BB: E8: Empire 8

[John McGraw]

Pretty good start to the annual California trip for Ithaca.

The Bombers swept a two-game set at Chapman with wins of 3-2 and 5-0. Panthers ranked #21 at the time though overall this season Chapman has struggled. Still, it's two good wins for the Bombers who have struggled at times in recent years against some pretty tough competition in California. Wednesday brought an 8-4 loss to Whittier though IC still has five more games left on the trip.

[sjfcards]

Fisher won again today against Medaille 14-1. Medaille is not a giant of upstate baseball but still another win for Fisher. They were also able to save their two big guns for the weekend.

[sjfcards]

Where is everyone?

Fisher won both ends of a double-header today against Utica. Fisher won the first game 7-0. In game two Fisher scored a run in the 9th, 10th, and 11th to win 6-5. It would not be a good thing for Fisher to lose to a team like Utica, but they Were able to avoid it.

I am wondering what Fisher will do this week with Cortland and Ithaca on the schedule. Do they Pitch D'Amato against Cortland (which has the potential to be a big time quality win), or do they save him for the conference game against Ithaca?

[airball55]

Good question.  That was a close call today at home against a Utica team who is now 1-16 I believe.  It is still very difficult to win four games in a weekend against the same team.  Remember, last year the Cards did drop one to Utica.  Let's see what happens on day two with these teams.

[sjfcards]

Good question.  That was a close call today at home against a Utica team who is now 1-16 I believe.  It is still very difficult to win four games in a weekend against the same team.  Remember, last year the Cards did drop one to Utica.  Let's see what happens on day two with these teams.

Just one game tomorrow, but yes, double headers are tough to sweep at any level, and when you throw a third (or fourth) game into the mix, it is even tougher. That is why games against Utica and Stevens are so important. I think it is a good bet that if Fisher and Ithaca play 6 times we are probably looking at a 3-3 split, or something close to that.

You don't want to drop a game you "should" win, when you don't know if you can or will get more than a game against the top tier of the league.

[WrongArm]

The Utica games at St. John Fisher yesterday were nearly a replay of last year when, in the first game last year, Fisher's starter (#1 or #2 guy) had a career day and UC never threatened. In the second game last year, if my memory can be trusted, against a #3/4/5 pitcher, UC put up some runs and held on to win.

Against a team like UC, with a thin and inconsistent pitching staff, I'd want to play them 6 times in a weekend... and make'em 9 innings too. By the 4th game they'd have put the a trainer on the mound if they weren't too cheap to send one with the team.

Does anyone know what the weekend format for the E8 games is supposed to be? I'd assumed that with three games to play there would be a 7 inning double header and a single 9 inning game. Yesterday at Fisher the double header was 7 and then 9 (tough for UC as Fisher didn't tie the second game until the bottom of the ninth).

[airball55]

Fisher's 3,4,5 pitchers aren't that bad!!  But, you have a good point, after facing aces, even though the next couple of pitchers aren't as bad they can seem a bit easier to beat then the ace.  Also, don't sleep on Stevens, they aren't that bad!

[airball55]

Fisher and Utica tied at 3 after nine.  Utica pitcher throws a one hitter!!  Pioneers commit five errors or else probably sneak this one out.  Ithaca blow out Stevens in first game today.  The two team race will probably most certainly happen, each team plays each other 6 times this year!!  Ithaca may have been a bit more convincing earlier in the season, but, Fisher has plenty of ammo and is still the team to beat.  Those will be fun games to watch this season.

[WrongArm]

As defending E8 champs and on the strength of their top two pitchers, Fisher may be the team to beat. I know this was just a single, cold, wet weekend series in a much longer season... but if the best Fisher can do without their top two pitchers is play a 1 and friggin' 16 team even in two consecutive 9 inning games, maybe the ammo box is not so full.

I agree with sjfcards, though. With only 4 teams in the league, the six games with Stevens and with Utica may tip the scales at the end of the year. I saw that Stevens split with Ithaca yesterday. Ithaca's Healey gave up two home runs in relief in the matchbox-size, POS field in Hoboken. Isn't there a real baseball field near Stevens?

[sjfcards]

Big week for Fisher starts today with Cortland at home, with a trip to Ithaca this weekend to follow. Fisher can do a lot for their chances of getting a pool B (assuming they win the league which is a big assumption) if they can win a few this week. I have been going back and forth but I am thinking I would rather have them pitch one of the big 2 today against Cortland if they are ready. Cortland is always a big win if you can get it, and you never know what the weather or other team will have in store for you over the weekend. Lets throw our best out there and see what happens after that. I know the IC games are huge, but you still have 3 more with them after this weekend.

Hopefully Ithaca throws one of their top pitchers today against Oneonta.

[sjfcards]

Big week for Fisher starts today with Cortland at home, with a trip to Ithaca this weekend to follow. Fisher can do a lot for their chances of getting a pool B (assuming they win the league which is a big assumption) if they can win a few this week. I have been going back and forth but I am thinking I would rather have them pitch one of the big 2 today against Cortland if they are ready. Cortland is always a big win if you can get it, and you never know what the weather or other team will have in store for you over the weekend. Lets throw our best out there and see what happens after that. I know the IC games are huge, but you still have 3 more with them after this weekend.

Hopefully Ithaca throws one of their top pitchers today against Oneonta.

Fisher gets a big win against Cortland today 4-3 in 9 innings. Damato pitched well for Fisher. On to Ithaca.

[airball55]

Something tells me we may see this matchup down the road for the chance to go to the series!!

[sjfcards]

Something tells me we may see this matchup down the road for the chance to go to the series!!

Well, Ithaca also seems to be back toward the top of the region after last years down cycle. I think they will have something to say about the regional as well. Big weekend in the E8, with Fisher and IC getting together.

[jdex]

Ithaca crushes Fisher 16-2

[sjfcards]

Ithaca crushes Fisher 16-2

Yeah, that was a difficult one to watch today. Fisher never got it going, and IC looked good. Ouch!!

Hopefully tomorrow brings better Pitching for Fisher.