Opening Thoughts - Our beloved Bearcats took it on the chin this weekend losing all 4 games to Central Oklahoma Bronchos. Whether this next statement is encouraging or frustrating, the Bearcats should have/could have won at least 2 of the games had they played solid defense in those games. In a series where there were 2 games lost by 1 run each, and a third game lost by 2 runs, the Bearcats allowed 9 unearned runs. Add in the fact that UCO played its 7-10th games of the year versus Northwest's 1-4th games, and UCO enjoys the prime recruiting market of OKC and arguably the premier D2 school in Oklahoma, Northwest has got to take away that it can swing with anybody in the nation, and, the Cats need to play better defense. I saw the guys get frustrated when something didn't go there way. I saw the coaches get fired-up if there was a break down. Bottom line: The Cats have the will and want to to do remarkable things this year so long as they channel that fire towards their opponents and not at self-doubt. I'll say this - there were close to as many Bearcat fans as there were Bronchos fans and the Bearcat fans were there during the warm-ups while Bronchos fans showed-up fashionably late. As I looked around right before opening pitch on Sunday, there was more green than Blue.
On another note, if anybody ever has the opportunity to road trip to a baseball road series, take advantage of it. I had the opportunity to go with my boy Alex, 5 years old, and we had a blast. Weather was great, the guys were super-great with Alex handing out knuckles and high-fives at every moment. We followed the bus to where ever the team had dinner for the night so eating dinner with 35 or so college kids was quite the sight. Alex was invited to sit next to Josh Parrish and Austin Burgert at CiCis Pizza one evening and he had a blast. The guys were true saints, engaged alex with conversation, and at point when asked by the two pitchers what is Alex's favorite position in baseball, Alex looked puzzled, then paused, and finally said, "I like to hit." More than Austin or Josh may ever know, young Alex felt on top of the world and a big deal because he got to hang with some Bearcats. That's why it is my privilege, and my honor, to root for this team and these players.
In Game 1, the Bearcats lost 5-6 in 12 innings despite a stellar performance by Ace Chris Green in a game that took 3 hours and 9 minutes to complete in front of 100 fans in cloudy and cool temperatures. In the game, Chris pitched 5.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 5 strike outs, 0 wild pitches, and 1 balk. Carson Smith came in relief of Chris and did a really good job going 3.0 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs (only 1 earned), 1 walk, and 1 strike out. Josh Parrish had a tough outing going 2.0 innings pitched, allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, and 2 strike-outs. Nathaniel Horton got tagged with the loss in the game and pitched 1.2 innings, allowed 1 hit, 1 run (earned), 1 walk, and 2 strike-outs. Defensively, the Bearcats looked rough, were only charged with 2 errors, but several misplays that were counted as hits for the home team should have been outs for the Bearcats. Offensively, the Bearcats were paced by Tyler Durant's 3 for 6 night, 2 RBIs, Cameron Bedard's 2 for 5 with 1 run scored, and Eric Swain's 2 for 5, with a walk, and a run scored. Jake Kretzer, Eric McGlauflin, Ryan Abernathy, Travis Green, and Charlie Krueger each collected one hit in the game. In total, the Bearcats scored 5 runs off of 12 hits, scored 5 RBIs, 3 walks, and 11 strike-outs. Ryan Abernathy stole 1 base.
In Game 2, the Bearcats lost 3-13 in a cool and wet Saturday afternoon with an announced attendance of 100 fans. Sean Brady made his return from a shoulder injury that robbed him of the 2011 season. Sean worked 3.1 innings, allowed 8 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 0 walks, and 1 strike-out. Nick Caldrone came in the 4th inning to close it out for Sean although there is no mention of him in the box score. This is an error on behalf of the Stats person. I think Nick may have even pitched the 5th inning but my memory may fail me. What I do know is Nick Caldrone came in the game but was not credited with statistics in the game. Marcus Garrett came in, I believe, the 6th inning to finish the game. Marcus is credited with working 4.1 innings, allowing 9 hits, 8 runs, 5 earned, 3 walks, 3 strike-outs. This was Marcus' Bearcat debut. Defensively, the Bearcats were tagged with 4 errors. Offensively, the Bearcats were paced by Cameron Bedard's 3 for 3 performance with 1 RBI, and Nathaniel Horton's 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored performances. Cole Mapes, Jake Kretzer and Eric Swain each collected 1 hit in the game. In total, the Bearcats scored 3 runs, 8 hits, 3 RBIs, 3 walks, 7 strike-outs, and left 7 on base. Alex Singleton was charged with 1 caught stealing.
In Game 3, the Bearcats lost 1-3 in a very good game on a bright and sunny day. A gorgeous day and a gorgeous performance by Jace Anderson who worked 5.0 innings, allowed 7 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 3 strike-outs, in a very gutty performance. Nick Caldrone had another clutch performance and worked a stellar final innings, 1.0 innings pitched, 1 hit, 0 runs, and 3 strike-outs. Defensively, the Bearcats played the best over-all game of the series and had zero errors. Offensively, 4 Bearcats each picked-up 1 hit respectively in Ryan Abernathy, Nathaniel Horton, Luke Lawyer, and Jon Pomatto. In total, the Bearcats scored 1 run in 4 hits with 0 RBI, 5 walks, and 11 strike-outs. Jon Pomatto stole a base and JJ Baccari was charged with one caught stealing.
Before Game 2 of the Doubleheader, the team had sub sandwiches, chips, and drinks. Early that morning, the team had to board the bus to head to the field at 9:00am, and the time of the break was 1:30pm, so the guys were ready for a bite to eat. The guys really appreciated it. Thanks to all the Bearcat fans that made it happen. On a quick side note, the home team didn't have such fan support so boo-yeah, fear the paw.
In Game 4, the Bearcats lost 8-9 in the final game of the 4-game series to fall to 0-4 on the year. Chase Anderson got the start and worked 5.2 innings, allowed 10 hits, 9 runs, 5 earned runs, 1 walk, 3 strike-outs. Josh Parrish worked 1.1 innings of stellar relief, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 0 strike outs. Carson Smith worked a perfect final frame with 1.0 inning pitched, allowed 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 2 strike-outs. Defensively, the Bearcats had another tough game and were charged with 3 errors. Offensively, Eric McGlauflin led the way with 3 for 5 hitting, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. Followed closely by Eric Swain (2 for 5, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and a walk), Ryan Abernathy (2 for 6 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored), and Travis Green (2 for 5). Cam Bedard went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 3 walks. Tyler Durant went 1 for 3 with a run scored and 2 walks. Jon Pomatto went 1 for 5 with a run scored. In total, the Bearcats scored 8 runs, 12 hits, 5 RBIs, 6 walks, 8 strike-outs, and left 13 runners on-base. Ryan Abernathy and Tyler Durant each had 1 stolen base, and Travis Green was charged with 1 caught stealing.
Next-up: Bearcats head back to Oklahoma to take on Northeastern State of Oklahoma and Arkansas Tech (2 games each). Stayed tuned for this week's opponent's profile.
Go Cats!!
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