SPRING PRACTICE (January - February 2013)
Unofficial Recaps by Roger Tower
January 25, 2013 - Blue 3, Gray 1:
It felt like a mid-April
afternoon as the preseason intrasquads began today.
None of today's eight pitchers allowed more than one run. None threw as
many as 50 pitches. Each pitcher went his projected number of innings.
For Blue, the pitchers and stats were as follows:
Austin Kubitza 3 inn. 0 R. 1 H.
2 SO. 1 FP.
Chase McDowell 3 inn 1 R. 2 H. 5 SO. 0 FP
John Simms 2 inn 0
R. 2 H. 3 SO. 1 FP
Evan Rutter 2 inn 0
R. 1 H. 0 SO. 1 FP
For Gray, the pitchers and stats were as follows:
Jordan Stephens 3 inn. 1 R. 3 H. 2 SO. 1 FP
Kevin McCanna 3 inn 1 R. 4 H. 2 SO. 4
FP
Zach Lemond 2 inn 1 R. 3
H. 0 SO. 3 FP
Tyler Spurlin 2 inn
0 R. 1 H. 0 SO. 3 FP.
On defense, Blue turned 2 DPs and made one throwing error. Gray turned one
DP and had two throwing errors. Gray threw out two runners attempting to
steal. Gray also had an outfield assist cutting down a runner
trying to advance to third base.
Offensively here are the highlights:
For Gray, Stainback had one single. Hoelscher one double with a run
scored. Stringer had an infield single. Aquino had two singles with
an RBI. Teykl had a double.
For Blue, Ratterree had three singles, one run and two RBI. Cook had a
single. Ewing had two singles. Taylor had two singles. Fox
had a single. Murphy had a single. Rathjen had a double with a run
scored. Perrott scored a run.
The next intrasquad game is on Sunday.
January 27, 2013 - Gray 4, Blue 3:
There were very light
showers through-out the intrasquad game but nothing to slow down or stop
play. Gray won 4-3.
Gray scored four times in the top of the second. Ewing singled to start
the inning. Kopycinski followed with another single. McDowell
walked. Taylor singled to center scoring one. An error in the
outfield allowed a second run to score. Runners advancving to second and
third. After two strike-outs, Rathjen singled to center driving home two
more runs. He was out trying to go to second following the hit.
Blue would rally in the fourth with three runs. Hoelscher was HBP to
start the frame. He moved to second on a ground-out to first.
Aquino doubled him home. Teykl walked. A fielder's choice grounder
to third forced Aquino. A throwing error scored Teykl with Perrott moving
to third. Williamson singled driving home Perrott. Smith followed
with a single. Williamson moved to second. The inning ended on a
strike-out.
Those two rallies were the sum of the runs for the day.
There were three DPs; 1 outfield error, 3 infield errors; one pick-off and one
runner thrown out from the outfield trying to advance. No SB.
Pitching lines were as follows:
Blue; ( Note FP = BB + HBP)
Mason 3 inn. 4 R. 3 ER. 4 H. 4 SO. 2 FP.
Ditman 2 inn. 0 R. 1 H. 0 SO. 1 FP
Fant 2 inn. 0 R. 1 H. 0 SO 0 FP
Williamson 2 inn. 0 R. 1 H 2 SO. 2 FP.
Gray:
Orewiler 3 inn. 0 R. 0 H. 1 SO. 0 FP.
McCarthy 2 inn. 3 R. 2 ER. 4 H. 1 SO. 2 FP
Fox 2 inn. 0 R. 1 H. 1 SO 1 FP
McNair 1 inn. 0 R. 0 H 1 SO. 0 FP.
Hitting highlights;
McDowell 2 H (1 D). 1 R
Taylor 2 H 1 RBI. 1 R
Aquino 2 H (1 D). 1 RBI
Rathjen 1 H. 2 RBI
Ewing and Kopycinski 1 H and 1 R each.
Williamson and Smith each had 1 H
Perrott and Teykl each scored 1 R.
Starting lineups:
Gray; Byrd ss; Ratterree rf; Cook cf; Ewing 1b; Kopycinski c; McDowell
dh; Taylor 2b; Murphy 3b; Fox dh; and Rathjen lf.
Blue: Stainback ss; Hoelscher 3b; Stringer 2b; Aquino lf; Teykl 1b;
Perrott c; Williamson cf; Smith rf; McCanna dh; and Ditman dh.
January 30, 2013 - Gray 7, Blue 1:
The
Gray pitchers dominated today allowing just two hits after two outs in the
seventh inning. Gray won 7-1.
Tyler
Spurlin pitched four hitless innings giving up one run in the first on three
walks and a sac-fly. Tyler retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced.
Matt
Ditman retired the first 8 batters he faced before Blake Fox and Kirby Taylor
had back-to-back singles.
Austin
Kubitza gave up one unearned run in four innings. Chase McDowell gave up 6
runs.
For the Gray, Shane
Hoelscher had 3 hits. Christian Stringer had 2 hits. John Williamson had a 2
run double. Aquino, Teykl and McCanna each had a single.
January 31, 2013 - Gray 0, Blue 0:
John Simms (Blue) and Evan
Rutter (Gray) each pitched four shut-out innings today in a quick 52 minute
intrasquad game.
Simms allowed two hits, two walks, one HBP and struck out four.
Rutter allowed three hits, one walk and struck-out one.
Each team had one shot at scoring.
In the bottom of the first, Ford Stainback doubled as the lead-off man for
Blue. He advanced to third on Hoelscher's fly to center. Ford
attempted to score when a pitch bounced away from Ewing. Skyler recovered
and flipped the ball to Rutter for the putout at home. A strike-out ended
the inning. Blue would not get another man past second base.
Gray had a chance in the the top of the second. Simms walked the lead-off man
(Ewing). A wild pitch moved him to second. Ewing took third on a
ground-out to second. Kirby Taylor was HBP. There were runners at
the corners with one out. The next batter grounded to short for an easy
6-4-3 DP. Inning over. No runs.
For Gray, Cook had a double and Rathjen had a single.
For Blue, Stainback doubled and Kopycinski and Williamson each singled.
I'd remiss if I didn't mention the fantastic effort the Rice men's basketball
gave last night to rally to beat UH 79-69. The men play again Saturday
evening at 7:00 PM vs. ECU.
Go Owls.
February 1, 2013 - Gray 11, Blue 6:
The weather was beautiful
this afternoon. The baseball was not nearly as pretty. There plenty
of misplays to go around. However the hitting did come alive as Gray won
11-6.
Ryan McCarthy pitched the first 3 innings for Blue. Austin Orewiler
pitched the final 4 innings.
For Gray, Connor Mason threw the first 3 innings with Blake Fox closing it going
the final 3 innings.
Gray stranded two runners in the first as Stringer singled with one out after
Hoelscher walked. Two outs followed.
Blue scored two in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Cook was
HBP. Cook stole second. Aquino doubled to left scoring Cook.
Chase McDowell singled up-the-middle bringing home Aquino. Perrott
reached on an error. McDowell moving to second.
McCanna singled to center, McDowell was thrown out at home trying to
score.
After one, it was Blue 2-0.
That's the last time Blue would lead as Gray tallied 7 runs in the top of the
second.
Kopycinski doubled to right. Williamson laid down a bunt single that
hugged the third-base line. Hunter taking third.
Rathjen grounded to third. Hunter was out at the plate. Williamson
moved to second and Beau was safe at first.
Smith walked to load the bases. Fox singled to right scoring Williamson
and Rathjen. Smith taking third.
Stainback's single to right scored Smith. Fox moving up a base.
Hoelscher doubled to right driving home Fox with Stainback holding at
third. Stringer drove home Ford and Shane with a single to right-center.
Stringer moved to second on an infield out to the right-side. Stringer
stole third. He scored on Teykl's single to right. The inning ended
on a strike-out.
Blue failed to score after loading the bases with two outs. HBP; HBP,
infield error. Srtike-out ended the frame.
Gray leads 7-3 after two innings.
Gray added thee more in the third. Williamson singled. Rathjen
doubled. Williamson taking third. Smith singled scoring Williamson.
Rathjen moving to third.
Stainback scored Rathjen on a a fielder's choice force-out at second.
Hoelscher reached on an infield single to short. Ford reaching second.
A grounder to third forced Ford. Runners were now at first and second with
two out.
Ewing ripped an RBI single to left scoring Hoelscher. A force-out at
second ended the top of the third.
In the bottom of the third, Blue failed to score even though McDowell and Murphy
each singled.
After three, Gray was up 10-2.
Pitching changes were made in the fourth inning with Orewiler (Blue) relieving
McCarthy and Fox (Gray) replacing Mason.
Orewiler gave up one run in the fifth. With two outs, Hoelscher
singled. Stringer followed with a single and Ewing doubled home Shane
with Christian being thrown out at the plate trying to score. Orewiler
pitched 1-2-3 innings in the fourth, sixth, and seventh.
Blue scored one in the fourth off Fox. Byrd doubled off the wall in
left. Leon went to third on an error on a pick-off throw. Ratterree
was HBP. Cook forced Ratterree at second scoring Byrd. A DP
grounder ended the fourth.
With one out in the fifth, Perrott singled. McCanna reached on an infield
error. Murphy walked to load the bases. A DP grounder forced the
runner at third and the batter was out at first.
Blue tallied the final three runs of the scrimmage when Ratterree walked with
one out. Cook singled to left. A double steal put runners at 2nd
and 3rd. Aquino then hit the first HR of the spring to left clearing the
bases. McDowell followed with a single. Two ground-outs followed.
After Gray went down in order, the game was called.
Final was Gray 11- Blue 6.
Three hits each by Hoelscher, Stringer, McDowell.
Two hits each by Ewing (D), Williamson, Aquino (D, HR)
One hit each by Stainback, Teykl, Kopycinski (D), Rathjen (D), Smith,
Fox, Byrd (D), Cook, Perrott, McCanna and Murphy.
RBI: Aquino 4. Stainback, Stringer, Ewing and Fox 2 each.
Hoelscher, Teykl, Smith, Cook and McDowell one each.
Note tomorrow's practice starts at 11:00 AM. Intrasquad at noon.
Also Rice MBB vs. ECU at 7:00 PM.
February 2, 2013 - Blue 8, Gray 4:
The weather was warm and
the bats stayed hot as Blue beat Gray 8-4.
Jordan Stephens started for Blue and pitched three solid innings. Gray
scored one run in the first on Stainback's lead-off single up the
middle. He moved to second on an infield out and scored on Stringer's
single.
Stringer was picked off second and a fly to left ended the top of the
first. In the second, Jordan gave up a lead-off walk. A 6-4-3 DP
followed and a strike-out ended the inning. A 1-2-3 third followed.
Jeremy Fant pitched the first three innings for Gray. Leon Byrd singled to
lead-off the bottom of the first . Leon stole second. After a
strike-out, Byrd went to third on an infield out. A ground-out to short
ended the inning.
In the second, the Blue squad scored five times. With one out, Kopycinski
singled. Williamson followed with a single. Hunter moving to
second. Perrott drove a ball off the left-field fence scoring Kopycinski
and Williamson. Geoff getting a double.
Geoff moved to third on a wild pitch. Fox drove home Perrott with a
grounder to second. Blake went to second as the throw home sailed over
Ewing's glove.
After a fly out to left, Michael Ratterree crushed a ball that just kept
going until it cleared the fence in center-field. Fox scoring ahead of
Ratterree. A strike-out ended the second.
It was 5-1 Blue after two innings.
Blue would plate two more runs in the third. Aquino walked and stole
second. Chase McDowell doulbled to right scoring Aquino. Chase
moved to third on Kopycinski's single. After a strike-out, Fox singled to
get McDowell home.
The inning was called.
After three, it was Blue 7 Gray 1.
Williamson pitched the fourth and fifth innings for Blue. He pitched a
scoreless fifth.
Holt McNair pitched the fourth for Gray.
Leon bunted for a single. He stole second. Ratterree reached on an
infield hit to second. Cook was HBP. A 6-4-3 DP got two outs with
Byrd scoring. Two walks followed and a fly to right ended the fourth.
It was Blue 8 Gray 1 after four.
In the fifth, Gray rallied for three runs. With one, Brian Smith
tripled to deep left center. Rathjen followed with a double to left
center. Smith scoring. Murphy singled up the middle. Beau scoring.
Ditman walked moving Murphy to second. McCanna singled to right sending
Murphy home with the final run of the day. A line-out to short ended the
game.
Final score was Blue 8 Gray 4.
Byrd, Ratterree and Kopycinski each had two hits for Blue.
The following each had one hit: McDowell, Williamson, Perrott, Fox,
Stainback, Hoelscher, Stringer, Smith, Rathjen, Murphy and McCanna.
Byrd had two SB. Aquino had one SB.
RBI:
Ratterree, Perrott and Fox each had 2.
McDowell, Stringer, Rathjen, Murphy and McCanna one each.
No practice on Sunday.
Rice WBB play at 2:00 vs. UAB.
February 5, 2013 - Blue 6, Gray 1:
It was another beautiful
spring afternoon for a baseball scrimmage.
Kubitza and Ditman held the Gray squad to one run as Blue won 6-1.
McDowell and Spurlin pitched for Gray.
Unfortunately for Austin, I started the day by mentioning the fact that he had not
allowed an earned run in either the fall or spring intrasquad games. That
streak ended three batters into the game.
With one out, Ratterree walked. Cook doubled to right-center scoring
Ratt. Cook was thrown out attempting to go to third on great throws from
Williamson to Stringer to Hoelscher. The inning ended on a strike-out.
McDowell pitched for Gray throwing a shut-out through the first three innings.
The Gray squad made Kubitza work hard in the second and third innings. Kubitza
gutted it out and managed to keep Gray from scoring.
Austin settled in and pitched efficiently in the fourth and fifth innings to
retire the last six batters he faced to complete his five innings.
After his first three, Chase appeared to be cruising along. In the
fourth, Stringer's bunt single put the lead-off man on base. He
advanced to second on an infield ground-out. Williamson singled to left
driving home Stringer. Two outs ended the rally.
In the bottom of the fifth with one out, McCanna battled through 11 pitches
before making the second out. Stainback singled to center on the next
pitch. Hoelscher doubled. Stainback scored. Hoelscher taking
third on the throw. Two full count walks ended McDowell's day.
After five innings, Blue was up 2-1.
Ditman relieved in the sixth and pitched five shut-out innings for Blue.
He allowed two singles in the sixth and walked one in the eighth.
Spurlin came on to pitch for Gray in the sixth. He pitched scoreless
innings in the sixth, seventh and ninth.
Blue scored two runs in the eighth. With two outs, Perrott walked.
Murphy singled to center. Perrott taking third. Murphy advancing to
second on the throw. McCanna singled to center to score the two
runners. McCanna was picked-off ending the inning.
Blue score twice more in the tenth. With a lead-off double, Williamson
collected his third hit of the day. After an out, Murphy singled him
home. Murphy took second on a ground-out to second. Stainback's
third single of the day scored Murphy. A fly-out to right-field ended the
intrasquad game.
Final Blue 6 Gray 1
3 Hits: Rathjen, Stainback, Williamson (2 D)
2 Hits: Cook (2 D), Hoelscher (1 D), Stringer, Murphy, McCanna
1 Hit: Ratterree, Fox, Perrott
Pitching lines:
Kubitza 5 Inn. 5 H. 1 R. ! ER. 4 SO. 2 BB
Ditman 5 Inn. 2 H. 0 R. 3 SO. 1
BB
McDowell 4.2 Inn. 7 H. 2 R. 2 ER. 3 SO. 2
BB
Spurlin 5 Inn. 8 H. 4 R.
4 ER. 2 SO. 2 BB
Intrasquad tomorrow weather pending. Tarp is on the infield.
February 7, 2013 - Blue 5, Gray 5:
The weather went from
gloomy and overcast with the possibility of fog to clear skies. Later it
became partly cloudy.
The scrimmage today ended in a 5-5 tie. Each team held a lead but could
not hold it.
Lemond started for Blue. He held Gray scoreless through his three
innings. He allowed one double to Ditman. He struck-out 2 and hit
Byrd twice with pitches.
Stephens pitched four shutout innings for Gray. He gave up a single to
Stainback, walked Hoelscher twice and struck-out five.
Rutter relieved Lemond in the fourth. He continued the scoreless string
through the fifth.
Simms relieved Stephens in the fifth. He retired the side in order in the
fifth and sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Gray scored one run after one out on consecutive
singles by Byrd, Ratterree and Cook. Cook getting the RBI.
Ratterree moved to third on the hit and Cook advanced to second on the
throw.
Byrd was out at the plate on a fielder's choice grounder to the pitcher.
A grounder to first ended the rally.
After six innings, it was 1-0 Gray.
Rutter pitched 3 innings allowing one run, 3 hits, and striking out three.
Fox relieved Rutter in the seventh. Gray scored three with two outs when
Byrd homered off the left-field light standard. McDowell had singled and
Ditman had walked before the HR.
In the bottom of the seventh, Blue rallied to take a 5-4 lead. Williamson
reached first when the catcher failed to catch the third strike.
Williamson stole second. After a fly-out, Rathjen singled to center
scoring Williamson.
Rathjen stole second. Stainback walked. Hoelscher stroked a single
to right bringing home Rathjen. Stringer was HBP. Stainback scored on a
PB. After a strike-out, Williamson tripled to deep left-center scoring
Hoelscher and Stringer. A soft pop to first ended the frame.
After 7, it was Blue 5 Gray 4.
Teykl had a triple to right to start the top of the eighth. He scored on
a sac-fly by Kopycinski. Two infield outs followed.
Blue tried to rally but stranded Hoelscher and Stringer who each singled with
two outs. Simms struck-out the side.
After eight, it was 5-5.
Fox retired Gray in order in the ninth.
Simms went 4 innings allowing 5 runs (1 earned). He gave up 5 hits,
walked one and hit one. He struck out six.
Fox pitched three innings allowing four runs, three hits, two walks with one
strikeout.
Final 5-5 after 8.5 innings.
Hitting:
Byrd had a HR, single and 3 RBI.
Hoelscher had 2 singles.
Williamson had a triple with 2 RBI.
Teykl had a triple.
Ditman had a double.
Cook, Stringer and Rathjen each had a single and RBI.
Stainback, Ratterree and McDowell each had a single.
MBB Saturday night at 7:00 PM vs. SMU. WBB Sunday at noon vs.
Houston
February 9, 2013:
Well it was not a scrimmage
if you expected a Blue vs. Gray intrasquad game.
The session started with eight defensive players in the field. They
stayed in the field after each half inning for about three innings.
Pitchers would change each half inning.
Orewiler and Mason alternated for the first four innings.
The defensive starters were:
Ewing-c; Teykl-1b; Stringer-2b; Hoelscher-3b; Stainback-ss; Cook-LF; Byrd-CF;
Ratterree-RF.
Starting batting line-up was:
Williamson; Aquino; McDowell; Rathjen; Fox; Perrott; Kopycinski; Smith; Murphy.
Starting in the third, players began subbing with the defense and the hitting
order being changed.
Orewiler pitched four innings giving up four runs and four hits. The big
blow was Blake Fox's grand-slam HR in the third.
Mason also pitched four innings. He allowed two runs on six hits.
McCarthy and Fant relieved Orewiler and Mason respectively.
McCarthy pitched three innings giving up five hits and two runs.
Fant pitched two innings yielding four hits and 1 run.
In the bottom of the seventh, Williamson relieved Fant. He pitched one
inning surrendering three runs on two hits.
Holt McNair relieved McCarthy in the top of the eighth and gave up two hits in
the frame.
The game was called at that time.
The big offensive day was provided by Blake Fox. In addition to the
grand-slam, he had four singles and a total of six RBI on the day.
Other multiple hit days include Ratterree's two doubles, Byrd with two hits,
Aquino had two hits, and Perrott with two hits.
Other extra-base hits include a triple by Murphy and doubles by Stringer and
Ewing.
There were other singles, strike-outs and walks that will be included in the
unofficial stats.
February 11, 2013 - Gray 12, Blue 2
The team got a new set of
bats and the Gray team used them to pound out 18 hits and 12 runs to cruise
past the Blue team 12-2 in 7 innings.
The pitchers for Gray were Stephens, Ditman, Spurlin and Simms. The
first three pitchers each pitched 2 innings with Simms closing the final
inning.
For Blue, Kubitza pitched the first inning. Rutter, Lemond and McDowell
each pitched two innings.
Gray scored 3 in the first, 3 in the second, 3 in the third and 3 more in the
sixth.
Blue would plate single runs in the fourth and sixth innings.
Stephens, Lemond and Simms did not allow any runs. Stephens had 4 SO, Lemond
and Simms each recorded 2 SO.
Ditman and Spurlin held the opponents to a single run each. Ditman had 1
SO and Spurlin had 2.
McDowell and Kubitza gave up three runs apiece. McDowell had 2 SO.
Rutter was touched for six runs. Rutter had 1 SO.
Each team turned a double play. Each team also had an outfield assist in
cutting down a runner on the base-paths.
Gray's 18 hits were as follows:
Byrd 3 H (1D) 1 RBI
Hoelscher 4 H (1 D) 2 RBI
Cook 2 H (1D) 3 RBI
Aquino 2H
Fox 1H
Kopycinski 1 H 1 RBI
Teykl 2 H
Smith 3 H (2 T) 2 RBI
Blue had 7 hits.
Stainback 2 H
Ewing 2 H (1 D)
Stringer 1 RBI
Williamson 1D
Perrott 1 H 1 RBI
Murphy 1 H
February 13, 2013 - Blue 7, Gray 2:
The Blue pitchers held the
Gray hitters to 5 singles and two unearned runs this afternoon. Blue
hitters posted six hits and seven runs. Perrott had a HR and Stainback a
triple.
Pitchers for Blue were Mason (2.0 inn. 2 H 2 R 0 ER. 4 SO. 1 BB); McCarthy (2.0
inn. 1 H 0R 1 BB); Fant (1.0 inn. 1 H 1 SO); McNair (1.0 inn. 1 H 1
SO).
For Gray, the pitchers were Orewiler (2.0 inn. 4 H 4 R 3 ER 2 SO 1 HBP); McCanna
(1.0 inn. 0 H 0 R 1 BB); Fox (1.0 inn. 3 R 1 ER 3 SO 2 BB); Williamson (1.0
inn. 0 H 0 R 2 BB).
Blue scored four in the first. With one out, Stainback tripled to the
fence in right-center. Ratterree singled him home. Stringer singled
to center. A WP moved Ratterree and Stringer up a base. Ratterree
scored on an error. Stringer moving up a base. Ewing singled home
Stringer. Ewing moved up a base on
infield error. He later scored on another infield error. A pop to
short retired the side.
Gray scored two in the second when Smith reached on an infield hit. He advanced
to second when the throw to first got away from the first baseman. Fox
walked. Murphy grounded back to the pitcher. Murphy was safe and
the two runners scored as the throw sailed past the first baseman.
Teykl reached on an infield hit. The two base-runners were stranded as a
strike-out ended the inning.
It was 4-2 through two innings.
Blue concluded the scoring for the day in the fourth. Perrott greeted
Smith with a solo HR to left. Byrd walked and Stainback
singled. A wild pitch pushed each runner up a base. Two strike-outs
followed. Ewing walked to load the bases.
Hoelscher hit a hard ground ball to the third baseman. The ball bounced
away from him allowing the two runners two score. Fox got his third
strike-out of the inning to conclude the rally.
Blue won 7-2 after 5.5 innings.
The following players had hits:
Smith 2 H
Stainback 2 H (1 T)
Perrott 1 HR
The following each had a single: Kopycinski, McDowell, Teykl, Ratterree,
Stringer and Ewing.
Ratterree, Ewing and Perrott each had an RBI.
Season starts Friday versus Stanford. Game time is 4:30 PM.
Go Owls!!