Pilots vs. #13 USD This Weekend

The Pilots will be playing USD this weekend, today at 3 and then Saturday and Sunday at 1. The weather should be super nice, so it would be a good chance to get check out the team - they really are pretty darn solid, with good pitching and some great young hitters.

Anyway, today UP will be facing off against Brian Matusz, San Diego's big lefty who has something like a 1.50 ERA and 75 Ks in 50 something innings. He's likely to be a top 5 pick in the next MLB draft, and some even think he'll go number one.

So what does that all add up to? Um..... something tells me I am going to be long gone from the office come 3 o'clock and enjoying some sunshine and a Pilot Dog out at Joe Etzel Field.

Final score: USD 8, Portland 4. I was enjoying the sun behind the plate in my new Beavers hat and shades. Where were you sitting, Stoney?

We certainly had some chances later in the game, but Matusz and their closer, A.J. Griffin, got the big outs when they needed them.

Matusz: 7 IP, 7 H, 4 R all earned, 9 K. That makes him 7-1 with 80 K in 58.2 IP (ridiculous!). He certainly looked like a prospect today. Obviously he made things tough for the Pilots but Riley Henricks looked good in the leadoff spot at 3-4 with a 2-run shot and a walk.

As for the toss, I only heard part of what the rat said but if he continued like he probably did I would have chucked him too. And a good job by the umpire's partners--we call that move the "rodeo clown."

Tough game today too... had the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, down one with only one out, but couldn't push one in and lost 5-4. Rats!

I was sitting on the third-base side, pretty close to the entrance... chatting it up with a bunch of faculty and staff that were there. Sure was nice to be out there in the sun!