SPRING PRACTICE (January - February 2012)
Unofficial Recaps by Roger Tower
January 27, 2012 - Blue 2, Gray 0: Houston doesn't get days as beautiful as this very often. What a wonderful way to start off the spring preseason scrimmages.
Blue plated two runs in the fifth on Fuda's single through the left-side. This would be the only scores of the day as Blue won 2-0.
Matthew Reckling started for Blue. He shut-out the Gray and allowed only a walk in the third. He faced ten batters while striking out two.
Austin Kubitza started for the Gray. He reached his limit of 50 pitches in his third inning of work with two out and two on. He struck out three, walked three, and allowed four hits. No runs.
It was tied at 0-0 going to the fourth.
John Simms relieved Reckling. Simms also reached his 50 pitch limit in his third inning of work with two outs. He allowed no runs, a double to Stringer, 3 walks, one HBP, and recorded three strike-outs.
Jordan Stephens relieved Kubitza in the fourth. After walking Cook, he picked him off and then retired the next two batters to get out of the inning.
In the fifth, he walked DGL with one out. A fly to second was the second out of the inning. Stainback singled to center advancing DGL to third. third. Stainback reached second when the throw from center to third skipped past Hoelscher. Fuda singled to left scoring two. Fuda was retired trying to take third on the throw home.
Stephens struck the side in the sixth.
For his three innings, Stephens allowed two runs, one ER, two hits, two walks, and he struck-out five.
After six innings, Blue was up 2-0.
J. T. Chargois relieved for Blue in the seventh, He pitched two innings allowing two hits and striking out two. No runs.
Tyler Duffey relieved for Gray and pitched two shut-out innings. He walked one and struck out four.
The final was 2-0 Blue.
Stringer had the only extra-base hit. A double to left. Other hits by the Gray were a single by Manuel and a single by T. Simms.
For Blue, Fuda had three singles, The following Blue players each had a single: Stainback, Ewing and Aquino.
Practice tomorrow at 2:00 PM. Men's Basketball in Tudor at 7:00 PM.
Go Owls!!
January 28, 2012 - Blue 12, Gray 6:
The Rice women's basketball team won today at Houston and the men's basketball team beat Tulane at Tudor tonight.
Today's scrimmage was a lot different that yesterday when pitching prevailed. Blue winning 12-6 in seven innings.
The hitters began pounding the ball hard in BP and never let up. The Blue team lead the hit parade with 12 hits including two doubles, two triples, and a HR. Gray added eight hits including a HR.
Taylor Wall started for Blue. The good news is he pitched a no-hitter. The bad news is he walked three and hit one. His pitch count got elevated early so he only pitched two innings.
In the first, he walked Ford Stainback. Stainback advanced to second on a wild pitch. Wall then walked Fuda. Chargois flew out to center with Stainback advancing to third. A wild pitch moved Fuda to second.
Rathjen then hit a ball to deep center-field. Williamson ran it down and made the catch. The runners tagged with Stainback scoring easily. Fuda never slowed down and scored from second for a two-run sac-fly for Rathjen.
Wall retired the next batter on a line drive to short.
Zech Lemond started for the Gray. He pitched a perfect first, retiring the side on three outfield outs.
In the second, Wall walked Keenan Cook. Cook advanced to second on an error at first on an attempted pick-offf. Geoff Perrott was HBP. Wall then threw some of his better pitches, striking out the next two hitters and retiring DGL on a fielder's choice grounder to short.
For the day, Wall pitched two innings and allowed 2 runs, 2 ER, no hits, 3 walks, 1 HBP, and had 2 strikeouts.
Lemond ran into trouble in the second. Lewis continued the hitting that he had shown in BP with a double to right-center. Manuel followed with a single to left-center. Runners at the corners. Aquino singled to center, scoring Lewis. Manuel to second.
After a strike-out, Bullington reached on catcher's interference. The bases were now loaded. A PB scored Manuel with Aquino and Bullington each moving up a base. The runner on third was cut down at the plate on a grounder to third. A fly to right ended the inning.
After two innings, the score was tied at two.
Evan Rutter replaced Wall in the top of the third. After tow ground-outs, J. T. Chargois hit a deep HR just to the right of the batter's eye in center. A strikeout ended the inning.
Lemond continued to pitch for the Gray in the third. Blue scored two in the inning. Lewis tripled to dead-center scoring Shane Hoelscher from first. Skyler Ewing sac-fly scored Lewis.
Another fly out ended the inning.
Rutter got a DP grounder to erase Mike Ratterree. Ratterree had reached on a bunt single. Another ground out ended the frame.
The pitching stats for Lemond were three innings, four runs, two ER, four hits, one SO, and one walk.
Jeremy Fant replaced Lemond in the fourth. Aquino greeted Fant with a triple to left-center. With one out, Bullington hit a sac-fly to score Aquino. a strikeout ended the inning.
In the fifth, the Gray scored one run when Fuda singled with two on and two out. A strike-out was the third out.
In the bottom of the inning, Hoelscher doubled to center. Lewis hit a slow roller to short. The throw to first was high allowing Hoelscher to score and Lewis to take second. Lewis stole third but was tagged out trying to go home when the throw got away. The inning ended on a strikeout.
After 5 innings, the score was Blue 6, Gray 4.
Rutter pitched 3 innings, allowed two runs, two ER, four hits, three SO, and no walks.
Trevor Simms relieved Rutter in the top of the sixth. Rathjen walked. Two outs followed. Perrott was hit for the second time on the day. Rathjen going to second. Andrew Murphy singled to center scoring Rathjen and sending Perrott to third. A ground-out to second ended the inning.
Fant pitched the sixth for the Gray. Aquino and Manuel singled. Williamson walked to load the bases. Bullington got plunked, driving home Aquino. A strikeout followed for the first and only out of the inning. When Christian Stringer singled to center, Manuel and Williamson scored. The inning was called.
Score was 9-5 after six in favor of Blue.
Fant's line was 2.1 innings pitched. Five runs, five ER, five hits, three SO, one walk, and one HBP.
T. Simms pitched the seventh. Stainback and Fuda had back-toback singles. With one out and runners on the corners, Rathjen hit his second sac-fly of the day and got his third RBI. A walk and strikeout followed to end the inning.
For his outing, Trevor Simms pitched two innings, allowed two runs, two ER, three hits, one SO, two walks, and a HBP.
Chase McDowell came on to pitch the seventh for Gray. Hoelscher singled to left. He stole second. Lewis walked. A fly out followed moving Hoelscher to third. Manuel then hit a HR to right to score three runs. A strikeout preceded a single by Williamson. Bullington walked and the game was called.
McDowell pitched 0.1 inning allowing three runs, three ER, three hits, and one SO with two walks.
Final was Blue 12, Gray 6
Hitting highlights:
HR: Chargois, Manuel
Triple: Aquino, Lewis
Double: Lewis, Hoelscher
Three Hits: Manuel, Aquino
Two Hits: Hoelscher, Lewis, Stainback, Fuda, Murphy
One hit:Chargois, Ratterree, Stringer, Williamson
RBI: Rathjen (3), Manuel (3), Stringer (2), Bullingtom (2), Fuda, Chargois, Murphy, Lewis, Ewing, Aquino
SB: Lewis, Hoelscher, Williamson
Off day Sunday.
January 30, 2012 - Gray 4, Blue 0
The weather wasn't as nice as the first two days but it was okay. The rain held off and after lots of drills and BP, the teams took the field around 4:45 PM.
Gray pitchers held the Blue squad to two hits and no runs today. Gray scored four runs to win 4-0.
Brad Kottman started for Blue. He pitched a scoreless first inning, giving up a single to Christian Stringer. In the second, Michael Aquino reached on a throwing error. He took second when the ball went over the first-baseman's head.
Craig Manuel followed with an infield single sending Aquino to third. Skyler Ewing singled to left scoring Aquino. Manuel was out trying to go to third. Ewing was picked-off first. A strike-out ended the inning.
With two outs in the third, Derek Hamilton was hit by a pitch and scored on Stringer's double to center. The rally ended on a fly to center.
For his three innings, Kottman gave up two runs, one ER, four hits, one HBP, and he struck-out one.
Ryan McCarthy started for Gray. He pitched three solid innings, allowing only a single to center by Andrew Murphy in the second. In his three inning,s he allowed no runs, one hit, two walks, one HBP, and struck-out.
After three innings, the score was Gray 2 Blue 0.
Connor Mason relieved in the fourth for Blue. In his two inning,s he allowed a single to Aquino in the fourth, and singles by Nick Bullington and Hamilton in the fifth. No runs scored. His totals were no runs, three hits, and one walk.
Andrew Benak pitched the fourth and fifth innings for Gray. Benak faced seven batters, giving up only a bunt single by Murphy who had the two hits for Blue. No runs, no walks, no strike-outs.
After five, it was 2-0 Gray.
Holt McNair pitched the sixth for Blue. After a strike-out and a fly to right, Ryan Lewis singled to left on a checked swing. Aquino then smashed a ball over the left-field fence to make the final 4-0 Gray.
McNair's line was two runs, two ER, two hits, with one strike out.
Hamilton had one single.
Stringer had a double and a single with an RBI.
Lewis had a single and a SB.
Aquino had a single and a two run HR.
Manuel had an infield hit.
Ewing had one single and one RBI. Bullington had a single.
Murphy had the two hits for Blue with a SB.
No practice tomorrow.
February 1, 2012 - Blue 6, Gray 5
Just back from watching Rice MBB beat UTEP on a jumper from the left side by Julian DeBose. Final was Rice 77 UTEP 75.
In the scrimmage today, Blue rallied with five runs in the eighth inning to beat Gray 6-5.
With Matthew Reckling and Austin Kubitza pitching three straight shut-out innings each, it looked as if it would be a low scoring contest.
Each pitcher got touched up for runs in the fourth. Reckling allowed four straight singles (Hamilton, Stringer, Hoelscher and Lewis), Hoelscher and Lewis each getting an RBI. Reckling recorded his sixth strike out. J. T. Chargois singled but Ratterree threw out Hoelscher at the plate. A fielder's choice grounder ended Reckling's day.
In the bottom of the inning, Keenan Cook singled to center with two out and scored on an infield throwing error. A fly ended the rally.
After four innings, Gray lead 2-1.
John Simms relieved in the firth for Blue and Jordan Stephens came on for Gray.
Simms pitched four innings. He gave up two runs in the fifth. Chase McDowell got his first hit of the spring. He advanced to second on a ground-out to the right-side, An outfield fly was the second out. Stringer singled McDowell home and went to second on the throw home. Hoelscher's single to center scored Stringer. A fly-out ended the fifth.
In the seventh, McDowell lead-off with a single. He took second on a ground-out to third with one out. Stringer singled him home for Gray's fifth run. McDowell got his third hit of the day in the eighth but there was no further scoring.
Jordan Stephens pitched shut-out ball for three innings. His pitch count was elevated and he left the game with one on and one out in the bottom of the eight.
The at that time was Gray 5 Blue 1.
J. T. Chargois came in to close for Blue. JT got a fly-out to left for the second out. Consecutive walks loaded the bases for DGL. (Note that Andrew Murphy was in the bull-pen and his AB was delayed.)
DGL ripped a bases clearing double to left. The score was now 5-4 Gray.
Murphy was back from the bullpen. He crushed a drive over the wall in left-center putting Blue up for the first time on the day.
JT got a strike-out to end the inning.
Blue 6 Gray 5 after eight.
Tyler Duffey relieved for Gray and faced three batters in each of his two innings.
Chargois pitched a perfect ninth.
Final Blue wins 6-5.
Hits:
Stringer and McDowell (3)
Hoelscher, Cook, Murphy, DGL (2)
Hamilton, Lewis, Bullington (1)
Double: DGL (2)
HR: Murphy
It should be noted that DGL reached base twice on catcher's interference.
February 2, 2012 - Blue 9, Gray 3
On a day when the weather looked threatening,the Owls were able to get in eight innings today with six pitchers getting in work.
Blue scored 6 in the first and 3 in the eighth to post a 9-3 win over Gray.
With the threat of more rain, the pre-squad drills and BP were eliminated and the intrasquad game began at 3:25 PM. DGL and Ryan Lewis were still in class at game time. They arrived around the third or fourth inning.
Taylor Wall started for Blue and pitched four innings, Trevor Simms started for Gray and pitched through the second inning.
In the first, Gray tallied a run on Andrew Murphy's two-out single to center, Murphy was out trying to reach second after the run scored.
Simms had control issues in the first. He walked the lead-off hitter. He walked the second hitter after a pop-foul to first was dropped. Two outs followed and then two more walks forcing home the first run. Keenan Cook singled home two runs. Skyler Ewing hit a two-run triple to right. He would score on a throwing error. An infield error and single by Michael Ratterree ended the inning.
After one inning, it was 6-1 Blue.
In the second, Gray scored another run. With one out Nick Bullington, Chase McDowell and Trevor Simms each singled, Simms getting the RBI. An infield DP ended the inning.
Simms faired better in the second. Craig Manuel doubled. A walk followed. A strike-out was the first out. Once again the pitcher's best friend ended the inning (6-4-3).
Simms pitched two innings allowing 6 runs, 0 ER, 4 hits, 5 walks, and 1 SO.
After two, it was 6-2 Blue.
Wall pitched shut-out ball in the third and fourth. His line for the day was four innings, 2 runs, 2 ER, 5 hits, 2 walks, and 5 SOs.
Zech Lemond relieved in the third for Gray. He pitched three innings. No runs, no hits, no walks, and 4 SOs. In the fifth, he struck-out the side. Each batter going down on a 3-2 count.
Evan Rutter took over for Wall in the fifth.
Shane Hoelscher greeted him with a triple to left-center. Ryan Lewis made his initial appearance of the game count by hitting a sac-fly to deep right scoring Hoelscher. A strike-out, an infield error, a walk, and another strike ended the inning.
After the fifth, the score was 6-3 Blue.
Rutter pitched scoreless ball in the sixth, seventh, and eighth allowing on a single to Christian Stringer.
Rutter pitched four innings with 1 run, 1 ER, 2 hits, 2 walks, and 4 SOs.
Jeremy Fant pitched the sixth and seventh innings for Gray. He gave up a single (DGL) in the sixth along with a walk. In the seventh, Jeremy Rathjen legged out a dribbler toward third. He took second on an errant throw to first.
Fant pitched two innings. No runs, 2 hits, 1 walk, and 3 SOs.
After seven, it was still Blue 6 Gray 3.
Chase McDowell came on to work the eighth for Gray. He got in some good work. DGL got his second single of the day. Ford Stainback singled him home after he had stolen second. After a fly-out, Manuel walked. Jeremy Rathjen followed with a two run triple to center.
The game was called after Chargois walked.
Final Blue 9, Gray 3.
Offensive highlights on the day:
Stringer 1 hit
Hoelscher 2 hits with a triple
Lewis an RBI
Murphy 1 hit and 1 RBI
Williamson 1 SB
Bullington 1 hit and 1 SB
McDowell 1 hit
Trevor Simms 1 hit and 1 RBI
Stainback 1 hit and 1 RBI
Ratterree 1 hit
Manuel 1 double
Rathjen 2 hits with a triple and 2 RBI
Perrott RBI walk
Cook 1 hit and 2 RBI
DGL 2 hits and 2 SB
Ewing a triple with 2 RBI
Hopefully the weather holds tomorrow and Saturday.
The mosquitoes are still out and very hungry.
February 3, 2012 - Blue 8, Gray 4
On a day when the weather looked threatening, the Owls were able to get in eight innings. After tracking storms all afternoon and waiting for the lightning to subside the scrimmage finally got underway around 4:30 PM. All the pitchers scheduled to pitch got in some work.
Blue held a 4-1 lead after two innings. Gray rallied to tie it at 4 in the fourth. Blue scored one in the bottom of the fourth and two in the fifth to win 7-4 in six innings.
Andrew Benak started for Blue and Connor Mason for Gray.
Benak pitched a scoreless first allowing only a single to Craig Manuel. Mason was perfect in the first.
In the second, Gray scored one on a single by Chargois and a one out double by Cook. With runners at second and third, DGL hit a sac-fly to right-field to score Chargois. Benak recorded a strike-out to end the inning.
In the second for Blue, Lewis was HBP. Murphy doubled scoring Lewis. McDowell followed with another double to score Murphy. Ewing then doubled down the left-field line to drive home McDowell. A ground-out to first moved Ewing to third. An infield throwing error scored Ewing and Bullington took second. Another error moved Bullington to third and Hamilton reached first. Christian Stringer singled home Bullington. A DP grounder to second ended the frame.
After two innings, it was Blue 5 Gray 1.
In the third, Ratterree singled with one. He stole second. A pop-fly to center was the second out. Ratterree stole third. Rathjen dribbled one to third for an infield single. Ryan McCarthy replaced Benak and picked Rathjen off first without making a throw to the plate.
Brad Kottman relieved Mason in the bottom of the third. Murphy singled to center for the only hit.
After three, it was Blue up 5-2.
Gray scored two in the fourth off McCarthy. Chargois, Perrott, and Cook each had singles and DGL plated a run with an infield-out.
Blue added to their lead on Williamson's double down the left-field line. He would score on a two-out single by Hoelscher.
After four, it was 6-4 Blue.
McCarthy set down the next six batters he faced. In all he retired eight straight.
In the fifth, Murphy singled through the left-side. His third hit of the day. McDowell singled to right and Ewing doubled both runners home. There were no more hits or runs scored in the inning.
Holt McNair pitched a perfect bottom of the sixth including a game ending strike-out of Murphy.
Final was Blue 8, Gray 4.
Baseball alumni activities tomorrow. Possible practice if the weather holds.
February 6, 2012 - Blue 6, Gray 1
The rain was gone and the afternoon started beautifully. By games end, it did get very chilly. The chill did not keep the mosquitoes from returning as the sunset.
The new line-up board is up and was put to good use. Amazing how easily the dry-erase markers come off with a smooth surface.
Austin Kubitza started for Blue and pitched five innings allowing only one run. Jordan Stephens started for Gray with the same result.
Kubitza struck-out five and walked none with one HBP. He gave up four hits (a single by Williamson and doubles to Murphy, Hamilton and Hoelscher.) Hoelscher drove home Hamilton in the third for the lone run.
Stephens struck-out five, walked five, and hit one batter. He allowed two singles (Ratterree and Cook). The run scored in the fifth on a bases loaded HBP to Ratterree.
John Simms relieved for Blue and pitched four scoreless innings. Although Gray would have at least one runner in each inning, Simms would keep them from scoring.
In his four innings, he allowed three singles (Williamson, Murphy and Bullington). He struck-out one, walked none, and hit one batter.
Tyler Duffey came on for Gray in the sixth. He faced three batters in the sixth. Cook reached on an infield error but was caught stealing. In the seventh, he retired the first two batters. The bases were loaded on a walk, HBP, and a third walk. Manuel hit a hard shot to first that took a wicked hop for a single scoring two runs. The inning was called after Duffey walked Rathjen.
In the two innings, he worked Duffey struck-out two, walked three, hit one, and gave up the two run single to Manuel.
After seven, the score was Blue 3 Gray 1.
J. T. Chargois relieved for Gray in the bottom of the eighth. In the eightth, Cook reached on a two-base outfield error. DGL singled him home. The next three batters were retired.
After eight, Blue 4 Gray 1.
In the bottom of the nint,h the first two batters were retired. Manuel singled and Rathjen homered to the top of the hill in left-center. Cook reached on a strike-out wild pitch. A ground-out ended the day.
Final Blue 6 Gray 1.
The line for Chargois was three runs, two ER, two strike-outs, no walks, two singles and the HR.
DGL had two stolen bases and Williamson one.
Another scrimmage tomorrow.
February 7, 2012 - Blue 6, Gray 1
The scrimmage started a little after 4:00 PM and finished at a little after 6:00 PM.
Once again Blue had the upper hand with a 6-1 victory.
Reckling started for Blue going five innings. After four scoreless innings, Reckling gave up a HR to John Williamson. In his five innings, he struck-out five, walked two, hit one and gave up four hits (Two singles by Hamilton, a McDowell double and the Williamson HR).
Lemond started for Gray. In the first, Stainback lead-off with the first of his three singles on the day. Fuda walked. After an infield pop-out, Rathjen doubled down the left field line to score two. Ratterree singled Rathjen home. A ground-out to the right-side moved Ratterree over to third-base. Perrott ripped a hard double just inside the left-field line scoring Ratterree. An infield grounder was the third out of the inning. It was 4-0 Blue after one.
In the second, Blue added another run after Ewing was HBP. Stainback's second single moved Ewing to third. With one out, Manuel's singled to center to score the run. Two outs followed to end the second. It was 5-0 Blue after two.
In the third, Chargois blooped a two strike pitch to left. Moved to second on a WP. A great throw by Murphy caught Chargois trying to steal third. There were no other runners in the inning. Blue still up 5-0 after three.
Lemond pitched three innings giving up five runs (all earned). He allowed seven hits (see above), struck-out two, walked one, and hit one.
McDowell relieved in the fourth and pitched very well in his two innings. He struck-out two, walked none and gave up infield singles to Stainback (hit #3) and Chargois. Ratterree had a single to center. An unearned run scored on a throwing error.
After five, it was Blue up 6-1.
Jeremy Fant pitched two scoreless innings for Blue. He allowed no hits, walked three, hit one and struck-out two.
Trevor Simms pitched the final two innings for Gray. It was his best outing of the spring. He retired the six batters he faced striking out two.
After seven, it was still 6-1 Blue.
Holt McNair pitched the eighth for Blue and struck-out the side.
Final was Blue 6 Gray 1.
Another scrimmage tomorrow.
February 8, 2012 - Blue 8, Gray 7
Blue won today 8-7. Gray was down 7-3 but fought back to within one run at the end.
The pitching wasn't as bad as it may appear as the hitters were making each at bat tough for the pitchers.
Connor Mason and Evan Rutter each pitched four innings for the Blue team. Taylor Wall pitched five innings and Andrew Benak three for Gray.
Wall pitched no-hit ball through the first three innings striking out four and walking just one.
Mason gave up a single and a double to Stainback in his first three innings. Stainback scored an unearned run in the third following his double.
In the fourth, the Gray tallied two more runs off Mason. Rathjen walked to lead-off. Ratterree lined to short. Chargois singled to right with Rathjen going to third. DGL laid down a good bunt and was safe at first. The runner scored from third. Chargois took third when the throw got away at first. Cook's sac-fly to center scored Chargois. Another fly to center ended the inning.
Mason pitched four innings with three runs, one ER, four hits, one walk, and two HBP.
Blue fought back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth off Wall. Hamilton doubled to left. A fly to right moved Hamilton to third. With the infield drawn in, a grounder to short failed to score the run. Lewis ripped a single to center to score the run. Lewis stole second and advanced to third on the throw. Murphy singled to score the run. McDowell also singled with Murphy holding at second. A fielder's choice grounder ended the fourth.
After four, it was Gray 3 Blue two.
Rutter came on to pitch in the fifth for Blue.
Stainback greeted him with his third hit of the day (and sixth in hisl ast seven ABs). A strike-out throw out DP followed. Manuel looped a single to center. A fly out ended the inning.
Wall continued pitching for Gray. Williamson singled. Bullington singled. Williamson was forced at third on a sac attempt. Hamilton walked to load the bases. Stinger doubled scoring two. Hoelscher singled scoring two more. He advanced to second on the throw home. Lewis singled the run home. The inning was stopped at that point.
Wall pitched 4.1 innings allowing seven runs, all ERs, nine hits, four SOs, and two walks.
After five, it was Blue 7 Gray 3.
Ratterree hit a HR to left in the sixth for Gray.
Andrew Benak pitched the last three innings for Gray.
Murphy was back in the zone today and followed McDowell's single with a run scoring double to left-center.
Murphy was thrown out at home trying to score on Perrott's single to left. Manuel made a great tag on the throw form Ratterree. Two outs followed to close the sixth.
It was 8-4 Blue.
Gray scored two unearned runs in the seventh. Ewing walked. A strike-out preceded Fuda's single to left. His first hit since returning to the line-up. Ewing going to second.
A fly to right was the second out. Rathjen was safe on an infield error. The bases were now loaded. Ratterree doubled to right-center scoring two. A fly to right ended the rally. Trevor Simms looped a Texas League single to center. He stole second. He was cut down at home after Hamilton's single to left. Hamilton stole second but was stranded when the next two batters struck-out.
After seven, it was 8-6 Blue.
With one out in the eighth, Cook singled. He stole second and went to third on a throwing error. He would score on a WP. Two called third strike Ks ended the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, an infield error allowed the lead-off hitter to reach first. Benak picked the runner off. Murphy reached on an infield hit to short (#3 on the day). He stole second. Once again the strike-outs followed to end the game.
Benak pitched three innings allowing one ER, six hits and had has five SOs.
Final was Blue 8 Gray 7.
Scrimmage tomorrow weather permitting.
Getting ready to update unofficial stats.
February 9, 2012 - Blue 5, Gray 4
The more things change the more they stay the same. The coaches moved some of the infielders around (Cook to third, Stainback to second, and Hoelscher to short) but the Blue Unis still won 5-4 in a short 5.5 inning game.
Brad Kottman and Ryan McCarthy were the starters today. Each pitched four innings.
Kottman pitched a perfect first for Blue. McCarthy did the same for Gray.
In the second, Rathjen doubled with one out for Gray. A pop-out followed. Cook hit one over the right-field fence for a two run HR. Perrott walked. Ewing doubled to the left-field corner to drive home Perrott. Kottman got a strike-out to end the inning.
For Blue, Manuel's one out single was eliminated on a 6-4-3 DP.
After two, it was Gray 3-0.
In the third, Kottman walked Hoelscher then picked him off. A fly and a SO ended the inning.
Blue got two runs back in the bottom of the third. Williamson singled. He moved to second on a ground-out to second. A pop-foul was the second out. Trevor Simms homered to left. Stringer walked but got picked off first.
Gray 3 Blue 2 after three.
Rathjen hit his second double of the day to lead-off the fourth. He was stranded as the next two batters were retired on pop-outs. The final out was a strike-out.
Blue rallied to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Hamilton reached on a HBP. He stole second. Lewis advanced him to third on a ground-out to the right-side. Fuda was HBP. Manuel singled Hamilton home. Fuda taking second. Murphy singled to load the bases.
Williamson's walk pushed home the second run. Bullington drove home the the third and final run of the inning with a sac-fly to left. A ground out to the right-side ended the fourth.
After four it was Blue 5 Gray 3.
Tyler Duffey pitched the fifth for Blue. He walked Ratterree with two outs. McDowell followed with a triple to score Ratterree. A pop-out followed for the third out.
JT Chargois pitched the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Stringer reached on an infield error. A fly-out and ground out ended the inning.
Blue 5 Gray 4 after five.
Holt McNair came on to pitch the top of the sixth for Blue. He retired the side on two pop-outs and one foul-out .
Final was Blue 5 Gray 4.
No scrimmage on Friday.
February 12, 2012 - Gray 2, Blue 1
On a very gray and chilly afternoon the Gray team beat the Blue 2-1.
Reckling started for Blue. He walked the first two batters, Stringer and Hamilton. Craig Manuel doubled to left to score Stringer. Moving Hamilton to third. Reckling struck-out the next batter for the first out of the inning. Lewis walked to load the bases. Murphy's sac-fly made it 2-0. Another SO ended the inning.
Kubitza stated for Gray. Blue rallied back with a run in the first. With one out, Fuda singled. Chargois followed with a single and the runners advanced to second and third on an error by the outfield. Rathjen drove home Fuda with a fly to left. A SO ended the frame.
After one, it was Gray 2, Blue 1. That would be the final score.
Reckling would allow a single to Stringer in the second and another to Manuel in the third. He also walked one in the third and started the fourth with two consecutive walks. With the count 2-0 on Stringer, the fourth inning was stopped (pitch count).
Reckling pitched 3 iinings, 2 runs, 3 hits, 6 walks, and 5 SOs.
Kubitza gave up a single to Cook in the second and another to Stainback in the third. He pitched 3 innings, 1 run, 0 ER, 4 hits, and 1 SO.
Duffey relieved Kubitza in the fourth. He would pitch two scoreless innings allowing two singles in the fourth (DGL and Cook). Fuda also had a single in the fifth.
On the day, Duffey pitched 2 innings, 0 runs, 3 hits, and 2 SO.
Chargois came on in the fifth for Blue. He too pitched two scoreless innings. Chargois would allow no runs or hits. He walked one and struck-out two.
McNair would come on for the Gray in the bottom sixth. He pitched to two batters with one strike-out and one ground-out. The game was called at that time.
Murphy had the only stolen base.
BTW the Women's basketball team sank their free throws late to beat Tulsa 55-48 today at Tudor.
February 13, 2012 - Blue 14, Gray 3
A late start and lots of scoring kept the scrimmage going until a little after 7:00 PM.
Blue scored early and often totaling 14 runs. Gray managed 3 runs making the seven inning final 14-3.
John Simms pitched four innings for Blue giving up only a single run in the second inning.
Stephens started for Gray and did not fare as well. Blue scored two in the first, two in the second, and five in the third.
Trevor Simms relieved Stephens in the fourth. He pitched three innings giving up only one run in the sixth.
Lemond took over from John Simms in the fifth for Blue. He allowed two runs in the sixth. The highlight was Aquino's run scoring single to right. This was his first game back after being out of the line-up since February 1.
Chase McDowell pitched the bottom of the seventh. Blue continued their hot hitting. They scored four more runs including Ford Stainback's opposite field HR. He had five RBI on the day. Rathjen also had three RBI.
Stainback and Rathjen each had three hits. Stainback had the HR. Rathjen had a double and a triple.
Fuda and Hamilton each had two singles.
Ratterree had a double and a single with an RBI. Hoelscher had a double and a single.
Cook, McDowell, Perrott, Ewing, Manuel, Lewis and Aquino each had a single.
McDowell had two RBI. Ewing, Cook, Trevor Simms and Aquino also each had an RBI.
John Simms had 4 SOs. Trevor Simms had 4 SOs. McDowell had 1 SO.
Lots of walks!!
February 14, 2012 - Gray 10, Blue 5
Once again the weather was beautiful for the scrimmage. In the final spring scrimmage, Gray rallied with 3 runs in the seventh and again in the eighth to pull out a 10-5 win over Blue.
Andrew Benak started for Blue. He gave up two runs in the first on back-to-back-to back singles by McDowell, Aquino, and Manuel and a sac-fly by Skyler Ewing.
Benak would then retire eight straight to close out his three innings.
Taylor Wall started for Gray. With one out in the first, Fuda singled. Ratterree doubled to deep center pushing Fuda to third. Fuda would score on a two out infield single by Shane Hoelscher. In the second, Perrott tripled to left with one out. He was out at the plate on a grounder back to the pitcher. Ryan Lewis singled to left. He was forced on a fielder's choice grounder.
Wall retired the side in order in the third.
After three innings, Gray lead 2-1.
Evan Rutter relieved in the fourth and would go three innings for Blue. He retired five straight before Trevor Simms singled up the middle. He stole second and scored on Ford Stainback's single to left. An outfield out ended the fifth. McDowell reached first in the sixth on a wild-pitch strike-out. He was forced at second. The inning ended on a 4-6-3 DP.
Ryan McCarthy took over in the bottom of the fourth for Gray. He gave up two runs in the fourth. With one out, Chargois singled to center and Murphy dropped a single into right. Chargois going to third. He would score on a fielder's choice. An RBI for Perrott. Stringer singled into the right-field corner and Perrott ran all the way home. An infield out ended the fourth. In the fifth, Fuda reached on an infield single. He was eliminated on a fielder's choice. A strike-out ended the fifth.
After five, it was 3-3.
Blue would rally for two runs in the sixth. Hoelscher singled and stole second. Chargois singled to left. Hoelscher moving to third. After a strike-out, Stringer beat out a bunt scoring Hoelscher from third. Chargois went to second. A wild-pitch moved the runners up. Lewis hit a sac-fly to left to score Chargois. Stringer taking third. Hamilton walked to load the bases. A ground-out to third was the final out in the sixth.
After six, Blue lead 5-3.
Connor Mason relieved for Blue giving up three runs in the seventh. Ewing homered to left. Consecutive doubles from Cook and Bullington followed. Cook scoring. Williamson walked. Trevor Simms singled home Bullington. Simms got caught rounding first for the first out of the inning. Two outs followed to end the frame.
Brad Kottman came on for Gray pitched a perfect seventh.
Gray would score four more runs in the eighth. The four runs would result from four errors sandwiched between three walks. Not the best of innings. I had one ER in the inning.
Kottman gave up a one out single to Murphy. Murphy stole second but was stranded when the last two batters were out.
Final was Gray 10 Blue 5.
Hopefully the weather holds for the weekend.
Go Owls.