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.

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