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Miles
Musick and Neil Rohrer each reached base with singles in the fifth
inning prior to Kavelman’s two-out double over the left fielder’s
head.
Lincoln
scored two runs in the first inning on a single by Kavelman, a walk
to Jason Williams, a wild pitch and a two-run single by Jason
Melton. The Railers added two more in the second on a single by
Brandon Babbs, a sacrifice, an error which scored one run, and an
RBI single by Mitch Sheley. Melton led off the third inning with a
walk, Chris Matson singled with Melton moving to third, and he later
scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Babbs.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Bobby
Maestas picked up the victory with three shutout innings in relief
of Kavelman. Maestas fanned a pair and walked one while permitting
three hits. Kavelman hurled the first four innings, giving up eight
hits and five runs, four of them earned, while striking out two and
walking three.
Kavelman,
Melton and Sheley each had a pair of hits for Lincoln, with Kavelman
and Melton each having two RBIs. Babbs, Scott Lee, Matson, Musick
and Rohrer all had one hit each.
Score
by innings
Mount
Zion 111 200 0 — 5-11-1
Lincoln
221 020 x — 7-11-1
[Bill
Martinie]
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Senior
Matt Boyer went the distance in the first game of the Decatur round
robin, holding MacArthur to six hits and just one earned run. The
game was tied 2-2 after two innings and remained without any more
score until the sixth inning, when Lincoln scored its final run.
MacArthur threatened to tie the score again in the bottom of the
seventh with a leadoff double to left-center field. However, Boyer
ended the game with six more pitches — all strikes: a ground ball
back to the mound, a line drive to right field and a fly out to
center field.
[Photos provided by Rich Knopp]
[Danny
Schick was one of five Railers who were tagged out trying for home.]
The
low scoring was not simply due to Lincoln having no runners on base.
The Railers had four runners tagged out going for home during the
game — one on Andy Knopp, two on Danny Schick and one on Ryne
Komnick. Lincoln’s first two runs were scored in the second by
Blake Schoonover and Boyer, who had reached base on fielder’s
choices and crossed the plate on a passed ball and a pitcher’s
throwing error. The winning run was scored in the sixth by Josh
Gallagher who was pinch running for Knopp, who led off the inning
with a walk. Gallagher moved to second on a single by Schick and to
third on a sacrifice bunt by Schoonover. Boyer brought Gallagher
home on a single to right center, contributing directly to his own
first win of the season.
The
second game against Decatur Eisenhower began with an unkind welcome
to varsity pitching for junior Chris Gosda. Gosda’s first outing
began with a walk, two singles, a walk and a single — with the
first four hitters all scoring. (It happens, Chris. Forget it and
come back strong next time.) Left-hander Michael Martin relieved
Gosda and went five scoreless innings, giving up just two hits.
The
Railers had just two hits through the first five innings, and their
first run came in the fourth inning without a hit. Schrader drew an
opening walk, stole second and third, and scored on a sacrifice fly
by Schick. Unfortunately, Eisenhower scored another run in the sixth
when Komnick came to the mound. Komnick walked his second batter,
who then stole second and scored on an RBI single. Nonetheless,
Komnick threw three strong innings, taking the Railers into an extra
frame and earning his first win of the season. Komnick struck out
four and allowed just two hits.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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The
Railers’ incredible comeback started in the sixth inning, as they
scored three runs — all after two outs had already been recorded.
Schrader and Knopp both walked, Schick plated Schrader with a single
to left, and Komnick sliced a pop fly that found fair territory down
first-base line for a two-RBI double. After six innings, Eisenhower
still led 5-4.
In
the seventh, however, Lincoln forced extra innings. Ryan Williams
singled with one out and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Gallagher. Jeremy Ohmart then lined an RBI single to right-center
field, scoring Williams’ tying run. It was an exciting comeback.
But the Railers weren’t done yet.
[Matt Boyer
pitched a complete game and had the game-winning RBI for Lincoln.]
In
the bottom of the eighth, Derek Schrader led off by beating out an
infield hit to the shortstop. On the next pitch, Andy Knopp turned
on a fastball and lined it over the left fielder’s head to the
fence. Schrader turned on the speed and won the race to home. The
comeback was complete. Game over.
The
win was a team effort. Freshman Neil Rohrer was called into service
for both games, with Lincoln’s starting catcher, John Peters, out
of town for a family trip. Rohrer seemed in solid control
defensively. Three Railers had two-out RBI hits: Schick, Komnick and
Ohmart. The sacrifice fly by Schick and the sacrifice bunt by
Gallagher were critical. The pitching by Martin and Komnick yielded
only one run over seven innings. Schrader scored three times. And
the game-winning double by Knopp was the perfect ending to an
exciting win.
This
week the Railers will open their conference season with a Tuesday
4:30 home game against Sacred Heart-Griffin. They will host Mount
Zion at 4 on Wednesday and travel to Sacred Heart on Thursday.
[Freshman
Neil Rohrer gave a solid performance behind the plate.]
[Rich
Knopp]
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Lincoln
scored two runs in the first inning of the opener; however,
Limestone came back to knot the score with a run in the first and
one in the sixth. Lincoln then pushed across three runs in the top
of the seventh for the win.
Mitch
Sheley had a pair of hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Trent
Kavelman had one hit, a two-run single in the seventh. Chris Matson,
Miles Musick and Scott Lee each had hits for Lincoln. Musick and Lee
each scored a run, as did Brandon Babbs. Jason Williams had an RBI.
Williams worked the first 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits, two
runs, one earned run, no walks and one strikeout. Kavelman came on
in relief and picked up the victory with one strikeout.
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Chance
Berger picked up the victory in the second game, working 6 1/3
innings, permitting seven hits, two walks, two strikeouts and one
run, one earned. Kavelman again came on in relief and picked up the
save, fanning one of the two batters he faced.
Williams
and Sheley each had a pair of hits in the second game, with Williams
scoring a run and Sheley collecting an RBI. Kavelman, Matson, Sean
Ferguson and Corey Stoltzenburg each had one hit for Lincoln.
[Bill
Martinie]
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And
you might be surprised. People all over the country ask us,
"What in the heck is a Lincoln Daily News?" When
they hear about the concept that the Youngquists and others came up
with to be a cyber-only news source, they are amazed!
As a loyal LDN
employee, I almost wish we were publicly traded or that we had a
patent on this idea. I think someday it will be the rage. For the
time being we’re getting in there and mixing it up with the big
boys, and they don’t even know what hit them! More on that later...
Let’s go back to the hoops...
Big
Ten fans who have descended on Atlanta are wearing Cheshire cat-like
smiles, as virtually everyone in the country dissed on the Big Ten
all season long. Who’s
laughing now?
If you recall, Greg and I reported on several
occasions that the Big Ten was alive and well and that there were
just more good teams than usual!
Now, I wouldn’t have picked IU to
be our league’s representative, but I’ve got more history to
deal with there than the average LDN reader has to put up with! I am
happy to say that I picked Maryland from opening day to be the team
to beat, and here they are. However, if they get a striped crew like
the other night and if the Big Ten champs shoot the ball like they
did against the Illini, they could win a fantasy title. Wouldn’t
that be special?
This
year’s Final Four has had an almost magical atmosphere. I got here
two days before my former assistant coach (and former Lincoln
resident) Craig Zastrow arrived in Atlanta. So I registered for the
coaching convention and went on inside. I didn’t think I would get
too close to the action this year, but immediately I was thrust into
the sports interviewer mode. I met up with Gonzaga coach Mark Few.
What a nice guy! If we ever lose coach Self, this might be a dude to
keep our eyes on. I congratulated him on an awesome year and
commiserated with him on how the NCAA totally hosed him and his
Bulldogs!
Mark
told the LDN, "I can’t tell you how disappointed we were.
What message were they trying to send us? They asked us to play
tougher non-league opponents. So, we entered one of the sanctioned
tournaments and went on the road to play tough teams like the Illini
in Illinois. We thought we did everything they asked us to do, and
we were rewarded with a No. 6 seed. What’s that all about?"
Sadly,
the LDN and I were not much comfort to coach Few, who was still
visibly shaken two weeks after the fact.
It is a typical NCAA thing.
If the NCAA or the NABC are involved in it, you know that there is
only one consideration: How much money can they make? I will
probably get investigated for even saying this, but I don’t care.
Those two august institutions have showed the world their true
colors. And here’s the real trap: None of us can go to a
competitor because they’re the only game in town and they know it.
So,
do you think they care what a has-been coach turned sports writer in
Lincoln, Ill., thinks about their respective organizations? Fat
what? Fat chance! IF I didn’t love basketball so much, I’d turn
on them in an instant.
And
if you really want to know what they’re like, you ought to see how
they abuse small- college and high school coaches! If I wanted to
become an investigative reporter, I’m sure that there are some
stories there!
But here’s the rub. I operate out of this one
fallacy. Call me crazy, but I think people read sports pages because
they want to read about sports! They want the stats and the facts,
and anytime you can give them an inside glance, that’s a bonus!
They
don’t want to read about greed and corruption. Those things are
slated to be found in the entertainment, business and front pages. I
think people want to hear from the players and the coaches, not from
some front-running prognosticators who change their opinions of
teams in the middle of the actual games!
At
the LDN we’re committed to bringing you sports coverage. If you
want soap opera coverage, may I suggest "All My Children."
Sorry! I guess I shouldn’t get this worked up while I’m working
while I’m on vacation!
I
have spoken to several other coaches and sat directly in front of
Dean Smith for the Easter church service we attended yesterday!
Ralph Willard, who is the head coach at Holy Cross, was pretty happy
with his team’s performance as was Lou Henson, our former Illini
coach now laboring at New Mexico State.
Speaking
of Lou-Do... The Illini will see him next season, as both teams are
scheduled to play in the Top of the World Classic at Fairbanks,
Alaska, next November. Plenty of good seats still available!
Also,
word on the streets is that LCC’s men’s team may be playing up
there the week before that tourney and the famous Great Alaska
Shoot-Out!
Even
though this season is about over, I’m already ready for next
season!!!
[to top of second column in
this section]
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IU-Oklahoma
I
felt compelled to bring our faithful LDN followers as much coverage
as was possible, so I actually purchased tickets for this year’s
games. Once I went from college coaching to high school coaching. the
before-mentioned friendly organizations kindly informed me that once
you do that they must remove your ticket privileges. Isn’t
that nice of them? So, to make a long story longer, Craig and I have
been attending a special showing of the games for the coaches
association! It’s not all that great, but I do think it’s a
little better than watching them in Lincoln.
At
any rate, back to the game. It appeared that the Sooners had IU
right where they wanted them. Up by seven with a few seconds before
half, they somehow let Jarred Odle throw in a 3 just before half,
and I think that swung the momentum back to IU. And then when Jarrod
Jeffries banked in a 3 early in the second half, you could see the
writing on the wall. I never really felt that Oklahoma got back in
the game.
They
looked stronger, faster, more athletic, better skilled, better
coached, etc. They also looked like they didn’t know what
happened. Did you realize that IU was 2-3 in their last five games
going into the NCAAs? Back
on Jan. 1 they were 7-5. Did you see them as a legitimate title
contender then or ever?
They remind me of the
’93-’94 LCC Preachers.
That team was one of the best shooting teams that I have ever seen
on any level. And an overused phrase says that defense wins
championships (every once in a while); good shooting overcomes a
multitude of sins.
Again,
if this team shoots lights out it can have Cinderella’s full
dream.
Maryland-Kansas
You
can’t believe how many people didn’t even want to see the first
game, so they stayed outside until the start of this one. I’m not
talking about a few dozen people. I’m talking several thousand
people. They love their Jayhawks and their Terrapins. Kansas got out
of the gate on a 13-2 run and, even though you knew that Maryland
would make a run at them, there was a feeling in the crowd that
maybe Kansas had enough horses to take them out. That feeling
evaporated quickly. Once the Turtles went on a charge, it was " Katie,
bar the door!"
They were totally awesome. Frank Dicken, a new Lincoln
resident and a huge Maryland fan, just has to be beside himself!
They are so strong and rugged in the post that they look like they
would kill you if you even thought about going in there. With
Baxter, Wilcox and a host of others to rotate at you, the only thing
you can hope for is that they get into foul trouble. When that
happened, even that couldn’t save Kansas.
And
when you look at Maryland’s guards, Blake and Dixon you realize
why they never lose! Is there a better player in the country than
Juan Dixon? With the possible exception of LCC’s Matt Clark, who
was just named the National Player of the Year, I sure haven’t
seen him.
Although
Kansas made a late charge, I felt the score could have been a lot
worse than it was. Even with Gary Williams’ sideline shenanigans,
nothing could stop the Terps. Fear the Turtle, but don’t be
surprised if the Big Ten reps steal another one! And this sure could
have been a lot more fun if the Illini had been here!!!
Speaking
of the Illini
Hopefully
you got Illinois’ Cory Bradford in the 3-point competition and
Robert Archibald
in the All-Star game versus the Harlem Globetrotters. Unfortunately,
the LDN was unable to attend either event.
Tonight
on FIX 96.3...
I
will have a live report from the Georgia Dome and the court of this
year’s national championship game. I hope to give all you
wonderful fans an inside glimpse of college basketball’s biggest
stage.
I
also hope to bring you a major league opening day baseball report,
as the LDN has been invited to the Atlanta Braves-Philadelphia
Phillies game.
I
will also bring you an update on former Illini coach Lon Kruger and
his work with the Atlanta Hawks.
So, please catch Greg Taylor and me
tonight from 6 to 7 p.m.
That’s it from Hotlanta!!!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
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