Opening Remarks - The B2R traveled down with young Alex to catch Saturday's double-header versus Pitt State in Pittsburg, Kansas, in a highly anticipated match-up between 2 teams attempting to qualify for the play-offs. Pitt State has a nice baseball field but forgot basic fan amenities such as a food cart to sell drinks, candy, to fans, or restrooms. With nice dugouts, playing surfaces, bleachers for fan seating, netting, and good sight lines through-out, it looks like Pitt State went cheap or wasn't concerned with providing for fans attending the game. With that said, I'm not sure how the Pitt State Gorillas intend to provide for their team during long double-headers as there is nothing for them to go buy to eat or drink (except for a gas station some 2-3 blocks away). The B2R Chow line was a success as the guys quickly finished-off traditional ballpark fare (read below). The team seemed in good spirits heading into game one. I heard a few comments about "we need 4" which meant the guys were wanting to play perfect baseball. While that's always the goal, the Cats play better when they relax and are focused versus pressing and stressed. Games 1 & 2 outcomes were statistical anomalies based on Pitt State's performances in 2012 but in-line with what happens when the 'Cats press and put too much pressure on themselves to score 5 runs in each at-bat or throw a no-no when we need to induce ground-ball contact.
The B2R loves the Bearcats. Loves, Loves, Loves the Bearcats. I am convinced if they believe in themselves as much as I believe in them, that better results will come. The good thing heading into Games 3 & 4 is that Pitt State has been searching for starters for those games all season long with no one clearly stepping-up (multiple pitchers on PSU's roster have 3-5 starts). Northwest can tag the starters early in Games 3 & 4 if they relax and trust their abilities. PSU will have to stay with their starters as long as possible because the PSU bullpen is statistically not impressive. B2R is looking for some good things on Sunday.
In Game 1, Northwest lost 5-10 to Pitt State in Pittsburgh, Kansas, on a beautiful sunny and warm day. Chase Anderson earned the Game 1 Start but picked-up the loss in the game and saw his 2012 record fall to 4-6. In total, Chase worked 3.2 innings, allowed 9 hits, 8 runs (7 earned), walked 2 and struck-out 2. Nathaniel Horton came in relief of Chase and worked 1.1 innings, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 strike-out. Pat Brady came in to relieve Horton and only worked 0.1 innings before being pulled. A tough outing, Pat allowed 1 hit, 3 runs (all earned), walked 2, and struck-out 0. Nick Caldrone closed out the game and worked 0.2 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, walked 1, and struck-out 1.
Defensively, the Bearcats were charged with 1 error in the game that led to 1 unearned run.
Offensively, the Bearcats had solid stats but it came at the end of the game when the outcome was not in doubt. There was a time in the game where things were looking a 7-inning game could get called for the 10-run-rule against the Bearcats. In total, the 'Cats scored 5 runs off of 7 hits, 3 RBIs, 2 walks, and 10 strike-outs. Northwest left 5 runners on base. The Offensive stars included:
Position - 3B
Went 2 for 3
1 walk
1 run scored
caught stealing on a bang-bang play.
Position - DH
Went 2 for 4
1 run scored
Position - SS
Went 1 for 3 (a double)
3 RBIs
1 run scored
Northwest's only RBIs in the game.
Also in the game, Steven Garber went 1 for 1 in a pinch hitting role and scored 1 run. Cole Mapes went 1 for 3 (a double) in the game and played 2B.
The game took 2:10 to complete and played in front of a nice crowd.
In Game 2 of the Saturday double-header, Northwest lost 1-10 in a game where nothing seemed to click for the Bearcats: pitching was off, offense was pressing, defense was not efficient, all which totaled a 2nd straight loss to the frustrated Bearcats. Jace Anderson earned the Game 2 start and was tagged with the loss in the game to see his 2012 record fall to 2-6. In total, Jace worked 6.2 innings, allowed 14 hits, 9 runs (all earned), 1 walk, 2 strike-outs, 1 balk. Carson Smith came in relief of Jace and worked 0.2 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 strike-out. Jacob Raffaele came in and worked the final 0.2 innings, and allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, and struck-out 1 batter.
Defensively, Northwest committed 3 errors which did not lead to any unearned runs but frankly appeared lethargic, a step slow, and plays that should have been routine singles ended-up scored as doubles just because the crispness was not there. The B2R is not a mind-reader, but reading non-verbals, the 'Cats put a lot of pressure on themselves to win every game this series and seemed deflated in Game 2 after a tough loss in Game 1.
Offensively, Northwest scored 1 run off of 5 hits, 0 RBIs, walked once, struck-out 5, and left 6 runners on base. In the Game, Tyler Durant, Landinn Eckhardt, Jake Kretzer, and Cole Mapes all earned a base hit in the game. Landinn scored the 'Cats lone run in the game.
Up Next - Northwest conclude the 4-game series with Pitt State by playing a 2-game double-header on Sunday. The first pitch is set for noon in Pittsburgh, Kansas. B2R Chow line will have subs there for the guys as a snack between games.
Sunday's Opposition Research - Pittsburgh State
2012 Record - 16-23
2012 Home Record - 11-9
2012 Away Record - 5-14
2012 MIAA Record - 12-18 (tied for 9th place)
7 starters with batting averages at .299 or better
7 starters with SLG% in the .400+
2012 Offensive team Statistics:
BA - .293
HR - 14
SLG% - .392
OB% - .361
SB/Att - 20/40
2012 Defensive team Statistics:
E - 54 (in 39 games)
FLD% - .957
2012 Pitching team Statistics:
ERA - 7.76
CG - 5
ER - 251 (39 games)
BB - 116
K - 199
Opponents' Batting Average - .333
Game 1 Starter - Stalcup has 3.86 ERA and a 2/1 K/BB ratio.
Game 2 Starter - Stevenson 8.37 ERA
Games 3 & 4 Starters have been variant throughout 2012 season.
Go Cats!!
###
No comments:
Post a Comment