Let the grudge match commence! Through 1 inning, Owls and Knights knotted at zero.

Simms gave up a 1-out single in the 1st, then forced two infield outs. Byrd led off B1 with a walk but was retired on a Stringer DP ball. Ratterree followed with a single (of course), then was forced out on an Aquino fielder's choice.

For those interested in the endless bunting debate, one would think Byrd may have scored on Ratt's single had Stringer sac'd him to 2nd (rather than hit into the DP). As always, impossible to know what would've happened, would Ratt still have gotten a hit, could Byrd have scored from 2nd on a 1-out single, etc. But...you know...

T2: Simms cruising, induces two infield pop outs, then a K after a lengthy full count at-bat. 3 up, 3 down.

B2: Hoelscher, Perrott, and Cook go quietly. Cook tried to bunt for a hit and was just out by a step (sounds like he didn't agree with the ump's call). Let's go, Owls!

T3: Yikes, a leadoff single followed by a John Simms error; Simms field a sac bunt, tries to get the lead runner at 2B (sounds like they had him), but John chucks it into centerfield. 2 on, no outs.

Next batter bunts the runners to 2nd and 3rd. 1 out. Then a ground ball to Stringer scores the runner from 3rd. 2 down, runner on 3rd. Simms fans the next Knight. You gotta give UCF credit; they've executed all weekend long and taken advantage of our errors and walks. In this one inning alone: a single, 2 successful sac bunts to advance runners, and a successful 1-out grounder to the right side to score the runner. 1 run on 1 hit and 1 error.

B3: Ewing grounds out on a scorcher to his counterpart at 1st. Then Ford draws a walk and is safe at 2nd on Byrd's crushed shot that bounces off the UCF 2nd baseman (ruled a single for Byrd). Two on, 1 out. Stringer up again with men on base.

Stringer flies out to LF, can't advance the runners. 2 down.

Ratterree walks (I believe he's second on the team to Byrd), and the BASES ARE FULL OF OWLS. Let's! Go! Rice! Aquino up.

...and a weak grounder to short ends the threat. 3 LOB. No runs on 1 hit and 2 walks. 1-0 UCF going to the 4th.

T4: Another UCF inning begins with the leadoff man getting on. Single by Taladay. Who wants to bet the Knights sac bunt here?

Well Rooney doesn't call for the sac bunt, but instead opts for the hit-and-run with his #5 power hitter at the plate. Webster bangs one off the mound, advances the runner, but Stainback makes a great play to beat Webster at 1st.

And then a HOMERUN by Matos over Cook's head. 2 runs score. When it rains, it pours. For those scoring at home, that's a metaphor for my tears. 3-0 UCF.

Simms follows with a fly out and a strikeout. Owls going B4.

B4: Hoelscher flies out to CF, and JP tells us that the Owls haven't been swept at home since 1993 (by A&M). 20 years. Thanks, JP. Thanks.

Perrott strikes out but reaches on a wild pitch.

Cook then ricochets one of the pitcher, the 2B fields, and still gets him. 2 down. Perrott on 2B. Need a Ewing hit here to get off the snide. C'mon, Skyler!!

Ewing fouls off a number of pitches, then works a full count, followed by a grounder to 2B. Out at 1st. Inning over; another LOB. That's 5 through 12 outs (plus a DP'd runner).

T5: The first Knight tries to bunt for a hit, but Simms gets him at first. The next Knight grounds out to Stainback at short. And the next Knight flies out to Byrd in CF. 3 up, 3 down. Great inning from John. Let's get back in this now. Come on, bats!!

Smack, you have nerves of steel to be able to do this. It is just so plain discouraging.

B5: Stainback-Byrd-Stringer coming this inning. Stainback grounds out to 3B. 1 down.

Byrd pops up to 1B. And Stringer follows him with a pop-up out. 3 up, 3 down. And UCF's pitcher--he of the 1-3 record and 5+ ERA--continues to make his pitch for the CUSA Cy Young Award. So far, apparently, he's got every Owl's vote.

(04-14-2013 02:16 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Smack, you have nerves of steel to be able to do this. It is just so plain discouraging.

And by "nerves of steel," I assume you mean "a 12-pack of PBR"...

Wow, have we ever been swept at Reckling? Because it sure looks like we are about to find out what that feels like...

More ominously, we look like we might be swept at Reckling by a team which I believe entered the weekend with an RPI in the vicinity of 225.

T6: Hempe to bat, and Simms serves up a delicious plate of HOMERUN. 4-0 UCF. Ball soared over the LF wall, and Jimmy Comerota says, "I think he hit that really hard."

Maybe a little gunshy, Simms walks the next batter. Still no outs. Visit to the mound; probably not talking about what to get Millie and Jimmy for their wedding present... ("Candlesticks always make a nice gift.")

Simms K's the batter, but the next Knight smacks a double off the left-field wall. Runners on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. Infield in to try to stop this bleeding. Let's go, Simms!

Excellent! Stainback, playing in, fields a grounder to short, looks back the runner to third, then guns out the batter at 1st. 2 down. Then Simms follows with another K. Good job to get out of that without giving up more than the solo shot. Could've been way worse. 6 hits for UCF through 6, 2 of them HRs. On to B6.

(04-14-2013 02:23 PM)d1owls4life Wrote:  Wow, have we ever been swept at Reckling? Because it sure looks like we are about to find out what that feels like...

No. Earlier JP said that we haven't been swept at home since 1993. That was, like, an entire millenium ago. Long time.

(04-14-2013 02:25 PM)Ranger Wrote:  More ominously, we look like we might be swept at Reckling by a team which I believe entered the weekend with an RPI in the vicinity of 225.

203 to start the week according to Warren Nolan. They are 147 now.

The Really Poor Indicator, as Jay Bilas calls it in basketball, is going to be a real hindrance now to us making the postseason at all. Looking like we may have to win the conference tourney at Reckling.

(04-14-2013 02:27 PM)smackdaddy Wrote:  

(04-14-2013 02:23 PM)d1owls4life Wrote:  Wow, have we ever been swept at Reckling? Because it sure looks like we are about to find out what that feels like...

No. Earlier JP said that we haven't been swept at home since 1993. That was, like, an entire millenium ago. Long time.

That's what I figured. First time for everything I suppose. Thanks.

The reality is that Owls baseball has been on a downward trajectory for at least three seasons.

B6: Here comes the Owlsplosion. I can feel it. Ratterree to start it off. Watch out. Hold on to your hat. Here come the Owls...

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMERUUUUUUUUUUN. HR #2 on the season for Mr. Ratt. 4-1 UCF. I told you to hold on to you hat. Well, sir, that hat is due for more jostling. Here it comes. Aquino up...

BASE HIT!! Why do you doubt me, sir? Where is your hat?? I warned you fairly... Aquino smashes one of of the pitcher, the ball ricochets to 3rd, and Michael is safely on first. Still no outs. The fuse is lit. Hoelscher to the plate...

Oh, 6-4-3 DP. I see why you doubted me, sir. Perrott up. Perrott walks. Cook up. Let's go, Keenan.

Nope. Cook grounds to 3rd. But not before Michael Ratterree gets Rice on the board. 9 more outs for the Cardiac Owls to get this to extra innings...