March 19, 2007

Jason Glushon

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What if I told you that on the final day of the UAA Championships, there would be three teams tied at the start of the day for first place? What if I told you by the time UCLA had won their game back in California, there would be only one team in first place?

After a wild week of Spring Break, we returned home Saturday night as champions of the UAA Championship Tournament. Along the way we spent time with our families, made them nervous during crazy comeback wins, and ended our break back in Atlanta with an impressive 15-3 start under our belts.

This year, senior captain Mike Levin has been unable to play as a result of a horrible back injury that has sidelined him since the end of the fall season. However, he has shown his true leadership qualities by continuing to help and support his team in all aspects, using his baseball knowledge to help coach his teammates and friends during the season. Although we miss you playing out on the diamond, we are still lucky to have you as part of our team.

No matter what obstacles arose, we were able to put together a 4-2 tournament record behind some great play from our team. At the plate, we had some impressive outings off the bench, including a 3 for 5 tournament from Andrew Carroll, a 2 for 4 tournament from Michael Saleh, and a 1 for 2 tourney from Nick Wills, bumping his average up to .750 for the year. We also witnessed two first collegiate hits from freshman Jake Ornstein and Will Gumm. Jake hit an RBI single vs. Case on Friday, while Will hit an RBI single vs. Brandeis on day one.

On Thursday, former Eagle Dave Murchison graced us with his presence and support down at Sanford Stadium. On Friday night, Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Kobe Bryant scored 65 points en route to an overtime victory 116-111 versus the Portland Trail Blazers.

During the week, Bo Schill, although bothered by injury, was able to step up an add a pinch hit RBI single vs. Brandeis, while freshman Matt McDonough threw two guys out stealing in the earlier game vs. Rochester.

And now for Did You Know? Sponsored by Kenny Mayne.
Did you know that sophomore catcher Tyler Short caught during both wins against Wash U, the same university where his older sister attends currently during her senior year. We hope that doesn’t start any family quarrels now.

On the mound, the Eagles put together 4 good wins behind some solid outings, including breakthrough ones by some young kids. Matt Katten was able to throw four innings of relief in two games, while Will Gumm threw 3 1/3 shutout innings in his relief appearance. Adam Genn made his second collegiate start, and come back on two days rest to add in two shutout innings of relief. Brian ‘Beef’ Cournoyer threw 5 shutout innings, including picking up his first career win vs. Case on Friday. Scott Widyn threw like a stud during the tourney, striking out six in two innings of relief.

As for some of the older guys, Julian Smith threw three great innings of relief to keep us in the game vs. Brandeis, including four strikeouts and giving up no hits. Seniors Tony Vidal and Sam Cunningham contributed their innings, combining to strikeout three guys in just over four innings of work. Ian Ganzer threw an impressive game vs. Wash U, striking out eight in 7 innings of work, before giving the ball to Rich Babb who threw two shutout innings of relief, leading to his fourth win of the season.

One of the best parts of the week is a chance to see all the family and friends of the Emory baseball who flew and drove from all over the country to see their favorite team play at Sanford Memorial Stadium. The team appreciates as all the parents and families supporting us so much, and thanks them for traveling far and wide to support us and spend time with us.

One of the more exciting parts of the tournament was our day two comeback vs. Wash U, where down 4-0 after three innings, we closed within 1 run in the top of the ninth. After consecutive walks and a Tommy Dugan single, we had bases loaded and one out with Steve Bralver at the plate. On a ball that scooted away from the catcher, freshman Matt McDonough hurried home to score the tying run, before Young Dave Hissey scored the winning run as the catcher threw away the throw. The comeback win provides yet another reason why we as a team feel that we are never out of any game.

During our trip, Eagle Joe Roth and Eagle Tommy Dugan both celebrated their respective birthdays, with Joe turning 21 on Monday and Tommy turning 19 on Wednesday.

At the plate, Zander had 3 hits and 3 RBIs, including a huge game-tying RBI against Wash U in the final game. Timmy C had 4 hits, 5 RBIs, and another mega home run, his first of the season and ninth of his career. Dave Hissey, freshman Dan Molnar, and freshman Tommy Dugan each finished with 6 hits. Hissey added an RBI, Tommy 3 RBIs, and Molnar added his first and second career home runs. Bralver, Pfister, and Joe Roth each added eight hits, with Joe adding 5 RBIs, Frank 2 RBIs including the eventual game-winner in the final game, and Steve added 8 RBIs, including two home runs. Leading the way with hits was senior Brandon Custer, who ended the tourney with 10 hits in 21 at bats, with that .476 ranking second down in Florida.

The week ahead calls for four games, including a weekend three-game series versus Piedmont. We almost half way through the season, so hopefully we will continue to keep playing at a high level.

“I coulda been a contender, I coulda been somebody.” – Robert de Niro as Jake La Motta, ‘Raging Bull’

Jason Glushon is a senior from Encino, Calif. He would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.