3:00 p.m. -- 4-2 Georgia after 2. Caleb Joseph homered in the first, but a Brandon Cadavid error prolonged the bottom of the first for the Bulldogs, eventually plating 4 unearned runs. Lipscomb got one back in the top of the second. More later.
3:30 p.m. -- Top of 5, 4-4 tie. Lipscomb got a 2-run homer in the top of the fourth from Blake Bratcher to tie. Now they have a lead-off walk in the fifth, and Georgia looks nervous. Rex Brothers has settled down after a shaky couple of innings. Lipscomb is in business, 1st and 2nd, nobody out. Stay tuned.
3:45 p.m. -- As soon as I post the last entry, Lipscomb goes on a 4-run rally. Shane Simpkins capped the rally with a 2-run bomb. They lead 8-4 after 5. Repeat after me: I will not get my hopes up. I will not get my hopes up. I will not get my hopes up . . .
4:05 p.m. -- Lipscomb got a run on a wild pitch i nthe sixth, but Georgia just answered with a 2-run homer. 9-6, 1 on, 1 out, bottom of 6. Pitching change: Rex Brothers is done. Chris Burnett is on.
4:30 p.m. -- DOH! No change in score, but there almost was. Jo-jo Guitierrez just belted one deep to left field, but the Georgia outfielder climbed the wall and pulled it back in. Top 8, 2 out, 9-6 Lipscomb.
4:45 p.m. -- Here we go. Georgia has 1st and 2nd, 1 out, and the SEC Player of the Year up. Lipscomb brings in Kyle Tognazinni. Base hit Gordon, Georgia is within 2.
4:46 p.m. -- Never mind. Poithres bangs into a 1-4-3 DP to end the threat. 9-7 Lipscomb, End of 8.
4:57 p.m. -- A sacrifice fly puts Lipscomb back up 10-7. 3-run lead, 3 outs to go.
5:00 p.m. -- Ground ball to Jo-Jo. Ground ball to Ben at second. Pop-up to Bratcher.
BALL GAME! BISONS WIN! BISONS WIN!!!!!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Book Signing
My first book signing will be Monday, June 2 at noon at Weather's Drugs in Elkton. Come on over -- both of you.
And some not-so-good news: because of the increase in the postage rates, the cost of mailed book is now $10. It's still $8 in person, though, so if you want one come find me.
And some not-so-good news: because of the increase in the postage rates, the cost of mailed book is now $10. It's still $8 in person, though, so if you want one come find me.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Bisons Win! Bisons Win!
Th-uh-uh-uh-uh!!
Bisons!!
Win!!
Wow. What a ballgame. Lipscomb 10, Gardner-Webb 9 in 15 innings.
The Bisons fell behind 4-0 early, but rallied for 6 runs in the 6th. The lead held until the 9th, but when Lipscomb found itself holding a 2-run lead 3 outs from the NCAA tournament, Gardner-Webb would not go gentle into the Big South Conference. The Bulldogs rallied to tie the game, forcing extras. Each team scored in the 13th, setting up what may be the most exciting inning of college baseball ever.
G-W started the inning by knocking Lipscomb ace Brandon McClurg out of the ballgame. With the runners on the corners and two outs, Fulginiti doubled home the go-ahead run. After an error plated the Bulldogs' 9th run, Lipscomb catcher and tournament MVP Caleb Joseph picked Fulginiti off third.
In the bottom of the 15th, Lipcomb started with 2 hits. A bunt set up second and third with 1 out. RBI single and groundout tie the game. Two more walks load the bases for Shane Simpkins, who shot a base hit through the right side for the win.
Lipscomb moves on to the Athens, Georgia regional where they will play the host school first.
Bisons!!
Win!!
Wow. What a ballgame. Lipscomb 10, Gardner-Webb 9 in 15 innings.
The Bisons fell behind 4-0 early, but rallied for 6 runs in the 6th. The lead held until the 9th, but when Lipscomb found itself holding a 2-run lead 3 outs from the NCAA tournament, Gardner-Webb would not go gentle into the Big South Conference. The Bulldogs rallied to tie the game, forcing extras. Each team scored in the 13th, setting up what may be the most exciting inning of college baseball ever.
G-W started the inning by knocking Lipscomb ace Brandon McClurg out of the ballgame. With the runners on the corners and two outs, Fulginiti doubled home the go-ahead run. After an error plated the Bulldogs' 9th run, Lipscomb catcher and tournament MVP Caleb Joseph picked Fulginiti off third.
In the bottom of the 15th, Lipcomb started with 2 hits. A bunt set up second and third with 1 out. RBI single and groundout tie the game. Two more walks load the bases for Shane Simpkins, who shot a base hit through the right side for the win.
Lipscomb moves on to the Athens, Georgia regional where they will play the host school first.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Soccer Rant
OK, I'm ranting here. I know. But it's my blog, and I just don't want to talk about yesterday's Lipscomb baseball game. So there.
On a soccer field, there is a d-shaped space at the top of the penalty area. The curved line of the "D" is called the "penalty arc." Basically, it creates a buffer zone during penalty kicks, preventing opposing players from encroaching on the kicker.
Colloquially the "penalty arc" has come to refer to the entire area inside the "D."
Here's the problem -- that space is not an arc, and there is no extra penalty for committing a foul there. Speaking geometrically, it's a "circle segment." What's more, since the Encroachment Prevention Circle Segment extends more than 18 yards from the Goal Line, it is not part of the penalty area. It's just another part of the field, put there mostly to confuse idiot soccer parents who don't know any better.
Seriously. This space really needs a new name, something without the word "penalty" in it.
Suggestions?
On a soccer field, there is a d-shaped space at the top of the penalty area. The curved line of the "D" is called the "penalty arc." Basically, it creates a buffer zone during penalty kicks, preventing opposing players from encroaching on the kicker.
Colloquially the "penalty arc" has come to refer to the entire area inside the "D."
Here's the problem -- that space is not an arc, and there is no extra penalty for committing a foul there. Speaking geometrically, it's a "circle segment." What's more, since the Encroachment Prevention Circle Segment extends more than 18 yards from the Goal Line, it is not part of the penalty area. It's just another part of the field, put there mostly to confuse idiot soccer parents who don't know any better.
Seriously. This space really needs a new name, something without the word "penalty" in it.
Suggestions?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Kearney High School
Kearney High School in Kearney, Nebraska was named the top athletic program in the state by cnnsi.com for the 2006-07 school year.
My dad, Class of nineteen-mumblety-seven, played baseball there.
My dad, Class of nineteen-mumblety-seven, played baseball there.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Amanda Littlejohn and Campbell to Play in NCAA Tournament
I admit I was a bit disappointed in how Lipscomb's softball season turned out. They won a share of the conference title, but then went 2-and-Q in the conference tournament. 29-26 is still a good year, especially by Lipscomb's standards.
But if you're looking for feel-good stories going into this year's NCAA tournament, look no farther than Campbell's sophomore catcher Amanda Littlejohn. A two-year starter for the Lady Camels, she holds the school's single-season RBI record and was named to the All-Tournament team at last week's A-Sun Conference Tournament.
She is also a cancer survivor, enduring surgery and treatment for Stage III melanoma during the summer between her freshman and sophomore years. At last report she is cancer-free, but still faces some long odds. The five-year survival rate for those with Amanda's type of cancer is 40-50%.
I hope Lipscomb fans will join me in wishing Amanda all the best in her fight with cancer. And if the Lady Camels can make some noise in the NCAA's, so much the better.
But if you're looking for feel-good stories going into this year's NCAA tournament, look no farther than Campbell's sophomore catcher Amanda Littlejohn. A two-year starter for the Lady Camels, she holds the school's single-season RBI record and was named to the All-Tournament team at last week's A-Sun Conference Tournament.
She is also a cancer survivor, enduring surgery and treatment for Stage III melanoma during the summer between her freshman and sophomore years. At last report she is cancer-free, but still faces some long odds. The five-year survival rate for those with Amanda's type of cancer is 40-50%.
I hope Lipscomb fans will join me in wishing Amanda all the best in her fight with cancer. And if the Lady Camels can make some noise in the NCAA's, so much the better.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Book Sales Begin
My new book, I'm Getting Better: Reflections on a Broken Heart, went on sale this week. It's $8 if you buy it from me in person, $9 if I have to mail it somewhere. I'll even sign it if you want.
So far I've sold 2. Stay tuned.
So far I've sold 2. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
A-Sun APR
The A-Sun survived the latest round of APR sanctions relatively unscathed. The only teams hit: about-to-be former member Gardner-Webb (1.85 scholarships in football, 0.08 in men's soccer), Mercer (1 men's basketball scholarship), Kennesaw State (1.26 indoor track scholarships), and Lipscomb (0.15 in baseball, 0.76 in soccer).
This is the third consecutive year Lipscomb has had baseball scholarships reduced.
There appears to be no danger of anybody falling under the "historical penalties" provisions of the rules.
This is the third consecutive year Lipscomb has had baseball scholarships reduced.
There appears to be no danger of anybody falling under the "historical penalties" provisions of the rules.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Steve Potts Leaving Lipscomb for Pepperdine
Yes, I know that Steve Potts is stepping down as Lipscomb's AD to take an Associate AD position at Pepperdine.
I suspect that if you're reading this, you have heard by now.
What I don't know is why. In athletic administration, the move is a slight upgrade in conference, but a demotion in position. At best it's a wash.
There has to be more to this story. But nobody's telling, and I don't know enough to make even an educated guess.
I suspect that if you're reading this, you have heard by now.
What I don't know is why. In athletic administration, the move is a slight upgrade in conference, but a demotion in position. At best it's a wash.
There has to be more to this story. But nobody's telling, and I don't know enough to make even an educated guess.
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