ISU @ SIU--Game One (4/23)

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bluepower

Baseball Mod
With a chance of thunderstorms looming (see separate weather thread), the Sycamores will look to capture game one of the three game series this afternoon as they send Jake Petricka to the mound. Petricka is coming off an incredible performance last weekend, which won him "Pitcher the Week" honors from the MVC and the "Scholar-Athlete of the Week" award to boot!

Petricka, it appears, will not face off against the Salukis' best pitcher, RHP Nathan Forer (1-2, 1.23 ERA). He's being thrown Saturday. Instead, LHP Jimmy Cornell (1-2, 9.0 ERA) will take the mound for SIU. Cornell has 30 strikeouts and 26 walks in 29 innings of work. The opposing team batting average is .320. This is Cornell's first start in league play as he has only seen 2.2 innings in MVC play with no runs scored and an opposing batting average of .222.

Strike early and keep the pressure on the Salukis is the key to victory. Petricka will need to be close to last week's level of play and we'll need to avoid walks and mistakes. As for doing a come-from-behind type of victory...that's not a good idea...as SIU's closer, Randy Hoelscher, is top ranked nationally...although his numbers don't support his ranking well. He does have 8 saves thus far.

The main thing is to be in sinc, have a great energy level, stay loose, but be focused and play the game we know we can!

The gametime weather is looking like 78-degrees under cloudy skies with a chance for a thunderstorm...slthough there's a much better chance after the game. We'll just have to wait and see.

Today's game will be available on WBOW (AM 1130 & 1300) Link is below:

http://www.gosycamores.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15200&KEY=&SPID=7256&SPSID=65130

It is also available through the Salukis' all-access channel. Link below:

http://www.stretchinternet.com/siubbschedule.html

Here's the link to Gametracker on the Saluki site (upper right box, click on "Gametracker"):

http://siusalukis.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/sched/silu-m-basebl-sched.html
 
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Here's some info from Coach Heller during WBOW pre-game show:

Coach Heller says his pitchers need to keep the ball down as they have several guys that can take it deep. Even though their averages don't show it, this may be the best team we've faced offensively this season. We're going to see lefties starting against us today and Sunday and they have another four lefties in the pen. The left side of their infield is suspect. Keep the ball on the ground and avoid pop-ups. Today the wind is a crosswind from right to left. Our batters need to be patient as their starter does walk a lot of batters.

A few changes in the order...Ort is batting fourth and playing first...Lucas is fifth and playing DH... Graham is seventh and catching and Ferguson is starting again today in Left.
 
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First pitch at 3:05 with ISU sending Strausborger, Burnam and Fieser to the plate against Jimmy Cornell...Straus goes to 0-2 then 1-2 and strikes out swinging...Burnam (.319) goes to 0-2 count then 1-2 and strikes out swinging...Fieser goes to 0-2 then 1-2 and pops out to short center. No Score.

In the bottom of the first...Murphy, Pinnon and Serritella face Jake Petricka...Murphy (.340) goes to 3-1 count then grounds out to short...condition of field is not real smooth, may be some strange hops this weekend...Pinnon (.338) gets a double into the left-field corner...Serritella (.358) one of the league's premier hitters, get a single that drops in front of Burnam in right...run scores...Bullock (.303) gets single up the middle for third straight hit...as many as in eight innings against Wichita State last Friday...runners at first and second...Johnson (.325) grounded to Fieser at third and they cut down runner at second...runners on the corners with two outs...Stalter (.272) strikes out swinging. SIU leads 1-0.
 
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ISU's BIGGEST INNING IN WHO KNOWS HOW LONG!!

Jake Petricka is not as sharp as a week ago and he gave up three hits and a run in the first. In the top of the first, Cornell, who has had a lot of rough spots this year, was perfect. As Coach Heller said in the pre-game show, our batters need to begin hitting today.

In top of second...Ort, Lucas and Graham...Ort gets a single through the left side...Lucas (.317) goes to 3-0 then 3-1 then singles to left-center...runners on first and second...Graham (.291) is fighting a wrist injury over past couple of weeks, sac bunts runners to second and third...Ferguson (.311) who returned to action yesterday after suffering a torn hamstring March 26th, singles up the middle and two runs score...three singles and two runs so far this inning...Dan Callahan, head coach for SIU contesting Lucas' being safe at the plate on a good throw and what they thought was a good tag as Lucas did not slide...Grgurich (.381) gets a double on a diving catch attempt...center-fielder Chris Murphy shaken up on the catch attempt...there was contact between Murphy and left-fielder Nick Johnson...Johnson OK...runners on second and third with one out...Murphy, after a five minute delay, looks like he'll stay in the game...Cornell gets a couple of warm-ups...Ferrell (.292) goes to full count and gets his third foul after getting to two strikes and walks to load the bases with just one out... Strausborger looks to break the inning open, and avoid the doubleplay... Straus gets base hit (21st straight game with a hit) through the left side and Ferguson and Grgurich score...runners at first and second...Burnam goes to 0-2 singles to left and Ferrell scores... runners at first and second with still just one out...score 5-1...pitching change...Cody Forsythe (2-2, 7.03 ERA and a .343 opposing batting average) comes in to face Fieser who hits a ball off the top of the left-center field wall for a double...run scores...6-1...seven straight hits...Ort bats for the second time this inning...Ort singles to center...Burnam and Fieser score...now 8-1...THE BIGGEST OFFENSIVE OUTBURST OF THE YEAR...Ort at first with just one out and eight runs in...seven runs charges to Cornell...Lucas gets base hit to right...runners on the corners...Graham hits a single to right to score a run...10 base hits and nine runs...STILL one out...Ferguson goes to 0-2 then 1-2 and Forsythe balks with runners advancing to second and third...Ferguson gets a base hit to drive in two runs and advanced to second on the throw...Ferguson has four RBI this inning...Gurgurich up with runner at second and grounds out to shirt...wild pitch allows the 12th run to score...Ferrell gets a base hit...every Sycamore in the line-up has a base hit for ISU this inning!...Straus singles through the left side, runners at first and second...pitching change...Aaron Snyder (1-1, 10.43 ERA)... Forsythe charged with five runs and is responsible for the two runners on base...Burnam is the 17th man to bat this inning...Burnam grounds out to first. Sycs lead 12-1! 12 runs on 13 hits of which only one, Fieser's double, went for extra bases.

Biggest inning since Butler game on March 18th of last year at Sycamore Field when the Sycs score 12 runs on ten hits in the first inning.

Going to the bottom of the second...Harding (.323) goes to 0-2 then 1-2 and strikes out swinging... Lepore (.283) grounds out to second... Roberts (.298) strikes out swinging. ISU leads 12-1.
 
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Going to the top of the third...yes only the third...Fieser gets a double...Ort goes to 0-2 then 1-2 gets a base hit through the left side...15 hits for ISU already today...Lucas grounds into a 6-4-3 double play...Fieser scores...Graham flies out to deep center. ISU leads 13-1.

Moving to the home-half of the third...Petricka will face Montgomery (pinch-hitting for Murphy), Pinnon and Serritella...Montgomery (.415) strikes out swinging...Murphy, you'll remember, injured his shoulder trying to make a diving catch...Pinnon strikes out swinging...Serritella goes to 0-2 singles up the middle...two outs, runner on first...Bullock--who has eight homers this season--lines a double to left-center and Serritella scores...Johnson grounds out to Ferrell behind second. Sycamores lead 13-2.
 
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Actually, there is some thunderstorm action about an hour or so away...but who knows if it will continue to hold together.


In the top of the fourth...Ferguson, Grgurich and Ferrell...Ferguson pops out to shallow right... Grgurich strikes out looking...two down...Ferrell grounds out to short. ISU leads 13-2


Into the bottom of the fourth...Petricka has five strikeouts and will face Stalter lines out to Straus in left-center...Harding goes to 0-2 and strikes out swinging...Lepore goes to full count grounds out to Ferrell moving to his left. Sycamores lead 13-2.
 
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In the top of the fifth...Strausborger faces Snyder...Straus gets a single to left--third today for Straus...Straus steals second for 13th straight game with at least one steal (30 of 32 on the year)... Burnam goes to 0-2 then 1-2 and singles to center...Straus scores...14-2...Fieser, who has a pair of doubles on the day, grounds to short for a 6-4-3 doubleplay...Ort singles to right for his fourth hit of the day...Ort advances to second on a wild pitch...Lucas goes to 0-2 then 3-2 and walks...Graham flies out to left. Sycs lead 14-2. 18 hits so far.

Into the bottom of the fifth...Petricka will face Roberts who goes to 1-2 then 2-2 grounds to second, the ball takes a bad hop, Grgurich got to it but not in time to get the runner--ruled a single... Montgomery goes to 3-0 count then 3-1 and walks...first two have reached for the Salukis...you'll remember that Petricka got out of a bases-loaded jam last week...Flora beginning to warm-up...Pinnon goes to 0-2 and strikes out swinging...Petricka's seventh K today...two on and one out... Serritella gets a double down the right-field line, Roberts scores...Bullock hits into a 6-4-3doubleplay. ISU leads 14-3.

Note: BankShot's posting below concerning 10-run rule.
 
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Does the NCAA have a 10 run "mercy rule" after 5 1/2 or 6 innings?
(In HS, it's 4 1/2)

OK...just looked it up - 10 or more runs after 7 complete innings.
 
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Moving into the top of the sixth...Ferguson, Grgurich and Ferrell faces Austin Johnson (5.19 ERA in 8.2 innings and eight appearances)--the fourth Salukis pitcher today...Ferguson goes to 3-0 and walks...Grgurich (1 for 3 today) grounds to third and reaches on fielder's choice with Ferguson out at second...wild pitch moves Grgurich to second...Ferrell goes to 0-2 then 1-2 and grounds out to short for out number two...Grgurich holds at second...Strausborger goes to 1-2 grounds out to second. ISU ahead 14-3.

Looks like we'll avoid thunderstorms for today's game.

Moving to the home-half of the sixth...Pearson takes over at second...Petricka faces Jordan Sivertson pinch-hitting for Johnson...Sivertson goes to 0-2 count and strikes out swinging... Stalter goes to full count and grounds to Fieser who makes a bad throw to Ort--E5...Ryan Bajer pinch-hitting for Harding...Bajer (.306) line drive single to right...first and second with one out...Tyler Herbst going to mound to talk with Petricka...Wes Neece (.158) pinch-hitting and singles to left...bases loaded...Brett Merkley warming in the pen...Roberts grounds out to Ort...Stalter scores...runners move to second and third with two outs...Montgomery goes to 3-2 count and strikes out swinging--eighth today for petricka. ISU leads 14-4.

If they can keep their 10 run lead, then the game will be over after the seventh.

A brief, light area of showers crossing the Mississippi River heading toward Carbondale. No lightening involved.

Moving to the top of the seventh...Burnam, Fieser and Ort scheduled to bat...Burnam taps back to the pitcher... Fieser gets a line drive out to Serritella at first...Ort (who is 4 for 4, has scored two times and has two RBI) goes to a full count and grounds out to second. ISU leads 14-4.
 
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We need to get a couple more "insurance" runs for that 10-run rule...

ISU have anyone warming in the BP? Now's not the time to throw away that lead.

All right...pitched out of a jam w/ 10 run lead intact - 3 more SIU outs and it's over!
 
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Going to the bottom of the seventh...Brandon Flora (6.75 ERA, 10.2 innings)...Pinnon safe after Fieser boots the ball at third...Serritella strikes out looking, a BIG out...Bullock hits into a 6-4-3 doubleplay to end the game. ISU wins 14-4.

Game shortened to seven innings becasue of the 10 run mercy rule.

It was a second inning to remember with 12 runs on 13 hits for the Sycamores.

14 runs on 18 hits and three walks for ISU today. Only two of the hits were for extra bases with Fieser hitting two doubles.

Petricka gets his sixth win of the season on a performance that was below his quality outings of the past two weeks.

Coach Brian Smiley on post-game show...all week we were preaching hitting ground balls, which they did...they made the necessary adjustment at the plate. Looking forward to coaching Ort for the next couple of years, as the freshman had his second 4 for 4 day. Petricka not as sharp today, but he may have let up becasue of lack of pressure. Hard to stay sharp when you're running away. He was still throwing in the mid to upper 90's today. Today was a must win, especially if rain is a problem tomorrow. If tomorrow is cancelled, they'll play a double-header on Sunday, with the hope the weather behaves itself.
 
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Good move by Heller to bring in relief for Petricka...

"My bad" by Fieser not cool...see if we can end the game w/ a DP...yep! Now the Trees can eat Pizza & party tonight in Carbondump!
 
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The major thunderstorm activity appears to be ending in Springfield, Missouri. Have to check field conditions for that game between Missouri State and Creighton, scheduled to begin at 8:30 (ET). Meanwhile, the game featuring Bradley at Evansville appears to be in the line of fire for the thunderstorms this evening as well.
 
this just shows how good coach heller and the coaching staff is. we went 1 for 3 in our last 3 games before today beating a div 3 team. they were able to get the tweaks to fix our pitching and batting. it was a great effort by both.
 
Well, the last big blowout inning was a 12-run first inning with ten hits last year against Butler University at home on March 18th. The Sycamores went on to win 23-3, piling up 24 hits in a full nine inning game.
 
bluepower said:
Well, the last big blowout inning was a 12-run first inning with ten hits last year against Butler University at home on March 18th. The Sycamores went on to win 23-3, piling up 24 hits in a full nine inning game.
Click to expand...

I guess Meggs felt that two extra innings against Butler pitching was better than the batting cage!:bigsmile:

We're all gettin blitzed by this weather storm system...my HS DH @ the Madison (IN) Courier Invitational Saturday was also cancelled.
 
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