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Clark's blast takes out Bombers
Ryan Clark launched a three-run home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the eighth inning to break an 8-8 tie and send No. 20 Kean (5-1) to an 11-8 victory over No. 16 Ithaca (1-1) Monday afternoon at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Kean's victory, a three and a half hour affair, featured a 19 total runs, 23 hits, nine errors as well as five balks.
Ithaca jumped on board early in the top of the second inning plating four runs, aided by three Cougar miscues. Kean bounced back and scored two of their own in the bottom of the same inning.
After trading runs in the third inning, Kean took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth, recording three runs in the process. The Bombers tied things up in the top of the fifth, recording just one hit. Both runners crossed the plate after the fourth and fifth balks of the game were called. Ithaca and Kean traded scoreless innings until the eighth when Clark hit his game-winning homer.
Ithaca's Jeremy Peters was 3-4 on the afternoon. Clark finished the afternoon with a 2-for-4 performance including four RBI as well as a double. Nolan also collected four RBI with two hits, including a triple. Schatzow was a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two walks.
Colin Feneis (1-0) collected his first win of the season in relief. Feneis tossed two and a third innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit. Matt Lavoi (0-1) got the loss in relief of Shane Wolf for Ithaca.
The Cougars will play again on Wednesday, March 14, traveling to Whittier. Ithaca takes on Occidental on Tuesday and Chapman on Wednesday.
Ithaca jumped on board early in the top of the second inning plating four runs, aided by three Cougar miscues. Kean bounced back and scored two of their own in the bottom of the same inning.
After trading runs in the third inning, Kean took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth, recording three runs in the process. The Bombers tied things up in the top of the fifth, recording just one hit. Both runners crossed the plate after the fourth and fifth balks of the game were called. Ithaca and Kean traded scoreless innings until the eighth when Clark hit his game-winning homer.
Ithaca's Jeremy Peters was 3-4 on the afternoon. Clark finished the afternoon with a 2-for-4 performance including four RBI as well as a double. Nolan also collected four RBI with two hits, including a triple. Schatzow was a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two walks.
Colin Feneis (1-0) collected his first win of the season in relief. Feneis tossed two and a third innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit. Matt Lavoi (0-1) got the loss in relief of Shane Wolf for Ithaca.
The Cougars will play again on Wednesday, March 14, traveling to Whittier. Ithaca takes on Occidental on Tuesday and Chapman on Wednesday.
Permalink | Mar 13, 2007
Alvernia Head Coach gets milestone victory in Arizona
Alvernia Athletics
Alvenia head Coach, Yogi Lutz picked up win No. 500 in Arizona on Saturday. Lutz joins Bill Miller of Texas Lutheran who also notched his 500th victory earlier in the season.
Alvernia College got Lutz to the milestone win when they batted around in the eighth and scored four runs for a come from behind 11-9 win over Rutgers-Camden Saturday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at the Greater Phoenix Invitational.
In the game, Alvernia sophomore Steve Geisel threw an inning and a third of scoreless relief to pick up his first win of the season. Junior All-American Zach Lutz went 2-for-2 at the plate with three runs and two RBIs. Senior Chris Raniere was 2-for-5 at the plate with a game-high three RBIs.Alvenia head Coach, Yogi Lutz picked up win No. 500 in Arizona on Saturday. Lutz joins Bill Miller of Texas Lutheran who also notched his 500th victory earlier in the season.
Yogi Lutz is in his 22nd year as head coach of the Crusaders. He has captured eight conference titles in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference and led Alvernia to five appearances in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional.
The 14th-ranked Texas Lutheran Bulldogs gave head baseball coach Bill Miller career victory No. 500 with a 9-3 win over Southwestern University, Februray 19 at TLU's Katt-Isbel Field.
Miller, in his 15th year with the Bulldogs, now has a career coaching record of 506-186-3. Three games after getting his 500th win, Miller became the winninest coach in Bulldog history with his 503rd win, surpassing his mentor, TLU and NAIA Hall of Famer Ray Kat. Millers winning percentage is .734 winning percentage is the highest of any TLU coach in school history.
In the game the Bulldogs trailed 3-1 into the bottom of the fifth before pushing across four runs after two outs in the inning. All four runs were unearned after a Southwestern error in the frame. Texas Lutheran never looked back in their 9-3 victory.
Daniel Besa (2-0) pitched 4-1/3 innings in relief and picked up the victory. Mat Moore finished with three RBI. Jason Foley and Josh Moreno each collected two hits and two runs scored.
Alvernia College got Lutz to the milestone win when they batted around in the eighth and scored four runs for a come from behind 11-9 win over Rutgers-Camden Saturday afternoon in non-conference baseball action at the Greater Phoenix Invitational.
In the game, Alvernia sophomore Steve Geisel threw an inning and a third of scoreless relief to pick up his first win of the season. Junior All-American Zach Lutz went 2-for-2 at the plate with three runs and two RBIs. Senior Chris Raniere was 2-for-5 at the plate with a game-high three RBIs.Alvenia head Coach, Yogi Lutz picked up win No. 500 in Arizona on Saturday. Lutz joins Bill Miller of Texas Lutheran who also notched his 500th victory earlier in the season.
Yogi Lutz is in his 22nd year as head coach of the Crusaders. He has captured eight conference titles in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference and led Alvernia to five appearances in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional.
The 14th-ranked Texas Lutheran Bulldogs gave head baseball coach Bill Miller career victory No. 500 with a 9-3 win over Southwestern University, Februray 19 at TLU's Katt-Isbel Field.
Miller, in his 15th year with the Bulldogs, now has a career coaching record of 506-186-3. Three games after getting his 500th win, Miller became the winninest coach in Bulldog history with his 503rd win, surpassing his mentor, TLU and NAIA Hall of Famer Ray Kat. Millers winning percentage is .734 winning percentage is the highest of any TLU coach in school history.
In the game the Bulldogs trailed 3-1 into the bottom of the fifth before pushing across four runs after two outs in the inning. All four runs were unearned after a Southwestern error in the frame. Texas Lutheran never looked back in their 9-3 victory.
Daniel Besa (2-0) pitched 4-1/3 innings in relief and picked up the victory. Mat Moore finished with three RBI. Jason Foley and Josh Moreno each collected two hits and two runs scored.
Permalink | Mar 13, 2007
Chapman's Devin Drag improves to 6-0 on the season with win over Kean
Chapman Athletics
ORANGE, Calif. - A weekend series between two NCAA Division III nationally-ranked foes turned into a pair of lopsided games with the victors alternating nights. On Saturday night it was the No. 2 Chapman (15-2) baseball team upending No. 15 Kean (4-1) 14-2. By the end of the weekend, the Cougars had returned the favor, defeating host Chapman 13-3 at Hart Park on Sunday night.
Patrick Ohail was 3-for-5 with 5 RBI as Chapman defeated Kean, 14-2, Saturday evening in Orange, California. The series opener was all Chapman. The Panthers tacked on three runs in the bottom of the first inning and exploded for eight runs in the sixth inning. Chapman sent 12 batters to the plate that inning and received a two-run single from senior OF Tyler Dean and a two-run double from sophomore IF Patrick Ohail, among other highlights.
Kean broke up the shutout in the top of the sixth inning as Ryan Clark lined a single into right-center to bring across Derek Gianakas. The Cougars added another run in the top of the ninth as freshman Tim Lowe scored on an RBI single by Ammirata.
Senior RHP Devin Drag (6-0) was solid in winning his sixth straight decision this season. Drag scattered eight hits and allowed just one run in six innings. Junior Andrew Cupido suffered the loss. He tossed five plus innings allowing seven runs and seven hits.
On Sunday Senior Danny Zeffiro tossed a complete game to pick up his second win of the season as the Cougars responded to Saturday's game with a 13-3 win Sunday evening against Chapman.
The Cougars scored in each of the first four innings, including a six-run fourth to build an early 10-1 lead. Kean (4-1) pounded 16 hits off Chapman pitchers, including five extra-base hits. The big blow in the fourth came when IF Nick Nolan hit a three-run homer to cap the inning. Chapman's (15-2) defense committed five errors and accounted for seven unearned runs. The Panthers' eight-game winning streak and 10-game home winning streak were both snapped.
Offensively for the Cougars junior Maikel De La Rosa was 4-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored while Derek Gianakas was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Chapman's Ryan Cavan finished the game 2-for-4 with a two-run homer. Matt Luzar (4-1) took the loss for Chapman.
Chapman and Kean will complete a three-game season series with a newly scheduled game on Thursday, March 15 at 1 p.m. at Hart Park.
Patrick Ohail was 3-for-5 with 5 RBI as Chapman defeated Kean, 14-2, Saturday evening in Orange, California. The series opener was all Chapman. The Panthers tacked on three runs in the bottom of the first inning and exploded for eight runs in the sixth inning. Chapman sent 12 batters to the plate that inning and received a two-run single from senior OF Tyler Dean and a two-run double from sophomore IF Patrick Ohail, among other highlights.
Kean broke up the shutout in the top of the sixth inning as Ryan Clark lined a single into right-center to bring across Derek Gianakas. The Cougars added another run in the top of the ninth as freshman Tim Lowe scored on an RBI single by Ammirata.
Senior RHP Devin Drag (6-0) was solid in winning his sixth straight decision this season. Drag scattered eight hits and allowed just one run in six innings. Junior Andrew Cupido suffered the loss. He tossed five plus innings allowing seven runs and seven hits.
On Sunday Senior Danny Zeffiro tossed a complete game to pick up his second win of the season as the Cougars responded to Saturday's game with a 13-3 win Sunday evening against Chapman.
The Cougars scored in each of the first four innings, including a six-run fourth to build an early 10-1 lead. Kean (4-1) pounded 16 hits off Chapman pitchers, including five extra-base hits. The big blow in the fourth came when IF Nick Nolan hit a three-run homer to cap the inning. Chapman's (15-2) defense committed five errors and accounted for seven unearned runs. The Panthers' eight-game winning streak and 10-game home winning streak were both snapped.
Offensively for the Cougars junior Maikel De La Rosa was 4-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored while Derek Gianakas was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Chapman's Ryan Cavan finished the game 2-for-4 with a two-run homer. Matt Luzar (4-1) took the loss for Chapman.
Chapman and Kean will complete a three-game season series with a newly scheduled game on Thursday, March 15 at 1 p.m. at Hart Park.
Permalink | Mar 12, 2007
Cal Lutheran’s dream field becomes reality
Cal Lutheran dedicated Ullman Baseball Stadium on Saturday.
Cal Lutheran Athletics
CLU president John Sladek noted, "When support was being sought to erect this stadium, the Ullmans stepped up to bat and truly hit a home run." Master of ceremonies Andy Fox, mayor of Thousand Oaks, Calif., stated, "This stadium is certainly a worthy home for our Kingsmen players." He went on, "Look around the infield, the big league dugouts and seating for more than 300 fans; this is truly an awesome facility." The Ullman brothers thanked all the people who made this possible and who have thanked them for their generosity. But the thing they are most proud of is to have their name along side that of legendary major league manager George "Sparky" Anderson.
Sladek quoted Anderson as saying, "Those of us lucky enough to be part of the game have a tremendous responsibility -– we're charged with giving back to the game and all the food things the game has given us." When Anderson took the microphone he added, "When my time is done on earth, I will be happy to have left all this behind with my name on it."
Prior to the event Anderson joked around with and told stories to the CLU players in the dugout. "Coming out to the field on a regular basis and talking to these players has been enjoyable for me." Through a number of baseball analogies, Pastor Scott Maxwell-Doherty's invocation showed that baseball is all around us. "We get a 'ballpark figure,' he is out in 'left field' and your employees 'go to bat' for you."
Following the ceremony the old timers played a seven-inning game before the current Kingsmen took the field against the younger alumni.
Permalink | Mar 10, 2007
McMurry's Driggers gets 300th
Lee Driggers reached his 300th win at McMurry.
McMurry Athletics
Just one week after Johnston shut down the Mississippi College Choctaws with a 10-strikeout performance, he was almost as impressive in his second win of the season. He allowed just one run in the top of the fourth inning. Charlie Sanchez doubled and later scored on an error by Johnston.
Johnston lowered his ERA to 1.78 on the season. He has allowed only five earned runs in 25.1 innings of work. Friday, he scattered six hits, walked just one and struck out five giving him 21 K's on the season.
Driggers, in his 12th season with McMurry, achieved the 300-win milestone. He has also coached at the high school and professional levels. The team has a .615 winning percentage under his direction and has won three conference titles and made four trips to the NCAA regional tournament. In 23 years as a head coach, he's compiled 681 wins with stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates AA organization, Cooper High School, Brenham High School, Willow Ridge High School, Tarleton State University and Hardin-Simmons University along with McMurry.
Joseph Cervantez led off the bottom of the first on a hit-by-pitch and scored all the way from first when Hank Casey doubled to right centerfield. McMurry didn't score again until Voorhees hit a towering solo homerun to leadoff the bottom of the fourth inning.
Cody Kemmerling ran into serious trouble for Sul Ross in the bottom of the fifth. Jeff Jackson singled and scored later on a bases loaded walk by Derek David. Voorhees then sacrificed home Nathan Love, but the Lobos were able to escape further damage as Weston Franco flew out with the bases loaded.
McMurry could have broken the game open in the fifth, but the team chose to put it to Kimmerling in the sixth instead. Lance Jones and George Whitten each led off with singles. Then, Jackson doubled home Jones and Love drove in both Jackson and Whitten with a single to left center field and the Lobos went to the pen.
McMurry managed two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Cervantez scored on a wild pitch and David scored Love when he reached on a fielder's choice.
Love stole a base with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. That was McMurry's 14th stolen base of the season in its 14th game. That matched last season's total of 14 the team recorded in 40 games.
Permalink | Mar 09, 2007
Zach Arend, Bluffton University
Bluffton University
Bluffton student-athlete Zachary Arend died early this morning from injuries sustained in the March 2 bus accident in Atlanta.
"Another member of the Bluffton University family passed away this morning, adding to the tragic human toll of last week's bus accident," said Bluffton president James M. Harder. "We all grieve the loss of Zach Arend and ask for continuing prayers during this difficult time for his parents and family, as well as for all of Zach's teammates."
At this time, four individuals remain hospitalized in Atlanta, one in critical condition.
The Bluffton baseball team was on its way to Sarasota, Fla., to play in a doubleheader with Eastern Mennonite before heading to Ft. Myers to participate in the Gene Cusic Classic. Four student-athletes, the bus driver and the bus driver's wife were killed in the accident.
The deceased include Bluffton students Zachary Arend (Oakwood, Ohio); Tyler Williams (Lima, Ohio); David Betts (Bryan, Ohio); Scott Harmon (Lima, Ohio) and Cody Holp (Arcanum, Ohio); the bus driver, Jerome Niemeyer, and his wife, Jean Niemeyer, both of Columbus Grove, Ohio.
A fund has been established at Citizens National Bank for the Bluffton baseball student-athletes that were involved in the accident. Contributions can be made by check payable to Bluffton University and mailed to Citizens National Bank, 102 S. Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio 45817. Please note "Baseball Team" in the check's memo line. Credit card contributions can be made by calling 419-358-3324 during the university's business hours. Funds will be available to the baseball players involved in the accident and their families.
"Another member of the Bluffton University family passed away this morning, adding to the tragic human toll of last week's bus accident," said Bluffton president James M. Harder. "We all grieve the loss of Zach Arend and ask for continuing prayers during this difficult time for his parents and family, as well as for all of Zach's teammates."
At this time, four individuals remain hospitalized in Atlanta, one in critical condition.
The Bluffton baseball team was on its way to Sarasota, Fla., to play in a doubleheader with Eastern Mennonite before heading to Ft. Myers to participate in the Gene Cusic Classic. Four student-athletes, the bus driver and the bus driver's wife were killed in the accident.
The deceased include Bluffton students Zachary Arend (Oakwood, Ohio); Tyler Williams (Lima, Ohio); David Betts (Bryan, Ohio); Scott Harmon (Lima, Ohio) and Cody Holp (Arcanum, Ohio); the bus driver, Jerome Niemeyer, and his wife, Jean Niemeyer, both of Columbus Grove, Ohio.
A fund has been established at Citizens National Bank for the Bluffton baseball student-athletes that were involved in the accident. Contributions can be made by check payable to Bluffton University and mailed to Citizens National Bank, 102 S. Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio 45817. Please note "Baseball Team" in the check's memo line. Credit card contributions can be made by calling 419-358-3324 during the university's business hours. Funds will be available to the baseball players involved in the accident and their families.
Permalink | Mar 09, 2007
Shandri and Dictus honored
First baseman Jake Shandri, Wartburg has been named NCAA Division III National Hitter of the Week
Wartburg Athletics
Shandri, a senior from Urbandale, Iowa, hit .643 (9-for-14) with six doubles, seven RBI, five runs scored and a 1.071 slugging percentage in Wartburg's first four games of the season. He went 3-for-7 in a doubleheader sweep of St. Mary's (Minn.), including 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored in the opener, a 16-1 Wartburg win. In a doubleheader sweep of Wabash, he went 6-for-7 with five doubles, three RBI and three runs scored. In the opener (10-2), he was 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored. In the nightcap, he went 5-for-5 with four doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. Shandri was the Iowa Conference Player of the Week.
Dictus, a junior righthander from Combined Locks, Wis., pitched a four-hit shutout in Edgewood's second game of the season against No. 12 Wisconsin-Whitewater on March 2. In his first start of the season, he pitched the entire seven innings, struck out two batters, walked one and hit one. He was able to keep the Warhawks scoreless after escaping a bases-loaded situation in the fourth inning. Dictus was the Northern Athletics Conference Pitcher of the Week.
Honorable mention hitters: Daniel Vanaman (Rhodes) - .588 (10-17), 4 doubles, 9 runs, 9 RBI, .824 slugging pct.; Anthony Shallo (SUNY-Brockport) - .778 (7-9), 1 home run, 2 runs, 8 RBI, 1.111 slugging pct.; Mitch Kuczek (Transylvania) - .556 (5-9), 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 7 runs, 9 RBI, 1.444 slugging pct., Tyler Clay (Rockford) - .700 (7-10), 1 triple, 6 runs, 3 RBI, .900 slugging pct.; Justin Carter (Millsaps) - .533 (8-15), 2 doubles, 4 runs, .667 slugging pct.
Honorable mention pitchers: Andy Holt (Rhodes) - 2-0, 0.87 ERA, 10.1 ip, 1 cg, 8 hits, 12 strikeouts; Clint Johnston (McMurry) - 1-0, 1.00 ERA, 9 ip, 1 cg, 9 hits, 10 strikeouts; Ryan Snell (Whitworth) – 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8 ip, 3 hits, 3 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 | Mar 08, 2007
Jason Zeigler recently won his school-record 25th career game for Alvernia.
Alvernia has accepted an invitation to join the Middle Atlantic Conference and will enter the league for the 2008-09 academic year.
The school leaves the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, which has also lost Arcadia and Misericordia from its baseball lineup. Centenary, which joins the league, will bring the PAC back up to six baseball teams.
Misericordia was also invited to join the MAC, sources tell D3sports.com. If the PAC doesn't return to seven baseball teams within two years, it could lose its automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Miseri's administration was not available to make an announcement as of Thursday morning.
Schools began changing affiliation in the fall of 2005, when MAC Commonwealth members Juniata, Moravian and Susquehanna announced they would leave the MAC for football and play that sport elsewhere. The three later joined in forming a new conference, the Landmark Conference, which also took two from the Capital, one from the Skyline and two from the MAC Freedom.
The Capital added two schools, including Wesley from the PAC and Villa Julie from the NEAC. The PAC added two schools, taking Centenary from the Skyline and Notre Dame (Md.), a women's school, from the defunct AWCC. The MAC added Arcadia from the PAC and Manhattanville from the Skyline. The Skyline added three, while the NEAC has added two AWCC schools and a future provisional D-III member.
The school leaves the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, which has also lost Arcadia and Misericordia from its baseball lineup. Centenary, which joins the league, will bring the PAC back up to six baseball teams.
Misericordia was also invited to join the MAC, sources tell D3sports.com. If the PAC doesn't return to seven baseball teams within two years, it could lose its automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Miseri's administration was not available to make an announcement as of Thursday morning.
Schools began changing affiliation in the fall of 2005, when MAC Commonwealth members Juniata, Moravian and Susquehanna announced they would leave the MAC for football and play that sport elsewhere. The three later joined in forming a new conference, the Landmark Conference, which also took two from the Capital, one from the Skyline and two from the MAC Freedom.
The Capital added two schools, including Wesley from the PAC and Villa Julie from the NEAC. The PAC added two schools, taking Centenary from the Skyline and Notre Dame (Md.), a women's school, from the defunct AWCC. The MAC added Arcadia from the PAC and Manhattanville from the Skyline. The Skyline added three, while the NEAC has added two AWCC schools and a future provisional D-III member.
Permalink | Mar 07, 2007
HCAC to honor Bluffton
GREENWOOD, IN – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference office has released an immediate response for the conference institutions regarding the tragic bus accident in Atlanta involving the Bluffton Baseball team on Friday, March 2.
All baseball teams in the conference will wear a purple sweat band on their lower arm as a testimony of their respect and concern for Bluffton University and its family. The arm band will also honor those who lost their lives in the accident, and will stand as a constant sign of support for the emotional stress and recovery of the injured and their families. These arm bands may also be worn by other sports in the conference, as well as students who would like to pay tribute and honor the Bluffton baseball team and family.
The conference also announced that flags will be flown at half mast during all home baseball games the remainder of this baseball season. Before one of the first conference home games this spring, each school will be encouraged to offer a prayer and a moment of silence for Bluffton University, its baseball team, and their friends and family.
A fund has been established at Citizens National Bank for the Bluffton baseball student-athletes that were involved in the accident. Contributions can be made by check payable to Bluffton University and mailed to Citizens National Bank, 102 S. Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio 45817. Please note "Baseball Team" in the check's memo line. Credit card contributions can be made by calling 419-358-3324 during the university's business hours. Funds will be available to the baseball players involved in the accident and their families.
The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the students, faculty and staff at Bluffton University. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the baseball team, the parents, and everyone connected to the Bluffton baseball program.
All baseball teams in the conference will wear a purple sweat band on their lower arm as a testimony of their respect and concern for Bluffton University and its family. The arm band will also honor those who lost their lives in the accident, and will stand as a constant sign of support for the emotional stress and recovery of the injured and their families. These arm bands may also be worn by other sports in the conference, as well as students who would like to pay tribute and honor the Bluffton baseball team and family.
The conference also announced that flags will be flown at half mast during all home baseball games the remainder of this baseball season. Before one of the first conference home games this spring, each school will be encouraged to offer a prayer and a moment of silence for Bluffton University, its baseball team, and their friends and family.
A fund has been established at Citizens National Bank for the Bluffton baseball student-athletes that were involved in the accident. Contributions can be made by check payable to Bluffton University and mailed to Citizens National Bank, 102 S. Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio 45817. Please note "Baseball Team" in the check's memo line. Credit card contributions can be made by calling 419-358-3324 during the university's business hours. Funds will be available to the baseball players involved in the accident and their families.
The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the students, faculty and staff at Bluffton University. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the baseball team, the parents, and everyone connected to the Bluffton baseball program.
Permalink | Mar 07, 2007
Brandon Scheidler went 3-for-4 and scored the winning run for the No. 5 Pointers against St. Thomas. (More photos)
By Ryan Coleman, D3sports.com
UW-Stevens Point squeaked out a pair of one-run victories against two of the Midwest Region's top baseball teams to open the season on Monday at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
The Pointers, ranked fifth in the NCAA Division III by the American Baseball Coaches Association, beat 18th-ranked St. Thomas 4-3 in the opener and then held off St. Scholastica 7-6 in the second game (photo gallery). UW-Stevens Point has played both schools each of the past two years in the NCAA tournament, beating St. Thomas each time and losing twice to St. Scholastica.
UW-Stevens Point had solid pitching performances in both games as Mike Thrun allowed just two hits and one earned run over five innings in the opening game and Brandon Hemstead pitched six and one-third innings of two-hit relief in the nightcap. Matt Mehne pitched the ninth inning of each game for a pair of saves.
Against St. Thomas, Brandon Scheidler was 3-for-4, scored what proved to be the winning run in the seventh, and drove in another on a sacrifice fly to the warning track. Doug Coe went 2-for-3, including a two-out RBI single in the third. Justin Bushong had a two-out RBI single in the sixth, and Joel Hojnacki tripled and scored in the third.
Mark Bolan's two-out RBI triple in the top of the eighth pulled St. Thomas within 4-3. Dan Leslie followed at the plate but Ryan Byrnes made a sliding catch on his sinking liner to keep the tying run off the board. Travis Kempf added three innings of three-hit relief for the Pointers.
In the second game, UW-Stevens Point rallied from an early 5-0 deficit as St. Scholastica scored four unearned runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run triple by Steve Kraushaar. The Pointers scored all seven of their runs in the top of the third inning as Tim Schlosser drilled a three-run double, Doug Coe hit a run-scoring single and Stewart Larsen followed with a two-run double for a 6-5 lead. Larsen later scored on a dropped third strike following a two-out strikeout.
The Saints mustered little offense against Hemstead, who allowed singles in the third and fourth innings and then retired his last eight batters faced. Mehne allowed a leadoff single in the ninth, but induced three flyouts to end the game. Coe finished 2-for-4 as the Pointers had six of their eight hits in the third inning.
The Pointers, ranked fifth in the NCAA Division III by the American Baseball Coaches Association, beat 18th-ranked St. Thomas 4-3 in the opener and then held off St. Scholastica 7-6 in the second game (photo gallery). UW-Stevens Point has played both schools each of the past two years in the NCAA tournament, beating St. Thomas each time and losing twice to St. Scholastica.
UW-Stevens Point had solid pitching performances in both games as Mike Thrun allowed just two hits and one earned run over five innings in the opening game and Brandon Hemstead pitched six and one-third innings of two-hit relief in the nightcap. Matt Mehne pitched the ninth inning of each game for a pair of saves.
Against St. Thomas, Brandon Scheidler was 3-for-4, scored what proved to be the winning run in the seventh, and drove in another on a sacrifice fly to the warning track. Doug Coe went 2-for-3, including a two-out RBI single in the third. Justin Bushong had a two-out RBI single in the sixth, and Joel Hojnacki tripled and scored in the third.
Mark Bolan's two-out RBI triple in the top of the eighth pulled St. Thomas within 4-3. Dan Leslie followed at the plate but Ryan Byrnes made a sliding catch on his sinking liner to keep the tying run off the board. Travis Kempf added three innings of three-hit relief for the Pointers.
In the second game, UW-Stevens Point rallied from an early 5-0 deficit as St. Scholastica scored four unearned runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run triple by Steve Kraushaar. The Pointers scored all seven of their runs in the top of the third inning as Tim Schlosser drilled a three-run double, Doug Coe hit a run-scoring single and Stewart Larsen followed with a two-run double for a 6-5 lead. Larsen later scored on a dropped third strike following a two-out strikeout.
The Saints mustered little offense against Hemstead, who allowed singles in the third and fourth innings and then retired his last eight batters faced. Mehne allowed a leadoff single in the ninth, but induced three flyouts to end the game. Coe finished 2-for-4 as the Pointers had six of their eight hits in the third inning.
Permalink | Mar 06, 2007