Over the past few years, I have had a lot of parents ask me if they could buy some of the photos on the web site. Well, I've finally set up an account to sell photos on line.
The photo handling site is called SmugMug. It came highly recommended by several photographers, including the photographer in Coos Bay who shoots a lot of Marshfield and North Bend sporting events.
* Photos come in many different sizes. The base size is usually 4x6.
* You can order larger prints, but sometimes you have to crop a little because the dimension ratio of the larger photo may not be 4x6. For example, an 8x10 ration is 4x5.
*Sometimes a larger print is not available. That is because I had to crop so much that if the picture were blown up it would be too fuzzy. This happens a lot with distant photos, like those taken of outfielders.
*SmugMug doesn't charge separate shipping charges for each picture. So it is cost effective to order several prints at once. You may want to join in with another parent or two to save on shipping.
*You can order merchandise with pictures on them such as mouse pads, refrigerator magnets, coffee mugs, etc. Look for the merchandise tab.
Each team can have up to two people who can buy photos of their favorite player at cost plus shipping. The two people need to be regular contributors of scores and or stats. So far, the following teams have contributors:
Marshfield : 1 (same person does stats and scores)
North Eugene: 2 (1 sends in scores, the other stats)
Willamette: 1 (Coach sends in stats and recaps)
If you would like to be one of those who is eligible to buy at cost, please email me at mwlnow@yahoo.com
Coaches who want to do something special with photos for their season ending banquet or other function should contact me so we can make it happen.
Half of the profits will go to the school of the main player in the photo. The head coach will determine which group receives the money. Some schools use the baseball booster club or general booster club.
As always, two DVD's of photos will be provided to each school approximately two games before league ends. These photos are not cropped or edited. Some schools have used them for the student Yearbook, and some have turned them over to the baseball boosters.
Your support by buying photos is appreciated. There are many expenses doing the website. The biggest being the 27 inch Imac, the Nikon D700 and the 200mm & 400 mm lenses. If you want me to follow your kid around for a game or two, get me one of these:) Nikon 600mm lens
Here's my SmugMug web site.
Gary Haliski Photography
Here's the website of the photographer who covers Marshfield High School. He recently posted photos from the North Eugene at Marshfield game.
Outlawguy Photogrpahy
Good luck down the stretch!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
8 Games Down, 7 To Go - Who Wants It?
The MWL just made the turn at the halfway point, and not much has been established for the title or the playoff teams. The league is as tight as I hoped.
Four teams have a legitimate shot at the title. Co-leaders Springfield and Thurston, 3rd place North Eugene and fourth place Churchill. Of the four, Churchill has the longest shot, being 2 games out of first with 7 to go. But those 7 games include 2 against co-leader Thurston. Lancer wins would give Churchill a tie breaker over the Colts.
And odd as it seems because Willamette has a 2-6 record, the Wolverines have a shot at making state. They are only 3 games out of third, with two games against third place North Eugene, and two against co-leader Springfield. Four of the Wolverines five losses are by two runs or less. It wouldn't take much to turn their record around.
Springfield and Churchill have to be the surprises so far. Springfield has played up to its potential. That was a concern before the year. It's tough for players to change their mindset from just playing ball with no real expectations of going to state, to playing ball to go to state. The question was, "Can the players and coaches play to their potential every game, every pitch?" The Miller's have answered the call as shown by their prolific bats in most games, and the D of the last four games where they have held opponents to a little over three runs.
Churchill jumped out to a 3-1 record, but lost three in a row. And they weren't pretty losses. They will need to get back to their defensive ways of the first four games, when they were giving up just 2.5 runs per game. Churchill is loaded with seniors. That can be good if they band together. Or, it can be bad if they succumb to spring term senioritis and their minds drift towards off field thoughts.
There are no league games Friday, but there are key games Monday and Wednesday. Now's the point in the season where coaches will use a starting pitcher in back to back games if they can pull them early in a lopsided win. The Churchill at North Eugene game Monday is the first opportunity to see if a coach uses this strategy. Lancer Brad Birch started Friday and went just four innings. He got the last 10 batters out that he faced, six by strike outs. He could be used in a pinch. If you really get into this strategy and want more to consider.... a Churchill win would give the Lancers the tiebreaker. But if Churchill loses, the Lancers still have another chance to take the tiebreaker in the third round. What would you do with Birch if it's close in the fifth?
Wednesday's games feature Thurston at Churchill and North Eugene at Willamette. Thurston likely will have a full set of pitcher options on Wednesday. Churchill will be coming off of the game against North Eugene and will have fewer pitcher options if the Lancer starter goes deep into the game on Monday. Fortunately for Churchill, they have a lot of guys who can throw.
Newbies. Some more frosh had impressive outings last week. We're all pretty familiar with Thurston's Kyle Watson trying out the clean up batter's position and pitching, Springfield's Malik Evans on the mound and Willamette's Scott Kuvaas at shortstop. We may be seeing a few more frosh in bloom. Willamette's Cole Urioste had a great week and Marshfield's Doug Molzahn was pressed into duty and pitched a complete game against Willamette. Another baby buc from Coos Bay, Tyler Johnson, also is picking up momentum at the plate. Coupling these outstanding frosh with the many very solid sophomores it appears the league is in good shape for at least a few more years. (The Coos Bay newspaper reported Molzahn out for the season with a knee injury)
Four teams have a legitimate shot at the title. Co-leaders Springfield and Thurston, 3rd place North Eugene and fourth place Churchill. Of the four, Churchill has the longest shot, being 2 games out of first with 7 to go. But those 7 games include 2 against co-leader Thurston. Lancer wins would give Churchill a tie breaker over the Colts.
And odd as it seems because Willamette has a 2-6 record, the Wolverines have a shot at making state. They are only 3 games out of third, with two games against third place North Eugene, and two against co-leader Springfield. Four of the Wolverines five losses are by two runs or less. It wouldn't take much to turn their record around.
Springfield and Churchill have to be the surprises so far. Springfield has played up to its potential. That was a concern before the year. It's tough for players to change their mindset from just playing ball with no real expectations of going to state, to playing ball to go to state. The question was, "Can the players and coaches play to their potential every game, every pitch?" The Miller's have answered the call as shown by their prolific bats in most games, and the D of the last four games where they have held opponents to a little over three runs.
Churchill jumped out to a 3-1 record, but lost three in a row. And they weren't pretty losses. They will need to get back to their defensive ways of the first four games, when they were giving up just 2.5 runs per game. Churchill is loaded with seniors. That can be good if they band together. Or, it can be bad if they succumb to spring term senioritis and their minds drift towards off field thoughts.
There are no league games Friday, but there are key games Monday and Wednesday. Now's the point in the season where coaches will use a starting pitcher in back to back games if they can pull them early in a lopsided win. The Churchill at North Eugene game Monday is the first opportunity to see if a coach uses this strategy. Lancer Brad Birch started Friday and went just four innings. He got the last 10 batters out that he faced, six by strike outs. He could be used in a pinch. If you really get into this strategy and want more to consider.... a Churchill win would give the Lancers the tiebreaker. But if Churchill loses, the Lancers still have another chance to take the tiebreaker in the third round. What would you do with Birch if it's close in the fifth?
Wednesday's games feature Thurston at Churchill and North Eugene at Willamette. Thurston likely will have a full set of pitcher options on Wednesday. Churchill will be coming off of the game against North Eugene and will have fewer pitcher options if the Lancer starter goes deep into the game on Monday. Fortunately for Churchill, they have a lot of guys who can throw.
Newbies. Some more frosh had impressive outings last week. We're all pretty familiar with Thurston's Kyle Watson trying out the clean up batter's position and pitching, Springfield's Malik Evans on the mound and Willamette's Scott Kuvaas at shortstop. We may be seeing a few more frosh in bloom. Willamette's Cole Urioste had a great week and Marshfield's Doug Molzahn was pressed into duty and pitched a complete game against Willamette. Another baby buc from Coos Bay, Tyler Johnson, also is picking up momentum at the plate. Coupling these outstanding frosh with the many very solid sophomores it appears the league is in good shape for at least a few more years. (The Coos Bay newspaper reported Molzahn out for the season with a knee injury)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Fight for First in Springfield and other thoughts
The Springfield and Thurston wins over baseball powers Churchill and North Eugene not only set up a much anticipated battle for first place between the Millers and Colts, the wins also opened the door for Marshfield and Willamette to work their way into the playoffs. More on the Eugene - Coos Bay schools later.
Springfield and Thurston
Hats off to both coaches. Erik Lansdon has taken the Millers from a struggling program to a highly competitive team. The Millers were 4-11 in 2008 and 3-12 in 2007. Phil Dube at Thurston has developed the entire Colt program - from JV's to Varsity - so that Thurston can graduate 10 all leaguers and still play the best ball in the MWL, so far.
The city of Springfield has two very different 5A teams. Springfield wins anyway they can - and anywhere. The Millers have played only one league game at Hamlin. They win the high scoring games, like the 11-8 and 12-10 first round games, or close ones like the 5-3 win over Churchill in the league opener.
Starting pitching duties have been spread out among junior Kameron Bates, frosh Malik Evans and senior Jordan VanEngers. Three starters with solid wins gets the opponents thinking a lot about which Miller they might see in the next game.
Blaine Dudley has been a nice surprise at the plate, leading the Millers in league RBI's. Alexjandro Camarena has shown some power and his speed kills. Bates hasn't jacked one in league yet, but who's throwing to him? He's still getting his share of RBI's.
Thurston has become the team to watch as they are playing the best D in the league, holding opponents to four or less in five of the Colt's six league games. Of course, it's the Millers who tagged Thurston for 11 runs at Thurston.
Dawson Phinney is 3-0 and if coach Dube throws him every other game, Phinney will get five more league starts. How's that for stepping up as a senior? Like Springfield, the Colts use a frosh in the starting rotation. Frosh Kyle Watson has been solid, with a sub 2.0 ERA. Junior Tyler Johnson also has had some memorable outings, especially the 5-3 win over North. Johnson came in in relief. He loaded the bases with no outs. Then he struck out three in a row. I guess he's a teaser.
Thurston's bats are alive. Tyler Johnson, Peanut Havens and Jarren Goddard have all been hitting with power and with men on. Jordan Loos leads the teams in league rbi's.
What I like about this team is the D. Solid pitching, out of sight infield and outfield play and speed to get to the wall or the short strokes. And catchers are oftentimes overlooked. Thurston has two great catchers in Peanut Havens and Jarren Goddard. Goddard makd two outstanding plays on bunts in the second round North Eugene game.
On O, the Colts lay down bunts like they are on autopilot, double steal, hit the long ball and tear up the bases with speed.
A true MWL fan wants tomorrow's game to go to Thurston. That would make them tied for the tiebreaker, potentially setting up a rubber match in the third round for all of the marbles. I'm assuming Dawson Phinney is throwing for Thurston. Phinney has been money so far. I'm thinking the Colls and Phinney will take this one to the bank and set up the possibility of a round three ballapalooza.
Churchill and North Eugene
They both need to win to stay two games out of the lead and pull to within one game of second.
Churchill's pitching has been inconsistent. They've won games, 3-2 and 1-0, but lost them 4-12 and 3-10. Their strike out to walk ratio isn't what we're used to. Hopefully for the Lancers, that will change for the second and third rounds.
The big surprise is that Churchill's bats haven't woken up yet. Brad Birch does have two dingers. I'm glad the opponents are throwing to him a little. Seemed like last year, I only saw him get walked. Alex Priaulx also has a homer. But overall, the Lancer's just haven't been the Lancers, but there's time left. They just better not wait too long.
North Eugene seems snakebit. The team is taking some hits in the injury department and they've lost three close ones; 3-5 and 3-4 (in 8) to Thurston, and 0-1 to Churchill. With recent injuries to Mills and up and coming soph Dillon Hudson, the Highlanders will be regrouping to find a way to make it to the playoffs for the 15th straight year.
After 10 run wins in their second and third league games, I thought the Highlanders had the swagger back, but they've only scored 7 runs total in the last three games. Garrett Harpole has two dingers and leads the team in league rbi's.
With Mills hurt, Andrew Moore, Kyle DeHaven and Chris Clayton are going to have to carry the pitching load. They can do it, but they need some runs behind them.
Willamette and Marshfield.
Willamette picked up their first league win Monday. The Wolverines are probably playing the most consistent D after Thurston. They've held opponents to five or less in five of six games. A lack of bats lost four of those games.
On the mound, seniors Jake Hughes and Logan Wright are looking for more run support. And a couple of sophs are getting a lot of innings, Trent Waggoner and Koleton Williams.
Taylor Woodke is leading the team in RBI's. Wright and Jordan Bowman have been blasting doubles.
Marshfield got out of the blocks with a 5-3 win, then gave up at least 10 runs in the next four games. The Pirates are looking much better at the plate than last year. They haven't been shut out this year, while at this time last year they had been goose egged twice already and were on their way to more.
Cody Dew has a homer for the Pirates. They are likely to sneak out another win or two this year. It's early and when Elliot Aurdahl is on, he can really frustrate the other team.
I'll be at the 'fight for first' game tomorrow. Then I think I'll check out my alma matre, Marshfield, Friday. Pirate coach Quintin Hall is doing a great job of building the program. There is huge improvement in the way the Pirates swing at the plate. It'll take a year or two to instill consistent hitting technique. In the meantime, it's fun to watch the improvement and anticipate what's coming in the future. I saw Springfield change for the better last year, and look at them so far this year.
Springfield and Thurston
Hats off to both coaches. Erik Lansdon has taken the Millers from a struggling program to a highly competitive team. The Millers were 4-11 in 2008 and 3-12 in 2007. Phil Dube at Thurston has developed the entire Colt program - from JV's to Varsity - so that Thurston can graduate 10 all leaguers and still play the best ball in the MWL, so far.
The city of Springfield has two very different 5A teams. Springfield wins anyway they can - and anywhere. The Millers have played only one league game at Hamlin. They win the high scoring games, like the 11-8 and 12-10 first round games, or close ones like the 5-3 win over Churchill in the league opener.
Starting pitching duties have been spread out among junior Kameron Bates, frosh Malik Evans and senior Jordan VanEngers. Three starters with solid wins gets the opponents thinking a lot about which Miller they might see in the next game.
Blaine Dudley has been a nice surprise at the plate, leading the Millers in league RBI's. Alexjandro Camarena has shown some power and his speed kills. Bates hasn't jacked one in league yet, but who's throwing to him? He's still getting his share of RBI's.
Thurston has become the team to watch as they are playing the best D in the league, holding opponents to four or less in five of the Colt's six league games. Of course, it's the Millers who tagged Thurston for 11 runs at Thurston.
Dawson Phinney is 3-0 and if coach Dube throws him every other game, Phinney will get five more league starts. How's that for stepping up as a senior? Like Springfield, the Colts use a frosh in the starting rotation. Frosh Kyle Watson has been solid, with a sub 2.0 ERA. Junior Tyler Johnson also has had some memorable outings, especially the 5-3 win over North. Johnson came in in relief. He loaded the bases with no outs. Then he struck out three in a row. I guess he's a teaser.
Thurston's bats are alive. Tyler Johnson, Peanut Havens and Jarren Goddard have all been hitting with power and with men on. Jordan Loos leads the teams in league rbi's.
What I like about this team is the D. Solid pitching, out of sight infield and outfield play and speed to get to the wall or the short strokes. And catchers are oftentimes overlooked. Thurston has two great catchers in Peanut Havens and Jarren Goddard. Goddard makd two outstanding plays on bunts in the second round North Eugene game.
On O, the Colts lay down bunts like they are on autopilot, double steal, hit the long ball and tear up the bases with speed.
A true MWL fan wants tomorrow's game to go to Thurston. That would make them tied for the tiebreaker, potentially setting up a rubber match in the third round for all of the marbles. I'm assuming Dawson Phinney is throwing for Thurston. Phinney has been money so far. I'm thinking the Colls and Phinney will take this one to the bank and set up the possibility of a round three ballapalooza.
Churchill and North Eugene
They both need to win to stay two games out of the lead and pull to within one game of second.
Churchill's pitching has been inconsistent. They've won games, 3-2 and 1-0, but lost them 4-12 and 3-10. Their strike out to walk ratio isn't what we're used to. Hopefully for the Lancers, that will change for the second and third rounds.
The big surprise is that Churchill's bats haven't woken up yet. Brad Birch does have two dingers. I'm glad the opponents are throwing to him a little. Seemed like last year, I only saw him get walked. Alex Priaulx also has a homer. But overall, the Lancer's just haven't been the Lancers, but there's time left. They just better not wait too long.
North Eugene seems snakebit. The team is taking some hits in the injury department and they've lost three close ones; 3-5 and 3-4 (in 8) to Thurston, and 0-1 to Churchill. With recent injuries to Mills and up and coming soph Dillon Hudson, the Highlanders will be regrouping to find a way to make it to the playoffs for the 15th straight year.
After 10 run wins in their second and third league games, I thought the Highlanders had the swagger back, but they've only scored 7 runs total in the last three games. Garrett Harpole has two dingers and leads the team in league rbi's.
With Mills hurt, Andrew Moore, Kyle DeHaven and Chris Clayton are going to have to carry the pitching load. They can do it, but they need some runs behind them.
Willamette and Marshfield.
Willamette picked up their first league win Monday. The Wolverines are probably playing the most consistent D after Thurston. They've held opponents to five or less in five of six games. A lack of bats lost four of those games.
On the mound, seniors Jake Hughes and Logan Wright are looking for more run support. And a couple of sophs are getting a lot of innings, Trent Waggoner and Koleton Williams.
Taylor Woodke is leading the team in RBI's. Wright and Jordan Bowman have been blasting doubles.
Marshfield got out of the blocks with a 5-3 win, then gave up at least 10 runs in the next four games. The Pirates are looking much better at the plate than last year. They haven't been shut out this year, while at this time last year they had been goose egged twice already and were on their way to more.
Cody Dew has a homer for the Pirates. They are likely to sneak out another win or two this year. It's early and when Elliot Aurdahl is on, he can really frustrate the other team.
I'll be at the 'fight for first' game tomorrow. Then I think I'll check out my alma matre, Marshfield, Friday. Pirate coach Quintin Hall is doing a great job of building the program. There is huge improvement in the way the Pirates swing at the plate. It'll take a year or two to instill consistent hitting technique. In the meantime, it's fun to watch the improvement and anticipate what's coming in the future. I saw Springfield change for the better last year, and look at them so far this year.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
A Moment of Silence
Amid all of the noise and excitement of a four way race for first place comes a moment of silence on behalf of one of our MWL baseball players in Coos Bay.
Marshfield senior Josh Perkins lost his mother to cancer on Thursday. You may recall that I wrote about the four seniors at Marshfield and what great kids they are. I got to know them during my five years in Coos Bay. Josh is a huge guy. Looking at him, he's meant to be a shot putter, or a football lineman. But Josh loves baseball and he loves band. He'd rather be in the spirited Pirate marching band than in the trenches.
I used to see him in the halls at Marshfield and I noticed that he hung around with his band friends more than his jock buddies. As a former trombone player myself in Marshfield's pep band and also a baseball player, I could relate. 'When the Saints Go Marching Home' is among trombone player's favorite songs. So maybe I'll pull the t-bone out of the garage and play it for Josh.
Josh's mom was a fixture at the Marshfield baseball games. That's not always a pleasant time, as you know if you've been to one of those games in pea soup thick fog. But, there she was, always encouraging Josh to do his best. Now she won't be at games anymore.
Josh is going to take a few days off. You see, he lost his father a year ago. I imagine it would be tough to go out on that field and look in the stands and not see the family there after all of these years of support. So it's likely that there will be a moment of silence before the Willamette at Marshfield game on Monday for Josh and his mother.
Sad events like this make us remember that life is about relationships and not baseball.
Good Luck Josh
Marshfield senior Josh Perkins lost his mother to cancer on Thursday. You may recall that I wrote about the four seniors at Marshfield and what great kids they are. I got to know them during my five years in Coos Bay. Josh is a huge guy. Looking at him, he's meant to be a shot putter, or a football lineman. But Josh loves baseball and he loves band. He'd rather be in the spirited Pirate marching band than in the trenches.
I used to see him in the halls at Marshfield and I noticed that he hung around with his band friends more than his jock buddies. As a former trombone player myself in Marshfield's pep band and also a baseball player, I could relate. 'When the Saints Go Marching Home' is among trombone player's favorite songs. So maybe I'll pull the t-bone out of the garage and play it for Josh.
Josh's mom was a fixture at the Marshfield baseball games. That's not always a pleasant time, as you know if you've been to one of those games in pea soup thick fog. But, there she was, always encouraging Josh to do his best. Now she won't be at games anymore.
Josh is going to take a few days off. You see, he lost his father a year ago. I imagine it would be tough to go out on that field and look in the stands and not see the family there after all of these years of support. So it's likely that there will be a moment of silence before the Willamette at Marshfield game on Monday for Josh and his mother.
Sad events like this make us remember that life is about relationships and not baseball.
Good Luck Josh
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Four Way Tie Thoughts
Last week, opening day made sure this wasn't going to be a free ride for Churchill and North Eugene as Springfield and the young Thurston squad made statements about their programs by taking games from the traditional Eugene powerhouses.
Friday's games started to bring league standings back to the good old days, and last nights games saw the home run bats break out as North Eugene and Churchill 10 runned their opponents.
North Eugene - Springfield game review.
I see more Highlander baseball than any other teams. That's because I live so close to Swede, Swede is a great place to shoot photos and coach Nicholsen lets me into regular season games for free. All last year and earlier this year, I saw North flail at bunt attempts. I can't remember seeing them lay one down on the first attempt during that period. Pop ups galore, guys in that frozen bunt pose after the balls in the catcher's mitt (With that look of 'Sorry, coach'), and bunts going right back to the pitcher for DP's. I should have switched from still photography to video to capture coach Nicholsen writhing in pain in the coaches box.
Sure enough, last night in the third inning; man on first, no outs... North popped up a bunt to the pitcher. But Corey must have some Wiley Coyote in him and laying down a successful bunt must be the equivalent of catching the Road Runner. Wiley Coyote never gives up. North got the first runner on in the third with no outs. Then, lo and behold, Wiley Coyote laid down four straight bunts. I'm always curious what coaches have said to their players that gets them on track. Maybe coach Nicholsen said, "No successful bunts, no swings!" Because after the successful bunts, it was bombs away. Dingers, doubles, hard liners for singles.
So my most looked forward to game of the young season went from a 2-0 game after two full innings to 13-1 in five. And over at Thurston, I'm missing a 5-2 Thurston-Willamette game.
I can't help but notice that Willamette is playing as good as ball as anybody and is 0-3. All were games I would have liked to see because I like well pitched games. 3-5, 2-3, 2-5 losses have to be hard to take. But they also are playing the type of ball that when the bats heat up, they could pull a big run on the league like Churchill did last year and be on their way to the playoffs. It's still early.
Out in east Springfield, Thurston senior Dawson Phinney has thrown 13 innings and picked up two wins. That's stepping up. Phinney has beaten North and Willamette. I expect him to start Friday against Churchill.
Churchill's D is looking looking steady. They've given up 5, 3 and 3 runs. If the 19 run explosion in Coos Bay got their bats going, Wednesdays game with North should be firework city.
Marshfield finished 1-2 against the Eugene schools. Now they move on to the Springfield schools. They will host Thurston Wednesday. I am interested to see who takes the mound for this one.
Springfield had one of those games last night. 0-0 after two innings, then the wheels fell off. The season is a long one, though, so one or two of those games during league is no big deal.
I would not want to be the team going to Willamette on Wednesday. The Millers are that team. Looks like they are going to run into a good D and the Willamette bats are bound to come alive soon.
The only thing we know for sure about Wednesday's games, weather permitting, is that North Eugene or Churchill will be in first - either all alone or tied with other teams, but not each other. The league could have anywhere from a three way tie for first to a three way tie for second after Wednesday. It'll be at least another week before we start to see much separation among teams. That's exciting.
Friday's games started to bring league standings back to the good old days, and last nights games saw the home run bats break out as North Eugene and Churchill 10 runned their opponents.
North Eugene - Springfield game review.
I see more Highlander baseball than any other teams. That's because I live so close to Swede, Swede is a great place to shoot photos and coach Nicholsen lets me into regular season games for free. All last year and earlier this year, I saw North flail at bunt attempts. I can't remember seeing them lay one down on the first attempt during that period. Pop ups galore, guys in that frozen bunt pose after the balls in the catcher's mitt (With that look of 'Sorry, coach'), and bunts going right back to the pitcher for DP's. I should have switched from still photography to video to capture coach Nicholsen writhing in pain in the coaches box.
Sure enough, last night in the third inning; man on first, no outs... North popped up a bunt to the pitcher. But Corey must have some Wiley Coyote in him and laying down a successful bunt must be the equivalent of catching the Road Runner. Wiley Coyote never gives up. North got the first runner on in the third with no outs. Then, lo and behold, Wiley Coyote laid down four straight bunts. I'm always curious what coaches have said to their players that gets them on track. Maybe coach Nicholsen said, "No successful bunts, no swings!" Because after the successful bunts, it was bombs away. Dingers, doubles, hard liners for singles.
So my most looked forward to game of the young season went from a 2-0 game after two full innings to 13-1 in five. And over at Thurston, I'm missing a 5-2 Thurston-Willamette game.
I can't help but notice that Willamette is playing as good as ball as anybody and is 0-3. All were games I would have liked to see because I like well pitched games. 3-5, 2-3, 2-5 losses have to be hard to take. But they also are playing the type of ball that when the bats heat up, they could pull a big run on the league like Churchill did last year and be on their way to the playoffs. It's still early.
Out in east Springfield, Thurston senior Dawson Phinney has thrown 13 innings and picked up two wins. That's stepping up. Phinney has beaten North and Willamette. I expect him to start Friday against Churchill.
Churchill's D is looking looking steady. They've given up 5, 3 and 3 runs. If the 19 run explosion in Coos Bay got their bats going, Wednesdays game with North should be firework city.
Marshfield finished 1-2 against the Eugene schools. Now they move on to the Springfield schools. They will host Thurston Wednesday. I am interested to see who takes the mound for this one.
Springfield had one of those games last night. 0-0 after two innings, then the wheels fell off. The season is a long one, though, so one or two of those games during league is no big deal.
I would not want to be the team going to Willamette on Wednesday. The Millers are that team. Looks like they are going to run into a good D and the Willamette bats are bound to come alive soon.
The only thing we know for sure about Wednesday's games, weather permitting, is that North Eugene or Churchill will be in first - either all alone or tied with other teams, but not each other. The league could have anywhere from a three way tie for first to a three way tie for second after Wednesday. It'll be at least another week before we start to see much separation among teams. That's exciting.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Thoughts on Friday April 9 Games
I chose the matchup of the Springfield Undefeated's over the Willamette 0-1 -Churchill 0-1 game. I wanted to see Springfield frosh Malik Evans pitch and see how he would handle a pressure situation. On the other hand the Churchill-Willamette game was loaded with a bunch of good seniors and teams that have been playing solid D, a good chance for a well played game.
Despite the final 11-8 score, the game was exciting through five with Springfield up 5-3.
The score was 0-0 after two innings. Thurston pitcher junior Tyler Johnson got three infield outs in the top of the first. The second was shakier for Johnson as he issued a walk and hit a batter, but he got out of it when he left three Millers stranded on a ground ball back to him.
Miller frosh Evans quickly got through the first two innings with little trouble. He did walk the second batter of the game, but picked him off. The only Colt hit in the first two innings was by frosh Kyle Watson, who peppered a double to left with one out in the second.
The sun was still shining, but you would have thought a big dark cloud had settled over the pitchers and fielders, as it was about to shower walks and errors. Ollie Johnson got it going for the Millers with a single. Alex Camerena, who is turning into a wall basher, hit the first of two doubles to drive in Ollie. Two walks later, with one out and the bases loaded, Cody Whitney did his job and hit a deep sac fly for an rbi and the second out. The runner on second advanced to third, but the runner on first tried to take second. Peanut Havens said, "uh-uh", and tossed him out for the third out. Springfield 2 Colts 0.
Evans must have gotten cold during the Miller at bat as he walked the first two in the bottom of the third, Dumilieu got on via a bunt to load the bases. Kyle Wright showed some football strength and blasted one to right center for a three rbi double with no outs. A popped up bunt was caught at first by Bates who doubled Wright off at second. Evans got out of the inning with a K. Colts 3 Millers 2 after three full.
Springfield used four singles and a walk to score 3 in the top of the fourth. Evans K'd the first Colt batter, but then the Miller shortstop took a routine grounder and mailed it to the stands, putting Jarren Goddard into scoring position at second. Apparently the shortstop was just building some drama, as he made a spectacular play to get the third out of the inning for the Millers. Millers 5 Colts 3 after four full.
The 5th. The Millers 7-8-9 spots sat down 1-2-3. Evans K'd the 1-2 spots of the Colts, then walked Peanut. Peanut moved to second on a Loos single. But a long fly ball to left by Watson ended the inning.
The 6th. Austin Parrett struck out three Millers in the sixth, but the Millers used a walk, two singles and an error to score two and go up 7-3.
A great diving catch at second of a line drive off of Goddard's bat probably prevented a Colt rally. The next batter, Johnson, walked and got to second on a wild pitch. But Evans K's the next batter and got a 6-3 ground out to end the inning. Millers 7-3.
Wild 7th. Springfield put a string of singles together, Camarena hit his second solid double. An error put Camarena across the plate. Millers up 11-3 with one out and still two men on. An 'illegal slide' double play ended the Miller at bat. The wind was blowing and it was time to go home and warm up. The first Colt grounded out. Two outs from hot chocolate. But the Colts drug this one out with the help of a three dinger to right by Johnson. Final 11-8.
Overview of the game:
Springfield: Frosh Malik Evans had a good outing with six K's and five walks, 1 HP. He'll get stronger and I'm sure the walk total will go down. Camarena looked great at the plate, in the field and on the bases. Ollie Johnson did what a leadoff man is supposed to do. Three singles and a walk. Bates was hitting the ball on the ground and pushed in a couple of rbi's.
Thurston: This is one of the types of games I thought the Colts would have because of their youth and lack of varsity experience. A couple of unforced errors, a few too many walks issued. And the upside of youth, a never say die rally in the 7th. Wright had a day at the plate. A single, a hard double and a walk. Dumilieu showed his burners on a bunt single. The Colts will just get better and better as the weeks roll on.
Churchill 3 Willamette 2. Didn't get much info on this game, but it was the type of game I expected and wanted to see. Birch went the distance for Churchill. Churchill won it in the bottom of the 7th. Undoubtedly, a well played, well pitched games on both sides. Churchill travels to Coos Bay Monday while Willamette visits the Colts.
North Eugene 12 Marshfield 2. I somewhat anticipated this one after North lost to the Colts and Marshfield beat Willamette. If the Pirates had lost to Willamette, the Highlanders might have overlooked Marshfield. North's DeHaven had a no hitter through 4 and 2/3, so it looks like the Highlanders have a solid 1-2 pitching rotation.
This upcoming week:
If we get our games in, we'll complete the first round. Springfield is the only undefeated team, and North Eugene gets the first shot at them this week. Willamette gets a shot at the Millers Wednesday and the Pirates host the Millers Friday. Besides following the Miller's attempt at reaching the upper echelon of the MWL, the other game I am looking forward to watching is North Eugene at Churchill on Wednesday. If the weather doesn't wash us out, there should be a ton of entertaining games this week.
Final comment. Is there a power outage this year? I think there was just one league homer in the six games so far. Tyler Johnson poked an opposite field homer at Thurston.
Feel free to comment via this blog, or email me at mwlnow@yahoo.com with comments, corrections or additions.
Despite the final 11-8 score, the game was exciting through five with Springfield up 5-3.
The score was 0-0 after two innings. Thurston pitcher junior Tyler Johnson got three infield outs in the top of the first. The second was shakier for Johnson as he issued a walk and hit a batter, but he got out of it when he left three Millers stranded on a ground ball back to him.
Miller frosh Evans quickly got through the first two innings with little trouble. He did walk the second batter of the game, but picked him off. The only Colt hit in the first two innings was by frosh Kyle Watson, who peppered a double to left with one out in the second.
The sun was still shining, but you would have thought a big dark cloud had settled over the pitchers and fielders, as it was about to shower walks and errors. Ollie Johnson got it going for the Millers with a single. Alex Camerena, who is turning into a wall basher, hit the first of two doubles to drive in Ollie. Two walks later, with one out and the bases loaded, Cody Whitney did his job and hit a deep sac fly for an rbi and the second out. The runner on second advanced to third, but the runner on first tried to take second. Peanut Havens said, "uh-uh", and tossed him out for the third out. Springfield 2 Colts 0.
Evans must have gotten cold during the Miller at bat as he walked the first two in the bottom of the third, Dumilieu got on via a bunt to load the bases. Kyle Wright showed some football strength and blasted one to right center for a three rbi double with no outs. A popped up bunt was caught at first by Bates who doubled Wright off at second. Evans got out of the inning with a K. Colts 3 Millers 2 after three full.
Springfield used four singles and a walk to score 3 in the top of the fourth. Evans K'd the first Colt batter, but then the Miller shortstop took a routine grounder and mailed it to the stands, putting Jarren Goddard into scoring position at second. Apparently the shortstop was just building some drama, as he made a spectacular play to get the third out of the inning for the Millers. Millers 5 Colts 3 after four full.
The 5th. The Millers 7-8-9 spots sat down 1-2-3. Evans K'd the 1-2 spots of the Colts, then walked Peanut. Peanut moved to second on a Loos single. But a long fly ball to left by Watson ended the inning.
The 6th. Austin Parrett struck out three Millers in the sixth, but the Millers used a walk, two singles and an error to score two and go up 7-3.
A great diving catch at second of a line drive off of Goddard's bat probably prevented a Colt rally. The next batter, Johnson, walked and got to second on a wild pitch. But Evans K's the next batter and got a 6-3 ground out to end the inning. Millers 7-3.
Wild 7th. Springfield put a string of singles together, Camarena hit his second solid double. An error put Camarena across the plate. Millers up 11-3 with one out and still two men on. An 'illegal slide' double play ended the Miller at bat. The wind was blowing and it was time to go home and warm up. The first Colt grounded out. Two outs from hot chocolate. But the Colts drug this one out with the help of a three dinger to right by Johnson. Final 11-8.
Overview of the game:
Springfield: Frosh Malik Evans had a good outing with six K's and five walks, 1 HP. He'll get stronger and I'm sure the walk total will go down. Camarena looked great at the plate, in the field and on the bases. Ollie Johnson did what a leadoff man is supposed to do. Three singles and a walk. Bates was hitting the ball on the ground and pushed in a couple of rbi's.
Thurston: This is one of the types of games I thought the Colts would have because of their youth and lack of varsity experience. A couple of unforced errors, a few too many walks issued. And the upside of youth, a never say die rally in the 7th. Wright had a day at the plate. A single, a hard double and a walk. Dumilieu showed his burners on a bunt single. The Colts will just get better and better as the weeks roll on.
Churchill 3 Willamette 2. Didn't get much info on this game, but it was the type of game I expected and wanted to see. Birch went the distance for Churchill. Churchill won it in the bottom of the 7th. Undoubtedly, a well played, well pitched games on both sides. Churchill travels to Coos Bay Monday while Willamette visits the Colts.
North Eugene 12 Marshfield 2. I somewhat anticipated this one after North lost to the Colts and Marshfield beat Willamette. If the Pirates had lost to Willamette, the Highlanders might have overlooked Marshfield. North's DeHaven had a no hitter through 4 and 2/3, so it looks like the Highlanders have a solid 1-2 pitching rotation.
This upcoming week:
If we get our games in, we'll complete the first round. Springfield is the only undefeated team, and North Eugene gets the first shot at them this week. Willamette gets a shot at the Millers Wednesday and the Pirates host the Millers Friday. Besides following the Miller's attempt at reaching the upper echelon of the MWL, the other game I am looking forward to watching is North Eugene at Churchill on Wednesday. If the weather doesn't wash us out, there should be a ton of entertaining games this week.
Final comment. Is there a power outage this year? I think there was just one league homer in the six games so far. Tyler Johnson poked an opposite field homer at Thurston.
Feel free to comment via this blog, or email me at mwlnow@yahoo.com with comments, corrections or additions.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Opening Day - Wild, Wild mid West
Wow, it looks like this season is going to be everything I hoped it to be. Everyone, and put Marshfield in that word, is in it - at least for a playoff shot.
I ended up on a MWL tour Monday due to the Springfield game being moved to Churchill and the Pirates showing up late to Willamettte. That made three games within eight miles of each other and I just couldn't resist trying to get opening day photos of the pitchers.
Opening pitch for me was by Sam Kiesse of Churchill. Junior Kameron Bates would counter for the Millers, who were bumped off of Hamlin by a flood. Although the game was moved, Springfield remained the home team. Both pitchers looked in command when I left in the bottom of the second, although Churchill stranded runners at second and third with one out. Bottom line for this game is that Springfield has joined the upper MWL echelon along with Thurston, North and Churchill. Blaine Dudley and Ryan Helfrich were both 2 for three. Bates k'd 8 while yielding just 3 hits. Tommy Hubbard closed.... Churchill didn't get in many non-league games and should be looking forward to the three game a week MWL routine.
Next up was Marshfield at Willamette. Einstein Elliot Aurdahl started for the Pirates. Trent Waggoner got the nod for Willamette. When I was in Coos Bay, and Aurdahl was a frosh, he used to tell me that a pitcher can win with a 70 mph fastball if he understood the elements of gravity, air drag, the Magnus force and the coefficient of viscosity. You'd think Elliot is an Eagle Scout. That's because he is. Now a senior, Elliot K'd 13 with his 70 mph'er and earned the 5-3 nine inning win. The Pirates remind me of Springfield about a year ago. The players know what to do on D and a lot more of them are agressive at the plate and have good strokes. Marshfield is another program on the way up. By the way, Aurdahl's apparent only flaw is that he is headed to Beaverville instead of Duck town.... Willamette's D held the Pirates to 3 runs through eight. That's enough to win, so beware the Wolverines.
Got to North late. Thurston was up 5-2 after their at bats in the top of the 6th. I missed seeing North's Moore, who started with four scoreless innings and K'd 10, but gave up four in the fifth. I also missed most of the Colts Dawson Phinney's six inning performance. What I did catch was an incredible bottom of the 7th. North was trailing 5-3 and Coach Dube put in Tyler Johnson to close. I believe it was a double, single and a walk later that Dube went to the mound to talk to TJ with the bases loaded and no outs. The next batter was a lefty, which meant a pulled fly ball would score a run and advance the tieing runner to third. Whatever Dube said to Johnson, Dube should save for a book, because Johnson K'd the next three batters, the last two looking.
So at the end of opening day, all three Eugene teams are in the league cellar. The cities of Springfield and Coos Bay are in first. How often does that happen in baseball? This won't last long as the Millers travel to Thurston Friday. One of them will be 2-0 and still at least tied for the league lead after they face off. Most, if not all of the teams, threw their staff aces Wednesday. Friday will be an interesting day to see if any team has a second ace up their sleeve. Several teams have one pitcher who is good for five to eight wins, but does any team have two of those?
I'll be at Thurston Friday to see the 1-0 teams duke it out. The defending state champs will be trying to send a message to the Millers that Springfield is a Colt town. Is it?
PS. You might want to try Twitter via your cell phone. I keep the tweets to mostly game updates. You can click on the Twitter logo on the main page and see what you would find out while sitting at a game. I'm an old fogie and I figured out Twitter. So can you.
If you don't Tweet, you can still the the tweets on the MWL website by clicking on the Twitter logo. So when you get home, just click on the Twitter logo and you'll see the scores before I get home and post to the web page.
I ended up on a MWL tour Monday due to the Springfield game being moved to Churchill and the Pirates showing up late to Willamettte. That made three games within eight miles of each other and I just couldn't resist trying to get opening day photos of the pitchers.
Opening pitch for me was by Sam Kiesse of Churchill. Junior Kameron Bates would counter for the Millers, who were bumped off of Hamlin by a flood. Although the game was moved, Springfield remained the home team. Both pitchers looked in command when I left in the bottom of the second, although Churchill stranded runners at second and third with one out. Bottom line for this game is that Springfield has joined the upper MWL echelon along with Thurston, North and Churchill. Blaine Dudley and Ryan Helfrich were both 2 for three. Bates k'd 8 while yielding just 3 hits. Tommy Hubbard closed.... Churchill didn't get in many non-league games and should be looking forward to the three game a week MWL routine.
Next up was Marshfield at Willamette. Einstein Elliot Aurdahl started for the Pirates. Trent Waggoner got the nod for Willamette. When I was in Coos Bay, and Aurdahl was a frosh, he used to tell me that a pitcher can win with a 70 mph fastball if he understood the elements of gravity, air drag, the Magnus force and the coefficient of viscosity. You'd think Elliot is an Eagle Scout. That's because he is. Now a senior, Elliot K'd 13 with his 70 mph'er and earned the 5-3 nine inning win. The Pirates remind me of Springfield about a year ago. The players know what to do on D and a lot more of them are agressive at the plate and have good strokes. Marshfield is another program on the way up. By the way, Aurdahl's apparent only flaw is that he is headed to Beaverville instead of Duck town.... Willamette's D held the Pirates to 3 runs through eight. That's enough to win, so beware the Wolverines.
Got to North late. Thurston was up 5-2 after their at bats in the top of the 6th. I missed seeing North's Moore, who started with four scoreless innings and K'd 10, but gave up four in the fifth. I also missed most of the Colts Dawson Phinney's six inning performance. What I did catch was an incredible bottom of the 7th. North was trailing 5-3 and Coach Dube put in Tyler Johnson to close. I believe it was a double, single and a walk later that Dube went to the mound to talk to TJ with the bases loaded and no outs. The next batter was a lefty, which meant a pulled fly ball would score a run and advance the tieing runner to third. Whatever Dube said to Johnson, Dube should save for a book, because Johnson K'd the next three batters, the last two looking.
So at the end of opening day, all three Eugene teams are in the league cellar. The cities of Springfield and Coos Bay are in first. How often does that happen in baseball? This won't last long as the Millers travel to Thurston Friday. One of them will be 2-0 and still at least tied for the league lead after they face off. Most, if not all of the teams, threw their staff aces Wednesday. Friday will be an interesting day to see if any team has a second ace up their sleeve. Several teams have one pitcher who is good for five to eight wins, but does any team have two of those?
I'll be at Thurston Friday to see the 1-0 teams duke it out. The defending state champs will be trying to send a message to the Millers that Springfield is a Colt town. Is it?
PS. You might want to try Twitter via your cell phone. I keep the tweets to mostly game updates. You can click on the Twitter logo on the main page and see what you would find out while sitting at a game. I'm an old fogie and I figured out Twitter. So can you.
If you don't Tweet, you can still the the tweets on the MWL website by clicking on the Twitter logo. So when you get home, just click on the Twitter logo and you'll see the scores before I get home and post to the web page.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Final League Prediction
I've am so pumped for league play! There's never been the opportunity for four teams to win the title, but there definitely is this year, maybe even five.
Four teams have already established a more than solid ace.... Hitters have gotten a lot more aggressive throughout the league. It's tough to find more than one hitter on a team who looks like they should be DH'd for.
Coaching is outstanding.... pitch calling, small ball, obviously a ton of improvement in the infields. No more games as a fan writhing in torture and feeling sorry for a club.
But you don't want the "They are all so close" prediction, so here we go:
Churchill and North Eugene should compete for the title.
League Champ: Churchill
I'm sticking with them even though they are 2-2-1 in non league. The opponents were tough.
What I like:
The Lancers sport 13 seniors with experience - all leaguers Birch, Kiesse, Jorgy and Straka.
Spencer Jorgensen on the mound with plenty of other pitchers, Kiesse, Straka, Birch, Rheuban.
Brad Birch at the plate with a lot more help in front and behind him this year.
It's that smooth Churchill infield once again.
2nd Place North Eugene
Most years there are two teams who are so far above the rest, the two coaches only have to concentrate on their head to head match-ups to make sure they own the tie breaker. Definitely not that way this year. But I believe if North wins their first three league games, coach Nicholsen will then start thinking about the Churchill series a little more like a race for the number one seed. Problem is North has to get by Thurston in the first league game and then travel to Springfield before they play Churchill
What I like:
Andrew Moore as the staff ace with lots of backup on the mound.
The Highlander swagger at the plate is coming back. Delaney, Moore, Mills, Harpole, Ferrenburg, DeHaven and Crum were the 1-7 batters against Marist's Zach Brandon. Erik Long was used at the nine spot in the Marist game. Don't let these Highlanders get their bats going.
The almost boring fantastic Highander infield D. A double play on a "safety" squeeze attempt by Marist. Please.
Third will be a fight between Springfield and Thurston - A baseball war in Springfield.
3rd Thurston
How do you lose your entire all world team and come out of the blocks 6-3 in non league? Hats off to coach Dube and his staff. It's tempting to place the Colts higher, but I think the inexperience will lead to some occasional unexpected losses.
What I like:
The combo of starter and reliever Phinner & Loof as named by the Albany Democrat Herald. Actually, they would be Dawson Phinney and Jordan Loos. I didn't see junior Tyler Johnson pitch in pre league. Frosh Kyle Watson may become one of the many potential fantastic frosh in the MWL this year.
The Thurston infield D. Phinney will stay in the games long enough and keep the ball in the park for the great Colt D
The Colt bats. Thurston was on fire until the last two games when they scored a combined one run. I'm betting you'll see a mixture of good days and bad days at the plate, especially as they go through the first two rounds of league play. But there will be a steady improvement throughout. During week one, the order in the SE game was Wright, Jordy Smith, Havens and Jarren Goddard in the first four slots. Tyler Johnson, Watson, Loos, Phinney and Dumilieu. I'm curious to see what the league line up will be - lots of potential here.
4th Springfield
Has to be the most improved team over the last two years. Kudos to Erik Lansdon and his staff. I am impressed at how consistent the infielders have become. And I can't believe the change at the plate. Two years ago, I wondered where the Millers learned to hit before going to high school. Last year was better, four or five guys looked like hitters. Now almost every man is aggressive, staying back and exploding on the ball.
What I like:
Kameron Bates as staff ace and Thomas Hubbard in relief. Frosh Malik Evans on the mound!
The Millers much improved offense. They are putting the bat on the ball. Alejandro Camaenra's lead off speed, Ollie J in the two spot, Bates batting 3, Hubbard, Whitney and Dudley.
The Miller attitude - loose, scrappy, aggressive, more focused - are they focused enough to finish in the top 3? They have the talent.
5th Willamette
Hard to call Willamette as their pitching staff is coming on line a little late. But I did see two wins over Junction City, 9-1, 4-1 last Saturday. Everyone knows Willamette can hit and play good D.
What I like:
Wolverine hitters: Junior Tony Svensson had a day at the plate last Saturday. All Stater Tyler Woodke is Mr. Reliable with power in the alleys. Jordan Bowman and Dustin Leber led off one - two last Saturday. Only one K in 14 at bats between them, so the Wolverines should be setting the table for Woodke and Taylor Hughes. Logan Wright and Tyler Hoskins looked good in the six and seven slots.
Soph Trent Waggoner on the mound. Hughes and Woodke need good years on the mound for a Willamette playoff run.
Frosh shortstop Scott Kuvass and the Willamette D. Kuvass turned some nice DP's last week.
Although I have them in 5th, this Willamette group has the talent to compete for the title. Will everything fall into place starting next Wednesday?
6th Marshfield
The only team I haven't seen. So far in non-league the Pirates are 4-3-1. They've already won more games than all of last year.
What I like:
The great kids in the senior class. I was in Coos Bay when these guys were frosh. 'Einstein' Elliot Aurdahl, Ryan Campbell, Josh Perkins and Cody Dew. An Aurdahl - Campbell combination is likely to pitch their way past a couple of title contenders, knocking some team down a seed or two.
The D. The Pirates are keeping the score down. If they can continue to reduce the number of walks, the opponents will find the going tough. Junior Kane Rowley on the mound if his arm is okay.
The direction of the program. Facilities improvements, youth programs in place, a large number of frosh turning out.
That's it. My final prediction - yes it's the same as the early bird special in the winter.
You can comment on this blog, or email me with comments/corrections/additions at mwlnow@yahoo.com
Four teams have already established a more than solid ace.... Hitters have gotten a lot more aggressive throughout the league. It's tough to find more than one hitter on a team who looks like they should be DH'd for.
Coaching is outstanding.... pitch calling, small ball, obviously a ton of improvement in the infields. No more games as a fan writhing in torture and feeling sorry for a club.
But you don't want the "They are all so close" prediction, so here we go:
Churchill and North Eugene should compete for the title.
League Champ: Churchill
I'm sticking with them even though they are 2-2-1 in non league. The opponents were tough.
What I like:
The Lancers sport 13 seniors with experience - all leaguers Birch, Kiesse, Jorgy and Straka.
Spencer Jorgensen on the mound with plenty of other pitchers, Kiesse, Straka, Birch, Rheuban.
Brad Birch at the plate with a lot more help in front and behind him this year.
It's that smooth Churchill infield once again.
2nd Place North Eugene
Most years there are two teams who are so far above the rest, the two coaches only have to concentrate on their head to head match-ups to make sure they own the tie breaker. Definitely not that way this year. But I believe if North wins their first three league games, coach Nicholsen will then start thinking about the Churchill series a little more like a race for the number one seed. Problem is North has to get by Thurston in the first league game and then travel to Springfield before they play Churchill
What I like:
Andrew Moore as the staff ace with lots of backup on the mound.
The Highlander swagger at the plate is coming back. Delaney, Moore, Mills, Harpole, Ferrenburg, DeHaven and Crum were the 1-7 batters against Marist's Zach Brandon. Erik Long was used at the nine spot in the Marist game. Don't let these Highlanders get their bats going.
The almost boring fantastic Highander infield D. A double play on a "safety" squeeze attempt by Marist. Please.
Third will be a fight between Springfield and Thurston - A baseball war in Springfield.
3rd Thurston
How do you lose your entire all world team and come out of the blocks 6-3 in non league? Hats off to coach Dube and his staff. It's tempting to place the Colts higher, but I think the inexperience will lead to some occasional unexpected losses.
What I like:
The combo of starter and reliever Phinner & Loof as named by the Albany Democrat Herald. Actually, they would be Dawson Phinney and Jordan Loos. I didn't see junior Tyler Johnson pitch in pre league. Frosh Kyle Watson may become one of the many potential fantastic frosh in the MWL this year.
The Thurston infield D. Phinney will stay in the games long enough and keep the ball in the park for the great Colt D
The Colt bats. Thurston was on fire until the last two games when they scored a combined one run. I'm betting you'll see a mixture of good days and bad days at the plate, especially as they go through the first two rounds of league play. But there will be a steady improvement throughout. During week one, the order in the SE game was Wright, Jordy Smith, Havens and Jarren Goddard in the first four slots. Tyler Johnson, Watson, Loos, Phinney and Dumilieu. I'm curious to see what the league line up will be - lots of potential here.
4th Springfield
Has to be the most improved team over the last two years. Kudos to Erik Lansdon and his staff. I am impressed at how consistent the infielders have become. And I can't believe the change at the plate. Two years ago, I wondered where the Millers learned to hit before going to high school. Last year was better, four or five guys looked like hitters. Now almost every man is aggressive, staying back and exploding on the ball.
What I like:
Kameron Bates as staff ace and Thomas Hubbard in relief. Frosh Malik Evans on the mound!
The Millers much improved offense. They are putting the bat on the ball. Alejandro Camaenra's lead off speed, Ollie J in the two spot, Bates batting 3, Hubbard, Whitney and Dudley.
The Miller attitude - loose, scrappy, aggressive, more focused - are they focused enough to finish in the top 3? They have the talent.
5th Willamette
Hard to call Willamette as their pitching staff is coming on line a little late. But I did see two wins over Junction City, 9-1, 4-1 last Saturday. Everyone knows Willamette can hit and play good D.
What I like:
Wolverine hitters: Junior Tony Svensson had a day at the plate last Saturday. All Stater Tyler Woodke is Mr. Reliable with power in the alleys. Jordan Bowman and Dustin Leber led off one - two last Saturday. Only one K in 14 at bats between them, so the Wolverines should be setting the table for Woodke and Taylor Hughes. Logan Wright and Tyler Hoskins looked good in the six and seven slots.
Soph Trent Waggoner on the mound. Hughes and Woodke need good years on the mound for a Willamette playoff run.
Frosh shortstop Scott Kuvass and the Willamette D. Kuvass turned some nice DP's last week.
Although I have them in 5th, this Willamette group has the talent to compete for the title. Will everything fall into place starting next Wednesday?
6th Marshfield
The only team I haven't seen. So far in non-league the Pirates are 4-3-1. They've already won more games than all of last year.
What I like:
The great kids in the senior class. I was in Coos Bay when these guys were frosh. 'Einstein' Elliot Aurdahl, Ryan Campbell, Josh Perkins and Cody Dew. An Aurdahl - Campbell combination is likely to pitch their way past a couple of title contenders, knocking some team down a seed or two.
The D. The Pirates are keeping the score down. If they can continue to reduce the number of walks, the opponents will find the going tough. Junior Kane Rowley on the mound if his arm is okay.
The direction of the program. Facilities improvements, youth programs in place, a large number of frosh turning out.
That's it. My final prediction - yes it's the same as the early bird special in the winter.
You can comment on this blog, or email me with comments/corrections/additions at mwlnow@yahoo.com
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