Monthly Archives: May 2008

We’re 1/3 of the way home

May 16, 20087:47 p.m.

The Shockers lead Bradley 3-0 after three innings thanks to a two-run homer by shortstop Dusty Coleman.

Coleman tried twice to lay down a bunt with a runner on first but was unsuccessful. But on Rob Scahill’s third pitch, Coleman blasted an opposite-field shot to right-center.

I’m not sure I agreed with the bunt call anyway. You’re in the second inning with an ace-quality pitcher on the hill in Aaron Shafer. Yes, the Shockers have been struggling offensively lately, but I’m not one for taking the bat out of my No. 5 hitter’s hands.

Stephenson called for a bunt two batters later, with Josh Workman on first. Even though Tyler Weber hasn’t been hitting well lately, why not just have Workman steal there? He’s one of the fastest players on the team and chances are he makes it. Then let Weber hit a ball to the right side and get Workman to third, possibly finding a hole and driving in the run. Instead, Weber failed to get two bunts down then struck out looking.

I just don’t really like sacrifice bunting early in a game. That’s just me.

By Jeff Lutz | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

I’m not Paul

May 16, 20086:42 p.m.

It’s Jeffrey Lutz coming to you live from Eck Stadium, where in about 45 minutes the Shockers will look to take the second straight game in their important three-game series with Bradley. I feel honored that Paul, who has been the blog’s only writer since its inception, has allowed me to take the reins for an evening.

 EDIT: The game is now 20 minutes away. I thought I posted this blog, but I only saved it. Keep reading — the rest of the blog has no timeliness issues.

I know how fans are, so let me just say this to all the WSU diehards — I’ve been to quite a few Shocker games this season, taking my usual spot on the hill with some comrades, and WSU has lost just one of them. So take heart, you’re in good hands. That game, though, was against Missouri State, a team the Shockers and their fans have a close eye on this weekend. If WSU can manage to sweep the Braves and SwoMo (without the Swo) loses a game to Northern Iowa, the Shocks can call themselves outright Valley champs.

I didn’t read Paul’s blog from Friday, but I’m assuming he’s already been over all this. Still, I’ll tell those that missed it that if WSU wins three against the Braves, it’s basically a moot point even if SwoMo (old habits die hard) sweeps, because the Shockers will be the No. 1 seed in next week’s Valley tournament. I do my research.

My favorite thing about covering the Shocks is doing the “Shocker Report.” I’m an avid baseball watcher — I’ve been told I see the game differently than most — and I like looking for little things within a game that can go into the Report. Sometimes I panic trying to think of stuff to put in it — let’s face it, some games are just uneventful — but I can usually scrounge up three or four pretty good items.

I’ll try to blog as much as I can during the game. My statkeeping is meticulous and my right eye will occasionally be checking the Cleveland Indians score, but I’m a multi-tasker and a pro, so look for some insightful thoughts as this game progresses. Jason “Hammer” Oldham, formerly of Sports Daily fame says “or not.” So we’re looking to prove him wrong, as well. HA!

By Jeff Lutz | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Bradley at Wichita State

May 15, 20086:32 p.m.

WSU 10, BU 0, a final: WSU starts the series with a run rule. More important, the Shockers gave a solid effort in every aspect. MSU routed UNI 12-2, so the MVC race remains tied.

WSU 6, BU 0, after four: Bret Bascue’s single starts a two-out rally. Jones drives in two with a triple, leaving him a homer short of the cycle.

MSU 7, UNI 0, seventh. No help from the Panthers. UNI starter Guido Fonseca is out.

WSU 3, BU 0, after three: Ryan Jones put down a perfect bunt, maybe WSU’s best or second best (behind Josh Workman’s against Indiana State in the final game) to start a two-run inning. Gillaspie drove him in with a groundout. Coleman, swinging away up 3-0, drove in Jones.

MSU 4, UNI 0, in the fifth.

WSU 1, BU after one: Gillaspie drives in Jones from second base.

MSU 3, UNI 0, in the fourth: Chris Playter with a three-run homer in the first.

Lineups: Only three Shockers are hitting over .309, which is a bad sign. Bret Bascue is in left. Clinton McKeever is hitting cleanup.

First, I made a mistake in today’s paper and I need to wear the badge of shame. Somehow, I’m still not sure how, I miscalculated WSU’s ERA over a 28-game span. Still not sure how, although I did double-check my figures. I guess that means I was smart enough to double check, and stupid enough to make the same mistake twice.

I added a run to WSU’s ERA over the past 28 games, which pitching coach Brent Kemnitz was kind enough to point out is like “saying someone dates Roseanne Barr when they are actually dating Demi Moore.” I offered to attend the next pitcher’s meeting and apologize.

No lineups yet. We will be scoreboard-watching tonight with the MSU-UNI game. You could make a good case the Bears should be favored in the MVC Tournament next week. They are a very good hitting team and their No. 2 and No. 3 pitchers are on a good roll. It will be tough for them to sweep in Waterloo, but the Shockers can’t count on any help.

By Paul Suellentrop | Filed under Baseball | Comments (0)

ORU at WSU

May 13, 20086:27 p.m.

ORU 12, WSU 0, a final: Worst game of the season for WSU. There is no reason to believe the Shocker can turn it on in the post-season, but we’ve seen teams do it before. As coach Gene Stephenson said, it is quite frustrating and mystifying to turn in this kind of effort in May at home. The rain-delayed trip from Evansville probably took a toll on their bodies. I’m not sure arriving home at 8 a.m. Monday explains Tuesday’s effort.

ORU 11, WSU 0 after seven: WSU was last shut out three times (or more) in the regular season in 2003.

ORU 11, WSU 0, bottom of the fifth: In most of their 14 previous losses, culpability is clear. Tonight is pretty much a total breakdown. No hitting. Pitchers fall behind, then serve up a ball down the middle. The defense isn’t horrible, but it isn’t helping.

ORU 4, WSU 0 after three: A double play ended a WSU threat in the third. Conor Gillaspie bounced into it with two runners on. Logan Hoch is pitching for WSU. He retired three straight batters with two on in the third.

ORU 4, WSU 0, bottom of the second: The Golden Eagles get six hits off starter Tim Kelley in the second, five of them singles.

Clinton McKeever remains in the cleanup spot. Bret Bascue, after driving in six runs Sunday, is back in left field and hitting seventh. Tyler Hill gets another chance to reclaim first base.

ORU will pitch Kelly Minissale, who started in ORU’s 10-8 loss at WSU in April.

By Paul Suellentrop | Filed under Baseball | Comments (0)

WSU at Evansville, Game 3

May 11, 200812:38 p.m.

WSU 16, UE 2 after five: We’re official, which is what all the delay was about from a Shocker perspective. Everybody in the park is rooting for rain now.

WSU 15, UE 2, bottom of the fourth: Bret Bascue hit a grand slam in the top of the inning, good news for run-rule fans. Better news is that Capra looks much sharper. His fastball is coming and his location is good.

We’re back after a 1:35 rain delay. Capra is back to pitch for the Shockers, who lead 9-2 with no outs in the second.

The tarp is coming off again. After an hour delay, we will try to finish up.
Rain delay again. WSU leads 9-2. Shocker pitcher Anthony Capra had trouble with the muddy mound, which led to the umpires calling a halt. WSU and UE players are putting the tarp on.

WSU 9, UE 0, bottom of the first: Now it’s a race to get five innings in before rain hits. It is misting or drizzling now. More may be on the way. Andy Dirks is 2 for 2 with two stolen bases and two runs after one inning. The Shockers sent 13 to the plate in the inning and recorded eight hits.

We will get started under a light drizzle and the threat of rain coming. Best-case scenario for WSU is to be up 1-0 after five fast innings. Clinton McKeever is DHing and hitting cleanup. Bret Bascue is in left.

Baseball at 5 p.m., assuming there is no more rain. Coaches just checked out the field and they are going to try to get it in. The tarp is still on. Any more rain and it’s off.

At 2:15, we’re still waiting. It’s still raining. Still windy. The Shockers got on the bus for a food run. The coaches are camped out in the nearby armory guarding the travel bags. There is not much cause of optimism, but apparently Valley rules allow for a wait up until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Not playing two yesterday is turning out to be a bad no-decision. It is windy and rain in Evansville. We won’t start at 1 p.m. There is a reasonable possibility they won’t be able to play at all. The forecast didn’t look nearly this bad, which is why playing two on Saturday was not discussed.

WSU desperately wants to play because of the MVC race. Should the Shockers lose this game to rain, the best they could finish is 18-5 (.782 winning percentage). Missouri State could finish 19-5 (.791) with a sweep at Northern Iowa. It won’t be easy for the Bears to sweep at UNI, but the Shockers may have let control of the race slip away with Saturday’s loss to the Aces.

By Paul Suellentrop | Filed under Baseball | Comments (0)

WSU at Evansville, Game 2

May 10, 20081:47 p.m.

UE 5, WSU 3, bottom of the sixth: WSU gets its first three hits and scores three. Dirks leads off with a double to get it started.

UE 5, WSU 0 after five: The Shockers look nothing like a first-place team playing the last-place team. Two errors. No hits. Top of the lineup coming up, so this is an important inning if there is going to be a rally. Foley looked a little wobbly in two previous innings, falling behind batters. WSU wasn’t patient enough to get to him.

UE 2, WSU 0 after three: The Shockers are hitless against Aces starter John Foley. WSU pitcher Aaron Shafer has given up four hits and hit a batter. An error on Gillaspie led to the first run.

Sunny day in Evansville. Conor Gillaspie is in the lineup for a second straight day. The back is bothering him, but it’s something he can play through. Clinton McKeever is back at DH with Tyler Hill at first. Cody Lassley will catch and Tyler Weber is off today.

By Paul Suellentrop | Filed under Baseball | Comments (0)

WSU at Evansville

May 9, 20085:35 p.m.

WSU 15, UE 5 going to the bottom of the eighth: Shockers need three outs for a run rule.

WSU 13, UE 5 in the seventh: Dirks hit a three-run home run.

WSU 10, UE 5 in the sixth: Here’s a game that begging to be run-ruled. Instead, WSU is keeping the Aces in it with four errors. None of the Evansville runs are earned.

WSU 9, UE 2 after four: WSU hands the Aces two runs with a ill-conceived pickoff play. Rob Musgrave lobbed the throw past Tyler Hill with the bases loaded. Two runs scored, and nobody is sure why the Shockers would try to execute that play with a 9-0 lead and two outs.

WSU 9, UE 0 after three: WSU shortstop Dusty Coleman ended the third with another spectacular play. The Aces had runners on second and third. Greg Wallace smashed one toward second and COleman had just enough time to backhand it. He fell to the dirt, popped up and threw out Wallace.

WSU 5, UE 0 bottom of the first: The Aces commit two errors and starter Zach Taylor walked the first two batters.

It’s cloudy but I don’t think there will be any problems with rain tonight. Conor Gillaspie is in the lineup, which is good news for the offense. Mitch Caster will play left in place of Kenny Williams. Clinton McKeever will DH and Tyler Hill is at first.

The Shockers should sweep. They need to sweep.

By Paul Suellentrop | Filed under Baseball | Comments (0)

Arizona State at WSU

May 7, 20088:58 p.m.

ASU 6, WSU 1, a final: ASU and Oklahoma State are the two best teams I’ve seen this season. I would love to see them match up with their top pitchers going. The Sun Devils, even without their best hitter, are quite impressive. They rolled out their Friday starter at shortstop and he made great defensive plays and drove in two runs with two hits.

If Wednesday’s performance wasn’t impressive enough, consider that ASU coach Pat Murphy is a huge Springsteen fan. He was wearing a Springsteen T-shirt under his uniform tonight that read “Reason to Believe.” Each Sunday game at ASU is designated a “Springsteen Sunday” with Boss music playing at least once in between innings. There’s a promotion WSU could learn from.

ASU 4, WSU 1 after eight: ASU has Friday starter Mike Leake on the mound. He also drove in two runs and plays a mean shortstop.

ASU 3, WSU 1 after six: Dusty Coleman doubled to center, WSU’s only hard-hit ball of the night, to drive in Andy Dirks. But Coleman was thrown out at third for the second out of the inning. Tim Kelley is out after a fine performance over six innings. Logan Hoch is on the mound.

ASU 2, WSU 0 after three: The Sun Devils don’t need help to score runs. The Shockers help them with a walk, a hit batsmen and a throw by left fielder Mitch Caster into the dugout. WSU wasted leadoff doubles – actually misplayed fly balls – in the second and third.

By Paul Suellentrop | Filed under Baseball | Comments (0)

Northern Iowa at WSU, Game 3

May 4, 200812:38 p.m.

WSU 6, UNI 5, a final:  Ryan Jones drives in two with a single to give WSU a ninth-inning rally and a series sweep.

UNI 5, WSU 4 after six: The Panthers give WSU a run with a bases-loaded walk and a hit batter. The Shockers still cannot get the big hit to take over the game.

UNI 5, WSU 2 after five: The Shockers take a gift from Kirk, a two-base throwing error, and turn it into a run. Khol Nanney is pitching for WSU.

UNI 5, WSU 1 going to the bottom of the fifth: For the second straight Sunday, WSU starter Anthony Capra gets an early hook. He gave up three singles, a walk and hit a batter to start UNI’s four-run inning. Reliever Tyler Fleming walked two and gave up a single.

WSU 1, UNI 1 after three: UNI’s Nick Kirk escape a shaky first inning. He may give the Panthers their best chance to win game in this series.

Conor Gillaspie is out of the lineup again today, presumably due to his back. He was originally going to play, then scratched about 30 minutes before the game. WSU goes to its no-Conor lineup, with Josh Workman leading off, Andy Dirks batting third and Grant Muncrief at third base. Muncrief looked OK at bat Friday. He did not get a chance to field a ball.

By Paul Suellentrop | Filed under Baseball | Comments (0)

Northern Iowa at WSU

May 2, 20086:08 p.m.

Final: WSU 6, UNI 1. Musgrave gets WSU off to a great start on the weekend with a complete game. Twelve strikeouts, one walk, five hits.

WSU 5, UNI 1 after seven: Perhaps a four-run lead will do it for WSU. Tyler Weber hit a two-run home run to right, his first homer since March 22. I’m proud to say I called a Weber home run early in the game. He was due.

WSU 3, UNI 0 after six: Shockers should be in good shape with a three-run lead going into the seventh. This is one of those games where it feels like the missed opportunities will come back to haunt WSU. The Shockers have stranded eight and failed to make UNI pitcher Guido Fonseca pay big for his wildness. Kenny Williams homered in the sixth for WSU, taking advantage of a strong wind blowing to right field.

WSU 2, UNI 0 after three: Dusty Coleman singled to drive in a run. Andy Dirks scored on a wild pitch. Dirks is 2 for 2 with a double.

It appeared WSU’s health was getting better. That is no longer the case. Third baseman Conor Gillaspie won’t start tonight due to a bad back. It has bothered him throughout the season, but had not cost him any playing time until tonight.

Josh Workman moves up to leadoff. Andy Dirks takes Gillaspie’s place in the three hole with Dusty Coleman in cleanup. Freshman Grant Muncrief will start his second game at third.

By Paul Suellentrop | Filed under Baseball | Comments (0)