BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

[OnuAlumni25]

Marietta defeated Montclair State 5-0 behind a solid pitching performance from Brian Gasser who went 6 innings.  Logan Lewis was solid in defeate pitching the final three innings and picking up the save.  (Still no Kyle Linquist who was in street clothes at the game on Sunday.)  Offense was spotty, never really getting anything going.  The one thing which stood out for the Pioneers on Sunday was their defense.  These kids can really flash some leather and will rarely make bad mistakes. 
Marietta travels to Delaware, Ohio on Tuesday for a key in-region matchup with OWU, has a home game on Wednesday against Frostburg State (who was a participant in the mideast regional last year) before hosting ONU on Saturday to open conference play.  Good slate of games for the Pioneers this week.

Am I allowed to hope that they don't flash so much leather on Saturday?  lol  My Polar Bears need some help!

[Dr. Acula]

BW outlasted Walsh today 15-14.  Jackets are 14-2 now.  They have Wooster Wednesday so that will be a good test prior to conference play.  Their offense has been clicking all season so I hope they see some of Woo's better arms just as a gauge, but w/ 4 games w/ Kenyon this weekend I doubt they'll see too much unless someone just needs a little work.

[Dr. Acula]

Marietta remains #2 in this week's poll.  BW is in ORV.  That's it for the OAC this week.  Hopefully that changes moving forward. 

[mideastfan2]

Marietta beat Ohio Wesleyan 2-0 today in Delaware, Ohio.  The Etta Express improves to 11-3 on the year.

Blaski is having an amazing year so far, as he lowered his ERA to an astounding 0.28 for the year with another 7 scoreless today.  He's given up just one earned run in 32 innings...crazy.

Great news for Marietta, and not so good for the rest of the OAC and Mideast region - lindquist is back from injury, throwing 2 innings today for the save.

[old scot]

We knew Etta's pitching would be awesome but, what about the sticks? They are not beating the oppostion into submission.
I know I'm splitting hairs but, Etta has been known for pounding the baseball and scoring alot of runs.

[mideastfan2]

We knew Etta's pitching would be awesome but, what about the sticks? They are not beating the oppostion into submission.
I know I'm splitting hairs but, Etta has been known for pounding the baseball and scoring alot of runs.

I guess once they start hitting a little, teams will really be in trouble.  With their pitching, they only need to score a few to be "in" every game. I'm guessing it'll come around, but this year's lineup is a small ball club that is built to put pressure on the opposing defense and pitching.  I'd be surprised to see more than 15 total team HR's by the end of the year.

[Dr. Acula]

I think the other thing that helps them too is they have a lot of kids that can steal a base don't they?  That adds even more pressure.

[ettanut4life]

The bats will get going here soon... This is what happened last year too. As soon as the bats came around, they were a very tough lineup to face. Marietta got their fifth shutout today as well. And yes, they have a ton of team speed. Gunna be a very good team when all 3 aspects are clicking together.

[EttaFan1]

The Pioneer offense has been my concen as well.  They are getting guys on base, but have been struggling mightlily to come up with a hit with a runner in scoring position. 

The back to back shutout losses in Florida (even though Saunders and Becker were sitting) were eye opening. 

The pitching is there.  They defense is there.  Offense has got to be there.  This is not a meant as a slight to OWU in any way, but the Pioneers did not see their top guy, and barely managed to scratch out two runs.  It sounded like OWU had three or four stellar defensive plays which robbed guys of hits and RBI's.  Your pitcher's can be having a great outing and one bad mistake on defense can put a lot of pressure on a struggling offense. 

We will likely see Mahaffey throw tonight's game against Frostburg State and perhaps Mulvey will get some time as well.  Those two will likely get the nod next tuesday against Mount Union with Gasser and Blaski throwing on Saturday.

The proble

[Dr. Acula]

I wouldn't hate missing Gasser/Blaski so I hope you're right, EttaFan!

Right now I'm just sitting in my office with the live stats going for both MUC/Hiram and BW/Woo.  Not a bad afternoon.  The former is scoreless after 2, the latter is just starting now.

[EttaFan1]

Mahaffey and Mulvey's numbers are pretty solid so far this year...

Mahaffey   2-0, 0.87 ERA 20.2 IP, WHIP of .9677 (WHIP includes hit batters).  Opp BA of .149, .792 K/IP
Mulvey      1-0, 0.53 ERA 17.0 IP, WHIP of .8823, Opp BA of .172 .823 K/IP

Gasser's numbrs are not this strong...3-1, 1.80 ERA, 25.0 IP, WHIP of 1.12 Opp BA of .188  1.08 K/IP

Be Careful of what you wish for....

[Dr. Acula]

I didn't say they weren't good....just said I wouldn't hate missing Gasser/Blaski!  Those guys are having great years.  Those guys are also not Gasser and Blaski.  Lesser of two evils I guess!  But Mount is barely hitting Hiram currently so I'm guessing it's a moot point. 

[EttaFan1]

Well good dr. Mahaffey was sparkling today in an 18-0 win over frostburg state. 6 ip 9k's no walks and three hits. Saunders was 4-4 with two hrs and 5 rbi. One hr was wind assisted the other was not.

Marietta 18, frostburg state 0.

[Dr. Acula]

Mount hangs 5 runs each in a couple innings to beat Hiram 11-6 today on the road.  Raiders head into OAC play 13-5.

BW held off Wooster 15-12.  Pitcher's nightmare today in Wayne County as both teams were hitting it all over the yard.  Jackets improve to 15-2.

Ott lost to OU 11-5.  They host MUC Sat.

Wilm got thumped by Witt 28-5.  Not sure if thumped is even strong enough for that score? 

[EttaFan1]

League Action for Saturday:

ONU (6-10) @ MAR (12-3)
UMU (13-5) @ OTT (13-7)
BW (15-2) @ MUSK (6-8)
WILM (3-10) @ BERG (11-8)
CAP (10-7) @ JCU (7-8)  {April 1}

UMU at OTT, on paper, to me seems like the best matchup of the weekend.

Good luck to all teams as league play begins.