In Friday’s doubleheader at ESU the Marauders struggled to show any signs of life at the plate as the team was only able to put up three hits, two came from senior Derek Kline who also scored the only run for Millersville on an RBI from senior Kent Gerdes.

Senior Ryan Stauffer threw another complete game for Millersville, however, with the lack of offensive he was unable to hold on for the win. Stauffer gave up four runs on nine hits.

Game two in Friday’s match-up was much of the same story for Millersville as the team once again were only able to cross one run, and came up with four hits. Senior Ryan McCormick had two of those hits and scored on an RBI from Senior Corey Phelan.

Millersville kept game two close as ESU was only up 2-1 going into the sixth inning. Millersville then gave the ball over to closer Zach Eckley, junior, who gave up three runs in the sixth to give ESU a 5-1 lead, which would be all they would need as they shut down Millersville in the top half of the seventh.

The two teams then traveled to Millersville on Saturday to finish up the four game series, but the home field advantage was not enough to help Millersville. For the fourth straight game Millersville was only able to score one run. Kline took the mound in game one and held ESU to six hits and three runs.

Game two saw Millersville breaking away from their recent struggles at the plate as the team put up 12 hits and four runs. However, ESU exploded in the third inning, scoring five runs, and again in the fifth inning where they scored four more.

Senior Forrest Mengle was given the loss as he gave up nine runs and nine hits in his four innings. With the loss, Mengle drops to a record of 3-3. No Millersville pitcher was able to shut down the dynamic offensive of ESU, as all four pitchers gave up at least one run.

Millersville was led at the plate by freshmen Jeff Heisey who went three for three. Heisey also had two RBIs and scored twice himself. Redshirt freshmen Ryan Chesler and senior Corey Phelan also had multiple hits in game two.

With the current six game losing streak, Millersville has dropped to fifth in the PSAC East standings. Kutztown and West Chester have already clinched their playoff spots, but the third and fourth spots are still up for grabs.

Unfortunately for the Marauders it will not be easy to clinch one of the final two spots. Mansfield and ESU are currently third and fourth respectively. Both those teams also have tiebreaker advantage over Millersville, who only has one conference series remaining against Kutztown, who lead the PSAC East with a conference record of 14-6 and an overall record of 30-9.

Millersville needs to pull out the upset four game sweep over Kutztown. In addition to that, Mansfield and ESU face each other to finish the season, which will be the final factor on whether or not Millersville can make the playoffs. If Mansfield or East Stroudsburg can pull out the sweep of each other, that should be enough for the Marauders to see a place in the PSAC playoffs.

Millersville takes on Kutztown in an away double-header Friday, April 23 and a home double-header Saturday to finish the season. Both games are set to start at 1 p.m.

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Rollins has been a crucial element to the Phillies success so far this year, as the team is currently 6-1 after the first week of the season. If Rollins does get placed on the disabled list, which is very likely, Juan Castro will take over as short stop.

Castro, however, is not expected to produce the way Rollins has so far this season. Castro is only a career .230 hitter, but is a solid defensive player.

Another injury to keep an eye concerns right fielder Jason Werth. Werth injured his hip in the fourth inning of Monday’s home opener. However, Werth is expected to be day-to-day and his injury is not expected to be as serious.

The Phillies have been dominating the National League so far this season. The Phillies are currently first in the NL East and they are tied with the San Francisco Giants for the best record in the National League.

Several Phillies are leading the league in stats, most notably third basemen Placido Polanco. Polanco is currently second in batting average (.484) as well as leads the league in runs, 10, and hits, 15.

The Phillies have a string of home games to finish out this week against the Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins before traveling next week for an eight game road series against Atlanta, Arizona, and San Francisco.

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Millersville began the four-game series at home Friday. Despite the lack of offense early in game one, the team was able to hold off Shippensburg by clutch pitching from senior Forrest Mengle, who is proving to be one of the best pitchers in their rotation. Mengle only gave up one earned run on four hits. In his last six starts, Mengle has not given up more than five hits in each game.

The team rallied late in the ballgame as they scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. With clutch RBIs from seniors Miles Gallagher, and Corey Phelan, and sophomore Adam Boyd, the Marauders were able to stage a late game comeback to keep the momentum for game two.

In game two the bats came alive early for the Marauders as they were able to cross the plate three times in the bottom half of the second inning. RBIs came from Boyd, freshman Jeff Heisey, and sophomore Mike DeSanto, giving Millersville an early 3-0 lead over Shippensburg.

Millersville would put up one run in both the third and fifth innings, and that be all the team would needed to pull out another close win, finishing the game with a score of 5-4. Millersville’s pitching staff once again helped the team stay in the ballgame. Starting pitcher Brooks Rothschild earned his second win of the season and closer Zach Eckley earned his second save.

The Marauders then traveled to Shippensburg on Saturday for another doubleheader match-up to complete the four game series. Senior Derek Kline not only earned his second win on the mound, only giving up one run on three hits, but he also helped with two RBIs at the plate. Kline also was named the PSAC East pitcher of the week. This marks the second week in a row a Millersville pitcher was named the pitcher of the week.

Gallagher led Millersville on offense, as he went two for four with three RBIs. He also hit a solo homerun in the sixth inning, his sixth homerun of the season.

In game two, Millersville’s Ryan Stauffer earned his fourth win on the mound, improving his record to 4-1. Stauffer gave up six hits, one run and he also struck out two in his six innings of work. Millersville then turned the ball back to Eckley, who earned his third save of the season.

The Marauders made the game exciting as the team once again scored all their runs in the late innings. Going into the sixth inning, Millersville was down 1-0. Kline got things rolling with a single followed by a walk to Gallagher. Corey Phelan singled to the shortstop and Kline was able to score on an error by Shippensburg, tying the game at 1-1. Adam Boyd drove in the go ahead run as he singled to left field, scoring Gallagher. Millersville’s senior Kent Gerdes would add one insurance run when he doubled to left, scoring Ryan Chesler, who pitch-ran for Phelan. The final score was 3-1.

Tuesday the Marauders traveled to take on nationally ranked West Chester. Going into the contest, West Chester was ranked No. 6 in the country in Division II baseball. Millersville entered the game on a five game winning streak.

In game one Millersville sent ace pitcher Forrest Mengle to the mound. Mengle went a solid five innings, only allowing West Chester to cross two runs on three hits. Mengle also struck out three batters.
Millersville was able to pull out a huge upset, beating the Rams 9-5. Millersville was led at the plate by Kline who went four for five with three RBIs. Gallagher also had impressive day as he went two for five with two RBIs.
However, the win did not come easy for the Marauders as the game had to go to extra innings. In Millersville’s half of the eighth inning, the team scored four runs and put the game out of reach for the Rams. With the win Millersville extended their win streak to six games.

Unfortunately, Millersville was unable to come away with the sweep of the double-header as the team then fell 6-5 in game two. Millersville staged a late-game comeback, but it was not enough to come away with the win.

Millersville now stands with an overall record of 15-16 and a conference record of 9-7. Millersville stands in third place in the PSAC East behind Kutztown and division leader West Chester.

The Marauders have a string of non-conference games ahead of them with games against Philadelphia University at home April 8, and then the team will travel to take on the University of the Sciences for a double-header April 11.

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The wins did not come easy for the Marauders, and they found themselves having to go to extra innings in game one to finally pull out a win. Millersville was led by ace pitching from senior Forrest Mengle who threw a complete game and only gave up one run on four hits and a walk. Mengle also struck out three in his eight innings on the mound. Mengle was also named PSAC pitcher of the week.

The game remained scoreless until Millersville’s half of the fourth inning when junior Ryan McCormick singled to right field. Next up was senior Miles Gallagher, who reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced McCormick to second. McCormick would tag up on the next at bat by junior Derek Kline, who flied out to center field. McCormick would score on the next hit by sophomore Chris Edger.

Millersville’s slight lead would vanish in the next inning with Bloomsburg able to match the run. Bloomsburg’s Devin McLaughlin reached on a throwing error from senior Kent Gerdes. McLaughlin would score an unearned run on a double from Joey Ianiero to tie the game back up at one run each.

Millersville would end the game in dramatic fashion. In the bottom of the eighth inning Gerdes led off the inning with a key double down the right field line. The next batter, sophomore Mike DeSanto, was hit by a pitch. McCormick put down a sacrifice bunt down the third base line and everyone was able to beat it out. Gallagher would follow with a perfectly executed suicide squeeze with Gerdes able to score the winning run for the Marauders.

In game two, Millersville faced another close game, but was able to once again sneak in another close win against Bloomsburg. With the sweep of the double-header on Saturday, Millersville was able to bring their home record to an even 3-3.

Unlike game one, the runs in game two came early in the game. In the first, Bloomsburg was able to jump out to an early 1-0 lead. However, Millersville was able to respond with three runs of their own, giving them a 3-1 lead going into the second.

Millersville would add one more run in the bottom half of the second inning on an RBI single by Kline to score McCormick from second. That would be the end of the scoring for Millersville, but thanks to clutch pitching the team was able to hold on to their lead to finish the game with a score of 4-3.

Millersville finished the four game series by traveling to Bloomsburg on Sunday to play another double-header. Millersville has struggled on the road this season, but the team was able to pull out a split of the double-header.

Bloomsburg had the momentum in game one and were able to hold off the Marauders with a final score of 2-1.

Bloomsburg scored both of their runs in the first inning on a two-run home run by Jerry Lloyd after Chris Tessler reached on an error. Millersville responded in the third inning when Gallagher would hit a home run of his own, his fifth of the season, but it would not be enough to come away with the win.

In game two Millersville was able to come through with a win to split the double-header. The Marauders struck early in the game, scoring three runs in the first inning. Kline hit a two RBI double that scored McCormick and Gallagher. Kline scored on a single from sophomore Adam Boyd.

Millersville crossed the plate two more times in the fourth inning on a double from Gerdes, which scored Boyd. Gerdes then advanced to third and then scored on a wild pitch. This was all Millersville needed as they went on to win the game 5-3.

Millersville sent senior Ryan Stauffer to the mound to pitch in game two. Stauffer threw a complete game with 12 hits, three runs, two earned runs, and five strike outs. Stauffer now has an ERA of 2.93 and has a record of 3-1.

Millersville will take on Shippensburg this Friday at home and again on Saturday away at Shippensburg. Shipp is 4-2 in conference play this season and should set up an interesting match up for the Marauders. On Tuesday April 6, Millersville will travel to West Chester. West Chester is first in the PSAC East with an overall record of 21-3 and a conference record of 8-0. West Chester is also ranked No. 10 in the country in Division II baseball.

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Game one of Friday’s double-header saw Mansfield’s Chris Zelko throw a complete game one hitter. Zelko had a no hitter going through the fifth inning, when Millersville’s freshman Carlos Medina finally got a single in the bottom of the sixth.

His hit was quickly erased though when senior Ryan McCormick hit into a double play on the next at bat. Zelko had no issues from there on out and retired the remaining Millersville batters to complete his shut out.

Mansfield was able to put up two runs in the fourth inning on a single by Chris Coleman and then a walk to Matt Hamilton. Glen Jenkins then hit a double, which was enough to score both of the runners, and put the game out of reach as they went on to win 2-0.

Millersville’s senior Forrest Mengle was given the loss in game one. Mengle also threw a complete game and only gave up four hits and two runs. However, the lack of offense from the Marauders and ace pitching from Mansfield was too much for Millersville.

In game two Millersville found themselves in another pitching duel, this time led by senior Ryan Stauffer who held off the Mountaineers, as Millersville was able to take game two with a score of 2-0.

Stauffer was able to give up just four hits and held the Mountaineers scoreless. Mansfield also had another impressive outing on the mound in game two, this time by Bryan Wilde. Wilde and Stauffer went into the sixth inning still in a scoreless game, but it was Millersville who was able to gain the upper hand.

Senior Corey Phelan led off the sixth for the Marauders with a single. Senior Derek Kline drew a walk in the next at bat and then senior Miles Gallagher grounded out to first. Phelan and Kline both moved into scoring position on the sacrifice by Gallagher. Sophomore Chris Edger kept the rally alive by driving in both runners on a single. The two runs would be all that Millersville would need as they took game two 2-0.

On Saturday the Marauders traveled to Mansfield to finish the four game series in another double-header. However, Millersville wasn’t able to find success on the road, which has been a problem for the team this season. Millersville is only 5-10 when not playing on their home diamond.

In game one on Saturday’s match up the Marauders kept the game close in the early innings. After giving up a run to Mansfield in the first inning, Millersville’s Gallagher hit a home run in the third to tie the game.

Gallagher would add four more RBIs in Millersville’s half of the fifth when he hit a grand slam bringing the score to 5-4. With his two home runs in the game, Gallagher drove in all five of Millersville’s runs.

Mansfield was able to bounce back the following inning where they put up four runs on two hits and a couple walks to take back the lead from the Marauders. Mansfield would also add five more insurance runs in the sixth inning, bringing the final score to 13-5 over Millersville.

Game two on Saturday held much of the same story for the Marauders as the team continued to struggle at the plate. However, Mansfield did not have the same issues that Millersville faced, as the Mountaineers put up all seven of their runs in the first inning.

Millersville would struggle throughout the game as they left eight men on base before finally scoring in the last inning. Mike DeSanto led off the inning with a single. Carlos Medina pitch ran for DeSanto and moved up to second on a grounder by McCormick. Medina then scored the first run of the game for Millersville on a double from Derek Kline. Kline then scored on a single from Miles Gallagher. Millersville fell in game two by a score of 7-2.

The Marauders are now 6-11 overall and 1-3 in conference play. The team will take on Bloomsburg on Friday and a home game on Saturday. On Sunday the team will be on the road again, taking on the University of California.

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Millersville was able to sweep the series against the Tigers of Salem International. On Saturday Millersville took both games of the double header, winning game one with a score of 11-0.

The Marauders had an impressive day on the mound led by senior Ryan Stauffer who only gave up two hits in his six innings in game one. With the pitching staff in top form, the offense was able to showcase their talent at the plate.

The Marauders quickly gained an early lead scoring two runs in the first inning. Junior Ryan McCormick started the game with a lead off double and later scored. McCormick would add three more hits, going four-for-four with two RBIs.

Millersville ultimately put the game out of reach in their half of the fifth inning. The Marauders scored eight runs on seven hits and only left one man on base. Millersville would score once more in the sixth inning when junior Derek Kline scored on a sacrifice fly by freshmen Ryan Chesler, bringing the final score to 11-0.

In game two the Marauders continued their domination on the mound led by senior Forest Mengle. He only allowed four hits in another shutout victory against the Tigers.

Millersville once again came alive early in the game as the team scored once in the first inning and then adding eight more runs in the second. The Marauders scored at least one run in every inning except for the sixth.

McCormick also continued his impressive day at the plate going two-for-three, making his two game total six-for-seven at the plate. Senior Miles Gallagher also had an impressive game at the plate going three-for-four and adding four RBIs in game two. McCormick and Gallagher were two of six players for Millersville who had a multiple hit game.

Millersville finished the series on Sunday with another impressive win, shutting out the Tigers 11-0. Kline stepped on the mound for game three and picked up his first win of the season. Kline spent five innings on the mound, only giving up five hits. Junior Corey Phelan led the Marauders at the plate, hitting three-for-four.

With their three straight shutout victories the baseball team made history over the weekend. Since game stats started being recorded in 1957, no Millersville team has had three consecutive shutout games. The Marauders outscored the Tigers 38-0 in the three game series.

Millersville is now 3-4 on the season. The team will travel back to North Carolina one more time March 6 through 9 to face Chowan for a three game series as well as Saint Augustine’s College for a double-header on March 8, and Barton on March 9 for another double-header.

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After weeks of having snow-covered fields at home, the Marauders were slow getting started against their Georgia opponents. In the first inning of Friday’s game Millersville gave up three runs on four hits.

Millersville struggled to find rhythm at the plate and were unable to score any runs. The team was lead by senior Miles Gallagher who went 2-3 and drew a walk.

The Marauders gave up two more runs, one in each of the seventh and eighth innings to give the Bobcat’s a 5-0 win.

On Saturday the two teams took the field for a double header. In game one Millersville was able to improve from their opening day shut out by scoring 6 runs. However, Georgia College and State proved once again too much for the Marauders as they took the game with a 12-6 score.

In game two of the double header Millersville again gave up three runs in the first inning, a lead that the Bobcat’s would hold on to for the rest of the game.

In the second inning, Millersville scored their only two runs of the game, both unearned. Gallagher scored from third on a throwing error by the Bobcats. Later in the inning, junior Keith Spencer stole home on a double steal.

Millersville would be held to only three hits in the entire game. The Bobcats on the other hand scored at least one run in four of the six innings they were at bat. The Bobcats put up eight runs on only six hits and four walks.

On Sunday, the Marauders played the fourth and final game in the opening series of the season. The Marauders exploded at the plate scoring 14 runs in the game, but the Bobcats were able to have their own impressive day at the plate putting up 19 runs.

Of those 19 runs that the Marauders allowed to cross the plate, 10 were unearned. Millersville also committed four errors in the field. Proving that the team still has a lot of room for improvement.

Despite not pulling away with a win the team should be impressed with their dramatic turnaround at the plate in only a few games. Gallagher had another impressive day at the plate going three for four with a walk. Sophomore right fielder Chris Edger also went three for four with a walk.

The Marauders will travel again for their next series against Alderson Broaddus College in Phillippi, West Virginia for two double header games on Saturday and Sunday.

The team will be looking to put up their first win of the season on the road before playing their first home game on March 12 against West Chester, which is also the first divisional match-up of the season. Prior to the start of the season Millersville was placed fifth in the PSAC Eastern division.

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It was at St. Mary’s where Ruth learned the game of baseball. He eventually caught the eye of pro scouts, and landed a contract with the minor league Baltimore Orioles. Ruth was then traded to the Boston Red Sox where he was a starting pitcher from 1914 to 1919.

In December of 1919 Ruth was traded to the New York Yankees in the most famous transaction in sports history. In 1920, his first year with the Yankees Ruth hit 54 home runs; in the previous year he only hit 29.

Ruth quickly became the hottest ticket in New York and the Yankees were able build the original Yankee Stadium in 1923. It was literally, “the house that Ruth built.” The Great Bambino also was the first person to hit a home run during the first game at Yankee Stadium.

In 1927 Ruth and the rest of the Yankees had a season that many have deemed the greatest sports team in history. They had a record of 110-44 and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. Also during the 1927 season, Ruth hit a record setting 60 home runs that would stand until 1961 when Roger Marris would break the record.

At the end of his career, in 1935, Ruth held 17 major records including those for a single season as well as over a career. Today, however, Ruth only holds on to four records: Career slugging percentage (.690), career on base plus slugging percentage (1.164), most extra base hits in a season (119), and the most times reaching base in a season (379).

Lucky for Ruth those records that remain in his name will more than likely stay that way. However, for baseball those records that Ruth once held are now questioning the sanctity of the game, most notably the home run records.

Currently Barry Bonds holds both the single season home run record (73) as well as the career home run record (762). Bonds passed Mark McGwire for the single season record. McGwire recently admitted to using steroids for the better part of a decade, and now he is back in the game.

Performance enhancing substances are ruining the game. Not just for the fans, but also for the players. Despite the fact that using these enhancing substances may give you a better season, you have to think about the effects to your reputation.

Even if a player is speculated to have taken such substances the media immediately shines a negative light and questions their ability as a player. Knowing the consequences, players are still routinely getting caught taking such substances.

Babe Ruth will always be a legend in sports history. I also don’t see any player in today’s game coming close to his greatness and his lasting legacy. As they said in Sandlot, “A hero get remembered, but a legend never dies.”

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Shehan has completely revamped the team in his short time as the head coach. In his first year, in 2008, he was able to finish with a record of 24-26, in the previous year the team finished with a record of 9-37.

In 2009, the Marauders continued to improve and finished with a record of 25-24, bringing the team to their first winning record since 2001.

“Our goal and team philosophy is to focus on the process and meet our potential as a team. If we focus on ourselves, we should win more than we lose,” Shehan said.

The Marauders were without senior center fielder Corey Phelan in 2009 due to a knee injury, however, his injury is healed and he is ready to get back to form.

In 2008 Phelan had a batting average of .429 when facing left-handed pitchers.

Phelan also received the Gold Glove award for his outstanding performance in the field.

“Injuries should be less of an issue this year because we will have quality players starting off the year on the bench. To be consistent, you have to have depth. Everyone will contribute eventually,” Shehan said. He also said that the team has no injuries thus far in their preparation for the season.

Another key player returning to the roster this season is junior Derek Kline.

Kline was drafted in round 34 of the MLB draft in June, but decided to return to the team adding to the already impressive list of returning players.

Kline led the team in numerous offensive categories in 2009, among them was his .393 batting average. Kline also became a star on the mound, even though he never pitched prior to the 2009 season.

In addition to the extensive list of returning players, Shehan is also keeping his eye on the position at third base.

The position is still up for grabs between freshmen Zach Stone and Jeff Heisey as well as senior Kent Geges who started 16 games in right field last season.

Another strength the team has on their side this season is the talent in the middle of the field. As previously mentioned Phelan is returning to center field, junior Ryan McCormick will be at short stop, and senior Miles Gallagher will be behind the plate at catcher.

“Having leaders in the middle should significantly bring up the play of those around them. Good teams are always strong in the middle,” Shehan said.

Despite having the most experience and depth in the roster in recent years, the team will have their hands full with a challenging schedule.

“Our conference and non-conference schedules are tough. Our goals are not to only win on Friday and Saturday but to also win mid-week. This team has a lot of confidence. They believe that their potential to play deep into the post season is good. In order to play in mid May, you have to win your mid week games too,” Shehan said.

The team will begin their 2010 season on the road with games in Georgia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Their first home game is on Friday March 12 against nationally ranked West Chester, who won the PSAC Championship last season.

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After going 11 days without playing in a game, Millersville hosted East Stroudsburg on Friday for a doubleheader and traveled to the Warriors’ home field the following day for two more games.

Sophomore Derek Kline put on a show at the plate for the Marauder fans, going six for eight with four RBIs, three runs and a home run for the day.  Kline and teammate senior Cody Wile provided Millersville with all the offense it would need in the first game as each belted two-run home runs in the first inning to provide freshman pitcher Kyle Belanchik with a healthy lead for the remainder of the game.

The four runs in the first proved to be plenty as Belanchik threw a complete game shutout and allowed only five hits and one walk while striking out four batters.

Millersville tacked on one more insurance run in the fifth, and the game ended with the Marauders on top 5-0.

Millersville continued its strong play of the day in the following game as it defeated the Warriors 9-6.  Kline had his second three hit performance on the day and drove in two more runs, but he also had the help of the other Marauder bats in the lineup as Millersville hit their way to a victory.

Freshman Adam Boyd went three for four as well and scored three runs.  Sophomore Ryan McCormick also scored three times and the team tallied 12 hits leading to the nine runs.

Freshman Jason Long pitched four and a third innings and yielded three runs while striking out five.

The bullpen struggled a bit in relief for Long giving up three runs in one and a third innings following his exit, but senior Andrew Clemens came in to shut the door for the final inning and a third.

“Our guys are young.  We definitely need to score runs to win, but they’ve [the bullpen] been doing a pretty good job,” Senior

Clemens did not allow any hits or runs and picked up his second save of the year.

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