Spring Season Concludes
By BENNET OTTO POEPPING
May 1, 2011
The Tartans wave farewell to senior Phil Manor and senior captain Joe Seymour.
This weekend was rather busy for CMU Baseball. On Thursday night the Tartans took on WVU in a losing effort 7-2. Strikeouts were a major problem, as well as multiple mental errors on defense. Bennet Poepping pitched yet another complete game loss, but was happy to finally hit again.
On Saturday the sun shone for the first time in a long time. Boyce Park was alive with a record turnout of ten fans, one dog, and one guy with a grill (selling $.50 hot dogs). The Tartans made two heart-attack comebacks and won on walk-offs in both games.
The first game Bennet Poepping hit a game-tying three run double in the seventh. Then Nick Thieme got on base, somehow got to third, and Mike Terrick drove him in with a clutch opposite field single. Brendan MacNabb was finally out of his pitching slump, throwing absurd knuckleballs all day. Pedro Cuacuas showcased some amazing base-running abilities by somehow skipping second base without the opposing team noticing.
In the second game the Tartans were again down in the seventh, and again Bennet Poepping got the game-tying hit. Courtesy runner Brian Ferri then scored the game winning run on a past ball with Nick Thieme at bat. Dan "Stolly Dan" Daniel Stoll pitched very well, showcasing his nasty curveball. Christopher Lee also had a good showing at the plate this weekend.
On Sunday the weather was not so promising, but the Tartans were determined to play anyway. Through the puddles and swamps the Tartans built a 9-2 lead against CalUP before the umpires called the game. Evan Fisch had two doubles and 4 RBI in his 3 at bats. Kyle Woltersdorf had been pitching a good game, but Joe Seymour would certainly have been prepared to shut them down. The game was called after in the top of the fourth due to rain, amid a 5 run rally thus far by the Tartans.
After the game was canceled, the Tartans decided to have base-running practice. The result was a lot of dirty uniforms, and a lot of half-priced burgers.
Fall Outlook:
The Tartans will be returning many key players next season, and regaining some missing pieces from this spring (not that we played that many games).
Key Returners:
P/OF Cam Bogie (Broken Hand)
UTIL Paul Ko (Getting Jacked)
SS Wade Brogdon (Germany)
Luke Whitestone (Being an overworked CS major)
Key Departures:
Phil Manor (Graduation)
Joe Seymour (Graduation)
Christopher Lee (Graduation)
A special thanks goes out to Claudio Reilsono for getting a team to win without an outside practice all season.