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Dan Valentine was 2-for-2 with two walks for the Red Hawks Wednesday afternoon.
Senior Adam Lasek's unearned run on a throwing error in the 12th inning gave RPI a 5-4 win over Massachusetts College at Robison Field. The homestanding Red Hawks, the 16th-ranked team in the nation, improve to 14-6. The Trailblazers fall to 7-12-1.
Lasek, a shortstop, led off the final inning with a single and was sacrificed to second base by Bob Murphy. RPI's next batter, Dan Feenan, grounded a ball to the shortstop, whose throw was in the dirt and skipped away from the first baseman, allowing Lasek to score standing up.
MCLA forced extra innings when junior Anthony Bruno scored on a two-out error in the ninth inning.
Rensselaer got two runs through the first two innings without the benefit of a hit. Sophomore Sean Wilkes, who was hit by a pitch, scored on a balk in the first inning and Dan Valentine walked to lead off the second and scored on an error. The Red Hawks added another run in the third inning on a sac fly by Valentine and a fourth in the fourth on an RBI single by Wilkes.
The Trailblazers held a 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning after putting together three singles. They scored another in the third inning to tie the game, 2-2. Sophomore centerfielder Patrick Negrini singled and scored in both frames. MCLA pulled to within one run, 4-3, in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI groundout by Anthony Russo.
Wilkes, Valentine and Lasek all collected two hits apiece for the Red Hawks, who saw junior Tim Klein earn the win.
Junior Jim Pesente suffered the loss for the Trailblazers, who got three hits and two runs from Negrini.
Junior righthander Colin Feneis and sophomore righthander Brandon Aich combined on a six-hit shutout while sophomore leftfielder Dan Mattonelli drove in three runs as No. 5 Kean blanked Montclair State 4-0 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action at Yogi Berra Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The game, originally scheduled for Thursday, April 12 in Union, was postponed twice before being moved to Montclair State.
Edgewood won both games of the doubleheader with the Spartans of Aurora Wednesday. The Eagles (17-8, 9-3 NAC) won the first game behind a complete game shutout by junior Bill Dictus and followed that up with a 10-6 win in the nightcap to complete the series sweep in a cold and drizzly day at Charles Stampfl Memorial Field.
There's nothing like an 11-run inning to turn a game around. Trailing 9-1, Central put up a record 11 runs in the fifth inning and emerged with a 15-11 Iowa Conference baseball win over Simpson on Wednesday. The victory gives the Dutch (14-13 overall, 7-7 conference) the edge in the teams' three-game series. They split a doubleheader at Simpson on April 3.
One big inning in both games helped UW-Oshkosh defeat UW-Whitewater 7-3 and 10-1 Wednesday at Prucha Field in Whitewater. In Game 1 Whitewater scratched out two runs in the first, on just one hit. Oshkosh tied the game with a pair of runs in the fourth. Whitewater took a 3-2 lead with a run in the fifth, but Oshkosh tied the game with a tally in the top of the sixth. That's where it remained until the top of the ninth, when the Titans scored four runs on five hits, with four different players credited with a run batted in.
Whitewater, again, got out in front in Game 2, with a run in the first inning. Oshkosh tied it in the fourth, 1-1, then added three in the fifth, with an Andy Neubauer single plating two.
More of Wednesday's press releases.
Lasek, a shortstop, led off the final inning with a single and was sacrificed to second base by Bob Murphy. RPI's next batter, Dan Feenan, grounded a ball to the shortstop, whose throw was in the dirt and skipped away from the first baseman, allowing Lasek to score standing up.
MCLA forced extra innings when junior Anthony Bruno scored on a two-out error in the ninth inning.
Rensselaer got two runs through the first two innings without the benefit of a hit. Sophomore Sean Wilkes, who was hit by a pitch, scored on a balk in the first inning and Dan Valentine walked to lead off the second and scored on an error. The Red Hawks added another run in the third inning on a sac fly by Valentine and a fourth in the fourth on an RBI single by Wilkes.
The Trailblazers held a 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning after putting together three singles. They scored another in the third inning to tie the game, 2-2. Sophomore centerfielder Patrick Negrini singled and scored in both frames. MCLA pulled to within one run, 4-3, in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI groundout by Anthony Russo.
Wilkes, Valentine and Lasek all collected two hits apiece for the Red Hawks, who saw junior Tim Klein earn the win.
Junior Jim Pesente suffered the loss for the Trailblazers, who got three hits and two runs from Negrini.
Junior righthander Colin Feneis and sophomore righthander Brandon Aich combined on a six-hit shutout while sophomore leftfielder Dan Mattonelli drove in three runs as No. 5 Kean blanked Montclair State 4-0 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action at Yogi Berra Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The game, originally scheduled for Thursday, April 12 in Union, was postponed twice before being moved to Montclair State.
Edgewood won both games of the doubleheader with the Spartans of Aurora Wednesday. The Eagles (17-8, 9-3 NAC) won the first game behind a complete game shutout by junior Bill Dictus and followed that up with a 10-6 win in the nightcap to complete the series sweep in a cold and drizzly day at Charles Stampfl Memorial Field.
There's nothing like an 11-run inning to turn a game around. Trailing 9-1, Central put up a record 11 runs in the fifth inning and emerged with a 15-11 Iowa Conference baseball win over Simpson on Wednesday. The victory gives the Dutch (14-13 overall, 7-7 conference) the edge in the teams' three-game series. They split a doubleheader at Simpson on April 3.
One big inning in both games helped UW-Oshkosh defeat UW-Whitewater 7-3 and 10-1 Wednesday at Prucha Field in Whitewater. In Game 1 Whitewater scratched out two runs in the first, on just one hit. Oshkosh tied the game with a pair of runs in the fourth. Whitewater took a 3-2 lead with a run in the fifth, but Oshkosh tied the game with a tally in the top of the sixth. That's where it remained until the top of the ninth, when the Titans scored four runs on five hits, with four different players credited with a run batted in.
Whitewater, again, got out in front in Game 2, with a run in the first inning. Oshkosh tied it in the fourth, 1-1, then added three in the fifth, with an Andy Neubauer single plating two.
More of Wednesday's press releases.
Permalink | Apr 19, 2007
Ferrum senior outfielder Brent Sowers was named USA South Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Ferrum was named the winner of the 2007 USA South conference tournament, when inclement weather forced the cancellation of the title game. This is Ferrum's second tournament title in the past three seasons. Also the regular season winner in the USA South Athletic Conference, this is the first time that Ferrum has won both the regular season and tournament titles.
Ferrum (21-15) went 3-0 in the tournament at Burlington Athletic Stadium to reach the title game. The Panthers opened with an 8-7 win over Christopher Newport on April 12, then followed with a 10-2 win over Averett on April 13. Coach Abe Naff's team then beat Methodist 8-2 on April 14 to reach the title game. In the championship, Methodist would have needed to win twice, while the Panthers would have needed to win just once.
On the first day Greensboro used two home runs and 13 hits to run past Shenandoah 10-4 in the first game of the tournament Thursday afternoon. A fourth inning home run by Averett's T.J. Bray turned out to be the difference, as the fourth seeded Cougars defeated North Carolina Wesleyan, the third seed, 3-2. Michael Nolte's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth plated the winning run to give Ferrum an 8-7 win over Christopher Newport. With the bases loaded and only one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Greensboro's Torrey Poholsky hit Steve Cornelius to give Methodist a 6-5 victory over Greensboro in the final game of the day.
In game five of the USA South Conference Tournament, Ferrum defeated Averett by a 10-2 final, moving the Cougars to the elimination bracket on Saturday. N.C. Wesleyan eliminated Shenandoah by a score of 3-2 Friday. Christopher Newport's Mike Giarrizzi's base hit over the outstretched glove of the Greensboro first baseman kept the Captains alive and eliminated the Pride. N.C. Wesleyan advanced to Saturday's play with a convincing 13-3 win over Christopher Newport that eliminated the Captains.
Saturday found the Ferrum Panthers remaining undefeated in the USA South Conference Tournament with an 8-2 win over the Methodist Monarchs. Behind a 4-for-6 and three RBI effort from Chris Pecora, North Carolina Wesleyan defeated Averett 11-3 as the Bishops advance to play Methodist, while Averett was eliminated from the tournament. On what was the final game of the tournament, Methodist eliminated N.C. Wesleyan by a score of 14-7.
Ferrum senior outfielder Brent Sowers was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. Sowers batted .533, going 8-for-15 with a triple, four runs and three RBI. Joining Sowers from Ferrum on the 2007 USA South Athletic Conference All-Tournament team was senior third baseman Brett Thomas, junior catcher Nick Baker and freshman pitcher Lincoln Garner. Second Place Methodist was represented by shortstop Scott Russell, outfielder Jonathon Spivey and designated hitter Mike Ellsworth. The All-Tournament team also included outfielder Chris Pecora, N.C. Wesleyan, pitcher Blake Rice, N.C. Wesleyan, first baseman Jess Maloney, Greensboro and second baseman Eric Sibrizzi, Averett.
Ferrum's win earns the team an automatic qualification into the 2007 NCAA Division III playoffs. This year's NCAA baseball regionals will be held May 16-20 at sites yet to be determined.
Ferrum (21-15) went 3-0 in the tournament at Burlington Athletic Stadium to reach the title game. The Panthers opened with an 8-7 win over Christopher Newport on April 12, then followed with a 10-2 win over Averett on April 13. Coach Abe Naff's team then beat Methodist 8-2 on April 14 to reach the title game. In the championship, Methodist would have needed to win twice, while the Panthers would have needed to win just once.
On the first day Greensboro used two home runs and 13 hits to run past Shenandoah 10-4 in the first game of the tournament Thursday afternoon. A fourth inning home run by Averett's T.J. Bray turned out to be the difference, as the fourth seeded Cougars defeated North Carolina Wesleyan, the third seed, 3-2. Michael Nolte's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth plated the winning run to give Ferrum an 8-7 win over Christopher Newport. With the bases loaded and only one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Greensboro's Torrey Poholsky hit Steve Cornelius to give Methodist a 6-5 victory over Greensboro in the final game of the day.
In game five of the USA South Conference Tournament, Ferrum defeated Averett by a 10-2 final, moving the Cougars to the elimination bracket on Saturday. N.C. Wesleyan eliminated Shenandoah by a score of 3-2 Friday. Christopher Newport's Mike Giarrizzi's base hit over the outstretched glove of the Greensboro first baseman kept the Captains alive and eliminated the Pride. N.C. Wesleyan advanced to Saturday's play with a convincing 13-3 win over Christopher Newport that eliminated the Captains.
Saturday found the Ferrum Panthers remaining undefeated in the USA South Conference Tournament with an 8-2 win over the Methodist Monarchs. Behind a 4-for-6 and three RBI effort from Chris Pecora, North Carolina Wesleyan defeated Averett 11-3 as the Bishops advance to play Methodist, while Averett was eliminated from the tournament. On what was the final game of the tournament, Methodist eliminated N.C. Wesleyan by a score of 14-7.
Ferrum senior outfielder Brent Sowers was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. Sowers batted .533, going 8-for-15 with a triple, four runs and three RBI. Joining Sowers from Ferrum on the 2007 USA South Athletic Conference All-Tournament team was senior third baseman Brett Thomas, junior catcher Nick Baker and freshman pitcher Lincoln Garner. Second Place Methodist was represented by shortstop Scott Russell, outfielder Jonathon Spivey and designated hitter Mike Ellsworth. The All-Tournament team also included outfielder Chris Pecora, N.C. Wesleyan, pitcher Blake Rice, N.C. Wesleyan, first baseman Jess Maloney, Greensboro and second baseman Eric Sibrizzi, Averett.
Ferrum's win earns the team an automatic qualification into the 2007 NCAA Division III playoffs. This year's NCAA baseball regionals will be held May 16-20 at sites yet to be determined.
Permalink | Apr 18, 2007
Senior center fielder Jake Butler went 5-for-9 with 6 RBI against Otterbein on Saturday.
Sophomore Tom Stevison's sacrifice fly RBI in the bottom of the seventh scored the winning run as Capital came back from a 12-2 deficit to beat Muskingum 14-13 in Game 2 of an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader Wednesday at Clowson Field. The Crusaders got the sweep after a 19-4 win in Game 1.
Senior Jimmy Haas led off the inning with a walk then advanced to third on a double from senior Jake Butler. With first base open the Muskies intentionally walked junior Ryan Hutchison to set up Stevison who flew out to right field to score Haas and end the game.
All of this looked highly improbable when the Crusaders came to bat in the third inning facing a 12-2 deficit. The Muskies scored two in the first, four in the second and added a six-run third for their 12 runs. Capital got a run in the third then posted an eight-run fourth inning. The Crusaders got nine hits in its first 10 at-bats in the inning and then a sacrifice fly by senior Bryan White capped the eight run frame and closed the gap to 12-11.
Capital tied the game at 12-12 with a Haas RBI single in the fifth, but Muskingum would retake the lead with a run in the sixth, 13-12. The Crusaders came back again to tie the game with a run in the sixth when Stevison led off the inning with a triple and scored on another sacrifice fly by White.
Junior pitcher Chris Trainer came on in relief and kept the Crusaders in the game as he allowed just four hits over the final 4 2/3 innings to go to 4-0 on the season. Ryan McCallister took the loss for the Muskies.
In Game 1, Capital scored four runs in the first inning, the Muskies responded with three in the top half of the second before the Crusaders exploded with an 11-run fourth inning. The sweep sends Capital to 12-13 overall and 6-4 in the OAC, while Muskingum remains winless in OAC games (0-6) and 17-9 overall.
Texas-Tyler wrapped up the home season with an 18-0 win over NAIA Southwest Assemblies of God on Tuesday night. UT Tyler (35-0) scored 12 runs in the first inning, with the entire lineup batting twice on just eight hits. Seniors Michael Stutts, Nate Jennings, Patrick McClure, and Blake Burnett combined for the two-hit shutout.
In the decisive Game 6 in the race for the Maloney Series Trophy, Millsaps (31-9, 12-4 SCAC) jumped on top of Belhaven (36-12, 19-5 GCAC) 10-3 through the first four innings and survived six unanswered runs from the Blazers over the final five frames, to stretch its season-long winning streak to eight games and hoist the Maloney Trophy for the second consecutive year.
More of Tuesday's press releases.
Senior Jimmy Haas led off the inning with a walk then advanced to third on a double from senior Jake Butler. With first base open the Muskies intentionally walked junior Ryan Hutchison to set up Stevison who flew out to right field to score Haas and end the game.
All of this looked highly improbable when the Crusaders came to bat in the third inning facing a 12-2 deficit. The Muskies scored two in the first, four in the second and added a six-run third for their 12 runs. Capital got a run in the third then posted an eight-run fourth inning. The Crusaders got nine hits in its first 10 at-bats in the inning and then a sacrifice fly by senior Bryan White capped the eight run frame and closed the gap to 12-11.
Capital tied the game at 12-12 with a Haas RBI single in the fifth, but Muskingum would retake the lead with a run in the sixth, 13-12. The Crusaders came back again to tie the game with a run in the sixth when Stevison led off the inning with a triple and scored on another sacrifice fly by White.
Junior pitcher Chris Trainer came on in relief and kept the Crusaders in the game as he allowed just four hits over the final 4 2/3 innings to go to 4-0 on the season. Ryan McCallister took the loss for the Muskies.
In Game 1, Capital scored four runs in the first inning, the Muskies responded with three in the top half of the second before the Crusaders exploded with an 11-run fourth inning. The sweep sends Capital to 12-13 overall and 6-4 in the OAC, while Muskingum remains winless in OAC games (0-6) and 17-9 overall.
Texas-Tyler wrapped up the home season with an 18-0 win over NAIA Southwest Assemblies of God on Tuesday night. UT Tyler (35-0) scored 12 runs in the first inning, with the entire lineup batting twice on just eight hits. Seniors Michael Stutts, Nate Jennings, Patrick McClure, and Blake Burnett combined for the two-hit shutout.
In the decisive Game 6 in the race for the Maloney Series Trophy, Millsaps (31-9, 12-4 SCAC) jumped on top of Belhaven (36-12, 19-5 GCAC) 10-3 through the first four innings and survived six unanswered runs from the Blazers over the final five frames, to stretch its season-long winning streak to eight games and hoist the Maloney Trophy for the second consecutive year.
More of Tuesday's press releases.
Permalink | Apr 17, 2007
Jake Thomas helped Wabash win with a significantly tougher catch Sunday and a two-run homer in the sixth.
Joey Niezer threw a complete-game two-hitter, capped by three huge defensive plays, to pace the Little Giants' 3-2 win against No. 1-ranked and undefeated Wooster on Sunday afternoon.
It's the first win in 12 tries for Wabash against the Scots, as the Little Giants improved to 11-20-1.
Wabash got just four hits in the two games on Sunday, but one of them was a Jake Thomas home run off the scoreboard in right center, giving Wabash a 3-1 lead.
"I didn't think it was gone when I first hit it," Thomas said. "I knew I hit it well, but then I saw the right fielder start running toward the wall. I thought it hit short of the fence, but then the umpire signaled home run and the rest of my teammates started yelling that it hit off the scoreboard."
Niezer's complete game victory was his second of the season, moving him to 3-2 for the year. He surrendered only two hits, while walking two batters and striking out five in addition to the four hit batters.
"Joey battled all day," said Wabash coach Cory Stevens. "Normally we wouldn't let any pitcher go nine innings for a complete game, but the way he was pitching we had no choice. He battled hitters, challenging them in every at bat while keeping them off stride." Full story
Texas-Tyler remained unbeaten, clinching the ASC East Division championship with a 9-2 win against LeTourneau. "To win it at home is special," Patriots coach James Vilade said, "and it's special for a lot of people. It's special for the administration, for Bob and Mary Irwin, and all of the people who've supported this program. It's just fun to share it with everybody in this town that's been behind a team that can't go to a national championship, but has played well all year."
More of Sunday's press releases, on a day games were washed out all across the eastern seaboard.
It's the first win in 12 tries for Wabash against the Scots, as the Little Giants improved to 11-20-1.
Wabash got just four hits in the two games on Sunday, but one of them was a Jake Thomas home run off the scoreboard in right center, giving Wabash a 3-1 lead.
"I didn't think it was gone when I first hit it," Thomas said. "I knew I hit it well, but then I saw the right fielder start running toward the wall. I thought it hit short of the fence, but then the umpire signaled home run and the rest of my teammates started yelling that it hit off the scoreboard."
Niezer's complete game victory was his second of the season, moving him to 3-2 for the year. He surrendered only two hits, while walking two batters and striking out five in addition to the four hit batters.
"Joey battled all day," said Wabash coach Cory Stevens. "Normally we wouldn't let any pitcher go nine innings for a complete game, but the way he was pitching we had no choice. He battled hitters, challenging them in every at bat while keeping them off stride." Full story
Texas-Tyler remained unbeaten, clinching the ASC East Division championship with a 9-2 win against LeTourneau. "To win it at home is special," Patriots coach James Vilade said, "and it's special for a lot of people. It's special for the administration, for Bob and Mary Irwin, and all of the people who've supported this program. It's just fun to share it with everybody in this town that's been behind a team that can't go to a national championship, but has played well all year."
More of Sunday's press releases, on a day games were washed out all across the eastern seaboard.
Permalink | Apr 15, 2007
Emory beat Wash U for the third time in three meetings this season.
Photo by Frank Ezelle
Emory got its weekend in Millington, Tenn., off on the right foot Saturday as the No. 3 Eagles scored in the bottom of the 11th to walk off with a 5-4 win against No. 10 Washington U.
Junior left fielder David Hissey went 4-for-6 with two runs scored, including a single and stolen base in the 11th before he came around to score on a single by second baseman Joe Roth. The Eagles won their ninth game in a row, improving to 28-4.
Andy Shields went 3-for-4 and threw 187 pitches in a complete-game effort for the Bears (23-8). Emory is scheduled for a doubleheader Sunday at Millington against No. 30 Rhodes. Wash U also lost to Rhodes on Saturday, 8-3.
The undefeated teams emerged from Saturday unscathed, as No. 1 Wooster posted a double shutout of Wabash in NCAC play, while Texas-Tyler beat LeTourneau 4-1 and 12-6.
UW-Whitewater finally got to play its home opener on its third scheduled attempt and made the most of it, splitting with UW-Stout. WIAC leader UW-Oshkosh took its first conference loss in a split with UW-Platteville. The Pioneers scored in the top of the ninth to win the opener 4-3 before losing the second game 2-1. More of Saturday's press releases.
as No. 5 Kean swept a doubleheader from William Paterson. Montclair State and No. 11 TCNJ remained tied in the NJAC standings after a split of two games.
The home run for the Lyons is over, as No. 7 Wheaton (Mass.) finished a 14-game homestand with wins against Clark by the scores of 11-5 and 13-2. Wheaton (21-7) went 12-2 during the home stretch and will play at WPI on Tuesday for its first road game since March 30.
Junior left fielder David Hissey went 4-for-6 with two runs scored, including a single and stolen base in the 11th before he came around to score on a single by second baseman Joe Roth. The Eagles won their ninth game in a row, improving to 28-4.
Andy Shields went 3-for-4 and threw 187 pitches in a complete-game effort for the Bears (23-8). Emory is scheduled for a doubleheader Sunday at Millington against No. 30 Rhodes. Wash U also lost to Rhodes on Saturday, 8-3.
The undefeated teams emerged from Saturday unscathed, as No. 1 Wooster posted a double shutout of Wabash in NCAC play, while Texas-Tyler beat LeTourneau 4-1 and 12-6.
UW-Whitewater finally got to play its home opener on its third scheduled attempt and made the most of it, splitting with UW-Stout. WIAC leader UW-Oshkosh took its first conference loss in a split with UW-Platteville. The Pioneers scored in the top of the ninth to win the opener 4-3 before losing the second game 2-1. More of Saturday's press releases.
as No. 5 Kean swept a doubleheader from William Paterson. Montclair State and No. 11 TCNJ remained tied in the NJAC standings after a split of two games.
The home run for the Lyons is over, as No. 7 Wheaton (Mass.) finished a 14-game homestand with wins against Clark by the scores of 11-5 and 13-2. Wheaton (21-7) went 12-2 during the home stretch and will play at WPI on Tuesday for its first road game since March 30.
Permalink | Apr 14, 2007
St. Joseph's (Maine) got games in with snow all around.
St. Joseph's photos by Susan Johnson
There has been snow all around Larry Mahaney Diamond but the Monks of St. Joseph's (Maine) got five games in this week, bucking the trend in the state of Maine.
The Monks improved to 16-2, sweeping two games from Rivier, taking one from Colby and splitting a doubleheader with Husson. Elsewhere in Maine, Husson has had to postpone three consecutive home dates, Bates hasn't played at home since April 1, while Bowdoin and Colby moved their game to a neutral field.
Coach Will Sanborn said early in the week: "We had a lot of work to do just to get the field ready, then get focused on playing baseball. We couldn't have played here today without all of our guys pitching in. Our facilities department really helped out. Jason Chisholm had this place looking great and things worked out."
The Monks improved to 16-2, sweeping two games from Rivier, taking one from Colby and splitting a doubleheader with Husson. Elsewhere in Maine, Husson has had to postpone three consecutive home dates, Bates hasn't played at home since April 1, while Bowdoin and Colby moved their game to a neutral field.
Coach Will Sanborn said early in the week: "We had a lot of work to do just to get the field ready, then get focused on playing baseball. We couldn't have played here today without all of our guys pitching in. Our facilities department really helped out. Jason Chisholm had this place looking great and things worked out."
Permalink | Apr 13, 2007
Life as a provisional school
The Texas-Tyler baseball team has gone undefeated in its fourth season as a provisional member of Division III.
The most prominent provisional Division III baseball program this year is Texas-Tyler. They are in the fourth and final year of their provisional status. The Patriots entered Division III in August 2003 and have seen their athletic teams achieve a modicum of success. The men's cross country team won the ASC championship in fall 2005 and 2006. The men's soccer team won the ASC-East in 2003 and the ASC in 2006. The women's basketball team won the ASC-East in 2004-05 and 2005-06. However, the baseball team has attracted the most attention.
The Patriots can clinch the ASC East Division championship by defeating LeTourneau twice this weekend. Texas-Tyler made the commitment to upgrade and add sports to their program when the formerly upper-level university was admitted to the American Southwest Conference in 2003. They have previously participated in the NAIA and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.
Keystone College, in its last year as a provisional school, has averaged over 30 wins in each of its first three seasons at the Division III level including back to back NEAC championships and a ECAC Championship. This year Keystone is once again off to a good start with a 17-4 record including a thrilling extra-inning victory over No. 4 Cortland State this past Wednesday at Cortland.
Tri-State is in its final year of provisional status. The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association member has made it through the provisional process in three years. Tri-State committed early to the D-III model while they were still in the NAIA and it has paid off. Tri-State sponsors football which keeps the automatic qualifier for the MIAA when Wisconsin Lutheran's four-year affiliation with the MIAA ends after the 2007 season.
The biggest cluster of provisional schools in D-III can be found in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. This conference is comprised of members coming from the NAIA, the NCCAA and NCAA Division II. We asked Minnesota-Morris baseball coach Mark Fohl about the benefits for his school to move up from Division II to Division III.
"I think it helps to have all members of the conference in the same organization, following the same rules. For UMM, the move from Div. II has helped our teams be more competitive," said Fohl.
UM-Morris is scheduled to become a full member in 2008-09 and the conference should get its automatic bid in 2010 or 2011.
Permalink | Apr 13, 2007
Buskett posted a 2-0 record with a 0.60 ERA in two starts.
In a week that saw 10 different hitters and nine different pitchers receive votes, young shortstop Josh Cardoso of Rhode Island College and southpaw Bob Buskett of the College of New Jersey emerged as winners of the NCAA Division III Hitter and Pitcher of the Week awards for April 2-8 as chosen by representatives of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Cardoso, a sophomore from Dartmouth, Mass., led RIC to a 3-0 mark in three Little East Conference games with a .714 (10-for-14) batting average, seven RBIs, six runs scored, a pair of home runs, a triple, and a 1.214 slugging percentage. On April 5, he went 4-for-5 with his first career multiple-homer game, a season-high five RBIs, and two runs scored, to lead the charge as the Anchormen overpowered conference foe UMass-Dartmouth 13-3. He continued his white-hot hitting in a doubleheader against UMass-Boston over the weekend. He was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI to lift RIC to a 6-4 victory, while adding three hits, including a triple, two runs scored and an RBI as the
Anchormen took the nightcap 9-4. The Little East Conference Player of the Week, Cardoso sits atop the conference standings in batting average (.491), slugging percentage (.825), on-base percentage (.561), and runs scored (21), while sharing the lead in home runs (4).
Buskett, a junior from Trenton, N.J., posted a 2-0 record with a 0.60 ERA in two starts for the week, allowing nine hits in 15.0 innings of work with 10 strikeouts. He first surrendered just three hits and no earned runs in seven innings while striking out three in TCNJ's 8-2 non-conference win over Johns Hopkins. He wrapped up the week by surrendering six hits and one earned run while striking out seven and walking none in eight innings of work during the Lions' 12-1 NJAC road victory at New Jersey City University. Buskett is the second different Lion to earn New Jersey Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honors.
Honorable Mention Hitters: Andersen Gardner (SUNY-Cortland) - .800 (8-10), 1 hr, 5 RBI, 5 runs, 1.100 slg pct.; Andrew Damewood (Texas-Tyler) - .600 (9-15), 1 hr, 8 RBI, .800 slg pct; Michael Simpson (Hardin-Simmons) - .385 (5-13), 4 hr, 11 RBI, 5 runs, 1.308 slg pct.; Zach Mandelblatt (Pomona-Pitzer) - .545 (6-11), 2 hr, 7 RBI, 1.091 slg pct.; Jon Whiteside (Whitworth) - .700 (7-10), 2 2b, 1 hr, 3 RBI, 5 runs, 1.200 slg pct.; Bill Mercurio (Rutgers-Newark) - .533(8-15), 4 2b, 1 hr, 6 RBI, 8 runs, 1.000 slg pct.; Tony Konicek (Gustavus Adolphus) - .667 (6-9), 3 2b, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 1.000 slg pct.; David Divine (Shenandoah) - .455 (5-11), 1 2b, 4 hr, 8 RBI, 4 runs, 1.636 slg pct.; Jason Fosler (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) - .667 (6-9), 2 2b, 1 hr, 5 RBI, 3 runs, 1.222 slg pct.
Honorable Mention Pitchers: Taylor DuFrene (Shenandoah) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 2 hits, 14 strikeouts; Garrett Nix (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 hit, 9 strikeouts; Rick Stromgren (Keene State) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 4 hits, 5 strikeouts; Brent Mahan (Central IA) - 1-0, 0.0 ERA, 7.0 ip, 2 hits, 9 strikeouts; Andrew Koncen (Centenary NJ) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 5 hits, 9 strikeouts; Ryan Campbell (Texas-Tyler) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 7 hits, 4 strikeouts; Tyler Wolfe (Manchester) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 5 hits, 9 strikeouts; Todd Mathison (St. Olaf) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 3 hits, 8 strikeouts
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.
Cardoso, a sophomore from Dartmouth, Mass., led RIC to a 3-0 mark in three Little East Conference games with a .714 (10-for-14) batting average, seven RBIs, six runs scored, a pair of home runs, a triple, and a 1.214 slugging percentage. On April 5, he went 4-for-5 with his first career multiple-homer game, a season-high five RBIs, and two runs scored, to lead the charge as the Anchormen overpowered conference foe UMass-Dartmouth 13-3. He continued his white-hot hitting in a doubleheader against UMass-Boston over the weekend. He was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI to lift RIC to a 6-4 victory, while adding three hits, including a triple, two runs scored and an RBI as the
Anchormen took the nightcap 9-4. The Little East Conference Player of the Week, Cardoso sits atop the conference standings in batting average (.491), slugging percentage (.825), on-base percentage (.561), and runs scored (21), while sharing the lead in home runs (4).
Buskett, a junior from Trenton, N.J., posted a 2-0 record with a 0.60 ERA in two starts for the week, allowing nine hits in 15.0 innings of work with 10 strikeouts. He first surrendered just three hits and no earned runs in seven innings while striking out three in TCNJ's 8-2 non-conference win over Johns Hopkins. He wrapped up the week by surrendering six hits and one earned run while striking out seven and walking none in eight innings of work during the Lions' 12-1 NJAC road victory at New Jersey City University. Buskett is the second different Lion to earn New Jersey Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honors.
Honorable Mention Hitters: Andersen Gardner (SUNY-Cortland) - .800 (8-10), 1 hr, 5 RBI, 5 runs, 1.100 slg pct.; Andrew Damewood (Texas-Tyler) - .600 (9-15), 1 hr, 8 RBI, .800 slg pct; Michael Simpson (Hardin-Simmons) - .385 (5-13), 4 hr, 11 RBI, 5 runs, 1.308 slg pct.; Zach Mandelblatt (Pomona-Pitzer) - .545 (6-11), 2 hr, 7 RBI, 1.091 slg pct.; Jon Whiteside (Whitworth) - .700 (7-10), 2 2b, 1 hr, 3 RBI, 5 runs, 1.200 slg pct.; Bill Mercurio (Rutgers-Newark) - .533(8-15), 4 2b, 1 hr, 6 RBI, 8 runs, 1.000 slg pct.; Tony Konicek (Gustavus Adolphus) - .667 (6-9), 3 2b, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 1.000 slg pct.; David Divine (Shenandoah) - .455 (5-11), 1 2b, 4 hr, 8 RBI, 4 runs, 1.636 slg pct.; Jason Fosler (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) - .667 (6-9), 2 2b, 1 hr, 5 RBI, 3 runs, 1.222 slg pct.
Honorable Mention Pitchers: Taylor DuFrene (Shenandoah) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 2 hits, 14 strikeouts; Garrett Nix (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 1 hit, 9 strikeouts; Rick Stromgren (Keene State) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 4 hits, 5 strikeouts; Brent Mahan (Central IA) - 1-0, 0.0 ERA, 7.0 ip, 2 hits, 9 strikeouts; Andrew Koncen (Centenary NJ) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 5 hits, 9 strikeouts; Ryan Campbell (Texas-Tyler) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 7 hits, 4 strikeouts; Tyler Wolfe (Manchester) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 9.0 ip, 5 hits, 9 strikeouts; Todd Mathison (St. Olaf) - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 ip, 3 hits, 8 strikeouts
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.
Permalink | Apr 12, 2007
Three of Johns Hopkins Rob Pietroforte four home runs have been hit in conference play.
No. 19 Johns Hopkins (17-4) opened its Centennial conference schedule 7-0, with two wins each over conference rivals McDaniel, Swarthmore, and Washington College. With its win against Gettysburg, Johns Hopkins currently has a one game conference lead over Gettysburg.
They beat the McDaniel Green Terror (5-15) on the road 16-8 on March 27, then 15-1 at home on March 30. Behind 19 hits, three of which were home runs, Johns Hopkins won in the Centennial opener for both squads. Catcher Rob Sanzillo was 4-for-5 at the plate with four runs scored and four RBI. He homered twice in the game.
Later in the week, the Johns Hopkins baseball team pounded out 15 more hits and used solid pitching from junior Ryan Kuhlman to defeat McDaniel, 15-1. Kuhlman pitched seven solid innings for the Blue Jays, striking out seven and allowing just four hits.
Hopkins swept a doubleheader from Swarthmore (2-16), 10-2 and 5-1, on the road on March 31. Pat Steffee and Greg Harbeck put in strong pitching performances in Games 1 and 2 respectively. Harbeck went eight innings, surrendering one unearned run, striking out eight and walking none.
The Blue Jays used a strong pitching performance from sophomore Chez Angeloni and timely hitting from the heart of the lineup to defeat Washington College (9-11), 10-0 on April 5 at home. Angeloni pitched seven strong innings for the Blue Jays as he allowed just three hits and struck out three to improve to 1-2 on the year.
The following day, Hopkins used 20 hits from the offense and electrifying pitching from junior Kuhlman to power past Washington, 14-2. The Blue Jays' lead was 12-2 after seven innings and added two more in the ninth to make it a 14-2 finale margin. Kuhlman threw six innings and allowed just one run while striking out four as he improved to 4-1 on the year.
John Harvey took the loss for the Shoremen after allowing eight runs in three and two thirds innings. Sanzillo, Pietroforte and Christie went a combined 6-for-8 with six runs scored and seven RBI hitting in the 3,4,5 spots of the order. Sanzillo was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBI while Pietroforte was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI. Christie was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Fester was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Izzo extended his hit streak to 13 games with going 1-for-4 with one RBI.
On April 10, Rob Pietroforte hit two home runs and drove in five runs as Hopkins defeated Gettysburg 9-6 at home.
The Blue Jays (17-4, 7-0 CC) won their third in a row and remain the lone undefeated team in the Centennial. Johns Hopkins will take on second place Ursinus on Saturday for a doubleheader. The Bears (16-7, 7-2 CC) are one game back and can move into first with a sweep. Johns Hopkins next big challenge will be Franklin and Marshall on April 21 for a double dip. The Diplomats (14-8, 8-1 CC) are currently in a virtual tie for first with the Blue Jays.
They beat the McDaniel Green Terror (5-15) on the road 16-8 on March 27, then 15-1 at home on March 30. Behind 19 hits, three of which were home runs, Johns Hopkins won in the Centennial opener for both squads. Catcher Rob Sanzillo was 4-for-5 at the plate with four runs scored and four RBI. He homered twice in the game.
Later in the week, the Johns Hopkins baseball team pounded out 15 more hits and used solid pitching from junior Ryan Kuhlman to defeat McDaniel, 15-1. Kuhlman pitched seven solid innings for the Blue Jays, striking out seven and allowing just four hits.
Hopkins swept a doubleheader from Swarthmore (2-16), 10-2 and 5-1, on the road on March 31. Pat Steffee and Greg Harbeck put in strong pitching performances in Games 1 and 2 respectively. Harbeck went eight innings, surrendering one unearned run, striking out eight and walking none.
The Blue Jays used a strong pitching performance from sophomore Chez Angeloni and timely hitting from the heart of the lineup to defeat Washington College (9-11), 10-0 on April 5 at home. Angeloni pitched seven strong innings for the Blue Jays as he allowed just three hits and struck out three to improve to 1-2 on the year.
The following day, Hopkins used 20 hits from the offense and electrifying pitching from junior Kuhlman to power past Washington, 14-2. The Blue Jays' lead was 12-2 after seven innings and added two more in the ninth to make it a 14-2 finale margin. Kuhlman threw six innings and allowed just one run while striking out four as he improved to 4-1 on the year.
John Harvey took the loss for the Shoremen after allowing eight runs in three and two thirds innings. Sanzillo, Pietroforte and Christie went a combined 6-for-8 with six runs scored and seven RBI hitting in the 3,4,5 spots of the order. Sanzillo was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBI while Pietroforte was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI. Christie was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Fester was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Izzo extended his hit streak to 13 games with going 1-for-4 with one RBI.
On April 10, Rob Pietroforte hit two home runs and drove in five runs as Hopkins defeated Gettysburg 9-6 at home.
The Blue Jays (17-4, 7-0 CC) won their third in a row and remain the lone undefeated team in the Centennial. Johns Hopkins will take on second place Ursinus on Saturday for a doubleheader. The Bears (16-7, 7-2 CC) are one game back and can move into first with a sweep. Johns Hopkins next big challenge will be Franklin and Marshall on April 21 for a double dip. The Diplomats (14-8, 8-1 CC) are currently in a virtual tie for first with the Blue Jays.
Permalink | Apr 11, 2007
Shaun Swearingen has had an error-free season in the field and Wooster has had a loss-free season so far.
Wooster remained unbeaten over the past two weeks and, understandably, the Scots remain No. 1 in the Division III baseball coaches poll.
While Wooster (23-0) and Chapman (25-4) hold onto the top two slots in the ABCA Top 30, the biggest mover upwards was 2002 national champion Eastern Connecticut State (13-6), which moved up to No. 12 after not being ranked in the previous poll.
Pacific Lutheran enters the poll at No. 14, essentially replacing George Fox, whom the Lutes swept last weekend in Northwest Conference action. York (Pa.), Ramapo, Carthage and Rhodes entered the poll as well.
The regional leaders were: No. 7 Wheaton, Mass., (16-6), No. 4 Cortland State (17-2), No. 5 Kean (17-3), No. 1 Wooster (23-0), No. 3 Emory (26-4), No. 6 St. Olaf (14-1), No. 10 Washington U. (22-5) and No. 2 Chapman (25-4). The remainder of the Top 10 is No. 8 Texas Lutheran (25-5-1) and ninth-ranked Salisbury (22-5).
The ABCA's regional rankings have no bearing on NCAA playoff selection.
Unbeaten Texas-Tyler, which is in the last year of its four-year provisional membership in Division III, is not eligible for the NCAA playoffs and is not ranked. The full Top 30.
While Wooster (23-0) and Chapman (25-4) hold onto the top two slots in the ABCA Top 30, the biggest mover upwards was 2002 national champion Eastern Connecticut State (13-6), which moved up to No. 12 after not being ranked in the previous poll.
Pacific Lutheran enters the poll at No. 14, essentially replacing George Fox, whom the Lutes swept last weekend in Northwest Conference action. York (Pa.), Ramapo, Carthage and Rhodes entered the poll as well.
The regional leaders were: No. 7 Wheaton, Mass., (16-6), No. 4 Cortland State (17-2), No. 5 Kean (17-3), No. 1 Wooster (23-0), No. 3 Emory (26-4), No. 6 St. Olaf (14-1), No. 10 Washington U. (22-5) and No. 2 Chapman (25-4). The remainder of the Top 10 is No. 8 Texas Lutheran (25-5-1) and ninth-ranked Salisbury (22-5).
The ABCA's regional rankings have no bearing on NCAA playoff selection.
Unbeaten Texas-Tyler, which is in the last year of its four-year provisional membership in Division III, is not eligible for the NCAA playoffs and is not ranked. The full Top 30.
Permalink | Apr 10, 2007