Hitter of the week
Hank Schineller- Georgetown (KY): 9-15, 8 runs, 3B, 6 HR, and 14 RBI in 3 games vs Freed- Hardeman (TN)
Pitcher of the week
Cam Dimidjian- USC Beaufort* (SC): 7 innings pitched, perfect game, 0h, 0r, 0bb, and 8k. First perfect game in school history vs Clafin (SC). *note- USCB is in a transition period to division 2, their twitter and website recognize them as ‘D2’. They are however eligible for league postseason play as a member of the CAC, so they are eligible for our awards.
Other players/pitchers receiving consideration this week include: Eric Oakes- Shawnee State, Devin Ogg- Bryan, Daniel Dryden- Bryan, Evan Lorey- Spring Arbor, Antonio Fernandez- McPherson, Collin Hall- Culver Stockton, Brenden Bell- IUSB, Cohen Achen- Lindsey Wilson, Landon Vahle- Avila, Bobby Vath- LSUS, Jonah Hultberg- College of Idaho, Adam Stilts- Park, Jacob Daftari- Indiana Tech, Tyler Bryant- Ottawa, Bryan Green Roosevelt, Isaac Rohde- Clarke, Eric Pettipiece- Goshen, JC Toro- Faulkner, Nolan Crumrine- Friends, and Balas Buckmaster- Dickinson State.
Touching Base- Week 5
A few thoughts from some of the happenings of the last week, plus a recap of my trip to Victoria, TX.
Clarke (IA) wins a huge series against William Carey in a true road test once again Clarke has shown their mettle. The Pride on the mound were outstanding in games 1 & 2, with Tyson Tucker going 7 strong allowing just 3 hits and 1 unearned run in the first game, and Isaac Rohde being who he is with a 7 inning pitched complete game with 10 punch outs. William Carey’s offense showed up largely in game 3 to stave off a sweep, putting up 11 runs. In a matchup between two teams looking to be ranked in the next coaches poll, Clarke came away with an impressive series win. There’s one more chance to prove themselves even more with a two game set versus a top 10 Georgia Gwinnett. But either way it’s a resume series win for Dan Spain and the boys from Dubuque, Iowa.
Roosevelt (IL) takes series vs NCAA Division 1 opponent Alcorn State 3-1, and out scoring Alcorn State 43-13 over the four game set. Credit where credit is due to the Lakers of Roosevelt, they went on the road to play a division 1 opponent and didn’t let the moment get too big for them. The nomenclature of “D1 or bust” can certainly be misleading, but I’m not going to pretend like its not the preeminent level of collegiate baseball. I did not grow up dreaming of being a Northwood (TX) Knight (although it was the best thing to ever happen to me), but I did dream to be a Texas Longhorn or Rice Owl. But playing this level many of my teammates were bounce backs, some of whom led successful careers in division 1, and left for one reason or another. But to act like all of division 1 is superior to this level of baseball is wrong, there are MANY teams at the division 1 level who would struggle against MANY of the teams in this level. There are the top flight power teams in NAIA Ball who would banish teams in division 1 to the woodshed. Now with that, we cant get delusional, your average program or even super team isn’t better than LSU. A number of factors set those teams apart not just from this level, but from division 1 as well. You can play ball here, take advantage of every opportunity.
#23 Loyola sweeps Houston- Victoria (UHV) in what was a very clean, very well played series by both sides. Pitching and good defense were the dominant forces of the weekend, neither team made an error in the 25 innings played. I finally got to watch Stephen Still pitch in person, and was told it was a “fine” outing from him. Still went 6 innings pitched allowing 4 hits, 2 earned runs, and 4 strikeouts in his performance which earned a win. In game 2, freshman Thomas Hakimian faced off with the 6 foot- 4 Julian Garcia in a pitchers duel. Loyola won 3-0 but both pitchers were impressive, Hakimian went 6 innings pithed, allowing just 3 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 7. Garcia sat well into the mid to upper 80’s and changes speeds with ease, he forced bad contact throughout his 8 innings of work, spreading out 8 hits. In the final game we went back and forth with a quick pace, true freshman Nathan Monceaux did great to spread out 6 hits over 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 67 pitches. UHV true freshman Brady Parker pitched with the lead into the 8th inning in his best outing by far, I thought Parker made a great two strike pitch to Loyola’s Anthony Fernandez, but Fernandez did a better job of getting the barrel out for what would be a 2 run double to regain the lead. Parker showed glimpses of what it could be, and that has to be extremely promising for the coaching staff. It was great to see someone I can now call an important friend and mentor in my college years, my coach and current Loyola (LA) head man Jeremy Kennedy. By the way Riverside stadium in Victoria, TX is a great place to watch a ball game! Good concessions, cold beer, covered seating, and a turf infield. Make the trip if you play UHV, it’s a special place.
- Robby Gutierrez