After 23 straight games on the road, the Ball State baseball team finally had it's first home game, beating Miami-Ohio 6-3. The game was tied at 2 in the 5th, when the Cards exploded for four runs, led by a Kolbrin Vitek double and a Zach Dygert home run. The big story was the effort of the four pitchers in this game. Perci Garner got his second start of the season and threw very well. He gave up 2 earned runs in 6 innings and striking out 6 batters. Derek Grabner, Seth Hobbs, and Aaron Hammons each threw an inning of shutout baseball. The victory moves BSU to 9-15 overall and 3-1 in the MAC. There are 5 teams tied for the lead in the MAC West with a 3-1 record. The teams play again today at 1pm. Cal Bowling will get the start for Ball State.
The BSU softball team plays Miami-Ohio today at 2pm. Both teams won their respective divisions of the MAC in 2009, so this should be a decent game.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Butler's 2010 Final Four run mirrors Brownsburg's 2008 State Championship path
Other than both teams having Gordon Hayward, the Butler Bulldogs' run through the 2010 NCAA tournament is similar to the path that the Brownsburg boys team took to the state championship in 2008.
Both teams won games early on that nobody thought they could win. Pike had taken out Brownsburg in the sectionals in 2005 and 2006, and even though Pike was 11-9 and BBurg was 16-5, many people still thought that Pike would win the game. However, there was no doubt in the outcome as the Dogs beat Pike by 17 points. For Butler, they were the 5-seed playing an always dangerous 12-seed in UTEP. Many pundits, including those on the CBS telecast, thought that Butler would have a hard time against UTEP. But, Butler proved them all wrong in rolling to an easy 18 point win.
The next game for both teams should have been easy wins, but they ended up winning on last-second shots. Brownsburg played a 11-10 Decatur Central team in the sectional final. It was an ugly basketball game. Austin Fish hit a 3-pointer from the right corner off of a pass from Gordon Hayward with 2 seconds left to give Brownsburg a 37-35 victory and the team's first sectional title since 1997. Butler played 13-seed Murray State and had the same kind of struggles. Ronald Nored has a three-point play with 25 seconds left and Gordon Hayward made a key defensive play to lead Butler to a 54-52 escape.
Both teams were significant underdogs in their next two games. Brownsburg played North Central in the regional semi-final, a team that had beaten them at home 2 weeks earlier. It was a nip-and-tuck game, but BBurg prevailed down the stretch to win 62-58. The regional final was against Carmel, a team that beat the Dogs by 12 earlier in the season. But, just like the morning game, Brownsburg took control late and beat Carmel 63-59. Butler played 1-seed Syracuse in the regional semi-final. Butler jumped out to a 10-1 lead and led by 10 at the half, but could not hold the lead. Syracuse led 54-50 with 3 minutes left, but the Bulldogs used a 13-5 run to end the game, winning 63-59. Next for Butler was 2-seed Kansas State in the regional final. Just like the Syracuse game, Butler had an 11-point lead in the first half only to lose that lead in the second half as KSU led by 1 with 5 minutes remaining. Butler went on a plus-8 run to finish the game and win 63-56.
Note the similarity of the scores in the regionals. 62-58 and 63-59 for Brownsburg and 63-59 and 63-56 by Butler. Strange.....
At this point, it seemed that Brownsburg could possibly beat any team that it played. That thought would get a great test as undefeated top-ranked New Albany would meet Brownsburg in the semi-state. The game started out very poorly for BBurg as New Albany led 9-8 after one quarter, 18-13 at the half, and 30-24 after three quarters. But, a 27-11 fourth quarter onslaught, made possible by 7-of-10 shooting from the floor and 8-of-12 free throws in crunch time, led Brownsburg to a 51-41 upset victory.
Considering that the Dogs had avenged two regular-season losses and beat the #1 team in the state, a state finals matchup against 7-time state champ Marion could bring Brownsburg it's first basketball championship. Once again, as they had done all year, Brownsburg played an ugly defensive-minded basketball game. To make a long story shot, Brownsburg had a 38-36 lead with 30 seconds to go. Marion held the ball for the last shot as Julius Mays dribbled at the top of the key with about 10 seconds left. He drove to the basket and kicked out to Scott Wood on the left wing for a three-pointer.....GOOD! Marion led 39-38 as Brownsburg called a time out with 2.1 seconds remaining......then Marion called time out.......then Brownsburg called time out.....then Marion called time out. Finally, Brownsburg had the ball on the side line with Austin Fish throwing the in-bounds pass. Gordon Hayward ran a curl route but was covered, so Fish went with option number two, a 45-foot pass to Julian Mavunga in the paint. The pass was knocked away by Marion's Jay Edwards Jr, but Hayward was there to pick the ball up and throw it towards the hoop.....GOOD! Pandemonium and chaos ensued!
Now, if Butler were to win the NCAA championship, I would imagine the same kind of excitement would occur. At this point, after beating Syracuse and Kansas State, who's to say that they can't beat Michigan State or the Duke/West Virgina winner? Only time will tell, but it has been a fun ride and a great way to relive some recent basketball events that have hit so close to home.
Both teams won games early on that nobody thought they could win. Pike had taken out Brownsburg in the sectionals in 2005 and 2006, and even though Pike was 11-9 and BBurg was 16-5, many people still thought that Pike would win the game. However, there was no doubt in the outcome as the Dogs beat Pike by 17 points. For Butler, they were the 5-seed playing an always dangerous 12-seed in UTEP. Many pundits, including those on the CBS telecast, thought that Butler would have a hard time against UTEP. But, Butler proved them all wrong in rolling to an easy 18 point win.
The next game for both teams should have been easy wins, but they ended up winning on last-second shots. Brownsburg played a 11-10 Decatur Central team in the sectional final. It was an ugly basketball game. Austin Fish hit a 3-pointer from the right corner off of a pass from Gordon Hayward with 2 seconds left to give Brownsburg a 37-35 victory and the team's first sectional title since 1997. Butler played 13-seed Murray State and had the same kind of struggles. Ronald Nored has a three-point play with 25 seconds left and Gordon Hayward made a key defensive play to lead Butler to a 54-52 escape.
Both teams were significant underdogs in their next two games. Brownsburg played North Central in the regional semi-final, a team that had beaten them at home 2 weeks earlier. It was a nip-and-tuck game, but BBurg prevailed down the stretch to win 62-58. The regional final was against Carmel, a team that beat the Dogs by 12 earlier in the season. But, just like the morning game, Brownsburg took control late and beat Carmel 63-59. Butler played 1-seed Syracuse in the regional semi-final. Butler jumped out to a 10-1 lead and led by 10 at the half, but could not hold the lead. Syracuse led 54-50 with 3 minutes left, but the Bulldogs used a 13-5 run to end the game, winning 63-59. Next for Butler was 2-seed Kansas State in the regional final. Just like the Syracuse game, Butler had an 11-point lead in the first half only to lose that lead in the second half as KSU led by 1 with 5 minutes remaining. Butler went on a plus-8 run to finish the game and win 63-56.
Note the similarity of the scores in the regionals. 62-58 and 63-59 for Brownsburg and 63-59 and 63-56 by Butler. Strange.....
At this point, it seemed that Brownsburg could possibly beat any team that it played. That thought would get a great test as undefeated top-ranked New Albany would meet Brownsburg in the semi-state. The game started out very poorly for BBurg as New Albany led 9-8 after one quarter, 18-13 at the half, and 30-24 after three quarters. But, a 27-11 fourth quarter onslaught, made possible by 7-of-10 shooting from the floor and 8-of-12 free throws in crunch time, led Brownsburg to a 51-41 upset victory.
Considering that the Dogs had avenged two regular-season losses and beat the #1 team in the state, a state finals matchup against 7-time state champ Marion could bring Brownsburg it's first basketball championship. Once again, as they had done all year, Brownsburg played an ugly defensive-minded basketball game. To make a long story shot, Brownsburg had a 38-36 lead with 30 seconds to go. Marion held the ball for the last shot as Julius Mays dribbled at the top of the key with about 10 seconds left. He drove to the basket and kicked out to Scott Wood on the left wing for a three-pointer.....GOOD! Marion led 39-38 as Brownsburg called a time out with 2.1 seconds remaining......then Marion called time out.......then Brownsburg called time out.....then Marion called time out. Finally, Brownsburg had the ball on the side line with Austin Fish throwing the in-bounds pass. Gordon Hayward ran a curl route but was covered, so Fish went with option number two, a 45-foot pass to Julian Mavunga in the paint. The pass was knocked away by Marion's Jay Edwards Jr, but Hayward was there to pick the ball up and throw it towards the hoop.....GOOD! Pandemonium and chaos ensued!
Now, if Butler were to win the NCAA championship, I would imagine the same kind of excitement would occur. At this point, after beating Syracuse and Kansas State, who's to say that they can't beat Michigan State or the Duke/West Virgina winner? Only time will tell, but it has been a fun ride and a great way to relive some recent basketball events that have hit so close to home.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
2010 NCAA Baseball Seeding Projections
Here is my first stab at projecting the seeds for the NCAA baseball tourney. Only the first 8 are actually seeded, but you can figure out the 9 to 16 slots by using basic bracket knowledge. Predictions through games of Monday, March 29th.
1. Arizona State (9-0 against top 50 RPI, 23 games remaining against top 50)
2. Virginia (7-2 vs top 50)
3. UCLA (5-0 vs top 50, but plays 14 of next 15 against teams in the top 50)
4. Florida State (this seed could fall eventually, only 10 games left against top 50)
5. Florida (18 games remaining against top 50)
6. LSU (plays only one game outside of the top 100 after this week)
7. Louisville (best team in the Big East, by far. Schedule may hurt them, only 3 games left vs top 50)
8. Clemson (lost to Coastal Carolina on Tuesday, looks to bounce back against BC this weekend)
9. Arkansas (21 games remaining against top 50, plays #53 Kentucky this weekend)
10. Texas (only 11-7 vs top 100, big rivalry with Oklahoma Thurs-Fri-Sat)
11. Georgia Tech (only played 3 games vs top 50 so far, after this week play Virginia and Clemson in back-to-back weekends)
12. Ole Miss (18 games remaining against top 50, has relatively easy road to Mid-April)
13. Coastal Carolina (only 2-1 vs top 50, but should run through the Big South without any problems)
14. Oregon State (4-4 vs top 50, but 23 games left vs top 50)
15. The Citadel (Who? 13 of their 26 games so far have been against the top 50, they are 8-5 in those games. Weak conference may hinder them in the RPI.)
16. Vanderbilt (tough conference, plays RPI #5 Florida this weekend)
1. Arizona State (9-0 against top 50 RPI, 23 games remaining against top 50)
2. Virginia (7-2 vs top 50)
3. UCLA (5-0 vs top 50, but plays 14 of next 15 against teams in the top 50)
4. Florida State (this seed could fall eventually, only 10 games left against top 50)
5. Florida (18 games remaining against top 50)
6. LSU (plays only one game outside of the top 100 after this week)
7. Louisville (best team in the Big East, by far. Schedule may hurt them, only 3 games left vs top 50)
8. Clemson (lost to Coastal Carolina on Tuesday, looks to bounce back against BC this weekend)
9. Arkansas (21 games remaining against top 50, plays #53 Kentucky this weekend)
10. Texas (only 11-7 vs top 100, big rivalry with Oklahoma Thurs-Fri-Sat)
11. Georgia Tech (only played 3 games vs top 50 so far, after this week play Virginia and Clemson in back-to-back weekends)
12. Ole Miss (18 games remaining against top 50, has relatively easy road to Mid-April)
13. Coastal Carolina (only 2-1 vs top 50, but should run through the Big South without any problems)
14. Oregon State (4-4 vs top 50, but 23 games left vs top 50)
15. The Citadel (Who? 13 of their 26 games so far have been against the top 50, they are 8-5 in those games. Weak conference may hinder them in the RPI.)
16. Vanderbilt (tough conference, plays RPI #5 Florida this weekend)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Ball State softball explodes offensively to defeat IUPUI
The Ball State softball team used three home runs and 13 hits to defeat IUPUI 11-4. Jessie Ware, who was named MAC West player of the week last week, had two home runs and 3 runs scored. Amanda Montalto hit a homer and had 3 RBI. Elizabeth Milian threw 4 innings to get the win and move her record to 14-1. The Cardinals scored 7 runs in the second inning to put the game out of reach. BSU is now 20-6 on the season. They will host Miami-Ohio on Saturday and Sunday to start MAC play.
In baseball, Ball State second baseman Kolbrin Vitek was named one of the Louisville Slugger national players of the week. Vitek threw 7 innings in a win over Ohio last weekend. He was 6-for-12 with 2 walks, 3 runs scored, a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Vitek leads the team in almost every relevant offensive category.
The BSU baseball team host Miami-Ohio this weekend in a Friday-Saturday-Sunday series. Miami is 10-12 and ranked 137th in the RPI while Ball State is 8-15 and ranked 147th. This should be a good series.
In baseball, Ball State second baseman Kolbrin Vitek was named one of the Louisville Slugger national players of the week. Vitek threw 7 innings in a win over Ohio last weekend. He was 6-for-12 with 2 walks, 3 runs scored, a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Vitek leads the team in almost every relevant offensive category.
The BSU baseball team host Miami-Ohio this weekend in a Friday-Saturday-Sunday series. Miami is 10-12 and ranked 137th in the RPI while Ball State is 8-15 and ranked 147th. This should be a good series.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Brownsburg's girls basketball team is in the 2010 Hall of Fame Classic
Brownsburg's girls basketball team will compete in the 2010 Hall of Fame Classic at New Castle on December 29. They will play Jeffersonville. The other game will have Carmel playing Evansville Memorial. Brownsburg was 18-6 in 2009, losing to 4A champ Ben Davis in the sectional finals. Jeffersonville was 20-2 with both losses against regional champion Floyd Central. Carmel was 14-7, but played the 9th toughest schedule in the state. Memorial was 23-4 and regional champion in class 3A.
It is such a great honor for the Dogs to be recognized for their hard work and dedication. Two years ago, the team suffered through a 4-17 season. However, they lost only one significant player from that 2008-09 team, and gained one very good freshman, to have the biggest turnaround in the state with a 18-6 record in 2009-10. The 2010-11 season also bodes well for this team, as they only lost one player that played a lot of minutes. Coach Amy Brauman and the players deserve this chance to show what they can do at this level.
It is such a great honor for the Dogs to be recognized for their hard work and dedication. Two years ago, the team suffered through a 4-17 season. However, they lost only one significant player from that 2008-09 team, and gained one very good freshman, to have the biggest turnaround in the state with a 18-6 record in 2009-10. The 2010-11 season also bodes well for this team, as they only lost one player that played a lot of minutes. Coach Amy Brauman and the players deserve this chance to show what they can do at this level.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Brownsburg baseball preview
I have found two previews for the Brownsburg high school baseball team this year. The team is ranked 11th in class 4A in the preseason poll. The team is on spring break this week and starts the season on April 6th against North Central.
The Indianapolis Star - The Bulldogs lost Mr. Baseball Tucker Barnhart to the major league draft and star pitcher Dalton Wentz to an arm injury from last year's 24-6 team. But plenty of experience returns, led by shortstop Joel Stucker (career .409 hitter) and second baseman Ben Blystone (seven homers, 25 RBIs, .416 last year). Alex McGowan (6-2, 4.25 ERA) and Matt Bowman (4-0, 4.14 ERA) return on the mound.
IHSBCA website - The 2010 Brownsburg baseball team will be challenging again for conference championship and state tourney success. Led by a productive senior class and an athletic group of underclassmen the Bulldog’s will be solid defensively, an opportunistic offensive team and a pitching staff that will challenge hitters. Strong up the middle has been a mainstay and with Joel Stucker, Ben Blystone and Alex McGowan, 2010 will be the same. Junior catcher, Tyler Hampton and senior Cory Sears look to take over for Mr. Baseball, Tucker Barnhart, as they both display a solid arm and defensive skills. Senior All-State pitcher, Dalton Wentz will be unable to pitch due to Tommy John surgery, but Matt Bowman, Isaac Sampen, McGowan and Blystone have experience and skills to be successful. Other potential arms will come from Juniors Ryan Rhodes, Levi Slawta, Tyler Owensby, Taylor Jones, and sophs Mycha Whetstone and Jordan Deal. Speed to run will be available with Blystone, McGowan, Stucker, Sampen and Kakowski. Power is supplied from McGowan, Hartnagel, Blystone, Hampton, Sampen and Tyler Whetstone. Lending support in various ways will be junior Jason Catron and sophs Dylan Whetstone, Bobby Carr and Johnny Moore. The Bulldogs play in the toughest baseball conference in the state and will play some of the top programs outside the conference as well. By playing this type of competition, the Dog’s should be battle tested going into the state tourney and will have an opportunity to make some noise on their quest to Victory Field! Brownsburg is 230-42 during Coach O’Neil’s nine years at BHS and 309-94 over his 14 years as a Head Coach. The Dog’s managed a 24-6 record in 2009 and were Hendricks County Tourney Champs and Hoosier Crossroads Conference Co-Champs while being ranked 4 in the final 4A coaches poll.
The Indianapolis Star - The Bulldogs lost Mr. Baseball Tucker Barnhart to the major league draft and star pitcher Dalton Wentz to an arm injury from last year's 24-6 team. But plenty of experience returns, led by shortstop Joel Stucker (career .409 hitter) and second baseman Ben Blystone (seven homers, 25 RBIs, .416 last year). Alex McGowan (6-2, 4.25 ERA) and Matt Bowman (4-0, 4.14 ERA) return on the mound.
IHSBCA website - The 2010 Brownsburg baseball team will be challenging again for conference championship and state tourney success. Led by a productive senior class and an athletic group of underclassmen the Bulldog’s will be solid defensively, an opportunistic offensive team and a pitching staff that will challenge hitters. Strong up the middle has been a mainstay and with Joel Stucker, Ben Blystone and Alex McGowan, 2010 will be the same. Junior catcher, Tyler Hampton and senior Cory Sears look to take over for Mr. Baseball, Tucker Barnhart, as they both display a solid arm and defensive skills. Senior All-State pitcher, Dalton Wentz will be unable to pitch due to Tommy John surgery, but Matt Bowman, Isaac Sampen, McGowan and Blystone have experience and skills to be successful. Other potential arms will come from Juniors Ryan Rhodes, Levi Slawta, Tyler Owensby, Taylor Jones, and sophs Mycha Whetstone and Jordan Deal. Speed to run will be available with Blystone, McGowan, Stucker, Sampen and Kakowski. Power is supplied from McGowan, Hartnagel, Blystone, Hampton, Sampen and Tyler Whetstone. Lending support in various ways will be junior Jason Catron and sophs Dylan Whetstone, Bobby Carr and Johnny Moore. The Bulldogs play in the toughest baseball conference in the state and will play some of the top programs outside the conference as well. By playing this type of competition, the Dog’s should be battle tested going into the state tourney and will have an opportunity to make some noise on their quest to Victory Field! Brownsburg is 230-42 during Coach O’Neil’s nine years at BHS and 309-94 over his 14 years as a Head Coach. The Dog’s managed a 24-6 record in 2009 and were Hendricks County Tourney Champs and Hoosier Crossroads Conference Co-Champs while being ranked 4 in the final 4A coaches poll.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Ball State takes two of three to start MAC play
The Ball State baseball team won 2 of 3 games this weekend over Ohio to start MAC play. They are tied with Toledo, CMU, and Northern Illinois with a 2-1 record atop the MAC West.
Game One - BSU 10, Ohio 1 - TJ Baumet led the offensive onslaught with 3 hits and 4 RBI while Kolbrin Vitek and Cory Benbow each added 3 hits. Perci Garner started the game and threw 5 innings while giving up one unearned run. Derek Grabner pitched 3 innings of relief and Michael Sandman pitched the ninth inning. The pitching combined to scatter 4 hits, giving up one unearned run and striking out 7.
Game Two - Ohio 4, BSU 2 - Saturday's first game got off to a bad start as BSU starter Cal Bowling gave up two runs in the first inning. However, the Cardinals clawed back to tie the game at two after 6 innings. But, Ohio hit a clutch two-run homer in the seventh inning for the final margin. Bowling threw 4-2/3 innings, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 6 batters. Scott Brother took the loss as he gave up the homer in the seventh. The offense had 8 hits, but could not get any type of rally going as they left 8 runners on base.
Game Three - BSU 4, Ohio 0 - Saturday's second game was a pitching clinic as Kolbrin Vitek, Seth Hobbs, and Aaron Hammons combined the throw a shutout and face 2 batters over the minimum. Vitek threw 7 innings and struck out 5 batters to grab his first win of the year.
The Cardinals are now 8-15 overall and 2-1 in the MAC. They are tied for the lead in the MAC West division. They get 5 days off before hosting their first game of the year after 23 straight road games. Miami-Ohio comes to town for a Fri-Sat-Sun series. Miami is 9-12 and 1-2 in the conference.
Kobrin Vitek is ranked #9 in the NCAA for middle infielders, according to Rivals.com with the following comment "He may not play for a great team, but Vitek is hitting .392 with four homers and 25 RBIs." He is now batting .404 with 5 homers and 22 RBIs, according to the BSU website.
Game One - BSU 10, Ohio 1 - TJ Baumet led the offensive onslaught with 3 hits and 4 RBI while Kolbrin Vitek and Cory Benbow each added 3 hits. Perci Garner started the game and threw 5 innings while giving up one unearned run. Derek Grabner pitched 3 innings of relief and Michael Sandman pitched the ninth inning. The pitching combined to scatter 4 hits, giving up one unearned run and striking out 7.
Game Two - Ohio 4, BSU 2 - Saturday's first game got off to a bad start as BSU starter Cal Bowling gave up two runs in the first inning. However, the Cardinals clawed back to tie the game at two after 6 innings. But, Ohio hit a clutch two-run homer in the seventh inning for the final margin. Bowling threw 4-2/3 innings, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 6 batters. Scott Brother took the loss as he gave up the homer in the seventh. The offense had 8 hits, but could not get any type of rally going as they left 8 runners on base.
Game Three - BSU 4, Ohio 0 - Saturday's second game was a pitching clinic as Kolbrin Vitek, Seth Hobbs, and Aaron Hammons combined the throw a shutout and face 2 batters over the minimum. Vitek threw 7 innings and struck out 5 batters to grab his first win of the year.
The Cardinals are now 8-15 overall and 2-1 in the MAC. They are tied for the lead in the MAC West division. They get 5 days off before hosting their first game of the year after 23 straight road games. Miami-Ohio comes to town for a Fri-Sat-Sun series. Miami is 9-12 and 1-2 in the conference.
Kobrin Vitek is ranked #9 in the NCAA for middle infielders, according to Rivals.com with the following comment "He may not play for a great team, but Vitek is hitting .392 with four homers and 25 RBIs." He is now batting .404 with 5 homers and 22 RBIs, according to the BSU website.
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