Valpo v. Indiana!

[vu72]

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!

[78crusader]

Agreed -- we have a good chance to take these guys down.

Paul

[Valposter]

Great draw!  Good luck Valpo Baseball!!!!!

[jetz]

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.

[valpotx]

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

[Valposter]

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

We will.....I'm confident!!!!!

[bbtds]

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

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

[bbtds]

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.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/tracy_smith_238278.html

[ml2]

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.

[bbtds]

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/

[Valposter]

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/

Great info......thanks bbtds!!!!!!

[LaPorteAveApostle]

P-T on IU local boys etc:
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

[valpotx]

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.

[valpotx]

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!

[covufan]

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

[bbtds]

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.

[jetz]

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


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!

[valpotx]

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!

[bbtds]

Congrats!

Four Weddings and a Funeral Scene

[LaPorteAveApostle]

This 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.

[valpotx]

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.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

thanks, and congrats, tex!  that honeymoon will give us all a chance to catch up with your stats

Princess Bride - The Wedding

[valporun]

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.

[historyman]

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.

[valpotx]

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