BB: ODAC: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[A.G.]

Hornet7.....congrats on another outstanding day at the plate for Jeff...1st collegiate jack...grand slam baby...7 rbi's....need a agent?

Man.......you guys keep on pounding that ball and hopefully by the time we face each other ya'll will have metal bat fatigue!

Thanks.  His grandpa is in town and is now asking a hefty price tag to return for the ODAC tournament in April 

The way W&L pounds the ball, too...I figure both games with them this weekend will be 2-1 pitching duels.

[mm77]

It looks like H-SC is heading back to Farmville with a face as the Tigers dropped a 3-2 ball game to the Pride from Greensboro. Just as Hornet7 said in an earlier post, they will probably pitch by committee....8 pitchers held the Tigers to 6 hits. Transfer Matt Daniel ( E&H) and fr Andrew Lawson pitched well for the Tigers. Lawson has pitched well in limited duty. I'm not sure why he hasn't be used a little more than others?. Once again the lack of timley hitting hurt their chances of winning a game. They are playing hard and competing...I think their fortune will change sooner than later. The Tigers finished 1-2 on their Carolina swing.

[mm77]

Lawson only pitched two innings in the Greensboro game.  Michael Blanchard pitched the last inning.  HSC problem is not the pitching. HSC has scored 4 runs or less in 14 of their 21 games.  They have not hit in the clutch and have left a lot of runners on base.  Besides the lack of hitting they have lost several games directly related to poor base running. 

[h-sc bball]

Lawson only pitched two innings in the Greensboro game.  Michael Blanchard pitched the last inning.  HSC problem is not the pitching. HSC has scored 4 runs or less in 14 of their 21 games.  They have not hit in the clutch and have left a lot of runners on base.  Besides the lack of hitting they have lost several games directly related to poor base running. 

mm77....I don't make as many games as I used to but I do stay in contact with a couple of parent's who do not miss a game.....usually I talk to them and get a feel for what happen at the game and make a post on the issues discussed. Are your comments above based on game appearance or just box score evalution? You can elvaluate the hitting problems by just looking at the stat sheet and box scores but if you indeed have attend some games I would be more interested in your base running opinion.

[mm77]

I have missed three games this year.  There has been several occasions where a runner has been thrown out trying to steal third and then the next batter gets a hit that would have scored him from second. (I know coach Kinney has addressed this and it seems to be under control now).  I have seen a runner on second base advance to third on a hit and stop not even aware that the ball got by the oufielder.  He would have tied the score and HSC loses by one.  Fly ball to deep right center and runner not in position to tag up and advance to third. Next batter gets a hit to left field and the runner does not score. Would have been the winning run.  HSC loses in extra innings. There have been several other times that smart base running would have allow HSC to tie or win the game.

[anotherharvest]

Looks like NCWC played 8.5 innings today and lost the lead to VWC in the bottom of 9. Tied up 4-4 top of 11.  I suspect they will play that game out when they come to Rocky Mount.

Deanes looked really good yesterday.  Had him on the gun at 88-90 today also showed a nice slider.  I'll have to give him another look. 
[Deanes befriended Josh Rupe, local star and pitcher for the Texas Rangers in the off season and helped him iron out some kinks in his delivery. He's getting better and more dominant each game.quote]

[anotherharvest]

Looks like NCWC played 8.5 innings today and lost the lead to VWC in the bottom of 9. Tied up 4-4 top of 11.  I suspect they will play that game out when they come to Rocky Mount.

Sorry guys, I misquoted.....It is JOSH RUPE and he's a pitcher for the Texas Rangers.

Deanes looked really good yesterday.  Had him on the gun at 88-90 today also showed a nice slider.  I'll have to give him another look. 
[Deanes befriended Josh Hupe, local star and pitcher for the Minnesota Twins in the off season and helped him iron out some kinks in his delivery. He's getting better and more dominant each game.quote]

[anotherharvest]

Virginia Wesleyan sweeps Eastern Mennonite 7-2 and 6-1.  Fine pitching job from starters Freeman and Bulman.  Bulman was very impressive with 12 strikeouts as was Chris Deanes dominance in relief, striking out three of four final batters.  Both their phones should be ringing come June.

[h-sc bball]

I have missed three games this year.  There has been several occasions where a runner has been thrown out trying to steal third and then the next batter gets a hit that would have scored him from second. (I know coach Kinney has addressed this and it seems to be under control now).  I have seen a runner on second base advance to third on a hit and stop not even aware that the ball got by the oufielder.  He would have tied the score and HSC loses by one.  Fly ball to deep right center and runner not in position to tag up and advance to third. Next batter gets a hit to left field and the runner does not score. Would have been the winning run.  HSC loses in extra innings. There have been several other times that smart base running would have allow HSC to tie or win the game.

I know most teams have one or two guys who are on their own when it comes to stealing a base. I wouldn't think anybody with the Tigers this year has the automatic. I know for fact they have to be giving the ok to steel before they can...they cannot go on their own....so if anybody is getting throw out stealing the bases...it's the COACHES call....If you have seen a runner stop at third after the ball got by the outfielder...It could be the runner who didn't pick up the coach but I still feel that's the COACHES fault....what is practice for!....what are golden rules for! A runner at second base sould be in eye contact with the 3rd base coach...same as the tag play...It's the COACHES call. Sometimes poor base running can be contibuted to the player but I still feel it the COACHES fault...and yea...I know...these are college players....go ahead and quit coaching fundamentals and watch what happens to your record....I hope it improves also. There are some that feel baserunning has cost them at least 4 games.

[h-sc bball]

Right when you think things may turn around....ouch!...Shenandoah 12-Tigers 2. Coach K tried the Greensboro pitching committee method...that didn't work. I don't think base running had anything to do with game. Sr ss Todd Harrell had 2 hits, young arms Hodges & Lawson threw another shut out inning.

[h-sc bball]

Hadra was big.....Complete game 2 hitter with 8 K's...Guilford can really hit the ball and he shut them down.....this was big and then to come back from 2 down heading into the 8th and win with 2 in the 9th...5-4...thats big also....I'm not sure they make the tournament unless they win both games. Good to see sr 3rd baseman Daniel Prieto find his stroke and the kid Rodriguez hit a shot in the 6th and a triple that tied the game in the 9th and scored the winning run on Harrells single.

NCW on Monday....CNU on Thursday and E&H Saturday.

[A.G.]

LC rallies with 3 in the 9th to defeat R-MC 6-4 and sweep the Jackets.  The Hornets improve to 7-1 in the ODAC and 17-7 overall.  Shenandoah awaits the battle of the Hornets on Friday and on to EMU for another key ODAC series.

[h-sc bball]

NCW took a little exception to their 3-0 shut out loss at home two weeks ago by thumping the Tigers 11-3 today at Yank Bernier field. Matt Smith went 4-5 and Pecora had 3 hits and 4 rbi's for Wesleyan. Sr ss T Harrell and fr Harrelson had 2 hit each for the Tigers. Catcher David Toney hit his 5th homer for the year.

[NCWC]

NCW took a little exception to their 3-0 shut out loss at home two weeks ago by thumping the Tigers 11-3 today at Yank Bernier field. Matt Smith went 4-5 and Pecora had 3 hits and 4 rbi's for Wesleyan. Sr ss T Harrell and fr Harrelson had 2 hit each for the Tigers. Catcher David Toney hit his 5th homer for the year.

Do you know why H-SC pulled their first pitcher, was it pitch count?

[h-sc bball]

NCW took a little exception to their 3-0 shut out loss at home two weeks ago by thumping the Tigers 11-3 today at Yank Bernier field. Matt Smith went 4-5 and Pecora had 3 hits and 4 rbi's for Wesleyan. Sr ss T Harrell and fr Harrelson had 2 hit each for the Tigers. Catcher David Toney hit his 5th homer for the year.

Do you know why H-SC pulled their first pitcher, was it pitch count?

I did not attend the game...I have a couple of parents that I talk to after each game to get a feel for what happen. It was apparent to them the Bishops wanted it real bad...they really played with a lot of emotion. Hodges is a freshman who has had some good outings in short situations but hasn't pitched a whole lot. Before this game he had 2 starts, 3 relief appearance for a total of 7 innings...He went 5 today so I would say it may have been pitch count, but Wesleyan did hit him hard in the 3rd and 5th. He's a freshman, pitching againts one of the top D3 college teams and add the fact you guys were obviously on a mission...he may have had a good outing......I hear a lot of good things about the kid...maybe mm77 could share some thoughts on what occured.