FALL BALL (September 26 - November 3, 2011)
Unofficial Recaps by Roger Tower
November 3, 2011 - Gray 6, Blue 1 (7 innings)
Another great day for fallball. The teams scrimmaged 7 innings with Gray winning 6-1 today. For the fall, Blue won 15 and Gray 7 with one tie.
Taylor Wall started for Gray vs. Jordan Stephens for the Blue team.
Gray struck for two runs in the first on McDowell's two run two out HR to left after Fuda's one out triple to centerfield.
Wall struck out two in a perfect first inning.
Each team went scoreless in the second. Gray got a single from Perrott and Blue one from Rathjen.
Once again each team failed to score in the third. The only hit was a single by Aquino for Blue.
In the fourth, Gray tallied three unearned runs. An infield error started the inning. Ewing followed with a five-pitch walk. A double-play grounder pushed Fuda to third. Ratterree singled him home. Cook tripled to center. Cook scored on a wild pitch. Perrott doubled and was stranded after an infield pop-up.
In the fourth, Wall allowed a one out double to Hoelscher. Two ground-outs ended the frame.
After four, it was 5-0 Gray.
Trevor Simms relieved for Blue in the fifth.
After an infield pop-up and a strike-out, Simms walked Fuda, Ewing, McDowell and Ratterree. Fuda scoring. A fly out ended the inning with the bases loaded.
Wall completed his five innings by giving up an unearned run. Manuel reached second on an infield throwing error. He scored on a two out single to left by Bullington. Another fly out ended the fifth.
It was 6-1 after five.
Simms pitched a perfect sixth and stranded a walked batter and hit-batter in the seventh.
Jeremy Fant relieved Wall in the sixth. He gave up a one out single to Stringer and a two out single to Lewis. A strikeout left the two runners stranded.
In the seventh, Simms singled with one out. A pop-up and strikeout ended the game.
Final was Gray 6 Blue 1.
Pitching lines:
Stephens: 4 inn, 5 R, 2 ER, 6 H, 3 SO, 2 BB
T. Simms: 3 inn, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 H, 3 SO, 5 BB, 1 HBP
Wall 5 inn, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 6 SO, 1 BB
Fant 2 inn, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 SO
Hitting Highlights:
HR McDowell
Triple Fuda, Cook
Double Perrott, Hoelscher
Single Perrott, Ratterree, Rathjen, Aquino, Bullington, Stringer, Lewis
RBI McDowell (2), Ratterree (2), Cook, Bullington
See you in January 2012.
November 1, 2011 - Blue 1, Gray 0 (5 innings)
It was a short efficient effort by the each pitcher today. Neither pitcher faced more than five batters in any inning.
Rutter shutout Gray on 3 hits, 3 SOs, and 3 walks. He walked a batter in the first and again in the second. Burgess singled in the third but was eliminated on a double-play grounder.
In the fourth, Fuda doubled with one out. Fuda advanced to third on a wild-pitch. Rathjen walked and his runner stole second. A strikeout and fly out ended the inning.
Burgess got his second single of the game but was stranded in the fifth.
Kottman pitched his best game of the fall.
He allowed one run on 5 hits. He struck-out 2 and walked one.
In the bottom of the first, Hoescher and Lewis had back-to-back infield singles with two outs for Blue. They were left-on-base after a pop-out to short.
A lead-off walk to Manuel and a two out single by Williamson were wasted by Blue in the second inning.
Blue plated a run in the third when Aquino laced a double to right leading-off. Hamilton lined to second for the first out. Stringer doubled to right to score Aquino. He took third on a fly to center. A ground-out to short ended the rally.
Kottman retired the side in order in the next two innings.
Golf tomorrow and last scrimmage on Thursday.
October 31, 2011 - Gray 4, Blue 3 (5 innings)
Gray wins! Gray wins! Gray wins!
If that's not enough unusual news, there were lots of other strange happenings in today's scrimmage.
Chase McDowell hit an inside the park HR. The Gray team had a total of four hits and hit for the cycle (McDowell HR, Ewing triple, Simms double, and Rathjen single).
There was a double play on a runner's interference call. There was a catcher's interference call. A balk was called on each pitcher.
Ryan McCarthy pitched five innings allowing 4 runs, 4 hits, striking out 4 and walking 4.
Zech Lemond also pitched five innings, allowing 3 runs (1 ER), 4 hits, 4 SO, and 4 free passes.
Neither side got more than one base-hit in any inning.
Gray scored two in the first when Stainback walked to lead-off. Two outs followed before McDowell hit a deep drive to center that could not be caught. He circled the bases for the inside-the-park HR.
Stringer doubled to left for Blue but was stranded.
Gray 2-0 after one.
Gray loaded the bases after one out in the second. Trevor Simms doubled to center on some hustling base running. A walk to Burgess and HBP to Perrott loaded the sacks.
A grounder to short was turned into a double-play. No score.
Blue got within one when Bullington walked. He stole second and went to third when the ball went into center on the steal. Manuel hit a fielder's choice grounder to second to drive the run in.
Two strikeouts followed.
Gray 2 Blue 1 after two.
Each side would tally a run in the third.
Gray scored on a walk and a balk that put Fuda at second for Rathjen. Jeremy singled him home. The runner's interference double play followed.
Blue scored when DGL reached on a catcher's interference call. DGL went to second on a balk. He scored on Hamilton's single following a walk to Aquino. Aquino was out trying to take third on the throw home.
Hamilton was stranded at third after stealing second and moving to third on a wild pitch. A strikeout and ground-out ended the third.
Gray up 3-2.
Gray added their fourth run in the fourth on Ewing's one out triple. Skyler scored on a fielder's choice. A nice play by the shortstop almost had the runner at the plate but the throw wasn't held. Simms would take second on the throw home and later stole third. He was stranded after a strikeout and fly out.
Blue did not score in the fourth.
In the Gray's fifth, Stainback lead-off with a walk. He stole second but was picked-off. Two fly ball outs ended the Gray's fifth.
This gave Blue an opportunity to rally and win for their fifth straight victory.
Williamson tripled to right. A pop-foul to the catcher was out number one. Aquino drew his second walk of the day.
Hamilton hit a deep drive to left-center that looked like a game winner when it left the bat. It fell just short and was caught for a sac-fly RBI. Blue was within one with one on base and two outs.
The Blue rally fell short on an unassisted ground-out to first.
Final was Gray 4 Blue 3.
Same time and place tomorrow.
October 28, 2011 - Blue 8, Gray 6 (7 innings)
Today was absolutely beautiful. It should be great all week. Golf on Wednesday should be perfect.
Those of us who got there early stripped off our sweatshirts and were in T-shirts by the time the scrimmage started at 11:45 AM. The teams played 7 innings in 2 hours with Blue hanging on for an 8-6 win.
Today was the fifth straight game that Stainback, Fuda, Rathjen, McDowell and Ratterree were playing for Gray with Hamilton, Stringer, Hoelscher and Lewis playing for Blue. This was the fourth straight win for Blue.
Trevor Simms started and pitched the first four innings for Blue.
Tyler Spurlin started and pitched the first five innings for the Gray.
Jeremy Fant relieved and pitched the final three innings for Blue.
Connor Mason took over for Gray and pitched the last two innings.
Gray struck for three quick runs in the first. Stainback walked. Two quick outs followed. McDowell singled to center. The first of his three hits on the day.
Ratterree followed with a two-run single to left. Ratt took second on a balk by Simms when he stumbled and didn't deliver the pitch home. Cook walked. Bullington singled to right driving home Ratt. Murphy was HBP. A strikeout ended the inning.
Blue immediately cut the deficit to one with two runs in their half of the first.
Hamilton hit the first pitch for a double down the left-field line. Stringer reached when he was HBP. Each advanced a base on a passed ball. Hoelscher singled Hamilton home. Stringer to third and scored on the throw. Hoelscher stole second. Three straight outs followed.
Simms settled in and threw three consecutive shutout innings.
Spurlin followed with a shutout inning in the second.
Blue tallied two more in the third. Stringer singled with one out. Hoelscher reached on a throwing error in the infield. Runners at second and third after the errant throw. Lewis doubled to right-center driving home two. Lewis would have two more doubles on the day.
After three innings, it was 4-3 Blue.
Gray would tie it up in the fifth. Fant relieved Simms. He was greeted by back-to-back singles from Fuda and Rathjen. Fuda going to third. McDowell drove home Fuda with a sac-fly to left.
The runner for Jeremy was caught stealing. Ratterree walked. Inning ended on an infield ground-out.
The tie didn't last long as Blue rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth.
DGL singled. Simms doubled to left. DGL going to third. Hamilton got an RBI ground-out to short. Simms taking third. Stringer's sac-fly to center scored Simms.
With two out outs, Hoelscher walked. Lewis' second double scored Hoelscher. A fly out ended the inning.
It was 7-4 Blue after the fifth.
Neither squad scored in the sixth.
Gray made it close with two in the seventh.
With one out, Stainback walked and Rathjen was HBP. McDowell singled home Stainback. Jeremy's runner scored on the throw from the outfield. Two outs followed.
Blue batted and added another run. With two outs, Stringer walked. Hoelscher followed with a single to left. Lewis cracked his third straight double on the day to score Stringer.
Wayne called it off at that point.
Final score 8-6 Blue.
Pitching lines:
Simms 4 inn, 3 R, 6 HITS, 2 SO, 3 BB, 1 HBP
Fant 3 inn, 3 R, 3 HITS, 3 SO, 2 BB, 1 HBP
Spurlin 5 inn, 7 R, 7 HITS, 2 SO, 1 BB, 1 HBP
Mason 2 inn, 2 R, 2 HITS, 3 BB, 1 HBP
Selected hitting highlights:
Lewis 3 Doubles and 4 RBI
McDowell 3 Hits and 2 RBI
Stringer 1 for 1, 3 Runs, 1 RBI
Hoelscher 2 for 2, 2 Runs, 1 RBI, 1 SB
Ratterree 1 for 3, 2 RBI
October 27, 2011 - Blue 3, Gray 1 (5 innings)
Jordan Stephens started for Blue and Taylor Wall for Gray.
Each pitcher struggled in the first inning throwing twenty plus pitches.
Gray scored one off Stephens in the first. Fuda singled with one out. He stole second. Rathjen singled sharply to left, moving Fuda to third. McDowell's fly to left scored Fuda.
Ratterree and Cook each drew a base-on-balls to load the bases. A strikeout ended the inning.
Blue came right back with two runs in the bottom of the first off Wall. Hamilton singled to left. He stole second. After a fly out to center, he scored on Hoelscher's double to left.
A pop to left was the second out. Ewing was HBP. Manuel dropped a shot down the left-field line scoring Hoelscher. The ball bounced off the fence right to the left-fielder. The throw to second got Manuel for the third out of the inning.
It was 2-1 Blue after one inning.
Stephens settled in facing only three batters in the second, third and fourth. He walked Perrott with one out in the fifth. Two quick outs followed.
Wall allowed a run to Blue in the second. Aquino lead-off with a single to left. He was sacrificed to second. DGL walked. Murphy popped a foul to McDowell at first. Chase made a nice catch with his back to the plate.
Hamilton got his second of three singles on the day to send Aquino home. An infield ground-out ended the inning.
Blue 3 Gray 1 after two.
Wall shut the Blue team out in the next three innings. Lewis singled in the third but was picked-off. Manuel reached on an infield error in the fourth. He was eliminated on a fielder's choice. Aquino was caught stealing. A ground out ended the inning.
In the fifth, Hamilton got his third hit of the day and his second straight hard hit ball to right. No other action.
Pitching lines:
Stephens 5 inn, 1 R, 3 HITS, 4 BB, 4 SO
Wall 5 inn, 3 inn, 3 R, 7 HITS, 1 BB, 1 HBP
October 26, 2011 - Blue 7, Gray 3 (5 innings)
Practice started with the team going through a session of situational hitting followed by BP.
The scrimmage started at 4:35 PM with Rutter pitching for Blue and Kottman for Gray.
Gray broke on top with Rathjen hitting a HR just over the fence in left. McDowell walked. He stole second and scored on Cook's double to right.
Blue got one back in the first on an infield hit by Hamilton. He advanced to second on a ground-out to first. Hoelscher singled to right to drive the run home.
Rutter would shut-out Gray for the next three innings.
Blue would get two more runs in the second. Murphy and Trevor Simms each singled. After an outfield fly-out, Bullington doubled down the left-field line. Murphy scored. Simms would score on a sac-fly to right by Aquino.
Blue added three more runs in the third on a one out walk to Hoelscher. A wild pitch put him in scoring position and Lewis drove him home with a single to right. Lewis took second on the throw home. Perrott doubled to left scoring Lewis. Simms drove Perrott home on a his second single of the game.
After 3 innings, it was 6-2 Blue.
Blue added another run in the fifth on a walk to Bullington. Two pick-off attempts failed, moving the runner to third. A wild pitch sent Bullington home.
Gray scored one in the fifth with a one out single by DGL. DGL stole second. Burgess followed with another single. Burgess moved to second on an error. Manuel drove home DGL with Burgess get down at the plate on a throw from right.
Blue failed to score in the fifth.
Final was Blue 7, Gray 3.
Pitching Lines:
Rutter 5 inn, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 HITS, 2 Walks, 2 SO
Kottman 5 inn, 7 R, 6 ER, 9 HITS, 3 Walks, 2 SO
Hitting Highlights
HR Rathjen
Double Bullington, Cook and Perrott
RBI Rathjen, Cook, Manuel, Hoelscher, Bullington, Aquino, Lewis, Perrott, Simms
Single Trevor Simms (2), Hoelscher (2), Lewis, Hamilton, Murphy, DGL, Burgess and Manuel
October 25, 2011 - Blue 4, Gray 0 (5 innings)
Ryan McCarthy pitched a five inning shutout over Gray today. He allowed 5 singles, walked 2, hit one, and struckout 3.
Zec Lemond pitched 4 1/3 innings for Gray. He gave up 4 runs on 7 hits, walked 4, hit one, and struckout 2.
After 2 scoreless innings Blue rallied for three runs in the third. With one out Bullington singled to center. Hamilton doubled to right-center moving Bullington to third.
Stringer walked to load the bases. Hoelscher hit a grounder to third that forced Bullington at home.
Lewis hit a hard shot past second to score two runs. Ewing singled to left to score Hoelscher. A pop fly ended the inning.
After a scoreless fourth Blue added one more in the fifth on a one out single to right by Lewis with two on base. The was called at that point.
Hamilton had the only double.
Lewis had two singles.
Other singles were hit by Hamilton, Ewing, Aquino, Bullington, Fuda, Rathjen, McDowell, Cook, and Trevor Simms.
Burgess had the only stolen base.
Lewis had three RBI and Ewing had one.
Five innings again tomorrow.
October 23, 2011 - Gray 7, Blue 2 (5 1/2 innings)
Final was Gray 7 Blue 2 after 5 and one half.
I was hoping for a pitchers duel with a final score of maybe 2-1. Through the first three innings, it looked as if I might get my wish.
Spurlin retired 9 of the first 10 batters he faced. Only Perrott reached via a one out triple in the top of the third. The next two batters each grounded out to third leaving him at third.
Trevor Simms gave up an unearned run in the first. With one out, Stringer hit the ball through the first baseman's legs. Hoelscher walked. Lewis grounded to second to force Hoelscher with Stringer coming around to score on the play.
Ewing walked pushing Lewis to second. Manuel singled to left. Lewis was thrown out at the plate.
Simms allowed only an infield hit to Hamilton in the next two innings.
After three, it was Blue 1 Gray 0.
In the top of the fourth, Fuda walked with one out. He moved to second on an infield out. McDowell walked. Fuda scored on Ratterree's single to right. McDowell went to third and Ratterree took second on the throw home. Cook singled home the two runs. The inning ended on a ground out to third.
Blue got one back in the bottom of the fourth. Lewis singled with one out. Ewing walked for the second time. Manuel singled to load the bases. Aquino hit a sac-fly to center to score Lewis. A strikeout ended the rally.
After four innings, it was Gray 3 Blue 2.
In the fifth, Perrott lead-off with a walk. Burgess singled. Perrott going to third. Perrott was tagged out at home on a grounder back to the pitcher.
A wild pitch moved the two runners up. An infield grounder scored Burgess with Simms taking third. Fuda's single scored Simms. Rathjen was HBP and McDowell walked to load the bases. An infield fielder's choice closed out the inning.
Mason relieved Simms in the bottom of the fifth. Bullington singled to left. After a strikeout, Bulllington was forced at second. An outfield fly ended the fifth.
Gray 5 Blue 3 after 5 innings.
Mason pitched the top of the sixth for Blue. Two runs scored on three HBPs, a walk, a wild pitch with Burgess's double the only hit of the inning. Three men were left on base. Mason struck out the last two hitters of the inning to end the game.
Pitching lines:
Spurlin 5 inn, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 HITS, 3 SO, 5 FP
T. Simms 4 inn, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 HITS, 3 SO, 3 FP
Mason 2 inn, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 HITS, 3 SO, 4 FP
Hitting Highlights:
Triple - Perrott
Double- Burgess
Singles- Manuel (2), Fuda, Ratterree, Cook, Burgess, Hamilton, Lewis, Bullington
RBI- Cook (2), Aquino, Stainback, Fuda, Ratterree, Burgess
October 21, 2011 - Blue 1, Gray 1 (5 innings)
Wall holds gray to one hit and one run in five innings. He struck out six and walked three. Gray scored when Ewing fought back to walk after getting down 0-2. Manuel did what Manuel does and lined a single to right. Ewing to third. He scored on an infield grounder off Wall's foot. holds gray to one hit and one run in five innings. He struck out six and walked three. Gray scored when fought back to walk after getting down 0-2. did what does and lined a single to right. to third. He scored on an infield grounder off foot.
Stephens allowed one run in first on a lead-off single by Stainback. Fuda crushed a double to center. Rathjen drove home the run on a sacFly to left.
Others hits by Blue were a second single by Stainback and Rathjen had an infield single.
Stephens had three SOs. No walks.
Off Saturday. Back Sunday.
October 20, 2011 - Blue 5, Gray 4 (8 innings)
Beautiful weather and a very competitive ball game today.
Blue rallied with two runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the game away from Gray.
Evan Rutter started for the Blue squad and Matt Reckling started for the Gray team.
Rutter pitched three scoreless innings to start the game.
Reckling opened with a perfect first inning. Ryan Lewis lead-off the second with a double to right.
He stole third and scored on a wild pitch. Reckling had no other problems in the inning.
Blue scored their second run in the bottom of the third. With one out, Perrott ripped a double down the left-field line. After an infield pop-out, Perrott scored on Hamilton's single to center. Hamilton stole second but was stranded when Reckling got his fourth SO of the game.
After three innings, it was 2-0 Blue.
In the fourth, Gray rallied to pull even and then take the lead. Fuda homered to center with one out. Rathjen was HBP. Manuel singled to left. An infield error loaded the bases. Cook delivered a single to right sending the second run home. A bases-loaded walk to Ewing put Gray in front 3-2. Two SOs followed to end the rally.
Reckling pitched out of trouble to hold Blue scoreless in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, he loaded the bases on consecutive walks. Back-to-back SOs ended the inning.
Gray 3, Blue 2 after four.
Rutter and Reckling were done for the day.
Rutter 4 inn, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 HITS, 4 SO, 3 BB, 1 HBP
Reckling 4 inn, 2 ER, 4 HITS, 6 SO, 2 BB
Lemond relieved for Blue in the fifth. He pitched a scoreless fifth.
Kottman relieved for Gray in the fifth. He walked Perrott. Ditman singled pushing Perrott to third. A grounder to third eliminated Perrott on a tag-out fielder's choice. A pop-out to left was the second out. Hoelscher doubled to left scoring Ditman.
The game was 3-3 after five.
In the sixth, Lemond gave up a walk, a caught stealing, a pop-out, another walk, a wild pitch, an RBI single by Cook to right-center. Ewing followed with a checked-swing single to right. An infield ground-out ended the inning.
Lemond pitched a perfect seventh.
Kottman pitched scoreless ball in the sixth and seventh.
In the top of the eighth, Gray was looking to add on. After two quick outs, Manuel stroked his third hit of the day. He went to third on Ratterree's single to right. A pop-out ended the threat.
With time running out, Blue needed two runs to win. After a SO, Hoelscher walked. Lewis hit a grounder to second that was misplayed. Runners now at first and second. McDowell took an outside pitch to left scoring Hoelscher to tie the game at four.
DGL was going to bunt on the first pitch but took it low for a ball. He worked the count and walked to load the bases.
Williamson came up with the infield drawn in. He worked the count to 2-2 with a couple of fouls. Somehow he got his bat on a pitch that was just above his shoe-tops, The ball was a grounder through the drawn in infield to drive home the winning run.
Blue wins on the "roller in the gloomin'".
Final Blue 5 Gray 4
Lemond 4 inn, 1 ER, 5 HITS, 1 SO, 2 BB
Kottman 3.1 inn, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 HITS, 3 SO, 4 BB
Hitting highlights:
HR Fuda
Double Lewis, Perrott, Hoelscher
Multi-hit days Manuel (3), Williamson (2), Cook (2)
SB Hamilton, Lewis (2)
My recap tomorrow will be late as volleyball starts at 7:00 PM. It's "Dig Pink" night. Get out those ball caps with the pink Rs.
October 19, 2011 - Gray 5, Blue 1 (7 innings)
My son and I got in our 18 holes of golf before 1:00 PM. That gave me plenty of time to get back for today's fallball scrimmage.
Gray won behind the five strong innings from starter Ryan McCarthy and a solid two innings of relief from J. T. Chargois.
McCarthy allowed only two hits and one run on Burgess's HR to left in the third inning.
Fant started for Blue and was the victim of some poor fielding allowing two unearned runs in the first.
He tired in the fifth and allowed two more runs on four hits in the inning.
John Simms relieved in the sixth. McDowell hit a two-out double to left-center and scored from second when a wild pitch eluded the catcher.
Simms pitched a scoreless seventh.
Pitching lines for the day:
Fant 5 inn, 4 R, 2 ER, 6 HITS, 6 SO, 1 BB
McCarthy 5 inn, 1 ER, 2 HITS, 3 SO, 1 BB, 1 HBP
J. Simms 2 inn, 1 ER,3 HITS, 1 BB
Chargois 2 inn, 0 R, 3 HITS, 3 SO
Hitting highlights:
Singles:
2 by Ditman
1 by Hamilton, Hoelscher, Aquino, Bullington, Rathjen, Manuel
Doubles:
1 by Fuda, McDowell, DGL
Triple:
1 by Fuda
HR:
1 by Burgess
RBI:
Hoelscher, Williams, Ditman, Burgess
October 18, 2011 - Gray 7, Blue 5 (6.1 innings)
A beautiful day with a brisk north wind that made catching pop-ups a little too exciting today.
Starting pitchers were Tyler Spurlin for Blue and Trevor Simms for Gray.
Gray jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. Stainback singled. Fuda was HBP. Cook forced Fuda. Cook was caught stealing. Rathjen walked. Ratterree homered to dead-center for a three run lead.
Blue rallied back sending ten men to the plate in the bottom of the first. Hamilton walked; Stringer doubled. Hoelscher singled both runners home. Lewis followed with a single. Bullington walked to load the bases. Manuel scored Hoelscher on a sac-fly. Lewis moving to third.
The fourth run scored on a double steal. Bullington taking second and Lewis scoring from third.
Bullington scored the fifth run on an infield fielder's choice and an error. A soft liner to first was the second out. A walk and HBP loaded the bases. At that point, the inning was called to a halt.
After one inning, it was 5-4 Blue.
Gray got one back in the second on a walk to McDowell. A wild pitch moved him to second. McDowell went to third on an infield grounder. He scored on Murphy's single off the pitcher thst rolled out to short.
Perrott walked but two outs followed to end the inning.
Trevor pitched the next two innings without incident.
Spurlin retired three straight in the third and erased a lead-off single with a 6-4-3 inning ending DP in the fourth.
Holt McNair relieved in the fourth for Gray. Williamson's one out single was eliminated with a pick-off catching him trying to go to second. A third out followed.
After four, it was 5-4 Blue.
Connor Mason relieved for Blue in the fifth. Murphy walked. He took second on a wild pitch. He scored on Perrott's single to left. Three outs followed.
McNair pitched a perfect fifth.
All tied after five innings.
In the sixth, Ratterree walked with one out but was stranded.
McNair had another perfect inning.
Still tied at 5 going into the seventh with time running out.
Burgess walked to lead-off. Murphy sacrificed him to second and was safe when the second baseman bobbled the throw to first.
Perrott sacrificed both runners up a base. With one strike on him, Stainback tripled deep to left-center scoring Burgess and Murphy. Game was called.
Gray wins 7-5.
Pitching lines:
Spurlin 4 inn, 4 ER, 4 HITS, 4 SO, 4 FP
T. Simms 2.2 inn, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 HITS, 2 SO, 5 FP
Mason 2.1 inn, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 HITS, 3 FP
McNair 3 inn, 0 R, 1 HIT, 1 SO
Enjoy the fall weather. Bruce has the game tomorrow as I will be golfing with my son.
October 16, 2011 - Texas State 6, Rice 5 (Fall Exhibition game)
Another perfect day for a fallball game. The Owls could never get the lead but hung close all day. They lost 6-5 leaving two runners on base in the 14th.
Texas State struck quickly with a two-run HR by Kalenkosky in the first. This won't be the last you'll see that name.
Ewing tied it at two with his own two-run HR to left in the second.
The Bobcats took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a lead-off single by Kalenkosky. He advanced to third on consecutive outs and scored on a Texas leaguer to left by Nuti.
The Owls tied it in seventh. With one out, Hoelscher doubled to left, Lewis reached on HBP. He was forced at second on a grounder to short. The throw to first sailed into the Rice dugout allowing Hoelscher to score. A strikeout ended the inning.
Once again, Texas State took the lead in the ninth. An infield error was followed by a base-on-balls. A nice DP ball to second left a man on third with two outs. Our friend, Mr. Kalenkosky doubled the run home.
4-3 after 9 innings.
In the tenth, Texas State went up 5-3. McVaney doubled to lead off. After two outs, he advanced to third on a WP. A blooper to center by Mattlage scored the run.
5-3 after 10 innings.
In the 11th, Kubitza pitched a perfect inning striking out three hitters. Lemond followed that with an identical outing in the 12th.
The Owls closed to within one with a run in the 12th. Stringer singled with one out. Hoelscher got HBP. A wild pitch moved the runners up. Ewing got his third RBI of the day on a sac-fly to right.
After 12 it was 5-4.
TSU scored their 6th run on a single by Nuti. A wild pitch, a fielder's choice and a passed ball.
The Owls closed the gap by loading the bases with no outs on singles from Fuda and Cook and a walk to Ratterree. Fuda scored on Manuel's shallow sac-fly to left. A nice slide around the tag at home allowed him to score. Unfortunately, the rally produced no further scoring.
After 13 it was 6-5.
TSU threatened in the 14th but Duffey got a strikeout to end the frame stranding two runners.
In the bottom of the 14th, Rice got a two-out double from Stainback followed by a four pitch walk to Fuda. A fly to right ended the game.
Final TSU 6 Rice 5 (14 innings).
Pitching lines:
Reckling 2 inn, 2 R ,2 ER, 1 HIT, 4 SO, 1 BB
Stephens 3 inn, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 HITS, 1 SO
Chargois 1 inn, 0 R, 0 HIT, 1 SO
J. Simms 1 inn, 0 R, 0 HIT, 1 SO
Wall 3 inn, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 HITS, 1 BB
Kubitza 1 inn, 0 R, 0 HIT, 3 SO
Lemond 1 inn, 0 R, 0 HIT, 3 S
Rutter 1 inn, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 HIT, 1 SO
Duffey 1 inn, 0 R, 1 HIT, 1 SO. 1 BB
Hitting highlights:
HR Ewing
Double Fuda, Hoelscher, Stainback
Single Fuda, Manuel (2), Hoelscher, Stringer, Cook
RBI Ewing (3), Manuel
HBP Hoelscher (2), Lewis
BB Ratterree, Fuda
SB Hoelscher
SF Ewing, Manuel
October 13, 2011 - Blue 8, Gray 4 (7 innings)
I landed at Hobby at 3:00 PM and made a quick appearance at the Reck at 4:30 PM before heading to the Village for a quick meal.
I got back to the ballpark in time to see the sixth and seventh innings.
I had fun but it's good to be back for Rice Owls sports.
Thanks to Bruce Chase for subbing for me while I was gone.
Today's pitching lines were as follows:
Blue:
Fant: 4 inn, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 HITS, 1 SO
McNair: 2 inn, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 HITS, 2 SO
Duffey: 1 inn, 0 R, 0 Hits, 1 SO
Gray:
Kottman: 4 inn, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 HITS, 3 SO, 4 BB, 1 HBP
Mason: 2 inn, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 HITS, 4 SO, 4 BB, 1 HBP
Simms: 1 inn, 0 R, 0 HITS
Gray opened the game with a run in the first. Fuda singled with one out. He stole second and scored on McDowell's single. Two quick outs followed.
Blue promptly tied it up. Hamilton reached on a lead-off walk. Stringer singled. Runners at first and second. Hoelscher sacrificed the runners to second and third. Hamilton scored on a fielder's choice grounder by Lewis.
A fly-ball out followed to end the inning.
Cook reached on an infield single for Gray. After a fly out to center, Cook was picked off for the second out. Ewing singled to right. Another outfield fly out ended the inning.
Blue was retired in order.
In the third, Gray got a one out single to left by Stainback. He was caught stealing for the second out. Fuda reached on an infield single. A ground out to second ended the third for Gray.
Blue erupted for 5 runs in the third. DGL singled. Ditman was HBP. Hamilton walked to load the bases. Stringer cleared the bases with a double to right. He advanced to third on the throw home. Hoelscher got him home with an RBI sac-fly. One out. Lewis walked. and stole second. An infield pop-up was the second out. Manuel singled Lewis home. A strikeout ended the inning.
In the fourth, Rathjen, who was playing right-field today, singled to left. A fly out to right was the first out. An infield fileders choice was the second. A strikeout ended the fourth for Gray.
Williamson singled to left. He was caught stealing for the first out. An infield out followed. Ditman walked. A strikeout ended the frame.
After 4 innings, the score was Blue 6, Gray 1.
McNair pitched for Blue in the fifth and sixth. Mason pitched the fifth and sixth for Gray.
After a strikeout, Perrot singled to left. Murphy also singled to left. A wild pitch put runners at second and third. Stainback grounded to second scoring Perrott. He was safe on an error and Murphy scored also. Stainback stole second and took third on a passed-ball. A strikeout followed for the second out. McDowell walked. Rathjen reached on an error by third with Stainback scoring. McDowell going to second. The third strikeout of the inning ended the fifth for Gray. Three runs.
Walks to Stringer and Hoelscher were followed by two strikeouts. A walk to Manuel loaded the bases. An infiled fielder's choice ended the fifth for Blue. No runs.
In the sixth, Cook had an infield hit. Burgess forced Cook on an infield out. A fly to right and a great throw back to first doubled up Burgess to end the inning. Gray had no runs in the sixth.
Blue scored two in the bottom of the sixth. The inning started with two quick outs. Ditman walked. Hamilton was HBP. Stringer singled to right driving home Ditman. Hoelscher's single to left scored Hamilton. A strikeout ended the sixth. Blue scored two runs.
After six innings it was Blue 8, Gray 4.
Duffey closed for Blue. Simms for Gray. Each pitched a perfect inning.
Final was Blue 8, Gray 4.
October 12, 2011 - Gray 5, Blue 0
Fall Bame Game 10: 6 innings, Time: 2hrs. 34mins. Gray: 5R, 6H, 1E, 4LOB. Blue: 0R, 5H, 0E, 5LOB.
Pitching stats:
Gray: R. McCarthy - 3IP, 14BF, 0R, 4H, 2K's, 1BB, 1HB; A. Kubitza - 2IP, 6BF, 0R, 0H, 2K's; J.T. Chargois - 1IP, 3BF, 0R, 0H, 1K;
Blue: T. Simms - 3IP, 19BF, 5R(all earned), 4H, 3K's, 5BB, 1HB; E. Rutter - 3IP, 9BF, 0R, 2H(2B) 2K's, 1WP;
Offensive stats:
Gray: F. Stainback - 3AB, 0H, 0R, 1K; S. Hoelscher - 2AB, 0H, 1R, 1BB; R. Lewis - 1AB, 0H, 1R, 1BB; J. Rathjen - 2AB, 0H, 0R, 2K's, 1BB; K. Cook - 3AB, 1H,1R, 1K, 1RBI; S. Ewing - 3AB, 0H, 0R, 2K's; J. Williamson - 2AB, 2H, 1R, 1BB; N. Bullington - 2AB, 2H(2B), 1R, 1HP, 2 RBI's; G. Perrott - 1AB 0H, 0R, 1BB; A. Murphy - 2AB, 1H, 0R, 2 RBI's;
Blue: D. Hamilton - 3AB, 2H(2B), 0R; C. Stringer - 3AB, 2H, 0R; M. Fuda - 2AB, 0H, 0R, 2K's, 1HP; C. McDowell - 2AB, 0H, 0R; C. Manuel - 2AB, 0H, 0R; M. Ratterree - 2AB, 0H, 0R; M. Aquino - 2AB, 1H, 0R; DGL - 2AB, 0H, 0R, 1K; C. Burgess - 2AB, 0H, 0R; M. Ditman - 1AB, 0H, 0R, 1BB.
October 11, 2011 - Rice 16, UH 4 (Fall Exhibition game)
Nice evening for a ball game: Rice - 15 runs, 22 hits, 1 E, 14 innings, time: 4hrs-36mins.
Rice pitching: M. Reckling - 3IP, 11BF, 0R, 2Hits, 4K's; T. Wall - 3IP, 13BF, 1R(earned), 3Hits (2B,3B), 1K, 1BB; J. Stephens - 3IP, 12BF, 0R, 1 Hit, 3K's, 2BB; T. Spurlin - 2IP, 10BF, 2R(both earned), 3Hits(2-2B), 1K, 1WP,1HB; Z. Lemond - 2IP, 9BF, 1R(earned), 4Hits(HR) 1K; J. Simms - 1IP, 3BF, 0R, 0H, 2K's
Rice hitting: D. Hamilton - 4AB, 1H(2B), 1R, 1SB, 1K, 1BB, 2RBI's; F. Stainback - 1AB, 0H, 0R, 1BB; C. Stringer - 3AB, 0H, 1R, 2BB; K. Cook - 4AB, 1H, 0R, 2K's; M. Fuda - 4AB, 2H, 1R, 1SB, 1BB, 1RBI; J. Williamson - 2AB, 1H, 0R; C. McDowell - 6AB, 1H(2B), 1R, 3K's; S. Ewing - 2AB, 1H,(2B), 1K; J. Rathjen - 8AB, 3H,(2B), 2R, 3RBI's; M. Ratterree - 5AB, 2H(HR), 3R, 2RBI's; C. Manuel - 4AB, 2H, 0R, 1K; G. Perrott - 3AB, 0H, 0R, 1K, 1BB; R. Lewis - 4AB, 2H, 2R, 1BB, 1HP; N. Bullington - 1AB, 1H, 1R, 1HP; S. Hoelscher - 8AB, 2H(2B), 3R, 1K, 2RBI's; M. Aquino - 2AB, 1H(HR), 1R, 1RBI, 1SH; DGL - 2AB, 2H(2B), 0R, 1BB; C. Burgess - 0AB, 0H, 0R
October 7, 2011 - Gray 4, Blue 2
Real nice day for a ball game.
Pitching stats:
Gray: 4-7-0 3 LOB: C. Mason; 2 innings, 6 BF, 0 Runs, 0 Hits; J. Williamson; 2 innings, 11 BF, 2 Runs (both earned), 0 Hits, 4BB, 1WP, 1HB.
Blue: 2-0-0 3 LOB. Pitching: J. Fant; 4 innings, 4 Runs (3 earned), 7 Hits (3-2B, 1HR), 3K's, 1BB, 1WP, 1HB.
Offensive stats:
Gray: D. Hamilton - 2AB, 1H, 1R; C. McDowell - 2AB, 2H(2B,HR), 2R, 2RBI's; M. Fuda - 2AB, 1H, 0R, 1K; C. Manuel - 1AB, 0H, 0R, 1SF, 1RBI; M. Ratterree - 1AB, 0H, 0R, 1HBP; S. Hoelscher - 1AB, 0H, 0R, 1BB; N. Bullington - 2AB, 2H(2-2B),1R; T. Simms - 2AB, 0H, 0R, 2K's; J. Williamson - 2AB, 1H, 0R, 1RBI; M. Ditman - 1AB, 0H, 0R.
Blue: F. Stainback - 1AB, 0H, 1R, 1SB, 1BB; S. Ewing - 1AB, 0H, 1R, 1BB; K. Cook - 1AB, 0H, 0R, 1HBP; J. Rathjen - 1AB, 0H, 0R,1BB; R. Lewis - 2AB, 0H, 0R; G. Perrott - 1AB, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 1RBI; M. Aquino - 2 AB, 0 H, 0Runs; DGL - 1AB, 0H, 0R; C. Burgess - 1AB, 0H, 0R; A. Murphy - 1AB, 0H, 0R.
Gray threw a combined no-hitter. Time 1hr-3min. 4 innings.
October 6, 2011 - Blue 6, Gray 1
Game 8 Time: 1hr-55mins, 7 innings.
Pitching stats:
Gray: 6 runs ( 4 earned - 2 unearned) 7 hits (2-2B) 1 E. B. Kottman - 4 inns. faced 22 batters 5 runs, 6 hits (2-2B), 1K, 4BB, 1WP, 1HB. T. Simms - 2 inns. faced 10 batters 1 run, 1 hit ,1K, 3BB, 1WP
Blue: 1 run (earned), 5 hits (1HR). McCarthy - 4 inns. faced 18 batters 1 run (earned) 3 hits (HR) 2K's, 3BB, 1BK, 1HB. H. McNair - 2 inns. faced 7 batters 0 runs 1 hit, 1K, 1BB. T. Duffey -1 inn. faced 4 batters 0 runs, 1 hit, 1K.
Offensive stats:
Gray: F. Stainback - 1AB, 0Hits, 0Runs, 2BB; M. Fuda - 3AB, 0Hits, 0Runs; K. Cook - 3AB, 0Hits, 0Runs, 2Ks; J. Rathjen - 2AB, 1Hit(HR), 1Run, 1 RBI, 1BB; C. Manuel - 3AB, 0Hits, 0Runs; S. Ewing - 3AB, 1Hit, 0Runs, 1K; R.Lewis - 2AB, 2Hits, 0Runs, 2SB, 1HBP; M. Aquino - 3AB, 0Hits, 0Runs 1K; C. Burgess - 3AB, 1Hit, 0Runs; M. Ditman - 1AB, 0Hits, 0Runs 1BB;
Blue Hitting: D. Hamilton - 2AB, 1Hit(2B), 2Runs, 2BB; C. Stringer - 4AB, 2Hits, 1Run, 2RBI's; S. Hoelscher - 3AB, 0Hits, 0Runs; C. McDowell - 2AB, 1Hit, 1BB, 1RBI; M. Ratterree - 2AB, 1Hit, 0Runs, 1SB, 1BB; G. Perrott - 1AB, 0Hits, 0Runs, 1HBP, 1BB; J. Williamson - 2AB, 0Hits, 0Runs, 1BB; N. Bullington - 3AB, 0Hits, 0Runs, 1K; DGL - 2AB, 0hits, 1Run, 1SB, 1BB, 1K; A. Murphy - 3AB, 2Hits (2B), 1Run, 1RBI.
October 5, 2011 - Blue 1, Gray 0
A nice day for a ball game.
Pitching stats:
Gray: 1 run on 4 hits. M. Reckling - 2 innings, faced 7 batters 0 runs 1 hit (2B) 2k's 1BB. E Rutter - 4 innings, faced 15 batters 1 run (on a SF) 3 hits (2B) 5k's 1BB 1 WP.
Blue: 0 runs on 3 hits. T.Wall - 2 innings, faced 9 batters 0 runs 1 hit 1k and 1BB. J. Stephens - 2 innings, faced 6 batters 0 runs 0 hits 3k's 1BB. Z Lemond - 2 innings, faced 8 batters 0 runs 2 hits 4k's 0BB. J Simms - 1 inning, faced 4 batters 0 runs 0 hits 1k and 1BB.
Offensive stats:
Gray: D. Hamilton 1-2 1BB; C. Stringer 0-3, S. Hoelscher 0-2 2k's 1BB, C. McDowell 0-2 1k 1BB, M. Ratterree 0-3 2k's, G. Perrott 0-3 1k, J Williamson 0-3 1k, N. Bullington 1-2 1k, DGL 0-2, A. Murphy 1-2 1k.
Blue: F. Stainback 0-2 1k and 1BB, M. Fuda 1-3 1 run 1k, K. Cook 1-2 (2B), J. Rathjen 0-1 1SF 1 RBI, C. Manuel 1-2 (2B), S. Ewing 0-2 1k, R. Lewis 0-2 2k's, M. Aquino 0-2 1k, C. Burgess 1-1 1BB, M. Ditman 0-2 1k.
Time - 1 hour and 42 mins. 7 innings.
(By Bruce Chase on behalf of Roger who is out of town)
October 3, 2011 - Blue 10, Gray 8
Pitching stats:
Gray: Connor Mason went 2 innings, faced 15 batters, gave up 6 runs (3 unearned) 4 hits, 2 Ks 2 BB 1 hit batter. Tyler Duffey went 2 innings faced 7 batters, 0 runs 1 hit 1 K 0 BB. John Williamson went 2 innings, faced 12 batters, 3 hits (2 doubles) 2 runs, all earned 0 K's 4 walks. John Simms went 1 inning, faced 6 batters, gave up 1 run (earned) 1 hit 1 K 2 BB, 1 WP.
Blue: Tyler Spurlin went 4 innings faced 15 batters gave up 1 run (earned) on 3 hits, (1 double) 2 K's 0 BB. Jeremy Fant went 3 innings faced 17 batters gave up 7 runs on 6 hits (3 triples) 0 K's and 0 BB, and 1 hit batter.
Offensive stats:
Gray: J. Williamson 0-4, 1 run; D Hamilton 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI; C Stringer 2-4, (1 single and 1 triple) 2 runs,2 RBI's; M Ratterree 2-4 ( single and a triple) 0 runs 2 RBI's; S Hoelscher 0-4; G Perrott 1-2 (double) 0 runs; N Bullington 0-3 (reached on a FCand scored); DGL 2-3 (single and a triple), scored 1 run and had 1 RBI; A. Murphy 1-2 (singled and scored a run), 1 RBI with a SF.
Blue: F Stainback 1-2 scored 3 runs and had 1 RBI; M Fuda 2-4 (double) scored 1 run had 2 RBI's; K Cook 1-4,1 single and 1 RBI; J Rathjen 0-3 with 1 RBI on a SF; C Manuel 1-3 (single) 2 runs scored; S Ewing 1-3 (double) 1 RBI; R Lewis 0-2 scored 1 run on a walk; M Aquino 1-3 (single) scored 1 run; C Burgess 1-2 (single) scored 2 runs on a HBP and a walk; M Ditman 0-4.
Gray 8 runs on 9 hits. Blue 10 runs on 8 hits.
(By Bruce Chase on behalf of Roger who is out of town)
October 1, 2011 - Blue 2, Gray 1
It's October first and the weather finally feels like fall. It was an absolutely gorgeous day for a fallball game.
The scrimmage was an eight inning affair. The longest game of the fall. The score was Blue 2, Gray 1. The lowest score to date.
For 6 1/2 innings it appeared Gray might win 1-0 but Blue used some small ball and pushed two runs across the plate in the bottom of the seventh to win for the fifth straight game.
Taylor Wall started for Blue. In the first, Hamilton tripled to left (well sort of a triple). He scored on a wild pitch.
Trevor Simms started for Gray. Stainback singled. He was caught stealing. Fuda walked and was eliminated on a DP grounder to short.
McDowell walked in the top of the second. He was thrown out trying to steal second. Hoelscher walked. Lewis reached on an infield single. After a pop-out Hoelscher was out trying to steal third.
In the bottom of the inning, Rathjen walked. Manuel singled to right to put runners on the corners. An infield pop-up, a strikeout, and a fly out ended the inning with no runs scoring.
Wall and Trevor Simms each had 1-2-3 third innings.
After three, it was Gray 1, Blue 0.
Pitching lines: Wall 3 innings,1 ER, 2 HITS, 2 BB, and 2 SO. T. Simms 3 innings, 0 R, 2 HITS, 2 BB, and 2 SO.
Ryan McCarthy took over in the fourth for Blue. He pitched the next three innings. A perfect fourth. In the fifth, it was a ground out to first followed by Hoelscher's single to left. Hoelscher stole second but was stranded as McCarthy struck out the next two hitters.
In the sixth, Bullington walked and then stole second. He took third on a ground out to short. Bullington was out at home on a grounder to the pitcher. Williamson was safe at first on the play. Williamson stole second. Hamilton walked. Williamson was forced at third on a grounder to third.
Kottman relieved for Gray in the fourth. It's not often that a pitcher faces only three batters in an inning when the lead-off man (Fuda) doubles and the second man (Cook) singles but that's what happened in the fourth for Kottman. Fuda was nailed at the plate trying to score on Cook's single to right. Cook was cut down trying to reach third on a fly out to the outfield. End of inning.
In the fifth, Kottman retired the first two hitters. Aquino reached on a catcher's interference. He was picked-off. Two innings. Six batters.
In the sixth, the first hitter grounded out to first. Burgess walked and Murphy was HBP. A 6-4-3 double play ended the inning.
It was still 1-0 Gray after six.
Pitching lines: McCarthy 3 innings 0 R, 1 HIT, 2 SO and 2 BB. Kottman 3 innings 0 R, 2 HITS, 1 BB, 1 HBP.
Kubitza pitched the seventh for Blue. After one out, McDowell walked, A sac bunt moved him to second. A strikeout ended the inning. For Kubitza it was 1 inning with 1 BB 1 SO. No runs or hits.
McNair came in for Gray in the seventh. Fuda greeted him with a single to left. A wild pitch moved him to second. Cook laid down a beautiful bunt single passed McNair to the second baseman. Fuda taking third. Another wild pitch moved Cook to second.
Fuda scored on Rathjen's sac-fly to right. Cook went to third. Manuel dropped down a great bunt to score Cook. Manuel was out at first. McNair struck out the next batter to end the seventh.
It's now Blue 2, Gray 1.
John Simms pitched the eighth for Blue and picked up the save by retiring the side in order. J. Simms pitched the one inning of shut-out ball. No hits and one SO.
McNair threw three pitches in the bottom of the eighth. A fly out to center, a pop out to short, and a fly out to right ended the game.
McNair pitched 2 innings, 2 ER, 2 HITS, 1 SO.
Enjoy the great weather.
September 30, 2011 - Blue 5, Gray 2
The weather is getting better. It should be perfect Saturday. Practice Saturday will start at 12:30 pm with squad to follow around 2.
Once again the Blue team prevails. Today it was a seven inning game with Blue getting a 5-2 win.
The starters were Reckling for Blue and Lemond for Gray. Each starter went four innings. The relievers were Stephens for Blue and Rutter for Gray. Each pitched three innings.
In the first three games of the fall, there was little to get excited about defensively. Today, we got to see some excellent glove work. Burgess made two great plays at third and Stringer made a play at second reminiscent of Brock Holt. The Blue team also turned in the first ground-ball DP of the year. A very nice 5-4-3 DP.
In addition, there were four stolen bases on the day.
Reckling was greeted by back-to-back singles by Stainback and Fuda. Stainback going to third on the hit to center by Fuda. Fuda then stole second. Stainback scored when the ball eluded the covering middle infielder.
Cook hit a slow dribbler out toward the mound. The catcher fielded and threw Cook out at first. Fuda scored from second on the play. Remember him doing that back at MMP his freshman year?
Rathjen singled and Manuel walked. Reckling got a SO to end the inning.
The bottom of the first was much the same. Williamson lead-off with a single. A fielder's choice eliminated Williamson and got Hamilton to first. Stringer singled Hamilton to third. Ratterree doubled off the base of the centerfield wall, with Hamilton scoring and Stringer being held at third. McDowell's sac-fly to center scores Stringer. A come-backer to Lemond ended the inning.
Knotted at two after one inning.
Each pitcher settled down. In the next two innings, Reckling struck-out four and the double play eliminated the runner that reached on an infield error. Lemond matched Reckling with four strikeouts and two infield outs.
Reckling pitched another shutout inning in the fourth. Cook singled but was caught stealing. Rathjen was HBP. His pinch runner was doubled up on a soft liner caught by the SS. The throw to first beat the runner back.
Lemond's fourth did not go as well. Stringer got his second straight single. Burgess made a great stop and throw to nip Ratterree at first. Stringer taking second.
McDowell singled off Lemond. Runners at the corners. McDowell stole second. Hoelscher walked on a full count to load the bases. Lemond got a strikeout for the second out of the inning. Bullington ripped a single to center. Stringer and McDowell scoring. Hoelscher going to third. A passed ball allowed Hoelscher to score. Bullington to third. Lemond's sixth strikeout ended the fourth.
Pitching lines:
Reckling: 2 ER, 4 HITS, 1 BB, 1 HBP and 5 SO.
Lemond: 5 R, 4 ER, 6 HITS, 1 BB and 6 SO.
After four innings, the score was Blue 5, Gray 2.
Stephens replaced Reckling and Rutter replaced Lemond.
Stephens and Rutter each pitched three scoreless innings.
Stephens was perfect in the fifth. Burgess had an infield single in the sixth but was caught stealing. A strikeout and a ground-out ended the inning. Fuda doubled to start the seventh but was stranded by two fly ball outs and a pop-out.
Rutter walked Hamilton with two outs. A pop foul out stranded the runner. In the sixth, two infield ground-outs were followed by walks to Hoelscher and Perrott. An infield grounder to third ended the sixth.
In the seventh, DGL singled and then stole second. Two infield ground outs and a pop foul to third ended the inning and the game.
Pitching lines:
Stephens: 0 R, 2 Hits, and 3 SO.
Rutter: 0 R, 1 HIT, 3 BB
Final score Blue 5, Gray 2
September 28, 2011 - Blue 4, Gray 2 (4 1/2 innings)
Another short game today. Four and one-half innings today. Spurlin was the only pitcher going three innings. Duffey and Williamson each pitched two with Mason and J. Simms throwing one each.
Tyler Duffey and Tyler Spurlin started for Gray and Blue respectively.
Spurlin pitched three scoreless innings. After retiring the first five batters he faced, Ewing singled to right, Lewis followed with a double to left. Ewing was cut down trying to score. Spurlin closed out his turn with a 1-2-3 third.
Duffey allowed only one runner in two innings. A two out infield error in the first. No runs, hits, walks or strikeouts.
Connor Mason replaced Duffey in the third. After a foul pop to the catcher, the next six batters reached base. Bullington doubled to left-center. He was out trying to reach third. Hamilton doubled down the left-field line. McDowell walked. Murphy singled Hamilton home and sent McDowell to third-base. Ratterree walked loading the bases.
Hoelscher's double cleared the bases. He was also thrown out at third-base. End of inning.
Mason allowed 4 ER, 4 HITS, 2 BB.
Score after three innings: Blue 4, Gray 0.
Williamson relieved Spurlin in the fourth. Stainback lead off with a walk. He then stole second base and advanced to third on an infield ground out. Williamson got a strikeout. Rathjen singled to drive-in Stainback. A wild pitch allowed the runner to take second. Manuel walked. A fly out ended the inning.
J. Simms pitched the bottom of the fourth for Gray. He allowed only a single to Perrott. No runs, no walks, one strikeout, one hit.
Gray tried to mount a rally in the fifth. After two quick outs, Burgess walked. Ditman singled to left. Runners at first and second. Stainback singled to center scoring Burgess. Fuda beat out an infield single to short. The bases were loaded for Stringer. A hard grounder to second ended the inning and the scrimmage.
In his two innings, Williamson allowed 2 ERs, 4 HITS, 1 SO, 3 BB
Final Blue 4, Gray 2.
No scrimmage on Thursday. Back on Friday.
September 27, 2011 - Blue 4, Gray 3 (5 innings)
Gray starting line-up:
Stainback ss, Fuda cf, Stringer 2b, Rathjen dh, Manuel c, Ewing 1b, Lewis rf, Bullington lf, Burgess 3b, DGL dh, McCarthy p
Blue starting line-up:
W
illiamson cf, Hamilton ss, Chargois 1b, Ratterree rf, Hoelscher 3b, McDowell dh, Aquino lf, Cook 2b, Ditman c, Murphy dh, Kottman p
Note that Chargois was replaced in the batting order by Perrott in the bottom of the first and by McDowell at 1b in the top of the second.
Jeremy Rathjen bats but is replaced by a pinch runner if he reaches base.
It was a tough day to be a lefty pitcher today. All runs were were scored against the two left-handers (Kottman and McNair). With one out in the top of the first, Fuda hit a line shot up the middle. It bounced off McCarthy and Hamilton fielded the ball to nip Fuda at first. McCarthy was checked out and continued to pitch three scoreless innings. In the second, Rathjen doubled to left-center. The pinch runner was picked off. Manuel walked. Ewing made a fly out. Lewis walked pushing Manuel to second. Bullington singled to center but McCarthy survived the second when Manuel was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. He pitched a perfect third.
Kottman walked one in the first. No other runners. In the second, Hoelscher lead-off with a single to left. McDowell doubled him home but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. Aquino followed with the first home run of the fall to left. Two outs followed. In the third, Kottman got a strikeout followed by back-to-back singles by Williamson and Hamilton. A double steal moved the runners to second and third. A strikeout followed. Ratterree ripped a double to the base of the left field wall, scoring two. A fly out ended the inning.
After three it's Blue 4, Gray 0.
McNair relieved for Blue in the fourth. Fuda singled and took second on an errant pick-off throw. Stringer doubled Fuda home and went to third on a throwing error from the outfield. Rathjen walked. Once again the pinch runner was picked-off. Manuel hit a ground rule double to right scoring Stringer. A strikeout and fly out followed.
Kubitza relieved for Gray. Three strikeouts. Inning over.
After four, it's Blue 4, Gray 2.
McNair pitched the fifth for Blue. After two quick outs (one a strikeout), DGL singled and then stole second. Stainback singled to center scoring DGL. He was out trying to go to second on the throw to the plate. The pitcher cut it off and threw back to second for the last out of the inning.
Simms came on to pitch the fifth for the Gray. Ditman ripped a double to left. Murphy struck out but reached as the ball eluded the catcher, with Ditman moving to third. Murphy was caught trying to steal second. A fielder's choice grounder back to the pitcher was thrown behind the runner at third. He was tagged out by the catcher. The batter, Williamson, wound up at second. He was picked off trying to steal third to end the game.
Final Blue 4, Gray 3.
Pitchers:
Kottman 3 innings, 4 ER, 6 HITS, 2 DBLS, 1 HR, 3 SO, 1 BB
Kubitza 1 inning 0 R, 3 SO
J. Simms 1 inning 0 R, 1 Hit, 1 DBL, 1 SO
McCarthy 3 innings 0 R, 2 HITS, 1 DBL, 2 SO, 2 BB
McNair 2 innings 3 ER, 5 HITS, 2 DBLS, 2 SO, 1 BB
Offensive highlights:
Aquino 1 HR
Stringer, Rathjen, Manuel, Ratterree, McDowell, Ditman 1 double each
Stainback, Fuda, Bullington, DGL, Williamson, Hamilton, Hoelscher a single each.
Interestingly, each team has had 7 hits in each game.
September 26, 2011 - Blue 2, Gray 1
Two things were noticeably different from last fall.
The players came out wearing jerseys with their numbers on them in large text. Much appreciated by all in attendance.
The bats being used had a much better sound than at any time last fall.
Lots of knew players to get acquainted with this fall. LeeAnn has rosters available in her office.
The Blue pitchers were Matt Reckling, Jordan Stephens and Zech Lemond.
Reckling pitched three innings, allowing one unearned run, four hits, four strikeouts, and one hit batter.
Stephens pitched two innings of shut-out ball. He allowed two hits, struck out two and hit two batters.
Lemond also pitched two innings and gave up one unearned run with one hit and one strikeout.
There were no walks by the blue pitchers.
The Gray pitchers were Evan Rutter, Taylor Wall and Trevor Simms.
Rutter pitcher three shut-out innings. He allowed only a double to right by Ryan Lewis. Fuda walked but was caught stealing. He struck out two.
Taylor Wall had trouble finding the strike zone in his first inning. He walked four and gave up four hits and six runs in the inning. The big blow was a three run double down the left-field line by Carter Burgess. He pitched much better in the next inning with only an additional walk.
Trevor Simms pitched two shut-out innings with two singles and a strikeout.
Blue had the big six run fourth inning. Hits by Fuda, Stringer, Manuel and the double by Burgess. RBIs from Manuel, Ewing and Bullington in addition to the three by Burgess. Other hits in the game were the double by Lewis and singles from Ewing and DGL.
Gray had single runs in the third and in the seventh. Each run was aided by a fielding error.
In the third, Hamilton reached on a wild pitch strikeout. Moved to second on a pick-off throwing error. He scored on Chargois's RBI single to center.
Gray scored again in the seventh on an infield error, a wild pitch, and Aquino's RBI single to right.
In addition to the hits listed above, Hamilton had two singles, McDowell one, Cook a bunt single, and Murphy added one.
Perrott was hit-by-pitch twice and Murphy got hit once.
One stolen base by Hamilton.
Bring your water. It was hot in the sun.
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September 6, 2013: Plans are underway for the Rice Baseball Alumni Game at noon on November 2, 2013 at Reckling Park. All Rice fans and Rice baseball alumni, please mark your calendars! An online Alumni Game Registration Form for Rice baseball alumni, accessible from this webpage, will be available shortly. Please note that in accordance with NCAA rules, a Varsity vs. Alumni game is prohibited. Please stay tuned as details unfold! In addition to the Rice Baseball Alumni Game, there will be a Rice Baseball Alumni Lecture on Friday night and a Baseball Awards Banquet on Saturday night as part of the weekend. Any questions, please contact Steven Herce at 
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