Lincoln University of Missouri

BASEBALL OFF TO A ROCKY START

Lincoln University (1-3) opened their season on the road against Rockhurst University (Kansas City, Mo.) in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. 

Feb. 2

   The Hawks ranked No. 34 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper preseason poll took the first two games of the weekend series 5-2 and 5-0.

   GAME ONE

   The Blue Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, when Tyrell Roseburrow scored on a Phil Widel ground out to second base.  Roseburrow got aboard with a single and moved to second on a ball hit by Mike Rodgers back to the pitcher.  Roseburrow advanced to third on a passed ball.

   After the Hawks scored two runs in the top of the third inning, the Blue Tigers responded with one in the bottom of the frame to tie the score 2-2.  Roseburrow hit a triple that scored Mitch Lickey, who was hit by a pitch from Hawks starter J.P. McGrath. 

   Rockhurst added two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to win 5-2. 

   Roseburrow went 2-for-3 with the bat, scored once and had a run batted in. 

   Adam Patch threw five and two-thirds innings and allowed four runs (all earned) on five hits.  McGrath posted the win for the Hawks in six innings of work.

   The Hawks out-hit the Blue Tigers 7-2.

   GAME TWO

   Rockhurst scored twice in the third, once in the fifth and posted two more runs in the seventh to pick up a 5-0 victory. 

   Matt Rose tossed six innings for the Blue Tigers in the loss.  Patrick Larm recorded the win for the Hawks. 

   David Atkins had a 2-for-2 game with two singles and also received a walk.

 Feb. 3

   Lincoln University played a pair of one-run games and won once.  Rockhurst scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning in the first game of the day for a 5-4 win.  In the second game of the day, Lincoln University used a four-run top of the fifth inning to take an 8-5 lead.  Dan Struemph closed the door on the Hawks with a groundout and a pair of fly balls for an 8-7 win. 

   GAME ONE

   Rockhurst scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Nick Triolo scored on a passed ball.  Triolo reached on an error by Keenan Simon.  Triolo then stole second and went to third on a fly out by Mike Walczuk.  Triolo scored as a ball from Struemph nicked the glove of catcher Chris Barrett and got past him allowing Triolo to plate the winning run in a 5-4 victory.

   Ryan Morgan started the game for the Hawks and Frank Allen came on with two out in the fifth inning to earn the win.  Ben Neuner took the hill for Lincoln University allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits.  Streumph was the hard luck loser. 

   Roseburrow went 3-for-4 (three singles) at the plate, scored twice and had one run batted in.  Travis Kay had a 2-for-4 (single, triple) game with a run batted in.  Kay was stranded on the base paths three times. 

   The Blue Tigers committed three errors in the game.

   GAME TWO

   The Blue Tigers scored one in the first to take a 1-0 lead and added three in the second to take a 4-0 advantage.  After plating one in the bottom of the second, Rockhurst took a 5-4 edge with a four run third inning.  Lincoln University put up four runs in the fifth inning to lead 8-5.  Roseburrow delivered the game-winning hit with a bases clearing triple that scored Widel, Tyler Asche and Lickey.  Widel singled, while Asche and Lickey got aboard with walks.  The Blue Tigers picked up their first win of the season 8-7 by holding off rallies by the Hawks, who scored single tallies in the fifth and sixth innings.

   For the first time in his collegiate career, Justin Holliday started a game as a pitcher.  The junior from Jefferson City went three innings and gave up five runs (all earned) on six hits.  Mike Hall came in at the beginning of the fourth inning and threw a couple of innings to record the win.  Streumph pitched the final two innings for the save.  Steve Bako took the loss for the Hawks. 

   Streumph was 2-for-2 with two singles, a run scored and a run batted in.  Roseburrow went 2-for-5 getting a single and double.  He scored once and picked up 4 RBI. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Defense was a problem for Lincoln University as they averaged 1.8 errors-per-game (seven total) over the weekend.  Rockhurst University committed only two errors all weekend.  The Blue Tigers averaged 1.9 errors-per-game in 2006 and 1.8 epg in 2005. 

   The Blue Tigers had a .943 fielding percentage. The Hawks fielding percentage was .983.

   Lincoln University had trouble at the plate hitting a team average of .230 (23-100).  The Hawks hit .317 (33-104) with 10 doubles compared to the Blue Tigers two.  Rockhurst had a .452 slugging percentage, while the slugging percentage of Lincoln University was .330.  The Hawks on-base percentage was .431, the Blue Tigers OBP was .339.

   Rockhurst stole 16 bases on 18 attempts.  Lincoln University swiped just two bases on two attempts.

   The Lincoln University pitching staff gave Rockhurst an average of five walks-per-game. 

   The Blue Tigers were outscored 8-2 in the third inning and 4-0 in the seventh inning of the four games.   

ON DECK

   Lincoln University travels to San Antonio, Texas to take on No. 21 St. Mary’s University.  The action from V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium begins at 2:00 p.m on Feb. 16 and 12:00 p.m. Feb. 17.  It is the Heartland Conference opener for both schools.

   The Blue Tigers were 2-6 against the Rattlers in 2006.  In 2006 Lincoln University went 1-3 both at home and away in games with St. Mary’s.  The Blue Tigers won at home 7-1 on Apr. 7, 2006 and 4-3 in the last game of the season (May 6, 2006). 

   The Rattlers own a 3-13 series record over the Blue Tigers in the last two seasons.  In those 16 games (2005 and 2006) six were decided by three runs or less.  The Blue Tigers were 1-5 in those six close games. 

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