Baseball | DeKalb TV

Trine Baseball Fever – Catch It!

The Trine University Thunder baseball team played a pivotal 4 game series with Adrian College of Michigan over this past weekend.

Pivotal not only in the fact that if Trine at least split the series, they would guarantee themselves second place in the MIAA, and a first round home playoff game, but pivotal in its implications in the rise and future success of Thunder baseball.

Adrian has been the class of the MIAA for many years. They came into the weekend series having already clinched first place in the conference, and they were ranked 8th nationally in NCAA division 3 college baseball.

Trine lost a heartbreaker in the first game of the doubleheader at Adrian on Friday, 4-3, as the Thunder gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the last inning.

The second game saw junior righty Jake Rightnower throw a 2 hit shutout, and Trine was a winner by the score of 1-0.

On Sunday, Adrian came out fired up, and won the first game at Trine 6-3. Again, a sparkling pitching performance, this time by senior Mike Sentman, enabled the Thunder to get the split, again by the score of 1-0.

Adrian had not been shutout in over 250 games, and Trine was able to do it twice in 3 days.

With the wins over the weekend, Trine set a season record for victories with 24.

Trine will play in the conference tourney on Wednesday at 4:00 pm, as they will host Hope College.

Success in this tourney will only be icing on the cake for this fine squad of young men.

Continued success in the coming years only seems inevitable.

The groundwork has been laid.

Jake, Where Have You Gone?

I had the opportunity to attend a Texas Rangers-Cleveland Indians game at “Progressive Field” in Cleveland over the weekend.

In my heart, this stadium is still “The Jake.”

Having witnessed many a game at this facility after it opened in 1994, most of the time it was in an SRO environment. The Indians sold out over 400 games back during that period.

So on Saturday night, in a game between 2 division leaders, with the Rangers having won the past 2 American League pennants, the Tribe had their second biggest “crowd” of the season, at a little over 21,000.

Where are the fans? The Indians have a number of fine young players, and also sport a number of wily veterans.

Is it apathy? Do the people care? Is there that much animosity towards the owners? How is the team marketed to the public?

These are all legitimate questions. The only thing that I know is this. If I lived in the area, I would attend some games and stay behind this team.

In case you don’t know, they are for real, and are in it for the long haul.

Cagle’s Pitching, Big First Inning Leads Dekalb Over East Noble

The Dekalb Baron baseball team upped their record to 11-4 as they ran roughshod over the East Noble Knights on Thursday night, winning 10-0 in five innings. With the win, Dekalb moved to 1-1 in the NHC conference standings.

Junior Dylan Cagle tossed a no hitter for the Barons, only allowing 2 baserunners. Cagle was in command all night with a nice assortment of pitches.

Dekalb’s offense staked Cagle to an early lead, as they plated 6 runs in the opening frame. Doubles by Carter Stafford, Logan Shilling, Bayley Coleman, and Ty Rottger were all key in that first inning.

The Barons added 3 more runs in the 4th, and closed out the game with a run in the 5th.

Dekalb goes on the road for 4 games next week. They will be at Columbia City on Tuesday, at Homestead on Thursday, and then a DH at Manchester on Saturday will close out what promises to be a tough week of baseball for the Barons.

Memories of Cleveland Municipal Stadium

Anyone around my age who grew up in NE Ohio loving baseball, probably had the opportunity to go to a Cleveland Indian’s game at the “old mistake by the lake” in Cleveland.

I actually use that term with true affection, as I enjoyed many a Summer night watching my beloved Indians play.

Picture I took of "Sudden" Sam McDowell at Cleveland Stadium in 1970

I saw my first game in July of 1965 with my Dad and 2 brothers, as we went to see my favorite player, Sam McDowell, pitch against the defending American League champs, the New York Yankees.

McDowell pitched a gem, as he shutout the Yankees, 3-0. My second favorite player, Leon Wagner, even hit a home run. Along the way, Mcdowell struck out Mickey Mantle 3 times.

During most of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, it was mostly futility for Cleveland, as the Indians rarely had a winning season. Along the way though, many great memories with many great friends took place in that ballpark.

Over the course of a 5-6 year period, I saw the Indians sweep 5 doubleheaders, when DH’s were still in vogue. I missed seeing a no-hitter pitched not once, but twice by one day during those years. (Sonny Siebert & Dick Bosman)

I even witnessed Nolan Ryan’s last win in the Major Leagues in August of 1993 at the Stadium.

I think back on those years fondly, as they were times of great enjoyment.

I know that when people talk old ballyards, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Tiger Stadium are always mentioned prominently.

But in my heart, Cleveland Stadium will always be the best.

Start of Something Big for Trine Baseball?

The Trine University baseball team, fresh off of another 4 game conference sweep over the weekend against Kalamazoo College, have assured themselves of a place in the 4 team league playoffs that begin next Wednesday.

Once again, starting pitching was the key, as the “bif 4” of Kale Popp, Jake Rightnowar, Braxton Siddons, and Mike Sentman all delivered impressive performances to help run the Trine winning streak to 8, and to take their overall record to 22-14 with 4 games left in the regular season this coming weekend.

Head Coach Greg Perschke yelling instructions

Big first innings have become the norm for the Trine offense, and then the stalwart starting pitching takes over.

Coach Greg Perschke’s hitting line-up has been paying big dividends, as the Thunder have been getting nice contributions from everyone up & down the batting order.

Obviously, things are very unpredictable, but Trine seems to be peaking at the right time. Is this the beginning of a possible run through the league tournament, and then into the national tourney? We will know in a little over a week. Good Luck Thunder!

The Rain Started Coming Down

As I mentioned in a previous article, I had the opportunity to go to Comerica Park in Detroit this past Friday to watch the 2nd game of the Rangers-Tigers series. It was a rematch of last year’s ALCS.

Matt Harrison of Texas would be facing Rick Porcello in what promised to be a very good pitching match-up.

About an hour before game time, the rain started coming down. Even though it wasn’t a downpour, it was steady, and the radar didn’t look good.

While it was delayed, I had the chance to walk around and take in the amenities of the ball yard. It was my first time visiting Comerica, and it was an impressive venue. Even during the storm, there were plenty of places to seek protection from the elements, and be quite comfortable at the same time.

After about 90 minutes or so, the powers that be decided to postpone the game. Even though being disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to see the contest, it was a great opportunity to spend a little more time with my son who was on the road with the Rangers.

I love baseball, but I love spending time with my boys even more.

Dekalb Baseball Wins Despite Wet, Nasty Conditions

The Dekalb Barons, looking for a signature win in this still young baseball season, jumped out to a 5-0 lead early on the 11-1 Leo Lions tonight, and then held on for dear life to record an 8-6 win.

Dekalb once again got an excellent performance on the bump from senior Jacob Dickey. Dickey was very effective before tiring in the fifth inning. He was relieved by Will Vadney, who survived a last ditch Leo rally in the 7th, as he retired the final hitter leaving the bases loaded.

The “Nickel,” Nick McDonald, had a home run and single for the Barons, while Bayley Coleman added 2 singles and a double. Ty Rottger also had 2 hits for Dekalb. Logan Schilling, Cody Burniston, Cody Krumlauf, and Jacob Vanderhorst all added single tallies. Scott Day added to the offensive festivities by executing a perfect squeeze bunt.

Dekalb will be back in action on Thursday as they will host East Noble in NHC conference action.

Replay in Major League Baseball

I love baseball. Always have, always will.

I love all of the quirky little things about the game. You can go to a game and have the opportunity to see something that you’ve never seen before, or has rarely happened. (I.E. perfect game this past weekend)
with that being said, something has to change as far as the usage of replay during a game.

There is no reason that baseball couldn’t implement a system similiar to football, where a coach gets at least one “challenge” per game.

The technology is available, let’s use it to make things “right.”

Even though I’m a Texas Rangers fan, having a replay challenge available to Detroit manager Jim Leyland in last Sunday’s game against Texas would have given the officials the ability to see that a bunt with the bases loaded and the game on the line bounced off the knee of the Texas hitter before rolling into fair territory.

The ball was ruled fair, and the go ahead run scored for Texas.

Mr. Selig, please tear down that wall that exists for not being able to use replay on plays such as this.

Pitching, Timely Hitting are Key as Trine sweeps 4 games from Olivet

The Trine Thunder baseball team ran their record to 18-14 overall, and 12-8 in the MIAA conference, as they won 4 games over the weekend against the Olivet Comets. The scores were 5-2, 4-3, 3-1, and 6-2.

Trine Freshman 2nd Baseman Ethan Prebynski

Trine got excellent starting pitching from Kale Popp, Jake Rightnowar, Braxton Siddons, and Mike Sentman.
A big 5 run first inning was the key in game one. Key hits from Matt Zurbriggan & Ethan Prebynski in the seventh inning were the difference in game two.

Then yesterday, up at Olivet, Brian Hoeper launched a mammoth home run in conditions that were cold and blustery to say the least to propel the Thunder in game one. Game two saw Trine explode for 5 runs in the seventh inning to give them the win.

By virtue of the sweep, the Thunder solidified their hold on 2nd place in the conference standings with 8 games to go in the regular season.

Trine hosts Kalamazoo for a DH on Saturday, then they travel to Kalamazoo on Sunday for 2 more to finish off the weekend series.

Barons in Need of Signature Win

The Dekalb Baron baseball team, after sweeping Blackford on Saturday, start conference play tomorrow night, as they travel to New Haven to take on the bulldogs.

Even though Dekalb sports a 9-3 record, they still have not gotten into that really good groove.

This week would be a great time for that to happen as after tomorrow night’s game, the Barons will host a very good Leo team on Wednesday, and then host their conference rivals, the East Noble Knights on Thursday.

Come on out and support the Barons!