The Rise of the Carnegie Mellon Tartans (MVP 07 NCAA Baseball)

[Careless Whisper]

Around the NCAA – February 2007 Wrap-Up
South Carolina has moved up to #5 in the polls, thanks to a dynamic trio in their lineup

Baseball America Top 25 Media Poll
1 | Tennessee (7-2)
2 | Florida (7-1)
3 | Boston College (10-1)
4 | Oregon State (12-2)
5 | South Carolina (7-4)
6 | Virginia (4-6)
7 | Oklahoma (7-5)
8 | Georgia (9-4)
9 | North Carolina State (5-4)
10 | Southern Miss (10-4)
11 | Alabama (4-5)
12 | Arkansas (5-5)
13 | Tulane (7-3)
14 | Houston (9-3)
15 | Oklahoma (9-5)
16 | Florida State (6-4)
17 | Vanderbilt (7-5)
18 | North Carolina (7-5)
19 | Western Carolina (11-3)
20 | Michigan (7-4)
21 | Stanford (9-3)
22 | Texas (9-4)
23 | Kansas (8-4)
24 | Kentucky (6-6)
25 | Hawaii (11-3)

Golden Spikes Award Watch
Hiram Pellow, Jr., RF, South Carolina | 5 HR, .659/.741/1.000, 12 RBI, 12 R, 27 H
Travis Ortiz, Jr., 3B, Oklahoma | 4 HR, .431/.516/.882, 25 RBI, 14 R, 5 SB, 22 H
Julio Bordick, Jr., LHP, Virginia | 17.0 IP, 2-0, 0.53 ERA, 19 K, 0 BB

Roger Clemens Award Watch
Julio Bordick, Jr., LHP, Virginia | 17.0 IP, 2-0, 0.53 ERA, 19 K, 0 BB
D.T. Hill, So., LHP, Tulane | 23.2 IP, 3-0, 0.76 ERA, 23 K, 3 BB
Justin Freel, So., RHP, Georgia | 20.0 IP, 3-0, 1.35 ERA, 24 K, 4 BB

Baseball America Offensive Player of the Year Watch
Hiram Pellow, Jr., RF, South Carolina | 5 HR, .659/.741/1.000, 12 RBI, 12 R, 27 H
Bobby Riedling, Jr., SS, South Carolina | 2 HR, .545/.634/1.000, 7 RBI, 9 R, 6 SB, 18 H
Ryan Dodson, So., RF, Creighton | 4 HR, .452/.541/1.00, 11 RBI, 10 R, 2 SB, 14 H

Baseball America Freshman of the Year Watch
Scott Norman, Fr., RF, Boston College | 4 HR, .471/.550/1.000, 11 RBI, 8 R, 16 H
Adam Serrano, Fr., LHP, Vanderbilt | 6.1 IP, 1-0, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 7 K, 4 BB
Kris Grissom, Fr., CF, South Carolina | 2 HR, .450/.532/.750, 11 RBI, 12 R, 4 SB, 18 H

[Careless Whisper]

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

Grieve to remain in starting lineup at third base

Thanks to his performance in February, freshman Chris Grieve is set to remain in the starting lineup with the return of classmate Robby Freed from his academic suspension.

Grieve is currently slashing .440/.462/.680 with 11 hits, one of which being a homerun. CMU head coach Steven Van Buren says that Grieve is likely to move to third base, with Freed (.375/.412/.375, 3 R, 6 H) returning to second base.

Senior infielder Aaron Musgrove will move to the bench after opening the season with a .205/.225/.231 slash line and eight hits.

Van Buren searching for rotation solutions

Carnegie Mellon head coach Steven Van Buren says that there could be some rotation within the starting rotation as the Tartans seek for consistency from their pitching staff.

The trio of junior Ramon Tillman (15.0 IP, 0-3, 7.80 ERA, 10 K, 5 BB), sophomore Matt Uribes (9.0 IP, 0-1, 10.0 IP, 9 K, 8 BB), and second-year Bryan Paronto (9.1 IP, 0-2, 18.32 ERA, 2 K, 8 BB) has been lit up over the first month. Van Buren says that they see some encouraging signs from Tillman and he will keep his spot, while Uribes and Paronto’s roles are up in the air.

Possible candidates to start in Uribe and Paronto’s place include senior Hector Karl (13.2 IP, 0-2, 5.27 ERA, 13 K, 1 BB) and sophomore Scott Dittfurth (2.1 IP, 0-0, 3.86 ERA, 1 K, 2 BB).

Hnytka, Linton interested in Carnegie Mellon

CMU’s recruiting board continues to grow with mutual interest shown between the coaching staff and a pair of high school prospects from the Northeast.

Travis Hnytka, a six-foot-five, 204-pound right-handed pitcher from Albany, N.Y., would likely slot into the Tartans rotation immediately. He possesses four pitches in a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, curveball, and knucklecurve, with all grading around average except for his four-seamer. Hnytka also plays second base for Albany High School and has the ability to play there in college.

Scott Linton, a six-foot, 213-pound left fielder from Islesboro, Maine, has a big arm capable of throwing out potential runners, but average grades everywhere else. Linton bats and throws righty, and also plays first base for Islesboro High School.

Hnytka and Linton join shortstop Aramis Baker (Ironton, Ohio) and third baseman Rod Strange (Montreal, Quebec) among CMU head coach Steven Van Buren’s recruiting targets for the Class of 2007.

Carnegie Mellon Recruiting Targets
Aramis Baker, SS/UT (6’2”, 192 lbs.; R/R; Ironton, Ohio / Rock Hill)
Rod Strange, 3B/C (5’9”, 187 lbs.; R/R; Montreal, Quebec / Édouard Montpetit College)
Travis Hnytka, SP/2B (6’5”, 204 lbs.; R/R; Albany, N.Y. / Albany)
Scott Linton, LF/1B (6’0”, 213 lbs.; R/R; Islesboro, Maine / Islesboro)

[Careless Whisper]

Tartans Blanked in Two-Game Sweep at Auburn
Carnegie Mellon collected 15 hits over the two games, but couldn’t push across any runs in a pair of losses

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

AUBURN, Ala. -- Despite collecting 15 hits in two games, Carnegie Mellon couldn’t push across a run as it was shut out in a two-game sweep at Auburn this past weekend. The Tigers topped the Tartans, 5-0, in the first game, and 3-0, in the second.

In Game 1, Carnegie Mellon (2-11) allowed all five Auburn (7-4) runs in the bottom of the third. Matt Freese opened the scoring with a RBI double, then Doug Pruemer bashed a two-run single to make it 3-0. Jon Byers made it 4-0 with a fielder’s choice, and Joe Borchard brought in Byers with a sacrifice fly.

Matt Uribes allowed all five runs, lasting 2.1 innings with five hits and three walks allowed. Senior first baseman Will Froemming collected two hits for the Tartans, but the offense struck out 10 times against Kevin Carroll (5.2 IP, 3 H, 7 K) and Mendy Uttuslien (3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 K).

Froemming doubled twice in Game 2, but two runs in the bottom of the second and an insurance run in the sixth gave Auburn a 3-0 victory.

CMU had its opportunities, with Tyler Tully adding a double as part of a 3-for-4 day, but the Tigers pitching staff scattered the visitors’ eight hits with four strikeouts.

Michael Haygood didn’t pitch long enough to be eligible for the win, but he went 4.1 innings with two strikeouts and allowed seven hits and two walks. The bullpen took control from there, with Tyler Larmour pitching 2.2 no-hit innings and Ryan Osborn firing a perfect ninth.

For the Tartans, Bryan Paronto allowed two runs on five hits and two walks in 3.2 innings.

Carnegie Mellon completes its three-series road trip with a West Coast series at UCLA next weekend.

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Game 1 – March 3, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1
AUB | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 5 | 7 | 0
W: Kevin Carroll (4-0) L: Matt Uribes (0-2) S: Mendy Uttuslien (1)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 1-4
Ryan Rayner, Sr., RF | 1-4
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 2-3
Joaquin Cormier, Sr., C | 1-3
Matt Uribes, So., SP (L, 0-2) | 2.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Brett Gaston, Jr., RP | 5.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K

Auburn Statistics
Adan Minges, So., 1B | 1-4, R
Jon Byers, Jr., LF | 0-3, R, RBI, BB
Doug Pruemer, So., DH | 2-4, R, 2 RBI
Matt Freese, Fr., CF | 2-4, 2B, RBI
Joe Borchard, Fr., RF | 0-3, RBI
Kevin Carroll, Sr., SP (W, 4-0) | 5.2 IP, 3 H, 7 K
Mendy Uttuslien, Sr., RP (S, 1) | 3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 K

Game 2 – March 4, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0
AUB | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 11 | 1
W: Tyler Larmour (1-0) L: Bryan Paronto (0-3) S: Ryan Osborn (5)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-5
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 2-3, 2 2B (7)
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 3-4, 2B (2)
Bryan Paronto, So., SP (L, 0-3) | 3.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 1.2 IP, 3 H

Auburn Statistics
David Lefkowitz, Jr., C | 2-3, 2B, BB, SB
Jon Byers, Jr., LF | 1-5, RBI
Doug Pruemer, So., DH | 2-3, R, 2B, HR, RBI
Justin Lampkin, Sr., 2B | 3-3, R, BB, SB
Jeromy Nannini, So., 3B | 1-4, RBI
Michael Haygood, Fr., SP | 4.1 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Tyler Larmour, Jr., RP (W, 1-0) | 2.2 IP, 1 K
Ryan Osborn, Sr., RP (S, 5) | 1.0 IP, 1 K

[Careless Whisper]

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

Tillman suspended four games for academics

Carnegie Mellon’s rotation will be thinner over the next couple of series, as junior right-hander Ramon Tillman (15.0 IP, 0-3, 7.80 ERA, 10 K, 5 BB) faces a four-game academic suspension.

Tillman was set to start the opener at UCLA on Friday, but instead will return to the mount on Friday, March 16 against Western Kentucky. He will miss the Tartans’ inaugural Atlantic-10 series at home against Temple on March 13-14.

Senior right-hander Hector Karl (13.2 IP, 0-2, 5.27 ERA, 13 K, 1 BB) moves into the rotation to replace him, and is slated to start in both the UCLA and Temple series.

Van Buren to give Gaston a start at UCLA

There was more shuffling in the CMU starting rotation this week, as junior right-hander Brett Gaston (10.2 IP, 0-0, 5.06 ERA, 8 K, 6 BB) will receive his first career start this Saturday at UCLA.

Gaston has been one of the more consistent arms from the bullpen thus far, and is replacing sophomore right-hander Matt Uribes (11.1 IP, 0-2, 11.91 ERA, 10 K, 11 BB) in the rotation. Tartans head coach Steven Van Buren noted that this switch is temporary as of now, with both Gaston and Uribes having the opportunity to earn the spot outright with their performances.

CMU at bottom of Atlantic 10 with league play on horizon

As projected, Carnegie Mellon sits at the bottom of the Atlantic-10 standings with conference play set to begin next week.

In their first year as a program, the Tartans are 2-11 overall with victories over Santa Clara and Cincinnati. CMU shares the bottom spot with Richmond, with no one playing a league contest as of yet.

St. Bonaventure has exploded out of the gates, owning a 12-1 record and the No. 4 ranking nationally. Saint Joseph’s is 6-5 and Saint Louis sits at 6-6, while city rival Duquesne owns a 4-8 record.

California right-hander targeted by Tartans

CMU added another prospect to the recruiting board this week, as right-handed pitcher Matt Seibel (Lancaster, Calif.) received a scholarship offer from the staff.

Seibel, a six-foot-four, 221-pound pitcher and first baseman from Paraclete High School, uses four pitches in a four-seam fastball, two-season fastball, change-up, and splitter. Scouts grade his splitter and two-seamer as his best pitches, with the four-seam and change-up both needing work.

Carnegie Mellon Recruiting Targets
Aramis Baker, SS/UT (6’2”, 192 lbs.; R/R; Ironton, Ohio / Rock Hill)
Rod Strange, 3B/C (5’9”, 187 lbs.; R/R; Montreal, Quebec / Édouard Montpetit College)
Travis Hnytka, SP/2B (6’5”, 204 lbs.; R/R; Albany, N.Y. / Albany)
Scott Linton, LF/1B (6’0”, 213 lbs.; R/R; Islesboro, Maine / Islesboro)
Matt Seibel, RP/1B (6’4”, 221 lbs.; R/R; Lancaster, Calif. / Paraclete)

[Careless Whisper]

Tartans Swept in Two-Game Set at UCLA
Carnegie Mellon lost a narrow 4-3 decision in Game 1 before taking a 12-1 loss to close the series

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It was a tale of two contests in Carnegie Mellon’s non-conference series at UCLA, but ultimately both results were the same as the Tartans were swept in a two-game series this weekend. CMU dropped the opening game, 4-3, after coming back from a 3-0 deficit, and fell 12-1 the following day.

In Game 1, Carnegie Mellon (2-13) fell behind 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning after a Josh Preciado two-run single and Seth Torrealba RBI single. The Tartans came back in the top of the fifth with a pair of doubles – a two-run hit from junior designated hitter Tyler Tully and a RBI two-bagger from freshman second baseman Chris Grieve – but UCLA (12-8) responded with a solo homerun from Jordan Florie in the bottom half that ultimately decided the game.

Senior right-hander Hector Karl received the start for the Tartans with Ramon Tillman’s academic suspension, and was saddled with the loss after allowing eight hits and four runs in 4.1 innings. Karl did have some success against the Bruins lineup, striking out seven and only walking one.

The Bruins’ senior ace Ryan Alec was dominant in the second game, striking out 11 over 6.2 innings while allowing a single run. Meanwhile, for CMU, junior right-hander Brett Gaston couldn’t make it out of the third inning, as he was dinged up for nine hits and six runs.

Down 7-0 in the top of the sixth inning, the Tartans pulled a run back with a solo homerun from junior shortstop Darrell Salters. The homer was his third of the season, but UCLA responded in the bottom half with two runs to make it 9-1, then tacked on three runs in the eighth inning to set the final.

A bright spot in Game 2 for the Tartans was junior southpaw Elpidio MacLean, who kept his earned run average at 0.00 after netting two outs following the Bruins’ three-run eighth.

Carnegie Mellon opens Atlantic-10 Conference play on Tuesday with two games against Temple.

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Game 1 – March 9, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0
UCLA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 8 | 0
W: Donovan Carrara (2-0) L: Hector Karl (0-3) S: Andrew Bohanon (5)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-3, SB (2)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., RF | 2-4, R
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 1-4, R
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 3-3, R, 2 2B (4), RBI (4)
Chris Grieve, Fr., 2B | 1-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI (6)
Hector Karl, Sr., SP (L, 0-3) | 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Paxton Jennings, Fr., RP | 2.2 IP, 2 BB, 4 K

UCLA Statistics
Felipe German, Sr., CF | 2-4
Jordan Florie, Sr., 1B | 1-4, R, HR, RBI
Clint Gomes, Jr., 3B | 2-4, R, 2B
Seth Torrealba, Sr., DH | 1-3, R, RBI
Josh Preciado, Fr., LF | 1-3, 2 RBI
Jim Dreifort, Sr., SP | 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 K
Donovan Carrara, Sr., RP (W, 2-0) | 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Andrew Bohanon, Jr., RP (S, 5) | 1.0 IP, 1 K

Game 2 – March 10, 2007
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0
UCLA | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | X | 12 | 19 | 0
W: Ryan Alec (5-1) L: Brett Gaston (0-1)

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 2-4, R, HR (3), RBI (3)
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 1-3
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-3
Joaquin Cormier, Sr., C | 1-3
Brett Gaston, Jr., SP (L, 0-1) | 2.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K

UCLA Statistics
Jordan Florie, Sr., 1B | 3-5, R, 2B, RBI
Barry Lackey, Sr., C | 3-4, 3 R, RBI, 1 BB
Clint Gomes, Jr., 3B | 2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Shane Lyall, Fr., RF | 1-2, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB
Josh Preciado, Fr., LF | 4-5, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, SB
Ryan Alec, Sr., SP (W, 5-1) | 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 11 K
Curt Durocher, So., RP | 2.1 IP, 1 H, 4 K

[Careless Whisper]

CMU Wins A-10 Opener, Splits Series with Cross-State Foe Temple
The Tartans’ five-run sixth inning proved to be the difference in a 7-1 win in Game 1, which snapped a seven-game losing streak

by Alicia Brown, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- A 1-0 deficit entering the bottom of the fifth inning isn’t supposed to be insurmountable, but no one would blame Carnegie Mellon if it felt that way in its Atlantic-10 opener against Temple.

This is a team that is believed to be in its first season as a program, with a roster that is essentially its club team from last year with the addition of four transfers from NCAA Division III’s Kenyon College. And despite some promising results in February with wins over Santa Clara and Cincinnati, the Tartans entered the series on a seven-game losing streak, being outscored 48-15 over that timeframe.

But the past is the past. And for one day, Carnegie Mellon stood on top of the A-10 standings by overcoming that fifth-inning deficit with five runs, ultimately defeating Temple, 7-1, on Tuesday afternoon.

“We were telling the guys that when we entered (Atlantic-10) play, everyone is tied for first,” said CMU head coach Steven Van Buren. “We know that results haven’t been where we want them to be, and we understand that to be successful, it’s going to take time. This is something basically unprecedented that we’re doing and patience is needed, so when we get results like this, it makes it that much sweeter. All credit goes out to the guys for competing in all areas, and not getting down on ourselves when we faced that 1-0 hole.”

Carnegie Mellon (3-14, 1-1 A-10) used a double and three singles to take a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman rightfielder Danny Ray Boss tied it with a RBI double to right, then senior catcher Joaquin Cormier pushed the go-ahead run across with a RBI single. Senior centerfielder Kit Kreuter followed that up with his own RBI single to make it 3-1, and classmate Will Froemming tacked two more runs on with his own single that chased Temple (7-9, 1-1 A-10) starting pitcher Ryan Everitt.

CMU added two more RBI singles in the seventh and eighth innings to put the game away. Ross did the honors once again in the seventh – bringing in Kreuter – while Tyler Tully gave the hosts their seventh run with a two-out knock in the eighth.

Sophomore right-hander Bryan Paronto picked up the win for the Tartans, striking out six in five innings with four hits, two walks, and a run allowed.

“I’ve been challenging Bryan (Paronto) as of late and he definitely responded today,” said Van Buren. “He mixed his pitches well and didn’t get discouraged after giving up a run in the second. These are the performances we need from our staff, and I knew that Bryan had it in him.”

Game 2 on Thursday went the Owls’ way, as the visitors broke a 2-2 deadlock in the top of the seventh inning courtesy of a two-run double by Matt Matuszek.

Boss struck again in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run double to give CMU a 2-1 lead, but Kane Cruz responded with a RBI triple in the top of the fifth to make it 2-2. After senior right-hander Hector Karl departed following six strong innings, junior southpaw Elpidio MacLean allowed his first runs of the season on the Matuszek double and was saddled with the loss.

Freshman second baseman Chris Grieve had a chance to play hero in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded, but Austin Maddox struck him out swinging.

Carnegie Mellon continues a stretch of five consecutive home series this weekend, as it returns to non-conference play to host Western Kentucky on Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17.

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Game 1 – March 13, 2007
TEMP | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | X | 7 | 14 | 0
W: Bryan Paronto (1-3) L: Ryan Everitt (1-2)

Temple Statistics
Jeff Pelzer, Jr., 2B | 2-4, 2 2B
Marco DuBose, So., 1B | 1-4
Reggie Giles, So., SS | 1-4
Brian Dingman, Sr., 3B | 1-4, RBI
Ryan Everitt, Jr., SP (L, 1-2) | 4.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 2-4, 2 R, RBI (5), BB, SB (3)
Darren Salters, Jr., SS | 2-5
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 1-3, 2 RBI (6)
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 3-4, R, 2B (2), 2 RBI (3)
Joaquin Cormier, Sr., C | 1-4, R, RBI (2)
Bryan Paronto, So., SP (W, 1-3) | 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 K
Scott Dittfurth, So., RP | 2.0 IP, 2 BB

Game 2 – March 14, 2007
TEMP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0
W: Mark Price (1-0) L: Elpidio MacLean (0-1) S: Austin Maddox (4)

Temple Statistics
Kane Cruz, Sr., CF | 3-4, 3 R, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB, 2 SB
Jeff Pelzer, Jr., 2B | 1-3, RBI, BB, SB
Matt Matuszek, Jr., LF | 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Danny Childers, Fr., DH | 1-2, R, 2 BB
Kevin Dietz, Jr., SP | 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Mark Price, Jr., RP (W, 1-0) | 2.0 IP, 4 H, 4 K
Austin Maddox, So., RP (S, 4) | 2.0 IP, 3 BB, 3 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3, BB
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 3-5, R
Tyler Tully, Jr., DH | 2-4, R, BB
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 3-4, 2 2B (4), 2 RBI (5)
Hector Karl, Sr., SP | 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP (L, 0-1) | 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB
Jamie Boyd, Fr., RP | 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K

[Careless Whisper]

Tartans Toppled in Two-Game Home Sweep to Western Kentucky
CMU could only push two runs across from 11 hits in Game 1, and was held scoreless in Game 2

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon allowed a first inning run in both games of its non-conference series against Western Kentucky, which led to the hosts succumbing to the Hilltoppers in a two-game sweep at Hans Lobert Field this past weekend.

Carnegie Mellon (3-16) only scored two runs against Western Kentucky (12-11), both of which came in Game 1. The Tartan offense had success in the opener with 11 hits, but were handled in Game 2 and only tallied four hits.

In Game 1, a 6-2 loss for CMU, junior right-hander Ramon Tillman returned from suspension and provided five innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts, but an RBI sacrifice fly by Ralph Massiatte in the first inning saddled him with the loss.

The Tartans bullpen struggled, with freshmen Jamie Boyd and Peter Dirks allowing three runs in the sixth and two runs in the ninth.

First-year shortstop Chris Grieve finished with three hits and a RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning, and senior third baseman Aaron Musgrove received a spot start and rewarded the coaching staff with a 2-for-4 afternoon, tacking on a RBI double.

The Hilltoppers scored once in the first and twice in the third innings to come away with a 3-0 victory in Game 2.

Freshman rightfielder Danny Ray Boss collected half of the Tartans’ four hits, with fellow freshmen Chris Grieve and Adrian Arndt tallied the others. Mark Haske threw 5.2 innings of shutout ball for WKU, striking out six, while Brian Borchard picked up the save with two clean frames.

Junior right-hander Brett Gaston bounced back from a poor start, providing 3.1 shutout innings in relief. He allowed three hits and two walks, and struck out two.

Carnegie Mellon returns to Atlantic-10 action on Tuesday when it welcomes Saint Louis for a two-game series.

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Game 1 – March 16, 2007
WKU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 3
W: Roger Desme (1-3) L: Ramon Tillman (0-4) S: Brian Borchard (3)

Western Kentucky Statistics
Karl Bearden, Sr., CF | 3-5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SB
Ralph Massiatte, Sr., RF | 0-4, RBI
Alan Fulton, So., SS | 1-4, R, RBI
J.J. Saturria, Sr., 3B | 3-5, R, 2B, RBI, SB
Dave Reyes, Fr., DH | 2-4, R, RBI
Roger Desme, Jr., SP (W, 1-3) | 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K
Brian Borchard, So., RP (S, 3) | 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 1-4, BB
Chris Grieve, Fr., SS | 3-4, RBI (7)
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 1-3
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 2-4, R
Aaron Musgrove, Sr., 3B | 2-4, 2B (2), RBI (4)
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP (L, 0-4) | 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Elpidio MacLean, Jr., RP | 0.1 IP, 1 H

Game 2 – March 17, 2007
WKU | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0
W: Mark Haske (3-1) L: Bryan Paronto (1-4) S: Brian Borchard (4)

Western Kentucky Statistics
Karl Bearden, Sr., CF | 2-5, R, 2B
Dustin Kenny, Jr., 2B | 2-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB
Alan Fulton, So. SS | 1-5, RBI
Matt Stairs, Jr., LF | 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB
Nick Bryanski, So., C | 2-3, BB
Mark Haske, Sr., SP (W, 3-1) | 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K
Brian Borchard, So., RP (S, 4) | 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Kit Kreuter, Sr., CF | 0-3, BB
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 1-4
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 2-3
Adrian Arndt, Fr., C | 1-2
Bryan Paronto, So., SP (L, 1-4) | 3.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Brett Gaston, Jr., RP | 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Einar Reagan, Fr., RP | 1.0 IP, 2 BB, 1 K

[Careless Whisper]

Billikens Blow Out Tartans in Two-Game Sweep
Carnegie Mellon was outscored 23-1 over the two losses to Saint Louis

by Hayden Issacs, Carnegie Mellon sports reporter

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Carnegie Mellon continued its struggling debut season this week with a pair of blowout losses to Saint Louis, falling 15-1 in Game 1 and 8-0 in Game 2.

Carnegie Mellon (3-18, 1-3 A-10) scored its lone run of the series in the second inning of Game 1, as senior first baseman Will Froemming connected on his first homerun of the season. Senior right-hander Hector Karl couldn’t make it past that frame, however, as he allowed six runs on five hits and two walks, and the only Tartans pitcher to finish with a clean outing was sophomore righty Scott Dittfurth, who got two outs in the seventh inning.

Saint Louis (12-7, 2-10 A-10) junior ace Ryan Hackman carved up the CMU offense in Game 2, throwing 6.2 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts, only allowing four hits and a walk. Hackman now has a 1.92 earned run average and strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4-to-1 through 47 innings.

Senior right-hander Ramon Tillman allowed 10 hits and three runs in 4.2 innings for the hosts. Freshman third baseman Chris Grieve tallied a pair of doubles in the defeat.

CMU hosts Gonzaga this weekend for a pair of non-conference contests, beginning on Saturday, March 24.

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Game 1 – March 20, 2007
SLU | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 16 | 1
CMU | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1
W: Craig Rivera (2-0) L: Hector Karl (0-4) S: Chase Shouse (1)

Saint Louis Statistics
Earl Hess, Sr., CF | 1-4, R, 2 RBI, BB
Matt Paramore, Sr., SS | 3-6, 2 R, 2B, RBI
Nate Petersen, Jr., 2B | 5-6, 3 R, 2B, RBI
Craig Beckett, Jr., DH | 3-5, 3 R, HR, 5 RBI, BB, SB
Mark Ludwick, Jr., RF | 1-4, R, HR, 3 RBI
Craig Rivera, Jr., SP (W, 2-0) | 5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Chase Shouse, Sr., RP (S, 1) | 4.0 IP, 2 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Darrell Salters, Jr., SS | 2-4
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 2-4, R, HR (1), RBI (7)
Robby Freed, Fr., 2B | 0-2, BB
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-3
Hector Karl, Sr., SP (L, 0-4) | 1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Scott Dittfurth, So., RP | 0.2 IP, 1 K

Game 2 – March 21, 2007
SLU | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 19 | 0
CMU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1
W: Ryan Hackman (4-2) L: Ramon Tillman (0-5)

Saint Louis Statistics
Earl Hess, Sr., CF | 2-5, 2 RBI
Brett Montoya, Sr., 3B | 5-6, 2 R, 2B, RBI
Matt Paramore, Sr., SS | 1-5, R, HR, 2 RBI
Travis Wunsch, Fr., C | 2-4, R, RBI, BB
Tommy Campagna, Sr., 1B | 4-4, R, 2 RBI, BB
Ryan Hackman, Jr., SP (W, 4-2) | 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 10 K
Eric Reifer, Jr., RP | 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Carnegie Mellon Statistics
Ryan Rayner, Sr., LF | 2-4
Danny Ray Boss, Fr., RF | 1-4, 2B (5)
Will Froemming, Sr., 1B | 1-3, BB
Chris Grieve, Fr., 3B | 2-4, 2 2B (6)
Ramon Tillman, Jr., SP (L, 0-5) | 4.2 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Scott Dittfurth, So., RP | 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB