BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

[motorman]

Anybody from Marietta what happened to Herstine? He started the first game in FL and didn't make another appearance in the next 9 games. Would be a big blow to an already thin staff if he's hurt.

[Dr. Acula]

BW finished up their FL trip 8-0.  Berg is also 7-0 down south with a few more games to go I believe.

Also, looks like Mount rescheduled with SJF for next Sunday.  DH in Alliance.  Could be interesting too coming on the heels of the JCU DH the day before.  Of course, this is also March in Ohio so let's just be happy if any of the games can be played!

[motorman]

Berg dropped their first game today to Johns Hopkins 11-5. They have 2 more to go before coming back north. The D has been much improved this year but they gave up 4 unearned runs today.

[mideastfan2]

Anybody from Marietta what happened to Herstine? He started the first game in FL and didn't make another appearance in the next 9 games. Would be a big blow to an already thin staff if he's hurt.

I don't know for sure, but the stats aren't available for the Ohio Wesleyan game that Marietta won on March 13th. There is a good chance he would've been in line to start that game since it was 5 days after his first start.

Like I said, I don't know, I'm just guessing.

[EttaFan1]

Herstine pitched against OWU.  Did OK. 

My early season take on the Pioneers.

They are 6-4.  They could have easily been 8-2 or maybe even 9-1.  The only team that really handled them from start to finish was Moravian in the opener.  Cortland jumped out early and got everything they wanted from the Pioneers.  Wabash was handed a win in walk off fashion, and the Bullpen and defense were letdowns against a solid Webster team. 

1.  This pioneer team seems to be a much better hitting team than last year's version (which was one of the worst in the 20+ year I've been watching them.)  They are getting solid contributions from 4 freshman at the plate. 

2.  If Herstine can throw like he did a year ago, the 1-4 starters in the pitching staff will be very good.  Unfortunately Herstine's two starts were not what I would call dominant, and certainly well below expectations.  The #2 guy is Tommy Crowl, a lefty.  He throws a lot of strikes, only one walk in his first two appearances.  The #3 guy is a seemingly improved Tyler Nieberding.  His first two outings were much better than what we had seen a year ago from the big right hander.  #4 appears to be freshman Austin Eaton, who threw very well in his first two outings.  He is a 6'6" lefty, who was throwing strikes. 

3.  The bullpen remains an issue.  Although Mitch McNabb was able to provide several quality innings in relief to give Marietta a chance to climb back into the game against Cortland this past Saturday.  There are a couple of freshman who made some positive contributions in relief, but in two of the losses, the bullpen was a significant factor in the decision. 

4.  To start the season, defense has been very inconsistent.  Uncharacteristically of Marietta teams, the defense has not been as sharp as one would expect.  The defense was also a significant factor in the loss to Wabash and Webster over the spring trip. 

6-4 is not the start Marietta fans would like and the record is what it is.  I still think, with my navy blue pinstriped glasses, this team will be in the hunt for a league title come May.

It is nice to see several OAC teams having success early this season. 

There are a couple of good tilts on tap this Saturday, as Otterbein visits Marietta, BW visits Berg, and  JCU visits Mount.  ONU vs Wilmington and Cap and Musky make up the rest of the slate.

[Dr. Acula]

I'll be very honest, the program that has me concerned right now as a Mount fan is ONU.  I expect Etta to be good every year and contend.  Berg as well to a lesser extent.  I don't want to add any more programs to that pile, but Stechschulte is assembling quite a pitching staff and I don't think any of those kids are even seniors.  I would imagine it's not a bad angle to play with pitching recruits to pull the old "I know a little something about pitching, you know, because I pitched in the Majors."  If he continues to recruit and develop pitching they're going to be good every year.  And with what Harrison has done at BW this is concerning to me as a fan of a team trying to push into that top 4. 

[Dr. Acula]

The OAC now has 3 teams ranked in the top 20.  Etta dropped from 16 to 18.  On the flip side two of the biggest moves upward were Berg from ORV to 20 and BW from 17 all the way to 9.  Ott sits at what amounts to 30 and ONU is also receiving votes.  Good start to the season for the OAC.

[motorman]

Berg on way home from FL at 10-1 after concluding suspended game today and then scoring 3 in top of 9 to win the 2nd game 12-10.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Herstine pitched against OWU.  Did OK. 

My early season take on the Pioneers.

They are 6-4.  They could have easily been 8-2 or maybe even 9-1.  The only team that really handled them from start to finish was Moravian in the opener.  Cortland jumped out early and got everything they wanted from the Pioneers.  Wabash was handed a win in walk off fashion, and the Bullpen and defense were letdowns against a solid Webster team. 

1.  This pioneer team seems to be a much better hitting team than last year's version (which was one of the worst in the 20+ year I've been watching them.)  They are getting solid contributions from 4 freshman at the plate. 

2.  If Herstine can throw like he did a year ago, the 1-4 starters in the pitching staff will be very good.  Unfortunately Herstine's two starts were not what I would call dominant, and certainly well below expectations.  The #2 guy is Tommy Crowl, a lefty.  He throws a lot of strikes, only one walk in his first two appearances.  The #3 guy is a seemingly improved Tyler Nieberding.  His first two outings were much better than what we had seen a year ago from the big right hander.  #4 appears to be freshman Austin Eaton, who threw very well in his first two outings.  He is a 6'6" lefty, who was throwing strikes. 

3.  The bullpen remains an issue.  Although Mitch McNabb was able to provide several quality innings in relief to give Marietta a chance to climb back into the game against Cortland this past Saturday.  There are a couple of freshman who made some positive contributions in relief, but in two of the losses, the bullpen was a significant factor in the decision. 

4.  To start the season, defense has been very inconsistent.  Uncharacteristically of Marietta teams, the defense has not been as sharp as one would expect.  The defense was also a significant factor in the loss to Wabash and Webster over the spring trip. 

6-4 is not the start Marietta fans would like and the record is what it is.  I still think, with my navy blue pinstriped glasses, this team will be in the hunt for a league title come May.

It is nice to see several OAC teams having success early this season. 

There are a couple of good tilts on tap this Saturday, as Otterbein visits Marietta, BW visits Berg, and  JCU visits Mount.  ONU vs Wilmington and Cap and Musky make up the rest of the slate.

My son was the opposing pitcher in that game. I wish I could have been there.

[mideastfan2]

Marietta swept La Roche today. Herstine closed game one, and Crowl closed game 2.

Two quality in region wins, and the Pitching is in great shape for the OAC games this weekend.

[Dr. Acula]

Mount squeezed in their home opener today with a single 9 against Pitt-Greensburg.  Good to knock the dust off those bats before JCU shows up tomorrow for a big OAC opener.  Raiders won 6-3 and improve to 8-3 going into OAC play.  The Streaks are 9-3.  I'll be interested to see if Sam Clarke starts tomorrow on the hill.  I've been keeping my fingers crossed that maybe they were just being extra cautious and resting him until OAC play or something.

[Dr. Acula]

BW at Berg is the headliner today.  Those two may very well end up battling to host the OAC tourney so anything other than a split would give somebody a big leg up right out of the gate.

In the other two good tilts I'd have to think Ott and Mount would walk away happy with a split.  A sweep by either one of them would be very surprising and being swept is certainly not out of the question.

[Dr. Acula]

Maddern and Toma are dueling in game 1 in Alliance.  JCU leads 1-0 in the bottom of the 5th.  Each team with 4 hits.

[motorman]

Berg wins the 1st vs BW 2-0. Winning pitcher Adam Manner with 7 shutout innings, save by Derek Hendrixson.

[Dr. Acula]

JCU finally got to Toma as they scored 3 in the 6th and Mount continued to be baffled by Maddern all day.  JCU wins 7-1.

Musky beat Cap 11-7 and as expected ONU coasted by Wilm 14-0.