‘Yote Notes – Apr. 12,
2006
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Mike Safford Jr. – Sports
Info. Director
msafford@collegeofidaho.edu
BASEBALL: Unranked Coyotes look to rebound as Concordia heads
in for three-game series
LAST WEEK: at No. 8 British Columbia (L 3-0,
L 10-9, L 6-3, L 8-1)
COMING UP: vs. Concordia (DH), Friday, 1 p.m.;
vs. Concordia, Saturday, 1 p.m.
SCHEDULE CHANGES: The Coyotes game at the University
of Puget Sound, scheduled for last Monday, was postponed by UPS after weather
delayed their home Northwest Conference series with George Fox. The game will not be made up. Also, changes have been made to the
Concordia series this weekend at Simplot Stadium, due to the possibility of
inclement weather in the Treasure Valley.
Friday, the two teams will play a doubleheader at 1 p.m. (instead of a
single-game at 3 p.m.) and a single-game Saturday at 1 p.m. (instead of a
twinbill at Noon).
COYOTES DROP
OUT OF POLL: After back-to-back weeks in the
NAIA Top-20, the Albertson College baseball team fell out of the latest NAIA
national poll. The Coyotes fell to the
No. 27 slot (21 voting points, second highest among of teams in the “others
receiving votes” category) – which is the fifth-straight poll they have earned
votes. ACI had climbed to No. 19 in the NAIA after a stretch of 13 wins in 14
games. Two other NAIA Region I teams
were in the poll – No. 1 ranked Lewis-Clark State and No. 8 ranked British
Columbia.
REGULAR-SEASON
TITLE LOOKS TO REMAIN IN CANADA: British
Columbia took a stranglehold on the NAIA Region I pennant by sweeping a
four-game series from the Coyotes at Nat Bailey Stadium and taking a commanding
nine-game lead in the standings with 12 games remaining. The Canadian bunch improved to a perfect
18-0 in regional play and has won 26 of their last 27 games – after defeating
the University of Washington, 6-4, on Tuesday night.
HARD LUCK OPENING DAY OF SERIES: The breaks
did not go the Coyotes way on Saturday afternoon, as UBC opened the series with
3-0 and 10-9 wins. UBC used a four-hit
shutout performance from lefty Shawn Shaeffer in the opener to top ACI.
The T-Birds scratched together a single run in the second and two more in the
third against Charlie Strandlund (Victoria, B.C. / Coll. of Southern
Idaho) - but ACI could get just two runners in scoring position in the
loss. Game 2 saw the 'Yotes Jake
McGrady (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) go 4-for-5 with an RBI, but it
wasn't enough, as ACI fell behind
DAY 2 HAS MORE CANADIAN FLAVOR: Connor Janes hit a three-run homer
in the opener and four pitchers combined for a one-hitter in the nightcap as
British Columbia completed a four-game sweep of Albertson College, winning 6-3
and 8-1 Sunday at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Janes went
3-for-4 with two doubles, his homer, and six RBI in the twinbill, as UBC
completed an eight-game sweep of the Coyotes this season. Albertson got two hits from both Casey Oliver (Pocatello,
Idaho / Coll. of Southern Idaho) and Bryan Champ (Boise, Idaho /
Borah HS) in the opener, but could not overcome the solid effort on the
mound from Jeff Tobin. The lefty pitched eight innings to log his sixth
win of the season. The nightcap saw ACI manage just a
Jake McGrady fifth inning single. A
six-run fifth inning was the difference, as RBI doubles from Janes and Johnny
Yiu helped the Canadian cause.
FEWEST
HITS SINCE?: In the
8-1 loss on Sunday to UBC, the Coyotes were held to their fewest hits since
March 21, 2000 - when they were one-hit, but defeated Central Washington, 1-0.
VERSUS UBC, VERSUS THE REST: Looking at
the ‘Yotes numbers against British Columbia in the eight games played, compared
to the other 26 games this season – it is staggering. Against the T-Birds, ACI has a .203 team batting average (only
two players hitting above .300), a 6.15 team ERA, and a .940 fielding
percentage. Against everyone else, the
Coyotes hit .338 (with ten players above .300), boast a 2.19 ERA, and a .964
fielding percentage. Jason Roach (Sacramento,
Calif. / Sacramento City CC) has numbers to back it up – the junior is 4-0
with a 0.46 ERA against the rest of the competition, but is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA
against UBC. The same can be said about
Jason Enewold (Rifle, Colo. /Lamar CC), who is 4-0 with a 0.74
against other teams, but is 0-1 with a 21.00 ERA in two appearances against
British Columbia.
HITTING STREAK STILL INTACT: Despite
the losses to British Columbia, shortstop Casey Oliver left Canada with his hitting
streak still intact. The junior has hit
safely in 17 consecutive games, recording a .464 batting average, nine doubles,
and a .557 on base percentage during the streak. Oliver currently leads the NAIA Region I in batting average
(.421), hits (48), doubles (13), and on base percentage (.504), while ranking
second in stolen bases (15).
‘YOTES AMONG THE CAREER RECORD BOOK: Four
Coyotes have joined the top-ten career list so far this season. Greg Stalling (Boise, Idaho /
Borah HS) ranks among the top-ten all-time in nine categories – holding the
record for career walks (135), is second in stolen bases (85 – just one off the
record), is third in hits (242) runs (202 – just four off the record), at bats
(698), hit by pitches (38), games played (198), and games started (194), and is
seventh in doubles (41). Jake McGrady
ranks third all-time in stolen bases (63), is fifth in games started (172) and at
bats (640),, is sixth in sacrifice bunts (16) and games played (189), is
seventh in all-time hits (204), and is tenth in runs (136). Nate Freese (Vancouver, Wash. /
Skyview HS) sits in third-place in all-time saves (9) and in doubles (45),
is fifth in all-time in hit-by-pitches (29), eighth in at bats (584) and games
started (160), and tenth in hits (172) and games played (173). Rounding out the
group is Lars Alsager (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS), who ranks
third all-time in appearances by a pitcher (71).
CONCORDIA HEADS TO CALDWELL: The
tough-luck Concordia baseball team will make their lone appearance in
the Treasure Valley this weekend, hoping for better results than their last
trip to Idaho. Last weekend, the
Cavaliers (11-22, 6-11 Region I) dropped four games at No. 1 ranked Lewis-Clark
State – with three of the games decided on LC-State’s final at bat. Concordia’s top hitter and pitcher is
All-CCC selection Mike Allen (5-3 3.81 ERA, .330 4 HR 21 RBI) – but it will be
interesting how skipper Rob Vance uses him, after Allen tossed a complete game
Wednesday against Corban (allowing him just one or two days rest at most). CCC Player of the Week John Grote (.306 8 HR
23 RBI) has been hot as of late, while catcher Adam Hackstedt (.255 2 HR 18
RBI) has always done damage against the ‘Yotes in Caldwell. ACI ended a five-year drought at Concordia
in March, winning 2-of-3 in Portland, extending their all-time series edge to 55-19.
LOOKING AHEAD: The road does not get any easier
for the Coyotes over the final month of the regular-season. Next week, ACI will play a home-and-home
four-game series against top-ranked Lewis-Clark State – Wednesday and Thursday
games at Simplot Stadium, Saturday and Sunday games at Harris Field in
Lewiston. Following the two games in
Caldwell, the ‘Yotes will play 11 of their final 13 games on the road (not
including a suspended game to be continued against Eastern Oregon on April 25) –
including series at Corban and Oregon Tech.
FLORENCE IN HIGH-A: The lone Coyote playing minor
league baseball at the present time is Branden Florence, who is
currently with the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League, the
Advanced-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Florence, who signed a Triple-A contract with the Phillies in the
off-season, was sent to A-ball after injuring his ankle late in spring
training. Florence is currently hitting
.300 with one RBI during the first week of the season. Another former Coyote, Jason Simontacchi,
signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs during the off-season, but
had his contract voided after failing a physical. Simontacchi missed all of the 2005 season with a shoulder injury.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game
stories, statistics, and information regarding the Albertson baseball program,
head to the official site Coyote baseball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball.htm. Up to date regional scores and standings can
also be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/baseball/stats/standings.htm.
SOFTBALL: Lady ‘Yotes sit at 5-5 heading into second half of Cascade
Conference regular season
LAST WEEK: at Concordia (L 3-2, L 2-1), at
Corban (W 3-0, W 7-4)
COMING UP: vs. Eastern Oregon (DH), Friday, 2
p.m.; vs. Utah Valley State (DH), Sunday, 11 a.m.
REGIONALLY RANKED: For third consecutive week, the
Albertson College softball team was ranked in the NAIA Region I weekly coaches
poll. The Coyotes were ranked fifth
this week, behind Simon Fraser (No. 4 nationally), Oregon Tech, Southern Oregon,
and Concordia. Last season, ACI was
fifth after the second polling period of the season, but then dropped out of
the rankings.
RAIN CANCELS NON-CONFERENCE GAMES: The Lady ‘Yotes
have now seen six games wiped off their 2006 schedule due to the weather. Albertson was ready to play Northwest
Christian in Eugene, Ore. on Monday morning, however, umpires decided that the
field was unplayable – cancelling the games.
The ‘Yotes also saw their games Tuesday at Simon Fraser cancelled – due to
an unfavorable weather forecast in Canada.
ACI had already lost a doubleheader at Northwest Nazarene to rain on
March 29.
EASTER EGG HUNT: With the Coyotes hosting Utah
Valley State in an Easter morning doubleheader, the ACI softball team will host
an Easter Egg hunt in the outfield of the Symms Field softball field at 10 a.m.
INSIDE THE LEAGUE NUMBERS: As a team,
the Coyotes rank third in the Cascade Conference in team ERA (3.46) and rank
fourth in both team batting average (280) and team fielding percentage (.958). Individually, A.J. Cavanaugh (Covington,
Wash. / Kentwood HS) leads the league with three saves, is third in ERA
(2.18), is fifth in home runs (5), and is seventh in RBI (20), while Katie
Zillner (Emmett, Idaho / Chicago State U.) is second in the league
in strikeouts (91), is third in the league in walks (12), and is eighth in the
CCC in doubles (6). Also among the
league leaders is Stacy Smith (Draper, Utah / Juan Diego HS), who
is second in home runs (7), Heather Kirtley (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS),
who is second in stolen bases (15), and Kerri Russell (Melba, Idaho /
Melba HS), who is fifth in both ERA (2.99) and wins (6).
CORBAN SWEPT BY LADY ‘YOTES: Stacy Smith went 4-for-6, including
her school-record seventh home run of the season, as the Albertson College
softball team ended a three-game losing streak with 3-0 and 7-4 wins at Corban
College on Saturday afternoon. The freshman
went 2-for-3 in the opener, including an RBI double, then followed it up with a
solo home run in the second inning of the nightcap. Game 1 saw the Lady 'Yotes ride the right arm of Kerri Russell,
who tossed a two-hit shutout. The senior carried a no-hitter into the
sixth and evened her record at 6-6 on the year. Heather Kirtley went
2-for-3 in the win with her 14th and 15th stolen bases of the year. Game 2 saw A.J. Cavanaugh hit a three-run
homer in the fourth inning to erase a Corban 2-1 lead, and RBI doubles from
Katie Zillner and Katie Theisen (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) helped
keep the Warriors at bay. Both Zillner and Theisen each had two-hit
games. Cavanaugh got the win in relief, while Russell got the final six
outs for the save.
FIRST SWEEP OF CORBAN: The back-to-back wins over
the school formerly known as Western Baptist was the first time that ACI had
swept a series from the Warriors. Last
year, the Coyotes were 1-4 against the Salem school, while posting a 2-3 record
against them during Corban’s first year of softball in 2004.
TOUGH LUCK AT CONCORDIA: Concordia pitchers limited
the Albertson College softball team to just nine hits on the afternoon, as the
Cavaliers swept a pair of one-run games at Delta Park Friday afternoon, winning
3-2 and 2-1. The Coyotes reached
Concordia starter Annele Huckins in the first inning of the opener, as A.J.
Cavanaugh was hit by a pitch, then came in to score when Katie Zillner doubled
to left and the ball was misplayed. Concordia tied the contest in the bottom of
the third, when Kristin Donohue singled home Kelly Mannion, who had reached base
on a fielder's choice. CU got the
winning runs in the fifth, putting together four hits in the inning. Shalina
Morris' RBI single brought home Donohue, and Krystal Moon delivered a pinch-hit
single to bring in Shayna Ostlund with what would turn out to be the
game-winner. ACI had its chances in
the seventh, as Heather Kirtley's bases-loaded single delivered pinch runner Joelle
Cote (Great Falls, Mont. / Great Falls HS), but Huckins was able to
strike out Cavanaugh with the sacks full to end the game. The visitors went in front in the fourth
inning of Game 2, as Kirtley walked, then scored on Cavanaugh's double to left
and a throwing error. However, the Cavs tied it in the fifth and won it in
extra innings, as Kelly Rattay scored with the bases loaded on a passed ball to
end the contest.
NO SHUTOUTS: Through the first 25 games this
season, the ACI softball team has scored at least one run in every
contest. Dating back to last season,
the Lady ‘Yotes have run their consecutive game streak without being shutout to
29 – a school record. The previous mark
was 15 games, set during the 2004 season.
EASTERN OREGON HEADS TO C-TOWN: Albertson
will be gunning for their first-ever Cascade Conference season sweep, as the
Coyotes host rival Eastern Oregon Friday afternoon at Symms Field. The Mountaineers (8-19, 3-7 CCC) are on a
bit of a role after ending a ten-game losing streak on Friday at Corban. Eastern has won 5-of-6 games, including 13-0
and 9-0 wins on Tuesday at Walla Walla College. Pitching has been the downfall for EOU this season, as Mountie
hurlers have a combined 6.87 ERA with 96 walks and just 74 strikeouts – and opponents
are hitting .340 against them. Eastern
does have a potent batting line-up, led by transfer Leanne Foster (.351 7 HR 27
RBI) and Hannah Shelley (.351 5 HR 17 RBI).
ACI has won all four games between the teams this season, but the
Mountaineers hold a 22-6 all-time series edge.
THIS YEAR VS. THE PAST AGAINST EASTERN: With the
Lady ‘Yotes 4-0 record against EOU this season, it is very evident why
Albertson is having success. In 24
games prior to this season, ACI had held the Mountaineers to two or fewer runs
in a game just four times, while scoring two-or-more runs just seven times in
those games. This season, the Coyotes
have scored three-or-more runs in every game, while holding Eastern to two or
fewer runs in three of the four contests (the other was a 12-4 ACI win).
UTAH VALLEY STATE TO PLAY FOUR THIS WEEKEND: Eastern
Oregon will not leave Caldwell on Friday, as the Mountaineers and the Coyotes
will both play weekend doubleheaders against NCAA Division I independent, Utah
Valley State, at Symms Field. The
Wolverines (10-26) have played a difficult schedule – including losses to
Top-25 teams Washington and Oklahoma.
Led by hard-throwing right-hander Jackie Roberts (6-11 3.92 ERA), UVSC
has swept all seven previous meetings with the Coyotes, including 11-1 and 10-2
decisions to open the 2006 season.
MORE
INFORMATION:
Updated information and statistics on the 2006 softball team can be found on
Albertson softball official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/fastpitch.htm. Up-to-date NAIA Region I standings can be
found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/softball/stats/standings.htm.
TRACK: Three Coyotes record NAIA automatic qualifying marks,
squad takes week off in preparation for University of Oregon Invitational
LAST
WEEK: at Willamette
Invitational and Northwest Nazarene Open
COMING
UP: at University
of Oregon Invitational, Apr. 21-23.
THREE COYOTES HEADED FOR FRESNO: Three Albertson College runners
qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Championships Friday evening with outstanding
performances at the Willamette Invitational at the Charles Bowles Track. On the women's side, Shannon Edwards
met the NAIA "A" (Automatic) qualifying standard with her third-place
finish in the 10,000-meters. She ran 25
laps of the track in 37:45.46, the fourth-fastest time in the NAIA this season. Two men's runners also met the NAIA
"A" standard as David Fluckiger placed fifth in the
1,500-meters and Jacob Haas placed fourth in the 10,000-meters. Fluckiger ran his race in 3:53.34 - the fifth-fastest
time in the NAIA this season, while Haas ran a 31:46.06 in the 10K - the 12th-fastest
time in the NAIA this season.
‘YOTES WIN TWO RACES AT NNU: Tyler Hopper made it
2-for-2 in 800-meter races this outdoor season, racing past 12 other
competitors for the title at the Northwest Nazarene Open on Saturday
afternoon. The sophomore finished the
two-lap event in 1:55.85, less than two seconds from the NAIA "A"
qualifying time. Also finding her way
into the winners circle was Jayne Saunders, who took home the gold in
the 400-meter hurdles. The freshman from Emmett finished in 1:07.29, less
than two seconds off the NAIA qualifying time.
On the women's side, Martine Troy finished third in the
400-meters (1:03.41), while on the men's side, Matt Barclay placed third
in the 400 (49.70), despite running the final 100-meters with a tweaked
hamstring.
COYOTES TO TAKE WEEK OFF FROM COMPETITION: The track
team will use the Spring Break at ACI to train for next weekend’s University of
Oregon Invitational at the revered Hayward Field. Last year, three Coyotes earned NAIA “A” times at the event.
McCURRY OUT TO DEFEND TITLE: On
Saturday morning, the annual Race to Robie Creek will take place in Boise –
with Coyote head coach Pat McCurry out to defend his 2005 Robie
title. The unusual half-marathon, which
follows dirt roads and has enormous elevation fluctuations, is one of the more
challenging and unique races in the United States. McCurry will be one of 2,400 entries of the event, which starts
at Fort Boise.
MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 track team
can be found on Albertson track official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/track.htm.
GOLF: ‘Yotes
finish fifth at Lewis-Clark State Invitational
LAST WEEK: at Lewis-Clark State Invitational (Men – fifth-place, Women –
incomplete team)
COMING UP: at Westminster College Spring Invitational – Wingpointe
G.C., Salt Lake City, Monday (36 holes), Tuesday (18 holes)
COYOTE MEN FINISH FIFTH AT LC-STATE: The Albertson College men’s golf
team competed Monday and Tuesday at the Lewis-Clark State Invitational at the
Lewiston Country Club, finishing in fifth-place out of eight teams. As a team, ACI finished 144 strokes over par
– with freshman Ben Coate posting the best 54-hole score with a 33-over
249. Host LC-State won the tournament
at 25-over, followed by Montana Tech and Westminster.
PASLEY HAS TO WITHDRAW: The ‘Yotes top golfer in Monday’s opening round,
sophomore John Pasley, had to withdraw from the tournament after a
severe case of the flu-bug that has been going around the Treasure Valley. Pasley shot an opening round 77 and was in
the Top-15 when he was unable to complete the second-round.
GALLANT EARNS TOP-TEN FINISH: The Lady ‘Yotes were unable to
register a team score in the even (ACI has three women’s golfers, four are
needed to score), but Sarah Gallant continued her stellar NAIA Region I career
with a tenth-place finish. The senior shot
a 46-over 262 – but carded the fifth-best opening round, firing an 85. Another Coyote, Sarah Huston,
finished in the Top-20, as she placed 19th.
OFF TO SALT LAKE: Easter Sunday, the Coyote golf team will head to Salt Lake
City for the final tune-up for the NAIA Region I Tournament, as Wingpointe Golf
Club hosts the Westminster College Spring Invitational.
MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2006 golf team
can be found on Albertson track official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/golf.htm.
- ALBERTSON -