Monday, April 28, 2008

A Monday washout

As expected, all baseball games scheduled for Monday were postponed. Most were rescheduled for Tuesday. Here's a complete list of area games and their rescheduled date:

Commonwealth
Cedar Cliff at Central Dauphin East, ppd. TBA
Cumberland Valley at Carlisle, ppd. to Tuesday, 4
Red Land at Chambersburg, ppd. to Tuesday, 5

Keystone
Mechanicsburg at Bishop McDevitt, ppd. to Tuesday, 4

Colonial
Waynesboro at Susquenita, ppd. to Tuesday, 4
Big Spring at Shippensburg, ppd. to Tuesday, 4:15
East Pennsboro at West Perry, ppd. to Tuesday, 4:15

Capital
Harrisburg at Camp Hill, ppd. to Tuesday, 4
Trinity at Greencastle-Antrim, ppd. to Tuesday, 4
James Buchanan vs. Boiling Springs at Commerce Bank Park, City Island, ppd. to Tuesday, 7

Non-division
Northern at Central Dauphin, ppd. to May 8, 4

As a side note, the Cedar Cliff vs. Red Land game, which was postponed twice over the weekend, has been moved to Thursday at Brandt Cook Field and is set for a 4 p.m. start, according to Red Land's highschoolsports.net page.

Top Games: April 28-May 3

This week could be really messy. Late Sunday evening the forecast predicated at least four days of rain this week. That’s not good news, especially for Cedar Cliff and Red Land. The West Shore rivals had their game at Commerce Bank Park postponed from Saturday to Sunday when it was again postponed, this time to Tuesday at Red Land’s Brandt Cook Field at 4 p.m.

So what happens if games involving those teams get rained out Monday? Both are on the road with Cedar Cliff at Central Dauphin East and Red Land at Chambersburg. The logical step is to move the game to Tuesday, but that date is already booked. Stay tuned. This week could fun.

Mechanicsburg at Bishop McDevitt, Monday, 4 – These two enter this matchup two games out of first place in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division. It’s safe to say the loser here can stop dreaming of a division title and focus on winning a district playoff berth.

Red Land at Chambersburg, Monday, 5 – This one might decide the Mid-Penn Commonwealth champion. Both come in at 7-1 in the division and hold a three-game lead over Central Dauphin. The Trojans took the first game, 10-7. Red Land planned to throw Kyle Otstot on Sunday and K.C. Beshore on Monday. It’ll be interesting to see if coach Kyle Wagner adjusts his rotation.

Cedar Cliff at Red Land, Tuesday, 4 – Maybe the third time will be the charm. Only time will tell if this game will be played today or if further changes will be made depending on Monday’s weather. Whenever these two get together, make sure to check it out. Don’t forget, Red Land swept Cedar Cliff a season ago.

Central Dauphin at Red Land, Wednesday, 4 – Tired of hearing about Red Land? If the Patriots stay hot, there’ll be a lot more coming about them. Crafty left-hander Andrew Hunt should be on the mound for Red Land as the team tries to sweep Central Dauphin for the second year in a row.

Boiling Springs at Camp Hill, Friday, 4 – It’s unlikely either team will catch front-running Greencastle-Antrim but each team must keep winning to stay in district playoff contention. Regardless how far back in the division race these two are, this game should be entertaining. It always is.

Cumberland Valley vs. South Western at Hershey Tournament, Saturday, 12:30 – CV has three games this week before it hits Derry Twp . The Eagles will be expected to beat Carlisle and Central Dauphin East. A win over Chambersburg on Thursday will catapult the team into this tournament as it tries to defend its title. Plus, a win or two here will wrap up a district title berth. CV will play at 3:45 p.m. in the consolation if it loses or at 6:30 in the final if it beats the Mustangs.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Weekend slate packed

Want to check out some of the top teams in the Mid-Penn before the predicted stormy weather hits the midstate early next week? Here's three games spaced far enough apart over two days that the serious baseball enthusiast can catch:

Friday
Mechanicsburg at Hershey, 4 -- In the ever changing Mid-Penn Keystone Division, this is a vital game to decide who enters next week in the driver's seat. Hershey is tied for first while Mechanicsburg and Gettysburg are one game back. Mechanicsburg survived Gettysburg, 5-4, earlier this week to stay within striking distance of the top spot.

Saturday
Bishop McDevitt at Boiling Springs, noon -- Trinity split with Mid-Penn Keystone member Bishop McDevitt and also split with Capital rival Boiling Springs. The Bubblers used only one pitcher Wednesday in a nine-inning loss to the Shamrocks. The Crusaders have rebounded from a hot and cold start and come in off a nice 5-1 win over Palmyra.

Cedar Cliff vs. Red Land at Commerce Bank Park, City Island, 6:30 -- This one needs no introduction. It's Cedar Cliff vs. Red Land under the lights. The Patriots swept Cedar Cliff on their way to the Mid-Penn Commonwealth title last year. D.J. Rowe tossed a complete-game Wednesday in a win over CV, which bodes well for a young Colts staff. Here's the dilemma for Red Land coach Kyle Wagner: Throw ace Kyle Otstot against the Colts or save him for Monday against Chambersburg, with whom the Patriots are tied with for first in the division?

The Patriots control this game

It's in their control.

Nothing any other team does can affect Red Land's bid to be Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division champions.

All the Patriots have to do is take care of business. Plain, simple and straightforward.

Red Land, which enters Friday tied for first in the division at 6-1 with Chambersburg, has five games left in the Commonwealth. The stretch starts today at home against Central Dauphin East before the Patriots meet West Shore rival Cedar Cliff at Commerce Bank Park on Saturday.

Then comes a late-afternoon, 5 p.m. start Monday at Chambersburg, the team that downed Red Land, 10-7, April 10.

Central Dauphin ventures to Brandt Cook Field two days later before the Patriots end division play at Cedar Cliff on May 5.

At this point it's a three-team race for the Division between Red Land, Chambersburg and Central Dauphin (5-3). The other four teams all have losing records in the Commonwealth.

The Patriots have the pitching depth with Kyle Otstot, Andrew Hunt and K.C. Beshore to handle the grind but it won't be easy. The bright spot is that Red Land's fate sits squarely in its own hands.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

In or out?

Whether or not former Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Mora wants to, we're going to talk about playoffs today.

Not the NFL playoffs. Or even football playoffs. It's baseball season and the District 3 tournament is rapidly approaching.

The rule -- in its second year of existence -- is that teams must be at .500 by the predetermined cutoff, which is May 10, to be eligible for the field.

The following is a look at area teams, what they have to do to qualify and if we think they will. Records are prior to Thursday's games. (Schools listed alphabetically):

Bible Baptist (Class A, 2-7): The Bobcats have six games left, so they mathematically could make it but it's doubtful. Verdict: Out

Big Spring (Class AAA, 3-8): The Bulldogs must go 5-2 down the stretch to get in. Problem is, there aren't any gimmes on the remaining schedule. Verdict: Out

Boiling Springs (Class AA, 8-5): If the Bubblers only beat Milton Hershey and Steelton-Highspire down the stretch, they're still qualify. Verdict: In

Camp Hill (Class A, 7-5): Single-A is different due to the lack of teams. It's possible that half this field will have losing records and the Lions will be one of the top seeds: Verdict: In

Carlisle (Class AAAA, 3-10): The best Carlisle can finish is 9-10, meaning that 12-2, five-inning loss to Red Land on Wednesday eliminated the Thundering Herd from playoff contention.

Cedar Cliff (Class AAAA, 9-4): The Colts need only one more win to qualify. Verdict: In

Cumberland Valley (Class AAAA, 5-6): The Eagles have eight games remaining prior to the deadline. Before their guaranteed two games at the Hershey Tournament on May 3, CV has Big Spring, Carlisle, Central Dauphin East and Chambersburg on the schedule. If CV wins three of those it'll still need one more to get in at 10-9. Verdict: In

East Pennsboro (Class AAA, 4-8): At the deadline the Panthers will have 18 games, meaning two more losses will eliminate East Penn. Verdict: Out

Mechanicsburg (Class AAA, 6-7): The Wildcats have seven games left, so Mechanicsburg will have to go at least 4-3 down the stretch to get in. With Hershey, Bishop McDevitt, Lower Dauphin, Susquehanna Twp., Cumberland Valley, Middletown and James Buchanan on the schedule, that will be extremely difficult. Verdict: Out

Northern (Class AAA, 8-5): The Polar Bears will have no trouble notching the two wins they need to qualify. Verdict: In

Red Land (Class AAAA, 10-2): Via their win over Carlisle on Wednesday, the Patriots wrapped up a postseason berth. Now they can focus on repeating as Mid-Penn Commonwealth champions.

Shippensburg (Class AAA, 7-2): The Greyhounds still have nine games left and only need two more wins. Verdict: In

Susquenita (Class AAA, 5-7): The Blackhawks are on an impressive three-game winning streak but have to go 5-2 down the stretch to be a playoff team. With opponents like Shippensburg, Waynesboro and Red Land (among others) still on the schedule, a winning record will be tough. Verdict: Out

Trinity (Class AA, 6-8): Five games are left and three are against Milton Hershey, Harrisburg and Steelton-Highspire. To get in, the Shamrocks will have to beat those three and take one from Greencastle-Antrim or James Buchanan. Verdict: In

West Perry (Class AAA, 9-4): The Mustangs need one more win to be back in the postseason. Verdict: In

Monday, April 21, 2008

Weather strikes Colonial

Of the three games scheduled in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division for this afternoon, two have been postponed due to unplayable field conditions. The only game in this division still on schedule for today is West Perry at Big Spring. First pitch is 4 p.m. in Newville.

East Pennsboro's trip to Waynesboro has been put on hold and is set for tomorrow at 4 p.m. while Shippensburg will host Northern at 4:15 tomorrow.

As of 1 p.m. all other games involving area teams were to be played as scheduled.

Top Games: April 21-26

This week we have the unofficial start to the second half of divisional play in the Mid-Penn. At this point only one reigning division champion – Waynesboro in the Colonial – is leading its division.

As the end of April draws near, this week will go a long way in determining who is a serious division contender and who will have to settle to be playing for a district playoff spot.

Camp Hill at Trinity, Monday, 4 – A 12-6 loss to Susquenita on Saturday snapped a four-game Trinity winning streak. Camp Hill isn’t playing its best ball right now. Look no further than Friday’s eight-inning win against winless Milton Hershey for proof. Expect an A.J. Weaver vs. Matt Spiegel pitching duel.

Northern at Shippensburg, Monday, 4:15 – The last meeting went 10 innings and the Polar Bears emerged with a 1-0 win. There’s no question Northern will see Shippensburg ace Ricky Ott again. The left-hander struck out 13 Bears and held the team scoreless for seven innings in the first game. If Ott gets some help from his offense, the Greyhounds will be back to their winning ways.

Cedar Cliff at Cumberland Valley, Wednesday, 4:15 – Talk about a contrast in styles. CV has trouble hitting, Cedar Cliff has trouble with consistent pitching. All but one of the Colts’ wins have come outside the division. After a 12-3 loss at Central Dauphin, the Eagles aren’t doing any better in the division with a 2-4 record (one win came against Cedar Cliff, 13-9). Loser here might fall out of the division race.

Mechanicsburg at Hershey, Friday, 4 – The Trojans have used four straight wins to vault into first place in the division. Mechanicsburg entered the week two games back. The way the Keystone has been this year, who knows where these teams will be when they meet. The only certain thing is that this game, one way or another, will end up playing a role in who wins the division.

Cedar Cliff vs. Red Land at Commerce Bank Park, City Island, Saturday, 6:30 – Red Land swept the Colts a season ago. The second win over Cedar Cliff locked up the outright Commonwealth title for the Patriots. Neither team has an easy week and both have division games Friday afternoon. A fatigued Red Land staff could push Cedar Cliff’s potent offense to a high-scoring win.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Three more on City Island

Didn't catch the first high school game involving area teams at Commerce Bank Park on Saturday night? Don't fret. There's three more games -- two involve intense area rivalries -- on tap for City Island.

For the record, that first game went to Cedar Cliff, 13-7, over Mechanicsburg.

Here's the remaining games on the Island:

Saturday, April 26: Cedar Cliff vs. Red Land, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 1: Northern vs. Biglerville, time TBA

Friday, May 9: West Perry vs. Susquenita, 7 p.m.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Top Games: April 14-19

Take a moment to catch your breath from that wild week. From the start of the week to very end, there were more down-to-the-wire finishes and games decided in the final inning than most people will see in an entire season (for more on that and how Northern survived all three of its games, see page C1 of Monday's sports).

It's impossible to expect this week to be as crazy but there's still some good games on tap.

Red Land at Central Dauphin, Monday, 4 - These two were supposed to battle for the Commonwealth title but Chambersburg had other ideas. The Trojans won at Red Land last week, 10-7. So now the Patriots try to keep from falling into the pack. In this division, it's easy to go from top of the heap to bottom (or vice versa) in one week. Ask Carlisle, a team that evened its division record with two upsets last week.

Cedar Cliff at Chambersburg, Monday, 4:30 - Pitching is the key here. Cedar Cliff has been hit or miss when it comes to the guy toeing the rubber. If the Colts don't get a solid performance from their starter (likely D.J. Rowe) the Trojans, who are 3-0 in the Commonwealth, could run away with this one.

Camp Hill at Boiling Springs, Wednesday, 4 - The Bubblers enter the new week fresh off a pair of scoreless losses on the road at James Buchanan and West Perry. Camp Hill turned in a 2-2 week but lost a heart breaker to Northern on Friday. They say a team is judged by how it handles adversity. The loser here faces more of the same as it falls to the middle of the Capital Division.

Northern at Red Land, Wednesday, 4 - Here's an interesting battle of two York County schools that call the Mid-Penn home. The Polar Bears are riding high after a 3-0 week that saw them win by a combined 9-5 score. The Patriots rebounded from a loss to Chambersburg and pounded Dallastown on Saturday. It's doubtful the Pats will throw one of their aces, meaning Northern could have a chance to knock off the defending Commonwealth champ.

Cumberland Valley at Central Dauphin, Friday, 4 - Another crucial Commonwealth battle. Early-week results will determine the mindset each team brings to this game. The key is whether the CV bats will wake up in time to keep the team in the hunt for a division title.

Waynesboro at Shippensburg, Friday, 4:15 - Talk about saving the best for last. Waynesboro, the Colonial favorite, can pile up runs but has a vulnerable staff. Shippensburg is the exact opposite. As easily as the Greyhound pitchers can toss a shutout, the offense can go cold and be shut out. Just look at that 1-0, 10-inning loss to Northern. If University of New Orleans signee Ricky Ott, a crafty left-hander, takes the hill, the AAAA Indians could be in trouble. The Greyhounds do not want a track meet.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Colts, 'Cats wait to hit the Island

Due to the forecast of inclement later in the day, Cedar Cliff's game against Mechanicsburg at City Island was postponed and will be played Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Commerce Bank Park, home of the Harrisburg Senators.

Mechanicsburg comes in fresh off two Mid-Penn Keystone wins over Hershey and Bishop McDevitt while Cedar Cliff sandwiched wins over Reading and Central Dauphin East around a 5-3 loss at Carlisle this week.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Trinity, Camp Hill will try for Wednesday

A week later and the Trinity at Camp Hill baseball game has yet to be played.

By Wednesday, that problem could be resolved.

The rivals were originally scheduled to play last Tuesday, but a soggy field kept the teams from butting heads. Three days later, Mother Nature dumped rain on the greater Harrisburg area and the Mid-Penn Capital tussle was against postponed.

Now the teams will try for a third time Wednesday at 4 p.m. Trinity brings an 0-4 record into the game while Camp Hill sits at 2-1. The Lions host James Buchanan today.

In another twice-postponed affair, Cedar Cliff will try to make the trek to Altoona on Friday, April 18 at 4 p.m.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Top Games: April 7-12

This is one of those weeks without any huge, marquee game that jumps off the page. That said, there are a few games this week that promise to be fairly decent.

Reading at Cedar Cliff, Monday, 4 – The Colts’ pitching imploded in last week’s 13-8 loss to Cumberland Valley. In a week that will see Cedar Cliff (4-1) take the field four times, a long outing by the starter is vital in this game.

James Buchanan at Camp Hill, Tuesday, 4 – Matt Spiegel will likely get the ball for Camp Hill against a Rockets side with high expectations. Spiegel struck out 14 in the Lions’ opener against Oley Valley but Camp Hill went out and lost its next game to East Pennsboro, a team with only one win in 2007.

Carlisle at Cumberland Valley, Thursday, 4 – Outside of CV’s slugfest with Cedar Cliff, neither team has been able to score a ton of runs. Jeremy Shepps will likely be on the hill for CV, which doesn’t bode well for a Carlisle team coming off its first win Saturday. Momentum can be a strange thing and should give the Thundering Herd a shot against the favored Eagles.

Boiling Springs at West Perry, Saturday, noon – Entering this week the teams are a combined 7-2 – nothing to sneeze at there. The Bubblers, at least early, appear to be built for the long haul. The Mid-Penn Capital entry can send out Mike Myers, Darren Bowman or R.J. Heinlen and expect any to throw quality innings and give the team a chance to win. The Mustangs, a scrappy bunch, have shown resilience in the early going, but a youthful offense will struggle against Boiling Springs’ arms.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Carlisle notches first win

A four-run rally in the top of the fourth inning lifted Carlisle to a tight 4-3 win over Mechanicsburg at Memorial Park on Saturday in a Mid-Penn crossover.

Jimmy Craine, Derrick Mease and Jordan Blackburn all went 2-for-3 for Carlisle, which got a complete-game three-hitter from right-handed pitcher Kyle Harren.

Harren struck out seven, walked one and was responsible for only one earned run.
The win was Carlisle's first in six outings this spring.

Sean Burkholder went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for the Wildcats (1-4). Matt Chiampi allowed four earned runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and a walk in a complete-game effort.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Slight alterations for Saturday

As of Friday night, three of the four area baseball games scheduled for Saturday will be played.

The only one that fell victim to the weather was Northern's trip to Spring Grove. The teams plan on meeting in two weeks, April 19, at 11 a.m. in York County.

West Perry moved its Mid-Penn non-division tilt with visiting Trinity from noon to 2 p.m. in an effort to give the field time to dry out from anticipated rain through the night.

Carlisle is still expected to make the trip to Mechanicsburg at 2 p.m. Tuesday and Cedar Cliff's non-conference test at Altoona remains set for 2:30 p.m.

Friday's schedule changes

Keeping with the theme of the week, all four area baseball games were postponed Friday afternoon.

East Pennsboro's Mid-Penn crossover with Palmyra will be played in Enola on Monday at 4:15 p.m. and the Harrisburg at Boiling Springs Mid-Penn Capital game is rescheduled for April 15 at 4:15 p.m.

For the second time this week, Trinity's Capital Division affair at Camp Hill was put on hold. The rivals were originally scheduled to meet Tuesday but wet grounds forced the first postponement. The makeup date will be announced next week.

No makeup date was available for Bible Baptist's CCAC game at Harrisburg Christian.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

West Perry alters schedule


Monday's baseball game between West Perry and Steelton-Highspire was cancelled and will not be made up.



West Perry's season finale, against rival Susquenita, will be played at Commerce Bank Park on City Island at 7 p.m. May 9.

The game will be the third between the Perry County rivals, who are scheduled to meet this afternoon in Elliotsburg at 4 p.m. The first meeting, in the PECO final, went to the Mustangs, 6-5, in nine innings.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Tuesday's schedule changes

Most area baseball teams were sidelined from playing Tuesday, possibly the nicest of any day so far on the young season, thanks to soggy field conditions.

Inclement weather that started early Monday and lasted into early Tuesday rendered fields across the mid-state unplayable. Most of the postponements will be made up Wednesday.

Here's a look at the area games that were postponed Tuesday and their rescheduled dates:

Commonwealth
Red Land at Cummberland Valley, ppd. to Wednesday, 4:15

Keystone
Mechanicsburg at Palmyra, ppd. to Wednesday, 4

Colonial
Big Spring at Susquenita, ppd. to Wednesday, 4
West Perry at East Pennsboro, ppd. to April 9, 4:15

Capital
Trinity at Camp Hill, ppd. to Friday, 4