Agreed. My speculations have changed quickly, I think Marlington, Alliance, and West Branch all have a shot for the title. Carrollton is sneaky good, too. We learned quickly that Salem is the most talented (this we already knew), but have very minimal depth, so I see them at the 3/4/5 spot. Should be interesting!
Have you been able to check out a Salem game? I haven't seen anything live just curious how they look regarding the "eye test"?
Frazier is a quality pitcher. He did pitch well last year. I heard that Minerva imploded in the 2nd inning and made a few errors. I also heard one of better hitters and pitchers went down with an injury and hopefully he is ok. The more I hear about the Lions the better I feel. I guess they actually have some decent hitters. They struggle in a couple of positions defensively but Richeson is a good coach and he will make some adjustments. We only have 1 pitcher with varsity experience so the 2nd games of the league series will be a struggle.
True statement about WB.
He played today at 1st, got the rbi single in the first and I think one later in the game.
Carrollton is really good. They play Alliance this week and that is going to be a very good match up. WB - Marlington will be a nice match up too. The jury is still out on both Minerva and Salem. I think Minerva may be better than most people think and Salem has some studs but had a rough start against Alliance. I think anything can happen in the EBC.
Their CC and wrestling have probably edged their baseball just slightly. But Salem’s dominance in baseball not too long ago where they went undefeated for the entirety of the season in conference play was unheard of and certainly one of the most impressive feats I have heard go through Salem in a while.
Minerva 3
I was their and yes I noticed they were late, wilms did pitch a very good game but Frazier was darn good too. Great win for the lions today!!
Unreal. Embarrassing for their families. Hope someone brings it to the ADs attention.
I completely understand the frustration but I just want to say that Minerva played a very good game and deserved to win regardless is Salem's arrival. And Salem did not play a bad game but the Lions were 1 run better.
The Quakers did not play a bad game. I have a feeling they will get some quality wins..
This is a problem in multiple districts. There is a bus driver shortage amongst everything else in society as well. I don’t know how their school system runs but if they are short drivers and they have to run elementary kids home and wait on them to return around 4 or after to get an available driver, that could be the reason. I’ve saw it a couple times already this year. Most of the time the opposing team knows ahead of time and the start is delayed. Even if it was unknown there is no way any reasonable umpire is letting them start without a warmup.
They were late but I don't feel that it had anything to do with the result. They warmed up, Wilms was throwing fine in the first inning. Minerva's first 5 hitters are as good as anyone and Isaiah Frazier is a very good pitcher and kept them off balance the entire game, just like he has done in all of his other starts. Keep in mind the Minerva finished the game with 9 hits and Salem played some good D to keep it at 2-2. In the last inning a freshman drew a walk, a freshman hit a long double, a bunt single loaded the bases and out lead off hitter, Frazier hit a lazy liner over the infield for the win. Salem played a good baseball game but Minerva was 1 run better and Salem being late had nothing to due with 3-2 result. Perhaps Salem underestimated Minerva but the credit goes to Minerva.
Players play. It is the duty of the coaching staff to put them in the best possible position to win and compete at the highest of their ability. Showing up 15 minutes prior to first pitch isn’t doing that. Some days you do lose but if you where not put in the position to fully compete at your best that’s where my frustration lies. Not taking anything away for Minerva at all
Not an excuse just putting it out there, any pitcher going to pitch in college has a MINIMUM 40 minute routine. Every arm that I’ve seen in the EBC the last 6 years has. Bruni, Lautenhizer, and the older Rhodes kid to name a few are ones that I’ve seen with my own eyes take an hour to warm up. Showing up that late and putting that pressure on a kid is just a bad look. Seemed like he still gave it his all, and ended up settling in once he was warmed up. Props to Minerva as that’s a huge win. Really curious to see how the league pans out. Anyone at WB or Marlington games last night? I haven’t seen any results. Thanks
Agreed the talent on their team is very good. Just seems like the order has a couple holes, from what my buddy was telling me. Still haven’t been able to watch them play or any EBC teams. Been super caught up in the office. Busy time for me. But hopefully the weather stays nice and I can watch all the teams play at least 2 times before tournaments.
Same point. Coaches should take vans like so many other schools do. Figure it out Quakers! And yes I’m calling out my own FITFO
I get and respect what you are saying. But he really didn't pitch a bad first inning. Lead off hitter reached on an error, 2 hitter walked after are few foul balls and a good AB, 3 hitter infield hit to SS that wasn't hit hard enough to make a play, 4 hitter popped out and 5 hitter singled on a grounder that got through because infield was in. Then he struck out 6 and 7. He did a really good job holding them to 2 runs. The kid really battled. I thought Minerva was going to really struggle and I am pleasantly surprised how well they hit in the games a saw this year. The top 5 hitters are tough outs. There line up is much better than is has been for a few years, so far!! They scattered 9 hits yesterday and Wilms showed a lot of toughness getting out of some spots. Frazier was equally impressive.