« May 2011 | Main | July 2011 »

Thursday - June 30, 2011

Alumni news: Stayton Thomas

I just noticed that Stayton Thomas had signed with the Rays and has already played in 3 games! He's playing with the GCL Rays (Rookie league). He's sporting a 0.00 ERA to date. Cool! Here's a link to his player page. Good for Stayton!

Posted by Joanna at 1:01 PM | Permalink

Monday - June 20, 2011

Game 68: North Carolina at Texas (College World Series)

Game 5 of the 2011 College World Series. First elimination game of the 2011 CWS. Texas played home to North Carolina. Took the afternoon off from work and did my usual. And, so...

The lineups:

North Carolina		Texas
Chaz Frank (lf) Ben Bunting (cf) Colin Moran (3b) Jesse Wierzbicki (1b) Tommy Coyle (2b) Jacob Stallings (c) Levi Michael (ss) Brian Holberton (dh) Seth Baldwin (rf)		Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (3b) Jonathan Walsh (lf) Paul Montalbano (cf) Jacob Felts (c) Kevin Lusson (dh) Jordan Etier (2b)

Play by play:

• 1st inning, North Carolina
• Cole Green (rhp) on the mound for Texas.
• Frank flew out to lf.
• Bunting lined a single (1st pitch) over the ss into lf.
• Moran flew out to cf.
• Wierzbicki singled into rf, moving Bunting (hit & run) to 3b.
• Coyle struck out looking.
• 16 pitches (10 for strikes).
• 1st inning, Texas
• Kent Emanuel (lhp) on the mound for North Carolina.
• Shepherd fouled off a ton of pitches before he finally lined out to lf at the warning track. Nice job by the UNC left fielder to chase the ball down. 10-pitch at-bat.
• Payton also lined out to lf. Just a couple of pitches this time, though.
• Loy struck out looking (2-2 count).
• 2nd inning, North Carolina
• Stallings drew a full-count walk.
• Michael lined a single into rf, moving Stallings to 2b. Damn. Nice at-bat.
• Holberton grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. Stallings moved up to 3b. Close play at 1b. In super slow-mo, it looked like Holberton was safe at 1b.
• Baldwin flew out to rf at the warning track.
• 21 pitches (13 for strikes).
• 2nd inning, Texas
• Weiss struck out swinging (2-2 count).
• Walsh lined a single into cf. First pitch!
• Montalbano lined into a 7-3 double play. Oh my. Texas actually had a hit & run on? Walsh was at 2b when the left fielder made the catch down the line. The throw beat him back to 1b by a mile. Wow.
• 3rd inning, North Carolina
• Frank lined a single down the lf line and moved up to 2b on a fielding error by lf as Walsh had trouble fielding the ball.
• After the 1st pitch to Bunting (called a ball), the ump gave a warning to Coach Harmon ("That's enough, Tommy!") who was apparently complaining about his strike zone. Heh.
• Bunting lined a single into rf, moving Frank to 3b.
• Texas sent Hoby Milner (lhp) to the mound, replacing Green. So sorry Cole didn't have a better start today.
• Moran struck out swinging.
• Wierzbicki also struck out swinging!
• Coyle drew a 5-pitch walk to load the bases. Ouch.
• Stallings singled into shallow right-center, scoring Frank and Bunting. Coyle moved up to 3b.
• Michael flew out to lf at the warning track.
• Green's final numbers: 2+ innings, 11 batters, 2 runs (2 earned), 5 hits (all singles), 1 strikeout, 1 walk, 45 pitches (25 for strikes).
• 22 pitches (12 for strikes) for Milner.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 3rd inning, Texas
• Felts reached on a soft liner into shallow rf. The right fielder came close to catching the ball. Whew.
• Lusson reached on a failed sac bunt attempt. The ball went up the middle toward the pitcher who made a great job to field, turn, and throw to the ss covering 2b. 1-6 fielder's choice.
• Etier popped out to 2b.
• Shepherd flew out to shallow rf.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 4th inning, North Carolina
• Holberton grounded out to the pitcher.
• Baldwin drew a full-count walk.
• After the first pitch to Frank (a ball), Coach Johnson made a visit to the mound.
• Frank hit into a 4-6-3 double play. Sweet.
• 17 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas down 0-2.
• 4th inning, Texas
• Payton drew a 7-pitch full-count walk.
• Loy moved Payton to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt down the 1b line.
• Weiss lined out to shallow rf. Payton was about half-way to 3b and thrown out (9-6) for another outfield double play. Unbelievable. 11-pitch at-bat, by the way. Sigh...
• Texas down 0-2.
• 5th inning, North Carolina
• Bunting singled into rf. Three plate appearances, three hits.
• Moran flew out to deep lf down the line. Bunting tagged and moved up to 2b on the play.
• Texas sent Kendal Carrillo (rhp) to the mound, replacing Milner.
• Wierzbicki drew a 5-pitch walk.
• Coyle grounded out to 2b, moving Bunting to 3b and Wierzbicki to 2b.
• Stallings drew another 5-pitch walk.
• Scary: Carrillo started the first 3 batters off with 3 balls and then a called strike. Fourth batter started with one ball before the called strike.
• Michael flew out to lf. Whew.
• Milner's final numbers: 2.1 innings, 10 batters, no runs, 1 hit (single), 2 strikeouts, 2 walks, 43 pitches (23 for strikes).
• 19 pitches (7 for stirkes) for Carrillo.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 5th inning, Texas
• Walsh worked the count full (which included 5 foul balls) and then popped out to the pitcher. So sad.
• Montalbano struck out swinging (2-2 count).
• Felts flew out to cf (1st pitch).
• Texas down 0-2.
• 6th inning, North Carolina
• Texas sent Sam Stafford (lhp) to the mound, replacing Carrillo.
• Holberton grounded out to the pitcher.
• Baldwin struck out looking.
• Frank flew out to cf.
• 1-2-3. Nice.
• Carrillo's final numbers: 0.2 innings, 4 batters, no runs, no hits, 2 walks, 19 pitches (7 for strikes).
• 11 pitches (8 for strikes) for Stafford.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 6th inning, Texas
• Lusson struck out looking (full count).
• Etier popped out to the catcher behind the plate.
• Shepherd singled through the left side.
• Payton flew out to lf.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 7th inning, North Carolina
• Bunting grounded out to 1b (p covered bag).
• Moran singled up the middle (past a diving second baseman).
• Wierzbicki ground into a 4-6-3 double play. First pitch. Nice.
• 9 pitches (6 for strikes).
• Texas down 0-2.
• 7th inning, Texas
• Loy popped out to 2b.
• Weiss grounded out to 2b.
• Walsh lined a single over 2b into right center.
• Cohl Walla (pinch-hitting for Montalbano) popped out to 2b in shallow right field.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 8th inning, North Carolina
• Walla stayed in the game in cf.
• Coyle struck out looking.
• Stallings flew out to rf.
• Michael struck out swinging!
• 15 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas down 0-2.
• 8th inning, Texas
• Felts struck out swinging.
• Lusson flew out to lf.
• Etier popped out to 2b down the rf line and foul.
• By the way: 114 pitches (77 for strikes) for Emanuel through 8 innings.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 9th inning, North Carolina
• Greg Holt (pinch-hitting for Holberton) drew a 5-pitch walk.
• North Carolina sent Jeff Bouton in to pinch-run for Holt.
• After the first pitch to Baldwin (a ball), Texas sent Andrew McKirahan (lhp) to mound, replacing Stafford.
• Baldwin moved Bouton to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt.
• Frank flew out to lf.
• Bunting lined a double over the right fielder and off the base of the bullpen wall, scoring Bouton.
• Moran flew out to lf.
• Stafford's final numbers: 3+ innings, 10 batters, 1 run (earned), 1 hit (single), 3 strikeouts, 1 walk, 41 pitches (23 for strikes).
• 13 pitches (12 for strikes) for McKirahan.
• Texas down 0-3.
• 9th inning, Texas
• Emanuel still on the mound for North Carolina, going for the complete game shut-out.
• Shepherd popped out to 1b (foul).
• Payton grounded out to 2b.
• Loy flew out to rf down the line.
• Texas loses 0-3.

Have to give credit to Kent Emanuel who pitched a great game. By my count, he threw 126 pitches (84 for strikes) and only gave up 4 singles. But, sadly, the Horns just did not seem to have much fire today. So very sorry to see them go out in 2. I was sure they'd win and was already trying to figure out how to change my dinner plans for Wednesday so I'd be able to watch the next game. Oh well...not meant to be, I guess.

The line:

Paraphrased comments from the post-game news conference:

• Coach Garrido's opening remarks: It was a brilliantly pitched game by their pitcher. He had command throughout the game from beginning to end. Texas had four hits and had opportunities. The coaches talked to the players about being aggressive and they were. Texas battled hard at the plate and competed in the game. It wasn't that he (Emanuel) was so overpowering or overwhelming that the Texas batters were doubting themselves. But they did get outplayed and that is the bottom line. He's proud of the leadership on this team. They took a team that was pretty scattered at the beginning of the year and got them together to get the team here in the first place. Texas brought 11 freshmen on this trip...5 of whom contributed a lot. Having 11 freshmen coming back next year who have had experience here will be good for Texas.
• Loy (on Emanuel): He mixed pitches early in counts and had us on our heels the entire game. He could throw 3 pitches for strikes where he wanted to throw them. Texas fought throughout the game...he just made it tough on the batters.
• Green (asked about his performance): Felt like he was leaving the ball up a little bit early in the game. They're a good team. Whenever he made a mistake they took advantage.
• Garrido (asked about the bats): The bats have made a dramatic difference offensively...and defensively too. The good thing about it is that it's balance for both teams. It wasn't about the bat in the two Texas games...it was about their teams, and their teamwork, and their ability to play. The game of baseball is alive and well with the new bats.
• Green (re. the bats): The bat brings the game back around to fundamentals, rather than just relying on homeruns.
• Loy (re. the bats): The bats didn't make much difference for Texas batters. It might have made more of a difference for last year's team which had a lot more power.
• Garrido (asked about the base-running decisions and error in the outfield): The players made a mistake in their estimate on the athleticism of the other team; both times the runners thought the fielders would not get to the ball. It could look bad in hindsight but that's what the coaches asked the players to do (be aggressive). What he's proud about was how many times Texas pitchers battled their way out of trouble. He concluded by saying that Texas never got the momentum in today's game.
• Loy (asked about their emotions): Obviously they're disappointed. They did not come here to be the first team to leave. They fought through so much stuff these past couple of weeks. It's tough to leave now. They obviously wanted the National Championship. But, they did some great things this year. It is tough that they did not get a Championship.

Sigh...more thoughts on the season in a separate post in the next day or two.

Hook 'em, Horns!

Posted by Joanna at 4:40 PM | Permalink

Saturday - June 18, 2011

Game 67: Texas at Florida (College World Series)

Game 2 of the 2011 College World Series. Texas played visitor to Florida. I watched on TV and here's how things played out. And, yes...I know, most of you watched the game. Not sure what's up here...other than just to have it all documented.

The lineups:

Texas		Florida
Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (3b) Paul Montalbano (cf) Jonathan Walsh (lf) Kevin Lusson (dh) Jacob Felts (c) Jordan Etier (2b)		Nolan Fontana (ss) Bryson Smith (cf) Preson Tucker (1b) Mike Zunino (c) Brian Johnson (dh) Josh Adams (2b) Tyler Thompson (lf) Daniel Pigott (rf) Cody Dent (3b)

Play by play:

• 1st inning, Texas
• Hudson Randall (rhp) on the mound for Florida.
• Shepherd struck out swinging.
• Payton popped out to lf.
• Loy grounded a single past the ss into cf.
• Weiss lined out to rf.
• 1st inning, Florida
• Taylor Jungmann (rhp) on the mound for Texas.
• Fontana flew out to lf.
• Smith drew a 5-pitch walk.
• Tucker lined out to cf. Montalbano made a nice sliding catch as he charged in on the ball.
• Zunino struck out swinging.
• 16 pitches (9 for strikes).
• 2nd inning, Texas
• Montalbano lined out to rf.
• Walsh popped out to 3b in foul territory. Damn.
• Lusson grounded out to 1b (p covered bag).
• 2nd inning, Florida
• Johnson grounded out to 2b.
• Adams grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Thompson grounded out to the pitcher.
• 8 pitches (6 for strikes).
• 3rd inning, Texas
• Felts reached on an error by the ss. The ball went through his legs. Huh.
• Etier reached on an error by 1b. Sac bunt attempt. The first baseman bobbled the ball as he fielded and then threw high to 2b covering the bag. Felts moved up to 2b on the sac.
• Shepherd lined a single into right center, scoring Felts and moving Etier to 3b!
• Payton hit a sac fly to lf, scoring Etier.
• With Loy at the plate, Shepherd stole 2b. He looked safe but on the super slow-mo replay, it turned out he was actually out by about 2 inches. Yikes!
• Loy singled through the right side, moving Shepherd to 3b.
• Insert visit to the mound.
• Weiss hit a sac fly to lf, scoring Shepherd. Loy remained at 1b.
• Montalbano grounded out to ss.
• Texas up 3-0!
• 3rd inning, Florida
• Pigott drew a 4-pitch walk. Yeah, really.
• After the 1st-pitch ball to Dent, Coach Johnson made a visit to the mound.
• Dent drew a 5-pitch walk. Wow.
• Fontana tried to bunt down the 3b line but Jungmann made a great defensive play to barehand the ball and throw to 3b to get the lead runner! Really nice play by Jungmann. Dent moved up to 2b.
• Smith singled through the right side, scoring Dent and moving Fontana to 3b.
• Smith moved up to 2b on a wild pitch (?) when the ball got away from Felts with Tucker at the plate.
• Fontana scored and Smith moved to 3b on a passed ball with Tucker at the plate. Wow. The ball was inside and went off Felts' glove to the wall on the 1b side of the diamond.
• Tucker struck out swinging. Whew.
• Zunino also struck out swinging. Double whew.
• 23 pitches (12 for strikes).
• Texas up 3-2.
• 4th inning, Texas
• Walsh struck out swinging.
• Lusson flew out on a soft liner to ss. Nicely timed leap by the ss to rob Walsh of a bloop single.
• Felts popped out to shallow cf.
• Texas up 3-2.
• 4th inning, Florida
• Johnson grounded out to ss. Nice range by Loy to field behind 2b and throw to 1b with lots of time to spare.
• Adams grounded out to ss. Another nice play by loy...showing even further range...to snag the ball on the 1b side of 2b and throw in stride. Really nice!
• Thompson drew a 5-pitch walk. Wow. Four walks for Jungmann in 4 innings.
• With Pigott at the plate, Thompson moved up to 2b on a wild pitch.
• Pigott lined a double over the right fielder, scoring Thompson.
• Dent doubled down the lf line, scoring Pigott. Get this: his first extra-base hit of the year. Of course it was.
• After first 2 pitches to Fontana (2 balls), Coach Johnson made another visit to the mound.
• Dent was caught stealing (2-5) as he tried to take 3b on a ball that got away from Felts with Fontana at the plate. Yes!
• 19 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas down 3-4.
• 5th inning, Texas
• Etier lined out to right center. Nice run by cf to make the play.
• Shepherd grounded out to ss.
• Payton struck out swinging.
• Texas down 3-4.
• 5th inning, Florida
• Fontana grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Smith was hit by a pitch (off his sleeve...would've been ball 4).
• Texas sent Hoby Milner (lhp) to the mound, replacing Jungmann. So sad. Jungmann just did not have it going on today. I sure hope the offense rebounds and wins this thing!
• Tucker doubled to right-center, scoring Smith.
• Zunino was intentionally walked. Sigh. I hate intentional walks.
• Johnson flew out to cf. Tucker tagged and moved up to 3b. Zunino stayed at 1b.
• Texas sent Kendal Carrillo (rhp) to the mound, replacing Milner.
• Adams flew out to lf.
• Final numbers for Jungmann (by my count): 4.1 innings, 20 batters, 5 runs (4 earned), 3 hits (2 doubles, 1 single), 3 strikeouts, 4 walks, 1 hit batter, 2 wild pitches, 75 pitches (39 for strikes). Sad.
• Milner's final numbers: 0.1 innings, no runs, 1 hit (double), 1 walk (intentional), 10 pitches (3 for strikes).
• 2 pitches (2 for strikes) for Carrillo.
• Texas down 3-5.
• 6th inning, Texas
• Loy flew out to cf.
• Weiss struck out swinging.
• Montalbano grounded out to ss.
• Texas down 3-5.
• 6th inning, Florida
• Thompson grounded out to 1b (p covered the bag). Nice diving stop by Shepherd to his right.
• Pigott grounded out to 2b.
• Dent struck out swinging. Felts could not hold onto the ball so had to throw down to 1b to complete the out.
• 6 pitches (5 for strikes).
• Texas down 3-5.
• 7th inning, Texas
• Walsh struck out looking.
• Lusson grounded out to 2b.
• Felts singled up the middle.
• Etier fouled a ball of his foot that then glanced off his helmet and hit him in his right eye. Yikes! He went on to double into the lf corner (!) to score Felts! Nice.
• Florida sent Greg Larson (rhp) to the mound, replacing Randall.
• Shepherd struck out looking.
• Texas down 4-5.
• 7th inning, Florida
• Texas sent Andrew McKirahan (lhp) to the mound, replacing Carrillo.
• Fontana lined out to lf.
• Smith drew a 5-pitch walk.
• After a 1st-pitch ball to Tucker, Coach Johnson made a visit to the mound.
• Tucker reached on a weird play. He hit a ball to 1b on a pitch that was called a balk. Shepherd fielded the ball, was about to throw to 2b, heard the balk call, and "ate" the ball. Tucker ran to 1b. The batter was awarded 2b on the balk. Since the ball was hit into play, it was "live" and Tucker was awarded 1b on the fielder's choice. Bizarro.
• Texas sent Nathan Thornhill (rhp) to the mound, replacing McKirahan.
• Zunino lined out to cf.
• Johnson doubled off the top of the wall, scoring Smith and Tucker. In the replay it looked like the ball actually hit off the top of the wall in right-center for a homerun.
• Adams struck out swinging.
• Carrillo's final numbers: 1.1 innings, 4 batters, no runs, no hits, 1 strikeout, 8 pitches (7 for strikes).
• McKirahan's final numbers: 0.1 innings, 3 batters, 2 runs (both earned), 1 walk, 1 balk, 13 pitches (5 for strikes)...(or 12 pitches (4 for strikes) if the balk pitch is not counted...not sure since the ball went live).
• 10 pitches (7 for strikes) for Thornhill.
• Texas down 4-7. Ugh.
• 8th inning, Texas
• Florida sent Nick Maronde (lhp) to the mound, replacing Larson.
• Payton struck out looking.
• Loy struck out swinging.
• Weiss grounded out to 1b unassisted. Close play at the bag.
• Texas down 4-7.
• 8th inning, Florida
• Thompson singled through the right side.
• Pigott singled over 3b down the lf line, moving Thompson to 2b.
• Texas sent Corey Knebel (rhp) to the mound, replacing Thornhill.
• Dent bunted a 3rd strike foul for a strikeout. Huh.
• Fontana flew out to cf.
• Smith lined a single into cf, scoring Thompson. Pigott moved up to 3b on the throw home.
• Tucker grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Thornhill's final numbers: 0.2 innings, 5 batters, 1 run (earned), 3 hits (1 double, 2 singles), 1 strikeout, 14 pitches (10 for strikes).
• 9 pitches (7 for strikes) for Knebel.
• Texas down 4-8.
• 9th inning, Texas
• Montalbano struck out swinging (full count).
• Walsh grounded out to 3b.
• Lusson flew out to lf.
• Texas loses 4-8.

Final numbers for Knebel: 1 inning, 4 batters, no runs, 1 hit (single), 1 strikeout, 9 pitches (7 for strikes).

Taylor Jungmann took his 3rd loss of the post-season in as many chances. Along with his 3rd loss of the year. So hard to believe. And, very sad.

Here's the line (from GameTracker):

Some of the post-game conference comments (please note these are very paraphrased):

• Coach Garrido's opening statement: Texas played a below-average game against a very good team who took advantage of all the things Texas did wrong.
• Jungmann: Felt he got out of rhythm in the 3rd but felt he had decent command until then.
• Coach Garrido: Texas has been pretty good in elimination games and here they are again. The players are very intelligent. They all know they played a below-average game. They know it's been done before (coming out of the loser's bracket to win the CWS) and they have that hope so they're still in it and can fight their way back.
• Loy: The team has a lot of fight and will to win. Obviously it's tough to fight from behind and they have to make the best of it. They have an opportunity in front of them and are not going to back down.
• Etier: They need to stay together as a team and pick each other up and good things will happen.
• Jungmann (asked if his struggles are physical or mechanical): Thinks maybe mechanically things are going wrong down the stretch. Things have been looking good in the bullpen but aren't translating to the field. If you fall behind in counts like he did today, good teams are going to take advantage of it.
• Coach Garrido (asked what Randall did to beat Texas): Once Randall got the lead back, he settled down and became more competitive and found his rhythm. They had him off-balance but his team got him back within one and then when they got a lead, he got momentum and confidence and took charge of the game.
• Loy: took the blame for not being on the bag at the balk call...thus not giving Shepherd someone to throw the ball to.

That last comment from Loy is interesting. I think the result still would've been balk plus fielder's choice if Shepherd had thrown to 2b. He needed to get the batter out to make him go back to the plate. I don't think he really had a chance to make the out at 1b once he made the initial move to try for the out at 2b...he was pretty far off the bag by then.

Texas will now play North Carolina in an elimination game on Monday at 1 o'clock. (Florida and Vanderbilt play at 6 o'clock that evening.)

Hook 'em, Horns!

Posted by Joanna at 10:26 PM | Permalink

Tuesday - June 14, 2011

The batter's interference thing

I know...I owe y'all a game report. But...if you'll indulge me...that batter's interference thing has been weighing on my mind.

Let me be clear: I have not seen a replay of the batter's interference call in the final game of the Austin Super Regional between Texas and Arizona State. I was in the stands and was just as confused as everyone else. I knew that if the umpire called offensive interference, the batter was out and the runner would have to go back to 1b. What I wasn't sure about was whether or not you could call interference if it was Ball 4.

So, I went looking for some clarification.

The rules are available for download from the NCAA publications web site so check them out for yourself. Here's the definition of interference:

The act of an offensive player, umpire or nongame person who interferes with; physically or verbally hinders; confuses; or impedes any fielder attempting to make a play.

Two more points:

If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was touched legally at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules. The ball is dead.

If the batter-runner has not touched first base at the time of interference, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch. If there was an intervening play made on another runner, all runners shall return to the base last touched at the time of interference.

More specifically (Rule 7, Section 11.f), a batter is out when:

The batter intentionally or unintentionally interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders a defensive player's action at home plate.

The penalty:

The runner(s) return to the base occupied at the time of interference.

Please note that the rule does not say anything about whether or not the pitch is a ball or a strike...leading to a walk or strikeout. And, it specifically says that the action need not be intentional. It does not say that there has to be contact. Merely stepping out of the batter's box and across the plate while the catcher is trying to throw to 2b can constitute hindrance.

The count was full at the time of the call...with a right-handed batter standing on the left side of the plate. The runner was off with the pitch. In the catcher's mind, he had a shot at a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play. In that instance, he cannot wait to hear whether or not the umpire calls the pitch a ball or a strike; he has to throw to 2b to try and catch the runner from 1b. If he waits on the call, he's got no shot at making the out at 2b. The batter did step out of the batter's box toward 1b. The umpire had every reason to call interference. And, as soon as the umpire called interference, the play was dead, the batter was out, and any runners on the base paths had to return to their original positions. That's the rule. It was, interestingly, interpreted correctly.

At the time, in the heat of the moment, it would seem that the "fair" result would have been to return the runner from 3b to 2b and have runners at 1b and 2b. After all, it was Ball 4. But, that's not the rule. Whether or not you agree with the home plate umpire's assessment of interference can also be debated. But, once he calls it, the play is over. We've got no replay review in baseball. And, frankly, I doubt very seriously that this sort of call would be eligible for review even if we did.

UPDATE. Craig Amick (Twitter handle: craigamick_co) argues that Rule 8, Section 3 would allow for a different interpretation: that the base runner from 1b would actually be entitled to advance to 2b due to the base-on-balls awarded to the batter. The batter would still be out due to the interference call but the moment the ball was called, the runner from 1b automatically gets 2b. Obviously the runner wasn't physically at 2b at the time of the interference call but he was entitled to the base because Ball 4 had been called against the batter.

Rule 8, Sections 3a and 3b state that a runner is entitled to the next base:

(a) If forced to vacate the base because of a following runner.

(b) If forced to vacate the base because the batter was awarded that base.

Was the batter awarded 1b on the base-on-balls call? Or does the interference override the walk? If it does, the runner at 1b is not forced to vacate. It's not at all clear.

Hmmm...

Posted by Joanna at 12:56 PM | Permalink

Monday - June 13, 2011

Game 66: Arizona State at Texas (Austin Super Regional)

Texas won the Austin Super Regional! And, my game report is late! It'll come, though. Patience. It will be rewarded. Well, if you consider my game reports a reward. Hook 'em.

Posted by Joanna at 8:05 AM | Permalink

Sunday - June 12, 2011

Game 65: Texas at Arizona State (Austin Super Regional)

Texas bounced back in a big way to beat Arizona State 5-1 in the 2nd game of the Austin Super Regional. The line...

Note how the Horns scored 5 runs on 8 hits in Game 2 of the Super Regional verses 1 run on 8 hits in Game 1. How does that happen? Gotta love baseball. Right????

It was a hot (98 °F at the start of the game) but gorgeous day at Disch-Falk Field.

It did drop down to 91 by the end of the game. And, we had a bit of a breeze most of the day. But, with the stands packed, there's not much relief to be had. Not that I'm complaining. Nosireebob. I'd much rather be out in that than at home watching someone else play on TV! And, so...

The lineups:

Texas		Arizona State
Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (3b) Jonathan Walsh (lf) Kevin Lusson (dh) Paul Montalbano (cf) Jacob Felts (c) Jordan Etier (2b)		Johnny Ruettiger (lf) Deven Marrero (ss) Riccio Torrez (3b) Joey DeMichele (dh) Zach Wilson (1b) Matt Newman (rf) Xorge Carrillo (c) Zack MacPhee (2b) Andrew Aplin (cf)

Yep...Texas played visitor. Cole Green started for Texas and, with a bit of help from his bullpen, moved his record to 8-3. And, Corey Knebel earned his 18th save of the year...1 shy of the Texas single-season record. The Horns need to move on to the CWS so they can improve those numbers, don't you think?

The story of the game, though, was Jordan Etier. He struggled in Game 1. But, he found something in himself overnight and turned things around in a big way for Game 2. He went 3-for-4 with 2 singles and a 3-run homerun (!) to pace the offense. And, he was smooth as can be on defense all day (he even had an unassisted double play). It's a good story. I'm happy for him.

And, so...the play by play:

• 1st inning, Texas
• Kramer Champlin (xx) on the mound for Arizona State.
• Shepherd struck out swinging.
• Payton grounded out to the pitcher. Soft come-backer right to the pitcher.
• Loy popped out to 1b...foul, about 10 feet from the bag.
• 1st inning, Arizona State
• Cole Green on the mound for Texas.
• Ruettiger reached on an infield single (high bouncer) to 1b. It was a close play at 1b. Green was a little slow getting to the bag to cover and the runner dove for the bag. Weird play.
• With Marrero at the plate, Ruettiger stole 2b. The ball got away from Felts a bit but the runner had a good jump on the pitch. No throw to 2b.
• Marrero struck out swinging.
• Torrez grounded out to 3b. Ruettiger waited for Weiss to throw the ball and then moved up to 3b.
• DeMichele grounded out to ss.
• 11 pitches (8 for strikes).
• 2nd inning, Texas
• Weiss flew out to cf.
• Walsh popped out to shallow lf.
• Lusson grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• 2nd inning, Arizona State
• Wilson grounded out to ss.
• Newman grounded out to 2b.
• Carrillo reached on an infield single to ss. It was a slow bouncer and Loy tried to barehand and throw in one motion (his only chance at the out) but he missed the ball.
• MacPhee lined a single into rf, moving Carrillo to 2b.
• Insert full infield meeting on the mound with Coach Johnson.
• Aplin drew a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. Yikes.
• Ruettiger grounded into a 5-unassisted fielder's choice. Weiss bobbled the ball but stepped on 3b with plenty of time to spare.
• 23 pitches (10 for strikes)
• 3rd inning, Texas
• Montalbano drew a 4-pitch walk.
• Felts moved Montalbano to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt down the 1b line.
• Etier reached on a throwing error by ss. High...pulled the first baseman off the bag. Etier dove at the bag and under the tag. ASU argued the call (saying the first baseman tagged the batter) to no avail. Montalbano had no chance to advance.
• Insert visit to the mound.
• Shepherd drew a full-count 6-pitch walk to load the bases.
• Payton hit a sac fly to lf about 15 feet shy of the warning track, scoring Montalbano...and advancing the other two runners. That's unusual for all the runners to advance.
• Loy struck out looking. 3 pitches. Ouch.
• Nice to see Texas respond with a run after almost coming so close to giving up a run in the bottom of the 2nd.
• Texas up 1-0.
• 3rd inning, Arizona State
• Marrero grounded out to 3b.
• Torrez struck out swinging.
• DeMichele grounded out to 2b.
• 9 pitches (6 for strikes).
• Texas up 1-0.
• 4th inning, Texas
• Weiss drew a 4-pitch walk.
• Walsh singled through the right side, moving Weiss to 2b.
• Lusson squared to bunt then pulled the bat back and popped out to 3b (soft liner).
• Montalbano grounded into a 3-6-1 double play. He did that yesterday, too! You just don't see that double play a lot. And, you certainly don't see the same player hit into it two days in a row. How bizarre. It was a close play at 1b and I actually think Montalbano may well have been safe. But...what can you do?
• Texas up 1-0.
• 4th inning, Arizona State
• Wilson struck out swinging.
• Newman also struck out swinging.
• Carrillo grounded out to ss.
• 10 pitches (7 for strikes).
• Texas up 1-0.
• 5th inning, Texas
• Felts struck out looking.
• Etier lined a single into lf!
• Shepherd hit into a 5-4-3 double play. Damn.
• Texas up 1-0.
• 5th inning, Arizona State
• MacPhee singled through the right side.
Aplin moved MacPhee to 2b on a 5-3 sac bunt down the 3b line.
• Ruettiger lined into a 4-unassisted double play. On the hit & run, MacPhee was nearly to 3b when Etier caught the line drive. Etier then jogged to the 2b bag to complete the double play. Nice.
• 8 pitches (5 for strikes).
• Texas up 1-0.
• 6th inning, Texas
• Payton drew a full-count 6-pitch walk.
• Loy moved Payton to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt down the 1b line.
• Weiss lined a double into left-center, scoring Payton.
• Walsh struck out looking.
• Lusson drew a full-count 6-pitch walk.
• Insert visit to the mound.
• Montalbano grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Texas up 2-0.
• 6th inning, Arizona State
• Marrero lined a single into cf.
• Torrez singled through the right side, moving Marrero to 3b.
• Texas sent Hoby Milner (lhp) to the mound, replacing Green. Standing ovation for Green. Thank you, Cole Green!
• DeMichele scored Marrero on a sac fly to cf.
• Torrez moved up to 2b on a wild pitch with Wilson at the plate. The ball didn't get very far away from Felts but he could not find it and Torrez was very quick to take advantage.
• Wilson went on to draw a full-count 6-pitch walk.
• With Newman at the plate, Torrez tried to move up to 3b on another pitch that got away from Felts momentarily. This time, though, Felts picked the ball up quickly and gunned Torrez down at 3b. Sweet! Wilson stayed at 1b.
• Newman grounded out to 2b.
• So glad the Horns scored that run in the top of the inning.
• Final numbers for Green: 5+ innings, 21 batters, 1 run (earned), 6 hits (all singles), 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, 68 pitches (40 for strikes).
• 11 pitches (6 for strikes) for Milner.
• Texas up 2-1.
• 7th inning, Texas
• Felts popped out to 2b.
• Etier singled up the middle off the mound.
• With Shepherd at the plate, Etier was almost caught stealing. He took off for 2b, saw the catcher throw to 2b, and headed back to 1b. Luckily, the second baseman dropped the throw from the catcher. Whew.
• Shepherd lined a single into cf, moving Etier to 2b.
• Arizona State sent Trevor Williams (rhp) to the mound, replacing Champlin.
• Payton flew out to cf. Etier tied to tag up and advance to 3b but he was thrown out at 3b (8-5) for a double play. Ouch. It was a close play at 3b but still...ouch.
• Texas up 2-1.
• 7th inning, Arizona State
• Carrillo singled up the middle.
• MacPhee moved Carrillo to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt.
• Arizona State sent Michael Benjamin in to pinch run for Carrillo at 2b.
• Texas sent Kendal Carrillo (rhp) to the mound, replacing Milner.
• Andy Workman (pinch-hitting for Aplin) struck out swinging.
• Texas sent Andrew McKirahan (lhp) to the mound, replacing Carrillo.
• Ruettiger reached on an infield single to 2b, moving Benjamin to 3b. The throw from 2b was just barely late. Benjamin tried to score on the throw to 1b but Shepherd gunned the throw home. Felts fielded and held onto the ball as Benjamin bowled him over. Benjamin out on the play!!! (It took a while for both guys to get up off the turf after the collision. Wow.) Tommy Harmon was out quickly to give huge props to Felts after the play (after he made sure he was okay, first). Heh.
• Final numbers for Milner: 1.1 innings, 5 batters, no runs, 1 hit (single), 1 walk, 1 wild pitch, 15 pitches (9 for strikes).
• Final numbers for Carrillo: 0.1 innings, 1 batter, no runs, no hits, 1 strikeout, 5 pitches (4 for strikes).
• Texas up 2-1.
• 8th inning, Texas
• Austin Barnes went in behind the plate for ASU. Workman stayed in at cf.
• Loy grounded out to the pitcher (bunt attempt).
• Weiss grounded out to 2b.
• Walsh also grounded out to 2b.
• Texas up 2-1.
• 8th inning, Arizona State
• Texas sent Tim Maitland into cf, replacing Walsh. And, they sent Corey Knebel (rhp) to the mound, replacing McKirahan.
• Final numbers for McKirahan: 0.1 innings, 1 batter, 1 hit, 1 pitch (1 strike). Heh.
• Marrero grounded out to 2b.
• Torrez struck out looking.
• DeMichele grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• 13 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas up 2-1.
• 9th inning, Texas
• Lusson singled through the right side.
• Texas sent Sam Stafford to pinch run for Lusson.
• Montalbano moved Stafford to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt.
• With Felts at the plate, Stafford moved up to 3b on a wild pitch.
• Felts went on do drew a 5-pitch walk.
• Visit to the mound...full infield involved. Coach Garrido took the opportunity to have a chat with Etier.
• Etier hit a 3-run homerun (2nd pitch) into the Texas bullpen!!!!!
• In a post-game interview, Coach Garrido said they had a bunt play on but he saw that ASU was set to play it perfectly so he let Etier loose.
• Shepherd lined a triple into cf. The ball went just off the center fielder's outstretched glove. Nice.
• Payton drew a 4-pitch walk.
• Arizona State sent Alex Blackford (rhp) to the mound, replacing Williams.
• Loy popped out to shallow rf. Shepherd tried to tag up and score on the play but he was thrown out (9-2) on the play. Another collision at the plate but not as melodramatic as the previous inning. Nice play by the right fielder who had to make a last-second adjustment to even catch the ball.
• Texas up 5-1.
• 9th inning, Arizona State
• Texas moved Montalbano to rf and sent Cohl Walla in at cf (taking Payton's spot in the lineup).
• Wilson struck out swinging.
• Newman also struck out swinging. Felts couldn't hold onto the ball so had to throw down to 1b to complete the out.
• Barnes grounded out to 2b.
• Final numbers for Knebel: 2 innings, 6 batters, no runs, no hits, 3 strikeouts, 25 pitches (17 for strikes).
• Texas wins 5-1!

Really nice win for the Horns. Texas will now play home team in the final game of the Super Regional. That was determined by a coin flip before the tournament started. Stafford will be on the mound for Texas. ASU has not announced a starter. Hook 'em, Horns!

Posted by Joanna at 3:25 PM | Permalink

Saturday - June 11, 2011

Senior Day Photos

Senior Day took place on May 21st...the last regular-season game against the Aggies. Texas honored the six Seniors on the squad before the game. I took some photos and I've finally gotten around to sharing them. Sadly, I did not manage to get great photos of all of them. Sorry about that. I tried.

Kendal Carrillo:

Cole Green:

Ben Kaplan:

Paul Montalbano:

Tant Shepherd:

Stayton Thomas:

Thanks to all the Seniors. I wish them nothing but the best as the move on in life. Hook 'em!

Posted by Joanna at 12:35 PM | Permalink

Post-season roster

I got email asking for the post-season roster. They were not handing it out at the games. And, I don't know if it changed between the Regional and Super Regional. But, here's a list of the guys who were suited-up for Texas at last night's game:

• Kirby Bellow
• Kendal Carrillo
• Austin Dicharry
• Jordan Etier
• Jacob Felts
• Cole Green
• Taylor Jungmann
• Ben Kaplan
• Lucas Kephart
• Corey Knebel
• Brandon Loy
• Kevin Lusson
• Tim Maitland
• Patrick Marsh
• Andrew McKirahan
• Hoby Milner
• Paul Montalbano
• Mark Payton
• Tant Shepherd
• Alex Silver
• Sam Stafford
• Christian Summers
• Nathan Thornhill
• Josh Urban
• Cohl Walla
• Jonathan Walsh
• Erich Weiss
• Hunter Wilcox (see update below)

That leaves the following players from the regular-season roster off:

• Clayton Crum
• Ryan Ford
• Ben Kaplan (see update below)
• Dex Kjerstad
• Keifer Nuncio
• Trevor Teykl
• Stayton Thomas
• Hunter Wilcox

Kjerstad, Nuncio, and Thomas are the only players on that list who saw playing time during the regular season this year...not a lot for any of them. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't know how they decide who gets to wear one of those 27 uniforms for post-season games. Personally, I'm saddest to see Stayton Thomas, a Senior, left off the Super Regional roster.

UPDATE. Thanks to Donald J. Boyles (Twitter handle djbfootball) the list is now official. He wrote to the baseball SID asking for a roster and passed it on to me. I'd based my original list on the roster numbers of the players suited up. It turns out that for post-season play, Hunter Wilcox is wearing jersey #46 which was worn by Ben Kaplan during the regular season (Wilcox wore #45). So, originally, I listed Kaplan as being on the roster and Wilcox off...turns out, it's the other way around.

UPDATE #2. Sigh. I don't have any idea what was going on with me. Kaplan work #45 and Wilcox wore #46 all season. I just got that wrong somehow. Shrug. Too many long days in the heat at Disch-Falk as I was working on this? Sigh...sorry about the mix-up.

Posted by Joanna at 12:03 PM | Permalink

Game 64: Arizona State at Texas (Austin Super Regional)

On Monday I wrote:

This Texas team really seems to have turned a corner. If they keep playing the way they did over the last couple of days, they will be in Omaha in a couple of weeks.

Sorry to say, the Horns did not, in fact, keep playing that way. Instead, this happened...

That "2" in the error column pretty much tells the story of what went wrong in today's game. Well, that and the fact that the Horns only managed to score 1 run off 8 hits.

The lineups:

Arizona State		Texas
Johnny Ruettiger (lf) Deven Marrero (ss) Riccio Torrez (3b) Joey DeMichele (dh) Zach Wilson (1b) Matt Newman (rf) Austin Barnes (c) Zack MacPhee (2b) Andrew Aplin (cf)		Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (3b) Paul Montalbano (cf) Jonathan Walsh (lf) Kevin Lusson (dh) Jacob Felts (c) Jordan Etier (2b)

Frankly, I'm not much in the mood for doing the play-by-play thing. Especially since I imagine most of you watched the game on TV if you weren't able to make it to Disch-Falk Field. But...what the heck? Here goes...

Play by play:

• 1st inning, Arizona State
• Taylor Jungmann (rhp) on the mound for Texas.
• Ruettiger reached on an infield single...a slow-rolling ground ball that went past the mound toward 2b. Etier tried to bare-hand the ball and toss it to 1b (his only chance at getting an out) but he was unable to round up the ball.
• Marrero reached on a 5-4 fielder's choice. Etier's relay throw to 1b for the double play was low and Shepherd was unable to dig it out.
• Torrez grounded out to ss. High bouncer to ss. Nice charge, field on the short hop, and throw by Loy! Marrero moved to 2b on the play.
• DeMichele grounded out to the catcher. A full-swing dribbler left the ball only a about 10 feet or so away from home plate. Nice play by Felts.
• 10 pitches (8 for strikes).
• 1st inning, Texas
• Brady Rodgers (rhp) on the mound for Arizona State.
• Shepherd grounded out to ss.
• Payton fell behind 0-2, worked the count full, and flew out to rf (high pop-up).
• Loy reached on an error by ss. The shortstop pulled his glove up just as the ball was about to get to him and dribbled into lf.
• Weiss grounded out to ss. The throw to 1b was offline (toward home plate). The first baseman, though, caught the ball and tagged Weiss before he could get to the 1b bag.
• 2nd inning, Arizona State
• Wilson popped out to ss near the lf line.
• Newman lined out to rf. Fantastic running catch by Payton in rf just shy of the warning track!
• Barnes grounded out to 1b (p covered bag).
• 7 pitches (5 for strikes).
• 2nd inning, Texas
• Montalbano grounded out to ss. Nice job by the ss to snag the ball headed into cf, spin and throw (as he was falling!) to 1b. Geesh.
• Walsh flew out to cf.
• Lusson lined a single into rf.
• Felts lined a single into lf. Lusson was on the run as he hit the ball and advanced to 3b!
• Sadly, Etier struck out swinging (3 pitches).
• Yep...runner stranded at 3b.
• [Oh yeah...now I remember why I shouldn't be doing a complete play-by-play. I'm tired and sleepy and am stopping now. Will resume tomorrow morning at some point.]
• [Several hours later, I am back. Y'all wouldn't really know the difference if I didn't put this note here, though. Would you? Nope. Anyway...]
• 3rd inning, Arizona State
• MacPhee grounded out to 1b (unassisted). The ball was bouncing down the line and probably would've gone foul but Shepherd grabbed it just before it had a chance to go foul and then tagged the batter for the out.
• Aplin lined a single just past Shepherd into rf. (9-pitch at-bat. Really? Yes...really.) Oh, wait. It was ruled an error. I don't think Shepherd actually touched the ball but I guess the ruling was that he should've gotten in front of it rather than try to back-hand it. Huh.
• Ruettiger drew a 5-pitch walk, moving Aplin to 2b.
• Insert mound visit to the mound by Skip Johnson...the entire infield showed up to the meeting at the mound.
• Marrero reached on a fielder's choice. He hit a ground ball to the pitcher. Jungmann fielded and threw to 2b. Loy and Etier seemed unsure of who should take the throw. It looked like Etier pointed to Loy as Jungmann was throwing. The ball went directly to 2b...a little low but certainly catchable. Etier stabbed at it and the ball deflected off his glove into shallow cf. E4. Aplin scored. Runners at 1b and 2b.
• Torrez struck out looking.
• DeMichele blooped a double down the lf line scoring Ruettiger and moving Marrero to 3b.
• Wilson struck out swinging.
• 32 pitches (18 for strikes). Two unearned runs.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 3rd inning, Texas
• Shepherd reached on an infield single to 3b. Which could've been ruled an error. The third baseman made a nice stop on a ground ball headed through the left side and then threw high to 1b. The first baseman had to jump up off the bag to make the catch. He tried to tag Shepherd as he came down but Shepherd ducked under the tag.
• Payton moved Shepherd to 2b on a 5-3 sac bunt.
• Loy lined a single into cf, scoring Shepherd. Nice.
• Weiss singled through the right side, moving Loy to 3b. Loy was already two-thirds of the way to 2b when the ball scooted through the right side. Did Texas actually execute a hit & run???? Or was Loy stealing 2b?
• Insert full-infield visit to the mound.
• Sadly, Montalbano grounded into a 3-6-1 double play to end the inning. Geesh. The pitcher just barely made it to the bag in time. Too bad.
• And, yep...another runner stranded at 3b.
• Texas down 1-2.
• 4th inning, Arizona State
• Newman lined out to cf.
• Barnes grounded out to the pitcher (unassisted). The slow bouncer was headed down the 1b line. Jungmann fielded on the run and kept running to 1b, beating the batter to the bag.
• MacPhee drew a 5-pitch walk and then moved up to 2b on a wild pitch with Aplin at the plate. On the wp, the ball was in the dirt and bounced about 12 or 15 feet away from Felts. No throw to 2b on the play.
• Aplin struck out looking.
• 19 pitches (10 for strikes).
• Texas down 1-2.
• 4th inning, Texas
• Walsh reached on an infield single that bounced over the pitcher. By the time the shortstop got to the ball, he had no play.
• Lusson popped out to 2b.
• Felts struck out looking (full count).
• A balk was called on the first pitch to Etier (no pitch...although, Etier did swing at it), moving Walsh to 2b.
• Etier struck out swinging (3 pitches; well...4 but the first one didn't count).
• Runner stranded at 2b this time.
• Texas down 1-2.
• 5th inning, Arizona State
• Ruettiger grounded out to 2b.
• Marrero grounded out to 3b.
• Torrez singled past the diving shortstop up the middle.
• DeMichele grounded out to 3b.
• 10 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas down 1-2.
• 5th inning, Texas
• Shepherd hit a hard fly ball to cf but it was run down by the center fielder. Nice play.
• Payton grounded out to 2b.
• Loy grounded out to 3b. Nice diving stop by the third baseman on a ball that was headed down the line for a double. Sigh...
• 3 up...3 down.
• Texas down 1-2.
• 6th inning, Arizona State
• Wilson lined out to cf.
• Newman grounded out to 1b (p covered bag).
• Barnes grounded out to ss. Fantastic play by Loy deep in the hole!
• 7 pitches (4 for strikes). The first two outs came on 2 pitches. Nice inning for Jungmann.
• Texas down 1-2.
• 6th inning, Texas
• Weiss struck out swinging.
• Montalbano grounded out to 2b.
• Walsh grounded out to 1b (p covered bag).
• 1-2-3. So sad.
• Texas down 1-2.
• 7th inning, Arizona State
• MacPhee grounded out to 1b (p covered bag).
• Aplin grounded out to 2b.
• Ruettiger grounded out to the pitcher (high bouncer).
• 6 pitches (5 for strikes). Another really nice inning for Jungmann. If only the offense could get something going, eh?
• Texas down 1-2.
• 7th inning, Texas
• Lusson grounded out to 3b.
• Felts lined a single into rf.
• Tim Maitland (pinch-hitting for Etier) singled through the right side, moving Felts to 3b! The throw from rf hit Felts as he was sliding into 3b. I heard someone say that Felts would've been out if the ball hadn't hit him but the third baseman was 3 or 4 feet off the bag toward the outfield waiting for the throw so the throw was not online for the out. Had it been online, it certainly would've been a close play.
• Shepherd grounded into a 5-2 fielder's choice, moving Maitland to 2b. Felts was on the move with contact (according to Coach Garrido in the post-game interview) and was thrown out easily on the weak grounder to 3b. He made a weird slide at the plate...he started to slide and then sort of popped up and weakly stumbled into the catcher. Buster Posey on his mind? Dunno. It was ugly, though. Ugh.
• Arizona State sent Mitchell Lambson (lhp) to the mound, replacing Rodgers.
• Payton, very sadly, popped out to 2b.
• Runner out at home and then runner stranded at 2b.
• Texas down 1-2.
• 8th inning, Arizona State
• Christian Summers went in at 2b (taking Maitland's spot in the lineup).
• Marrero drew an 11-pitch full-count walk. After falling behind 0-2. Yeah. Really. Ugh.
• Torrez moved Marrero to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt.
• Texas sent Hoby Milner (lhp) to the mound, replacing Jungmann. Nice standing ovation by the crowd, thanking Jungmann for his years at Texas.
• DeMichele singled to lf, scoring Marrero.
• Wilson drew a 5-pitch walk, moving DeMichele to 2b.
• Newman flew out to lf.
• Texas sent Kendal Carrillo (rhp) to the mound, replacing Milner.
• Barnes grounded out to 3b.
• Final numbers for Jungmann: 7.1 innings, 30 batters, 3 runs (1 earned), 3 hits (all singles), 3 strikeouts, 3 walks, 1 wild pitch, 104 pitches (66 for strikes).
• Final numbers for Milner: 0.1 inning, 3 batters, 1 hit (single), 1 walk, 17 pitches (9 for strikes).
• 5 pitches (2 for strikes) for Carrillo.
• Texas down 1-3.
• 8th inning, Texas
• Loy grounded out to the pitcher. The hard-hit ground ball was headed into cf but somehow found its way into the pitcher's glove. The ball got away a bit and the pitcher had to chase it down but he did so in time to make the out.
• Weiss grounded out to 2b.
• Montalbano struck out swinging.
• Yep. 1-2-3.
• Texas down 1-3.
• 9th inning, Arizona State
• MacPhee flew out to rf.
• Texas sent Andrew McKirahan (lhp) to the mound, replacing Carrillo.
• Aplin reached on an infield single to ss deep in the hole.
• Ruettiger struck out looking.
• Texas sent Corey Knebel (rhp) to the mound, replacing McKirahan.
• Marrero grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Carrillo's final numbers: 0.2 innings, 2 batters, no runs, no hits, no nothin', 7 pitches (3 for strikes).
• McKirahan's final numbers: 0.1 innings, 2 batters, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, 8 pitches (5 for strikes).
• Knebel's final numbers: 0.1 innings, 1 batter, 5 pitches (3 for strikes).
• Texas down 1-3.
• 9th inning, Texas
• Walsh lined out to lf.
• Cohl Walla (pinch-hitting for Lusson) struck out looking.
• Felts flew out to rf.
• Yep...one last 1-2-3 inning for good measure.
• Texas loses 1-3.

Whew. Jungmann pitched a good game. Alas, he did not get the offensive support he needed to overcome a couple of unexpected defensive mishaps on the field. And, hat tip to Arizona State. They played a good game.

I hope the Horns respond (as they usually do) with a big win this evening...and another tomorrow! People keep talking about the fact that Texas only lost one 3-game series this year. They really need to hold onto those winning ways here!

Posted by Joanna at 11:39 AM | Permalink

Wednesday - June 8, 2011

MLB Draft, Day 3

Here's a final list of Texas players and signees selected in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft:

• Dylan Bundy (rhp; Texas signee; 1st round, 4th overall; Orioles)
• Taylor Jungmann (rhp; 1st round, 12th overall; Brewers)
• Blake Swihart (c; Texas signee; 1st round, 26th overall; Red Sox)
• Josh Bell (of; Texas signee; 2nd round, 61st overall; Pirates)
• Sam Stafford (lhp; 2nd round, 88th overall; Yankees)
• Brandon Loy (ss; 5th round, 167th overall; Tigers)
• Cole Green (rhp; 9th round, 295th overall; Reds)
• Connor Sadzeck (rhp; Texas signee; 11th round, 354th overall; Rangers)
• Matt Dean (3b; Texas signee; 13th round, 409th overall; Blue Jays)
• Dillon Peters (lhp; Texas signee; 19th round, 608th overall; Indians)
• Andrew McKirahan (lhp; 21st round, 939th overall; Cubs)
• Tant Shepherd (1b; 24th round, 732nd overall; Mets)
• John Curtiss (rhp; Texas signee; 30th round, 918th overall; Rockies)
• Ricky Jacquez (rhp; Texas signee; 39th round, 1179th overall; Cubs)
• Austin Dicharry (rhp; 41st round, 1261st overall; Phillies)
• Stayton Thomas (rhp; 43rd round, 1320th overall; Rays)
• Kevin Lusson (c; 45th round, 1380th overall; Rays)

The final 4 on the list were selected today. Special shout out to the seniors on the list. I wish them all the best! Obviously, none of them will be returning to the team next year. It's hard to imagine any of the players in the top 10 rounds of the draft will be on campus next year but you never know.

Hook 'em, Horns!

Posted by Joanna at 11:01 PM | Permalink

Tuesday - June 7, 2011

MLB Draft, Days 1 and 2

The MLB Draft started last night. They got through the first round and the 1st "sandwich" round (aka Comp A) last evening and started up with Round 2 this morning. Of interest to Texas so far:

• Dylan Bundy (rhp; Texas signee; 1st round, 4th overall; Orioles)
• Taylor Jungmann (rhp; 1st round, 12th overall; Brewers)
• Blake Swihart (c; Texas signee; 1st round, 26th overall; Red Sox)
• Josh Bell (of; Texas signee; 2nd round, 61st overall; Pirates)
• Sam Stafford (lhp; 2nd round, 88th overall; Yankees)

That's great news for Taylor and Sam. I wish them the best of luck!

Josh Bell sent out a letter a couple of weeks ago saying he did not want to be drafted...that he's coming to Texas. I hope he does come to Texas. Time will tell.

Added as the day wore on:

• Brandon Loy (ss; 5th round, 167th overall; Tigers)
• Cole Green (rhp; 9th round, 295th overall; Reds)
• Connor Sadzeck (rhp; Texas signee; 11th round, 354th overall; Rangers)
• Matt Dean (3b; Texas signee; 13th round, 409th overall; Blue Jays)
• Dillon Peters (lhp; Texas signee; 19th round, 608th overall; Indians)
• Andrew McKirahan (lhp; 21st round, 939th overall; Cubs)
• Tant Shepherd (1b; 24th round, 732nd overall; Mets)
• John Curtiss (rhp; Texas signee; 30th round, 918th overall; Rockies)

Cole Green chose to stay at Texas and play his Senior year with the Horns instead of signing with the Tigers last year. Sorry to report that his draft location did drop this year. Thanks so much, Cole, for spending another year with us!

Thanks to Tant Shepherd as well for spending his Senior season with the Horns. Love getting to see Longhorns play an extra year!

Check back as I will update this post throughout the day as I have time with names as I hear them.

I've also set up my 2011 MLB Draft Summary Page which has additional info, including news on other Big 12 teams. Check it out.

PS: Thanks to Donald J. Boyles for pointing out that I left a few signees off the list above. I'd added them to the summary page but forgot to add them here.

Posted by Joanna at 11:59 AM | Permalink

Monday - June 6, 2011

Austin Regional Tournament, Day 4

Championship Game: Kent State at Texas

Texas continued playing with purpose today and beat Kent State by a score of 5-0 to win the Austin Regional Championship. The offense (aided by a couple of Kent State errors) scored solo runs in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th. Slow and steady wins the race? Sam Stafford got the nod and started on the mound. He did exactly what the Horns needed and threw 3.2 scoreless innings. He did give up a few hits and a walk. But, with a fine defensive effort behind him, he held Kent State's offense in check. Kendal Carrillo threw an inning. Hoby Milner threw 1.1. Cole Green threw the 7th. Yeah...really. Taylor Jungmann threw the 8th. Yeah...really, really! And, Corey Knebel threw the 9th. I have to admit that I was very surprised when I looked up at the start of the 7th and saw Green standing on the mound instead of Knebel. The surprise did not go away when it was Jungmann instead of Knebel for the 8th. But, Green only threw 9 pitches and Jungmann 13. And, they really looked happy to be out there...especially Cole Green. He was pumped up as he ran off the field after his inning. It was such a contrast to his usual deliberate walk off the mound. Fun city. Anyway, the Horns now need to get ready to play Arizona State in the Super Regional this weekend. This Texas team really seems to have turned a corner. If they keep playing the way they did over the last couple of days, they will be in Omaha in a couple of weeks. Hook 'em, Horns!

Elsewhere

In other action...

• College Station Regional - The final game between A&M and Arizona was postponed due to rain and will be played tomorrow at 12:30.
• Ft. Worth Regional - Dallas Baptist jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the top of the first. It looked like it was gonna be a cake walk. But then they gave up a grand slam in the bottom of the inning. Yikes! They eventually held off a surging Oral Roberts team and won 11-9.
• Houston Regional - Oh. My. Goodness. Baylor scored 6 in the 4th to take a commanding 6-1 lead over Cal. And, they scored another in the 6th and one more in the 9th. Cal started fighting back, though, and scored 2 in the 6th and 2 more in the 8th. Leading 8-5 going into the bottom of the 9th, things were looking pretty good for Baylor. Sadly, Baylor imploded and gave up a four-spot to lose the game 8-9. This very dry recap from the Cal Athletics web site does not do any justice at all to how exciting that 9th inning was. That is a crying shame. It's almost like the writer's in cahoots with whoever it was that was trying to get rid of Cal baseball. Can you be any less supportive of your team? Wow. Let's see...go read this story instead. It'll give you a much better feel for how things went. Cal wins the Houston Regional and will face Dallas Baptist in a Super Regional.

Where will the Super Regional between Dallas Baptist and Cal be played? Dunno. It sounded like they had a pretty good crowd at TCU. Maybe the Frogs could host it? Heh. I read at some point this evening that Dallas Baptist and Oral Roberts were preferred as hosts over Cal in the event that Cal won the Houston Regional since Cal does not have lights at their stadium. Oh well. 'Guess we'll find out soon enough.

So, sadly, Baylor is out...leaving only two Big 12 teams still in contention. And, we won't know about the Aggies until late tomorrow afternoon.

In other (better...in some ways) news, tonight marked the start of the 2011 MLB draft. And...Taylor Jungmann was selected 12th overall by the Brewers. Congratulations, Taylor! Hook 'em, Horns!

[So...that was the good news.] The not as good news (although, I'm sure it's great news for the players in question), two Texas signees were also drafted in the first round: (1) Dylan Bundy, 4th overall by the Orioles, and (2) Blake Swihart, 26th overall by the Red Sox.

UPDATE (Tuesday afternoon). Texas A&M beat Arizona 3-0 on Tuesday to win the College Station Regional. They're now headed to Tallahassee Super Regional where they'll face Florida State (National Seed #5). Congrats to the Aggies.

And, the Super Regional between Cal and Dallas Baptist will be played on the campus of UC-Santa Barbara. I have to say I'm not too terribly surprised that they picked a spot in California. Before that selection, Austin was the westernmost Super Regional and we're in the Central Time Zone. I'm sure ESPN really wanted some games to be played on the West Coast.

Posted by Joanna at 11:45 PM | Permalink

Game 63: Kent State at Texas (Austin Regional)

This is a placeholder. I'm just too tired to write the game report up tonight. I will do it tomorrow. Do know that Texas won 5-0. And, they did it in fine fashion. I just got caught up with the MLB draft and then the Dallas Baptist and Baylor games and...ugh...I can't face doing a full report right now. So...placeholder. I'll be back.

UPDATE. Well, that took more than a day but here I am!

Texas chose to go with their Game 1 starter from Friday night (Sam Stafford) in Game 7 of the Austin Regional and see how far he could go. He gave up a 2-out double and a walk in the first and then buckled down to give the Horns 3.2 solid innings of work. Which is exactly what they needed. Kendal Carrillo, Hoby Milner, Cole Green, Taylor Jungmann, and Corey Kenebel threw 1 inning apiece (well, Milner threw 1.1) for a combined 5-hit shutout. Loved it. On the offensive side of things, the Horns scored the first run of the game in the 1st and steadily added single runs as the game wore on.

The line...

The lineups:

Kent State		Texas
Evan Campbell (cf) Jimmy Rider (ss) Travis Shaw (3b) Ben Klafczynski (rf) David Lyon (c) Jason Bagoly (dh) George Roberts (1b) Joe Koch (lf) Derek Toadvine (2b)		Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (3b) Paul Montalbano (cf) Kevin Lusson (dh) Jonathan Walsh (lf) Jacob Felts (c) Jordan Etier (2b)

Play by play:

• 1st inning, Kent State
• Sam Stafford (lhp) on the mound for Texas.
• Campbell flew out to lf.
• Rider fought off a bunch of pitches and then grounded out to ss.
• Shaw worked the count full and then doubled to left-center. Ugh.
• Klafczynski drew a 7-pitch walk.
• Lyon popped out to ss near 3b. Yes!
• 31 pitches (18 for strikes). I have to admit, watching Stafford throw that many pitches in the first inning (he'd thrown 107 on Friday) was a little spooky. But, he buckled down.
• 1st inning, Texas
• Ryan Mace (rhp) on the mound for Kent State.
• Shepherd lined a double down the lf line. Yes!
• Payton hit a sac bunt down the 3b line. The third baseman fielded and made a slightly bad throw to 1b. The ball arrived just as Payton did and there was a bit of a collision at 1b and the ball got away from the first baseman. Shepherd never hesitated and scored on the play. Payton was safe at 1b on the error. EDIT. Apparently, the official scorer ruled it a bunt single and an error rather than a sac bunt and an error. I can see that. It was a close play at 1b.
• Loy moved Payton to 2b on a 3-4 sac bunt.
• Weiss lined into a 6-4 double play. Payton tried to get back to 2b but the ball was hit too hard and right at the ss.
• Texas up 1-0.
• 2nd inning, Kent State
• Bagoly struck out swinging (foul tip).
• Roberts struck out swinging.
• Koch struck out swinging.
• Yes! Stafford struck out the side!
• 11 pitches (9 for strikes). Lovely.
• Texas up 1-0.
• 2nd inning, Texas
• Montalbano grounded out to 2b. Nice play by the second baseman on a slow bouncer.
• Lusson lined a single into cf.
• Walsh, who hit a very long foul ball that started out fair and then curved foul to land beyond the "Rudy's" storage shed down the rf line, went on to strike out looking.
• Felts grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice.
• Texas up 1-0.
• 3rd inning, Kent State
• Toadvine reached on an error by ss. Loy bobbled the ball and ended up throwing late to 1b as a result.
• With Campbell at the plate, Toadvine was caught stealing. Felts dropped the pitch but picked the ball up quickly and threw a rocket to ss covering 2b.
• Campbell lined a single into lf.
• Rider lined out to lf
• Shaw struck out swinging (3 pitches).
• 12 pitches (9 for strikes).
• Texas up 1-0.
• 3rd inning, Texas
• Etier drew a full-count 7-pitch walk.
• Shepherd moved Etier to 2b on a 1-4 sac bunt.
• Payton lined a single into lf, scoring Etier!
• Loy lined out to 2b. Payton dove back to the 1b bag, beating the throw from the second baseman. Whew.
• Weiss singled through the right side, moving Payton to 2b.
• Montalbano grounded out to 2b.
• Texas up 2-0.
• 4th inning, Kent State
• Klafczynski struck out swinging.
• Lyon flew out to lf...about 10 feet shy of the warning track.
• Bagoly reached on a single up the middle.
• Texas sent Kendal Carrillo (rhp) to the mound, replacing Stafford.
• Roberts grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Staffords final numbers: 3.2 innings, 15 batters, no runs, 3 hits (1 double, 2 singles), 5 strikeouts, 1 walk, 62 pitches thrown (41 for strikes). Nice job!
• 3 pitches (3 for strikes) for Carrillo.
• Texas up 2-0.
• 4th inning, Texas
• Lusson grounded out to the pitcher.
• Walsh reached on an infield single to the ss who stopped the ball behind 2b but had no play.
• With Felts at the plate, Walsh stole 2b.
• Felts flew out to rf (in the cf/rf gap). Walsh made a very heads-up play to tag up and advance to 3b. Nice.
• Etier, sadly, grounded out to ss...stranding Walsh at 3b.
• Texas up 2-0.
• 5th inning, Kent State
• Koch lined a single past the ss into cf.
• With Toadvine at the plate, Koch moved up to 2b on a wild pitch that bounced away from Felts toward the 1b dugout.
• Toadvine struck out swinging after failing to get a bunt down.
• Campbell drew a full-count walk.
• Rider grounded out to the catcher (a little dribbler that only got about 5 feet away from the plate). Koch moved up to 3b and Campbell to 2b.
• Texas sent Hoby Milner (lhp) to the mound, replacing Carrillo.
• Shaw grounded out to the pitcher (unassisted). Kinda cool play. The chopped ball was bouncing down the 1b line. Milner fielded and tagged the batter in stride and just kept jogging on into the Texas dugout. Heh.
• Carrillo's final numbers: 1 inning, 5 batters, no runs, 1 hit (single), 1 strikeout, 1 walk, 24 pitches (14 for strikes).
• 3 pitches for Milner (all strikes).
• Texas up 2-0.
• 5th inning, Texas
• Shepherd grounded out to 3b.
• Payton grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Loy grounded out to 2b.
• The only 1-2-3 inning for Texas.
• Texas up 2-0.
• 6th inning, Kent State
• Klafczynski lined out to rf. It was a fantastic run followed by a diving catch in the right-center by Payton. Beautiful.
• Lyon struck out swinging.
• Bagoly popped out to the catcher. Nice play by Felts as he went almost half way down the line to 1b in foul territory to make the catch. I was surprised the play wasn't made by Shepherd at 1b.
• 14 pitches (8 for strikes).
• 6th inning, Texas
• Weiss was hit by a pitch (first pitch).
• Montalbano moved Weiss to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt.
• Lusson drew a 4-pitch walk.
• Kent State sent Justin Gill (rhp) to the mound, replacing Mace.
• Walsh fell behind 0-2, worked the count full, and drew a 7-pitch walk to load the bases.
• Felts scored Weiss on a sac fly to lf.
• Etier struck out swinging.
• Texas up 3-0.
• 7th inning, Kent State
• Texas sent Cole Green (rhp) to the mound, replacing Milner!
• Milner's final numbers: 1.1 innings, 4 batters, no runs, no hits, 1 strikeout, 20 pitches (11 for strikes).
• Roberts struck out looking.
• Koch grounded out to ss.
• Taodvine grounded out to 2b.
• 9 pitches (6 for strikes).
• Green was very pumped up as he left the mound. I don't know that I've ever seen him so pumped up as he bounded off the mound. Fun.
• Texas up 3-0.
• 7th inning, Texas
• Shepherd struck out swinging.
• Kent State sent Kyle Hallock (lhp) to the mound, replacing Gill.
• Payton grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Loy singled through the left side...and then stole 2b with Weiss at the plate.
• Weiss reached on an infield single up the middle. The second baseman made a sliding stop on the ball behind 2b. Loy never hesitated as he rounded 3b and ran hard for home. The second baseman tried to throw Loy out at the plate but the throw was high. Loy scored!
• Montalbano fought off several pitches but went down swinging.
• Texas up 4-0.
• 8th inning, Kent State
• Texas sent Taylor Jungmann (rhp) to the plate, replacing Green. I have to admit I was very surprised to see Jungmann out there instead of Knebel.
• Green's final numbers: 1 inning, 3 batters, no runs, no hits, 1 strikeout, 9 pitches (6 for strikes).
• Texas also did their defensive switcharoo...an inning earlier than usual. Montalbano switched over to rf. Cohl Walla went in at cf (taking Walsh's spot in the lineup). And, Tim Maitland went in at lf (taking Payton's spot in the lineup).
• Campbell grounded out to 2b.
• Rider lined out to the first baseman.
• Shaw struck out looking.
• Nice inning for Jungmann. He threw 13 pitches (9 for strikes) with one strikeout as he faced 3 batters.
• Texas up 4-0.
• 8th inning, Texas
• Lusson struck out swinging (full count).
• Kent State sent Kyle McMillen (rhp) to the mound, replacing Hallock.
• Walla lined a double into lf.
• Felts struck out swinging.
• Etier reached on a hard-hit single off the pitcher, advancing Walla to 3b. The ball hit the pitcher and bounced back toward the 3b line. The pitcher fielded and, rather than hold the ball, tried to throw Etier out at 1b. The throw was off-line, though, allowing Walla to score and Etier to reach 2b. Ouch.
• Shepherd grounded out to 3b.
• Texas up 5-0.
• 9th inning, Kent State
• Texas finally (!) sent Corey Knebel (rhp) to the mound, replacing Jungmann (final numbers listed above).
• Klafczynski lined out to cf.
• Lyon singled up the middle.
• T.J. Sutton (pinch-hitting for Bagoly) lined out to 2b. Nice play by Etier.
• Roberts grounded out to the pitcher. Game over.
• Final numbers for Knebel: 1 inning, 4 batters, no runs, 1 hit (single), 8 pitches (6 for strikes).
• Texas wins 5-0!

It was really nice to see Texas keep the offensive heat up as the game wore on. If they continue to play this way, they'll win the Super Regional and go far at the CWS. Hook 'em, Horns!

By the way, it was HOT out there. Noticed this on the scoreboard when Walsh was batting in the 6th:

Yep...102 degrees F. Ugh.

Posted by Joanna at 11:32 PM | Permalink

Austin Regional Tournament, Day 3

Game 1: Texas State at Texas

With a clutch throwing performance on the mound by Cole Green who went 8 innings, an offense that came alive (!), and a walk-off ground-rule double (that was officially scored a single) by Kevin Lusson, the Horns won the first game of the day, beating Texas State 4-3 to stave off elimination. See my full game report for details.

Game 2: Texas at Kent State

The Horns kept up their offensive ways and beat Kent State 9-3. Again, I have to stress how great it was seeing this team play with a sense of purpose. I can't imagine how happy all the coaches must be to see the team gel like this on the field. And, the team's got to be so excited. I hope they can keep it up. See my game report for more details on their win over Kent State.

Elsewhere

In other (mostly Big 12-related) action around the country...

• Tempe Regional (paired with the Austin Regional)
• Arkansas eliminated Charlotte 11-3 in the first game of the day.
• But, they were no match for Arizona State in the night-cap. Arizona State beat Arkansas 13-4 to claim the Tempe Regional crown.
• College Station Regional
• Arizona beat Seton Hall 6-0 in the afternoon elimination game.
• And, then Arizona beat A&M 7-4 to force a deciding final game today.
• Ft. Worth Regional
• Oral Roberts beat host TCU 8-4 in the afternoon elimination game.
• And, then Oral Roberts beat Dallas Baptist to force another winner-take-all game today.
• Houston Regional
• Cal beat Rice 6-3 in the afternoon elimination game.
• And, then Cal beat Baylor to force one more match-up. (I'm sensing a theme in the Texas Regionals...what with all of them going to a 7th game.)

Three Big 12 teams are still hoping for a chance to advance to the Super Regional. Good luck to all of them!

Posted by Joanna at 8:54 AM | Permalink

Game 62: Texas at Kent State (Austin Regional)

I tried to get these game reports done last night but was just too tired. Which means this second one is even shorter than the first one. Sorry about that. I should've planned to take the whole day off. Alas...I did not. Anyway...

Texas staved off elimination from the Austin Regional for the second game in-a-row. And, it was a lovely thing to see. The offense continued to attack as they'd done in the earlier game. It was wonderful to see the Longhorns playing with fire and passion. Truly wonderful. I so hope they can keep it up. Don't you? If the team keeps playing like this, they can go deep in the College World Series. But...I'm getting ahead of myself. The line:

Yep...Texas played visitor to Kent State again. The rules state that the team with the fewest stints as home team in the tournament gets to play home team.

The lineups:

Texas		Kent State
Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (3b) Paul Montalbano (cf) Jonathan Walsh (lf) Kevin Lusson (dh) Jacob Felts (c) Jordan Etier (2b)		Evan Campbell (cf) Jimmy Rider (ss) Travis Shaw (3b) Ben Klafczynski (rf) David Lyon (c) Jason Bagoly (dh) George Roberts (1b) Joe Koch (lf) Derek Toadvine (2b)

Hoby Milner (lhp) started on the mound for Texas (no decision) and David Starn (lhp) started for Kent State and took the loss.

Texas used more pitchers in the evening contest. Their numbers:

• Hoby Milner: 2.2 innings, 28 batters, 2 runs (both earned), 5 hits (all singles), 3 strikeouts, 1 walk, 48 pitches (28 for strikes).
• Nathan Thornhill: 3.2 innings, 15 batters, 1 run (earned), 3 hits (all singles), 7 strikeouts, 1 walk, 64 pitches (42 for strikes), win.
• Andrew McKirahan: 1 inning, 4 batters, 1 hit (single), 1 strikeout, 12 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Kendal Carrillo: 1.2 innings, 5 batters, no hits, 15 pitches (9 for strikes), save.

It really was quite lovely. To top off the great team-effort pitching performance, the offense kept up their fighting ways. They jumped all over Starn in the 1st inning and set the tone for the game. Shepherd led off with a 5-pitch walk. Payton moved him to 2b on a really nice 5-3 sac bunt. Loy lined a single into cf scoring Shepherd. Weiss singled through the right side, moving Loy to 2b. They then executed a double steal. Montalbano grounded out to 1b (unassisted), scoring Loy and moving Weiss to 3b. Walsh lined a double into cf, scoring Weiss. Walsh was stranded at 2b but the damage had been done. They kept up the pressure throughout the game and did not go down in order a single time. So purty.

In the 9th, with a 3-run lead, they decided a little insurance would be good. Montalbano reached on a 1-out single up the middle. Walsh lined a single into rf, moving Montalbano to 2b. And, Kevin Lusson...in the 9th, with 2 aboard, and hitting from the left side...hit a beautiful 3-run shot over the rf fence just left of the Wendy's sign. Gorgeous!

Here's hoping the spark continues to burn in the final game of the Regional. Hook 'em, Horns!

Posted by Joanna at 8:44 AM | Permalink

Game 61: Texas State at Texas (Austin Regional)

With two games to recap and a morning at work before this afternoon's game, I just don't have time to do my usual full-game report with complete play-by-play. Sorry about that but...shrug.

Texas faced elimination from the Austin Regional as they played home team to Texas state in the first game of the day. Thankfully, the Horns came away with a win to survive and move on to the evening contest. The line:

The lineups:

Texas State		Texas
Tyler Sibley (2b) Bret Atwood (cf) Casey Kalenkosky (1b) Kyle Kubitza (3b) Andrew Stumph (c) Jeff McVaney (rf) Clint Vest (dh) Morgan Mickan (lf) Christian Gallegos (ss)		Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (3b) Paul Montalbano (cf) Kevin Lusson (dh) Jonathan Walsh (lf) Jordan Etier (2b) Jacob Felts (c)

Cole Green (rhp) started on the mound for Texas. Colton Turner (lhp) started or Texas State.

Cole Green really needed to give the Horns some innings today and he came through in a major way. He went 8 innings and gave up 2 runs (both earned). He faced 28 batters, gave up 4 hits (homerun, double, 2 singles), struck out 8, did not walk or hit any...all on 104 pitches (72 for strikes). It's a crying shame that he did not earn a win after all that. Texas sent Corey Knebel to the mound to throw the 9th. He entered the game with a 3-2 lead. Sadly, it did not hold up. He gave up an un-earned run. Texas scored a run in the bottom of the 9th, though, which gave him a win...moving his record to 3-2. He threw 1 inning, faced 4 batters, and gave up 1 unearned run, while giving up a single, and striking out 1. He threw 10 pitches (8 for strikes). I'm guessing he'll be available for long relief in Monday's game.

The offense woke up today. In summary (going down the line):

• Shepherd: K, 1b, 1b, 1b (rbi), K
• Payton: 1b, K, 1b, fly out, 1b (run scored)
• Loy: fielder's choice, 1b, sac fly (rbi), ground out, sac bunt
• Weiss: fly out, fly out, single, k, intentional walk
• Montalbano: hit by pitch, 1b, ground out, K, walk
• Lusson: sac bunt, ground into dp, pop out, ground out, 1b (rbi)
• Walsh: pop out, pop out, 1b (run scored)
• Walla (pinch-hitting for Walla): single
• Etier: fly out, pop out, walk (run scored), sac bunt
• Felts: ground out, 1b (run scored), hit by pitch, 1b

I have to admit that it would've been nice to see a few more runs scored off all those hits but...damn...it was just so good to see Texas being aggressive at the plate and getting on base.

How the teams scored their runs:

• 4th inning, Texas State
• Green on the mound.
• Atwood singled to right-center.
• Kalenkosky struck out swinging.
• With Kubitza at the plate, Atwood stole 2b.
• Kubitza homered over the rf fence...just to the left of the Wendy's sign.
• Stumph struck out swinging.
• McVaney flrew out to cf.
• Texas down 0-2.
• 5th inning, Texas
• Turner on the mound for Texas State.
• Etier popped out to cf.
• Felts lined a single over the second baseman into right-center.
• Shepherd lined a single into lf, moving Felts to 2b.
• Payton reached on a bunt single down the 3b line. Beautiful. The pitcher fielded and looked to 3b but the third baseman was charging for the ball. By the time the pitcher looked to 1b, Payton was safe. Bases loaded.
• Loy hit a sac fly to cf, scoring Felts.
• Weiss reached on an infield single to 3b...reloading the bases. The third baseman fielded the ball and then almost ran into the shortstop as he was throwing to 1b. Yikes.
• Montalbano grounded out to 2b to end the inning.
• Texas down 1-2.
• 6th inning, Texas
• Turner on the mound for Texas State.
• Lusson popped out to rf.
• Walsh singled through the left side.
• Texas State sent Travis Ballew (rhp) to the mound, replacing Turner.
• Etier drew a 4-pitch walk, moving Walsh to 2b.
• Felts watched two balls cross the plate and Texas State sent Fielding Pittman (rhp) to the mound, replacing Ballew. Yep, 6 pitches (all balls) for Ballew. Pittman threw a ball to Felts and then hit him to load the bases. Yikes!
• Shepherd singled through the right side, scoring Walsh. Bases still loaded.
• Payton flew out to cf. No chance for the runners to advance.
• With Loy at the plate, Etier scored on a passed ball as the other runners also advanced a base. The ball didn't really look like it was going to get far enough away from the catcher but Etier took off and ran to the plate without a second of hesitation. Nice job.
• Loy grounded out to ss.
• Texas up 3-2.
• 9th inning, Texas State
• Corey Knebel (rhp) entered the game in relief of Cole Green. The Horns also did their 9th-inning defensive switch-a-roo: Montalbano moved to rf, Cohl Walla (who'd pinch-hit in the 8th) went in at cf, and Tim Maitland went in at lf (replacing Payton in the lineup).
• Atwood reached on a single off Loy's glove.
• On the 2nd pitch to Kalenkosky (a ball), Atwood took off for 2b. Felts tried to throw him out but the ball skipped through to cf, allowing Atwood to reach 3b. Ouch.
• Kalenkosky grounded out to ss. Loy did a nice job of looking Atwood back to 3b before throwing to 1b.
• Kubitza hit a sac fly to rf. Atwood scored. Damn. Tie game.
• The first pitch to Stumph was a ball which prompted a visit to the mound.
• Two called strikes and a swinging strike later, Stumph was out!
• Game tied 3-3.
• 9th inning, Texas
• Jeff McVaney (lhp) on the mound for Texas State. He'd gone from rf to p in the 7th.
• Maitland, who'd gone in for defensive purposes if you'll recall, watched a strike and then reached on a lovely drag bunt past the mound...on the 1b side. The first baseman fielded the ball and raced back to 1b but Maitland beat him by a step or two. Beautiful!
• Loy moved Maitland to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt.
• Weiss was intentionally walked.
• Texas State sent Carson Smith (rhp, the starter from Friday's game) to the mound and sent McVaney back to rf.
• Montalbano drew a 5-pitch walk to load the bases.
• With one out and everyone (infield and outfield) pulled in, Lusson hit a ground-rule double to the gap in right-center to win the game! It seemed to me that he should get credit for the double and two runs but that's not the way baseball works. He was credited with a single and the run scored by Maitland is the only one that counts.
• Texas wins 4-3.

Kevin Lusson hitting left-handed in the 9th inning comes through. He did the same on Saturday night with that 3-run blast. Amazing. With the win, the Horns had to immediately start thinking about the night-cap against Kent State.

Posted by Joanna at 7:52 AM | Permalink

Sunday - June 5, 2011

Game 60: Texas at Kent State (Austin Regional)

So...yeah. It turns out, Taylor Jungmann is human. Who knew? He suffered his first career loss at Disch-Falk Field as the Horns went down 5-7 to Kent State on Day 2 of the Austin Regional. When the field was announced, I cannot tell you how many people said the Austin Regional was gonna be a cake-walk for Texas. Oh...and watch out for Kent State. That's a very dangerous #3 seed. I kept wanting to ask which one it was. I mean, either it's a cake walk or it's not. Apparently? Not. Kent State gambled and saved their ace for Day 2 action. It payed off. Especially since Jungmann did not have a Jungmann-esque day on the mound.

The line:

The lineups:

Texas		Kent State
Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (lf) Jonathan Walsh (dh) Paul Montalbano (lf) Jacob Felts (c) Jordan Etier (2b) Cohl Walla (cf)		Evan Campbell (cf) Jimmy Rider (ss) Travis Shaw (3b) Ben Klafczynski (rf) David Lyon (c) T.J. Sutton (dh) George Roberts (1b) Joe Kock (lf) Derek Toadvine (2b)

Play by play:

• 1st inning, Texas
• Andrew Chafin (lhp) on the mound for Kent State.
• Shepherd struck out swinging.
• Payton struck out looking.
• Loy struck out swinging.
• Uh. Yeah. Chafin started the game by striking out the side. Ouch.
• 1st inning, Kent State
• Taylor Jungmann (rhp) on the mound for Texas.
• Campbell reached on an infield single to 3b. (Which could've easily been ruled an error as Weiss booted the high-bouncer on a short hop. It was a tough play but I've seen him make it a lot this year.)
• Rider moved Campbell to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt down the 1b line.
• Shaw grounded out to 1b (unassisted), moving Campbell to 3b.
• Klafczynski lined a double into right-center, scoring Campbell. Nice hit.
• Lyon grounded out to the pitcher.
• 9 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas down 0-1.
• 2nd inning, Texas
• Weiss grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Walsh grounded out on a high-bouncer to 3b.
• Montalbano struck out looking.
• Texas down 0-1.
• 2nd inning, Kent State
• Sutton grounded out to 2b.
• Roberts lined a single into cf.
• Koch grounded out to ss, moving Roberts to 2b.
• With Toadvine at the plate, Roberts advanced to 3b on a passed ball (off Felts' glove to the backstop).
• Toadvine struck out looking.
• 18 pitches (12 for strikes).
• Texas down 0-1.
• 3rd inning, Texas
• Felts lined out to 2b.
• Etier popped out to 3b.
• Walla popped out to 2b in shallow cf.
• Yep...first 9 down in order for Texas.
• Texas down 0-1.
• 3rd inning, Kent State
• Campbell flew out to cf.
• Rider grounded out to ss. Nice play by Loy deep in the hole!
• Shaw reached on an infield single to ss. Loy booted the ball. Another play I've seen made a lot this year. Again, it could've been ruled an error.
• Klafczynski grounded out to ss.
• 12 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas down 0-1.
• 4th inning, Texas
• Shepherd lined a single into lf. Yes! Oh, and first pitch. Which I really appreciated.
• Payton moved Shepherd to 2b on a 1-4 sac bunt.
• Shepherd moved to 3b on a wild pitch with Loy at the plate.
• Loy drew a 5-pitch walk to put runners at the corners.
• Weiss hit a sac fly to deep cf, scoring Shepherd.
• With Walsh at the plate, Loy stole 2b.
• Walsh struck out swinging.
• Game tied 1-1.
• 4th inning, Kent State
• Lyon struck out swinging.
• Sutton struck out looking.
• Roberts flew out to cf.
• Nice...fist 1-2-3 inning for the Horns.
• 12 pitches (9 for strikes).
• Game tied 1-1.
• 5th inning, Texas
• Montalbano lined a single over the ss into left-center.
• Felts moved Montalbano to 2b on a 1-4 sac bunt.
• Etier reached on a soft liner past the ss into lf, moving Montalbano to 3b.
• Walla was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
• Which prompted a visit to the mound.
• Shepherd reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Montalbano and moving Etier to 3b. On the play, Shepherd hit a ground ball to 3b. The third baseman threw to 2b for the start of a 5-4-3 double play. But, the second baseman bobbled the ball and dropped it. Walla had run past 2b and the second baseman was able to round up the ball and tag him out before he could get back to the bag. Not sure why Walla was running through 2b instead of sliding. Huh? At any rate, no double play...run scored.
• Payton grounded out to the pitcher (high chopper).
• Texas up 2-1.
• 5th inning, Kent State
• Koch grounded out to ss.
• Toadvine bunted down the 1b line and was called out on runner's interference when he was hit by the throw from the pitcher to 1b. He was running inside the 1b line. The Kent State coach threw a fit and was eventually ejected from the game. Not sure what he was arguing so vehemently since the runner was clearly inside the line.
• Campbell grounded out to 2b.
• 3 pitches (3 for strikes). Yeah...really. Amazing. I didn't realize the 3-pitch thing until later. That argument kinda distracted us all from what was going on. Wonder if that was the intent?
• Texas up 2-1.
• 6th inning, Texas
• Loy struck out swinging.
• Weiss grounded out to 3b. Nice play by the third baseman on a high bouncer.
• Walsh grounded out to ss.
• The start of another 9 down in-a-row for Texas. Which actually ended up being 12 in-a-row but this was the start of three 1-2-3 innings.
• Texas up 2-1.
• 6th inning, Kent State
• Rider drew a 7-pitch full-count walk.
• Shaw singled up the middle, moving Rider to 2b.
• Coach Johnson made a visit to the mound.
• Klafczynski lined a single into lf, loading the bases.
• Lyon drove a 1-2 pitch into the Kent State bullpen. Grand slam.
• Side note: this was apparently the first time all season that a Texas pitcher gave up 3 hits in-a-row.
• Sutton flew out to rf...about 10 feet shy of where Lyon's ball fell. Wow. It looked like it was going to be 2 in-a-row.
• Roberts grounded out to the pitcher.
• Koch drew a 4-pitch walk.
• Toadvine reached on an infield single, moving Koch to 2b. The ball was a verrrrrryyyyy high bouncer that bounced way over Jungmann's head. By the time it came down, no play.
• Texas sent Andrew McKirahan (lhp) to the mound, replacing Jungmann.
• The runners advanced on a double-steal with Campbell at the plate.
• Campbell lined a single through the left side, scoring both runners. He moved up to 2b on the throw home.
• Rider flew out to lf.
• Jungmann's final numbers: 5.2 innings, 27 batters, 7 runs (all earned), 8 hits (1 hr, 1 2b), 3 strikeouts, 2 walks, 86 pitches (57 for strikes).
• 7 pitches (4 for strikes) for McKirahan.
• Texas down 2-7.
• 7th inning, Texas
• Montalbano grounded out 1-6-3. His ball went off the pitcher's glove and right at the ss.
• Felts grounded out to ss.
• Etier watched a couple of strikes, fought off a few pitches, worked the count full, and then struck out swinging. Nice at-bat. Sad results.
• Texas down 2-7.
• 7th inning, Kent State
• Shaw popped out to 2b in shallow rf. Etier made a phenomenal play on a soft liner to run back, dive, and make a catch on a ball that really should've been a bloop single. Defensive play of the game.
• Klafczynski doubled down the rf line. Oh man. Pretty hit. Too bad it was for the other guys.
• Lyon struck out swinging.
• Jason Bagoly was announced as a pinch-hitter for Sutton. Texas responded by sending Kendal Carrillo (rhp) to the mound, replacing McKirahan.
• Bagoly grounded out to 2b.
• McKirahan's final numbers: 1 inning, 5 batters, 2 hits (1 2b), 1 strikeout, 20 pitches (13 for strikes).
• 2 pitches (2 for strikes) for Carrillo.
• Texas down 2-7.
• 8th inning, Texas
• Walla grounded out to 2b.
• Shepherd struck out looking.
• Payton grounded out to 2b.
• Texas down 2-7.
• 8th inning, Kent State
• Roberts grounded out to 2b. Really nice charge and throw by Etier.
• Koch grounded out to 3b.
• Toadvine grounded out to the pitcher.
• Really nice 1-2-3 inning for Carrillo.
• Carrillo's final numbers: 1.1 innings, 4 batters, 12 pitches (9 for strikes).
• Texas down 2-7.
• 9th inning, Texas
• Where, it looks like maybe...just maybe...they can pull it off. But...nope, not quite.
• Loy flew out to rf.
• Weiss grounded out to 1b (p covered bag).
• Walsh reached on a bloop double down the rf line into no-man's land. Nice job of running the bases and beating out the throw.
• Insert visit to the mound.
• With Montalbano at the plate, Walsh moved up to 3b on a wild pitch...or maybe a passed ball?
• Montalbano ended up drawing a 4-pitch walk, putting runners at the corners.
• Kent State sent Justin Gill (rhp) to the mound, replacing Chafin. Interestingly, Gill is not the Kent State closer.
• Kevin Lusson (pinch-hitting for Felts) dumped the second pitch he saw into the Kent State bullpen!
• Lucas Kephart (pinch-hitting for Etier) drew a 7-pitch full-count walk.
• Texas sent Sam Stafford in to pinch-run for Kephart. Stafford was used as a pinch-runner several times early in the season but it had been awhile.
• Tim Maitland (pinch-hitting for Walla) lined a single into rf, moving Stafford to 3b. Nice.
• Kent State sent Kyle McMilen (rhp and closer) to the mound, replacing Gill.
• Shepherd, sadly, popped out to 2b in shallow rf. Game over.
• Texas loses 5-7.

At the time, the way the top of the 6th inning went for Texas struck me as being a very bad thing. I just didn't like it and commented to my seat-mate that I was not happy that Texas seemed content with that 2-1 lead. That, right there, is the thing about this team that seems to be wrong this year. This feeling is admittedly coming from very high up in the stands where I have no direct knowledge of what's going on with anyone on the team. I have sat through 95% of the innings played at Disch-Falk Field this year and have listened to or watched a good 80% of what's gone on while they've been on the road. There seems to be no fire and little (often no) sense of urgency on the offensive side of things. Too many times this year, the Horns didn't seem to come to life until it was too late. This game right here? Yet another example. (And, yeah..I know...good Kent State pitcher throwing a very good game. I saw it. All the credit to him. Still.)

Question: where are Stayton Thomas and Keifer Nuncio? I'm particularly puzzled by the fact that Thomas was left off the roster for the Regional. The Horns need arms as they try to win this thing from the wrong side of the bracket. Sigh. Maybe they're hurt? I dunno. It's just sad to me that Thomas, in his Senior season, isn't out there.

Here's hoping the fire was ignited in that 9th inning and the Horns pull off the hard-to-imagine and win this thing. It can be done. Since the NCAA switched to the current format, it's been done 18% of the time. The odds are not great. But, it can be done. Hook 'em, Horns!

Posted by Joanna at 10:23 AM | Permalink

Austin Regional Tournament, Day 2

Game 1: Texas State at Princeton

Texas State beat Princeton 3-1 in the first game of the day to send Princeton home. The Bobcats scored 1 in the 4th and 2 in the 8th. The Tigers did not manage to get on the board until the bottom of the 8th. Princeton did strand runners in scoring position in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. So, they had some chances. But, the Texas State starter (Mitchell Pitts) kept managing to get out of trouble. In contrast, Texas State only left runners in scoring position in the 1st and 5th innings. In the 5th, they actually managed to load the bases on back-to-back-to-back singles. (Although, I'd argue the final single was actually a fielder's choice. With runners at the corners, the Bobcats bunted down the 3b line...safety squeeze. The pitcher fielded the ball and looked the runner back to 3b. By the time he was sure the runner wasn't going to break for home, he did not have a play at 1b. He had time to make the out; however, he chose to make sure his opponent did not score a run. Sounds like a fielder's choice to me.) The 4th batter of the inning, though, hit into a 5-2-3 double play and the next lined out to lf. At that point, it felt a bit as though, the Bobcats might've run out of chances. But, no...they scored two more runs to put the game away and live another day. Interestingly, both starters went 7.1 innings

Game 2: Texas at Kent State

Kent State (playing as the home team) jumped out to an early 1-run lead over Texas in the 1st inning. Texas tied things up in the 4th and scored a go-ahead run in the 5th. However, the Horns did not take advantage of the momentum they seemed to be gathering and went down in order in the next three innings. That was on the offensive side of things. Defensively...wow. Taylor Jungmann suffered his first career-loss at Disch-Falk Field. A walk, 2 singles, and a grand slam into the Texas bullpen to start off the bottom half of the 6th stunned everyone. After the homerun, a fly out (about 10 feet shy of the previous hit) and a ground out were followed with another walk and another single...which chased Jungmann from the game. With Andrew McKirahan on the mound, a double steal and another single to plate two more runs seemed to put the game away as the Horns fell behind 2-7. A spark of something came to life in the 9th, though. With 2 out, Jonathan Walsh reached on a bloop double down the rf line that fell into no-man's land. Paul Montalbano then drew a 4-pitch walk. Which finally chased the Kent State starter (ace Andrew Chafin). Kevin Lusson (pinch-hitting for Jacob Felts) found a little magic of his own when he took the second pitch he saw into that same Kent State bullpen. Talk about bringing the crowd to life. A walk and single to put runners at the corners by pinch-hitters Lucas Kephart and Tim Maitland turned us all into believers. Alas, Tant Shepherd, representing the go-ahead run, could not pull off the miracle. He popped out to 2b. Game over. Texas lost 5-7. Heart break city. Although, there was that group of folks in yellow at the very top of section 101. There were about 20 Kent State fans up there. And, they sure were happy. Texas now needs to win 3 in-a-row in order to advance to the Super Regional round. It can be done. I hope it will be done. UPDATE: I've posted a full game report.

Elsewhere

In other (mostly Big 12-related) action around the country...

• Tempe Regional (paired with the Austin Regional)
• Arizona State stomped all over Charlotte, beating them 16-1. The Sun Devils are now the 2-0 team in Tempe.
• New Mexico's late-season surge (one of only two teams to make the field with a losing record) was ended by a loss to Arkansas.
• College Station Regional
• Arizona crushed Wright State 13-0 (Wright State eliminated).
• Texas A&M beat Seton Hall 6-3. The Aggies are in control in College Station.
• Ft. Worth Regional
• Dallas Baptist pulled off another upset as they downed TCU 3-2 and take control of the Ft. Worth Regional.
• Oral Roberts blanked Oklahoma 7-0 to send the Sooners home.
• Houston Regional
• Cal beat Alcorn State 10-6 (Alcorn State eliminated).
• Baylor upset Rice 3-2 and are sitting pretty in Houston.
• Oklahoma State was upset again, losing 2-3 to Belmont, in the Nashville Regional. OSU is out of the tourney.
• Kansas State lost 3-5 to Illinois in the Fullerton Regional and are headed home.

Three Big 12 teams went 2-and-out this weekend (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State). All three were beat by #4 seeds on Day 2 of Regional action. Two Big 12 teams are firmly in control of their Regionals (Texas A&M and Baylor). And, one Big 12 team is now in the position of needing to win 3 to stay alive. I so wish Texas wasn't that last team. Damn. Oh, and...you know...hook 'em, Horns!

Posted by Joanna at 7:41 AM | Permalink

Saturday - June 4, 2011

Austin Regional Tournament, Day 1

Game 1: Kent State at Texas State

It was a hot day for baseball. But, we got a good crowd in to watch the first game of the day. My guess is that we ended up with around 3,000 in the stands. Not at all bad for a Friday afternoon. Of course, it helps that San Marcos is so close to Austin. There were a lot of Texas State fans in the stands...as well as a small but vocal group of Kent State folks. There were quite a few Texas fans there as well. Anyway...

Kent State jumped to an early 1-run lead in the 2nd on a couple of singles sandwiched around a groundout that advanced the original batter to 2b. Texas State tied the game at 1-1 in the 6th with a 2-out single, a walk, and another single. The Golden Flashes (yep...really) answered with another run in the 7th (1-out double, walk, single). The Bobcats tied things up again at 2-2 in the 8th (double, ground out to advance the runner, sac fly). The game went into extra innings and in the top of the 11th, an error and wild pitch led to two runs for Kent State which Texas State was unable to match in the bottom of the inning. In the top of the 11th, David Lyon reached on a full-count walk. With pinch-hitter Jason Bagoly at the plate, the Texas State catcher (Andrew Stumph) tried to pickoff the runner at 1b. Alas, his throw sailed over the first baseman's head and went way down the rf line in foul territory. By the time the right fielder rounded it up. Lyon was standing on the 3b bag. A single to lf scored the run. Kent State sent Nick Hamilton in to pinch-run for Bagoly. Cody Koch advanced Hamilton to 2b on a sac bunt and Joe Koch grounded out to 1b (unassisted) to move him to 3b. A passed ball (on a 2-0 pitch in the dirt that got away from the catcher) scored Hamilton. It was a tough inning for the Texas State catcher. The Bobcats went down in order in the bottom of the inning to lose the game.

Texas State went with their ace, Carson Smith, and he did a good job, limiting Kent State to just 2 runs in 9 innings on 8 hits with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk. He had five 1-2-3 innings but did not get the run support he needed. The Bobcats only managed 4 hits against the Kent State starter, Kyle Hallock, who pitched 6.1 innings. They managed 1 hit against Justin Gill who threw the next 2.1 innings, and failed to get a single hit against Kyle McMillen who threw the final 2.1 innings for Kent State (although they did get two runners aboard via a walk and a hit batter). It seemed like everything they hit was right at a fielder. I felt their pain. It was very much like watching many of the games Texas played this year where they just could not get that timely hit.

So, Texas State moves on to the loser's bracket and Kent State moves to the winner's bracket. Note that Kent State gambled and saved their ace for their second game of the tournament. Hmmm...

Game 2: Princeton at Texas

Sam Stafford started for Texas and limited the Princeton Tigers to 1 run in 7 innings. Nathan Thornhill went in for the 8th and promptly gave up a single and double before he was lifted in favor of Hoby Milner. Milner gave up a single (plating the 2nd run of the day for Princeton) and a groundout (run #3). At that point Corey Knebel went in, threw 2 pitches, and got the batter to ground into a 4-6-3 double play. He allowed a lead-off single in the 9th but a couple of pop-ups and a groundout ended further threats from the Tigers. Offensively, the Horns jumped out to a 2-run lead in the 1st. Coach Garrido, apparently acting on one of those gut feelings he has, switched Tant Shepherd and Brandon Loy in the lineup. So, Shepherd hit in the #1 spot and Loy in the #3 spot. It seemed to pay off. Shepherd drew a full-count walk to start the game and moved to 2b on a sac bunt by Mark Payton. Loy drew a 5-pitch walk and they executed a double steal with Erich Weiss at the plate. Weiss grounded out to 2b, plating Shepherd and moving Loy to 3b. Loy then scored on a wild pitch. In the 5th inning (after having given up a run in the top of the inning), Jacob Felts reached on a 1-out single to lf. Shepherd then blasted a 2-run shot off the top of the wall in the Princeton bullpen to put the Horns up 4-1. The Horns went on to win 5-3 and advance to the winner's bracket. See my full game report for more details.

Elsewhere

In other (mostly Big 12-related) action around the country...

• Tempe Regional (paired with the Austin Regional)
• Charlotte upset Arkansas 3-2.
• Arizona State scored 3 on a walk-off homerun in the 9th to beat New Mexico 4-2. The Wildcats very nearly lost that one. Wow.
• College Station Regional
• Seton Hall upset Arizona 4-0.
• Texas A&M easily defeated Wright State 11-0. (And, no...the 10-run rule is not in effect for Regional games. That's too bad.)
• Ft. Worth Regional
• Dallas Baptist upset Oklahoma 3-2 in 10 innings. DBU actually had a 1-run led for most of the game, fell behind in the 7th, tied things up in the 9th, and won it in the 10th. Wow.
• TCU took care of Oral Roberts 10-2.
• Houston Regional
• Baylor beat Cal 6-4.
• Rice beat Alcorn State 14-2.
• Oklahoma State was upset 2-9 by Troy in the Nashville Regional.
• Kansas State lost 3-10 to Stanford in the Fullerton Regional.
• Two #4 seeds won games on Day 1: Austin Peay upset Georgia Tech (2-1) and San Francisco upset UCLA (3-0, with Gerrit Cole on the mound for UCLA).

Posted by Joanna at 7:51 AM | Permalink

Game 59: Princeton at Texas (Austin Regional)

It was hot at Disch-Falk Field. But, not as hot as it had been for the afternoon game, thankfully. Texas beat Princeton 5-3. Sam Stafford got the win for Texas, moving his record to 6-2, and Corey Knebel earned his 17th save of the year. I have to say I would've liked to see the Horns win a bit more decisively but a win's a win. And, I will take this one happily.

The line:

Look at that. Princeton with one more hit than Texas. Texas did more with their hits, though. Whew.

The lineups:

Princeton		Texas
Matt Bowman (ss) John Mishu (rf) Mike Ford (1b) Sam Mulroy (c) Jonathan York (3b) Steve Harrington (dh) Alex Flink (2b) Nate Baird (lf) Tom Boggiano (cf)		Tant Shepherd (1b) Mark Payton (rf) Brandon Loy (ss) Erich Weiss (lf) Paul Montalbano (lf) Jonathan Walsh (dh) Cohl Walla (cf) Jordan Etier (2b) Jacob Felts (c)

Yep...just when we think Coach Garrido has finally settled on a lineup, he goes and makes a change on us. Apparently he had one of those gut feelings of his and he switched Shepherd and Loy. And, it paid off nicely.

Play by play:

• 1st inning, Princeton
• Sam Stafford (lhp) on the mound for Texas.
• Bowman struck out looking (8 pitches, full count). Nice to start out with a strikeout but did it have to take 8 pitches? Heh.
• Mishu struck out looking (only 4 pitches this time).
• Ford drew a 7-pitch full-count walk.
• Mulroy grounded out to 2b.
• 22 pitches (14 for strikes).
• 1st inning, Texas
• Zak Hermans (rhp) on the mound for Princeton.
• Shepherd drew a 6-pitch full-count walk.
• Payton moved Shepherd to 2b on a 1-3 sac bunt down the 1b line.
• Loy drew a 5-pitch walk.
• With Weiss at the plate, Shepherd and Loy advanced to 3b and 2b on a double steal!
• Weiss grounded out to 2b, scoring Shepherd and moving Loy to 3b.
• with Montalbano at the plate, Loy scored on a wild pitch (the ball sailed over the catcher's head to the backstop).
• Montalbano flew out to lf.
• Texas up 2-0.
• 2nd inning, Princeton
• York struck out swinging.
• Harrington also struck out swinging.
• Look at that...two innings in a row that Stafford started out with a couple of Ks. Nice.
• Flink lined a single just over the outstretched glove of Shepherd into rf. Shepherd only need another couple of inches and he would've had that. Shucks.
• Baird grounded out on a high-chopper to the pitcher.
• 18 pitches (12 for strikes).
• Texas up 2-0.
• 2nd inning, Texas
• Walsh grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Walla struck out looking (3 pitches...ouch).
• Etier popped out to 3b.
• Texas up 2-0.
• 3rd inning, Princeton
• Boggiano drew a 6-pitch full-count walk.
• Bowman reached on a 4-unassisted fielder's choice. Loy fielded the ball in front of (and a bit down the 1b line from) 2b. It looked like he had a bit of trouble getting the ball out of his glove to flip to ss so stepped on the bag and then threw to 1b (trying to complete the double play) but the throw was late.
• Mishu lined out to lf.
• Ford struck out swinging.
• 13 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas up 2-0.
• 3rd inning, Texas
• Felts struck out looking (full count).
• Shepherd flew out to rf.
• Payton doubled to left-center. Purty!
• Payton advanced to 3b on a balk. I did not see what happened.
• Loy drew a 4-pitch walk.
• Weiss flew out to cf.
• Texas up 2-0.
• 4th inning, Princeton
• Mulroy grounded out to ss.
• York flew out to rf.
• Harrington grounded out to ss. Nice play by Loy deep in the hole. Close at 1b. Whew.
• 14 pitches (8 for strikes).
• Texas up 2-0.
• 4th inning, Texas
• Montalbano grounded out to 1b (unassisted).
• Walsh popped out to ss (in foul territory down the lf line).
• Walla struck out swinging (3 pitches).
• Texas up 2-0.
• 5th inning, Princeton
• Flink drew a 6-pitch full-count walk.
• Baird grounded out to ss, moving Flink to 2b. Controversy! The ground ball was hit right at the 2b bag. Loy fielded, appeared to tag 2b, and then threw to 1b. The umpire at 2b ruled that Loy did not tag 2b, though. Coach Garrido argued the call but you know how much good that does. Sigh.
• Boggiano popped out to the catcher...high pop-up right at the plate.
• Bowman reached on a bloop single into cf, scoring Flink. The crowd really gave it to the 2b ump. That always makes me laugh.
• Mishu lined out to cf.
• 17 pitches (10 for strikes).
• Texas up 2-1.
• 5th inning, Texas
• Etier flew out to lf.
• Felts lined a single into lf. Really nice hit.
• Shepherd blasted a homerun off the top of the Princeton bullpen wall. Purty, purty, purty!
• Payton reached on a bunt single past the pitcher toward 2b. Also purty. First pitch. It caught everyone off-guard after that homer.
• Loy drew a 5-pitch walk, moving Payton to 2b. Princeton did make a visit to the mound after the first pitch (a ball) to Loy.
• Princeton sent David Palms (lhp) to the mound, replacing Hermans.
• Weiss struck out looking.
• Montalbano was hit by a pitch (first pitch) to load the bases.
• Walsh struck out swinging (3 pitches). Too bad. It would've been nice to capitalize here with another couple of runs. Alas...
• Texas up 4-1.
• 6th inning, Princeton
• Ford struck out swinging.
• Mulroy flew out to rf (toward the cf/rf gap).
• York lined out to rf.
• 10 pitches (6 for strikes.
• Texas up 4-1.
• 6th inning, Texas
• Walla drew a 6-pitch full-count walk.
• Etier was hit by a pitch (first pitch), moving Walla to 2b.
• Felts advanced the runners to 2b and 3b on a 1-4 sac bunt.
• Shepherd drew a 6-pitch full-count walk to load the bases.
• Payton scored Walla on a sac fly to rf. Etier moved up to 3b on the play.
• With runners at the corners and Loy at the plate, Shepherd was essentially picked off...not sure if he was trying to draw a throw or not. But, the first baseman took the throw from the pitcher and Etier started for home. The first baseman looked toward Etier and began advancing on Etier. Etier stood his ground (hoping the first baseman would throw to 3b or home?) and the first baseman kept advancing on him. He finally made a move back to 3b but was tagged out by the first baseman. Sigh...
• Texas up 5-1.
• 7th inning, Princeton
• Harrington popped out to lf.
• Flink flew out to cf (in right-center)
• Baird grounded out to 2b.
• 13 pitches (7 for strikes).
• Texas up 5-1.
• 7th inning, Texas
• Loy reached on a ground-rule double that bounced over the lf fence near the scoreboard.
• Weiss drew a 6-pitch full-count walk.
• Montalbano tried to bunt the runners over. Alas he popped up the bunt down the 3b line. The pitcher made a fantastic diving catch of the ball, jumped up and threw back to the ss covering 2b, beating Loy who tried to get back, for a really nice double play. Damn.
• Walsh popped out to 1b in foul territory down the rf line.
• Texas up 5-1.
• 8th inning, Princeton
• Texas sent Nathan Thornhill (rhp) to the mound, replacing Stafford. Stafford's final numbers: 7 innings, 26 batters, 1 run (earned), 2 hits (singles), 6 strikeouts, 3 walks, 107 pitches (65 for strikes).
• Alec Keller (pinch-hitting for Boggiano) lined a single into lf.
• Bowman doubled down the lf line moving Keller to 3b. That ball just barely scooted past the 3b bag in fair territory. Shucks.
• Texas sent Hoby Milner (lhp) to the mound, replacing Thornhill.
• Mishu line a single into rf scoring Keller and moving Bowman to 3b.
• Ford reached on a 3-6 fielder's choice, scoring Bowman. The relay throw from ss to p was just late. Almost a double play. Shucks.
• Texas sent Corey Knebel (rhp) to the mound, replacing Milner.
• Mulroy hit into a lovely 4-6-3 double play.
• Final numbers for Thornhill: 0 innings, 2 batters, 2 runs (both earned), 2 hits (double, single), 7 pitches (6 for strikes).
• Final numbers for Milner: 0.1 innings, 2 batters, 0 runs, 1 hit, 9 pitches (6 for strikes).
• Texas up 5-3.
• 8th inning, Texas
• Princeton moved Mishu to cf and kept Keller in the game in rf. They also sent Matt Grabowski (rhp) to the mound, replacing Palms.
• Walla popped out to 1b (foul).
• Etier grounded out to ss.
• Felts also grounded out to ss.
• Texas up 5-3.
• 9th inning, Princeton
• Texas sent Tim Maitland into lf (taking Payton's spot in the lineup) and moved Montalbano to rf.
• Ryan Albert (pinch-hitting for York) lined a single into lf.
• Princeton sent Matt Conner to pinch run for Albert.
• Harrington popped out to 2b. Etier made a great diving catch as he ran back toward the rf/cf gap to rob Harrington of a bloop single. Really nice play!
• Flink popped out to shallow cf.
• Baird grounded out to 2b.
• Final numbers for Knebel: 1.2 innings, 5 batters, 0 runs, 1 hit (single), 17 pitches (12 for strikes).
• Texas wins 5-3.

Quotes from the post-game press conference are available on the TexasSports.com site.

So, Texas advances in the winner's bracket to face Kent State (who beat Texas State earlier in the day, while saving their ace for Texas). It should be a good game. Hook 'em, Horns!

Posted by Joanna at 7:48 AM | Permalink

Thursday - June 2, 2011

Friday starter: Sam Stafford

Coach Garrido and Sam Stafford talk about Stafford's start in Friday's game: Texas trusts Stafford to open regional (from YNN-Austin).

UPDATE. Here's KEYE's take on the same stroy.

Posted by Joanna at 12:16 AM | Permalink

« May 2011 | Main | July 2011 »