NM State Aggies vs Grambling St Lady Tigers Volleyball 9-4-18

My vacation started on Saturday, but today (Tuesday) was the first day I was actually missing work.  Unlike yesterday’s trip to see the Chihuahuas, today I didn’t have much on the agenda until this evening’s Aggie Volleyball game.  I checked out a couple of Stadium’s new daily programs.  They were a nice effort, but there wasn’t enough baseball content to keep my interest.  Your mileage will probably vary, especially if you’re more into football than I am.  Nike today made the mainstream news by shooting themselves in the foot.  (See what I did there?  Nike, a shoe company, shooting itself in the foot.)  All I have to say is thank goodness NM State is an Under Armor school.

Today’s match was at 6:00pm to accommodate people’s weekday schedules.  A decent crowd showed up.  I think I noticed a few members of the football team putting in an appearance.  If they’re scoping out potential girlfriends, who can blame them?  (I think the baseball team has claimed the soccer girls as their territory.)  There was a super awesome poster of Tatyana Battle at the courtesy table.  Leave your hair down, Taty!  I’m out of places to put posters up at home or work though.  These cool posters are making it hard on me to not put them up.

In the boosters’ section was Ari Sierra, who’d finished her eligibility last year.  She was chatting with some people there.  I guess she’s still working on a degree.  She looked happy.  I was unhappy seeing Lia Mosher on the bench wearing a boot.  Later, Adam Young said that she’d been checked out and it was just a strain.  She’s even hoping to play this weekend, but it probably won’t happen.  I’m sure they could use her at full strength against Arizona if at all possible.  Also, that beautiful blonde assistant from last year is apparently not with the team anymore.  That is truly disappointing.  Now I have no excuse to not concentrate on the game.  Freshman Zoe Abeyta, who I’d noticed at the Scrimmage, was also not suited out.  I hope she’s okay.   

Tonight’s opponent was the Grambling State Lady Tigers.  I think this is the same Grambling that plays Southern in the Bayou Classic football game, which is actually more famous for their Battle of the Bands competition at halftime.  I’ve never heard them called Grambling State though.  The girls looked athletic, but had a terrible record at 0-6.  Adam reported that they hadn’t had a home game yet and were playing their much of their schedule on the road.  (I couldn’t have heard the number of visiting matches they were going to play correctly.) 

I wonder if the crowd knew about their scheduling.  During the starters’ introductions, the Tigers got a much louder ovation than any other visiting team I’d seen.  #18 Kayla Dougherty on the team got my attention for her friendly attitude.  The Aggies’ new sizzle reel looked good on the video board.  Cat Kelly was in starting for the Aggies.  Coach Jordan was hoping to use some of the bench for this game.  Natalie Mikels looked like she was wearing her hair a bit different.  It looked good.  Up on the video board with a close-up, Julianna Salanoa gave a shattering smile during her intro.  Ooooh, my heart.  Coach Jordan gave the opposing coach a hug and kiss before the game, so they must be friendly. 

Set 1

I was not going to be rooting for the underdogs here.  Before the match, they announced that Raising Canes would be handing out coupons for an Aggie sweep.  Given the volleyball team lost one game on their home court last year, there may be lots of chicken fingers in Aggie fans’ future. 

Honestly, the Aggies looked a bit sloppy coming out of the gate.  This could be lethal against some opponents.  However, the Lady Tigers looked even worse.  Just in the first set, they had two double touch calls and an out-of-rotation call.  The Aggies really didn’t need help from the refs though.  Actually, the Aggies just barely needed to play as the Tigers kept hurting themselves on a bunch of points.

The first time out came at 15-6 Aggies for a media break.  Megan Hart and Taty combined for a block on that point.  Megan pounded out a couple of tremendous kills in the set.  She has turned into what she looked like she could be.  Cat was making the most of her start with some kills.  That girl can really fly.  At 18-8, Jordan George cycled in.  She came out a couple of plays later.  The Coach had her sit next to him for a quick lecture.  Megan hammered another confident kill at 23-15.  25-15 Aggies was the set final.  It was on another double contact by the Tigers.  Cat had 5 kills here.

Set 2: Aggies 1, Lady Tigers 0

Freshman Halle Razo was now wearing the libero shirt for the Aggies.  Adam and PA Ed disagreed on how to pronounce her name.  6’3” freshman Lindsay Blakey also came in.  3-2 Aggies Lindsay got a block.  Then Megan did a set for Savannah Davison, who hit a kill right down the line.  Megan must love getting an assist during a game.  I remember Jordan Abalos, who did everything else on court, just beaming whenever she could set someone. 

6-2 the Grambling bench showed some spirit with some singing and clapping.  That was good to see.  (If the Lobo team did that here, I’d be booing.)  Cat Kelly continued racking up the kills.  Lindsay also slapped down some kills with authority.  14-10 Grambling went on a run and had a good kill on this point.  17-10 Grambling made a great save on a ball way off the court and got it back into play, but Lindsay did get another kill to finish the point. 

Halle took a couple of turns serving during this set.  She couldn’t get it in, but she needs to keep working on it and I’m sure the coach wants her to get it working too.  Halle was essentially serving a knuckleball.  The ball would float over the net with no rotation.  I’m curious how an opposing team would react to having to field one of those. 

24-17 Cat made a solo block.  She’s everywhere.  Krysten Garrison came in right after.  The coach definitely wanted her to get in some work as a setter.  Senior Briana Ainsworth met her coming out and gave her some last moment instructions or a pep talk.  She seemed happy for her to be coming into the game.  Taty served up an ace to end the set 25-17.  Cat finished the set with double digit kills.

Set 3: Aggies 2, Lady Tigers 0

Halftime was now indeed just a five-minute break.  This match was already going by pretty quick.  Jordan George was now in the libero shirt.  As the girls were huddled up, Bri was giving them some fluid out of an eye dropper.  I seriously have no idea what that was.  (Hopefully, this doesn’t turn into an NCAA investigation.  I hate you sanctimonious f’s, by the way.)  The Aggie girls were loose and all smiles.  On the other side of the court, the Lady Tigers were all seated on their bench getting instructions from their coach.   

On the first serve, Jordan G got targeted and came up with the dig.  Savannah came flying in for a kill, 1-0.  Jordan did a good job in her time in with serves, digs, and assists.  All she needed was a different colored shirt apparently.  Krysten was back in and served an ace at 12-6.  16-8 Cat slammed in another kill. 

Analyssa Acosta came in to serve and play at 17-9.  She got a good cheer from the bench and the crowd.  It was good to see her playing.  21-9 crowd-pleasing overpass kill by Lindsay.  Krysten showed some more talent than just setting as she got a kill at 24-12.  She got another at 25-13 to end the set and the match (3-0 Aggies).  The coach might be rethinking her position after those hits.

Cat Kelly was high-scorer for the evening with 13.  Lindsay Blakey had 8.  If there are any more starting injuries (I sure hope not), there seem to be a couple options on the bench that are ready to go.  In the interview after the match, the Coach Jordan said that Lindsay was an enthusiastic recommendation from her high school coach.  (Something like that, I was busy in the bathroom at the time.) 

I think the whole match took under an hour-and-a-half.  The sun wasn’t even down when I got out.  It took me longer to leave the building and get out of the parking lot than it did to play the third set.  The girls swept, so that meant Raising Canes coupons for everyone.  The coupon was a two-for-one offer that was only good for that night and tomorrow.  I called dad and invited him to lunch the next day.  For tonight though, ice cream is for winners!  I scooped out a dish of salted caramel chocolate ice cream at home to celebrate.

NM State Aggie Volleyball August 24 to September 1, 2018

I didn’t mean to do this as a separate post.  It was just supposed to be a quick recap before their first home game.  It just kind of went out of control.

8-24-18

The Aggies went 2-1 at the ASU invitational last week.  I was able to watch their game against the host Sun Devils.  The Aggies had played that morning, so they may have been tired.  When I found all this out later, it changed my opinion of the team’s performance.

The game was streamed over ASU’s website.  I watched about half of it, owing to being at work (and actually having to work).  I noticed Savannah Davison started, along with Jordan Pleasants in as libero.  Julianna Salanoa started, but came out early and I didn’t notice her come back in.  That’s disappointing.  Tatyana Battle has her hair back up in a topknot.  That’s also kind of disappointing. 

Just to cut to it, the Aggies lost in straight sets (3-0): 21-15, 25-17, and 25-18.  The Sun Devils won the first two sets pretty handily.  The final set was close until the end.  I thought the Aggies looked like they waiting around for one of their graduated seniors to come up with the big plays.  However, they might have just been flat from playing earlier in the day.  I need to see the team on fresh legs to get a better sense of their psyche.

The final stats showed Savannah on top with kills at 8.  Megan Hart had 6 blocks.  Newcomers Cat Kelly and Ashley Anselmo were in the game quite a bit and contributing.  I noticed Jordan had a good run on serve in the first set.  There was a great point at 21-13 in that set where the Aggies made two great saves and Savannah finished the point with a kill.  ASU didn’t seem like a very tall team.  In fact, not to be judgmental, but one of their players was a short, fat chick.  That is such a mean thing to say, but regrettably accurate.  She did, however, serve out all three sets, so she could play.

8-31-18 Game 1

Next week on Friday morning, the girls played at an invitational in Albuquerque at the Pit.  The Lobos don’t usually play their volleyball there.  The Aggies would be playing twice today, three times in 27 hours.  Their first opponent was the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.  They brought some fans with them, but I did hear some Aggie cheering.  Adam Young mentioned that FGC just beat Miami and should be one of the Aggies’ toughest challenges all year.  At least the Aggies would be facing them on fresh legs.

Except for Lia Mosher, who was out with ankle injury suffered IN WARM-UPS!  Again, another practice injury.  Adam said it was a freak accident, not from playing hard.  The Aggies would be facing Amanda Carroll on FGC.  She was recruited by Aggies and played in Albuquerque with and against Briana Ainsworth and Tatyana Battle, but decided to hit the beach in Florida instead.  She played very well in the match.  I'm sure Coach Mike Jordan wishes she'd signed with him. 

Set 1 played fairly close.  Taty and Savannah Davison got most of the kills for the Aggies.  At one point, the Aggies were down six, but three attack errors late by Eagles got the score close.  25-20 FGC was the final.  Ashley Anselmo started Set 2 and got three early kills.  However, FGC doubled up the Aggies halfway through behind some good blocking.  As the score got out of hand, freshmen Krysten Garrison and Cat Kelly came in to get some experience.  25-12 FGC, up 2-0 in sets.

Set 3.  A bit desperate for some blocking, 6’3” freshman Lindsey Blakey came in for her first action in college.  She got a block kill with Savannah and a big cheer went up for her.  During a long rally, Adam nearly got in on the action with a Taty and Natalie Mikels nearly crashing into him going for a save.  Taty got her 1000-th kill on a point that got the Aggies within 3.  One point down, Kiley Tonge came into serve and aced it for the tie.  But, that was as close as it got.  25-21 FGC and 3-0 was the final.

Coach Jordan sounded depressed afterward.  Lia would be out for the weekend.   Julianna Salanoa was in in spots.  The coach likes her defense, but she doesn’t produce on offense, which allows the other team to ignore her.  The coach was really disappointed in Megan Hart, who had no kills in the match.  However, she hadn’t been able to practice this week because of classwork and an injection for pain.  Megan’s probably not playing at 100%.  The stat of the match was 11 to 5 FGC in blocks.  Tatyana was the high scorer with 10 kills and 10 digs (that’s the captain).  Savannah had 7 kills and Ashley had 6.

8-31-18 Game 2

A few hours later, I went to an Aggie Soccer match.  About halfway through, Aggie Volleyball's next game started, which I listened to on the radio I'd brought with me to the game.  I was taking notes on both games at the same time, solidifying my status as a total fanboy. 

Volleyball’s opponent was the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.  (At least I got their name, unlike Aggie Soccer's opponent.)  The Colonels were so far winless and 0-9 in sets this season, and they had just played a couple of hours ago.  The Aggies looked good in the first set, winning 25-18.  I have Savannah Davison, Julianna Salanoa, Ashley Anselmo, and Cat Kelly making some big plays.  However, the Colonels did actually make a good comeback in the set from being down big early.

By Set 2, the Soccer match had ended (Yay, Aggie Soccer girls!) and I was in transit, going to work.  I started listening again when I got there.  The Aggies dropped the set in extra points, 29-27.  There were a couple of interesting plays.  Megan Hart actually made a set for someone else's kill.  She was playing much better in the evening.  Perhaps the earlier game got her warmed up.  Julianna made a great kill that Adam Young called “The best swing of her career so far.”  Let's hope that kill flips the switch on her being awesome.   

EKU also took Set 3 in extra points, 27-25.  The Aggies won the fourth 25-18.  The team now had four players with double digit kills.  They then took the fifth set decisively 15-9 and the match 3-2.  Tatyana had 17 kills and 22 digs.  Savannah totally busted out with 22 kills.  Megan and Ashley had 12.  Julianna came up with 6 blocks.  That was one unexpectedly tough win.

9-1-18

Saturday was the big match of the Lobo Classic, the Rio Grande Rivalry between the Aggies and Lobos.  The Lobos came in having won last night over Florida Gulf Coast.  Their game was delayed significantly by the Aggies and Colonels' five-setter and the Lobos played well into the night.  I'd noticed that they'd won last night, because I'd left up the scoring website from the Aggie game and it automatically tracked the next game.  No offense to the Lobos, but I'd wondered how they did it.  Adam Young offhandedly mentioned that FGC star Amanda Carroll had gone down with an injury early in the first set.

There were 1,500 there in the Pit for the match.  Adam figured it to be about 70/30 Lobo to Aggie fans, but there was a significant level of cheering on every point.  Set 1 started off a bit sloppy for both teams, probably both really tense.  Briana Ainsworth, playing in her hometown, had a particularly rough time with a couple of double hit calls.  She even got angry about the calls, something that's hard to imagine the lovely ever-smiling Bri doing. 

It was a set of momentum shifts.  The Aggies went up early, only to have the Lobos come back and take the lead.  Natalie Mikels got a good run on serve and the Aggies tied it.  The game went into extra points and the Aggies took it 26-24.  The Aggies got four aces on serve.  The Lobos' coach wasn't happy with the officiating.  The mic picked him up ranting, “We were robbed!”

Early in Set 2 was the play of the game.  A Lobo player hit a very hard kill over the net.  Savannah Davison had no chance to dig it as it bounced off her chest, and then popped over the net for a kill.  Adam had to stifle a laugh.  Sav herself laughed.  Bridgette Lowe, also from Albuquerque, cycled in and came up with some big kills.  Adam mentioned she even has a bad arm.  The Aggies went on a big run with Bri serving to make it 18-10. 

But the Lobos closed it back up.  Coach Jordan lost two challenges.  Adam mentioned halftime for college volleyball games had been cut to five minutes.  He speculated it was because of the length of time challenges were taking.  Taty had three tries at ending it on match point, before converting it on a kill, 25-23.       

The Aggies came out with a lead again in Set 3.  On one point, Julianna Salanoa hit a kill that was dugout and sent back.  She hit it again and got it on the second try.  Then she got a tip kill to make it 15-8.  And she got a couple of blocks with Ashley Anselmo.  Adam was really impressed with Juli's play this weekend.  I'm looking forward to seeing her this week.  Megan Hart also came up big with blocks and kills.  Sav ended it on the third match point, 25-18 and 3-0 Aggies.  She finished with 15 kills.  Taty got 11 and 11 digs, just like a good team captain.  I hope Lia Mosher heals up next week, because this team has got potential.  

El Paso Chihuahuas vs Tacoma Rainiers 9-3-18

This trip to El Paso for a ballgame was pretty unexpected.  Ron had written me last week and said he was available for the three-day Labor Day weekend and asked who was playing.  I had to reluctantly tell him that there were no Aggie events scheduled.  I sheepishly added that the Chihuahuas were home for those three days, not really expecting he’d interested.  Instead, he was all on-board.  We picked the Monday day game as the best option.  We did this two years ago (9-5-16), but didn’t quite learn our lesson from that game.  Namely, that it would be hot and that walk-up seats are hard to come by at Southwest University Park.

At least thanks to the holiday, the road trip there and back from Las Cruces was an easy one.  Regular traffic, along with all the I-10 construction, is murder otherwise.  Also thanks to the day game and holiday, there were seats available, otherwise probably not.  (If you’re going at night, and definitely on the weekend, reserve them beforehand.)  I felt like I was dealing with a Bedouin trader at the ticket office trying to get two seats together, but we eventually settled on the infamous upper deck Section 216.  We’ll discuss this later. 

We only had a short wait at the gates before the song Let’s Get It Started played at noon and they opened the park.  Inside, we first hit the team shop.  It looked like they’d taken out some merchandise and added some space to move around.  The wall of hats was halved.  That good-looking blue and gold Padres hat wasn’t there, so I wasn’t able to impulse buy one.  I picked up a team set of baseball cards for this year.  Yes, another Chico card.  It was also filled with lots of the players I like from the beginning of the season and some in-season additions, including Francisco Mejia.  But, no Ty France card.  Someday, I need to figure out how much those cool-looking souvenir team baseballs are. 

One of the reasons we picked this Monday game was the advertised special of $2 hot dogs.  Honestly, the bun was a bit stale, but the dog was extremely plump and well-seasoned.  It nearly qualified as a full sausage in the arena of cased meats.  I got mine with an order of fries (I couldn’t find the garlic fries anywhere) and between those two items, I couldn’t eat anything else while at the park.  I was stuffed and burping that hot dog for the next three hours.  I also got the large souvenir cup filled with Mountain Dew, which I would definitely need. 

Ron was on a mission and his well-being was at stake.  He’d been ordered to find a famous Chihuahuas’ nachos dog bowl in red.  His nephew wanted one for a cereal bowl.  I’d had my own unsatisfying experience with this novelty last year (4-19-17).  He thankfully found one and wouldn’t have to dread going back home.  We ate our meals standing at the countertops on the concourse before the game, which is definitely the way to enjoy your meal there, instead of your seat.  I still can’t believe I watched Ron polish off that large bowl of steak strip nachos and that heavy duty hot dog and some of my fries, that I couldn’t finish, inside of 20 minutes.

I saw an article in Baseball America that showed the Chihuahuas were in the top 10 of merchandise marketing for all of minor league baseball.  (The Albuquerque Isotopes are number one.)  So many people there at the park had Chihuahuas t-shirts and jerseys.  Ron and I both had ones on.  I saw several very sharp-looking pinstripe jerseys that I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the team wear.  A bunch of people had on the yellow Diablos shirts that were given away earlier in the season, which made me want one even more now that I’d seen them.  Boy, those must have been hard to get on gameday.  Fans must have been fighting over them.  Even more envy-inducing were the flamboyant staff t-shirts.  I think they were called the “Bark Brigade.”  The exploding red and black shard design made you want to work for the team.    

The Dodgers seemed to be the most represented MLB team, though there were others.  Pretty much everyone was wearing something baseball-related.  However, there were a group of pretzel vendors wearing some El Paso Rhinos hockey sweaters.  Their pretzels looked awesome.  Before I ate, I was planning on going back there to get one and also compliment them on their cool shirts.  Unfortunately, I had no room to eat anything else, even dessert.  Speaking of that, I think I found the most expensive ballpark food there: the $15 sundae at the ice cream stall.  Brutal.  And the rest of their ice cream wasn’t much cheaper.  

     

There was a good crowd there, though there were plenty of empty seats in the shade that were apparently not available.  There were kids, teens, seniors, and everything in-between to make up a good mix.  There was a happy buzz in the air for the game.  I hate to say it, but the usually pristine field looked a bit shabby and patchy.  It’s the end of the season and grass is showing plenty of wear. 

“We’re going to die,” I stated when we got to our seats.  If you’re ballhawking at Southwest University Park, there’s one section you’re guaranteed to get an encounter with at least one foul ball.  That’s Section 216.  Unfortunately, said foul balls will be screaming line drives every time.  Anybody who’s been to the park more than once knows this (and to keep looking up on any balls that hit the roof, because they’ll roll back down into the crowd).  Bringing a mitt (if not catcher’s gear) is recommended.  My mitt was sitting on my kitchen table at home because I was sure I wouldn’t need it, and I couldn’t keep a scorecard with it on anyway. 

I should mention the weather.  There was some threat of rain today, so I did pack a jacket with a hood.  When we left town, it was overcast, but it was fairly nice and cool as a tradeoff.  Just when the game started, all of the clouds disappeared.  Suddenly, it was scorching, like ants getting fried under a magnifying glass scorching.  My sunglasses were also sitting at home by my mitt, as I was sure I wouldn’t need them either.  Thankfully, I did bring the sunblock, which I immediately doused myself in, before I exploded like a vampire in daylight. 

I also brought a solar-powered radio to listen to the game call.  Unfortunately, we were pretty close to a PA speaker.  I didn’t use my earplugs so Ron could hear too.  He was kicking himself that he’d left his little clip radio on his kitchen table.  I reminded him that it wouldn’t have worked anyway, since his only picked up FM, not AM, where the game was.  So, we got the game call, but lost it occasionally with stadium noise.  I angled it in a cupholder to catch some sun.  After having it on for the three hours, it still had a full charge afterward.   

  

Let’s actually talk about the game here against the Tacoma Rainiers.  (The day is coming where I will do a full write-up without mentioning the actual game.  You were warned.)  Colin Rea started for the pups.  The second batter of the game hit a foul that I immediately lost track of in the sky.  From a safety standpoint, this was ominous.  Rea gave up two hits without any damage in the top of the first.

Forrestt Allday (and all night and don’t tell me he’s never used that line on the ladies) led-off.  I was tickled that his walk-up music had his name in it, just like Bruno Teramoto on the Aggies.  The musical choices went all over the place, from Rebel Just for Kicks, to rap, to Latin, and to Country. 

Allday got a hit, but was erased on a double play.  Credit to the Rainiers on turning that, as Carlos Asuaje’s bat shattered in half and flew into the infield.  Their pitcher Casey Lawrence ducked and covered his head.  I’d told Ron to watch a couple of Chihuahuas’ players before the game.  Francisco Mejia and Ty France both came up and singled on cue.  Shane Peterson drove them in with a double.  France slid in under a play at the plate.  2-0 Chihuahuas.      

There were a couple of fan contests between innings where the loser got a bucket of water dumped on them.  In this case, the loser was definitely the winner.  Myself and many of the people in the stands would have loved that relief from the heat.  There was a constant motion in the stands as people were fanning themselves.  I noticed the park took a suggestion I’d made.  They’d sold the seats in the outfield party section to individual fans, which seems like a no-brainer whenever the area isn’t rented out.

Brett Nicholas started off the second with a double and was moved to third on a flyball.  After a strikeout, Allday came up and made an “excuse me” check swing.  Lawrence nearly injured himself trying to get and throw the ball that dribbled out in front of him.  Allday beat it out and Nicholas scored to make it 3-0 Chihuahuas.

The PA played YMCA to start the third.  I noticed a senior lady attendant below trying to lead her section in dancing.  She was a bundle of energy and enthusiasm throughout the game.  In her section was a lovely young woman with truly majestic hair.  She looked like Domino from Deadpool 2.  (The actress, who I don’t know, did a great job in the part, but she didn’t look or act anything like Domino from the comic books.  I can’t believe there wasn’t a joke about that in the movie.)

Rea started the third with a strikeout, but then gave up a walk and a single.  Cameron Rupp then came up and belted one over the centerfield batter’s eye and out of the park.  We were suddenly tied at 3.  The Chihuahuas answered.  Mejia led off with a double in the bottom and Peterson drove him in to make it 4-3 dogs.

In the fourth, an attendant came by and handed out rally towels to everyone in the section.  He told us we’d be on camera between innings.  The towels were also to mop up blood from the inevitable foul ball injury we’d have in the section at some point.  (I’m just kidding.)  Everyone and myself put the towel on top of our heads for shade.

Javy Guerra at short made a great jumping play to start the fourth.  Unfortunately, Garrett Kennedy next doubled in-between Dusty Coleman and Allday.  There was some confusion between them about getting the ball.  Allday then dropped the ball for an error that moved Kennedy to third.  (I got hit a towel that got away from a fan during the play, so I think that’s what happened.)  Sebastian Ochoa drove him in with a sacrifice to tie the score again at 4.  Nicholas threw out a runner at second to end the frame.  And then we were all on camera waving our towels.          

  

The bottom of the fourth began with a new pitcher for the Rainiers.  I didn’t catch his full name and he wasn’t on the program.  (Neither were their next two relievers.)  He shutdown the Chihuahuas with a couple of strikeouts.  In the fifth, an ATV with a t-shirt cannon drove around.  Ron had offered to get a refill on my drink last inning.  (This is why you get the souvenir cup.  Refills are $2.  I guess you could use that cup all year.)  When I got up at the time to let him by, I realized my pants were soaking wet with sweat.  He returned this inning with the drink and I was very grateful. 

The fifth was Rea’s last inning.  He gave up an opening hit and then the runner stole second.  Next was a hard line out to right.  From our seats, we could see the Chihuahuas’ bullpen below and that a reliever started getting warmed up.  Rea noticed too.  He struck out the next batter looking and got an infield popup to end it.  The pups went down in order in the bottom.  Andrew Aplin made a great leaping catch at the wall for the third out.

The grounds crew came out to drag the infield in the seventh.  They did a dance number to Earth Wind and Fire’s September.  Next, we had the play of the game.  The sun went behind a cloud for a few minutes.  This was great, because I was getting a bit woozy by this point.  Carter Capps came in and I finally got a good look at his peculiar pitching motion.  Thankfully, there was no controversy about it this time.  Unfortunately, it turned into a rough inning.  Guerra made an error on the first batter, who scored on a hit by Rupp.  5-4 Rainiers. 

Trevor Frank came in for the Rainiers in the sixth.  He set the pups down in order then.  In the seventh, he gave up a walk around three strikeouts.  There was a foul ball by the third base line.  The Rainier fielder missed it and it bounced into the crowd.  A fan fell backward on the steps trying to get it.  I think he was okay afterward.  Peterson, who’d gone 2 for 3 with 3 RBI’s for the pups, was also taken out in the seventh for some reason.   

In the eighth, there was a kids’ contest where two little bitty kids tried to put on adult-sized baseball pants and put on a helmet and run around.  The little girl seemed confused by the whole affair.  The little boy tried to run in the pants and faceplanted.  Dad had to carry him off crying.  Ahh.  A Rainier hit a foul grounder.  Three fans with gloves missed the ball.  Boo!  Just to make them look worse, Nicholas made a backhanded catch of a foul right after. 

Simba cam!  To the tune of music from The Lion King, parents held up their kids for the camera.  To start the ninth, there was a dizzy bat race with three contestants.  Andy Imfeld the MC pronounced two of them cheaters and gave the prize to the guy who fell down twice trying to run.  Here we go!  It took the whole game, but here was the line drive into our section.  Thankfully, it went over our heads a few rows up.  I was glad that I at least saw it coming.  Kazuhisa Makita pitched a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts.

There was a dramatic movie clip on the video board of guys pounding their chests before the bottom of the inning.  I wish I knew what movie it was from to attribute it.  It was a crowd participation moment to get the team fired up.  On the other side of the stadium, there was a guy in a sombrero who was leading his section in clapping.  He must be a season ticket holder.  You could actually hear him shouting during radio broadcasts all season. 

I hand it to the crowd.  In spite of the heat, they stayed to the end.  Allen Craig began the inning with a walk.  Nicholas hit a dying line drive to left, but Ochoa made a diving catch for the first out.  The next two batters struck out to end the game.  5-4 Rainiers was the final.  The game went about two hours, 45-minutes.  I didn’t get the attendance numbers, but the game was well-attended.  A local news station had a crew there and did a story on the team, which I saw later.  The gist was that the team was popular with El Pasoans and had been a benefit to the downtown area.  I’d say that was about correct.

I think we can hand this game to the Rainiers’ bullpen, because I don’t think the Chihuahuas suddenly forgot how to hit later in the game.  Trevor Frank in particular went three innings and only gave up a walk.  For offense, Cameron Rupp went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI’s, including a three-run homer.  The Chihuahuas did not help themselves as they had two errors and both came around to score.  As I mentioned, Shane Peterson had a good game for the dogs.  I don’t know why he was taken out.  I’m blaming Ron for the loss, since that’s what’s happened every time I’ve come in with just him.

Kyle Lloyd was warming up in the bullpen for a possible tenth.  After the game was over, he tossed his ball to the crowd.  A bullpen coach or another player who was wearing a jacket handed out some balls to kids.   I went over my scorecard afterward and I only mis-added two things, so I’m calling it a success, especially considering I was experiencing a small amount of heat delirium while filling it out.  I did, foolishly, forget to look at the official line score on the video board.

We stuck around after the game for several minutes as the crowd filed out.  By the gates, a vendor was offering free leftover lemonade, since the ice had melted.  It was delicious.  A sax player was serenading the crowd outside.  I flipped a buck into his case just for the ambiance. 

We stopped at Sam’s Club on the way back so Ron could pick up some things and then we ate at Jack-in-Box back in Las Cruces.  I just had a couple of tacos, since I was still sort of full from the hot dog.  I suggested getting ice cream at Schlotzsky’s.  Oh wait, they got rid of their ice cream machine, thus ruining my life.  Besides, ice cream is for winners!  Actually, even with the loss and the extreme loss of water weight, we both had a great time at the game.  The Chihuahuas are doing a good job of taking care of their fans and putting a good product on field.

NM State Aggies vs Northern Illinois Soccer 8-31-18

Erm . . . Apparently I didn't catch the name of the other team.  This is a bit embarrassing right off the bat, especially given how many recaps I may be writing over my vacation week.  We're going to be doing some hard core Aggie-ing this week.  Starting here on Friday, I'd already listened to the Aggie Volleyball this morning (which I'll recap later).  Since I'd gone into work early the day before, I was going to be coming in late today so I could see Aggie Soccer.  I probably should have just taken the day off, but I couldn't since it was month end. 

The weather more-or-less cooperated.  It was 97 degrees and I could see it was raining by the mountains.  However, the clouds didn't come into town and it wasn't anywhere near as humid as last weekend's game.  Stepping out of my truck in the parking lot, I once again decided I'd be using an umbrella and I'd be getting a Gatorade.  I was greeted with the strong smell of skunk.  Then I noticed the guy coughing in the slot next to me and realized it was that other thing that smells like skunk. 

Yes, there was some parties going in the parking lot.  There were two different tents with tailgaters.  I was unintentionally rude to one of them, as I think one of them invited me over.  I was too surprised to take them up on it.  I was friendlier inside as Danny was there and he came over to chat.  I told him about the volleyball this morning.  He didn't think the team would be very good this year.  He'd been here at the pitch for the last game (I never saw him) and he doubted this team would be good either.  Out on field, I could see some reason for skepticism.  Goalie Dmitri Fong was out on field with team, but wearing a boot. 

I also saw the son of a co-worker, Rito, on the sidelines with a TV camera.  He'd been hired by Aggievison after graduation.  I told him his mom sent me there to check up on him.  On the other side of the field, I looked over the NIU . . . umm . . . team (for lack of a better name).  They looked tall and lean.  A little more height and they could also be the volleyball team.  They brought a few fans with them.  You could likely say the same about the Aggies, but the stands filled in later.  Quite a few students from other teams were there.

First Half

Okay, we're ready for some soccer!  15 seconds into the match, Alexa Barrera passed it to Katie Martinez in front of the NIU net and Goooooooal!  1-0 Aggies.  Apparently, we weren't all ready soccer, or the Aggies just shoved it down their throats.  That was rather startling.  Danny came over a minute later and said, “It's too early to tell me to eat my words.” 

It was Bark at the Park day.  There were a few dogs in attendance.  A group of pretty girls, maybe the Swim and Dive team again, sat nearby and put up signs for their favorite player, Kayleigh Cox.  One of the girls brought in a friendly black lab and sat next to me.  I immediately made friends with the dog (not so much with the very pretty girl).  He was a sweet pooch, but his owner later took him out on the much more comfortable grass to lie down on. 

Oh, the match was still going on.  (I was so distracted by the dog.)  37' left in the half, Mia Montano, the freshman Aggie goalie, made a good punch save.  I missed Coach Rob Baarts' interview on the Aggie Coaches Show earlier this week.  I e-mailed host Adam Young if there was anywhere to re-listen to it.  He sent me an audio clip of the interview.  What a swell guy.  I found out Mia was starting because the team had not only lost Dmitri to injury, but also backup, Ashley Martin.  He'd had to press Mia into immediate service. 

35' there was a foul on field.  “Are you kidding me!” screamed an overly dramatic voice.  I think the fan wasn't being serious, as he laughed afterward.  Actually, the fans were somewhat less obnoxious today (note I said “somewhat”).  I think a few parents weren't there.  I didn't see it on-field, but did in the game notes, that my dear Aileen Galicia got a yellow card.  I'm well familiar with her angel face and her rough play.  This might have been the play she got carded on.  NIU's free kick just went over the net. 

The game went back and forth.  26' Aileen led a breakaway, but at 24' NIU came back and forced Mia to make a save.  21' Aileen took a great shot well outside the box and nearly got it.  20' Aileen passed to Rebecca Mazzie (that’s her in the poster above to the right), who came close.  15' Kayleigh Cox cycled in to the screams of her friends there.  13' the NIU goalie, Megan Donnally, made another good save on a shot outside the box.  7' some members of the football team came in.  I don't know who they were.  (Tyler Rogers and maybe Larry Rose III were the only guys I could ever recognize.) 

“Get wide Number 9!”  I really don't know what that means, but I kept hearing from someone in the crowd.  It was more confusing than irritating.  3' NIU had a great chance here with a one-on-one breakaway, but the attacker and the defender both went down in the box at the same time.  Perhaps that was why there wasn't a foul called.  2' Aileen ran down a loose ball and took a good solo shot.  1' Alexa stripped the goalie and took a shot to end the half.

Halftime

“You can rest at halftime!” Not to say that there weren't still some obnoxious parents there.  I heard that during the half.  There was another fan soccer skills competition with a foam finger as the prize.  I think they were giving those away before the match on the courtesy table.  I decided not to take one.  DJ Downs ruled the contest a tie and that both guys should get a . . . finger.  (That doesn't sound right.)  Unfortunately, the marketing girl only had one with her.  A bit later, she found the other guy in the crowd and gave him a finger too.  (That still doesn't sound right.)

The pretty girls near me left and took their signs with them, though not before taking pictures with them in front of a goal.  Some other girls from the Swim and Dive team came in and sat in front of the stands.  One of them was a striking tall blonde with a bob haircut.  I need to check out their roster.  Speaking of pretty female athletes, the Aggie Volleyball team was about to play their next game of the day.  I had brought my little portable radio for it and listened during the second half.  I'll recap it later and not confuse you with double play-by-play.  (Ugh, I mixed them both together in my notes.)

Second Half

In spite that very early score, this was not going to be a blow out.  Both teams were going to have to work for it.  44' Emma Smith took a corner shot on goal.  41' NIU came back and hit the scoreboard over the Aggie goal.  35' Audriana Chavez made a crossing pass to Aileen, who took the shot.  Donnally had to make a diving stop.  34' Mia pushed out a ball on a corner kick.  31' Gooooooooal!  Becca put it in an open net on a great crossing pass by Emma.  2-0 Aggies.          

I was a bit distracted by an odd sight at the nearby football field.  A bunch of girls in white shirts were walking up and down the berm behind the pressbox.  That hill slopes about 45 degrees and would be a heck of a workout, especially in 97 degree heat.  Kids go sledding down that hill.  They walked down it backward and then walked forward going up.  I found out from Danny later at a volleyball game, that it was the softball team out there.  Coach Rodolph is brutal on the girls.    

From here, the Aggies dominated most of the time of possession.  Becca took a couple more shots and hit the crossbar once.  The girls were doing a good job of passing in their attacks.  Donnally was able to stop the shots.  17' She made a loud scream as she ran into a crowd in the box to grab a ball.  It worked.  I did notice she was very loud during the match. 

11' Aileen had come out earlier, but came back in here.  She said, “Hi,” to one of the NIU defenders by leveling her with a hip check.  Aileen should have played hockey.  She's a natural.  7' Mia made a good catch on a long shot.  4' Alexa took a good shot that Donnally made another good save on.  2' Aggie defender Kelly Burton somehow got in on an attack.  She made a high, soft kick that just floated over Donnally and into the net.  Goooool! 

3-0 Aggies was the final.  The goalie was clearly angry about that last one getting in, but I don't know how she could have stopped it.  After the match, Kelly got some big hugs from her teammates, who were very happy for her.  The girls came out to midfield and gave their applauding fans a jaunty wave.  Later, at work, I looked at the team Twitter feed.  This was Coach Baarts first win as a head coach.  A couple other Aggie coaches tweeted congratulations.  There was also a video interview with him posted.  (Maybe it was Rito doing the footage.)  He took a moment to praise Megan Donnally for her opposing work in goal.  That was a nice gesture.

I needed to get to work, but I'd dropped my mechanical pencil under the stands at some point.  I needed that pencil for my upcoming trip to see the Chihuahuas so I could fill out my scorecard.  I ducked and half-crawled under the grandstand supports and got it.  When I came out, a lady appeared and asked if I could get her spray bottle, which she'd dropped.  Somehow, I managed to get in and out twice without hitting my head.  Before leaving, I also ran into the Old Man, Tom.  We said, “Hi,” and he commented on how intense I look when I'm taking notes.  I've heard that from someone else.  Maybe I'm scaring people off.  I don't feel like I'm concentrating that hard.  

Driving out of the parking lot, I actually had my personal game highlight.  Softball Coach Kathy Rodolph was walking out to her car.  She'd probably been working at the nearby softball field.  I stopped and called to her and congratulated her on last season.  She was very gracious and pleased with the recognition.  This wasn't a great place for a conversation, but I did ask about her assistant Kat Heifner coming back.  The Coach thought the team would be really good next season with Kat instructing the hitters.  As if the team could realistically get much better.  (The rest of the conference just soiled their pants.)  Kathy was able to focus more on recruiting and had gotten a bunch of new players. 

Under other circumstances, I would have loved to have talked to her some more.  (Perhaps asking her about her insane conditioning program for the team, if I’d known it was them out there climbing the hill.)  Coach said she hoped see me out at the park again next season.  Oh my, she recognized me.  Is that good or bad?  If it was bad, hopefully I've changed her mind.  I'm a regular now aren't I?  I'm the weirdo with the notebook.  I was still listening to the volleyball game as I left.  Work proved to be a very long busy night, even showing up late, but I was really glad I went to this game.  I may try this again next month. 

Baseball Journal August 28-31, 2018

8-28-18

The story of the night was the Richmond Flying Squirrels.  (Disclaimer: your baseball story of the night might be completely different and probably is.)  Once again, it was a light baseball night for me.  I tuned into the Squirrels early in the evening.  Yesterday, they thought they were far away from setting an ignominious record for scoreless innings.  Well, there they were in the sixth inning, still scoreless and now holding a new record.

The crowd there seemed well aware of the situation.  In the bottom of the sixth, when a runner got to third, they actually cheered.  In the seventh, the Squirrels got runners on second and third with nobody out.  After a pop-up out, catcher Jeff Arnold came to bat and ended the streak at 33 1/3 innings definitely with a three-run homer. 

Unfortunately, the Squirrels’ losing streak continued.  The next inning there was a play at the plate with Arnold and the runner was ruled safe.  The Reading Fightin’ Phils would go on to win.  The announcers doubted the call at the plate, but there’s no replay in Double-A.  “We need cameras first,” said one of the guys.  The play and the result also ruined the storyline for the night.  The announcers were too depressed to do their usual haiku afterward.

There was a big matchup in the MLB between the A’s and the Astros fighting for first in the AL West.  I probably would have been more interested in the game, except the MLB.TV free game had me under a local blackout for video.  Yes, Houston is “local” to me in Las Cruces, New Mexico in the sense that we’re on the same continent.

I didn’t really like the Astros’ radio call, so switched to the A’s, which was a little less grating.  They were reporting a sellout tonight in Houston.  Probably not coincidently, it was the fourth time this season the team had offered replica World Series rings.  The other three times were also sellouts.  For their own team, the announcers reported that there’s another city council proposal for a new stadium.  Good luck on that, unless you guys win a World Series yourselves this year. 

The A’s announcers also promoted a “town hall” meeting between ownership and the fans.  They said that several fan suggestions had been implemented at the park from previous meetings.  Given that Oakland’s other two pro sports teams are deserting them, this is the A’s opportunity to own the town.  With enough community outreach, maybe they can get a new stadium. 

As for the game, it was close and tense.  The Astros had loaded the bases when I started listening and then the stream suddenly stopped like last night.  Reloading the page didn’t help; it would repeat the last minute I’d heard and stop in the same place.  I gave up after a couple of tries, figuring I’d already missed the drama of the current situation.  Between weirdness and the blackouts, this really isn’t selling the MLB.TV service to me.  The A’s ended up beating the Astros 4-3.  It’s a one-game lead for the Astros for now.           

I turned over to the Chihuahuas’ game.  They were in Fresno, playing the Grizzlies, who may be their opponent when the playoffs start.  I struck by a couple of things I was heard in the background.  On a routine flyball out by the Chihuahuas, there was the sound effect of Apu from The Simpsons saying, “Thank you.  Come again.”  The PA announced that anyone retrieving a foul ball could bring it to the service desk and receive a prize, “And you get to keep the ball.”  

Tim Hagerty was talking about the team’s impromptu airline arrangements to get to Fresno.  He received a phone call from airline while he was on the air, which he couldn’t take, obviously.  He hoped they were letting him know that his bags had finally arrived, “Otherwise, I’ll need to do some shopping tomorrow.”  As for the game, I’d tuned in in the middle of an inning, but wasn’t sure which one or what the score was.  After the Chihuahuas’ second error of the game let in a run, Tim finally reported that it was 8-0 in the third.  Suddenly, I had other things to do and watch.  I came back for the end.  The pups did make a bit of a comeback with the final being 9-4 Grizzlies. 

8-29-18

Oh, no!  Tonight’s Dizzykitten stream is her last until she comes back from Korea.  Thank goodness, I’m off next week too.  I’d miss her if I was here at work without her stream.  Not sure which Korea she’s going to.  If it’s North Korea, Trump and the US Seventh Fleet may have to go there to get her back from Kim Jung Un.  If it’s South Korea, she obviously has elaborate plot to kidnap K-Pop boy band BTS.  (BTS will refused to be rescued.) 

Oh yeah, baseball.  The MLB.TV free game tonight was the Cardinals versus Pirates.  I missed the play of the game in the fourth, or should I say hurl.  Matt Carpenter barfed at first base and had to leave the game for nausea.  The Cardinals’ announcers mentioned that the team has had a bunch of injuries, which has resulted in a bunch of call-ups.  If the Chihuahuas make it to the PCL Championship, this might be helpful.  The Pirates won 2-0 and the Cardinals lost their lunch.

I came into the Chihuahuas/Grizzlies’ game in the sixth, as the pups were in the middle of sending eight-straight batters in a row as they batted around.  Ty France singled in a run, Shane Peterson hit a three-run homer, and Raffy Lopez tripled in two runs, which led to a 6-0 lead.  Starter Colin Rea pitched five scoreless innings.      

However, the Grizz made a comeback in the eighth.  They loaded the bases and a run was walked in.  Kyle McGrath came in and struck out the side, but gave up a double that scored two more runs to make it 6-3.  Rowan Wick came out in the ninth for a no-drama save.  Chihuahuas won 6-3.  That’s a team record 80 wins.

8-30-18

It was a little strange to hear Aggie Football on a Thursday at 5:00.  They were playing Minnesota on the road.  This was a “money game,” though not a “big money” game for the program.  The Aggies did give them a game for about a quarter and a half.  Matt Romero’s first interception led to a 7-0 lead for MN.  But after a subsequent fumble recovery by the Aggie defense, Romero hit Izaiah Lottie on a fade in the endzone to tie it.  To start the second quarter, the Dylan Brown hit a career-long 45-yard field goal to give the Aggies a 10-7 lead. 

The Aggie defense came up with a big sack next, but right after, gave up a big play.  That series lead to another Golden Gopher touchdown, 14-10 MN.  Romero was nearly intercepted again, but the officials waved it off.  Aggie special teams got off a tremendous fake punt to keep a drive going.  The team went down to the MN 21 and went for it on a fourth and one and didn’t make it.  I’m not going to say the Aggies would have won this game, but that coaching decision probably took points off the board. 

The Gophers would score another touchdown to make it 21-10.  The Aggies went three and out, which was bad, but the runback for another touchdown was likely backbreaking.  The half closed out at 31-10.  The rest of the game, which I admittedly didn’t listen to (I was busy at work), the Gophers pretty much ran it out.  48-10 Minnesota was the final. 

The shocking difference in the stats was the running game: Aggies 38 yards, Gophers 295.  The sacks were 4 to 0 in Minnesota’s favor.  As Jack Nixon observed, the Aggies were one-dimensional on offense, actually out-passing MN, but it made them way too predictable.  Turnovers were even at 1.  I am encouraged by that.

I did start watching the MLB.TV free game between the Tigers and the Yankees in the second half.  It was 7-5 Yankees in the top of the ninth with Dellin Betances in to close.  After one out, I stepped away for a minute.  When I came back Victor Martinez was getting congratulated in the dugout.  He’d just hit a tying two-run homer.  Next up, Niko Goodrum hit a solo, go-ahead homer which would be the 8-7 Tigers game-winner.  Both shots just cleared the short porch in right field.  Heh, heh, heh.  When they were designing the new Yankee Stadium did anyone say something like, “Hey, other teams might be able to take advantage of this design flaw.”

I listened a little to the Chihuahuas and the Grizzlies.  The Grizz led 3-0 for much of the game.  They added a couple more in the eighth.  The pups scratched out a run in the ninth.  Brett Nicholas struck out to end the game with a 5-1 loss.  He tossed his bat and tried to argue his way into an ejection for some reason.  Tim Hagerty made an interesting statistical observation during the game.  El Paso and Fresno probably have that best current lineups of the contending PCL teams.  However, in the baseball, the best teams only win about 60% of the time. 

8-31-18

After listening to an Aggie Volleyball match this morning, going to an Aggie Soccer match this afternoon, and listening to another Aggie Volleyball match this evening, you’ll forgive me if I’m a bit sports-ed out.  Not to mention, I was running our month end processing tonight.  I wasn’t even interested in tonight’s Chihuahuas/Rainiers game when I saw the 6-1 Tacoma score after seven innings.  I almost didn’t listen.  What a mistake that would have been. 

In the top of the eighth, the umps got together and chatted.  Tim Hagerty didn’t know why until Chihuahuas’ reliever Carter Capps threw his first pitch and was warned about his delivery.  Capps has had run-ins with the umps before about his hop-step, but hadn’t been called on it in five previous appearances.  His catcher, Raffy Lopez, immediately turned around started arguing, which was grounds for a quick ejection.  Manager Rod Barajas was also tossed right after.  Capps had to change his delivery and couldn’t pitch.  After walking a batter, he had to be taken out.  Brad Wieck finished the inning.

In the bottom, Ty France cranked a two-run homer to make it 6-3.  How about this kid?  Wieck polished off the top of the ninth and went two shutout innings with six strikeouts.  Tim said at the time, “If the Chihuahuas come back and win this, they should thank Wieck for these shutdown innings.”

We went to the bottom of the ninth down three.  On the first pitch, Brett Nicholas hit a solo home run to make it 6-4.  Dusty Coleman doubled and Auston Bousfield singled and moved him to third.  Nick Shultz then hit a sacrifice to bring in Dusty and make it 6-5.  Are you believing yet?  Forrestt Allday walked.  Carlos Asuaje flied out.  And look who’s up next.  Ty France pounded a ball over the center fielder’s head, bringing both runners, and winning the game 7-6!  “It’s over!” yelled Tim. 

The Chihuahuas had a 4:00 am plane ride to get to El Paso this morning.  Tim admitted to being exhausted even only calling the game, much less playing.  The two ejections might have lit a fire under the dogs tonight and got them going.  That’s 17 home wins in a row. 

I’m off next week.  No posts, but I will hopefully come back several reports from live events, including today’s.