BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

Nice!!  From chicagocubsonline.com:

Arizona Rookie League
Ladies and Gentleman, your first place Cubs! Sounds nice, doesn't it, even if it is only the AZL Cubs. Tim Saunders continues to be a one-man wrecking crew for the 12-4 Cubs, as he raised his average to .547 with two home runs and 11 RBI. He even showed off his versatility by lining up in centerfield for a few games.

[forheavendial4999]

How does Marietta feel about losing Deegan? Will he be hard to replace?

This is a question for the Etta guys, but my $0.02...I think the answer is yes and no.  Deegan was the Assoc. HC I believe.  He was undoubtedly heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the program.  Any time you lose a guy that involved with the daily stuff it stings.  This is especially true if he's been a main recruiter and has developed ties to HS coaches over the years.  So it might be a short-term pain for Brewer. 

At the same time, this is Marietta baseball.  As long as they field a team they're going to be good.  And certainly as long as Brewer is in charge they'll be very good.  Too much tradition, too much history, too good of a track record developing talent.  Not even Don Schaly being gone hurt the program.  There's no way losing an asst. is going to hurt the program in any long-term way. 

Losing Coach Deegan is significant, but not insurmountable.  Mike is a great person and knows the game.  He was an excellent teacher of the game.  I think that comes from working for Brian the past several years.  Yes Mike brings a lot to the table and it will be difficult to replace those attributes.  At the same time, many of the qualities Dennison is getting in a head coach were learned by playing for Coach Schaly and working for Coach Brewer. 

Coach Brewer will find a quality young man to step into that role (Dom Winters, asst coach at Muskingum, perhaps).  That person may not be at the same level of ability as Mike was, but he will get there quickly.

Deegan had a lot of excellent qualities before he worked for Brewer. Indeed, that's why Brewer hired him. He was a Way-Weigelt winner as an undergrad. You don't get that for free at MC. I remember when the position came open and I said something to Brewer like "wow lot of good candidates (which there were), must be a tough decision." He suggested that he had a good idea which one he tended toward.

Deegan's a tremendous person and baseball coach and I expect him to lead Denison to the top of the NCAC. I just wish he'd picked a school where he'd be in a different regional from Marietta!

Mike's been a part of 4 NCAA championship games in his playing and coaching career -- 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2012. He's been a huge part of the program's success and replacing him will not be easy, though while the people in uniform change the program has always gone on.

But it was time for Mike to get this opportunity, past time really. And he's going to a tremendous school in a great town with a terrific location. Recruiting in Columbus just got a lot tougher for everyone.

[forheavendial4999]

Nice!!  From chicagocubsonline.com:

Arizona Rookie League
Ladies and Gentleman, your first place Cubs! Sounds nice, doesn't it, even if it is only the AZL Cubs. Tim Saunders continues to be a one-man wrecking crew for the 12-4 Cubs, as he raised his average to .547 with two home runs and 11 RBI. He even showed off his versatility by lining up in centerfield for a few games.

At this point it's unfortunate that he can't be moved up like the A's did with Bruce Maxwell, but the Cubs have two of their top 20 prospects playing middle infield in Boise, another is playing 3B for Boise, their #3 prospect is a SS in Daytona, their #11 is a 2B in Daytona and their #9 is a SS in AA. That might be why they tried Saunders in CF...trying to find a way to get him a spot at a higher level and because their OF prospects are much weaker, particularly in the lower levels.

Saunders is the leading hitter in the entire Cubs organization right now by more than 100 points.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Nice!!  From chicagocubsonline.com:

Arizona Rookie League
Ladies and Gentleman, your first place Cubs! Sounds nice, doesn't it, even if it is only the AZL Cubs. Tim Saunders continues to be a one-man wrecking crew for the 12-4 Cubs, as he raised his average to .547 with two home runs and 11 RBI. He even showed off his versatility by lining up in centerfield for a few games.

At this point it's unfortunate that he can't be moved up like the A's did with Bruce Maxwell, but the Cubs have two of their top 20 prospects playing middle infield in Boise, another is playing 3B for Boise, their #3 prospect is a SS in Daytona, their #11 is a 2B in Daytona and their #9 is a SS in AA. That might be why they tried Saunders in CF...trying to find a way to get him a spot at a higher level and because their OF prospects are much weaker, particularly in the lower levels.

Saunders is the leading hitter in the entire Cubs organization right now by more than 100 points.

Glad he is hitting so well, I hope they find a place for him.

[EttaFan1]

According to milb.com, Tim was promoted to the advanced a affiliate in Daytona.

[southernball8]

I am an Piedmont alumni and I played against Saunders, I went and saw him play in Daytona last night and he is still just as smooth. Its great to see how well he is doing. Me and a group of piedmont players got to talk to him after the game and he said he is having a blast.

[EttaFan1]

Marietta College announces Adam Rosen (former assistant at Capital) will be Deegan's replacement as the top assistant of the Pioneer staff.

[voiceofseason]

Saunders is now with the Cubs A affiliate in Peoria, IL (Chiefs).  Watched him get a big hit in the first inning that led to four runs.  Unfortunately, the club is just down - they lost the lead late.  He also made a couple very good plays at shortstop.

[EttaFan1]

Last night was the MC Alumni Matchup in the Midwest league as Mark Williams ('11) got the start for Wisconsin and faced former teammate Tim Saunders ('12).  Willliams threw 6 innings and allowed one run.  He got a no decision.  Saunders hit a single off Williams and was later erased on a double play.

WOuld have been fun to see that one.

[motorman]

With school and fall baseball about to start, here is a final wrap up on Summer in the Prospect League.

The D-3 kids really shone on the mound for the Chillicothe Paints.

Chris Thomas of Heidelberg was 7-0 with a 2.35 ERA in 46 innings with 41Ks and 19 BBs, not including 5.1 shutout innings of 1 hit ball in the playoffs vs. WV Miners.
JT Miller of Wabash was 5-3 with an ERA of 4.41 in 51 innings with 55Ks and 16 BBs.
Brandon Sega of Ohio Wesleyan was 1-1 with an ERA of 5.02 in 43 innings with 34Ks and 16BBs.
Keenan White of Wooster was 2-0 with and ERA of 4.55 in 29.2 innings with 21Ks and 11BBs.
Jack Peck of DePauw was 2-1 with an ERA of 3.86 in 35 innings with 27Ks and 9BBs.

Aaron Hopper of Marietta did a good job in the field, hitting .330 with 12HRs and 53RBIs in 51 games.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

+1 motorman. It always nice to see these young men do well. I am reposting this on the NCAC board.

[OshDude]

Last night was the MC Alumni Matchup in the Midwest league as Mark Williams ('11) got the start for Wisconsin and faced former teammate Tim Saunders ('12).  Willliams threw 6 innings and allowed one run.  He got a no decision.  Saunders hit a single off Williams and was later erased on a double play.

WOuld have been fun to see that one.

Went to a Timber Rattlers game later in the week and Williams made appearances, coaching first base.

They played Cedar Rapids, which features outfielder Gary Mitchell from Neumann. Mitchell was the designated opponent who, if he struck out, giveaways would be launched into the crowd. No giveaways were launched.

[mideastfan2]

Marietta travels to play a doubleheader at Cortland State today....all for a good cause.  Last season the Red Dragons made the trip to Marietta, and this year the Etta Express is returning the favor.  The top 2 programs in D3 over the last 12 years; very classy on and off the field.

http://pioneers.marietta.edu/news/2012/10/6/BB_1006124956.aspx

The results obviously don't mean anything b/c the winner is the United Way, but for those that are curious....they split the doubleheader. 

[motorman]

Time to start the countdown clock to Florida, bought my plane tickets last weekend. Berg starts at the Snowbird Classic on Sunday March 3rd.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

We are driving down for our first Florida trip. The Bishops will be there on March 9th. Good luck next season, except when you play us that is.