The Rams went 7-3 in their first ten games, and Coach wanted the next ten to be 10-0. So far so good for CSU. The Rams were able to take two games from Western Nebraska Community College and two from University of Denver.
The week began Tuesday with a practice that focused on defense and fundamentals, and it showed on Wednesday when the team traveled to Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Western Nebraska Sweep
The CSU offense jumped on Western Nebraska early, scoring two in the top of the first inning, and that was all pitcher, Bobby Moller, needed. He was nothing but dominant in the first game of the double header; he went six strong innings allowing zero runs and just one hit. He tallied up eight strikeouts in the game.
The Rams went on to add four more runs to make the final score 6-0.
The second of the two games proved to be much more eventful and dramatic. It began in the bottom first inning when Rams starting pitcher, Nick Childs, had trouble finding the strike zone. Childs walked two and hit one batter in the inning. Needless to say, I didn't have the start I was looking for.
With the bases loaded, one out, and the score already 2-0 in favor of Western Nebraska, the batter hit a high fly ball to shallow center field. Rams center fielder Hunter Haggerty camped under it and positioned himslef to fire home. The runner on 3rd tagged up and took off for home once Haggerty caught the ball. Haggerty threw an absolute strike to catcher, Wes Castle. While trying to catch the ball, the Western Nebraska baserunner lowered his shoulder and took out Castle. Everyone in the yard was shocked. The umpire did not know what to do; luckily, Western Nebraska coach, Mike Jones, knew exactly what to do. He came running down from the third base coaches box screaming, "You can't do that! He is out."
The umpire proceeded to call out the runner, and in the mean time, this ignited a spark in the CSU bench. Castle would go on to feel the wrath of that hit for the next couple days, but he remained in the game.
Everything died down, and we went to work. I vowed to the team that I wouldn't give up a run the rest of the game and asked for their help with some offense. The next three innings went smoothly for Childs, allowing no runs, just one hit, and four strikeouts.
Going into the top of the 5th, the Rams finally got the offense started. A huge two out rally was ignited when Jake Fox hit a ground ball to third which the 3rd baseman couldn't convert the throw on. After Fox scored to tie the game at two on an errant throw to second base, Mike Roberts hit a huge pinch-hit double that scored two runs. This put the Rams up 4-2. Childs got two quick outs in the bottom of the 5th but couldn't convert for the third. After giving up a single and a walk, Kyle Swets replaced Childs.
The first batter who Swets faced hit a weak ground ball between second and first scoring one run for Western Nebraska. Swets went on to retire the next batter. The Rams went on to score two more runs in the top of the sixth, and Swets pitched a scoreless sixth for CSU, and Wes "Cheebs" Jeanette came in for the save. Overall, it was a good trip for the Rams. We achieved our goal of two wins. On to preparing for University of Denver.
Bring on the Ball Cannons and Home Field Advantage at City Park!
After a long twelve game road trip, CSU finally got to return to Fort Collins and play their first regular season games at City Park.
The Rams offense showed their appreciation for the solid home crowd as well as the metal bats that they were allowed to swing against the University of Denver. After Cooper Liggett retired the Pioneers in the first, Brian Chuckran was hit by a pitch, and Brian Dilley crushed a double down the left field line. Designated Hitter, Mike Roberts, came to the plate and hit a monster shot to left-center field that left the yard in a hurry. Roberts' three-run blast ignited the Rams offense. CSU went on the score 15 runs in the game.
Liggett threw four strong innings, Swets threw two, and Matt Dotterweich closed the game out. The only run given up by CSU was unearned making the final score 15-1. The Rams hit three home runs in the first game, and they came from Roberts, Eric Zaruba, and Brian Jenkins. Finally, someone other than Dilley hit a home run.
The second game, similar to the trip to Western Nebraska, was much closer than the first. The CSU offense slowed down, scoring only three runs, the biggest being a home run from Dilley.
The Rams went with a pitcher by committee approach to the second game. Jared Osif started the game and threw two strong innings. Unfortunately for Osif, the Rams didn't get on the board until the bottom of the third, and by that time Bobby Moller had entered the game making him the pitcher of record and giving him his second win on the week. Moller and Jeanette went on to throw two strong innings each, and Childs came in and recorded his first save on the year despite surrendering three hits.
Overall, this was a very good week for the Rams; they went 4-0 and outscored their opponents 30 to 5.
This week in my player spotlight, I am going to tell you about catcher, Tommy Johnson, and pitcher, Bobby Moller. This section of the blog will be devoted to introducing you, the fans, to the players and coaches of the the CSU baseball program. Each player and coach has a very unique road to CSU and these are their stories.
Bobby Moller
Bob sparked my interest for being one of this weeks highlight players by going 2-0, allowing no runs, on one hit, and eight strikeouts over the course of the week.
Bobby is a junior from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He is currently studying Microbiology at CSU, and the team loves to joke around with him about being a nerd. But, man can that nerd pitch!
Moller has compiled an impressive baseball resume over the years, and he has succeeded at every level that he has played at. While attending Highlands Ranch High School he played on varsity for his junior and senior season. He not only pitched, but also played second base his senior year. Bob to this day tries to show Coach Abs that he can do both at CSU. Abs still isn't convinced. Bobby also had the honor of playing in the Top 50 Showcase game which included the 50 best players in the state, and he was voted honorable mention all-conference his junior and senior season.
After high school Bob signed with Lamar Community College. For many reasons his experience there wasn't the one that he was looking for. He transferred to CSU after the fall semester of his freshman year at Lamar and he immediately became a top tier pitcher at CSU. As a sophomore at CSU, Bob posted a 9-2 record with a 2.45 ERA. He threw 66 innings and struck out 71 batters while only walking 17. Bobby is off to a very strong start this year with a 3-0 record in his four starts and an ERA of 1.86.
When Bobby is done at CSU he plans to get his graduate degree and become a pharmaceutical engineer. On breaks he lives with his Mother, Father, and two younger brothers. Off the field he loves to rock out on Rock Band 2, study Organic Chemistry, and have a good time with his teammates.
Tommy Johnson
Tommy is a senior this year, and he had a great week this week. He went five for twelve with four runs, two doubles, two RBI, and two walks. This is the second straight week that Tommy has been outstanding both at the plate and on defense. He has been a great leader this year and has been a vital part of this team.
Tommy's journey to CSU starts at Mullen High School in Denver, CO. There he played three years as the starting, varsity catcher. He accumulated many honors. He was voted 2nd team all Centennial League three times and was honorable mention all-state his senior year.
After Mullen, Tommy signed a scholarship to play college ball at Gonzaga University. He spent his entire freshman year and the first semester of his sophomore year at Gonzaga before transferring to CSU. The Rams have reaped the benefits from that decision ever since.
In his junior year, Johnson put up a .380 batting average with 18 RBI and 22 runs in 28 games. He is a vital part of a two catcher system that CSU utilizes. He is off to a good start to this year hitting .389 with a .528 slugging percentage. He adds another dynamic to the team with his pitching. He is solid on the mound and adds depth to the pitching staff.
Tommy is a Liberal Arts and Sociology major with a concentration in Criminal Justice. He isn't sure what he wants to do with these degrees, but he thinks he may want to get a job working for the government.
Tommy lives with his parents and younger brother over breaks. His brother is currently attending Mullen, and he plays for the basketball team. He is hoping to play in college but is undecided on where that is going to be.
Off the field Tommy enjoys eating cereal, watching the spin cycle on the washing machine, fishing and going to the beach on the east coast, and falling asleep at the library.
Next up for the Rams are games against Northeastern Colorado and Western Nebraska on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, and then the Rams go to Greeley to play University of Colorado to start conference play. Should be a great week!
Bringing you all of your CSU Baseball News,
Nick Childs
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