Things started off well for the Towson Tigers today, taking an early lead on an unearned run in the top of the first. George Washington responded with two in the bottom of the inning, but it was a close game for the first few innings. The wheels came off in the fourth, however, as the Colonials scored six, five of the unearned variety. They would score four more in the seventh to finish things off.
Big innings have been Towson’s bane far too often this season, as a lead-off hit or walk gets compounded by an error and the proverbial floodgates open. You can almost feel the Tigers trying too hard. Not to get all Yoda on you, but great teams don’t try too hard. They play hard. They practice hard. But, they don’t try to do anything. They just do it (regardless of their footwear).
There is talent on Towson’s roster. One some days the pitching is excellent. On some days the bats are loud. On many days the defense is unimpeachable. Unfortunately, in 2018 it has been a rare occurrence for all of those things to happen in the same game.
But, guess what?! There are more games to be played. And playing baseball is a beautiful thing.
Positive Pixels
- Alex Cuas started today’s game and, while he had some iffy moments in the first and finished with two walks and two wild pitches, in the end the results weren’t too bad. He pitched two innings, gave up one earned run (two total), and struck out two. After giving up a lead-off hit in the second, a fly out and double play got him out of the inning facing the minimum of three.
- Jake Pecilunas is officially on a roll. This was his sixth straight scoreless outing, covering 1.2 innings, notching two strikeouts with no hits or walks. In fact, he’s only given up one hit and two walks during his scoreless streak, which spans 6.2 innings. I wonder if we’ll see the freshman get a mid-week start at some point.
- Colin Gimblet extended his hit streak to nine, going 1-2 and scoring a run.
- Billy Lennox has hits in eight out of his last nine games and all four of his walks this season have come during that stretch. That move to lead-off is making more sense.
- Dean Stramara allowed two inherited runners to score (both charged to Alex Parker) in the seventh, but after that it was another effective performance. It was his second straight appearance with two strikeouts and no walks.
Baseball Gonna Baseball
- Poor Joe Enea must have kicked the baseball gods’ dog. In his last two outings he’s given up nine runs and only one of them have been earned. Some of that has been his own doing, but Towson’s defense has just crushed any chance to limit damage, committing five errors while Enea was on the mound. Better days are ahead.
The Watch List
I’m pondering some changes to the list, but I’m going to give it at least through the weekend before I shake things up.
Andrew Cassard, OF – 0-2, 1 K. Cassard didn’t start, but entered the game midway through. He is definitely scuffling right now.
Richie Palacios, SS – 0-4, 1 K. It was a rare empty box score for Palacios. His last two hitless games were followed by four and five game hit streaks. So watch out, Hofstra.
Dirk Masters, 2B – 0-4. Masters had a pretty forgettable day, doing nothing at the plate and committing his first error of the season to boot (heh).
Bo Plagge, P – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K. The sophomore showed some moxie in the third inning. With one run already in, the bases loaded, and one out, Plagge got a much needed strikeout and then a groundball to Palacios to get out with no further damage.
David Marriggi, P – DNP
Up Next
Towson has tomorrow off, before starting a three game series against Hofstra.
