The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

Tartans Toppled in Two-Game Home Sweep to Western Kentucky
CMU could only push two runs across from 11 hits in Game 1, and was held scoreless in Game 2

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon allowed a first inning run in both games of its non-conference series against Western Kentucky, which led to the hosts succumbing to the Hilltoppers in a two-game sweep at Hans Lobert Field this past weekend.

Carnegie Mellon (3-16) only scored two runs against Western Kentucky (12-11), both of which came in Game 1. The Tartan offense had success in the opener with 11 hits, but were handled in Game 2 and only tallied four hits.

In Game 1, a 6-2 loss for CMU, junior right-hander Ramon Tillman returned from suspension and provided five innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts, but an RBI sacrifice fly by Ralph Massiatte in the first inning saddled him with the loss.

The Tartans bullpen struggled, with freshmen Jamie Boyd and Peter Dirks allowing three runs in the sixth and two runs in the ninth.

First-year shortstop Chris Grieve finished with three hits and a RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning, and senior third baseman Aaron Musgrove received a spot start and rewarded the coaching staff with a 2-for-4 afternoon, tacking on a RBI double.

The Hilltoppers scored once in the first and twice in the third innings to come away with a 3-0 victory in Game 2.

Freshman rightfielder Danny Ray Boss collected half of the Tartans’ four hits, with fellow freshmen Chris Grieve and Adrian Arndt tallied the others. Mark Haske threw 5.2 innings of shutout ball for WKU, striking out six, while Brian Borchard picked up the save with two clean frames.

Junior right-hander Brett Gaston bounced back from a poor start, providing 3.1 shutout innings in relief. He allowed three hits and two walks, and struck out two.

Carnegie Mellon returns to Atlantic-10 action on Tuesday when it welcomes Saint Louis for a two-game series.

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Game 1 – March 16, 2007
WKU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 3
W: Roger Desme (1-3) L: Ramon Tillman (0-4) S: Brian Borchard (3)

Western Kentucky Statistics
Karl Bearden, Sr., CF | 3-5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SB
Ralph Massiatte, Sr., RF | 0-4, RBI
Alan Fulton, So., SS | 1-4, R, RBI
J.J. Saturria, Sr., 3B | 3-5, R, 2B, RBI, SB
Dave Reyes, Fr., DH | 2-4, R, RBI
Roger Desme, Jr., SP (W, 1-3) | 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K
Brian Borchard, So., RP (S, 3) | 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-4, BB
Chris Grieve, Fr., SS | 3-4, RBI (7)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 2-4, R
Aaron Musgrove, Sr., 3B | 2-4, 2B (2), RBI (4)
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP (L, 0-4) | 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 0.1 IP, 1 H

Game 2 – March 17, 2007
WKU | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0
W: Mark Haske (3-1) L: Bryan Paronto (1-4) S: Brian Borchard (4)

Western Kentucky Statistics
Karl Bearden, Sr., CF | 2-5, R, 2B
Dustin Kenny, Jr., 2B | 2-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB
Alan Fulton, So. SS | 1-5, RBI
Matt Stairs, Jr., LF | 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB
Nick Bryanski, So., C | 2-3, BB
Mark Haske, Sr., SP (W, 3-1) | 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K
Brian Borchard, So., RP (S, 4) | 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 0-3, BB
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 2-3
Adrian Arndt, Fr., C | 1-2
Bryan Paronto, So., SP (L, 1-4) | 3.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Brett Gaston, Jr., RP | 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Einar Reagan, Fr., RP | 1.0 IP, 2 BB, 1 K

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

Billikens Blow Out Tartans in Two-Game Sweep
Carnegie Mellon was outscored 23-1 over the two losses to Saint Louis

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon continued its struggling debut season this week with a pair of blowout losses to Saint Louis, falling 15-1 in Game 1 and 8-0 in Game 2.

Carnegie Mellon (3-18, 1-3 A-10) scored its lone run of the series in the second inning of Game 1, as senior first baseman Will Froemming connected on his first homerun of the season. Senior right-hander Hector Karl couldn’t make it past that frame, however, as he allowed six runs on five hits and two walks, and the only Tartans pitcher to finish with a clean outing was sophomore righty Scott Dittfurth, who got two outs in the seventh inning.

Saint Louis (12-7, 2-10 A-10) junior ace Ryan Hackman carved up the CMU offense in Game 2, throwing 6.2 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts, only allowing four hits and a walk. Hackman now has a 1.92 earned run average and strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4-to-1 through 47 innings.

Senior right-hander Ramon Tillman allowed 10 hits and three runs in 4.2 innings for the hosts. Freshman third baseman Chris Grieve tallied a pair of doubles in the defeat.

CMU hosts Gonzaga this weekend for a pair of non-conference contests, beginning on Saturday, March 24.

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Game 1 – March 20, 2007
SLU | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 16 | 1
CMU | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1
W: Craig Rivera (2-0) L: Hector Karl (0-4) S: Chase Shouse (1)

Saint Louis Statistics
Earl Hess, Sr., CF | 1-4, R, 2 RBI, BB
Matt Paramore, Sr., SS | 3-6, 2 R, 2B, RBI
Nate Petersen, Jr., 2B | 5-6, 3 R, 2B, RBI
Craig Beckett, Jr., DH | 3-5, 3 R, HR, 5 RBI, BB, SB
Mark Ludwick, Jr., RF | 1-4, R, HR, 3 RBI
Craig Rivera, Jr., SP (W, 2-0) | 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Chase Shouse, Sr., RP (S, 1) | 4.0 IP, 2 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 2-4
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 2-4, R, HR (1), RBI (7)
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 0-2, BB
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-3
Hector Karl, Sr., SP (L, 0-4) | 1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Scott Dittfurth, So., RP | 0.2 IP, 1 K

Game 2 – March 21, 2007
SLU | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 19 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1
W: Ryan Hackman (4-2) L: Ramon Tillman (0-5)

Saint Louis Statistics
Earl Hess, Sr., CF | 2-5, 2 RBI
Brett Montoya, Sr., 3B | 5-6, 2 R, 2B, RBI
Matt Paramore, Sr., SS | 1-5, R, HR, 2 RBI
Travis Wunsch, Fr., C | 2-4, R, RBI, BB
Tommy Campagna, Sr., 1B | 4-4, R, 2 RBI, BB
Ryan Hackman, Jr., SP (W, 4-2) | 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 10 K
Eric Reifer, Jr., RP | 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 2-4
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-4, 2B (5)
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 1-3, BB
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 2-4, 2 2B (6)
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP (L, 0-5) | 4.2 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Scott Dittfurth, So., RP | 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

CMU Wastes Game 2 Gem, Continues Losing Streak Versus Gonzaga
Hector Karl threw six shutout innings in Game 2, but the Tartans saw their losing streak hit seven with two defeats

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon’s losing streak reached seven games with defeats of 12-2 and 3-1 against Gonzaga this past weekend.

Carnegie Mellon (3-20) had a prime opportunity to snap the slide in Game 2, as senior right-hander Hector Karl threw six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and three walks. Karl left with a 1-0 lead after a two-out RBI double by junior designated hitter Tyler Tully in the bottom of the sixth inning, but junior southpaw Elpidio MacLean gave it right back at the top of the seventh with a first-pitch homerun to Jacob Donaldson.

A two-run triple by Luis Wright in the top of the 10th was enough for Gonzaga (14-11) to come away with a 3-1 win. Tully finished 3-of-4 at the dish with a pair of doubles.

Game 1 featured more struggles against a strong opponent, as the Tartans fell 12-2. The Bulldogs alternated between one and three runs in the first four innings to take an 8-0 lead.

Sophomore right-hander Bryan Paronto took the loss after giving up six earned runs on seven hits and two walks in 3.2 innings. The hosts’ run-scoring plays came on a Tully RBI single in the sixth and sacrifice fly from senior leftfielder Ryan Rayner in the eighth.

Carnegie Mellon is back in Atlantic 10 action on Tuesday, as it begins a two-game series at home against Fordham.

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Gonzaga Bulldogs (12-11) at Carnegie Mellon Tartans (3-18)
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Hans Lobert Field

Game 1 – March 24, 2007
ZAGS | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 13 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1
W: Rudy Church (2-3) L: Bryan Paronto (1-5)

Gonzaga Statistics
Flash McCormick, Fr., CF | 2-6, R, 2B, RBI
Luis Wright, So., 2B | 2-4, 3 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Jeff Tarsi, Jr., LF | 3-4, 4 R, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Einar Schweitzer, So., RF | 2-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB
Rex Welker, Jr., 1B | 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Rudy Church, Jr., SP (W, 2-3) | 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Dru Hutt, Jr., RP | 1.1 IP, 3 BB, 1 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-4, 2B (3), BB, SB (5)
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 1-2, R, 3 BB
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 0-4, RBI (5)
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-5
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 2-4, RBI (6)
Bryan Paronto, So., SP (L, 1-5) | 3.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB
Jamie Boyd, Fr., RP | 2.0 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

Game 2 – March 25, 2007
ZAGS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0
W: Dru Hutt (2-0) L: Matt Uribes (0-3) S: Connor Venema (5)

Gonzaga Statistics
Luis Wright, So., 2B | 3-5, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 SB
Jacob Donaldson, Jr., C | 2-3, R, HR, RBI
Rex Welker, Jr., 1B | 1-2, 2 BB
Josh Stembridge, Fr., DH | 1-3, R, BB
Desi Crouch, Sr., 3B | 2-4, R
Todd Shannon, Jr., SP | 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Dru Hutt, Jr., RP (W, 2-0) | 4.0 IP, 2 H, 6 K
Connor Venema, Fr., RP (S, 5) | 0.1 IP, 1 H

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 1-5, 2B (4)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 2-4, R
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 3-4, 2 2B (6), RBI (7)
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 0-4
Adrian Arndt, Fr., C | 1-4
Hector Karl, Sr., SP | 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 6 K
Scott Dittfurth, So., RP | 2.0 IP, 2 H
Matt Uribes, So., RP (L, 0-3) | 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

CMU Snaps Losing Streak, Splits with Fordham
A three-run second inning in Game 1 lifted Carnegie Mellon to a 3-2 win, ending a seven-game slide

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon ended its seven-game slide in Game 1 of a two-game series against Fordham, winning 3-2 to open up the set before falling 4-1 in Game 2.

In Game 1, Carnegie Mellon (4-21, 2-4 A-10) only scored in one inning, but it was a three-run rally that proved to be enough against Fordham (11-14, 2-2 A-10). Junior designated hitter Tyler Tully gave the hosts a 2-0 lead with his first homerun of the season, and three batters later senior catcher Joaquin Cormier made it 3-0 with an RBI double.

Junior right-hander Ramon Tillman cruised through six innings, allowing just three hits while striking out eight. The seventh inning wasn’t as kind however, with Sean Hinchman leading off with a single before Mike Helling cranked a two-run homer to left that chased Tillman out of the game.

Freshman right-hander Paxton Jennings entered the contest and loaded the bases, but ultimately escaped. He gave way to sophomore reliever Scott Dittfurth, who stranded a two-out walk in the eighth inning, and freshman righty Einar Reagan posted his first career save by allowing a single hit in the ninth.

Tully and Cormier both had two-hit afternoons, with the latter and freshman third baseman Chris Grieve both tallying doubles.

In Game 2, Fordham scored once in the first, once in the sixth, and twice in the eighth to come away with a 4-1 win.

Sophomore right-hander Bryan Paronto performed well after recent struggles, allowing one run on six hits and three walks in 4.1 innings, while striking out five. The Tartans offense couldn’t pick him up though, as Grieve’s RBI double in the bottom of the eighth was the hosts’ only run.

Carnegie Mellon hits the road this weekend, opening up a three-game series at Richmond on Friday, March 30.

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Fordham Rams (10-13, 1-1 A-10) at Carnegie Mellon Tartans (3-20, 1-3 A-10)
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Hans Lobert Field

Game 1 – March 27, 2007
FORD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0
CMU | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 0
W: Ramon Tillman (1-5) L: Seth Baxter (1-4) S: Einar Reagan (1)

Fordham Statistics
Sean Hinchman, Jr., LF | 2-4, R
Mike Helling, Sr., DH | 1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI
Daniel Pearce, Jr., 1B | 1-4
Josh Bradford, Fr., 2B | 1-3
Seth Baxter, Jr., SP (L, 1-4) | 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 K
Chris Condrey, Sr., RP | 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 1-3, R
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 2-4, R, HR (1), 2 RBI (9)
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-3, R, 2B (7)
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-3
Joaquin Cormier, Sr., C | 2-3, 2B (2), RBI (3)
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP (W, 1-5) | 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 8 K
Scott Dittfurth, So., RP | 1.0 IP, 1 BB
Einar Reagan, Fr., RP (S, 1) | 1.0 IP, 1 H

Game 2 – March 28, 2007
FORD | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0
W: Reynaldo Billick (2-1) L: Bryan Paronto (1-6) S: Rolando D’Argento (4)

Fordham Statistics
Trey Cressend, Jr., RF | 2-5, R, 2B, 3B, RBI
Sean Hinchman, Jr., LF | 2-4, 2B, RBI, BB
Josh Bradford, Fr., 2B | 1-5, RBI
Brian Ehmke, Fr., C | 2-2, R, BB
Justin Borland, Jr., SS | 2-3, R, 2B, RBI
Reynaldo Billick, Sr., SP (W, 2-1) | 7.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 9 K
Rolando D’Argento, Sr., RP (S, 4) | 1.0 IP, 3 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., SS | 2-4, 2B (8), RBI (8)
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 2-4
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 1-4
Joaquin Cormier, Sr., C | 1-3, R, 2B (3)
Bryan Paronto, So., SP (L, 1-6) | 4.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Jeff Hansen, So., RP | 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB
Einar Reagan, Fr., RP | 1.0 IP, 1 K

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

Tartans Take First Game, Drop Final Two at Richmond
Carnegie Mellon earned another Atlantic 10 win, defeating Richmond in Game 1 of a three-game set

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

RICHMOND, Va. -- Carnegie Mellon made it consecutive series-opening wins at Richmond this weekend, topping the Spiders in Game 1, 4-1, but fell in the next two games, 11-5 and 4-1, to drop the three-game series.

In Game 1, Carnegie Mellon (5-23, 3-6 A-10) fell behind Richmond (9-18, 4-6 A-10) in the first inning, 1-0, and the score remained there until the top of the sixth. Senior leftfielder Ryan Rayner led the frame off with a double, and classmate Will Froemming copied his answers with a RBI double to tie it at 1-1. Junior designated Tyler Tully put runners on the corners with a single, and the Tartans kept the line moving with a Chris Grieve double and Robby Freed single to give the visitors a 3-1 advantage.

After Froemming brought in senior centerfielder Kit Kreuter in the top of the ninth with a groundout, freshman right-hander Einar Reagan picked up the save by striking out the side.

Senior starter Hector Karl was terrific once again in the win, allowing four hits, three walks, and an unearned run in five innings while striking out eight. Freed finished the day with a 2-for-3 performance, and his RBI single was the first of his career.

In Game 2, CMU held a 2-0 advantage through 2.5 innings before Richmond answered with 11 runs over the next five frames to win 11-5.

Freed opened the scoring with a one-out single in the top of the second, then junior shortstop Darrell Salters lifted a solo homerun over the left field fence to make it 2-0 in the third. The Tartans moved back in front briefly in the top of the sixth with a Tully RBI double and Danny Ray Boss reaching on an error, but the bullpen gave it all back as Elpidio MacLean and Matt Uribes gave up four runs in the bottom half of the frame.

Junior right-hander Ramon Tillman allowed six hits, three runs, and two walks over four innings. MacLean took the loss after giving up two runs in a third of an inning. Salters finished the day 2-for-4 with his sixth double and fourth homerun of the season.

Sophomore right-hander Bryan Paronto continued his struggles in Game 3, giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks in 3.1 innings as the Tartans fell to the Spiders, 4-1.

CMU’s lone run came in the top of the ninth, as senior catcher Joaquin Cormier scored on a Tully single.

Craig Huston threw 7.1 shutout innings for Richmond, striking out seven while allowing just five hits.

Carnegie Mellon hosts Rhode Island for a three-game Atlantic 10 series next, beginning on Friday, April 6.

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Carnegie Mellon Tartans (4-21, 2-4 A-10) at Richmond Spiders (7-17, 2-5 A-10)
Richmond, Va. – Malcolm U. Pitt Field

Game 1 – March 30, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 1
RICH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0
W: Hector Karl (1-4) L: Andy Harper (4-3) S: Einar Reagan (2)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-3, SB (6)
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 1-5, R, 2B (8), 2 RBI (9)
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 2-5, R
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4, 2B (9), RBI (9)
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 2-3, 2B (2), RBI (1)
Hector Karl, Sr., SP (W, 1-4) | 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 K
Scott Dittfurth, So., RP | 2.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K
Einar Reagan, Fr., RP (S, 2) | 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 K

Richmond Statistics
Jamie Vogelsong, Jr., CF | 2-4, R, 2B, BB
Ricky Mayhew, Sr., RF | 1-4, 2B
Steve Thater, Sr., LF | 2-3, BB
Jeff Dickson, Jr., C | 1-2, 2 BB
Andy Harper, Jr., SP (L, 4-3) | 5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Rontrez Ogilvie, Jr., RP | 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Game 2 – March 31, 2007
CMU | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 1
RICH | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | X | 11 | 14 | 1
W: Andrew Peterson (1-1) L: Elpidio MacLean (0-2)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 2-4, 2 R, 2B (6), HR (4), RBI (4)
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 2-5, R, 2 2B (10)
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 4-5, 2 R, 2 2B (8), 2 RBI (11)
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 2-4, 2B (3), RBI (2)
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP | 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP (L, 0-2) | 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER
Brett Gaston, Jr., RP | 1.0 IP

Richmond Statistics
Jamie Vogelsong, Jr., CF | 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Danny Trafton, Fr., DH | 1-4, RBI
Steve Thater, Sr., LF | 1-3, 3 R, BB
Justin Nakayama, Jr., 3B | 1-3, 3B, RBI
Jeff Dickson, Jr., C | 3-4, 3 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Carlos Boyd, Jr., SP | 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 9 K
Andrew Peterson, Sr., RP (W, 1-1) | 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Game 3 – April 1, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0
RICH | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 13 | 0
W: Craig Huston (1-6) L: Bryan Paronto (1-7)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-4
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 1-3, BB
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 1-4, RBI (12)
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-3
Joaquin Cormier, Sr., C | 1-3, R, 2B (4)
Bryan Paronto, So., SP (L, 1-7) | 3.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Jeff Hansen, So., RP | 3.2 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K

Richmond Statistics
Jamie Vogelsong, Jr., CF | 1-4, R, 2B
Ricky Mayhew, Sr., RF | 2-3, RBI, SB
Danny Trafton, Fr., DH | 3-4, R
Brandon Jordan, Sr., SS | 2-4, 2B, RBI
Jeff Dickson, Jr., C | 2-4, RBI
Craig Huston, So., SP (W, 1-6) | 7.1 IP, 5 H, 7 K
Walt Joachim, Jr., RP | 0.1 IP, 1 K

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

Around the NCAA – March 2007 Wrap-Up
Houston has moved into the top spot of the Baseball America Top 25 rankings, owning a 21-7 record

Baseball America Top 25 Media Poll
1 | Houston (21-7)
2 | Stanford (21-7)
3 | Tennessee (17-7)
4 | St. Bonaventure (20-6)
5 | College of Charleston (19-7)
6 | South Carolina (19-7)
7 | Middle Tennessee (23-7)
8 | Oregon State (21-9)
9 | Western Carolina (22-7)
10 | Oklahoma (18-10)
11 | Florida (14-8)
12 | Texas (16-9)
13 | Furman (19-9)
14 | Long Beach State (19-9)
15 | North Carolina (16-8)
16 | Michigan (19-9)
17 | South Alabama (17-10)
18 | Missouri (18-10)
19 | Saint Louis (18-8)
20 | Hawaii (18-12)
21 | Ohio State (20-9)
22 | Kansas (15-9)
23 | Georgia (15-10)
24 | Rice (18-13)
25 | Miami (Fla.) (13-11)

Golden Spikes Award Watch
Travis Ortiz, Jr., 3B, Oklahoma | 7 HR, .404/.500/.740, 39 RBI, 28 R, 16 SB, 42 H
Jon Clem, Sr., CF, Furman | 9 HR, .449/.520/.921, 27 RBI, 32 R, 13 SB, 40 H
Todd Hess, Sr., CF, Middle Tennessee | 6 HR, .434/.533/.726, 26 RBI, 36 R, 14 SB, 49 H

Roger Clemens Award Watch
Kip Stolp, Jr., RHP, Michigan | 78.2 IP, 6-0, 1.83 ERA, 79 K, 22 BB
Juan Ravago, Sr., RHP, Texas | 58.1 IP, 6-1, 1.85 ERA, 64 K, 14 BB
Adam Serrano, Fr., LHP, Vanderbilt | 13.0 IP, 1-0, 9 SV, 0.00 ERA, 14 K, 10 BB

Baseball America Offensive Player of the Year Watch
Hiram Pellow, Jr., RF, South Carolina | 7 HR, .538/.616/.849, 22 RBI, 25 R, 50 H
Jon Clem, Sr., CF, Furman | 9 HR, .449/.520/.921, 27 RBI, 32 R, 13 SB, 40 H
Rob Bramhall, Sr., RF, Texas A&M | 4 HR, .500/.549/.857, 31 RBI, 18 H, 2 SB, 35 H

Baseball America Freshman of the Year Watch
Kris Grissom, Fr., CF, South Carolina | 2 HR, .423/.516/.641, 18 RBI, 20 R, 7 SB, 33 H
Adam Serrano, Fr., LHP, Vanderbilt | 13.0 IP, 1-0, 9 SV, 0.00 ERA, 14 K, 10 BB
Jeremy Bertram, Fr., C, Tennessee | 3 HR, .312/.427/.500, 20 RBI, 16 R, 6 SB, 25 H

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

Van Buren to move Kenyon duo down in lineup

Carnegie Mellon is set to shake up its lineup entering April by moving the two transfers from Kenyon College, Kit Kreuter and Darrell Salters, down to the third and fourth slots from the top two.

Kreuter, a senior centerfielder, has a .243/.311/.297 slash line with 27 total hits and one homerun. Salters, a junior shortstop, has fared better with a .245/.310/.415 slash and four homeruns, but all four round-trippers have been of the solo variety.

Head coach Steven Van Buren plans to replace their top two spots in the lineup with freshman third baseman Chris Grieve (.293/.309/.424, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 3 R, 27 H) and junior designated hitter Tyler Tully (.343/.388/.444, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R, 37 H), as the first-year utility player and club team holdover have been two of the Tartans most productive hitters this season.

Dittfurth to replace Paronto in rotation, for now

CMU head coach Steven Van Buren is making a change in his starting rotation, as sophomore right-hander Scott Dittfurth will replace classmate Bryan Paronto on a trial basis.

Dittfurth has been very good out of the bullpen this season, posting a 1.64 earned run average in 11.0 innings, while Paronto owns a bloated 9.82 ERA in 33.0 innings pitched. The third spot in the rotation has been a mystery, with senior righty Hector Karl (36.2 IP, 1-4, 4.91 ERA, 39 K, 11 BB) and junior right-hander Ramon Tillman (34.2 IP, 1-5, 5.71 ERA, 32 K, 9 BB) entrenched in their current spots.

Tartans sit near bottom of Atlantic 10 standings

Carnegie Mellon’s recent victories have pulled the team out of the Atlantic 10 basement, but the Tartans sit in 12th place as the calendar turns to April.

CMU owns a 3-6 mark in A-10 action, with Massachusetts (11-17, 2-5 A-10) and Fordham (11-17, 2-5 A-10) the only teams behind in the standings. At the top of the table, No. 19 Saint Louis (18-8, 8-1 A-10) has a two-game edge on Temple (13-12, 5-2 A-10) and Rhode Island (10-13, 5-2 A-10), while No. 4 St. Bonaventure sits just 3-4 in conference despite a 20-6 overall record.

CMU gain commits from five recruiting targets

The Tartans landed five high school commitments in March, highlighted by the 158th ranked prospect nationally.

Aramis Baker, a six-foot-two, 192-pound shortstop from Rock Hill High School, is one of five freshmen thus far that will enroll at Carnegie Mellon this coming fall. Baker is ranked as the 158th high school recruit according to Baseball America, and should be an immediate starter for Steven Van Buren’s 2008 team.

CMU also received commitments from third baseman Rod Stange (Montreal, Quebec / Édouard Montpetit College), leftfielder Scott Linton (Islesboro, Maine / Islesboro), and right-handed pitchers Travis Hnytka (Albany, N.Y. / Albany) and Matt Seibel (Lancaster, Calif. / Paraclete).

The five commitments will not likely make up the entirety of Carnegie Mellon’s recruiting class, as Van Buren and his staff will continue to search for incoming freshmen as both scholarship players and walk-ons.

Carnegie Mellon Recruiting Targets
Aramis Baker, SS/UT (6’2”, 192 lbs.; R/R; Ironton, Ohio / Rock Hill) – Committed
Rod Stange, 3B/C (5’9”, 187 lbs.; R/R; Montreal, Quebec / Édouard Montpetit College) – Committed
Travis Hnytka, SP/2B (6’5”, 204 lbs.; R/R; Albany, N.Y. / Albany) – Committed
Scott Linton, LF/1B (6’0”, 213 lbs.; R/R; Islesboro, Maine / Islesboro) – Committed
Matt Seibel, RP/1B (6’4”, 221 lbs.; R/R; Lancaster, Calif. / Paraclete) – Committed

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

CMU Swept by Rhode Island at Home
In Game 3, Scott Dittfurth allowed one run in 4.2 innings in his first career start

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon dropped three games to Rhode Island over the weekend, succumbing to defeats of 4-1, 10-3, and 4-0 in a three-game sweep at Hans Lobert Field.

Carnegie Mellon (5-26, 3-9 A-10) struggled with runners in scoring position in Game 1, going 1-for-12 in those scenarios in a 4-1 defeat.

Senior right-hander Hector Karl allowed four runs on 10 hits and four walks in five innings, and freshman Jamie Boyd picked him up with 3.2 scoreless frames in relief. The Tartans got doubles from junior designated hitter Tyler Tully, senior first baseman Will Froemming, and freshman rightfielder Danny Ray Boss, and a fourth-inning RBI single from senior leftfielder Ryan Rayner.

Rhode Island (15-13, 10-2 A-10) saw junior rightfielder Scott Einspahr open a stellar series with a 4-for-4 afternoon, tallying a double, stolen base, and two runs batted in.

Einspahr was the story in Game 2 – a 10-3 victory for the Rams over the Tartans – as he hit for the cycle and finished 4-for-5 on the day.

Junior right-hander Ramon Tillman struggled to make it through four innings, allowing 11 hits, five runs, and three walks. CMU’s three runs came in the bottom of the ninth courtesy of a two-run triple from senior centerfielder Kit Kreuter and an RBI groundout from junior shortstop Darrell Salters.

In Game 3, sophomore right-hander Scott Dittfurth made his first career start and allowed one run on five hits and a walk in 4.2 innings, but that run was enough for Rhode Island to win 4-0.

Dittfurth struck out six in the defeat, and junior left-hander Elpidio MacLean threw 2.1 shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts. Kreuter, senior catcher Joaquin Cormier, and freshman second baseman Robby Freed had the Tartans’ only three hits.

Rams freshman righty Bryan Desmond struck out 13 in 8.1 innings to pick up the win. Einspahr went 3-for-5 with a double, stolen base, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Carnegie Mellon welcomes city rival Duquesne to Hans Lobert Field next weekend for a two-game series beginning on Wednesday, April 11.

-----------------------

Rhode Island Rams (12-13, 7-2 A-10) at Carnegie Mellon Tartans (5-23, 3-6 A-10)
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Hans Lobert Field

Game 1 – April 6, 2007
URI | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 1
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0
W: Alex Salotti (3-2) L: Hector Karl (1-5) S: Craig Moncy (3)

Rhode Island Statistics
Jeffrey Bonnell, So., DH | 2-3, 2 R, 2 BB, SB
Ryan Dickerson, So., C | 2-4
Scott Einspahr, Jr., RF | 4-4, 2B, 2 RBI, SB
Santos Meade, So., 2B | 1-2, 2B, RBI, 2 BB
Jose Caruso, Fr., CF | 1-3, R, RBI, 2 BB
Alex Salotti, Jr., SP (W, 3-2) | 6.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K
Craig Moncy, Jr., RP (S, 3) | 1.0 IP, 1 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 2-5
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 2-3, 2B (9)
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 2-3, R, 2B (11), BB
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 2-4, 2B (6)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3, RBI (6)
Hector Karl, Sr., SP (L, 1-5) | 5.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Jamie Boyd, Fr., RP | 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Game 2 – April 7, 2007
URI | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0
W: Greg Moeller (4-1) L: Ramon Tillman (1-6)

Rhode Island Statistics
Scott Einspahr, Jr., RF | 4-5, 5 R, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, BB, 3 SB
Erik Mahmood, Jr., SS | 2-5, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB, SB
Santos Meade, So., 2B | 1-2, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Tony Kish, Fr., 3B | 2-5, 2B, RBI
Jose Christiansen, So., 1B | 3-5, R, RBI
Greg Moeller, So., SP (W, 4-1) | 6.2 IP, 3 H, 9 K
Kerry Taha, Jr., RP | 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4, R
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 1-3, R, BB
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-4, R, 3B (1), 2 RBI (7)
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 0-4, RBI (5)
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 2-4
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP (L, 1-6) | 4.0 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 0.1 IP, 1 K

Game 3 – April 8, 2007
URI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1
W: Bryan Desmond (3-2) L: Scott Dittfurth (0-1)

Rhode Island Statistics
Jeffrey Bonnell, So., DH | 1-4, 2 R, BB, 2 SB
Scott Einspahr, Jr., RF | 3-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, SB
Erik Mahmood, Jr., SS | 3-4, RBI
Santos Meade, So., 2B | 2-3, RBI, SB
Tony Kish, Fr., 3B | 1-4
Bryan Desmond, Fr., SP (W, 3-2) | 8.1 IP, 3 H, 13 K
Kerry Taha, Jr., RP | 0.2 IP, 1 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-3
Joaquin Cormier, Sr., C | 1-3
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 1-3
Scott Dittfurth, So., SP (L, 0-1) | 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne to debut rivalry this week

This week marks the beginning of a new annual rivalry, as Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne are set to play a pair of games at Hans Lobert Field.

The Tartans enter with a 5-26 overall record and 3-9 mark in Atlantic 10 play, which places them at the bottom of the 14-team league. The Dukes currently sit fifth in the A-10 at 6-5 and own a 12-16 overall record.

Duquesne is led offensively by junior second baseman/pitcher Wes Roniger (.381/.463/.533, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 14 R, 6 SB, 40 H) and senior centerfielder Chase Mavroulis (.306/.434/.480, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 24 R, 14 SB, 30 H). The Dukes’ rotation has struggled with the third-worst ERA (5.36) in the Atlantic 10, but senior right-hander Darwin Neal (43.1 IP, 0-4, 4.15 ERA, 25 K, 23 BB) has been the best of the trio.

Tartans add three targets to recruiting board

Carnegie Mellon offered scholarship packages to three high school seniors over the past week in first baseman/pitcher Dan Gregg (Millport, Ala. / South Lamar), catcher Cam Cockrell (Metairie, La. / East Jefferson), and outfielder Kurt Branson (Wister, Okla. / Wister).

Gregg, a six-foot-four, 206-pound utility player from South Lamar High School, has slightly above average power and contact and also offers some depth for the pitching staff. On the mound, he throws four pitches (four-seam fastball, splitter, slider, change-up) and could be a long reliever or spot starter for the Tartans.

Cockrell, a five-foot-nine, 216-pound lefty-hitting catcher from East Jefferson High School, is praised for his defense. He doesn’t allow many passed balls and has a strong arm throwing out baserunners, and while his contact hitting is subpar, he does possess average power.

Branson, a six-foot-one, 200-pound outfielder from Wister High School, grades out as average across the board besides his speed, which allows him to steal bases and make good jumps on defense.

Carnegie Mellon Recruiting Targets
Aramis Baker, SS/UT (6’2”, 192 lbs.; R/R; Ironton, Ohio / Rock Hill) – Committed
Rod Stange, 3B/C (5’9”, 187 lbs.; R/R; Montreal, Quebec / Édouard Montpetit College) – Committed
Travis Hnytka, SP/2B (6’5”, 204 lbs.; R/R; Albany, N.Y. / Albany) – Committed
Scott Linton, LF/1B (6’0”, 213 lbs.; R/R; Islesboro, Maine / Islesboro) – Committed
Matt Seibel, RP/1B (6’4”, 221 lbs.; R/R; Lancaster, Calif. / Paraclete) – Committed
Dan Gregg, 1B/RP (6’4”, 206 lbs.; R/L; Millport, Ala. / South Lamar)
Cam Cockrell, C (5’9”, 216 lbs.; L/R; Metairie, La. / East Jefferson)
Kurt Branson, CF/RF (6’1”, 200 lbs.; R/R; Wister, Okla. / Wister)

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

Grieve’s 11th Inning Walk-Off Single Secures Split for Tartans
Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne played a pair of one-run games, with the Tartans coming away with a 3-2 11-inning win in Game 2

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- If their opening series is any indication, the Carnegie Mellon-Duquesne rivalry will surely be an entertaining one.

Carnegie Mellon (6-27, 4-10 A-10) used a two-out walk-off single by freshman third baseman Chris Grieve in the 11th inning to secure a 3-2 win and series split with Duquesne (13-17, 7-6 A-10) in Game 2. This came on the heels of the Dukes’ 5-4 triumph in Game 1, despite the Tartans coming back from a 4-0 deficit.

“I thought we played two really good games and were deserving of a split,” said CMU head coach Steven Van Buren. “We unfortunately haven’t had many of these opportunities this season, but going into the series we were really excited to play our local rivals. It meant a little more to go out there and compete for wins against Duquesne, and fortunately we were able to do so in the second game.”

The hosts raced out to a 2-0 lead through two innings in Game 2, as freshman rightfielder Danny Ray Boss knocked an RBI triple to center and was brought in with a single from senior leftfielder Ryan Rayner. That lead held through seven innings despite a solo homer from Duquesne rightfielder Josh Dargen, but in the top of the eighth Wes Roniger doubled with two outs and was brought in on a single from Justin Sheldon.

CMU freshman right-hander Einar Reagan held Duquesne scoreless through the ninth and 10th innings, but the offense couldn’t cash in with runners on first and second and no outs in the bottom of the 10th. After a scoreless top of the 11th, Boss led off the bottom half with a single, then freshman designated hitter Sean Pabst worked a one-out walk. Andy Lane struck the next hitter out to bring up Grieve with two outs, but the freshman infielder found a hole between the first and second baseman to score Boss for the walk-off win.

Junior right-hander Ramon Tillman allowed a run on seven hits in five innings, striking out four. Reagan, sophomore right-hander Jeff Hansen, and junior righty Brett Gaston all threw scoreless innings in relief.

Grieve went 3-for-6 in Game 2, while Boss was 3-for-5 with two runs scored.

In Game 1, the Tartans made up a 4-0 deficit with run-scoring hits from Grieve, senior centerfielder Kit Kreuter, and junior shortstop Darrell Salters, but a Marc Lee solo homerun in the top of the eighth proved to be the difference in a 5-4 Duquesne win.

The Dukes had success against CMU senior righty Hector Karl, roughing him up for 10 hits, four runs, and a walk through 4.2 innings. Grieve had RBIs in the fifth and sixth innings, including a two-out double in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game.

The Tartans had two runners on with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Salters flew out to left and senior first baseman Will Froemming struck out looking.

Carnegie Mellon hits the road for a two-game series this weekend at Xavier, beginning on Saturday, April 14.

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Duquesne Dukes (12-16, 6-5 A-10) at Carnegie Mellon Tartans (5-26, 3-9 A-10)
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Hans Lobert Field

Game 1 – April 11, 2007
DUQ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 1
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 0
W: Adam Hamilton (2-0) L: Elpidio MacLean (0-3) S: Eric Hankerd (4)

Duquesne Statistics
Josh Dargen, Sr., RF | 3-4, R, 2B, RBI
Alan Miller, So., SS | 2-4, R
Allen Griffith, Sr., 3B | 1-3, R, 2B, RBI
Marc Lee, Jr., LF | 2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
Cole Hutchinson, So., C | 2-4, RBI
Wes Roniger, Jr., SP | 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Adam Hamilton, So., RP (W, 2-0) | 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 K
Eric Hankerd, So., RP (S, 4) | 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 2-5, R, 2B (10), 2 RBI (11), SB (1)
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 1-4, BB
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-4, R, RBI (8), SB (7)
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 2-5, RBI (6)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3, R, 2B (8)
Hector Karl, Sr., SP | 4.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP (L, 0-3) | 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER
Einar Reagan, Fr., RP | 1.2 IP, 3 K

Game 2 – April 12, 2007
DUQ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0
CMU | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 0
W: Brett Gaston (1-1) L: Andy Lane (1-2)

Duquesne Statistics
Chase Maroulis, Sr., CF | 3-5, SB
Wes Roniger, Jr., 2B | 1-4, R, 2B
Justin Sheldon, So., 1B | 2-5, 2B, RBI
Josh Dargen, Sr., RF | 2-5, R, HR, RBI
Carlos Froemming, Fr., DH | 2-4, 2B
Darwin Neal, Sr., SP | 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Vinnie Nicolla, So., RP | 5.1 IP, 3 H, 4 K
Andy Lane, Sr., RP (L, 1-2) | 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 3-6, RBI (12)
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 1-5, R
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 3-5, 2 R, 3B (1), RBI (6)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 2-5, RBI (7)
Sean Pabst, Fr., DH | 1-3, 2 BB
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP | 5.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K
Jeff Hansen, So., RP | 2.0 IP
Einar Reagan, Jr., RP | 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB
Brett Gaston, Jr., RP (W, 1-1) | 1.0 IP, 1 H

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

Tartans Rebound in Game 2 at Xavier to Earn Second Straight Split
CMU senior Hector Karl threw six shutout innings and Darrell Salters hit a two-run homer to secure another shared series

by Brittany Adams, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- A stellar pitching performance by senior right-hander Hector Karl lifted Carnegie Mellon to another series split at Xavier, as the Tartans bounced back from a 7-0 defeat in Game 1 with a 2-1 triumph in Game 2.

Carnegie Mellon (7-28, 5-11 A-10) now has two series splits in a row after defeating Duquesne in 11 innings, 3-2, in the second game of a two-game series earlier in the week. The Tartans have now won one game in four of their last five series after previously suffering seven consecutive losses.

“We’re on the right path,” said CMU head coach Steven Van Buren. “I keep trying to preach to our guys that this isn’t going to be easy and there are going to be a lot of growing pains along the way. I’m proud of our mental state to shake the (Game 1) loss off and come back with a strong effort to earn the split. Leaders like Hector (Karl) on the mound and Darrell (Salters) really set the tone in the second game, and our younger guys are buying into what they’re saying.”

Junior shortstop Darrell Salters provided the only needed runs in the top of the first inning of Game 1, hitting a two-run homer to give CMU a 2-0 advantage. Karl took charge from there, holding Xavier (14-15, 7-7 A-10) scoreless through six innings, as he allowed three hits and three walks and struck out five.

Both junior southpaw Elpidio MacLean and sophomore right-hander Bryan Paronto posted zeroes in the seventh and eighth innings before they turned it over to freshman closer Einar Reagan. Tyler Luderer brought the Musketeers within one on a sacrifice fly scoring Cody Cleveland, but Reagan forced a groundout from the next batter to secure the win.

In Game 1, Xavier was boosted by a dominant pitching performance from junior ace Kyle Daguio as it won 7-0.

Daugio went 7.1 innings without allowing a run, allowing only three hits while striking out 10. The Musketeers hit two-run homeruns in the first and fourth innings by Orben Mesa and Cleveland, respectively, and added a third three-run shot in the eighth inning from Justin Dreschel.

Sophomore right-hander Scott Dittfurth allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk and didn’t record a strikeout in 4.1 innings. Freshman rightfielder Danny Ray Boss had one of the Tartans’ three hits on the day, collecting his seventh double of the season.

Carnegie Mellon continues its road trip next weekend at No. 12 St. Bonaventure. The Tartans and Bonnies will play a double-header on Saturday, April 21 before finishing with Game 2 on Sunday, April 22.

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Carnegie Mellon Tartans (6-27, 4-10 A-10) at Xavier Musketeers (13-14, 6-6 A-10)
Cincinnati, Ohio – J. Page Hayden Field

Game 1 – April 14, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0
XU | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | X | 7 | 15 | 0
W: Kyle Daguio (5-3) L: Scott Dittfurth (0-2)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 1-3, BB
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-2, 2B (7)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3
Scott Dittfurth, So., SP (L, 0-2) | 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB
Matt Uribes, So., RP | 2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Xavier Statistics
Carl Foushee, Sr., LF | 3-4, R, BB, SB
Rudy Witt, Fr., CF | 1-4, R, 3B, RBI
Orben Mesa, Sr., DH | 3-5, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
Cody Cleveland, Jr., 2B | 1-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Justin Dreschel, Jr., C | 2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
Kyle Daguio, Jr., SP (W, 5-3) | 7.1 IP, 3 H, 10 K
Mark Komaromy, Jr., RP | 1.2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K

Game 2 – April 15, 2007
CMU | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1
XU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1
W: Hector Karl (2-5) L: Will Cappello (3-3) S: Einar Reagan (3)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4, R
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-3
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 1-2, R, HR (5), 2 RBI (8)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3
Joaquin Cormier, Sr., C | 1-3
Hector Karl, Sr., SP (W, 2-5) | 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K
Einar Reagan, Fr., RP (S, 3) | 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER

Xavier Statistics
Orben Mesa, Sr., DH | 1-3
Andy Juarez, Jr., 3B | 2-4
Cody Cleveland, Jr., 2B | 1-4, R, SB
Tyler Luderer, Fr., RF | 0-4, RBI
Will Cappello, Jr., SP (L, 3-3) | 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 K
Lance Brossman, Jr., RP | 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

CMU Competes, but Falls in Three-Game Sweep at #12 St. Bonaventure
Carnegie Mellon played a pair of three-run games to end its three-game series at No. 12 St. Bonaventure

by Brittany Adams, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

OLEAN, N.Y. -- Carnegie Mellon hung tough against No. 12 St. Bonaventure in a three-game Atlantic 10 series over the weekend, but the Tartans were ultimately swept by scores of 7-1, 3-0, and 7-4.

Carnegie Mellon (7-30, 5-14 A-10) held one single lead over St. Bonaventure (28-10, 11-8 A-10) across the three games, but managed to hold a strong Bonnies offense to just three runs in Game 2 and roughed up one of their best pitchers, Kevin Reida, for four runs and eight hits in Game 3.

CMU and SBU played a doubleheader on Saturday, April 21, which started with a 7-1 win for the hosts in Game 1.

The Bonnies scored six of their seven runs in the first four innings, highlighted by a pair of two-run hits by Clay Hudson. Matt Freese shut down the Tartans offense, striking out 11 through 6.2 innings while allowing a run on four hits and a walk.

The visitors lone run in the game came in the top of the sixth inning, as junior designated hitter Tyler Tully connected with his second homerun of the season.

Junior right-hander Ramon Tillman allowed six runs on eight hits and seven walks in four innings for CMU.

Later that evening, the Tartans got four shutout innings in relief from junior right-hander Brett Gaston but they couldn’t mount a comeback and fell by a 3-0 score.

St. Bonaventure scored twice in the second inning on a Dave Daman homerun and Austin Curtis double, then added its third run in the next frame on a Joel Bulger solo homer.

Chad Chamberlin struck out 10 in 6.2 innings and allowed four hits. His counterpart, sophomore right-hander Scott Dittfurth, gave up three runs on five hits and two walks, striking out two in four innings.

The CMU offense pushed across four runs on 10 hits in Game 3, but the Bonnies completed the sweep with a 7-4 win.

The Tartans went ahead in the top of the first with a RBI single from junior shortstop Darrell Salters, but St. Bonaventure answered with an Evan Fassero RBI double and Daman two-run double.

CMU scored three in the top of the fifth inning with Salters RBI single and two-run triple from senior centerfielder Kit Kreuter, but that only cut the Bonnies’ lead to 6-4.

Senior right-hander Hector Karl struggled, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. Junior lefty Elpidio MacLean threw 2.1 shutout innings in relief.

Carnegie Mellon keeps its road trip going next weekend with a three-game series at Massachusetts, beginning on Friday, April 27.

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Carnegie Mellon Tartans (7-27, 5-11 A-10) at #12 St. Bonaventure Bonnies (25-10, 8-8 A-10)
Olean, N.Y. – Fred Handler Park

Game 1 (DH) – April 21, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0
SBU | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 7 | 12 | 0
W: Matt Freese (3-2) L: Ramon Tillman (1-7)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 1-4, R, HR (2), RBI (13)
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-3
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 1-3, 2B (5)
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP (L, 1-7) | 4.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 7 BB
Matt Uribes, So., RP | 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

St. Bonaventure Statistics
Evan Fassero, Sr., SS | 2-4, 2 R, BB
Dave Daman, Jr., LF | 1-2, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB, SB
Clay Hudson, Sr., 2B | 4-5, R, 2B, 4 RBI
Arnaldo Pratt, Jr., 3B | 1-4, RBI, BB
Joel Bulger, Sr., 1B | 1-2, RBI, BB
Matt Freese, So., SP (W, 3-2) | 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K
Joe Locke, Jr., RP | 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K

Game 2 (DH) – April 21, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0
SBU | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 7 | 0
W: Chad Chamberlin (3-3) L: Scott Dittfurth (0-3) S: Calvin Marlatt (10)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 1-4, 2B (10)
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 2-4
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 1-4, 2B (12)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3
Scott Dittfurth, So., SP (L, 0-3) | 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Brett Gaston, Jr., RP | 4.0 IP, 2 H, 5 BB, 1 K

St. Bonaventure Statistics
Dave Daman, Jr., LF | 1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB
Clay Hudson, Sr., 2B | 1-3, BB
Joel Bulger, Sr., 1B | 2-4, R, HR, RBI
Mark Hart, Jr., C | 2-3, R, 2B, 3B
Austin Curtis, Sr., CF | 1-3, 2B, RBI
Chad Chamberlin, Jr., SP (W, 3-3) | 6.2 IP, 4 H, 10 K
Calvin Marlatt, So., RP (S, 10) | 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 K

Game 3 – April 22, 2007
CMU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0
SBU | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 7 | 14 | 1
W: Kevin Reida (5-1) L: Hector Karl (2-6) S: Calvin Marlatt (11)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B (12)
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 2-4, R, 2B (4), 3B (2), 2 RBI (10)
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 2-4, 2 RBI (10)
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-4
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 2-4, R
Hector Karl, Sr., SP (L, 2-6) | 2.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB

St. Bonaventure Statistics
Evan Fassero, Sr., SS | 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Dave Daman, Jr., LF | 3-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI
Clay Hudson, Sr., 2B | 1-5, R, HR, 2 RBI
Joel Bulger, Sr., 1B | 2-5, R
Mark Hart, Jr., C | 2-4, RBI
Kevin Reida, Jr., SP (W, 5-1) | 5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 K
Calvin Marlatt, So., RP (S, 11) | 1.0 IP, 1 K

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

Tartans, Minutemen Swap Gems, but UMass Takes Three-Game Set
Carnegie Mellon and UMass combined for six runs across the three games, with the Tartans only winning Game 2

by Brittany Adams, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

AMHERST, Mass. -- In a series defined by both pitching staffs, Massachusetts took a three-game series with a pair of wins in Game 1 (3-1) and Game 3 (1-0), with Carnegie Mellon settling for a 1-0 win in Game 2.

Carnegie Mellon (8-32, 6-16 A-10) and Massachusetts (20-26, 11-14 A-10) combined for six runs and 38 hits across the three games. The Tartans three starting pitchers – junior Ramon Tillman, sophomore Scott Dittfurth, and senior Hector Karl – allowed a single run over 17 innings of work.

In CMU’s 1-0 victory in Game 2, Dittfurth was the story as he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Justin Saracen spoiled that bid. The sophomore finished with two hits and two walks allowed in six frames and struck out five, leaving with a 1-0 lead after senior Kit Kreuter hit a RBI double in the top of the first inning.

The Tartans nearly gave the game away however, as freshman closer Einar Reagan loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, only to force a groundout from Saracen to pick up the save.

Kreuter had two doubles – his fifth and sixth of the season – while junior designated hitter Tyler Tully hit a triple. Cliff Haggerty struck out nine in 5.1 innings for UMass in relief.

In Game 1, the Minutemen hit three solo homeruns to defeat CMU, 3-1.

Freshman third baseman Chris Grieve roped an RBI single into right field in the top of the third, scoring senior leftfielder Ryan Rayner to tie it at 1-1. That score carried into the bottom of the sixth, when Tim Barr hit his second of two solo shots to put the hosts back ahead. The lead grew to its 3-1 final scoreline on a Todd Vidic homerun off Reagan.

Tillman had allowed one run on four hits and struck out five through 4.1 innings, but left early due to injury. Brandon Rouse struck out six in five innings for UMass, allowing a run on seven hits.

The Minutemen won in walk-off fashion in Game 3, 1-0.

Karl was terrific for the Tartans, punching out seven in 6.2 innings while allowing just four hits and a walk. CMU’s offense managed four doubles – two by senior third baseman Aaron Musgrove, and one each from Grieve and Kreuter – but it had nothing to show for it as the game entered the bottom of the ninth.

Freshman right-hander Jamie Boyd entered instead of Reagan, who was unavailable after pitching the previous two games. He allowed a lead-off single to Barr before getting the next out, but Brennan Phillips lifted a double into the gap that was enough to bring in the only run.

Carnegie Mellon is back in the Keystone State next weekend, but it remains on the road at Saint Joseph’s for a three-game series beginning on Friday, May 4.

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Carnegie Mellon Tartans (7-30, 5-14 A-10) at UMass Minutemen (18-25, 9-13 A-10)
Amherst, Mass. – Earl Lorden Field

Game 1 – April 27, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1
UMASS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | X | 3 | 9 | 0
W: Cory Brohawn (4-0) L: Jeff Hansen (0-1) S: Corey Townsend (5)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4, RBI (13)
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 1-4
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 1-3
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-3, 2B (8)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3, R
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP | 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 K
Jeff Hansen, So., RP (L, 0-1) | 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K
Jamie Boyd, Fr., RP | 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K

UMass Statistics
Tim Barr, So., 1B | 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI
Todd Vidic, Sr., RF | 1-3, R, HR, RBI
Brennan Phelps, Jr., LF | 3-4
Jeremy Rea, So., SS | 1-3
Joel Napoli, So., C | 1-3, SB
Brandon Rouse, Sr., SP | 5.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 K
Cory Brohawn, So., RP (W, 4-0) | 2.0 IP, 1 K
Corey Townsend, So., RP (S, 5) | 2.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K

Game 2 – April 28, 2007
CMU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1
UMASS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0
W: Scott Dittfurth (1-3) L: Aaron Munoz (2-1) S: Einar Reagan (4)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 2-3, R, 3B (1)
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 2-4, 2 2B (6), RBI (11)
Matt Trachsel, Jr., RF | 2-4, 2B (3)
Scott Dittfurth, So., SP (W, 1-3) | 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Bryan Paronto, So., RP | 1.0 IP, 1 H
Einar Reagan, Fr., RP (S, 4) | 1.0 IP, 2 BB

UMass Statistics
Justin Saracen, Sr., CF | 1-4
Reid Perschina, Jr., 2B | 1-3, BB
Tim Barr, So., 1B | 1-2
Brennan Phelps, Jr., LF | 1-3, BB
Aaron Munoz, Jr., SP (L, 2-1) | 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 K
Cliff Haggerty, So., RP | 5.1 IP, 5 H, 9 K

Game 3 – April 29, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0
UMASS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0
W: Brad Lindgren (4-1) L: Jamie Boyd (0-1)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Chris Grieve, Fr., 2B | 1-4, 2B (13)
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-4, 2B (7)
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-4
Aaron Musgrove, Sr., 3B | 2-3, 2 2B (4)
Hector Karl, Sr., SP | 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 7 K
Peter Dirks, Fr., RP | 1.1 IP, 1 BB, 2 K
Jamie Boyd, Fr., RP (L, 0-1) | 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER

UMass Statistics
Justin Saracen, Sr., CF | 1-4, 2B
Tim Barr, So., 1B | 1-4, R
Brennan Phelps, Jr., LF | 1-3, 2B, RBI
Jeremy Rea, So., SS | 1-3, 2B
Kevin Skellenger, Jr., SP | 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 K
Brad Lindgren, Sr., RP (W, 4-2) | 4.1 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

Around the NCAA – April 2007 Wrap-Up
The SEC and SoCon both boast three teams in the Baseball America Top 25

Baseball America Top 25 Media Poll
1 | Tennessee (29-11)
2 | College of Charleston (30-10)
3 | Florida (28-13)
4 | Stanford (30-10)
5 | Oregon State (28-12)
6 | Middle Tennessee (29-10)
7 | Houston (27-12)
8 | South Carolina (25-16)
9 | Western Carolina (30-10)
10 | Furman (25-14)
11 | Florida State (28-14)
12 | Troy (24-14)
13 | South Alabama (26-13)
14 | Long Beach State (27-13)
15 | Elon (24-15)
16 | St. Bonaventure (30-11)
17 | Clemson (25-14)
18 | Michigan (28-13)
19 | Saint Louis (30-14)
20 | Oklahoma (23-16)
21 | Miami (Fla.) (25-17)
22 | Connecticut (27-12)
23 | Ohio State (28-15)
24 | Hawaii (25-16)
25 | Texas (24-15)

Golden Spikes Award Watch
Todd Hess, Sr., CF, Middle Tennessee | 8 HR, .472/.586/.796, 37 RBI, 53 R, 20 SB, 67 H
Bryan Taborelli, Jr., SS, Western Carolina | 15 HR, .383/.462/.752, 46 RBI, 41 R, 16 SB, 57 H
Jason McClure, So., 2B, Long Beach State | 12 HR, .412/.532/.797, 44 RBI, 38 R, 10 SB, 61 H

Roger Clemens Award Watch
Willie Clausen, Jr., RHP, Rice | 124.1 IP, 11-3, 1.74 ERA, 109 K, 44 BB
Todd DeLong, Jr., RHP, Stanford | 92.0 IP, 9-1, 1.96 ERA, 87 K, 23 BB
Kip Stolp, Jr., RHP, Michigan | 108.1 IP, 8-0, 2.08 ERA, 113 K, 28 BB

Baseball America Offensive Player of the Year Watch
Todd Hess, Sr., CF, Middle Tennessee | 8 HR, .472/.586/.796, 37 RBI, 53 R, 20 SB, 67 H
Jason McClure, So., 2B, Long Beach State | 12 HR, .412/.532/.797, 44 RBI, 38 R, 10 SB, 61 H
Matt Rapavi, Sr., RF, Dayton | 8 HR, .464/.537/.778, 27 RBI, 42 R, 17 SB, 71 H

Baseball America Freshman of the Year Watch
Kris Grissom, Fr., CF, South Carolina | 6 HR, .433/.525/.724, 31 RBI, 37 R, 15 SB, 58 H
Jeremy Bertram, Fr., C, Tennessee | 9 HR, .342/.446/.641, 33 RBI, 26 R, 7 SB, 40 H
Dan Stanford, Fr., 1B, South Alabama | 9 HR, .358/.480/.658, 34 RBI, 26 R, 1 SB, 43 H

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

Tillman could miss remainder of season

After spraining his wrist in the opening game of Carnegie Mellon’s series at UMass, junior right-hander Ramon Tillman may miss the rest of the season.

Tillman is set to miss 1-to-2 weeks. If he doesn’t come back from injury, he will end his junior season with a 1-7 record and 6.06 earned run average in 52 innings pitched, with 43 strikeouts and 19 walks issued.

Sophomore right-hander Matt Uribes (20.1 IP, 0-3, 10.18 ERA, 17 K, 14 BB) is set to start in his place this weekend at Saint Joseph’s.

Dittfurth impressing in rotation

Sophomore right-hander Scott Dittfurth has impressed CMU head coach Steven Van Buren since moving to the rotation, as he owns a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings pitched across three starts.

Dittfurth carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his last start, which finished with a 1-0 win for the Tartans. He has 11 strikeouts against four walks over the three starts and has allowed 14 hits. His one poor performance over this stretch was at Xavier, where he gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk in 4.1 frames.

Tartans out of the basement in Atlantic 10 standings

Carnegie Mellon has made it out of the bottom of the Atlantic 10 standings entering the final month of the season, with its 6-16 conference mark currently good for 12th.

Temple (16-29, 8-19 A-10) and Saint Joseph’s (13-26, 6-18 A-10) are the only teams ranked lower than CMU. At the top of the board, No. 19 Saint Louis (30-14, 20-7 A-10) owns a two-game lead on Dayton (25-16, 16-7 A-10).

The top six teams qualify for the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Currently the top six consists of Saint Louis, Dayton, Rhode Island (21-19, 16-8 A-10), No. 16 St. Bonaventure (30-11, 13-9 A-10), George Washington (20-19, 13-9 A-10), and Fordham (24-23, 15-11 A-10). Charlotte (19-22, 12-10 A-10) is one game outside the top six, Xavier (19-20 ,12-12 A-10) is two games out, and Duquesne (18-24, 12-13 A-10) is 2.5 games out.

CMU pick up three more commits

Carnegie Mellon gained three more commitments over the weekend as first baseman/left-handed pitcher Dan Gregg (Millport, Ala. / South Lamar), catcher Cam Cockrell (Metairie, La. / East Jefferson), and outfielder Kurt Branson (Wister, Okla. / Wister) pledged to join the program over the summer.

The three high school seniors join a recruiting class that includes commitments in infielders Aramis Baker (Ironton, Ohio / Rock Hill) and Rod Stange (Montreal, Quebec / Édouard Montpetit College), outfielder Scott Linton (Islesboro, Maine / Islesboro), right-handed pitchers Travis Hnytka (Albany, N.Y. / Albany) and Matt Seibel (Lancaster, Calif. / Paraclete).

The Tartans are only slated to lose six seniors – catcher Joaquin Cormier, infielders Wade Froemming and Aaron Musgrove, outfielders Ryan Rayner and Kit Kreuter, and right-handed pitcher Hector Karl – to graduation.

Carnegie Mellon Recruiting Targets
Aramis Baker, SS/UT (6’2”, 192 lbs.; R/R; Ironton, Ohio / Rock Hill) – Committed
Rod Stange, 3B/C (5’9”, 187 lbs.; R/R; Montreal, Quebec / Édouard Montpetit College) – Committed
Travis Hnytka, SP/2B (6’5”, 204 lbs.; R/R; Albany, N.Y. / Albany) – Committed
Scott Linton, LF/1B (6’0”, 213 lbs.; R/R; Islesboro, Maine / Islesboro) – Committed
Matt Seibel, RP/1B (6’4”, 221 lbs.; R/R; Lancaster, Calif. / Paraclete) – Committed
Dan Gregg, 1B/RP (6’4”, 206 lbs.; R/L; Millport, Ala. / South Lamar) – Committed
Cam Cockrell, C (5’9”, 216 lbs.; L/R; Metairie, La. / East Jefferson) – Committed
Kurt Branson, CF/RF (6’1”, 200 lbs.; R/R; Wister, Okla. / Wister) – Committed