NIU Baseball drops doubleheader to open season

There was a time.

There was a time last year I would read box scores like they were a well-written piece of literature. Baseball season is back. Being the Cubs fan that I am, I started to follow the minor league teams as well. I expect the transition from following minor leagues will be smooth looking towards the collegiate baseball game, something I have never followed before. Few press, hardcore fans. I can't wait.

Looking at last Thursday's marathon of 25 innings of baseball in one day...that's right:

The 16 inning loss against Portland was the longest game in NIU's history!!! Also in duration with the game going 4 hours and 22 minutes. Portland is a respectable WCC team and I have tremendous respect for them. Our undoing could have been blamed on the 3 errors we had in the 9-6 loss.

Here was the opening lineup for the Portland game:

SS Bobby Stevens
LF Jeff Thomas
3B Jordin Hood
RF Danny Reed
DH Justin Behm
C Matt Behren
1B Dave Reynolds
2B Dave Buonavolanto
CF Pat Minogue

P Trevor Feeney

#1 RF Danny Reed went 4 for 7 with one run, a double and an RBI. He also had 3 strikeouts, which was unfortunate. #13 1B/P Dave Reynolds was 3 for 7 with 2 RBI's and zero strikeouts. He also came in to the game to finish off the last 2 outs of the game in relief of Nick Badgley. Reynolds got caught stealing one time as well. Reynolds also did leave 3 guys on base during the course of the game. #11 SS Bobby Stevens went 2 for 8 with 2 doubles as well.

For pitching performances, starting #32 RHP Trevor Feeney was impressive as always, going 7.1 innings and only giving up 2 ER! He gave up 7 hits, struck out 2 batters and walked only 1 guy.

In the bullpen, #18 RHP Dan Atkenson destroyed the competition, striking out 5 in only 2 innings of work during the 14th and 15th innings. Unbelievable! He must have been on a pitch count, because we wouldn't have lost in my opinion if we had kept him in there for the 16th inning.

Players who made their debut yesterday include:

#23 LHP Nick Badgley - walked 2 and gave up 3 ER in the 16th inning to record the loss. Not the way I'd want to start a career! 3rd Badgley to pitch for NIU.
#2 2B Marvin Sanchez - went 1 for 3 with a run, a sacrifice and a strikeout.
#28 P/IF Brad Allen - pinch hit
#5 1B Joe Etcheverry - saw some fielding time

Now for the Hawaii game in which we lost 7-3. I wonder what these guys must have felt like having to play so much baseball in one day!

Changes to the lineup to give the catcher a break:

SS Stevens
LF Thomas
3B Hood
RF Reed
C Behm
DH Kamin
1B Reynolds
2B Buonavolanto
CF Minogue

P Jernstad

My favorite performance against Hawaii was by #14 3B Jordin Hood. He went 2 for 3 with an RBI, a triple and 2 BBs! Nice to see that performance from him. #4 LF Jeff Thomas had a nice game as well going 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs and 2 BBs. Thomas was also caught stealing in this game.

#25 LHP Matt Jernstad went 5.2 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 ER, while striking out 7 and walking 5 guys.

Debuts in this game:

#10 C Sam Kapacinsakas played a little behind the plate
1B #5 Joe Etcheverry - debuted in the first game, but got his first hit pinch-hitting in the 9th inning
#26 LHP Tom Zelasko - relieved Jernstad in the 5th and gave up 2 hits and 2 ER
#29 RHP Zach Oates - retired the last two batters in the 8th inning. Oates is 6'7", the tallest Huskie baseball player since 1980.

I love baseball. Back in action today @ 3 against SIU.