Posted on March 24, 2012. Filed under: Game Previews, Game Recaps, Scouting Reports | Tags: Case Western Reserve University, Heidelberg University, Ricardo Lizcano, Student Princes, Tyler Fruhwirth |
Last Game Recap: As expected, the Spartans offense led the way against Grove City College. Bobby Marko, now batting in the leadoff spot, had triples in both games, but it was a balanced attack, with production coming from every spot in the lineup. In the second game, the first ten batters in the first inning reached base.
Today’s Preview: Te Spartans head down to Tiffin, OH to face rival Heidelberg. They beat Heidelberg in 2010, but went 0-5 against them last year, and seek to tilt the balance back this year. As you’ll see in my scouting report, I think Heidelberg is regressing this year, just enough that Case winning at least two out of three on this weekend series is very possible, and a sweep is far from out of the question. Today’s doubleheader begins at 1, and tomorrow’s single game begins at 1 as well. Live stats for today’s games are here: http://www.heidelberg.edu/statcrew/bb/xlive.htm
Live audio can be found here: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/heidelberg.portal#
Updates from me will be even more sparse than usual, because I am participating in a chess tournament: http://www.pittsburghopen.net/ When I do update, it will be via Twitter.
Scouting Report: Heidelberg University Student Princes (8-7)
It is somewhat surprising to see Heidelberg with just an 8-7 record, but there is a reason for it, and reason to think they’ll improve throughout the year.
The offense went through some turnover, losing power through the graduations of 2B Jason Lash, SS Gar Keen (not related to Matt Keen! It’s the last time I can make that joke, so let’s give it its proper sendoff! *slow clap*), and 3B Willie Brechun. They do, however, return senior RF Ricardo Lizcano, who led the ‘Berg in most offensive categories. Senior OF Ross Pruitt, who missed a year to injury, is currently batting .460 to lead the team.
Where Heidelberg really felt a sting, though, is on the mound. They lost four of their top seven pitchers, and the remaining three are sidelined for some reason (probably injury). This means there is almost a complete turnover in their pitching staff, and that is the main reason they are 8-7 at this point in the year. It is also the reason they can improve. As the coaching staff finds out which new pitchers are effective, the pitchers will be used more efficiently. The best starters so far have been junior Tyler Fruhwirth and freshman Bryan Peters. My guess is they will be the starters today.
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Posted on May 21, 2011. Filed under: Game Previews, Game Recaps, NCAA | Tags: but I don't think Wordpress supports tildes, Cory Pecoraro, Gar Keen, Heidelberg University, I know there's supposed to be a tilde, Jason Lash, Josh Suvak, Matt Keen, NCAA Mideast Regional, Ray Kelly, Ricardo Lizcano, Steve Bills, Sylvester Nino, The Two Keens Are Not Related, Willie Brechun |
The Spartans jumped out with a 9-run first inning and didn’t look back, defeating Franklin 10-4 yesterday to keep Stayin’ Alive. Oh no, a disco reference in the first row? This is going to be a bad post…anyway, Josh Suvak threw wonderfully, pitching five and a third shutout innings in relief. Matt Keen, Steve Bills, and Cory Pecoraro each had three hits.
Now, Case again gets to face Heidelberg, this time in an elimination situation. Whoever loses, Case or Heidelberg, is no longer in the regional. I’m not sure what good a scouting report will do, because you can look at other posts I’ve written for in-depth analysis of the Student Princes. (A question I haven’t looked up yet: are the women’s teams the Student Princesses? Because that would be even more awesome. “Hey, princess, swing!”) Anyway, Keen, Brechun, Lash, and Lizcano are still good, and they still have really good pitching (giving up 23 runs against Marietta aside).
Game Preview: I think Case will start freshman Ray Kelly (5-1, 3.83 ERA, 25 K/16 BB in 42.1 IP), who was to start the game against Penn State-Altoona but left after the rains hit. Heidelberg will likely start junior Sylvester Nino (5-2, 2.72, 53 K/28 BB in 53 IP). This will need to be a well-pitched, well-defended, well-hit game for the Spartans to win, but it can be done. I hope to have to write even more of these!
I almost forgot: game is at noon, live stats, live video, something called Twitter?
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Posted on March 26, 2011. Filed under: Game Previews, Scouting Reports | Tags: Brian Koehl, Ethan Holt, Gar Keen, Jason Lash, not related to Matt, Ricardo Lizcano, Willie Brechun |
This is the first of two defining weekends for the Spartans. No. 2 Heidelberg University has one of the best pitching staffs in the nation, and the Spartans will have to play three really good games to beat them.
Scouting Report: Heidelberg University Student Princes (11-3)
Offense: Heidelberg has a number of talented hitters, including senior 2B Gar Keen (no relation to Matt), senior SS Jason Lash, senior 3B Willie Brechun, and junior OF Ricardo Lizcano. Their 7-9 hitters are in a slump to begin the year, but they don’t need a 1-9 offense with their pitching staff.
Pitching: Their team ERA through 14 games is 1.86. Yes, that’s the right number, it’s less than two. For the entire team. They don’t have a single hurler whose ERA is over 6.00. Compare that to the Spartans, who have six pitchers with an ERA over 6.00, and you can see why this will be a tough test. Their aces are sophomore righty Ethan Holt and senior righty Brian Koehl
Live stats are here. Live audio is here. I’ll be away from my computer most of the weekend, but I may check in with updates.
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