy conditions did not make it feel like a day of baseball. With highs in the low 30's, and gusty winds making it even colder, it did not take long for parts of our body to go numb. However, we braved the elements and did what we do best--win games.
We had a bit of a slow start offensively in the game, but we soon turned that around. Our pitching did a very good job along with our defense, allowing only one error. We ended up winning 5-2 against a team that beat us last year. I was very impressed with the team's morale and their ability to keep their heads in the game. There's nothing like starting off the season with a victory.
Today was our second game. We had to travel to Louisville to take on Spaulding University, another NAIA team. Again, the elements did not want to cooperate. But we had to deal with it. At least the sun was out so I guess I can't complain too much. Our offense got us an early lead and our pitching staff maintained that lead for most of the game. They took the lead on us in the 6th inning by a run. But in the 7th we answered with three runs of our own, putting us up by two. We added an additional run late in the game and our pitching staff remained sharp, along with the defense. The final score was 7-4 in favor of the good guys. We are 2-0 heading into a double-header Tuesday against Alice Lloyd.
We had a bit of a slow start offensively in the game, but we soon turned that around. Our pitching did a very good job along with our defense, allowing only one error. We ended up winning 5-2 against a team that beat us last year. I was very impressed with the team's morale and their ability to keep their heads in the game. There's nothing like starting off the season with a victory.
Today was our second game. We had to travel to Louisville to take on Spaulding University, another NAIA team. Again, the elements did not want to cooperate. But we had to deal with it. At least the sun was out so I guess I can't complain too much. Our offense got us an early lead and our pitching staff maintained that lead for most of the game. They took the lead on us in the 6th inning by a run. But in the 7th we answered with three runs of our own, putting us up by two. We added an additional run late in the game and our pitching staff remained sharp, along with the defense. The final score was 7-4 in favor of the good guys. We are 2-0 heading into a double-header Tuesday against Alice Lloyd.
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