The Observer, March 24, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 21
John Carroll, cold weather spoil opener at Nobby's Ballpark
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On a day when temperatures dropped into the low 30s, the Spartan bats never warmed up during the opening of Nobby's Ballpark. After a ceremonial pitch involving the namesake of the field, Nobby Lewandowski, junior pitcher John Thuermer delivered the first strike for the Spartans – a fastball right at the knees. The opening of the park was certainly the biggest hit of the day for Case as the offense was only able to produce four hits and left four runners on base. Case dropped the game to cross- town rival John Carroll by a final score of 5-0. The loss dropped Case's record to just 2-7 on the year.
The Blue Streaks opened up the scoring in the top half of the second inning as third baseman Doug Snider reached on a dropped third strike. Snider advanced to second on shortstop Dan Sabella's single, then scored on a single by second baseman Josh Luster. Case's best scoring opportunity of the day occurred when sophomore first baseman Jamal Mahmud doubled to right field. Mahmud advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by senior second baseman Dan McNally. The next Spartan batter, though, struck out, and Mahmud was eventually picked off at third base after junior catcher Marshall Hampton reached on a walk.
Luster reached base again for JCU in the bottom of the fourth inning after a bunt single. He was driven home on a wind-blown triple by first baseman Adam Milanovich to give the Blue Streaks a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the eighth inning, John Carroll added to its lead. Right fielder Mike Wade reached on a walk before scoring on another wind-blown triple by centerfielder James Grieco. Grieco then scored on a single by designated hitter Adam Sockel. Sockel advanced to third on a Russell Toth single before Thuermer retired the next two batters to end the scoring threat.
The Blue Streaks added an insurance run in the ninth inning. Senior Rich Mullen came in to pitch the ninth inning for the Spartans. Mullen walked the first batter, who was eventually was picked off of second base on a rundown. JCU's leadoff hitter Sean McCarthy then reached on an infield single with one out. Mullen got the second out of the inning on a fastball on the inside corner that left the batter looking. After McCarthy reached third on two stolen bases, he was driven home when Mike Wade reached on an error. Wade later reached third base on a passed ball, but Mullen struck out Sockel for the third out of the final inning. Case was unable to rally in the ninth inning, and the grand opening of the field was spoiled by the Blue Streaks.
After the game, shortstop Tim Koenig succinctly offered the reason for the loss.
"We didn't hit the ball, plain and simple," he said.
Hampton echoed Koenig's sentiments.
"We just didn't get the key hits with men in scoring position, and [John Carroll] did," Hampton said. Hampton, though, gave some credit to JCU's pitchers, saying that they throw strikes and hit their spots consistently.
The loss in the first game back in Cleveland continued a disappointing start to the season for the Spartans. Case went just 1-5 in the UAA tournament, with their only victory coming against the winless University of Rochester. In the final game in Sanford, Fla., Case defeated the Yellow Jackets, 9-6. Junior pitcher J.R. Doolos earned the victory for Case as he pitched 6.2 innings. Doolos gave up just four runs (one earned) on five hits. Thuermer came in for 1.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits. Mullen came in the ninth inning to pick up the save, giving up one run on just two hits. Offensively, the Spartans had their best outing of the season with 14 hits. Hampton, who went 4-for-5 with a double, led the offensive brigade. Sophomore Kevin Haley went 3-for-5 for Case with three runs batted in.
The Spartans are next in action on Friday, March 31, when they play a doubleheader at Pittsburgh Greensburg.
