About as good a draw as possible. A definite chance for a win or two and, if we do somehow win in Bloomington the next round is also as good as possible versus a 7 seed or worse. I love the draw!
Agreed -- we have a good chance to take these guys down.
Paul
Great draw! Good luck Valpo Baseball!!!!!
The games are all on ESPN3 this weekend...at least the first couple. I'm not sure if the Big Ten Network will pick up the IU game, but probably not since ESPN has the rights....It's a better set up for us than last year as far as game times. If you remember, our Purdue game was delayed by a 22 inning contest that was played immediately before our game. That messed us up with the very late start time, in my opinion. This year, there are five or six hours between the two start times on Friday, so we should go on schedule. Also, there will be a gathering for fans, parents, and families at a Bloomington watering hole at 3:30 on Friday. I will nail down the location today and post it here. All are welcome, and the spot will be close to Kaufman Stadium.
I am hoping that we pull out the first game and win the regional, but at the very least expect a win this year like softball :)
Quote from: valpotx on May 28, 2013, 11:23:56 AMI am hoping that we pull out the first game and win the regional, but at the very least expect a win this year like softball :)
We will.....I'm confident!!!!!
Quote from: jetz on May 28, 2013, 10:27:12 AM
The games are all on ESPN3 this weekend...at least the first couple. I'm not sure if the Big Ten Network will pick up the IU game, but probably not since ESPN has the rights....It's a better set up for us than last year as far as game times. If you remember, our Purdue game was delayed by a 22 inning contest that was played immediately before our game. That messed us up with the very late start time, in my opinion. This year, there are five or six hours between the two start times on Friday, so we should go on schedule. Also, there will be a gathering for fans, parents, and families at a Bloomington watering hole at 3:30 on Friday. I will nail down the location today and post it here. All are welcome, and the spot will be close to Kaufman Stadium.
Suggestion. South Bloomington watering hole
http://www.satellite-sightseer.com/id/5811 (http://www.satellite-sightseer.com/id/5811)
It's between Hwy 37 and Lake Monroe.
Take south Walnut St turnoff--off 37--then immediate right on Empire Mill Rd. Go straight at the fork in the road on an old 1 lane country lane back to the quarry. It's the perfect watering hole this time of year.
Another "watering hole" closer to Kaufman is Dr. Kinsey's house at 1320 E. First Street in Bloomington. But I digress.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Kinsey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Kinsey)
Interesting that both head coaches have the first name Tracy. I bet that has never happened before.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/athletics/staff/2725/tracy-woodson/ (http://www.valpoathletics.com/athletics/staff/2725/tracy-woodson/)
http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/tracy_smith_238278.html (http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/tracy_smith_238278.html)
For anyone in the Valpo area...
If you want to wish the team well before they head down to Bloomington, they will be leaving from Emory Bauer Field at 3pm CT this afternoon.
TICKET INFORMATION
Reserved All-Session - $77 • Reserved Single-Session - $15
General All-Session - $63 • General Single-Session - $12
Student/Young All-Session - $35 • Student/Youth - $8
For more ticket information, contact the IU Ticket Office at 1-866-IUSPORTS.
http://www.hoosiersportsnation.com/index.php?/topic/9813-iu-to-host-ncaa-baseball-regional-may-31-june-3/ (http://www.hoosiersportsnation.com/index.php?/topic/9813-iu-to-host-ncaa-baseball-regional-may-31-june-3/)
Quote from: bbtds on May 29, 2013, 01:18:04 PMTICKET INFORMATION Reserved All-Session - $77 • Reserved Single-Session - $15 General All-Session - $63 • General Single-Session - $12 Student/Young All-Session - $35 • Student/Youth - $8 For more ticket information, contact the IU Ticket Office at 1-866-IUSPORTS. http://www.hoosiersportsnation.com/index.php?/topic/9813-iu-to-host-ncaa-baseball-regional-may-31-june-3/ (http://www.hoosiersportsnation.com/index.php?/topic/9813-iu-to-host-ncaa-baseball-regional-may-31-june-3/)
Great info......thanks bbtds!!!!!!
P-T on IU local boys etc:
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/20417342-556/college-baseball-region-players-help-iu-reach-ncaa-tournament.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/20417342-556/college-baseball-region-players-help-iu-reach-ncaa-tournament.html)
P-T on us:
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/20417014-556/college-baseball-pitching-key-in-valpos-second-run-to-ncaa-tournament.html (http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/20417014-556/college-baseball-pitching-key-in-valpos-second-run-to-ncaa-tournament.html)
You have to love it when your team is one of the best at throwing strikes. It is great to be able to throw your fastball through a brick wall, but if you can't spot it, it doesn't mean anything. I absolutely hate games where there are tons of walks.
Looks like IU's pitcher is a 6'10" righty. That will be a challenge for anyone that has never hit off a really tall pitcher. It says that he throws in the upper 80's, but it will seem like low 90's because of his reach. I always go back to hitting off of Chris Young in HS, who is also a 6'10" righty (I believe he is with the Nationals now), and how impossible it was to get a read on the ball. I sure hope that we have better luck off of this guy!
I heard that the VU supporters, led by the parents of this years team, will be meeting at Nick's English Hut on Kirkwood. http://www.nicksenglishhut.com/aboutus.html (http://www.nicksenglishhut.com/aboutus.html)
Just saw a notice of a tailgate event in Bloomington.
Friday, May 31
4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET
Bart Kaufman Field Parking Lot
1873 N. Fee Lane
Bloomington, IN 47408
The tailgate will be located in the Bart Kaufman Field parking lot under the tent designated for Valparaiso Univrsity. Please find a map indicating the location of our tailgate on our registration page. Tickets for the tailgate are $25, or $20 for current Valpo students, children 12 and under, and young alumni (graduated in 2003 or later). A cash bar will be available for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
Space for the tailgate is limited so register online or by calling the Office of Alumni Relations at 219-464-5142 or 1-800-833-6792, ext. 23.
Still need game tickets or want more informationon the tournament? Please click here.
Quote from: bbtds on May 30, 2013, 07:22:06 PM
Just saw a notice of a tailgate event in Bloomington.
Friday, May 31
4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET
Bart Kaufman Field Parking Lot
1873 N. Fee Lane
Bloomington, IN 47408
The tailgate will be located in the Bart Kaufman Field parking lot under the tent designated for Valparaiso Univrsity. Please find a map indicating the location of our tailgate on our registration page. Tickets for the tailgate are $25, or $20 for current Valpo students, children 12 and under, and young alumni (graduated in 2003 or later). A cash bar will be available for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
Space for the tailgate is limited so register online or by calling the Office of Alumni Relations at 219-464-5142 or 1-800-833-6792, ext. 23.
Still need game tickets or want more informationon the tournament? Please click here.
Sorry all. I was out working the last four days and have been unable to get you all an update on the pregame festivities. Here's the lineup: We were going to go to Nick's English Pub near the IU campus Friday afternoon. The Alumni Association then called and offered to have all fans join them in a catered tailgate complete with grilled food and a cash bar. This tailgate is what we as a parent group decided to go with on Friday. They are asking anyone who would like to join in to register (and pay) ahead of time so they can cater appropriately. Click the link below to do that. Prices range from $15-$25 per person, and the cash bar is above and beyond all of that. We will also take walk ups.
http://alumni.online.valpo.edu/s/1347/index.aspx?sid=1347&gid=1&pgid=800&content_id=610
(http://alumni.online.valpo.edu/s/1347/index.aspx?sid=1347&gid=1&pgid=800&content_id=610)
Should be a great time. A tent will be provided. Looks like a chance of a passing thunderstorm. BTW, we are also planning to meet at Nick's on Saturday, beginning three hours prior to our scheduled game, whenever that will be. Let's hope it's the late game!
Best one liner of Valpo baseball history possibly?
"From a hitting standpoint, the biggest thing we have noticed is that he throws with his right arm instead of his left. We're just going to focus on that," Vavra noted.
This was in response to a question about how they felt about facing IU's #2 pitcher instead of their #1 ace. This is right on par for me with the photo-bombing that the University of Cincinnati baseball kids did this year during end of game interviews. If you still haven't seen it, you need to.
I will give the younger part of my generation one thing, they are extremely creative and funny :).
Not to be too selfish, but let's give me a wedding present this weekend by winning at least one game ;). It will be hard not looking at my phone for video tomorrow during the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Same for Saturday during wedding prep and ceremony/reception. Someone cheer extra loud for me from their PC/Mac!
Congrats!
Four Weddings and a Funeral Scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm0XqDm8Uh0#)
Quote from: valpotx on May 30, 2013, 10:35:33 PMThis was in response to a question about how they felt about facing IU's #2 pitcher instead of their #1 ace.
That IS pretty good...but I thought we were facing the #1 what with the whole B1G Pitcher of the Year award and all.
Although, if they're all good, that's kind of like having to face Sanchez or Scherzer instead of Verlander.
I guess they consider DeNato their ace, with a 2.52 ERA. Their third starter comes in at 3.07 or so. DeNato appears to be more of a strikeout pitcher (69 ks in 88 innings), with the big guy being more pitch to contact (51 ks in 88 innings). Overall, it looks like they are not an overpowering staff, but probably spot the ball well to get groundouts and lazy flyballs. Only one guy approaches the 1 k/IP ratio you look for in a power pitcher.
thanks, and congrats, tex! that honeymoon will give us all a chance to catch up with your stats :)
Princess Bride - The Wedding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbqv3MwwVd8#)
First of all, Congrats, valpotx!!
Secondly, I turned on the Florida-Austin Peay game on ESPN3, and they are currently in a weather delay, so not sure how long this will impact things for the start of the Valpo-IU game, or if the games will even be played today. Good luck to the Crusaders in Game 1, hope we get a couple of wins in this weekend.
The APSU/Florida game started about 1 1/4 hours late and the base paths seem extremely slick as 2 different Gator base runners have over slid going into second base. It seems it would behoove all Valpo players to check out the conditions on all parts of the field before the game starts.
EDIT: Now a Governor has over slid at second base and was called out and had beaten the throw.
Austin Peay beats FL 4-3 on a 3 run 8th inning HR! Loser of our game plays the Gators, while the winner gets the Govs
Quote from: valpotx on May 31, 2013, 04:23:48 PM
Austin Peay beats FL 4-3 on a 3 run 8th inning HR! Loser of our game plays the Gators, while the winner gets the Govs
Do you believe in the Crusaders and their ability to beat the Hoosiers? valpotx, just say "I do."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eqEkPjUbmIA#t=0s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eqEkPjUbmIA#t=0s)
Great start for the lads! First blood in the top of the 1st--3 singles and a FC plate a run. Mahoney strikes out with 2 in scoring position...could've been more.
Gametracker here:
http://valpoathletics.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbasebl.html?event=1258478&school=val&sport=mbasebl&camefrom=&startschool=& (http://valpoathletics.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbasebl.html?event=1258478&school=val&sport=mbasebl&camefrom=&startschool=&)
Is there an NCAA version of the @TOOTBLAN account, I wonder? Just saw one in the bottom of the 2nd. Thanks, Hoosiers!
Gosh I hope Tx's rehearsal is going this well.
http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/id/886852/size/condensed/ (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/id/886852/size/condensed/)
TWO HUGE RUNS TOP 9 AND WE ARE 3 UP WITH 3 OUTS TO GO!!!
One out One on B9... Come on Karch! Let's put them away...
...oh dear God.
Sweet heavenly LORD that's ...
that's a tough way to lose.
I just said several obscenities and my wife is almost as upset as I am. But really, :censored: :rant: :censored:
ouch
Reminds me of the softball tourney game against Louisville last year. I have no idea how you can get a team back off the mat for another game after a loss like that one.
WTF? lol I second Dave's comment, as it looks just like our loss in softball last year to Louisville on paper. What happened? I was given an update by my brother that we went up 4-1 in the 9th, and thought it was game over with Karch.
It will be hard to come back from that, but all the luck in the world tomorrow against Florida. We have shown this year that we can play with anyone, so let's get one!
I'm going to play glass half full now.
We just took the supposedly best team in the regional into the 9th inning before our pitching imploded. We had great pitching from our #1 until the 7th inning. If we can put 2 innings together we seem to be able to beat anyone in this regional.
Let's come back on Saturday and beat Florida so we can play another day. But when we're only up by one run and it's easy to see our best relief pitcher is faltering let's hope Woodson realizes he must replace him before he gives up the game.
The positive is that FL also blew a late lead, so it will be two teams that were extremely let down.
I saw the pitch at the gym that ended the game. Probably the only time Valpo baseball will ever be on Sportscenter, at #6 of the top ten. Karch definitely threw a monster hanging curveball that the guy just laid into.
Come back tomorrow and do us proud again boys!
Quote from: bbtds on June 01, 2013, 12:08:35 AMI'm going to play glass half full now.
I appreciate that, and even though I'm always the optimist around here, having watched it, I want to throw up. Still.
Just imagine the difference if we'd trailed 5-0 the entire game, and scored 4 in the 9th, coming up juuuuust short...
ye gods.
bbtds, I understand where some may question the pitching decisions made by Coach Woodson at different points through the year. I've done it myself when it seems we left our starter in too long at times. Last night was not one of them. Karch was the man for the job, and they just hit him. It's not like he was walking guys. He lit up the radar gun--hitting 94, and pounded the strike zone. He got the first hitter on a ground ball, and the second guy hit a weak roller to third that probably should have been the second out. There was no time to even get someone up and ready, and you wouldn't normally do that with a closer who had a 0.36 ERA coming in. I know what you're saying, but I would have had Karch in the game myself until the end. The only questionable call in my mind was throwing the #8 hitter a breaking ball when a home run is the only thing that can beat you. He never would have hit a 90+ fastball out to left....
jetz, was it even more soul-crushing in person? or have you watched this team enough to roll with it better than I?
I just feel so bad for the kids. Esp. Karch.
We out-played, out-pitched, out-coached, and out-hustled the Big Ten regular season and tourney champions for 8 1/2 innings.....it makes you sick.....but that is baseball. Doesn't make you feel better saying it.....A win vs. Florida would be just as big for the program. Hopefully, the team can emotionally move on!
Quote from: jetz on June 01, 2013, 08:21:44 AM
bbtds, I understand where some may question the pitching decisions made by Coach Woodson at different points through the year. I've done it myself when it seems we left our starter in too long at times. Last night was not one of them. Karch was the man for the job, and they just hit him. It's not like he was walking guys. He lit up the radar gun--hitting 94, and pounded the strike zone. He got the first hitter on a ground ball, and the second guy hit a weak roller to third that probably should have been the second out. There was no time to even get someone up and ready, and you wouldn't normally do that with a closer who had a 0.36 ERA coming in. I know what you're saying, but I would have had Karch in the game myself until the end. The only questionable call in my mind was throwing the #8 hitter a breaking ball when a home run is the only thing that can beat you. He never would have hit a 90+ fastball out to left....
It just seemed to me that when Karch had already given up 2 runs and Valpo still had the chance to win it was evident that Karch wasn't going to get any more outs and it was then time to stall with a longer conference on the mound and maybe having Karch throw a couple of pitches way outside the strike zone until a reliever was ready. It just seemed obvious to me that Karch wasn't going to get it done this time. If happens to every pitcher sometime. The fact that Woodson didn't go back to Karch in another close game with elimination on the line, today-Sat, tells a great deal. Even though Karch had his pitches hitting in the mid-90's it wasn't fooling anyone.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 01, 2013, 08:29:38 AM
jetz, was it even more soul-crushing in person? or have you watched this team enough to roll with it better than I?
I just feel so bad for the kids. Esp. Karch.
I never saw the hr ball land. When it was hit, I turned and headed for the exit. Felt horrible for Karch. He sat out last year. Couldn't even be in the dugout. Then he's our best player this year. Perfect til yesterday. The game he wants the most. Hangs a breaking ball and loses. Doesn't sleep last night. Warms up to come in today and doesn't get the call. Not sure how I'd feel about that. We do have a closer issue now that didn't exist before today. We will see how that plays out...But yes, the IU loss was a bitch.
That homer is still being talked about as the motivating point towards IU's "Road to Omaha". Clarks homer vs Valpo was the "Watford shot" for Indiana Baseball (http://fox59.com/2013/06/15/clarks-homer-was-the-watford-shot-for-indiana-baseball/#axzz2WJP2RQcx)
Quote from: FWalum on June 15, 2013, 01:49:40 PM
That homer is still being talked about as the motivating point towards IU's "Road to Omaha". Clarks homer vs Valpo was the "Watford shot" for Indiana Baseball (http://fox59.com/2013/06/15/clarks-homer-was-the-watford-shot-for-indiana-baseball/#axzz2WJP2RQcx)
Was just reminded of the fact that IU made the College World Series after our game with them. Coach Woodson and the VU baseballers have much to be proud of, and know how far they've come and close they were. Looking for more success in 2014!