Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

■ Photo Gallery and Video from Mizzou vs. Illinois @ Busch

• Photos at StLToday.com

• Video of post-game interview with Tim Jamieson on KMOV.com

■ Max Scherzer (04-06) cool under pressure (Detroit Free Press)

"I actually prefer pitching in the cold weather because the hitters don't like it. I can put layers on and stay warm, and I'm moving every pitch and staying warm."

Scherzer pitched through the first two innings in a hard rain. He still hadn't allowed a hit when, in the fifth, Yuniesky Betancourt hit what looked an inning-ending double play to third. Brandon Inge bobbled the ball and could get only the forceout.

Game Day: Battle at Busch

■ Illini fall to Tigers, 7-4, in 'Battle at Busch' (The Daily Illini)

The difference in the game was Missouri’s bullpen, which completely shut down Illinois after starter Zack Hardoin was chased in a four-run second inning. The Illini (12-11) had five hits in the first two innings but none thereafter. Seven Tigers relievers combined to two-hit and shut out Illinois in the final 7 2/3 innings.

■ Braggin' rights and talk of opening day holiday (Fox2now.com)

You could see it in their college-aged eyes: a bit of a boyish glimmer. The young men on the University of Illinois and University of Missouri baseball teams were taking batting practice in the spot where their idols will play Monday.

"And when you see Busch Stadium behind the catcher and the umpire you're kinda like, 'OK this is for real.' So, I'm out here, trying to live in the moment. I think we all are," said Missouri pitcher Phil McCormick, who is from Wildwood.

Story includes VIDEO

■ College baseball game at Busch Stadium memorable day for Missouri players, coaches (Columbia Missourian/AP)

"I think it's a big deal, and I know it would be if I was playing," Jamieson said. "Are you kidding me? To be able to play not just in a big league ballpark but in a park with a franchise of this stature is special."

Both schools are interested in making this an annual event that's more about the wow factor than the game itself. Top pitchers were held back for weekend conference play, and Missouri even left three starters at home to rest before traveling to Oklahoma on Thursday.

■ Players return home in Missouri baseball win at Busch stadium (Columbia Missourian)

Plackis had the chance to play where his idol normally plays in the Tigers 7-4 win against Illinois on Wednesday at Busch Stadium. The nerves didn’t hit Plackis until he got to the ballpark.

“I walk in through the right field gate, and I look up at all those red stands,” Plackis said. “This is a place you see on TV … It’s an amazing place.”

■ Missouri digs the long ball (Columbia Tribune)

Schmidt blasted his fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the approximately 40-foot tall video scoreboard, which sits about 370 feet from home plate in left-center field, as the Tigers routed Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 14-3 last night on Simmons Field.

How far did it fly?

Luke Cassis, the team’s director of operations, had a conservative estimate.

“At least 500 feet,” he said before considering the 21 mph wind. “Maybe 530.”

■ Old friends reunite in Missouri baseball team win (Columbia Missourian)

In the Tigers 14-3 drubbing of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Tuesday at Taylor Stadium, Senne had a lot of time to talk to SIUE assistant coach Kurt Calvert. In 2008, Calvert played center field for the Tigers and Senne played right field.

Senne said they didn’t become enemies as soon as the game started.

■ Photo from the game you shouldn't miss

■ So how's this baseball season going so far? (RockMNation.com)

Unless they get really hot soon, their streak of consecutive NCAA Regional appearances will probably come to an end ... and that's okay. This is a super-young team, with five freshman regulars in the field and one big-time freshman in the rotation, and there have been some pretty strong moments so far, even if they have been rather inconsistent overall. . . .

2010 Recruits

■ From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat:

Shooting for their fourth straight conference title (Metropolitan Community College Athletic Conference), the Jefferson College baseball squad will host Mineral Area at 1 p.m. Thursday in a doubleheader. The Vikings are 6-0 in MCCAC play. Infielders Jordan Coons (.467) and C.J. Rose (.446) lead the team's offense. Righthanded pitcher Matt Stites is 4-2 with a 1.13 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.

MU in the Minors

■ Back to the Dirt (MASNSports.com)

The Frederick Keys, who will be managed by Orlando Gomez, open the season on Thursday at Lynchburg. Lefty Rick Zagone is expected to get the nod as Keys starter then.

Rock Chalk Baseball VIP Experience

Picture yourself decked out in Black & Gold, featuring an "I HATE KANSAS" T-shirt, throwing out the first pitch at the MU-KU game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence on May 7th.

Unlikely?

Check this out: Rock Chalk Baseball VIP Experience (kuathletics.com)

Bid today on the ultimate Kansas Jayhawk Baseball experience! This package for 4 gives the winning bidder a truly unique fan experience few Jayhawk fans will ever have. The winner will choose from the following games for their experience:

4/23 vs. Texas Tech; 5/7 vs. Missouri; 5/14 vs. K-State; 5/21 or 5/22 vs. Oklahoma.

The Rock Chalk Baseball VIP Experience Package will include:

- A tour of the locker room and practice facilities - Taking batting practice for 20 minutes (begins 3 hours prior to time of scheduled first pitch) - Passes to sit in the MVP Lounge and watch warm-ups - Throw out the ceremonial first pitch - 4 reserved box seats for the game - Announce the batting lineups for one inning (must be 12 or older) - A baseball autographed by Coach Price

Of course, there is this :

DISCLAIMER: Winning bidder must be a Kansas fan and supporter and must dress and act accordingly and in a professional and courteous manner while participating in this experience. At the sole discretion of the University of Kansas Athletic Department, if at any time during the Experience the winning bidder is not acting in a professional and courteous manner, Kansas Athletics may end the Experience and no refund or additional services will be offered to the winning bidder whether or not the entire experience was completed.

I like the response of a fan on Tigerboard:

You would have to wear a gold shirt under a blue one then rip it off on the pitchers' mound before the ceremonial first pitch.

And you'd have to not care if they kicked you out.

Any takers?

Current high bid is $25. Bidding ends April 19th.

Game Day: Mizzou vs. Illinois @ Busch Stadium

This is the second year the Tigers have played a game at Busch Stadium. Last year's match against SLU featured the only appearance by Kyle Gibson in a Johnny Wholestaff-pitched game.

■ The Illini have been up and down this past week:

Tuesday, L 8-13 vs. Illinois State
Wednesday, W 18-2 vs. Chicago State

Friday, L 9-16 vs. Penn State

Saturday, W 10-8 vs. Penn State

Sunday, W 15-3 vs. Penn State

■ Baseball takes Penn State rubber match with one of the best performances of the season (The Daily Illini, April 4)

“It was a tough night on Friday night. I got after the guys a little bit, wasn’t real nice to them,” Hartleb said. “And they responded well. I think that’s the sign of a good team. Some teams would fold their tent after things didn’t go well, especially the way we did things on Friday. To see us come back and win (Saturday) and then play as good of a game as we did (Sunday), as clean as it was, I’m very proud of the guys.”

■ Nittany Lions open Big Ten Baseball with convincing win over Illini (WGAL.com)

■ Argo's the center of attention now (IlliniHQ.com)

From the moment Willie Argo belted three home runs in his first three at-bats last season, there's been little question the Illinois sophomore could handle – no, make that manhandle – collegiate pitching.

One year later, the 2009 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American continues to thumb his nose at the notion of a sophomore slump, pounding out three more hits Saturday in the Illini's 10-8 Big Ten victory against Penn State to raise his season batting average to .405 and his career figure to .370.

But Argo is proving this season – in the field and on the bases – to be so much more than merely a pitching nemesis.

■ Learn a lot about Illinois baseball in UI Baseball: What have we learned? (IlliniHQ.com, 3/25)

It appears Illinois has a real find in freshman Brandon Hohl. A fixture at third
base since the opener, Hohl so far is one of the Illini's most consistent and
productive hitters. He leads the team in RBI (16), is tied for most hits (23)
and ranks fourth in batting average (.371). The newcomer has been just as much
of a revelation in the field, committing merely one error in 49 fielding
chances.

■ From College Baseball Today's preseason Taking a look at the Big Ten:

The Illini sent small tremors through the college baseball community last March by winning two of three games at Alex Box Stadium over eventual national champion LSU, setting them on a course to a 34-win season, their second straight 30+ win campaign in a row. Johnson is a longtime backstop that also has a power stick at the dish. Argo brings power and speed and leading hitter Cappetta and SS Parr will keep the defense solid, bordering on spectacular. RHP Brian delaTorriente (2-2, 7.79) brings some experience with his transfer from Northern Iowa. Good speed remains as UI stole 79 bases in ‘09.

■ Also from College Baseball Today, March 30th:

Illinois State meanwhile, set a stadium record of its own in the 13-8 rout of
in-state rival Illinois, packing in 906 fans into Duffy Bass Field. The Redbirds
scored 10 runs in the 4th inning, off of six hits and three Illini errors. The
previous record-high attendance was also in May of last year, coming against
Creighton in front of 823 fans.

. . . and March 12th:

Illinois won at No. 12 Coastal Carolina 11-10.The Illini scored three runs in the
bottom of the 9th to pull out their seventh win over a ranked team in the last
two years. Yes, that was not a misprint there. The orange and blue chased CCU
ace Cody Wheeler after getting nine hits and six runs off of him in 6.0 innings
of work.

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

■ Former Tiger Kurt Calvert is an Assistant Coach with the SIU-Edwardsville Cogars

■ Everyone is blogging these days, even the PA announcer: April Showers in Baseball (Brian Mortensen.com)

I’ve been really impressed with 2 freshmen so far this year – 2b Eric Garcia, and outfielder Dane Opel. Opel is hitting a sterling .529 in conference, while Garcia made a huge impact in non-conference play – especially against Purdue where he homered twice. Garcia has struggled so far though in Big 12 play, hitting just .077. Hopefully he can keep the 2b job because I think he’s got some tremendous talent, and has shown himself to be a really solid defensive infielder too with just 2 errors in 19 games.

MU in the Minors

■ 2010 GreenJackets roster (OurSportsCentral.com)

The San Francisco Giantshave assigned 28 players, manager Dave Machemer, pitching coach Steve Kline, hitting coach Lipso Nava, athletic trainer David Getsoff and strength and conditioning coordinator Yousef Zamat to Augusta to make up the Opening Day roster of the 2010 Augusta GreenJackets.

The players and coaches broke camp at the Giants spring training complex in Arizona this morning and will arrive tonight in Augusta tonight. They'll hold workouts at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon before opening the season on Thursday in
. . .
In the outfield, Daniel Cook will start in left field with ninth-rounder Evan Crawford in center and Ryan Lollis 06-09) earning everyday duties in right.
. . .
In the bench mix will be catcher Jesse Shriner, infielders Kyle Mach (06-09) and Juan Martinez and outfielders Nick Liles and Jose Medina. Shriner, Mach and Toole will start the season on the disabled list, but will see time in the coming weeks.

■ Mavs 2010 roster released (OurSportsCentral.com)

After a stellar 2009 season, the 2010 edition of the High Desert Mavericks have some big shoes to fill. The transition will be a bit easier, as nine players who spent time with the Mavericks in 2009 return to open the season in the High Desert.
. . .
Four 2009 draft picks will start their first full season in the Minors with the Mavs. In addition to Seager (3rd round, North Carolina), this group includes first baseman Rich Poythress (2nd round, Georgia), catcher Trevor Coleman (07-09) (9th round, Missouri), and pitcher Andrew Carraway (12th round, Virginia).

■ Bay Bears release 2010 roster (OurSportsCentral.com)

The Mobile BayBears Professional Baseball Club in conjunction with the Arizona Diamondbacks is proud to announce their Opening Day roster for the 2010 Southern League Championship Season which begins on Thursday, April 8 when the BayBears take on the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium.
. . .
Returning BayBear Pete Clifford will start the campaign on the disabled list. When he returns, he'll be joined in the BayBears' outfield by Evan Frey (05-07), who stole 31 bases last season and Cyle Hankerd, who knocked in 67 runs

Game Day: SIU_Edwardsville @ Simmons Field

■ The Mighty Edwards (aka the Cougars) have a 7-18 record. they were swept this weekend by Morehead State, 11-6, 24-14, 8-6.

■ College Baseball Today had a preseason look at SIUE Baseball:

Somehow, Edwardsville has only scheduled 13 home games the entire season, only
three of which come in the month of May when the temps would be best for a team
from Illinois.

■ SIU-ED has suffered some lopsided losses in 2010:

Creighton: 22-0
Milwaukee: 20-2
East Tennessee State: 24-4 and 14-1

On the other hand, the Edwards downed North Dakota 11-0. But then, who hasn't?

■ A few minutes spent in the SIUE 2009 Baseball Media Guide (2010 edition isn't available online) tells us that this program has a fairly succesful history . . . up until they began the transition up to Division I.

The 2007 season featured [Head Coach Gary] Collins’ 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. His team posted the best record in the GLVC at 26-10 during the regular season. Collins has coached five teams to the NCAAII College World Series with a fourth-place finish in 1983, seventh place in 1985, and fifth place in 1991, 1997 and 2001.

His 2006 team featured the top pitching staff in the nation, posting a national record 21 shutouts and finishing with a 40-19-1 record. It was the fourth time SIUE has finished with 40 or more wins under Collins

■ Last year's game against the Mighty Edwards was memorable for one reason, as told in the Columbia Missourian: Cheering on MU Baseball

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

Stats

■ Current Boyd's World Pseudo-RPI for Mizzou: 0.512, ranked 128th.

Question: How does this early-April RPI ranking compare to the past several seasons? Fortunately, our friend Boyd has all the archives for us:

4/5/10: 128th 0.512
4/6/09: 52nd 0.565 Regional
4/7/08: 43rd 0.578 Regional
4/10/07: 34th 0.593 Regional
4/11/06: 50th 0.566 Super Regional
4/12/05: 69th 0.550 Regional
4/13/04: 119th 0.509 Regional
4/7/03: 26th 0.589 Regional
4/2/02: 137th 0.499 No post-season
4/10/01: 58th 0.554 No post-season

Game Day

■ Tigers come to life after explosion (Columbia Tribune)

Not to be overlooked was Brad Buehler’s extended outing. After taking over for starter Aaron Blunt in the third, Buehler gave up four runs on seven hits over four innings. He allowed single runs in the fifth and sixth and was charged with two runs in the seventh — the second when Phil McCormick gave up a two-out triple — good enough to allow Missouri to grind its way back into the game.

“On a day like this, giving up one run an inning, that’s huge. That’s a victory,” Thigpen said.

MU in the Minors

■ Razzball.com has a grammatically-challenged feature on Players of Interesting in 2010:

Brock Bond (06-07) Accidentally drafted by the Giants in 2007 (in round 24), Brock Bond has been their Sparky Anklebiter, except he’s 5-10. Praised for his scrappy play and work ethic, Bond has exceeded most expectations. His defense is fringe-average, his plate-discipline/strike zone judgment is good, and he has great speed. This great speed hasn’t translated to a ton of steals as he gets caught far too often (15 times in 28 attempts). He runs the bases aggressively and breaks up double plays. Not that the Giants need scrappy infielders, but with Freddy Sanchez perpetually injured, Bond may get a call up during the season. His ceiling is a major league utility man.

[Trrip Note: I'll bet Brock is growing fond of that "accidentally drafted" tag]

■ Former Tiger Garrett Broshuis (02-04) may not be a minor league player any more, but he's still writing about the minor leagues in Playing for Peanuts (BaseballAmerica.com). The whole article is worthy of a click-and-read:

Rothstein, whose family served as a host for the Norwich club when it was a Yankees affiliate, lives with her husband in a ranch home on the outskirts of town. Their basement is littered with futons in various positions, monuments from their hosting days.

"We had 12 players, two wives and a baby staying with us all at once," Rothstein says. "We didn't charge them a dime. One month we had a $5,800 food bill and we tried collecting $20 from each, but some of them couldn't even afford that."

MU in the Majors

■ So many possibilities, but Max Scherzer holds the key to the Tigers' season (Detroit Free Press)

So my final pick is Scherzer (04-06). If he can live up to the hype that accompanied his arrival in the majors in 2008, he can give the Tigers a front three that really can mask some other issues on the team.

■ Mathis on Opening Day roster (Star-Telegram.com)

Reliever Doug Mathis (05) has been with the Rangers each of the past two seasons, but Monday will be the first time he's made the Opening Day roster.

The moment isn't lost on Mathis, who found out Wednesday.

"It's huge," Mathis said. "I was fortunate to do well and be in a situation where they thought I deserved it. There are other guys that have been pitching well, too. I'm definitely appreciative of the opportunity I have. I've heard about it and seen Opening Day on TV, but this is something I'm looking forward to."

Game Day: "Scrappy"

■ Baylor drops finale at Missouri (KWTX.com)

Baylor baseball couldn’t hold an early lead as Missouri rallied from five runs down to avoid a series sweep by taking the finale, 13-9, Sunday afternoon at Taylor Stadium.

[Story includes video highlights]

■ Missouri baseball team's scrappy play helps avoid series sweep (Columbia Missourian)

“We were down,” Thigpen said. “We just had to turn it around. Had some older guys step up. Had a coach go off in the dugout, which I think really helped.”

Thigpen would not give the name of which coach did the scolding.

■ Mizzou baseball vs. Baylor series live blog (KMOV.com)

If I'm taking one thing away from this weekend series, it's how good Baylor's offense is. They're patient and they're great at putting the ball in play. They also take advantage of every mistake their opponent makes, and that's why they're so ruthlessly efficient.

[Story includes several great photos]

■ Missouri made the Ouch List on CollegeBaseballToday.com

Why It Hurts: To tell you the truth, today’s win wasn’t much of a salvation. The Tigers have been treading water most of this early season, finishing today with a 15-11 mark. A series win here would’ve really helped, especially when you consider the next three weekends are at OU and vs. Okie State and Kansas State. And when you take into account that the Tigers’ RPI is now No. 156.

Mizzou Recruits

■ Myles Smith: Special Delivery (ESPN Rise)

“I kind of wanted to be away from home to help me grow as a person,” he says. “I figured that if I did get drafted out of college, being in the minors, you’re always on the road. Missouri would help me prepare for that.”

Smith prepped for this year by working out his core and doing resistance training with elastic bands. The result could be seen in this winter’s bullpen sessions, when he hit 95 mph and sat around 92-93 with his four-seam fastball.

“For people I haven’t played with, they’re going to be surprised I’m throwing this hard,” says Smith.

■ Calallen rolls by Alice (Corpus Christ Caller-Times)

Rob Zastryzny has more than met expectations as Calallen’s ace pitcher, evident by the lanky left-hander’s 7-0 record and 0.17 ERA.

The senior’s offensive contributions are just gravy.

Zastryzny had two hits and four RBI to lead the Wildcats past Alice 9-3 on Monday, including a three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning that put the game out of reach. He now leads the team with a .461 average, a considerable improvement from the .325 he hit a year ago.

■ Matt Stites and James Hudelson both off to good starts with Jefferson College: 2010 Stats