Merchant Marine

On Friday, April 29 we left Susquehanna for Long Island to play Merchant Marine.  After the four hour drive over we woke up on Saturday for a double header.  Coming into the weekend we needed to win two out of the three games to secure ourselves a playoff position.  If Juniata lost any of their games then we would only have to win one to move on.  The first game close the whole way through and we eventually took a 6 to 5 lead going into the last inning.  Unfortunately Merchant Marine scored 2 runs in the bottom of the last inning to take game one.  We came back in game and lost another tough one 8 to 4.  We found out that Juniata had lost one of their so all we had to do was to win Sunday's game to make it the playoffs.  We were down 3 to 0 early in the game.  But came back and had a 10 run inning to take a big league.  Things got close towards the end but we ended up pulling out the victory 14 to 13.  Next weekend we will be playing in the Landmark Conference Playoffs at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  It is a double elimination tournament.  We are the number 4 seed for the tournament so we will be playing the number 1 seeded Moravian.

Senior Day

Every year on the last home game of the season we celebrate Senior Day.  For all our seniors it is the last home game that they will play in their career.  Before the game starts every senior on our team is called onto the field with members of their family.  They are given a jersey and are recongnized for their accomplishments that they have acheived over the past 4 years as baseball players at Susquehanna University.  This is a really important game to the team because everyone wants to get the win for the seniors in their last home game.  We played Albright University on April 25.  It was a game of a lot of hits and a lot runs.  Unofortunately we good not pull the game out.  The final score was 17 to 9.  Our Seniors are infiedler Justin Portsline, infielder Geoff Hunter, infielder Eric Tuomisto, pitcher Joe Schurig, pitcher Andy Heregan, and pitcher Keith Needham.  Here they are pictured below

Juniata

Coming into the weekend against Juniata we knew we had to win the series in order to stand a chance in making the playoffs.  Us and Juniata shared the same record in the beginning of the weekend.  On April 22 we played a double header.  We won the first game 6 to 1 and won the second game 6 to 3.  The next day we came back to play the nine inning game.  The game was extremely close but ended up losing 6 to 4.  Going into the last conference weekend we needed to win two games.  Or if Juniata lost one of their games we would only have to win one game.

Catholic

On Firday April 15 we traveled to Washington, D.C. to play Catholic University.  This was the biggest series of the year so far for us.  The weather for Saturday was not promising at all so the double header got moved to Sunday and the nine inning game got moved to Saturday.  The game time also got moved up to 9 a.m. to tyr and avoid the rain.  Sure enough, one inning into the game rain started to pour down.  We got through 2 and 2/3 innings before we had to stop playing.  On Sunday we came back and had to play 21 innings of baseball.  We picked up the first game with a 7 to 4 lead.  The game went back and forth with several lead changes.  We ended up losing a tough game 12 to 11.  We came right back the next game and held a 5 to 4 lead going into the last inning.  However, Catholic scored 2 runs in the bottom of the last inning to take game 2.  We also lost the last game 11 to 5.  This put us in a tough spot to make the playoffs.  We would have to win the two last series of the year in order to make them.  These are pictures of me picthing during the Catholic series

Drew

On the weekend of April 9th we played Drew University.  This was a big series for us because winning three games would put us in good position to make the playoffs.  We played a double header on Saturday and took both from Drew.  We won 10 to 1 and 7 to 1.  We came back the next day play the final game of the series.  Going into the bottom of the last inning we were losing 3 to 2.  With a runner on second base and one sophomore, outfielder Kenny Kayama came to the plate.  On the second pitch of the at bat Kenny homered to left center field and we won the game 4 to 3.  Sweeping the series was huge for us.

This Weekend

             The upcoming conference weekend is huge for us.  We play Drew University who beat two out of the three games last season.  We have a double header on Saturday with the first games starting at one o'clock and the second game starting about a half hour or so after the first one finishes.  We then play a nine inning game against them on Sunday at twelve.  To put ourselves in good position to make the playoffs we will have to sweep at least two of the four remaining series that we have left and we are hoping that it starts with this weekend.  Unfortunately like I said in my other blog post the weather is not looking so good for this weekend but we are really hoping to get all three games in and hopefully three wins. 

Weather

   The weather has been really putting a damper on our season.  It has recently been very rainy and much colder than anticipated.  There's nothing worse then having to play games in the cold and rain.  Due to weather one of our games had to be cancelled and another postoponed.  Also during the Scranton weekend our double header had to be pushed back so we were not able to do an overnight trip but instead had to drive up there two serparate times.  The game we played against them on Monday eventually got called in the eighth inning of our game becasuse a thunder storm moved in and it got too dark out.  There is expected rain for this next weekend agaisnt Drew University.  We are hoping that we can have just one game without any rain.

First Two Conference Weekends

    So far we have completed two conference weekends.  The first weekend we played against the defending conference champion Moravian Greyhounds.  We lost a tough first game one to nothing but then came right back and won the second game in the bottom of the last inning.  After tying the series at one a piece we game back to play the third game on Sunday and lost six to nothing.  The second conference series we faced Scranton University.  We lost a tough first game to Scranton six to five but then came back and won the second game four to two in extra innings.  In the second game we were down by a run in the last inning but came back and tied it, then proceeded to take the lead in the top of the eighth.  Right now we stand at two and four in conference play with four series left to play.  Last year we finished with a total of six conference losses and still placed third in our conference.  The next few weeks are going to be big for us.  Below is a picture of my teammates and I during the national anthem.

Next Weekend

    Conference play for all the teams in the Landmark Conference begins this weekend.  However, since there are seven teams in the conference one team has a bye every weekend.  This first weekend is our bye but next weekend we play Moravian.  The games agaisnt Moravian might be the biggest games of the season for us.  Moravian took the first place seed in the playoff tournament last season and are the defending Landmark Conference champions.  Also, Moravian is the only conference team that we lost a conference series to last year (1-2).  We play a double header agaisnt them on Saturday (first game at 1:00) and we play one game on Sunday at 12:00.  All three games are home so we're hoping to get a big turn out from students for support because last year when we played at thier place, thier fans got pretty rowdy. 

Upcoming Week

   The next week or so is going to be pretty busy and tough for us.  In the next five days we're going to play a total of five games.  On saturday we have our first home double header agaisnt Haverford.  Game one starts at 12:30.  Right now Haverford is 10-0 in their season so it will definately be a tough couple of games.  On sunday we travel to Franklin and Marshall for a double header (first game at 1:00).  Franklin and Marshall is another tough team that plays in the same conference as Haverford.  We didn't play Franklin and Marshall at all last year so we don't know much about them.  Lastly, on Wednesday we have a game home against Muhlenburg at 4:00.  We faced Muhlenburg and had a tough game against them last year.  Right now our team stands at 4-7.  Hopefully after this week we can get back to .500

Home Openner

   Today we had our home opener against PSU-Berks.  All of the satellite schools from Penn State are usually pretty good so we always have tough games against them.  It was a gorgeous day for baseball, about 60 and sunny.  Our field looked really good.  The maintenance guys worked all morning on putting up a maroon canvas around the field.  Also, since today was St. Patty's Day we got a pretty good turn out for the game.  

    Berks took an early lead in the top of the first inning but we answered right back and tied it in the bottom of the first inning.  We took the lead in the third and kept it all the way to ninth inning.  Berks scored 4 runs in the top of the ninth to take a one run lead.  With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth we scored two runs on an error to win the game.  It was a great way to end our first home game.  

Off Day

      Tuesday was the only day we had completely off during our trip to Florida.  A bunch of guys from the team decided to go to a New York Mets' Spring training game.  I was extremely excited because I am a die-hard Met fan but have only been to a couple of their games.  Every Spring during the pre season professional baseball teams take a trip to florida and play games for a few months.  During this time all different players get the opportunity to prove themselves in making the major league squad and coaches get to see what guys would play the best in certain positions.  The Mets go to St. Lucie, Florida for their spring training.  Conveniently, the Mets' facility is only about fifteen to twenty minutes down the road from our hotel.  A father of one of the players on my team was in Florida for the week to watch our games.   He took myself and a couple of the other guys over to the Met game on Tuesday.  We went over early so we could watch the teams take batting practice, Infield/Outfield, and to walk around the facility.  Before the game we walked around the outside of the stadium for a little.  There was an RV (picture below) and outside of it about 8 plasma screen televisions with game consoles.  The game MLB 2K 11 had come out that day and sponsors were holding a large event for it.  A couple of the guys and I even got to go onto the RV and play the new video.  We got amazing seats in the second row behind home plate.  

       The stadium turned out to be a lot smaller than I anticipated.  I felt like a tourist because I took nearly one hundred pictures, but I just couldn't believe how close we were to the players.  Below are just some of the photos I took during the game.  The Mets ended up losing the game 5-4 in extra innings, but it was good game.  It was a great way to spend my off day.  

Florida

        On Friday March 4 at 6 p.m.  My team departed for Ft. Pierce, Florida.  After an 18 1/2 bus ride we had practice and then got settled into our hotel and had a double header the next morning against Misericordia.  We lost two tough games (2-1 and 5-2).  We came right back the next day with a double header against Ursinus.  We won the first of the two games  4-3 and lost the second the game 5-4.  Tuesday we had an off day.  Wednesday we played a double header against La Roche College losing both games (8-1 and 4-0).  Thursday we played our first and only night game against Northwester College winning it 5-2.  On friday we came back and played the same team winning again 8-4.  Our last day in Florida we had a double header.  One game was against Penn State University-Behrend and the second against Bethany.  We took two tough losses against the teams, and then get back on the road after we showered.  

      We stayed in a hotel complex for the entire trip which was conveniently located next to a Steak and Shake which the guys and made frequent visits to.  Especially during happy hour when the shakes are half priced (if you ever go to Steak and Shake i strongly recommend the Peanut Butter Cup shake).  The hotel we stayed at was pretty nice and in our down time we usually took naps or went and hung out by the pool.  Also during the trip it is a tradition for all rookie players to have their heads completely shaved, perform skits that make fun of older players and coaches, and to be thrown in the pool.  This years skits were very funny and I'm sure the rookie traditions will last for years to come.  Pictured below is the complex which we played all our games at.  The facility is really nicely kept.  

Florida Can't Come Soon Enough

At this point we're just about half way through our winter practices and lifts.  Every day we get closer to the day we leave for Ft. Pierce, Florida (March 4 at 6 p.m.).  I think I can speak for the whole team by saying none of us can wait to finally get outside on the field.  We get a lot of work done inside but it's limited since we practice in the field house.

Recently we started 'throwing live' for the first time.  We put a mound in the drop down cage so the pitchers get to actually get the throw to the batters.  It's difficult to get used throwing and hitting in such a confined space but we are all getting used to it. 

Throughout these winter practices we have a total of 16 6 a.m. sessions.  This upcoming week will be our second full week.  This past week has all been night sessions (8 to 10 p.m.) so it will be difficult adjusting to waking up at five in the morning again.  It's all worth it in the end though because we've had good practices everyday and it's definitely going to help us in the season. 
Below is a picture of practice the other night.

Hudl

Our Coach created accounts for all the players on the team on this website called Hudl.com.   On the website photos, stats, and videos can all be uploaded.  A lot of our practice time is dedicated to trying to perfect mechanics, technique, and stiuational defenses. 

Coach Bowers video tapes pitchers when throwing bullpens, hitters in the cage, and different types of deffensive plays.  The website is cool because each player gtes their own profile and their videos can be uploaded on it.  Hudl allows our coach to pause the video in certain sections and leave comments for us.

Based off of his comments we can then work on the things he mentions.  I think this website is very useful and will help out everyone on the team in the long run.  Here is just one clip of a bullpen I through a couple days ago.

Library - Baseball - Hudl

Practice Begins

The SU baseball team began practices this week in the field house.  Practice time is two hours long and also at some point in the day there is a team lifting session.  The team is going to practice at least six times a week leading up to spring break.  The team wants to use this time to prepare for their upcoming trip to Florida and this season

New Season

The Susquehanna baseball team is going to begin practice next week in preparation for their 2011 season.  I am a sophomore pitcher on the team.  The team has worked very hard this off-season, every team member has worked on getting stronger and faster.  After a disappointing playoff run last season the team will accept nothing less than a championship. 

First Blog

My name is Matt Roe and this is the first blog I have ever done.  I am a sophomore communications major at SU.  For my New Media class I will be posting a blog about the baseball team here at Susquehanna.