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batted balls · 07-28-2006, 10:58 AM

May 9, 2007

Berkeley, Calif.--The Cal Golden Bears continued their winning ways. The Southern California Trojans were even better in the past week. Thus, Cal and USC are tied atop the All-American Baseball League West standings.

"It's going to be a dogfight all season long," said Cal manager Clint Evans. "No one will run away with the division like Arizona State did last year."

USC manager Rod Dedeaux supports Evans' prediction.

"It seems as if everybody was able to shore up what they were lacking from a year ago," said the USC manager. "It's going to really exciting all summer long."

While Cal is 7-3 in its last 10 games, USC was beaten just once in that same stretch. In fact, the Trojans strung together seven straight wins.

"We've finally begun to put it all together," said Dedeaux. "Pitching, hitting, fielding, base running . . . it's all looking good right now."

USC third baseman Aaron Boone has continued to tear up West pitching. Boone, 12-for-his last 30, has raised his West-leading average to .376. Pitchers Jim Barr (7-0) and Randy Johnson (3-0) have been virtually unhittable. Center fielder Fred Lynn (.331-10-24) has caught everything hit his way. The Trojans are tied for second in the AABL with 13 steals.

"We're more aggressive on the bases this year," Dedeaux said. "It's paying off in a number of ways."

Meanwhile, Cal has relied on strong pitching. Starters Orval Overall (5-2), Bill "Bugs" Werle (5-2), Ryan Drese (3-0) and Andy Messersmith (3-1) have racked up a 16-5 record. Closer Mike Cather is tied for third with eight saves.

"Our pitching has been our mainstay," Evans said. "But our offense is coming through with timely hits."

Meanwhile, defending West champion Arizona State has fallen into third place. The Sun Devils, two games behind Cal and USC, dropped two straight one-run decisions to eighth-place Stanford.

Diamond Notes: Arizona's Jason Bates captured the West Player of the Week award. Bates (shown below) is 12-for-his last 22 with two home runs. The Wildcat second baseman is second in West batting at .353 . . . UCLA closer Jim York is listed as day-to-day with inflamed muscles in his back . . . USC sent outfielder Geoff Jenkins to the minors and brought up 20-year-old Don Buford . . . Oklahoma State has lost 13 straight games. The last-place Cowboys are just 9-27, the worst record in the AABL.

Stat of the Week: Five weeks into the season, San Diego State starters have yet to post a win. Those starters are Aaron Harang (0-4), Don Shaw (0-3), Jim Andrews (0-1), Dan Murray (0-5) and Mike Couchee (0-0).

West Standings

Team W L PCT GB
California 24 12 .667 --
Southern California 24 12 .667 --
Arizona State 22 14 .611 2.0
UCLA 20 16 .556 4.0
Texas 18 18 .500 6.0
Arizona 17 19 .472 7.0
Cal State Fullerton 17 19 .472 7.0
Stanford 17 19 .472 7.0
San Diego State 12 24 .333 12.0
Oklahoma State 9 27 .250 15.0

07-28-2006, 10:58 AM	#191 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Cal, USC Continue Winning Ways Atop West Standings May 9, 2007 Berkeley, Calif.--The Cal Golden Bears continued their winning ways. The Southern California Trojans were even better in the past week. Thus, Cal and USC are tied atop the All-American Baseball League West standings. "It's going to be a dogfight all season long," said Cal manager Clint Evans. "No one will run away with the division like Arizona State did last year." USC manager Rod Dedeaux supports Evans' prediction. "It seems as if everybody was able to shore up what they were lacking from a year ago," said the USC manager. "It's going to really exciting all summer long." While Cal is 7-3 in its last 10 games, USC was beaten just once in that same stretch. In fact, the Trojans strung together seven straight wins. "We've finally begun to put it all together," said Dedeaux. "Pitching, hitting, fielding, base running . . . it's all looking good right now." USC third baseman Aaron Boone has continued to tear up West pitching. Boone, 12-for-his last 30, has raised his West-leading average to .376. Pitchers Jim Barr (7-0) and Randy Johnson (3-0) have been virtually unhittable. Center fielder Fred Lynn (.331-10-24) has caught everything hit his way. The Trojans are tied for second in the AABL with 13 steals. "We're more aggressive on the bases this year," Dedeaux said. "It's paying off in a number of ways." Meanwhile, Cal has relied on strong pitching. Starters Orval Overall (5-2), Bill "Bugs" Werle (5-2), Ryan Drese (3-0) and Andy Messersmith (3-1) have racked up a 16-5 record. Closer Mike Cather is tied for third with eight saves. "Our pitching has been our mainstay," Evans said. "But our offense is coming through with timely hits." Meanwhile, defending West champion Arizona State has fallen into third place. The Sun Devils, two games behind Cal and USC, dropped two straight one-run decisions to eighth-place Stanford. Diamond Notes: Arizona's Jason Bates captured the West Player of the Week award. Bates (shown below) is 12-for-his last 22 with two home runs. The Wildcat second baseman is second in West batting at .353 . . . UCLA closer Jim York is listed as day-to-day with inflamed muscles in his back . . . USC sent outfielder Geoff Jenkins to the minors and brought up 20-year-old Don Buford . . . Oklahoma State has lost 13 straight games. The last-place Cowboys are just 9-27, the worst record in the AABL. Stat of the Week: Five weeks into the season, San Diego State starters have yet to post a win. Those starters are Aaron Harang (0-4), Don Shaw (0-3), Jim Andrews (0-1), Dan Murray (0-5) and Mike Couchee (0-0). West Standings Team W L PCT GB California 24 12 .667 -- Southern California 24 12 .667 -- Arizona State 22 14 .611 2.0 UCLA 20 16 .556 4.0 Texas 18 18 .500 6.0 Arizona 17 19 .472 7.0 Cal State Fullerton 17 19 .472 7.0 Stanford 17 19 .472 7.0 San Diego State 12 24 .333 12.0 Oklahoma State 9 27 .250 15.0 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 07-28-2006 at 11:23 AM.