Ohio

The Gate Giveth

In case you missed it…Peralta was given a gift from the gods!  An inside the park home run!

I know what you’re thinking…Indians fans have something to cheer about?

Yes, yes we do.  Johnny Peralta hit a ball deep to right centerfield.  So deep, in fact, that the outfielder literally crashed through the Indians bullpen door trying to get to it.  Peralta is not quick.  I actually think that a snail could have beaten him to home plate.  But he managed to beat the delayed throw home, and thusly, a two-run inside the park home run.

The Indians finished off a banner weekend with the win today.  A four game sweep of the Tigers is not an easy feat, moreso when you consider that we have a bunch of AAA players developing in the majors.

We’ll see if the Tribe can keep the streak going…but I’m not holding my breath.

Guilty Pleasures

As I sat anxiously watching “The Decision” I could not control my giddiness. Everything leading up to his decision had me believing that he was jumping ship and I could not be happier. It’s not because Cleveland actually had a good, check that GREAT team…that’s right folks, that’s a Yinzer complimenting a Cleveland sports team…but rather it’s because I enjoy seeing die-hard Cleveland sports fans suffer. Yeah I know thats wrong. Probably kind of sick too, but it’s the truth. Their hopes get built up so much for the Browns and the Indians but each year they fall flat on their faces. However the Cavs were legit. But now they’re unlegit. Again.

It’s hard to say James made the wrong decision because he’s playing with Wade, and Bosh. Miami fans don’t come close to Cleveland fans. Cleveland fans are some of the most loyal fans ever. Cheering for pathetic teams isn’t easy to do…trust me, I find myself questioning why I continue to chee for the Pirates, but then I remember it’s because I love that team. And Clevelanders love their teams. No fault there. But seriously, why get all upset. In seven years, how many championships has James gotten you all? Zero. How many finals did he lead you to? One and they got swept.

Now are you a better team without him. HELL NO. Not even close. Actually, the Cavs are now one of the worst teams in the league if you ask me, but cut the guy some slack. Except for the last few games in this postseason, this guy carried you. He led what was otherwise a collaberation of run-of-the-mill players to the best record in basketball. Here’s something you all should do. Learn from Pittsburgh. When Sergei Gonchar signed a contract with the Ottawa Senators this offseason, the city didn’t go up in arms, instead they thanked him for his time and service to the team and community. Granted Gonchar was a key contributor to their Stanley Cup championship, but when he comes back to Pittsburgh, I promise you he will get a standing ovation. Please do the same with James.

These super-freakish athletes are humans too. They need to lookout for themselves. James tried for seven years and couldn’t get it done. Now nothing is for sure, but I think he has earned the right to go to South Beach to try and win a championship. If nothing else, James can’t be called greedy or that he is in it just for the money. Instead he wants to win. He tried and Cleveland, but now will try in Miami.

Yeah, I’m happy he left. I feel bad to an extent for Cleveland, but at the same time, deep down I’m smiling. Guilty pleasure.

Marietta Football Schedule Out

We’re still a few months away from football season, but it’s nice to take a look at the road ahead for the Pioneers.  Seniors will be disappointed to see only four home games at Don Drumm.

You can view the full schedule with times over at the Marietta College Athletics site.

Marietta College will start the 2010 season with a trip to Thiel College September 4th.  September 11th will be Sternwheeler weekend, so no football.

Moving up to September 18th is the Muskingum University rivalry game, which will be both the Shrine Game and the River City Bowl.

The Pioneers then go on the road, with games against John Carroll University on September 25th and Baldwin-Wallace College on October 2nd.  There’s a chance that both those games could be televised on Sports Time Ohio in Northeast Ohio (if their television schedule is like last year).

On October 9th, Marietta will be home, but the students will be going home (Fall Break weekend).  Needed fan support may not be available as MC plays the newly-minted Mount Union University.  The Purple Raiders will more than likely be on their way to another trip to the D3 Championship game (hopefully with less than 36 inches of snow this time).

MC begins another two week road swing with games at Wilmington College of Ohio on October 16th, and Heidelberg University on October 23rd.

“Treat Yourself to Homecoming” in 2010 with another match-up against Ohio Northern University on October 30th.  I’ll call it now… students will be tired of drawing polar bears after two straight years of this.  The Pioneers will have their last home game November 6th against the Otterbein University Cardinals.

To finish the season, Marietta will travel to the outside of Columbus to meet the Capital Crusaders, who will probably be fighting for a spot in the D3 playoffs.

Big Z Has It Right

Head over to Fox 8 Cleveland and check out this video of Zydrunas Ilgauskas speaking out about Coach Brown’s firing and you’ll see what people are forgetting about the most:  You can’t blame Coach Brown for losing when the whole team is at fault for losing.

Inaugural Null Star Team

With the Midsummer Classic just under two months away, teams are starting to campaign for their players to make the squad. But for the Ohio and Pennsylvania teams, most notably the Pirates and Indians, they will probably each only get one selection…Andrew McCutchen and Shin-Soo Choo. The Reds will most likely send Scott Rolen (who saw this season coming) and Joey Votto, a staple for years to come. The Phillies, well they could pretty much field an All-Star team each night. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Roy Halladay, and the list goes on.

Well to celebrate the futility of some of our beloved ball clubs, I thought it would be fun to select the Null Star Team. The criteria: it must be an everyday player…that’s it.

So to get things started, we will open up the debate with left fielders:

Pittsburgh Pirates: Lastings Milledge
Cincinnatti Reds: Jonny Gomes
Cleveland Indians: Matt LaPorta
Philadelphia Phillies: Raul Ibanez

Have at it oh Blokes of the Blog. Soldiers(that’s my new nickname for our followers…it is a war) you too have a say in this.  Remember, only one vote per person and give a justifiable reason as well…

May the worst player win!

Ed’s Note: To comment or vote, you must either create an account or log in using your Facebook or Twitter username and password.  Border War does not get to see that information, so your password is safe.  Fire the comments away!

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Pio’s rebound well, but come up two wins short of Wisconsin

First off, apologies to those who religiously follow borderwarsports.com. This article should’ve been written as soon as the games went final; however I had to take a two hour trek back east to Pittsburgh. It had been awhile since I’ve been home and had to get re-Yinzer-gized.

After Marietta lost a heartbreaking opening round NCAA Mideast regional game to Thomas More, they had to win out to make it to Wisconsin for the DIII College World Series. Head coach Brian Brewer’s game plan for the next day was “win”…and did they ever. The ‘Etta Express got things rolling again by shutting out and sending home #2 seed Wooster, winning 6-0. The win meant that Marietta would have to play later that day. Pitching was wearing thin. Austin Blaski threw against Thomas More and Brian Gasser against Wooster. Mark Williams found success coming from the bullpen and Brewer wasn’t going to remove him from that role, so instead he turned to Casey Levens. Levens and a trio of freshman limited Washington and Jefferson to just five hits and one run while the Pio’s bats came to life. Britt Meador, John Snyder, Levens, and Tim Saunders all had multi-hit games, while Jordan Grilliot score three times. When it was all said and done, Marietta sent W&J back down I-77 with an 11-1 beat down.

Talk about rebounding. Shaq would’ve been impressed. Young Shaq that is. Orlando and L.A. Shaq. Not so much Phoenix and Cleveland Shaq.

Marietta got a chance at redemption against Thomas More the following day, and while the Saints had the dubious distinction of beating the host team on the first day, it was the Pioneers who would play bad party hosts and send Thomas More packing. Give Brewer a ton of credit. He pulled all of the right strings with the pitching situation. In this game, he threw closer and spot starter Kyle Lindquist five innings and Even Brockmeier went the final four. Meador, Aaron Hopper, and Grilliot combined for nine of the Pio’s 16 hits as their run total equaled that of their hits. 16-4 final score. Next opponent Penn St. Behrend.

These two teams squared off in the final week of the regular season and Marietta won handily. This game would be a little closer .The Pioneers were blanked for 26 outs. With two outs in the 9th, Brewer sent Chris Beatty, mired in a horrible slump to the plate. With the season riding on the senior’s broad shoulders, he delivered. A two out double to keep the season alive. Brockmeier would pinch run and score on a Snyder seeing-eye single and the game went to extras tied at one. Then a little small ball and some Schaly Stadium magic propelled the Pio’s to victory. Steady Kirby Becker started out the inning with a single and advanced to second on a Jordan Thompson sac bunt. Starter Ryan Zamiskie mishandled the ball and Thompson was safe. Next up, Dan Jones. He too laid down a sac bunt and Zamiskie threw the ball away allowing Becker to score and the Pio’s to face off against Heidelberg for the right to go to the World Series.

It was an OAC championship rematch. The Pio’s would try to rewrite recent history and take down the powerful Student Princes. Brewer went back to his ace, Blaski, on short rest. Clearly fatigue had taken a toll on not only him, but the entire squad. They fell to Heidelberg 6-2, thus ending an impressive postseason run.

After Marietta lost their first game, they went on to play five games in three days, sending four teams packing all to fall to the #2 team in DIII baseball.

After the loss, heads were hung and I’m sure tears were shed, especially for the seniors who would no longer dawn the Marietta College pinstripes. But this three day tournament in little Marietta, Ohio proved to all fans that this town is truly a baseball town. And as for the members of the 2010 ‘Etta Express, the performance that they put on for their hometown fans was spectacular. The team might not have reached their ultimate goal, but that was quite possibly the best three days of baseball Marietta has ever seen.

As the shores of the Ohio and Muskingum now peacefully rest for the summer, everyone can eagerly anticipate the return of this squad next year as they hope to make another magical run. Although this one wasn’t too bad either.

Border War: Habs Rebound? Indians over Rays?

NHL: Philadelphia Flyers VS Montreal Canadiens

Chris – Philadelphia Flyers (3-1)

I think the Flyers need to take a 2-0 lead because it will be tough to win a game when they go up to Montreal.

C.J. – Philadelphia Flyers (4-3)

For once the home team won a game in the Stanley Cup playoffs. This series I’m not paying full attention to just because I’m more interested in the Blackhawks series (I love their jerseys). But nothing in this series so far made sense. Halak been the best goaltender in the playoffs got destroyed in game one and the Flyers being the home team actually won. Right now it’s hard to go against the Flyers, ever since Simon Gagne came back this team has been something else with five straight. I don’t think the Flyers are going to stop. I say game 2 go to the home team.

Mickey – Montreal Canadiens (5-2)

Montreal is my Lord Stanley favorites. Expect Halak to come back stronger than ever and him and the boys take that loss to heart. Cammaleri needs to have a big game as well.

Mike – Montreal Canadiens (3-1)

Montreal can’t fall behind 2-0 in the series

Patrick – Philadelphia Flyers (4-2)

This series is looking to be the opposite of the rest of the NHL.  Look for the home team to win again, and force the Habs to “Protect Their House” at the Bell Centre to at least force things back to Philly and try to steal an away victory.

MLB: Cleveland Indians VS Tampa Bay Rays

Chris – Tampa Bay Rays (6-3)

C.J. – Tampa Bay Rays (8-1)

Cleveland will be forced to try there luck against the Tampa Bay Rays. I almost want to pick the Indians because of the reverse lock theory but as much as a Redsox fan that I am I’m actually pulling for the Rays. As long as the Yankees don’t win the division or World Series I’m O.K with the Rays. Look for Pena, Crawford, and Barlett to tear up the Indians like they’ve been doing this year. I’m thinking all of them will be all stars again.

Mickey – Tampa Bay Rays (6-4)

No way Cleveland takes down the Rays. Just not happening

Mike – Tampa Bay Rays (5-3)

Until the Indians prove they can beat the first place Rays, Tampa Bay will win

Patrick – Tampa Bay Rays (6-3)

The artists formally known as the Devil Rays will buck their trend of losing to the Indians.  The Tribe is going to have to shake up their line-up now that the dazzling Cabrera sits with a broken forearm for 4-6 weeks (depends on whether surgery is needed or not).  While the Rays normally cannot buy a win against the Indians, they will win today.

NCAA DI Baseball – Ohio State Buckeyes VS Pittsburgh Panthers

Chris – Ohio State Buckeyes (8-3)

Pitt is ranked and I want to say for like the first time ever in their history. Too bad that doesn’t help them in the scoring category.

C.J. – Pittsburgh Panthers (14-6)

In division one college baseball I give the edge to Pittsburgh. They are ranked 33rd in division one and I don’t see how they will lose in this battle against OSU. Let’s just say I got a feeling on this one.

Mickey – Ohio State University (8-0)

Pitt has a baseball team? Point proven.

Mike – Ohio State University (6-4)

As much as I would like to say Pitt will win, I must go with O-H

Patrick – Pittsburgh Panthers (10-5)

Panthers are just on the outside of some national polls, and play a struggling Ohio State.  They’re just trying to keep above .500 in the Big 10.  Look for the  Panthers to pounce early.

BORDER WAR – Bruins/Flyers, MLB, Pioneers/Princes

Well, the Cavs fans went for the Homer win…and lost big time.  Mike picked the Celtics, and ties things up with C.J. and Mickey at three points apiece.  For Friday’s edition of Border War, we asked the bloggers who would win game seven of the Bruins/Flyers series, Reds/Cardinals, Pirates/Cubs, and Marietta Pioneers/Heidelberg Princes.  Who will take the lead?  Plenty of chances today.

All Aboard The ‘Etta Express – First Stop, Tiffin

The Pioneers begin their journey through the Division Three playoffs today at 4 PM (listen live at WMOA’s website) with a game against John Carroll University.

The ‘Etta Express comes into the OAC Tournament ranked #17 in the country, and #2 in the Mideast region.  From everything I’m reading, the conference tournament is just a warn-up for the real show down at Don Schaly Stadium (site of the 2010 Mideast Regional Tournament).  Seven teams are expected to make the regional, including three of the four OAC Tournament teams (sorry Muskingum), and four Top 25 teams.  I think it’s safe to say that Marietta will be home to the “Region of Death.”  But that analysis comes next week.

John Carroll University finished the regular season 25 and 14, 12 and 6 in the OAC.  Their main weapon is Brian Benander, who is hitting .437 for the year with a .667 slugging percentage.  The man can also take a hit, as he was nailed by pitchers 24 times.  John Moonan is probably who we’ll see pitching for the Blue Streaks, with an ERA of 4.22 and a 4-1 record.  He pitched in the JCU win over Marietta, and had five innings pitched, with five hits and one run.  Chris Eggleton is the other possibility, and he finished the season 3-1 with a 7.9 ERA.  He pitched five innings, with five hits and three runs.

The Pioneers batting battalion features four batters hitting over .400 for the season, and nearly an entire batting order over .350 (Casey Levens is hitting a comparatively low .294).  And they have the pitching to match, with three pitchers at 15 appearances each with an average ERA of around 4.  We’ll probably see Austin Blaski tonight, who has an 8-3 record with a 3.06 ERA over the course of the regular season.  However, when he faced JCU earlier this season, he only made it 2.2 innings with seven hits and eight runs (five earned).  That was Blaski’s last loss of the season.

There is a good chance that the Pioneers could be playing this game later tonight or tomorrow morning, as severe weather moves into the region.  Right now, the weather is great (according to Heidelberg’s radio station), but conditions are expected to deteriorate later in the night.  We’ll cross our fingers and hope they get the game in today, so the Pioneers and Blue Streaks don’t have to play two games, or even three possibly, in one day.

Look for the Pioneers to take care of business today and face #1 seed Heidelberg tomorrow afternoon.

BORDER WAR – Thursday the 13th

After one day, Mike and Chris are left wondering what happened to their beloved hockey team, and how to get out of the hole they are now in.  Can they tie things up in this week’s Border War?  Three chances today, as we pick the Cavs/Celtics, Indians/Royals, and Marietta College Pioneers / John Carroll University Blue Streaks in the second game of the OAC Tournament.