OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

batted balls · 06-24-2006, 10:51 PM

August 16, 2006

Bristol, Conn.-Illinois manager Tom Dedin figures this is as good a time as any to play first-place Ivy.

"We're playing our best ball of the season, why not play them now?" said Dedin on the eve of a three-game series at Eagles Nest Park.

Illinois, winners of seven straight games and 10 of its last 11, trails Ivy by five games in the standings. Dedin has his pitching rotation set so that his top three starters will face the Eagles.

Illini right-hander Carl Lundgren (16-6, 1.98 ERA) will oppose Ivy's Ron Darling (8-4, 2.45) in the opener. Fred Beebe (14-7, 1.53) is scheduled against Ted Olson (8-6, 2.95) in game two. The series finale will pit East strikeout leader Jeff Innis (11-8, 2.13) against Pete Broberg (15-7, 2.80).

"We couldn't ask for a better opportunity," said Dedin. "It's in our hands. Ivy is very talented, but we're ready for this series."

Lundgren (shown below), Beebe and Innis are a combined 8-0 in their last eight decisions.

"That trio is as tough as any three pitchers we've seen this year," said Minnesota infielder Paul Molitor.

In addition, the series will feature the East's top three home run hitters. Ivy first baseman Lou Gehrig and Illinois short stop Lou Boudreau are tied for the lead with 15 homers each. Illini outfielder Don Lenhardt has 14 home runs.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are 7-3 in their last 10 games. While Ivy has seen its lead in the East slip by three games in the past week, manager Bob Seddon likes his team's chances.

"The pressure is on Illinois," Seddon said. "We're playing in our home park. We're playing well. We're ready."

Ivy, in fact, is 42-20 at home this season. The Eagles haven't lost a series since mid-July.

"Illinois is coming here intend on sweeping us," Seddon said. "We'll have something to say about that."

Diamond Notes: Ivy right-hander Jim Beattie was selected as East Player of the Week. Beattie, who started the All-Star Game, was 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA for the week. Beattie, 14-4 with a 2.13 ERA, is fifth in the league in wins and sixth in ERA . . . Ivy outfielder Sam Mele is making his bid for MVP. Mele has taken over second place in batting (.325) while continuing to lead the East in RBIs (93) . . . Miami's Warren Bogle (16-5, 2.47) has taken over the East lead in victories . . . Mississippi State third baseman Bobby Etheridge (.178-2-35) is out indefinitely with a pulled tricep muscle. The Bulldogs have called up infielder Buddy Myer.

Stat of the Week: Mississippi State closer Bobby Thigpen has converted 17 straight save opportunities. Thigpen has 21 saves on the year.

Standings
Ivy 78-42 --
Illinois 73-47 -5
Miami 72-48 -6
Florida State 64-56 -14
Mississippi State 63-57 -15
Michigan 58-62 -20
LSU 53-67 -25
Notre Dame 52-68 -26
Michigan State 45-75 -33
Minnesota 42-78 -36

06-24-2006, 10:51 PM	#112 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Red-Hot Illini Set Pitching Rotation for Key Series at Ivy August 16, 2006 Bristol, Conn.-Illinois manager Tom Dedin figures this is as good a time as any to play first-place Ivy. "We're playing our best ball of the season, why not play them now?" said Dedin on the eve of a three-game series at Eagles Nest Park. Illinois, winners of seven straight games and 10 of its last 11, trails Ivy by five games in the standings. Dedin has his pitching rotation set so that his top three starters will face the Eagles. Illini right-hander Carl Lundgren (16-6, 1.98 ERA) will oppose Ivy's Ron Darling (8-4, 2.45) in the opener. Fred Beebe (14-7, 1.53) is scheduled against Ted Olson (8-6, 2.95) in game two. The series finale will pit East strikeout leader Jeff Innis (11-8, 2.13) against Pete Broberg (15-7, 2.80). "We couldn't ask for a better opportunity," said Dedin. "It's in our hands. Ivy is very talented, but we're ready for this series." Lundgren (shown below), Beebe and Innis are a combined 8-0 in their last eight decisions. "That trio is as tough as any three pitchers we've seen this year," said Minnesota infielder Paul Molitor. In addition, the series will feature the East's top three home run hitters. Ivy first baseman Lou Gehrig and Illinois short stop Lou Boudreau are tied for the lead with 15 homers each. Illini outfielder Don Lenhardt has 14 home runs. Meanwhile, the Eagles are 7-3 in their last 10 games. While Ivy has seen its lead in the East slip by three games in the past week, manager Bob Seddon likes his team's chances. "The pressure is on Illinois," Seddon said. "We're playing in our home park. We're playing well. We're ready." Ivy, in fact, is 42-20 at home this season. The Eagles haven't lost a series since mid-July. "Illinois is coming here intend on sweeping us," Seddon said. "We'll have something to say about that." Diamond Notes: Ivy right-hander Jim Beattie was selected as East Player of the Week. Beattie, who started the All-Star Game, was 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA for the week. Beattie, 14-4 with a 2.13 ERA, is fifth in the league in wins and sixth in ERA . . . Ivy outfielder Sam Mele is making his bid for MVP. Mele has taken over second place in batting (.325) while continuing to lead the East in RBIs (93) . . . Miami's Warren Bogle (16-5, 2.47) has taken over the East lead in victories . . . Mississippi State third baseman Bobby Etheridge (.178-2-35) is out indefinitely with a pulled tricep muscle. The Bulldogs have called up infielder Buddy Myer. Stat of the Week: Mississippi State closer Bobby Thigpen has converted 17 straight save opportunities. Thigpen has 21 saves on the year. Standings Ivy 78-42 -- Illinois 73-47 -5 Miami 72-48 -6 Florida State 64-56 -14 Mississippi State 63-57 -15 Michigan 58-62 -20 LSU 53-67 -25 Notre Dame 52-68 -26 Michigan State 45-75 -33 Minnesota 42-78 -36 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 06-24-2006 at 11:10 PM.