Surprising....although GF came back from 5 down to take the 3rd in the series.  Early lead to Linfield.

I would agree it's a pretty rare thing for freshmen to get significant playing time.  Everyone's making good points, at the beginning of the season many coaches are looking to see which players will do well and play everyone a fairly large amount of time before trimming down who will really play.

Still, at George Fox I've seen 2 freshmen in the past 2 years that have started so it's a definite possibility.

I'm too lazy to do a full write-up so i'll just put the GFU one up.

/13 – PREVIEW: Eight Returning Regulars, Deep Pitching Fuel Bruins' Optimism for 2006 Baseball

NEWBERG, Ore. – Any team that makes it to the World Series hopes to get back some day – and the George Fox University Bruins are no exception.

The Bruins captured the NCAA Division III national championship in 2004, but were denied an at-large bid to the 2005 playoffs and a chance to defend that title, despite another record-setting year. The Bruins went 32-12, tying a record for most wins in the regular season, and won 15 in a row in mid-season, another record. With a fielding average of .979, the Bruins led the nation for the second time in three years and established a new Division III standard. A 20-4 record in Northwest Conference play netted the Bruins a share of their fourth straight conference crown, but the league's automatic bid to the playoffs went to arch-rival Linfield College, which won the season series 2-1.

Now, with eight regulars in the lineup returning and possibly the deepest pitching staff the program has ever had, NWC Co-Coach of the Year Pat Bailey believes the pieces are in place for yet another run at the NWC championship and more post-season play.

"On paper, we're solid and deep," says Bailey, whose 10-year record stands at 294-132 and whose .690 winning percentage ranks 18th among active D-III coaches. "Two things we need: we must avoid injuries to our key players, and we must have everyone buy into the 'team' concept and not worry about their individual statistics or playing time."

Pitching

When assessing the Bruins' pitching, Bailey points out that "we don't have anyone the caliber of Scott Hyde (the 2004 ace who was National Co-Pitcher of the Year and MVP of the World Series) – hardly anyone does – but we have the next-best thing in Derrick Jones (Sr., Forest Grove, Ore. / Forest Grove HS)."

Targeted as the Bruins' closer at the start of the season, Jones moved into the starting rotation at No. 1 after the conference-opening Linfield series and went 9-1 with 2.50 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 75.2 innings, earning NWC Co-Pitcher of the Year honors. Toss in a .377 batting average with 10 home runs and 63 RBI (4th in the nation) as the Bruins' designated hitter, and it is easy to see how he was voted First Team All-West Region and First Team All-America as a utility player.

Jones has had a history of arm problems, so Bailey will be judicious with his time on the mound until conference play starts. "We've got to have Derrick," admits Bailey, "because we have a lot of people who are capable of handing the 2 and 3 spots in the rotation."

Southpaw Brandon Rupp (Sr., Beaverton, Ore. / Southridge HS) is set to return to the No. 2 role after earning Second Team All-NWC honors with a 7-5 record, 3.36 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in a staff-leading 88.1 innings. "Brandon is a tough, smart competitor who mixes his pitches well and is a real team leader," says Bailey.

Jordan Purdy (Sr., Keizer, Ore. / McNary HS) is the incumbent at No. 3 after receiving All-NWC honorable mention with a 6-0 record, 4.14 ERA, and 47 strikeouts in 71.2 innings, but is being challenged by Chris Albrecht (Jr., Woodinville, Wash. / Woodinville HS), a transfer from Division I Gonzaga University where he was a middle reliever, and Preston Langeliers (So., Pleasant Hill, Ore. / Pleasant Hill HS), a transfer from Columbia Basin College.

"Jordan has the stuff; he just needs consistency," notes Bailey. "Chris is a very competitive lefty who has to locate to be effective and throws a splitter for strikeouts; he reminds me of Cory Dixon (No. 2 starter behind Hyde two years ago) who was at his best in the big games. Preston is the second-hardest thrower on the team with an 85-90 mph fastball, but he must get command of his slider and change."

Crafty southpaw Nick Hedgecock (So., Portland, Ore. / Wilson HS) returns as the closer after an outstanding freshman year in which he was 2-3 with a 3.17 ERA and a record-tying 6 saves. "Nick should be even better this year," says Bailey, "because of our improved middle relief; we can throw him more often but with fewer innings."

The middle relief corps has been completely retooled and is deep. Daniel Grierson (So., Portland, Ore. / Parkrose HS), who was 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA in 30.1 innings as a freshman, is the one middle reliever with some college experience. Along with whoever is not in the third spot in the rotation, Bailey can also choose from among newcomers Jeff Wheeler (Jr., Milwaukie, Ore. / Rex Putnam HS), who transferred from Mt. Hood Community College, Nick Bratney (Fr., Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS), lefty Matt Wyckoff (Fr., Olympia, Wash. / Olympia HS), and Kyle Johnson (Fr., Spring Valley, Calif. / Steel Canyon HS).

"Daniel will be very valuable in our bullpen because he knows what it takes to win at this level," says Bailey. "Wheeler, Bratney, and Wyckoff are all big athletes with good fastballs; Jeff and Matt get it up there at 84-88, while Nick is a groundball guy with a good sinker. Kyle is a strike-throwing machine with three pitches."

Also available if needed are Rase Rowley (Jr., Aloha, Ore. / Aloha HS), who was 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA in limited action, and newcomers Jon Pope (Fr., Sandy, Utah / Jordan HS) and Nick Metz (Fr., Edgewood, Wash. / Puyallup HS).

Catching

The George Fox catching is in capable and experienced hands with switch-hitting Ryan Fobert (So., Dallas, Ore. / Dallas HS) and Kevin Kopple (Sr., Vallejo, Calif. / St. Patrick-St. Vincent HS). Fobert hit .276 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI as a freshman, while Kopple contributed a .250 average with 11 RBI.

"Ryan has progressed offensively and is throwing better to second; his timing and accuracy are much improved," observes Bailey. "Kevin will also see a good bit of playing time as our veteran catcher."

Providing depth behind the dish will be rookie Peter Shanks (Fr., Friday Harbor, Wash. / Friday Harbor HS).

Infield

The Bruins lost only one starter from last year's lineup, but that was a big one – All-American shortstop David Peterson, who signed with the Texas Rangers. Plugging that hole is Bailey's biggest challenge this season, and he has four candidates, all with good potential, fighting for the spot.

The only one with any college experience is Jake Atwell-Scrivener (So., Bellevue, Wash. / Newport HS), who hit .167 in limited action as a freshman. Bo Thunell (Fr., Canyon City, Ore. / Grant Union HS), the state 2A Player of the Year, appears to be the front-runner in the early going, but he will be pushed by Josh Burch (Fr., Redding, Calif. / Shasta HS) and Patrick Bailey (Fr., Highland, Utah / Lone Peak HS), who is not related to the coach.

Second baseman C.R. Braniff (Sr., Hillsboro, Ore. / Century HS) is this year's infield anchor after earning First Team All-NWC and Second Team All-West Region honors. He hit .363 with 31 RBI, 14 doubles, and 13 stolen bases, and is a slick fielder who made only 3 errors all season. "C.R is our infield glue," says Bailey. "He's batted second for us in the past, but may move further down in the order because he is so clutch at driving in runs."

Third base belongs to Tye Tinner (Sr., Portland, Ore. / Grant HS), who batted .315 with 2 home runs and 18 RBI but missed several games in mid-season due to an illness which sapped his strength for quite a while. Marc Mason (Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lakeridge HS) did a yeoman's job filling in, batting .370 with a home run and 15 RBI. "Both Tye and Marc will play a lot," admits Bailey. "Marc has a little more pop in his bat, but Tye is the better defensive player, so it may just depend on match-ups and who's hot."

Gehrig Richins (Sr., Lake Oswego, Ore. / Lakeridge HS), who batted .340 with 3 home runs and 35 RBI, returns at first, with Bryan Donohue (Jr., Gersham, Ore. / Sam Barlow HS), a transfer from Mt. Hood Community College, pushing for playing time as well. "Gehrig had some big hits for us last year, and we look for even more of the same this year," says Bailey. "Bryan has great eye at the plate and would be great in the No. 2 hole."

Wyckoff, when he isn't pitching, can also play first, and Bailey likes him for the future. "Matt will be a big-time hitter in this league before he's through," the coach predicts. Chris Fine (So., Burlington, Wash. / Burlingotn-Edison HS) is also available for duty at first if needed.

Back-up infielders include Ryan Van Oostrum (So., Yakima, Wash. / East Valley HS), who appeared in six games last year, Greg Stocklein (So., Sacramento, calif. / Oakmont HS), a transfer from Lewis & Clark College, and Nate Brown (Fr., Kingston, Wash. / North Kitsap HS).

Outfield

"We are easily five deep in the outfield," says Bailey. The Bruins return Daniel Downs (Jr., Kirkland, Wash. / Bellevue Christian HS) in left, Drew Johnson (Jr., New Plymouth, Idaho / New Plymouth HS) in center, and Dan Wentzell (Jr., Tualatin, Ore. / Tualatin HS) in right. Downs hit .352 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI to earn Second Team All-NWC and Third Team All-Region honors, Johnson hit .365 with 19 RBI and 27 stolen bases from his leadoff spot to garner First Team All-NWC and Second Team All-Region awards, and Wentzell finished with a flourish, slugging 5 home runs in the final week to end with a .339 average, 8 home runs and 41 RBI.

"If those three become even more consistent, the offensive production of our outfielders will really be something," says Bailey. "They all have good speed, Johnson especially, and pretty much catch everything hit their way." None, in fact, had any errors during the season.

Lefty-swinging Nic Chapin (Jr., Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City HS) will be in the lineup somewhere. "Nic is a line-drive hitter whose best position is left field, and he will be a welcome addition to our roster," says Bailey of the transfer from Oregon State University.

Evan Hagen (Jr., Olympia, Wash. / Tumwater HS), a fine defensive outfielder, returns and will see plenty of playing time if he can pull up his batting average after struggling to an .042 mark last season. Andrew Martin (Sr., Toledo, Wash. / Toledo HS), who hit .125 primarily as a pinch-hitter and defensive replacement, is also available. Providing outfield depth are newcomers Jeremiah Frey (So., Medford, Ore. / Rogue River HS), a transfer from Shasta Community College; Jason Brown (Fr., Battle Ground, Wash. / Prairie HS); Nate Szymanowski (Fr., Spokane, Wash. / Freeman HS); and Kyle Kuenzi (Fr., Silverton, Ore. / Silverton HS).

Summary

With a record of 183-81 over the last six years, George Fox ranks 21st in wins among all Division III schools in the 2000s, has won or shared five conference crowns, and made four post-season appearances. The Bruins are favored to win the Northwest Conference this year by the league's coaches, and were picked 26th nationally in the pre-season by Collegiate Baseball magazine. That's a strong legacy, and Bailey is excited about the challenge of measuring up.

"This is the best depth, with the best arms overall, that we've had at George Fox," says Bailey. "We have a lot of pieces, and the sooner we find out who fits best in which spots, the sooner we will jell as a team. We go 10 or 12 deep in pitching. Defensively, we may not be quite as strong after losing the experience and glove of Peterson, but we'll certainly get the job done. Offensively, we had a good year (the team hit .330, stole a record 89 bases, and averaged 8.2 runs a game), but I think we're capable of putting even more runs on the board this year."

Yeah I'm curious what karma is as well.

To be honest...as odd as it sounds, i'd say that GFU is still reeling from the shellacking they received at UPS just after Christmas break.

They all of a sudden realized they could lose (and by a lot) and it shattered their confidence.I have yet to see the same team since then.

Hey guys, I have a few contacts with the GFU team, if you have any questions I can probably help out a bit with what to expect.  I can do a little write-up I suppose but any questions you have would probably be easier as I've never been much of a writer.

Let me know any questions and I'll see what I can answer for ya.

Ahh, i'd forgotten about the Cali trip, my apologies. 

I was the one that actually said they were unprepared.

To be honest I believe there was another major factor.  If I remember correctly it was the first game for GFU after the break.  With the time off I believe that the women were off of their game, just as many of us would be after a break.

If you notice the game after UPS, GFU had trouble scoring for the first half of that game as well before the offense finally got back into a rythym.  UPS came ready to play, GF was still half asleep from the break.

I doubt they'll beat GFU at home...they took GFU by surprise and unprepared on the road.  You can bet Scott won't let that happen again especially at Fox.

George Fox drops 10 spots by losing by 1 in overtime to a top 25 team?  Seems harsh.

On the contrary, I believe it is very possible to slow down UPS's gameplan, all it takes is a team that is dedicated to keeping it slow from start to finish.  An example of this was last season when George Fox beat UPS in Newberg: 66-64 I believe it was.

They did it by keeping it slow and not allowing UPS to ever truly get in a rhythym.  Obviously not the norm, but a possibility for a dedicated team to do.

I know I'm looking forward to it, I'll certainly be in the stands.

I see that Fox has about 3 players down with injuries, will it cause a difference?

the polls out..

Pretty sure this is the coaches associations second poll (not counting the preseason poll) but I suppose I could be wrong.

Yeah I'd say one of the voters is from the west coast, possibly could've even had their team play Fox and were impressed.  Odd to see a 6th ranked team with a first place vote.