Baseball Journal June 4-8, 2018

6-4-18

I thought I was going to get shutout today on baseball.  The Chihuahuas had the day off and the MLB.TV free game was on earlier in the day.  Thankfully, there was still baseball on television on FOX Sports Arizona with the Diamondbacks visiting the Giants.  It’s not been convenient for me to watch the TV in the break room at work.  Today, I got things done quick enough that I was able eat my dinner there with the pregame on.  Actually, I enjoyed seeing that.  It made me sort of wish I was able to do this at home on a nightly basis. 

On the MLB Network, it was Draft day.  They’re trying to make a big deal out of it like the NFL or NBA draft, but generally it takes years to groom a professional ballplayer.  These players won’t be making an impact on their teams for quite a while, so it’s hard to get excited in that respect.  However, we are eagerly waiting to see where and when Aggie standout pitcher, Kyle Bradish, is going to go.  The MLB Network goes all out for the production.  If there hadn’t been a game on that I was interested in, I might have watched it more than just peeking in.

The game in San Francisco started with a moment of silence for the passing of iconic 49’er Dwight Clark today.  As a former Cowboys fan (now I don’t like anybody in the NFL), I wish I could forget “The Catch.”  It was a typical cold, windy June evening by the bay.  The crowd mics were turned way up.  The hot dog guy was at times overpowering the commentators.  Derek Holland, the “Dutch Oven,” started for the Giants.  Pablo Sandoval, looking much slimmer than in previous years, was playing first with Brandon Belt out for a burst appendix.             

Holland struck out the side to begin the game.  Later, Bob Brenly was complaining about the strike zone, but only from the D-Backs’ side.  (He has gotten way too homer to listen to.)  The ump was calling a wide zone for both teams.  Derek got in trouble in the fourth, as he went to deep counts on several batters and walked two.  He got Buster Posey crossed up behind the plate, forcing an acrobatic save.  Buster had to burn two mound visits in the inning.  Then, Ketel Marte spanked a hard double to the gap to score both runners to make it 2-0 D-Backs.

I got busy with work at that point.  About ten minutes later, I looked in and it was 2-2.  The Giants had started off the bottom with a pair of solo home runs.  The next time I looked, it was 7-2 Giants and the inning was still going.  I sort of gave up on the game at that point, since I’d missed so much.  I was also distracted watching Twitch.  A couple of guys in a chat room for a girl streamer, Amourettie, donated a huge number of subs for her.  She was rendered speechless at one point.  It was compelling to watch.

The Giants won 10-3.  Seagulls were attacking the field in the background during the postgame.  One of the game highlights was the camera catching a kid switching team jerseys and hats trying to get autographs and balls.  I applaud the effort.

6-5-18

I peeked in the Orioles versus the Mets in NYC on MLB.TV’s free game.  There was a gorgeous photographer lady in the camera well when I started watching.  However, the most impressive event I saw was Asdrubal Cabrera making a great play at second to throw out Chris Davis at home on an infield grounder.  The O’s won 2-1.

In Omaha, the Chihuahuas played the Storm Chasers for the second game of the series.  There was a large crowd there with a bunch of Little Leaguers.  The pups sent nine men to the plate in the first and scored four runs.  There was even the classic ball-falling-between- three-fielders hit. 

“Sparkman fires it home.”  Tim was referring to the Chasers’ pitcher, Glenn Sparkman.  He immediately apologized and then added, “I also could have said, ‘Burns fires in the ball from the outfield,’” referring to Billy Burns on their team.  I’m guilty, too.  Whenever Tim mentions Chihuahua Franklin Allday doing something on field, I mentally say, “And all night.”

In spite of the great start, the pups would cool off and the Chasers would tie the score and take the lead in the sixth.  In the seventh, a Brett Nicholas’ flyball would get lost in the lights in the outfield and allow the Chihuahuas to tie it.  But, a Chasers’ home run in the eighth decided it.  6-5 Storm Chasers.

In other baseball news that made the rounds, Tim Lincecum was released by the Texas Rangers.  I don’t think he made it out of Triple-A for them.  Everyone is wondering if some else will give Timmy a chance.        

6-6-18

I have to make a little non-baseball aside here.  I was listening to ESPN Radio briefly this morning waiting for something else to come on.  Stephen A. Smith was going on about Lebron calling Trump a “bum,” and that Trump hasn’t answered back because Lebron is more popular than he is and is probably afraid of him.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!  (Jdh417 has to catch his breath.)  Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! 

I needed a good laugh.  Ah, Google has already screwed with my blog a couple of times for these kind of comments.  The only thing left is for them to do is delete it, at which point I can stop obsessively compulsively doing all this pointless writing.  I should thank them in advance.  

Here was a good matchup on the MLB.TV free game.  It was the Cubs and Phillies at Wrigley with Aaron Nola versus Jose Quintana.  There was a full house there, too.  WGN wasn’t broadcasting the game, but it was Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies on the call like always.  I miss watching Cubs’ games all through the summer.  The camera crew there does a great job of finding cute girls in the crowd and kids having a good time. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to sit down and watch until later.  In the meantime, I listened to the Chihuahuas take on the Storm Chasers again.  There were actual storms in the area.  Tim Hagerty was hoping to get the game in before they hit.  In the second, Allen Craig got the scoring started with a home run.  After a triple by Carlos Asuaje in the fourth, Craig sacrificed him in to make it 2-0.  In the bottom though, a Chasers’ two-run homer tied it. 

Tim was getting increasingly nervous about the weather.  He mentioned how many games they’d missed in Omaha this season for snow and rain.  Shane Peterson hit another Chihuahua triple in the sixth, but didn’t score.  In the eighth, Luis Urias would homer to give the pups a 3-2 lead.  In the ninth, radar was definitely showing rain on the way.  Tim wondered if they could finish the game in time.  The Chasers got two on with one out, but a double play ended it.  3-2 Chihuahuas.  I don’t know if it started raining right after or not.

I picked the Cubs/Phillies game up in the sixth with the Cubs up 3-0.  I saw a replay of Anthony Rizzo hitting a moonshot home run to right center.  But right after I started watching, Aaron Altherr, with a sub .200 average, cranked a three-run homer to tie it.  Steve Cishek hadn’t given up a home run all year either.  Work with that, Sabermetricians.  Nola came out after six, and Seranthony Dominguez came in in the eighth. 

Cut to the ninth, Brandon Morrow, who also hadn’t given up a home run all year, gave up a two-run shot to Dylan Cozens.  He also walked Dominguez on seven pitches and Seranthony didn’t swing once.  Phillies up 5-3.  But this was Wrigley.  It’s not over until the fat umpire sings.  Seranthony let on two in the bottom.  A new pitcher came in and walked the bases full. 

A play at the plate on a fielder’s choice got the Phillies to two outs.  But, after a pair misplays earlier in the inning, the catcher didn’t try to turn two on the play, which would have ended the game.  Jason Heyward came up.  The camera started focusing on a lady basically praying for something good to happen.  How about a walk-off grand slam?  7-5 Cubs final.  The crowd went nuts and started singing.  I’m sorry dad wasn’t watching.  He always liked the crowd singing.  The field reporter, Kelly, started to interview Heyward afterward.  He started off with, “Heads up!” to warn her about the Gatorade shower he received a moment later.

6-7-18

 

I tuned in in the middle of the pre-game chat between Tim Hagerty and Steve Kaplowitz.  They were discussing the weather yesterday in Omaha.  Since he's hooked up to electrical equipment during the game, Tim is a bit anxious about storms in the area.  Once, he did get a little shock in his ears from a lightning bolt nearby. 

I was really busy in the evening.  I had the game on and was listening, but wasn't entirely paying attention.  I totally missed the MLB.TV free game.  Tim did mention early that the Storm Chaser relievers were dancing in the bullpen to the walkup music.  I heard Allen Craig get the scoring started in the fourth with a home run.  I missed the play of the game with the Storm Chaser third baseman making a great catch on a foul and then falling into the stands. 

Carlos Asuaje had a rough game defensively with two errors on a routine plays.  Tim wondered if there was something wrong with him.  Starter Walter Lockett was having a great game.  He didn't give up his first hit until the fifth.  At this point, I totally lost concentration on the game.  While I was on my break, I flipped on the Stanley Cup hockey match and also discovered that the US Women's Soccer team was playing.  Everything basically finished at the same time, and I was working. 

The Capitals came back in the third period to win the game and the series and claim their first Cup.  I can't believe all the scoring that went on in this series and how intense it was at times (from what little I saw).  I missed the big story, though.  Some woman went to the glass and flashed her boobs during the victory celebration.  Obviously, she was a DC lobbyist.  Meanwhile, Team USA was playing China in a friendly.  My ultimate sports crush, Alex Morgan, would score the only goal of the game.  USA!  USA!  USA!  That's my girl.

In Omaha, the Chihuahuas were down 4-2 in the ninth.  They loaded the bases with two outs.  The pups scored on a full-count walk, and then took the lead on a Forrestt Allday hit.  In the bottom, Kazuhisa Makita came in to close.  He started out okay, but then gave up three hits, the last of which ended the game at 6-5 Storm Chasers.  Adalberto Mondesi, Raul Mondesi's son, got the winning hit.

6-8-18

The MLB.TV matchup was a good one between the Brewers and the Phillies.  Well, the matchup was good, not so much the game itself.  The game started with two quick outs, then two walks.  The Philadelphia crowd voiced their appreciation.  Then Ryan Braun hit a three-run homer, at which point the boo birds really came out.  By the second, it was 5-0 Brewers.  By the fifth, it was 11-1 Brewers.  I'd missed much of the game and even forgot to write down the final score.  I think it was 12-4 Brewers.  Braun had two homers. 

In the eighth, a guy in the stands got hit by a shattered bat.  It might have gotten him in the head.  The players on the field were in some shock.  The guy acted like he was okay.  He made sure to get that bat shard.  He seemed pissed that he had to leave for a medical checkup.  He was still holding the bat as he left.  Also of note were the Phillies' announcers.  They were total homers, but they weren't boo'ing the players like real Philly fans.  And, why the hell would you people still be bitter, you got a damn Superbowl!

The Chihuahuas were playing the I-Cubs.  The pups got off to a fast start in the first by loading the bases with nobody out.  They ended up scoring four for the inning.  The I-Cubs scratched their way back in over the game.  In the eighth, they loaded the bases, but the Chihuahuas escaped with the lead, 4-3.  In the ninth with two outs, Diego Goris committed an error to extend the inning, but the Chihuahuas held on for a 4-3 win.  The I-Cubs left 11 runners on base.  They had their chances.

The Diamondbacks were playing the Rockies in Denver tonight, so I turned on the break room TV to catch some of the game.  I love the stadium there and like the Rox.  It was 5-4 D-Backs in the sixth.  Pitcher Zach Greinke singled in a run to make it 6-4.  Apparently earlier in the game, Rockies starter German Marquez also had an RBI hit.  Even pitchers can hit at Coors Field.  I just got in a couple of peeks at the game.  The final was 9-4 D-Backs.  Paul Goldschmidt hit two home runs.  He seems to have gotten his swing back.

Baseball Journal June 1-3, 2018

6-1-18

The MLB.TV free game was another good one.  This was between the Braves and the Nationals.  Who would have thought these two teams would be battling for their division?  It was Mike Foltynewicz versus Stephen Strasburg on the mound.  It was 0-0 into the seventh.  Dansby Swanson battled Strasburg for several pitches before belting a two-run homer.  An Atlanta fan with a mitt dropped it and it fell into the bullpen.  Folt pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout.  He struck out Bryce Harper to end the game.  2-0 Braves.  I saw a closeup of Trea Turner in the game for the first time.  He looks like he's 16 years old.

In El Paso, it was about 102 degrees to start the game for the Chihuahuas and the Rivercats.  The Sandlot promotion game is tomorrow.  The actor who played “Smalls” was interviewed on Sportstalk.  (I missed it.)  Hunter Pence didn't have a good rehab, but was called back to the Giants today.  The first three Rivercat batters all collected hits.  The last one was a three-run homer. 

It didn't get much better for the Chihuahuas after that.  The Rivercats kept adding on.  The pups managed a run off a series that went walk, walk, wild pitch, sac fly.  The classic run without a hit.  In the ninth, they even lost a runner at third in a rundown on a bunt.  8-1 Rivercats final.  What is with the Chihuahuas at home?

6-2-18

It was an overcast, hazy day in St. Luis . . . err . . . St. Louis for the Cardinals' game against the Pirates.  Once again, thank you to a Mexican station for providing this coverage on Saturday morning.  Marcell Ozuna got the scoring started in the second with a home run to straightaway center that plopped right on to the batter's eye lawn.  1-0 Cardinals.  In the fourth, he had a comebacker to the Pirates' pitcher, Chad Kuhl.  Kuhl lost his mitt fielding it and then couldn't find the ball right next to him.  I'm not sure if that was an error or not, probably.

By the fifth, the sun came out and it got hot.  The umps were wearing sweat stains.  The Pirates tied it on a solo home run.  Luke Weaver (I wonder if he's related to the other Weaver pitchers?) watched the ball fly out and stomped on the mound, cursing.  In the bottom, Tommy Pham would give the Cards back the lead with an RBI double.  2-1 Cardinals.

The Pirates kept it close.  In the seventh, their catcher (didn't catch his name) made a jump catch on a bunt and got the lead runner at second.  In the eighth, David Freeze pinch hit for the Pirates and received a standing ovation from the St. Louis crowd.  They remember him well.  In the bottom, their left fielder Colin Moran (I think) made a great leaping catch at the wall. 

Bud Norris came in to close for the Cardinals in the ninth.  His first pitch was a home run to right field by Austin Meadows (I got his name and what a great one).  Norris struck out the side for the rest of the inning.  At this point, I flipped around the stations.  When I got back to the game, Kolten Wong was just touching home plate after his walk-off home run and getting mobbed by his teammates.  3-2 Cardinals.  I don't feel as bad as the two fans who missed catching the ball as it bounced out of the stands.    

Later in the evening, welcome to Baseball Night in America on FOX featuring women’s' golf, which was running way over because of a rainout yesterday.  Only people in the games' home markets got them on time.  Nearly two hours in, they went to my regional game.  It was the Rockies versus the Dodgers in Denver.  Great, I would have loved to have seen all of this game.  I don't even know if the Rockies have ever been on a FOX Saturday game.  4-3 Rox in the fifth when I joined it.  Great crowd there at Coors Field.

Of course this ran right into the Chihuahuas and Rangers games just coming on.  This was the anticipated Sandlot jerseys game.  I wanted to hear about it.  The actor playing “Smalls” threw out the first pitch and was doing autographs on the concourse.  According to Eric O'Brien on the El Paso news, he was signing for the whole game.  (Unfortunately, Tim Hagerty wasn’t able to do an interview with him.)  Huge Lego sculptures were also at the park, including one of Buster Posey.  It is an exhibition touring ballparks around the country.  There were no runners on base until the bottom of the third with two outs.  Tim couldn't remember a game starting so quietly.  An error got the Chihuahuas the first one. 

In the sixth in Colorado, Joc Pederson hit a solo home run to tie the score 4-4.  I noticed that the late afternoon glare along the first base side was profound.  In the Seventh, a ground out brought in another Dodger run to make it 5-4.  Then it went completely sideways.  Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer to make it 7-4.  The Rockies brought in their third pitcher of the inning when it was 9-4.  Starter German Marquez was side himself in the dugout.  The bases were filled again on walk.  Rockies Manager Bud Black stalked rail.  I think he was taking it personally.  A wild pitch brought in a run.  Then there was a bases clearing triple.  By the time the Rox finally got the third out, it was 12-4 Dodgers.  That would be the final.  Why couldn't I have seen the good part of the game?

While that was going on, it was the fourth in El Paso.  An error in outfield scored a Rivercats' run (or as Eric put it in the game recap, “You're killing me, Smalls!).  This led to a nine-batter, 3 run inning.  That could have been worse.  In the bottom, the Chihuahuas got a couple on, but a double-play ended the inning.  In the fifth, they loaded the bases loaded, but Carlos Asuaje flied out to end the inning.

Bottom of the seventh, Allen Craig singled in a pair of Chihuahuas' runs.  Luis Urias tied it with an RBI.  In the eighth, Javy Guerra doubled in Shane Peterson for the lead.  Okay, that's what the box says.  What actually happened, Javy thought he had a home run, may have thought the runner was out at home, and got tagged out walking between first and second, but the run still counted.  4-3 Chihuahuas. 

Whoa boy, then the ninth.  It was another nine-batter inning for the Rivercats.  Five runs scored.  An error (the pups' third of the game) and a wild pitch brought in a couple of them.  The Chihuahuas got on a couple runner in the bottom, but a double-play ended it.  8-4 Rivercats.  The Chihuahuas cannot win at home. 

I didn't get any of the Rangers' game until later.  I saw a highlight of Angel Mike Trout hitting a home run.  Tim mentioned that Tim Lincecum was pitching at the Rangers' Triple-A team in Round Rock.  That's encouraging.  I hadn't heard anything about him all season and was worried he was out of baseball.  In came in in tenth with poor reception.  I didn't get the score, but did hear Ronald Guzman scoring Roughned Odor, who dove across the plate, to give the Rangers a one-run lead.  Trout faced Keone Kela with two outs in the bottom.  Fly ball out.  Rangers win 3-2.  It was a comeback win as they tied it in the ninth on a reviewed play with the tying run crossing before the third out was made.

6-3-18

The Rangers faced the Angels in Anaheim again today.  Eric Nadel wasn’t there for yesterday’s broadcast.  It was hard for me to tell, because of some crappy reception and I only heard one inning.  Matt Hicks welcomed him back.  He apparently did the whole game and got wore out by it.  Eric was wondering where the crowd was.  They were barely boo’ing Roughned Odor.  (This must be a new feud.  I don’t know what started it.)  Matt said was the crowd was “woke.”  That is to say, they just woke up and came to the ballpark.  (A good crowd would show up over the course of the game though.)

Eric also mentioned he’d be at a Dallas library on their off day tomorrow and would be reading to some kids.  Between this and players going out to What-a-burgers for signings, this is some pretty good community outreach.  (It’d also be a great excuse to go get a hamburger.)  While this was going on the radio, I had an Indycar race on the TV.  If you can believe it, the pace car crashed on the warm up lap.  Belle Isle is a dangerous course, basically a slot car track. 

In the second, Shohei Ohtani got on by a hard hit ball to first that got knocked down, but he beat it out.  Eric was impressed with his speed.  Ronald Guzman was manning the bag today.  His long wingspan allowed him to have a chance at fielding the ball.  It’s also the source of his nickname (maybe) “The Condor.”  Isiah Kiner-Falefa, another new player this year, has been dubbed “Izzy.”  (It took me few innings to figure out who they were talking about.) 

The Angels did score two in the inning, though the Rangers had a couple of good defensive plays.  The Angels had a good play by Mike Trout, of course.  He ran into the wall making a catch.  He came away hurting, so we’ll say the wall won that one.  Justin Upton added a home run in the sixth to make it 3-0 Angels.  Nomar Mazara homered in the eighth for the Rangers to close it to 3-1.  The new home run line in the outfield may have come into play. 

Eric did his limerick for the game in this inning.  Matt had earlier apologized for not getting to the daily limerick until the tenth yesterday.  Eric forgave him since he was busy calling the game by himself and complimented his poetic effort.  (This is a strange season of Rangers’ baseball.)  There was also a discussion about RBI’s.  The stat is considered “useless” by Sabermetricians.  I officially consider Sabermetricians useless.  RBI’s are how you judge a productive batter in a game.  Going 3 for 4 doesn’t mean anything towards winning unless you score or bring somebody in.   

As listless as the Rangers were on offense, they were only down two runs in the ninth.  This came up as the Angels’ reliever walked three in the inning to load the bases.  There was some drama, but they were all left stranded to end the game.  3-1 Angels was the final. Doug Fister was the hard luck loser for the Rangers.  It was a quick game at two hours, 40 minutes.

I had trouble listening to the end of the Rangers’ game because of lightning crackles and weather alerts.  A couple of big storms moved through the area.  We could use the rain, but not in the form of hail delivered sideways at 70mph.  Luckily, it missed me.  I only heard some distant thunder.  (I’m as languid as a fainting heroine on a chaise lounge in high humidity though.  It had to be about 80%.)  It did rain in downtown El Paso, which delayed the start of the Chihuahuas’ game tonight by a half hour.  It had stopped raining, but they needed to drain it a bit.

During the break, Tim Hagerty played a couple of interviews.  One was with Jayson Werth, who was a visiting player.  In contrast to his stoic demeanor on field, he was very pleasant in conversation.  He was in Triple-A trying to make it back to the majors.  With the consent of his family, he was giving it one more try this year.  Werth was very humble and grateful about his time playing baseball.  This was great to hear.

It was the Chihuahuas versus the Rivercats to end this five-game series.  In the first, there was a great diving double play started by Javy Guerra with a glove flip of the ball.  Tim is really impressed with him this season.  Luis Urias came up in the bottom and “Happy Birthday” flashed on the video board.  The crowd actually sang to him.  In the second, Javy singled in a run and another came in via a double-play, 2-0 Chihuahuas. 

In the third with two on, one by an error, Brett Nicholas singled.  There was a misplay in the outfield, followed by a wild overthrow to third.  Nicholas ended up on third, driving in both runs.  Allen Craig then drove him in, 5-0 Chihuahuas.  For the Kid’s Club feature, Tim had a talky giggler in the booth.  The kid’s main hobby was sleeping, which his mom kept interrupting in the morning.  Tim encouraged him to play a prank on his mom by waking her up early.  (How subversive.  I didn’t know Tim had it in him.)

There was a spectacular sunset in El Paso that evening, filled with oranges, yellows, and reds.  Tim talked about it, and the video board even put it up between innings.  (Here it was just yellow to the west and dark and nasty to the east.)  Chihuahuas’ starter, Dillon Overton, went seven scoreless innings, only giving up two hits.  For the eighth, the team’s new Japanese pitcher, whose name I’m not going to be able to spell out by myself, worked a quick inning with some great defense behind him. 

The Rivercats got a runner on in the ninth.  Before it happened, Tim called a double play, and that was how the game ended.  5-0 Chihuahuas win.  This was a very quick game, even with a half-hour delay.  It was two hours and 17 minutes and finished before 9:00.

NM State Baseball and Softball Recap 2018 Part 2

Continued from Part 1.

4-7-18

NM State Aggies vs CSU-Bakersfield Roadrunners Softball.  Ms. Legs made an appearance in the stands as Aggie Softball run-ruled Game 1, and shutout the Roadrunners in Game 2.  

4-10-18

I missed the Aggies playing the Lobos, and not for the last time this season, and they won 9-0.  Coach Brian Green got his 100th career victory.

4-13-18

Aggie Softball had a double header in the Phoenix against Grand Canyon.  They won the first game in a close contest and suffered a crushing loss in the last inning of Game 2. 

4-14-18

NM State Aggies vs Chicago St Cougars Baseball.  I missed out on a free t-shirt for this game, but I’m not bitter.  I also missed out on seeing Aggie Women’s Tennis and gorgeous Eli Arnaudova for the final time this year.  I hope she isn’t graduating this spring.  After a solid season defensively, the baseball team really butchered this game in the field with four errors and barely managed to beat a team win-less in conference play.  They won more convincingly the next day (4-15-18).   

4-17-18

Aggie Baseball had an early evening game against Sul Ross State.  The game featured three sets of brothers, including having a Munden brother on each team.  The Aggies won, but not very convincingly against a DIII school.

4-20-18, 4-21-18, 4-22-18

Aggie Baseball endured cold, wind, rain, and even darkness to win two of three on the road from a bad Northern Colorado team.  I was unimpressed, even with the wins.  I probably should have cut them a bit of slack because of the conditions there.  Matt McHugh did a good job doing color commentary on the radio.

4-25-18

What a change.  From 40 degrees and lower in Colorado to 97 degrees in Arizona.  The warm temperature did the Aggies good as they got their first victory against Arizona State in Phoenix.  Okay, I was back on the bandwagon.

4-27-18

My first look at Grand Canyon’s new baseball stadium via GCU’s video feed came at the cost of an Aggie run-rule loss on Friday.  The Aggies came back with a run-rule win on Saturday, but lost the series on Sunday.  Meanwhile, Aggie Softball was playing Seattle U here for the regular season championship Friday.  They lost this game, meaning they’d have to win twice on Saturday for the championship.

4-28-18

NM State Aggies vs Seattle U Redhawks Softball.  As of Game 1, I have officially seen everything in a ball game.  The fans in the stands corrected the ump on the score and he agreed and had it changed.  The Aggies won this game on a walk, which run-ruled the game in the fifth.  They won Game 2 on a convincing run-rule as well.  Kelsey Horton added to her legend with a walk-off grand slam that won them the championship.  The feel-good moment of the game was Caity Szczesny homering and nearly jumping out of her shoes.  Senior Day ceremonies were held afterward.    

5-1-18

Poor scheduling with Aggie Softball playing Arizona and Aggie Baseball playing the Lobos next door.  Softball even had to cancel one game of their double header to accommodate baseball.  Doesn’t anybody take a close look at the schedules before making these commitments?  I saw this coming right after the schedules came out.  The girls played tough, but lost 5-1.  The guys had a great win, 13-2.

5-4-18

Aggie fans totally “Stuffed the Skew” with over 2,100 showing up for their Friday night game against Utah Valley.  I don’t know how they got them all in there, but they did.  And they saw a great, close game with the Aggies coming out on top 4-3.  Coach Brian Green in the post-game interview credited the crowd willing the team to victory.

5-5-18

NM State Aggies vs Utah Valley Wolverines Baseball.  It was a great day for baseball.  The Softball girls were there and were nearly taken out by errant foul ball.  I heroically jumped over four rows of seats to catch the ball and save them.  In gratitude, they took me out and we partied all night.  What a great season this was!  (That story might actually be less embarrassing for the team than what actually happened.)  Oh, and Aggie baseball won.    

5-6-18

NM State Aggies vs Utah Valley Wolverines Baseball.  The last home baseball game of the season was a good one.  It was a great day for a game and a big crowd for a Senior Day sendoff.  I finally got to see the female PA, Alexia, as she was introduced to the crowd, since she was graduating too.  Nolan Fox on the radio, another graduate, thanked Adam Young for his tutelage.  Then there was the bird that was nearly hit by a foul ball, but didn’t move.  He was an Aggie Baseball bird, “We don’t move.”  The Aggies would win on a walk-off grand slam by Nick Gonzales.  He must have been watching Kelsey Horton last week.       

5-8-18

Kelsey Horton won WAC Player of the Year . . . again.  Unlike last year, she didn’t trip while dancing at the banquet and enter the tournament injured.  Well, that was the other teams’ only hope.

5-9-18

The Aggie Baseball beat the Lobos to sweep them for the season.  Shamefully, I completely missed the game.  When I realized that, it was one of the low-points of the season for me.

5-10-18

The WAC Softball Tournament begins.  I am there.
Game 1, Game 2

5-11-18

Aggie Softball won their first game in impressive fashion.  I impressively made it through 13 hours of softball that day.
Game 3 (Aggies), Game 4, Game 5, Game 6

5-12-18

Nikki Butler homered twice in the Aggies’ second win of the tournament. 
Game 7 (Aggies), Game 8, Game 9

5-13-18

Kelsey Horton set the program record for home runs and led the nation in the stat as well, as the Aggies won the WAC Softball Championship.  It was a great game to win the tournament on. 

5-18-18

Aggie Baseball won their second game in a row versus UTRGV, keeping their regular season championship hopes alive.  Meanwhile, Aggie Softball played their first NCAA Tournament game.  They lost 2-0 to Arizona State.  There was no coverage of the game for me, not even Statcast.  Thankfully, the team at least tweeted updates during the game.  Adam Young was busy in Edinburg, but couldn’t Jack Nixon have gone and called the game or somebody else?  They’ve broadcast their NCAA games the last couple of the years.  If the team doesn’t feel slighted, then I do.  At least the baseball guys supported the girls with a great tweet.

5-19-18

Rough day for Aggie fans.  Baseball lost out on first place and second place in the WAC with a gut-wrenching loss in Edinburg to UTRGV.  I’m still stinging from listening to that loss.  We’ll never know, but I think this loss may have motivated the team for the WAC Tournament.  Softball lost 9-0 on run-rule to Long Beach State and ended their NCAA Tournament run.  I’m sure Coach Rodolph told them afterward what I’ll say now, “Girls, you had a great year.  I’m very proud of you all.”

5-23 to 25-18

I really did start working on this post before the WAC Baseball Tournament started.  After that last lost and their early exits the last two years, could you blame me for being skeptical about how Aggie Baseball was going to do here?  Well, they sure showed me by going 3-0 and steamrolling right into the Championship game on Saturday.

5-26-18

I’d sort of like to forget this game for the result and how long it took to get there, but then I’d be overlooking Brock Whittlesey’s heroics.  This was his signature moment in the program, going over seven innings in relief.  And this was after pitching two of the last three days.  

5-27-18

After five hours of ball late yesterday and a crushing defeat, I’d like to say that made today’s championship win by the Aggies over Sacramento State even more sweet, but that’s not the case.  This game was tension-wracked all the way through.  I could only enjoy it after that final out.  The possibility of losing was almost unbearable after having made it to this point.   

6-1-18

The Aggies finally got their third game against Texas Tech today.  Unfortunately, it was in Lubbock in 104 degree afternoon heat.  It was even hotter on the turf.  Neither team lost to the heat, but the Aggies lost 9-2 to the #9 team in the nation.

6-2-18

Kyle Bradish pitched one of his finest games of the season, going into the eighth inning versus Kent State.  It was hot there again, but Kyle threw 120 pitches and only yielded one run.  Unfortunately, that one run came on a heart-breaking, first pitch two-run homer off of reliever Brock Whittlesey.  That was enough for Kent State to win 2-1.  The Aggies’ season ended, but what a ride!

6-5-18

And two more final accolades for Aggie Sports this season. Kyle Bradish was drafted in the fourth round by the Angels.  This was the highest an Aggie had ever gone in the draft.  With several players from the last couple of years playing pro ball, this is going to have a lasting positive impact on the program.  Kyle, if you make it into the Bigs with the Angels, I will root for them (on days you’re pitching, otherwise no way, I’m a Ranger fan).  Nick Gonzales was also named a freshman collegiate All-American.  And he didn’t even start at the beginning of the year.     

Cody Decker, a former player of Coach Brian Green and a baseball icon, started this season with a good luck tweet.  He ended it with another tweet of congratulations for a great season.    Adam Young called this the greatest year in NM State sports.  Certainly baseball and softball helped to make that possible. 

I really hope that the university can hold on to both the coaches.  Kathy Rodolph is responsible for all of the success that Aggie Softball has ever had.  I was actually worried about Coach Green’s job going into the WAC Tournament.  He’s a good recruiter, but I don’t know if he’s able to manage the team to a championship was what I was thinking.  I happily apologize.      

Not only did I start writing this too early, I stopped and started on it three times, just to make it harder on myself apparently.  I probably should have made separate posts for baseball and softball, but there was some intertwining between their games and ultimately, they mirrored each other in winning their WAC Tournaments.  I don’t want to pick a favorite game or moment for either team this season; it’s just going to be remembered as 2018 and a pair of championships.  

NM State Baseball and Softball Recap 2018 Part 1

It was a great season on the diamonds at New Mexico State.  Well, sitting in the stands it wasn’t always great.  In fact, it was miserable at times because of the weather.  It definitely made one grateful for the pleasant afternoons and evenings later in the season. 

Both teams took steps forward this year.  Softball not only won the conference again, they did it against increased competition, namely Grand Canyon being eligible for the tournament.  They also played some top teams and did well.  Last year, those teams just trounced them.  Baseball hammered some inferior competition at the beginning of the season.  For the first time, Aggie Baseball beat an SEC school, beat Arizona State in Phoenix, and swept the Lobos.  Otherwise, they stumbled in conference and against good competition.  However, their pitching really came together at the tournament and they rode that to a conference championship.

From here, both teams can look to trying to win a game in the NCAA Tournament as their next goal.  Of course, there’s no guarantee of continuing to win the conference to do so.  It’s not like the other teams aren’t going to try and improve. 

Coach Kathy Rodolph and Coach Brian Green seem to take different approaches in their pre-conference games.  Softball takes on the toughest competition (including the #1 in the nation), while Baseball has a much softer schedule.  There are differences between who they are able to schedule though.  Softball programs will seemingly take on anybody, anywhere, even if NMSU’s Softball Complex is nothing special.  Presley Askew Field for baseball can only seem to attract small eastern colleges that are snowed in early in the year. 

Both coaches seem to be really gifted in recruiting, which will help tremendously in keeping these programs competitive.  Coach Green has been nationally recognized for a couple of years.  Coach Rodolph keeps finding the right pieces to put together a winning team.  She’s definitely built a program that should continue to attract talent.  Baseball is just starting to get that respectability.  The biggest sell is that they’ve been able to put nine players in the pros recently.  Having Daniel Johnson as a top 10 prospect in the Nationals’ organization is a billboard for NMSU.  Kyle Bradish may do the same for the program this year with his high draft pick. 

Let’s hand out some season gameballs for softball.  Kelsey Horton.  Sigh.  Kelsey Horton.  I don’t even know what to say about how great she is.  Kelsey has this presence about her when she comes to bat.  She’s larger than life.  She also really improved defensively at second base.  Let me toss out a couple of others.  Fahren Glackin black-and-blued her way on base constantly.  (I wonder if Kelsey moves back to first with Fahren graduating?)  Nikki Butler made a great compliment to Kelsey pounding out the runs.  Defensively, Jeanelle Medina was a rock at third.

For the baseball team, it’s got to be pitching that gets the spotlight.  Top prospect Kyle Bradish, WAC Pitcher of the Year Jonathan Groff, big game mid-week-er Justin Dehn, and ironman closer Brock Whittlesey formed an Aggie staff for the ages.  The offense, especially at home, was mighty.  Early in the season, they were insanely powerful.  Caleb My Name is Earle Henderson and Tristen Carranza were the anchors.

2-10-18

NM State Aggies vs Kentucky Wildcats Softball.  (Game 1, Game 2) This was the first of NM State’s poor scheduling this spring.  Here was softball playing a nationally-ranked program at the same time that the Men’s Basketball team was playing GCU for the “Pack the Pan-Am” promotion.  Regardless, this double-header sweep had to be the best start ever for the program.  The Aggies didn’t even play that well in the games and still beat them.  The Wildcats just didn’t seem properly prepared.

2-11-18

The Wildcats got prepared quickly overnight.  It was cold and windy, the Wildcats won in a rout, and team autographs did not go well for me, but I did get to chat with volleyball Coach Mike Jordan.

Troy Cox Classic Softball Invitational

2-16-18 A rainout is a bad way to start a tournament, especially given that they were selling tickets right before the inevitable rain started.  I’m still a bit angry over this, and I’m not entirely sure I got my money’s worth.

2-17-18 More scheduling issues.  I had to choose between a baseball double header and using my expensive softball ticket from yesterday.  I did both, sort of.  I missed the second baseball game (which was okay, since they lost in a shocker after utterly creaming Towson 24-4 in Game 1).  I also missed the upset of the softball tournament with Boston U beating #1 Oklahoma.  That said, I saw the Aggies play two good games and the biggest crowd I’d ever seen at the softball complex, which was officially beyond capacity.  The girls’ game against the Sooners may have been one of their best played games of the year.

2-18-18 In spite of my high opinion, Aggie Softball did lose both games the day before.  Thankfully, they won today, making me feel better about my pricey ticket investment, but I did have to get to the park at 9:00am to see it.  I also missed Aggie Baseball, scheduled at the same time.  I didn’t remember until I looked at my post, but me and Ron went to an Aggie Women’s Basketball game that afternoon.  Again, scheduling, but damn, I’m certifiably insane going to all these sports.         

2-23-18

NM State Aggies vs MS Valley St Delta Devils Baseball.  The Aggies won 39-0.  Let that sink in.  Noah Haupt went 6 for 7 and had a program record 10 RBI.  What happened to this kid?  Where did he go for the rest of the season?

2-24-18

NM State Aggies vs MS Valley St Delta Devils Baseball.  After winning 15-4 in Game 1, me and Ron nearly froze to death watching them win 20-0 in Game 2.

2-27-18

NM State Aggies vs Arizona Wildcats Baseball.  The Aggies nearly won this one, but lost 5-4.  They only had one bad inning where Bruno Teramoto committed two errors.  He lost the second base job for the rest of the season after this game.  

3-3-18

NM State Aggies vs the Harvard Crimson Baseball Game 2.  More scheduling issues.  We missed Game 1 while at an Aggie Women’s Basketball game.  (Hey, it was indoors, and they won the regular season championship today.)  This game was a tough loss after two close wins.

3-4-18

NM State Aggies vs the Harvard Crimson Baseball.  Great bounce back win 23-4.  It’s like a really weird football score.   

3-17-18

NM State Aggies vs Maine Black Bears Baseball.  Aggie Softball had a big win over Minnesota the previous night.  (I had no coverage of it unfortunately).  Aggie Baseball also had a big win on the road versus Alabama last week with Justin Dehn shutting them out.  (I got no coverage of that either.)  Once again, I had to choose between the baseball double header and a softball double header.  Your baseball ticket wouldn’t get you into the softball for free either.  I made the right choice.  This was a great game.  Braden Williams started at catcher and threw out four runners.  In Game 2, I caught a foul ball, my proudest moment at the ballpark (kinda).

3-24-18

NM State Aggies vs Seattle U Redhawks Baseball.  Baseball had a bad loss at Arizona on Tuesday, 3-20-18, but Brett Worthen made his first pitching appearance in two years and looked good.  On 3-21-18, Aggie Softball beat the Lobos in Albuquerque.  I almost got to watch that one.  On Friday, 3-23-18, Baseball had a good comeback win against the Redhawks. 

Today, on a day with free frozen custard and a bunch of cute dogs for Bark at the Park, it was a terrible day to be at the stadium.  What started as a nice afternoon, turned into a windy, freezing cold rain by the end.  I abandoned the game in the eighth, fleeing for my life, as I hadn’t dressed for that weather.  Across the street, eating lunch, the Aggies almost made a comeback while I was listening on the radio.  I might have lost my lunch if they’d won.  At least they won the next day (3-25-18).     

3-27-18

Aggie Sports scheduling issues reached their zenith today as their home baseball game against Texas Tech was canceled.  The conflict had something to do with where Easter fell this year.  This was entirely foreseeable and affected both teams, so they mutually canceled the game.  How disappointing.  

Just to make it worse, Softball was going to be playing UTEP here at the same time.  A game you couldn’t play, cross-scheduled with a rivalry game.  Brilliant.  The girls swept another double header from the Miners this season.  I probably should have gone ahead and taken the afternoon off to see them.   

3-31-18

NM State Aggies vs Sacramento State Hornets Baseball.  An appearance by the Easter Bunny was a highlight today.  The crowd almost didn’t show up because of a start time change.  And the Aggies lost.   

This recap is going way longer than I intended.  We’ll finish this in Part 2.

NCAA Baseball Tournament 2018 6-2-18 Part 2

NM State Aggies vs Kent State Golden Flash

I don't know what happened.  I knew the time of the game.  I wrote it down.  I was watching the clock.  Yet somehow, I tuned in to the game an hour late.  I was watching another game at the time, but I think I just brain-farted (like whoever named the Kent St team).  It was 0-0 in the third when I tuned in, so I didn't miss any scoring.  In fact, I tuned in as the Aggies loaded the bases with Caleb Henderson up.  Unfortunately, a double play ended the inning.

Judging by the comments and the sound of wind on the microphones, it was windy in Lubbock, but wasn’t hot as yesterday.  Kyle Bradish was pitching for the Aggies.  He got some help in the bottom of the third with Logan Ehnes making a sliding catch.  Apparently, he'd made another one earlier.  I also found out that I'd missed Nick Gonzales getting thrown out at the plate, which was the closest to scoring in the game.  The Flash loaded the bases this inning to also threaten, but didn't score.

The tension continued for the next two innings.  Bradish struck out two after a leadoff walk in the fourth.  Mason Fishback was picked off base in the fifth.  In the sixth, Marcus Still got it going with a single and was bunted over.  Henderson doubled him in.  1-0 Aggies.  In the seventh, Coach Green nearly got beaned by a Joey Ortiz foul ball.  Numerous comments had been made about how little room there was behind home plate and how close the dugouts were to the diamond.  The Aggies got two runners on, one on a hit-by-pitch.  The team leads the nation in that stat.  The Aggies didn’t score.  Marcus made a diving catch in the bottom to help keep the lead.

By the eighth, Bradish had thrown over 130 pitches.  (I’m not sure about that number, but it was definitely over 100.)  After a walk, he came out after going 7 1/3 and 9 strikeouts.  Brock Whittlesey relieved him.  On his first pitch, the batter hit a no-doubt two-run homer.  The fielders didn't even move.  2-1 Flash.  Whitt had some more trouble, but finished the inning by catching a liner by his head.  He came off the mound yelling at himself. 

To start the ninth, Tristen Carranza received his twenty-first ball bruise to lead the team.  He went down hard for a minute and came out for a pinch runner.  With two on and two out, Braden Williams hit a hard liner to first for the final out.  2-1 Kent St moves on.  It was a very close game and well-played by the Aggies.  Whitt might have thrown one-too-many innings at the WAC Tournament and wasn’t sharp, but he was still probably the best option to close out the game.  This is hopefully a building block of experience for next years' team. 

The Aggies' season is done.  It's been a tremendous one for Aggie Baseball and the whole athletics program.  I'll be covering it more in a Season Recap later.