You can just see the frustration mounting on Coach Mike Waldie's face. After one week of play in the KCAC, his team is tied for fourth place with Friends University and Tabor College at 2-4. None of this was supposed to happen, and no one can figure out why this team is playing like it is.
The mess all began with a home doubleheader with Tabor College. Our ace, Clay Witt, didn't have his best stuff, but still kept the Swedes in the first game, allowing only three runs, one earned, over the normal game length of seven innings. Our offense, though could only muster three runs as well. Push came to shove in the tenth when Tabor took advantage of a tired Witt for three runs, winning 6-3. Offensively, shortstop Jason Schmeiser went 2-4 with a double and a run scored. Left fielder Nate Sungy went 2-3 with a double and an RBI. The second game was another tight battle, with Clint Strassburg allowing the Bluejays to score only four runs. Unfortunately, the Swedes could only score two. Tabor scored two in the first and two in the fourth, while Bethany scored two in the fourth to end the scoring. Highlights included Mike Jackson going 1 for 2 with 2 RBI's and Chris Tusant went 2-3 with a run scored.
Yesterday (4/10), everything appeared to be turning around. The sun was shining, the weather was warm, and there were a number of fans to cheer BC on at Anderson Field against nemesis Kansas Wesleyan. Witt pitched the first game, and was spectacular. He held the Coyotes hitless through 5 1/3 innings, and only allowed three the whole game. Up 3-0 in the seventh, he started to run into problems. KWU catcher Rocko Talley and first baseman Mike Taylor each singled to lead off the inning. Witt struck out the next batter, and then got the ground ball he wanted. The Swedes got the runner at second for a fielders choice, but were unable to complete the double play. Two out, runners on the corners. The fifth batter in the inning, Greg Lamkin, fought five pitches before drawing a walk to load the bases. Scott Swingle then drew a walk on four consecutive balls to force home a run. Coach Mike Waldie then summoned Jeremy Cantrell from the bullpen to get the last out, which he did by getting leadoff hitter (7th in the inning) Jackie McBroom to pop out to Jason Schmeiser to end the game. Swedes win 3-1. Mike Jackson (the leadoff hitter now because of an attempt to shake up the lineup for more run production) went 2-4 with a stolen base, RBI, and run scored, Pat Patterson went 3-3 with a run scored, and Darren Kaustinen went 2-3 with an RBI in the game. So far so good. But things came collapsing down again in the top of the third in the second game. With one out, a throwing error started a ten run inning for the Coyotes, that featured seven of KW's 8 hits in the game and three errors. Clint Strassburg and Daniel Regan both struggled, unable to keep the damage to a minimum, despite the errors. Luckily for them, only one of the ten runs was earned. Unfortunately, it also pushed the Swede record to 11-14 and 1-3 in the KCAC. Also encouraging was Regan's performance after getting settled in, allowing one hit over his final four innings of work.
Today, the team traveled to Ottawa for a doubleheader against last year's champions, the Ottawa University Braves. The games had potential for an offensive show, and the two teams did not disappoint. A small field (320' to each line and 360' to center) combined with a strong wind only aided run production. If any of you have seen a major league game that took place at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, you would know exactly how this game would be played. The Swedes took the early advantage, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Mike Jackson led off with a walk and a passed ball got him to second. Bobby Richardson then singled to right on a 2-1 count, driving Jackson in. Sean Spoonts then hit a laser shot to dead center field, the first of his two homers on the day, putting the Bethany up 3-0. They added another later on in the inning. Ottawa countered for two of their own off of Jeremy Cantrell (who pitched exceptionally, considering the playing conditions) in their half of the first, and tied it in the second. Nate Sungy then homered to right-center field to put BC back on top, 5-4. In the fifth, Spoonts and Jason Schmeiser each it their fourth homers of the season, this time back to back, putting the score at 7-4. Ottawa then came one closer in the bottom of the sixth to make it 7-5. Schmeiser came up in the seventh and singled. He then stole second and advanced to third on a fly ball from Nate Sungy. Darren Kaustinen then walked. As Kaustinen stole second, Schmeiser then stole home before the return throw from second base was not in time. Cantrell struck out the first batter in the bottom of the seventh, but walked the next one. It was time to play role reversal from the previous day, as now Clay Witt was called upon to help out Cantrell. He hit the first batter and then allowed a single, scoring one run. After a pop up to Brad Schrader, another single ensued, driving in another run. Finally, he got a line drive to go to Schmeiser at shortstop, who then flipped to Chris Tusant to end the game, final score 8-7. Spoonts ended with 2 homers and three RBI's, Schmeiser 2-4, and David Bard 2-4. Everything looks good again, right? Wrong. Junior Kris Bernal ran into control problems in the second game, walking eight in 4 2/3+ innings, as the Swedes ended up losing 11-1 (ended in fifth due to 10-run rule). Defensive mental mistakes and good pitching from the Braves also contributed to the defeat. The offensive highlight for BC was Mike Jackson's triple to lead off the game. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Bobby Richardson.
I have no idea what seems to happen between games that is causing this Jeckyl and Hyde syndrome to occur, but I have a feeling that the real Swedes are kidnapped by impostors after the first game all the time. Call it a theory, if you wish! :-) Seriously, though, it's probably going to take just one doubleheader sweep to get everything rolling along like it should. Hopefully that will come next Tuesday, when Clay Witt (3-3) and Clint Strassburg (3-3) are expected to take the mound at home against the first place Sterling Warriors in a 1:00 game. This is definitely a winnable pair of games, as BC handled SC pretty well in a non conference battle last month (5-3 and 13-5). Unfortunately, we can't just chalk up two wins, as Sterling will be looking to prove that our previous wins were a fluke, and that they are the best in the KCAC. With wishful thinking, a little bit of luck and determination, and a lot of skill, we'll have a 6-4 conference record next time I write, and be in a position to start the second half ready to make a run at the championship.
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