Collegiate Baseball Association

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As the 1891 season prepared to start, Ephraim found himself looking over the last edition of the Collegiate Baseball Times while in his office. He knew he wouldn't have time to do so at home, with six kids running around and another on the way. Yep, you read that right. Baby number seven was due in late July. As for the other six, James was now 10 and was planning his own baseball career, along with Warren, 9. Mary would be seven soon, while Charles would turn five just two days after Mary's birthday. And the twins, Louise and Thomas, would be two years old just two days after that. April was going to be a busy birthday month in the Herring household!

Anyway, it was that time again. Preseason Predictions!! It looked as though the sports writers were favoring last year's regional winners to repeat. Harvard was picked to win the New England Region, while Princeton was again the team to beat for the Northeast Region crown. There was no love for defending champion Cornell, who had been picked to battle it out with Syracuse for second place in the Northeast. Bucknell was again favored to win the Atlantic, while Mississippi State and Michigan State were again favored to win the Southeast and Great Lakes, respectively. And the new teams were getting no love either. Army and Illinois State were both projected to win only eight games each, while Virginia was picked to win 17 and North Carolina with 18.

Of course, Ephraim checked in on baby brother, Stephen, at Nebraska. Stephen had failed to make the roster again as a relief pitcher, but was still practicing with the team. Stephen had made strides, according to his coach, but still had some improvements to make before he would see any time on the field. Regardless, Ephraim was intrigued by Nebraska, who was picked to have a winning record in only their second CBA season.



Ephraim traveled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for Opening Day. The Tar Heels were having to open up their Collegiate Baseball Association experience by facing the defending champion Cornell Big Red! North Carolina Grounds was a large ballpark, holding 1900 people. The field itself was decent. It was shorter down the lines, at 327 and 328 feet in left and right. Left and right field came in at 357 and 350, while the gaps measured 399 and 387. Center field was 424 feet from home plate. Ephraim met briefly with North Carolina President Colin Rayne, before getting a tour of the team facilities with Athletic Director Tim Busko and Manager Phil Rae. When asked, Rae told Ephraim the two best players on the team were his #1 and #2 starting pitchers, sophomore Clark Griffith and junior George Rettger. Rae said he didn't expect much from his team this season, but hoped they would be competitive, win or lose. As for the game, the Tar Heels were competitive, but ultimately lost to Cornell 4-2 in front of 238 fans.

A couple of days later, Ephraim traveled to the University of Virginia to watch the Cavaliers take on Army. Once there, he met with President Justin Parke. Parke made no bones about wanting to win right away. Ephraim could tell that Parke was a demanding personality. They both met with Athletic Director Bill Boyd, the former Lafayette star.

"I don't understand," Ephraim stated, "why you haven't appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot yet, Mr. Boyd."

Boyd laughed. "That was a long time ago, Mr. Herring, and I don't worry myself with that kind of thing. My playing days are behind me, although I do believe the numbers speak for themselves."

The men joined up with Manager Kevin White for a tour of The Ballpark of Virginia, which held 1400 fans. The field was very similar to the one Ephraim had just seen in North Carolina. "Must be a stadium building trend," he thought to himself. The left and right field lines measured 335 and 324. The fields themselves came in at 365 and 358 for left and right. The gaps were at 405 and 395, while dead center was 429 feet deep. While speaking with White, Ephraim learned the team's best player was senior transfer John Wentworth. The catcher played two seasons for Mississippi State, but wanted more playing time and jumped at the chance to play for the Cavaliers. As for the game, both Army and Virginia were 0-2 entering the match-up. The Cavaliers made easy work of those Army boys, winning the game 13-4 in front of a mere 187 people.

As the month progressed, pitching once again dominated the headlines. Penn's season took a huge blow on March 6th, when senior catcher Billy Earle broke a bone in his elbow. Earle was lost for the season, thus ending his collegiate career. On March 13th, Ephraim had to discipline yet another player. In a game between Princeton and Villanova, senior first baseman Ben Hallstrom was called out on strikes by the home plate umpire. Hallstrom gave the ump an earful and the ump gave Hallstrom the thumb. But then Hallstrom stayed on the field for five minutes, continuing to berate the umpire until he was physically removed by Princeton Manager Dan Harkness. But Hallstrom apparently didn't know when to quit, telling reporters "He was blind today. They played 'Three Blind Mice' for him. If he doesn't know the words to the song, I'm sure we can get it in Braille, so he can follow along." Given the totality of the circumstances, Ephraim suspended Hallstrom for three games.

The Quakers' season got worse on March 18th, when they lost sophomore starting pitcher Willie McGill for the season to a torn rotator cuff. And although pitching continued to dominate the headlines, they saw Mississippi State center fielder Jerry Gonzalez put together a decent hitting streak. The junior managed to hit safely for 22 games before seeing the streak end on March 29th. The streak, of course, started last season, as the Bulldogs only played 21 games total in March. John McGraw, the freshman left fielder from Nebraska, was named Rookie of the Month after hitting .364. Rutgers junior Red Ehret was named Pitcher of the Month after posting a 7-0 record and 2.14 ERA. Batter of the Month honors were awarded to VMI junior right fielder Terry Pizzo, who hit .452 on the month.

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The month of April began with the continuation of pitching dominance, as shutout after shutout was thrown in the CBA. On April 4th, Ephraim had to hand out yet more suspensions, as brawls were becoming more and more common. In the 1st inning of a game between Army and Penn, the Black Knights held an early 2-0 lead. Sophomore third baseman Bill Dahlen, however, hit a three run home run to give the Quakers the lead. The following batter, Bryant Dean, worked the count full. But the ninth pitch of the at-bat hit him. Apparently Dean took offense to the pitch by Army's pitcher, senior Matt Rice, and charged the mound. The benches cleared and in the end, both Dean and Rice were ejected. Based on the information Ephraim received from witness reports, Dean was suspended for three games, while Rice was suspended for seven.

On the brighter side, Mississippi State ended the month of March with a 10 game win streak. The Bulldogs proceeded to win their first five games of April to put together an impressive 15 game winning streak. On April 8th, Syracuse learned they were losing freshman pitcher Dave Ryon for the season due to needing surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow. In nine starts, Ryon was 4-4, with a 3.68 ERA. The same day, VMI freshman Jeremiah Jones was also lost for the year to a fractured elbow. The Keydet's #2 recruit for 1890 had pitched in five games, four of them starts, and put together a 1-2 record, with a 2.73 ERA.

Ephraim, with the suspension freshly on his mind, decided to push up his visit to Army, as he traveled to West Point on April 10th, where Army was hosting Cornell (16-11). The Black Knights (3-24) were really struggling, and the suspension hadn't improved the morale in the clubhouse. Upon meeting the Supervisor, Lieutenant General Brian Leicht, Ephraim was reassured the incident was an isolated one and the player was also facing disciplinary measures at the academy as well. Ephraim toured Black Knights Ballpark with Athletic Director Mike Ford and Manager Joe Slayden. The ballpark would comfortably hold 1500 spectators and the field was large. While the left and right field lines measured in at 337 and 335 feet, center field was 433 feet deep. The gaps were over 400 feet as well, coming in at 422 in left and 412 in right. Left and right field were 375 and 372 feet, respectively. Only 315 people turned out for the contest, in which Cornell took an early 3-0 lead after only a couple of innings. Down 5-2 in the 7th, Army rallied to score four times and take the lead, 6-5. Three of those runs scored on a bases loaded triple by senior DH Jon Connell. The Bucknell transfer was named Player of the Game after going 2 for 4 with four RBI, as the Black Knights held on to win the game by the same score.

On April 12th, Keydets first baseman, senior Jake Miller, fell a homer short of the cycle as he went 5 for 5 in a 9-3 win over Lafayette. On April 21st, Michigan State senior second baseman David Woodin made headlines after his 5 for 5 performance. Woodin hit three singles and two doubles in a 6-5 win over Nebraska, including the walk off hit in the 12th to end the game. And while pitching and shutouts continued to be front page news for the month, Northwestern's senior right fielder Steve Brodie quietly put together a hitting streak of 25 straight games by month's end. The Rookie of the Month was Fordham freshman pitcher Jeff Fischer. In seven starts, Fischer went 6-1 with a 1.69 ERA. Pitcher of the Month honors were bestowed upon Lafayette junior Joe Miller. Miller was 7-0 on the month with a 1.14 ERA, and held opposing hitters to a .177 batting average. Northwestern junior first baseman Luke Bleistein was named Batter of the Month. Bleistein hit .380 in April, with three homers, 21 RBI, and 15 runs scored.

As we head into May, Brown is holding onto a one game lead over Harvard in the New England Region. Princeton has a five game lead over Syracuse in the Northeast Region, while Lehigh holds a four game advantage over Bucknell in the Atlantic. In the Southeast Region, Mississippi State has a comfortable ten game lead over Wake Forest, while Michigan State leads Nebraska by six games in the Great Lakes Region.

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The month started with shutout after shutout being thrown by CBA pitchers. Northwestern's Steve Brodie saw his hitting streak end at 27 games on May 5th. Mississippi State became the first team to clinch a region, winning the Southeast Region for the 3rd time on May 11th. On May 13th, Lehigh senior Cody Belair won the 50th game of his collegiate career in a 7-1 victory over Illinois State. The Spartans of Michigan State clinched the Great Lakes Region on May 14th. It is the 3rd regional title for the program. On May 18th, Princeton clinched a berth in the postseason. It is the Tigers 2nd straight appearance in the playoffs, and 3rd in the last four seasons. Two days later, Princeton won the Northeast Region for the eighth time in school history. Brown waited until the last day of the regular season to punch their ticket to the playoffs, as they finished the year tied with Harvard in the New England Region, with both teams finishing at 38-22. Syracuse also finished the season at 38-22, giving the Orange a wild card position. The rest of the Collegiate Baseball Association playoff picture was a mess, though, as Villanova, Lehigh, and Bucknell all tied in the Atlantic Region at 36-24. And to further complicate matters, Cornell finished at 36-24 as well. Needless to say, a few extra games were played. Harvard clinched it's 5th New Englard Region title after defeating Brown 11-2. Lehigh ended up winning the Atlantic Region for the 5th time, as both Bucknell and Villanova are eliminated in extra games. Syracuse claims the #2 wild card slot behind Brown, as Cornell grabs the final playoff position.

So, the playoffs are set. Lehigh will travel to Mississippi State, Harvard is at Syracuse, Brown is on the road against Princeton, while Cornell ventures to Michigan State to take on the Spartans.

Brown senior second baseman Ed Delahanty wins the batting title for the year, as he hit .372 on the season. Lafayette freshman pitcher Gustavo Martinez was named Rookie of the Month, as he was 4-1 in May, and held opposing batters to a .207 batting average. Cornell senior David Velez was named Pitcher of the Month, as he posted a 7-0 mark in May, with a 1.77 ERA. Delahanty was named Batter of the Month, hitting .474, with five homers, 13 RBI, and 19 runs scored.

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Game 1

Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The weather was beautiful for this one, 77 degrees and partly cloudy, with a gentle wind blowing from right to left. Senior Cody Belair got the start for Lehigh. Belair had a good season, finishing with a record of 13-8 and a 2.08 ERA in 21 starts. But he's up against junior pitcher/first baseman Pat Luby, who had an outstanding year!! Luby finished the regular season with a mark of 17-3 and a 1.31 ERA in 20 starts. In two seasons, Luby has a career regular season record of 33-7, with a 1.81 ERA in 40 starts.

Luby starts the game with a three up, three down 1st inning, and the Bulldogs reward him by scoring two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Mississippi State extended their 2-0 lead in the 5th inning, when they score three times to make it a 5-0 lead. But Lehigh comes back in the top of the 6th. Behind three base hits, two errors, and two wild pitches, the Mountain Hawks score four times to close the gap to 5-4. But Luby buckles down and the Bulldogs ride the game out, winning by the same score and taking a 1-0 series lead.

Harvard Crimson vs. Syracuse Orange

Junior Billy Rhines gets the nod for the Crimson for Game 1. Rhines went 12-8 for the second consecutive year and lowered his ERA from 2.38 last season to 2.32 this year. Rhines led the CBA in innings pitched with 190 innings over 21 starts. Syracuse senior Brad Perry saved his best for last, putting together the best season of his collegiate career. Perry went 12-7 this season, with a 2.24 ERA. Perry hasn't allowed a home run in two years, with the last homer coming against him in the 1889 playoffs. The weather was fine for this one, 60 degrees, clear skies, and the wind blowing gently out to right.

Perry was nothing less than dominant in this game, holding the Crimson to only three hits. Syracuse scored twice in the 3rd, and once more in both the 5th and 6th innings on their way to a 4-1 win. Perry was named Player of the Game, as he struck out six and walked one in the victory.

Brown Bears vs. Princeton Tigers

The weather was a little rough in New Jersey, as the wind blew from right to left at 20 mph during the game. On the mound for Brown was senior Paul Groot, who had a challenging season at 10-9 and 3.86 ERA. The Bears #2 prospect from the 1887 recruiting class spent his first three seasons in the bullpen before getting a starting role in the final season of his collegiate career. Princeton chose to go with young talent, starting freshman Trey Burns. Burns was impressive in his first year, putting together a record of 14-6, with a 2.65 ERA in 20 starts.

But the inexperience showed. With two on and two out in the 2nd inning, Burns gave up a triple to Brown sophomore third baseman Heri Martinez. The Bears would score runs in the 5th, 7th, and 8th innings to push their lead to 5-0. Princeton gets a couple of hits and scores three times in the bottom of the 8th, but it's too little, too late, as Brown wins 5-3.

Cornell Big Red vs. Michigan State Spartans

The wind was making the game a challenge in East Lansing as well, blowing in from left at 13 mph. That was just one challenge of many the defending champs are going to have to face in order to defend their title. The Big Red send senior David Velez to the mound. Velez had another fine season, finishing 12-6, with a 2.32 ERA in 21 starts. He had a stellar postseason last year during Cornell's championship run, going 3-0 in four starts, with a 2.48 ERA. But the champs will have to contend with Spartan senior Scott Stratton on the hill. Although his win-loss record didn't reflect it, Stratton may have had a better season this year than last, when he put up an 18-2 mark. This season, Stratton put together an 11-8 record, but he dropped his ERA from 2.49 last season to 1.91 this year.

Michigan State got on the board in the 2nd inning behind two singles, a double, and a triple. The Spartans scored twice, then built on their lead by scoring a run in the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th innings for a 6-0 lead. Cornell plated two runs in the 9th, but end up losing to the Spartans 6-2.

Game 2

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Lehigh Mountain Hawks

There was beautiful baseball weather at Mountain Hawks Ballpark, with clear skies and 64 degrees. The Bulldogs sent senior Frank Dwyer to the mound today. Dwyer had his best collegiate season yet, putting together a 14-5 record and 1.53 ERA. Lehigh matches with a 14 game winner of their own, as junior Ed Fuller got the nod. Fuller was also 14-5 on the season, with a 2.06 ERA. The 1474 fans got what you would expect out of this match up, a pitcher's duel.

Mississippi State started the game with a couple of base hits and scored a run on a wild pitch to take an early 1-0 lead in the 1st inning. The Bulldogs got two more hits in the 4th, scoring twice more to push their lead to 3-0. Lehigh hit back-to-back doubles in the 6th to get a run across the plate, but didn't really have an answer for Dwyer. Mississippi State, behind Dwyer's five hitter, go on to win 3-1 and take the series 2-0.

Syracuse Orange vs. Harvard Crimson

It's windy and cool in Crimson Ballpark for this one, as the game was played under partly cloudy skies. The temperature sat at 58 degrees, with the wind blowing in from center at 13 mph. The Orange pitched senior Jack Stivetts, who was 14-5 this year, with a 1.70 ERA in 21 starts. Stivetts led the CBA with 109 strikeouts. Junior Dave Anderson was on the hill for Harvard. Anderson was 15-5 this season, with a 2.28 ERA in 20 starts.

The Orange started the game with two triples and a single in the first two innings to take an early 3-0 lead. Harvard rallied in the 5th behind three base hits. The Crimson scored twice, but the tying run was cut down at the plate by a fabulous throw from Syracuse utility freshman Zach Swayze, who was playing in center field. The Orange get an insurance run in the 6th on a base loaded walk and go on to win the game 4-2, taking the series 2-0.

Princeton Tigers vs. Brown Bears

Cool weather also at Bears Ballpark, with partly cloudy skies, 61 degrees, and a 9 mph wind blowing out to center. Princeton sends junior George Hemming to the mound. Hemming was 12-6 on the season, with a 2.68 ERA in 19 starts. On the hill for the home team Bears was junior transfer Ted Breitenstein, who was 14-7 this year, with a 2.34 ERA in 21 starts.

Princeton got to Breitenstein early, scoring two runs in the 1st inning thanks to two Brown errors, a base hit, and a wild pitch. The Tigers scored again in the 2nd and 3rd innings to build a 4-0 advantage. Brown managed to plate a run in the 5th, but Princeton cruises to a 4-1 win, tying the series at a game a piece.

Michigan State Spartans vs. Cornell Big Red

The weather was fine in Big Red Ballpark, with clear skies and a gentle wind blowing out to right. The Spartans started senior Joe Grieco, who was 14-6 this year, with a 2.32 ERA. Cornell gave the start to sophomore Daniel Sanford, who was 12-8 this season, with a 3.67 ERA. Sanford, you may recall, picked up a win and two saves in his three playoff appearances as a freshman during the Big Red's championship run.

Michigan State strikes first in this game, getting three base hits in the 2nd inning and scoring twice. A third would-be run was cut down on a throw to the plate by Cornell sophomore center fielder George Davis. The Big Red plated a run in the 3rd and 6th innings to tie the game 2-2. Scott Stratton would score on a wild pitch in the 7th to give the Spartans back the lead, 3-2. But Cornell responded in kind, scoring twice in the bottom of the 7th to take the lead, 4-3. Michigan State freshman catcher Paul Patterson, who hit .194 in 12 games this season, stroked a single to start off the top of the 9th. He advanced to second on a sac bunt. After a fly out, Scott Johnson lined a single into center. Patterson rounded third and headed home, as Davis fields the ball. The throw to the plate and Patterson is......SAFE!!!! Game tied, 4-4!!! The bats for both teams fall silent, and the game went into extra innings. A throwing error in the 11th allows Patterson to score again, giving Michigan State the lead. Cornell can't answer, and the Spartans win the game 5-4, and take the series 2-0.

Game 3

Brown Bears vs. Princeton Tigers

Groot and Burns return to the mound for a Game 3 rematch of Game 1 starters. The skies are clear in New Jersey, as the game is played in 71 degree temperatures. The wind was blowing out at 13 mph. Brown takes an early lead, thanks to senior second baseman "Big Ed" Delahanty's two run, inside-the-park homer in the top of the 1st inning. Princeton chipped away at the Bear lead, scoring a run in the 4th to make it 2-1, then tying the game in the 6th with another run. But a base hit, an error, and a wild pitch in the 7th allow the Brown Bears to score twice and retake the lead, 4-2. Neither team's bats can muster much else, as Brown goes on to win the game and take the series, 2-1.




So, the Semi-Final Series are set. Syracuse travels to Mississippi State to challenge the Bulldogs, while Brown heads to East Lansing to take on the Spartans of Michigan State.

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Game 1

Syracuse Orange vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

The weather is beautiful for today's Game 1 matchup between Syracuse and Mississippi State, as the skies are clear and it's a balmy 83 degrees. Senior "Happy Jack" Stivetts (1-0, 1.00) gets the nod from the skipper today for the Orange. The CBA strikeout leader will face off against Bulldog junior Pat Luby (1-0, 1.00).

Syracuse manage a couple of singles to start off the game, but nothing comes of it. Mississippi State, however, was able to plate runs in the bottom of the 1st. The Bulldogs hit two singles and a double, scoring twice in the inning to take an early 2-0 lead. The Orange come back to tie the game in the top of the 3rd, getting two base hits. Combined with a fielding error, Syracuse scores two times and the game is knotted up 2-2. The Orange make use of a leadoff double in the top of the 5th, bringing the runner around on a fly out and sac fly to take their first lead of the game, 3-2. It doesn't last long, however, as Mississippi State scores a run of their own in the bottom of the 5th on a sac fly. Game tied, 3-3. Both teams get runners to third in the 8th inning, but end up stranding them. The Bulldogs put men on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, but the inning ends on a fly out.

The game goes into extra innings. The pitchers stay in the game, dueling it out and mowing down hitters. Syracuse got two base hits to lead off the top of the 13th inning, but sophomore left fielder Dusty Hartley is caught stealing third. Two fly outs later, the Orange walk away with nothing. The Bulldogs get two hits and a walk off of Stivetts in the bottom of the 13th, but all three men test the arm of junior catcher Paul Hume. All three fail, as each man is thrown out trying to steal second base. Syracuse senior shortstop Bob Gilman Allen leads off the 14th by reaching on a fielding error. He advances to second on a sac bunt. After an intentional walk is issued, Orange skipper Adam Mann calls for the double steal. Allen reaches third, as Brandon Goodley is thrown out at second by Bulldog catcher Ethan Forrester. A few pitches later, Luby throws a wild pitch, and Allen sprints in to score, giving Syracuse a 4-3 lead!! Mississippi State gets a man on in the bottom of the 14th, but Forrester grounds into a game ending double play. Syracuse wins it, 4-3.

Brown Bears vs. Michigan State Spartans

A capacity crowd is on hand in East Lansing for the first game of this series. Brown sends junior Ted Breitenstein (0-1, 0.00) to the mound, while Michigan State puts senior Scott Stratton (1-0, 2.00) on the hill. Breitenstein gets in trouble early, allowing three base hits in the bottom of the 1st, and issuing two walks against the Spartans. He's lucky to escape with only two runs scoring, as Michigan State takes the early lead, 2-0. The Bears manage to get three straight hits off of Stratton with one out in the 3rd, but senior left fielder Steve Barrett throws the runner out at the plate for out number two. A fly out ends the inning and Brown walks away with nothing.

The Spartans break the game open in the bottom of the 7th, as senior first baseman Mike Singleton highlights a four run inning with a three run shot to right center. The 410 foot homer is Singleton's sixth of the season. Now leading 6-0, Michigan State gives up a couple of runs to Brown in the 8th, only to counter with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The Spartans go on to win by a score of 8-2.

Game 2

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Syracuse Orange

Game 2 of this series features senior Frank Dwyer (1-0, 1.00) on the mound for Mississippi State. Syracuse counters with a senior of their own in Brad Perry (1-0, 0.00). Nothing doing for the first inning and a half. Syracuse pounds out three singles in the bottom of the 2nd, but comes away empty handed as they strand the runners. The Orange do manage, however, to plate runs in the 3rd and 4th innings for an early 2-0 lead. Mississippi State finally figures Perry out in the top of the 6th, as they pelt four singles and a double in the inning. The Bulldogs score four times to take their first lead of the game, 4-2.

The score remains the same as we enter the bottom of the 9th. Dwyer issues a free pass to Jack Stivetts, who is playing in centerfield today after pitching in Game 1. Dusty Hartley follows up with a double, putting runners on second and third with no outs. A ground out scores Stivetts and moves Hartley to third. Senior first baseman Jake Beckley, the three time Great Glove winner, steps into the batter's box and sends an 0-1 pitch into left for an RBI single. Game tied, 4-4!!! Dwyer gives up two more hits in the inning and loads the bases, but somehow manages to escape as we head to extra innings once again.

In the bottom of the 12th, Syracuse has a chance to win the game, after Stivetts hits a one out triple. Mann calls for the squeeze play, but Hartley misses the ball!!! Stivetts is out by a mile as he comes home and gets tagged out. The Orange miss out on a huge opportunity to end this one. But they would find redemption in the 13th inning, as the Bulldogs commit an error to put the leadoff man on. An intentional walk puts men on first and second with no outs, as Mississippi State looks for a double play ball. But Dwyer throws a wild pitch, advancing the runners. The subsequent fly out isn't very deep, but the runner on third breaks for home. The throw to the plate is off the mark and Syracuse scores!!! The Orange win the game, 5-4, and take the series two games to none.

Michigan State Spartans vs. Brown Bears

The weather is nice in Providence, Rhode Island, for Game 2 of this series, but it's a bit windy, as mother nature is blowing the wind out to center at 20 mph!! Regardless, 1884 fans have come out to Bears Ballpark to see this game. Senior Joe Grieco (1-0, 0.84) is on the mound for the Spartans, while the Bears send senior Paul Groot (2-0, 1.50) to the hill. Groot has a rough start, as he and Scott Stratton, the leadoff hitter, battle through 11 pitches before Stratton goes down on strikes. Groot would allow one hit in the inning, but throw 27 pitches, 10 of which were fouled off. The 2nd inning isn't much better for Groot, as he throws 31 pitches. This time, the Spartans tag him for a single and two doubles en route to scoring three runs. Brown manages a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, and after two, Michigan State leads 3-1.

The Spartans build their lead in the 5th, thanks to a base hit and two Bear errors. Michigan State scores twice to push the score to 5-1. The Spartans score runs in the 6th and 7th innings to make it 7-1. Brown senior shortstop Ethan Rodriguez hits a two run home run to right in the bottom of the 7th to cut the Spartan lead down to 7-3. Brown mounts a comeback in the bottom of the 8th, as junior first baseman Mark Noffsinger leads the inning off with a triple. Junior DH Kurt Remington lines the ball into left for an RBI single to make it 7-4. Two outs later, however, and it looks like the rally is done. But Rodriguez grinds out an infield hit to put runners on first and second. An RBI single by junior catcher Jerry Harrington scores another run, and the score is now 7-5. An error by Spartan third baseman Brian Schnell loads the bases. Grieco then walks in a run to make it a one run game, 7-6, with the batting champ, Ed Delahanty, due up. But Delahanty grounds out to second to end the inning. Unfortunately for Brown, they can't tie the game in the 9th, as Michigan State holds on to win the game 7-6, taking the series two games to none.




So, the Collegiate Championship Series is set, as Syracuse heads to East Lansing to take on Michigan State for the 1891 national title!!

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Game 1

Syracuse Orange vs. Michigan State Spartans

Syracuse senior Jack Stivetts (2-0, 1.57) is on the mound for the Orange for Game 1 of the 1891 Collegiate Championship Series. Two way player and fellow senior Scott Stratton (2-0, 1.50) takes the hill for the Spartans. A near capacity crowd of 1597 are on hand in Spartans Ballpark. The first few innings were as expected, with not a lot of offense off of these two pitchers. Michigan State strikes first in the bottom of the 4th With two outs and men on second and third, freshman catcher Paul Patterson (12 G, .194 avg) comes to the plate and delivers a base hit into left center. The throw from center fielder Zach Swayze is not in time and both baserunners cross the plate. At the end of four, Michigan State leads 2-0. The Spartans add to their lead in the 7th, as Patterson hits a triple and later comes home on a Syracuse fielding error.

Down 3-0, the Orange finally get on the board in the 8th behind right fielder Dan Lally's two run homer to right. Syracuse holds the Spartans and enters the 9th trailing 3-2. Left fielder Dusty Hartley leads off the inning with a base hit. A fielding error by Michigan State puts another runner on the base paths. Syracuse first baseman Jake "Eagle Eye" Beckley, lays down a perfect bunt in front of the plate. His sacrifice advances the runners to second and third. A hard grounder to short on the next at-bat holds the runners, bringing up junior catcher Paul Hume. Hume hit .308 this season, and is hitting .286 in the postseason. He's 0 for 3 today, however. Hume likes the first pitch he sees, swings and connects. It flies into right center, but freshman Ryan Morse comes over from right field and makes the catch easily. Game over, as Michigan State hangs on to win Game 1 by the score of 3-2.

Game 2

Michigan State vs. Syracuse Orange

The series moves to Syracuse for Game 2, where 1785 fans have come out to Orange Ballpark to see this game. Ephraim Herring is in attendance, holding the championship trophy should Michigan State win this one. The Spartans send senior Joe Grieco (2-0, 2.75) to the mound. The Orange pin their hopes on senior Brad Perry (2-0, 1.64). These pitchers are dueling, as the game is scoreless through four innings. That changes in the bottom of the 5th, when Dusty Hartley triples for Syracuse to lead off the inning. Two outs later, Hartley would score on a wild pitch by Grieco. After five innings, Syracuse holds a 1-0 advantage. The duel continues through the sixth inning. In the bottom of the 7th, Hartley again gets on base, although this one is just a single. He must make the Spartan battery nervous, though, as he advances to second on a passed ball. Harley goes to third on a ground out to second, but then Grieco throws ANOTHER wild pitch to allow Hartley to score!! Syracuse lead 2-0.

Junior shortstop Chad Potts leads off the 8th with a triple, as Michigan State looks to rally late. But two outs later, Potts is still sitting 90 feet away from home plate. Senior second baseman David Woodin grounds the ball to short, but manages to beat it out for an infield single!! Potts scores and Michigan State finally gets on the board! But Perry manages to get out of the inning with his lead still intact, 2-1. The Orange, however, don't like the game so close, so they give Perry some insurance in the bottom half of the 8th. Syracuse hits two singles and two triples off of Grieco, scoring three times and pushing their lead to 5-1. The Spartans manage to draw a walk in the 9th, but nothing more, as Syracuse goes on to win this game and even the series at a game a piece.

Game 3

Syracuse Orange vs. Michigan State Spartans

Ephraim made the trip to East Lansing for the final game of the season, along with 1584 others. He had a lot on his mind with the upcoming offseason, with the addition of two more teams and a meeting with some students from New York who wanted to present a mathematical formula for ranking teams. Ephraim knew there had been arguments between fans and newspapers alike about where the teams of the CBA ranked, so maybe this formula would help calm things down. Then again, maybe it would just make things worse. Anyway, the weather wasn't great, rain and 64 degrees, with the wind blowing in from left. Jack Stivetts (2-1, 1.16) and Scott Stratton (3-0, 1.67) returned to the mound for a rematch of Game 1.

The game is scoreless until the bottom of the 3rd, when Michigan State senior first baseman Mike Singleton hits an RBI single to give the Spartans the lead, 1-0. After shutting down Syracuse in the top of the 4th, Michigan State scores two more times in the bottom half of the inning to increase their lead to 3-0. Stratton is still on fire in the 5th inning, as are the Spartan bats. The home team scores a run on a Syracuse error and two more on senior third baseman Brian Schnell's 2-RBI double. With a 6-0 lead, Michigan State cruises the rest of the way, winning the game 6-1 and taking the series, two games to one, for their first National Championship!!

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The press the CBA received from Ephraim's announcement of the preseason Top 5 rankings wasn't good. But as far as Ephraim was concerned, bad press was still free advertising! The talk continued in the papers for a month, building up the suspense for Opening Day.

The preseason predictions came out as always, providing for plenty of banter between fans and sportswriters alike. With the exception of the new program in Vermont, the New England Region looks to be a tight race. Dartmouth and Yale are projected to finish neck and neck for the regional title, with Harvard and Brown close behind. In the Northeast Region, #3 Fordham is favored to win the title, with #5 Columbia and Syracuse close behind. Princeton, Rutgers, and Cornell are all predicted to finish the season with winning records, while Army finishes in the basement once again. The favorite to take the Atlantic Region is historical powerhouse, #4 Villanova. Both Lehigh and Lafayette are projected to compete for the title, but finish behind the Wildcats. Bucknell, Penn, Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia fill out the regional standings.

Wake Forest has earned a preseason #2 ranking, and looks to unseat defending Southeast Region champion, Mississippi State, who is predicted to finish 2nd in the region. Wofford and North Carolina look to continue to struggle. And in what is considered the biggest surprise of the offseason is the rise of Northwestern to #1. The Wildcats are the favorite to take the Great Lakes Region over Nebraska. Illinois State, Michigan State, and Michigan round out the region. The defending champion Spartans lost 17 players to graduation and will be looking to rebuild.

With two new teams joining in the offseason, Ephraim was anxious to get on the road and visit both schools. His first trip was to be to Ann Arbor, Michigan, on March 8th for their home opener against Bucknell. The second trip, to Vermont, was scheduled for April. His expectations weren't high for the team. Based on the preseason rankings, the Wolverines were ranked dead last in the association. When he arrived, he met with Michigan Athletic Director Nathan Wurz.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Wurz. I thought I was meeting with President Hopkins when I arrived," Ephraim stated, referring to the head of the university, Nate Hopkins.

"I am sorry, Mr. Commissioner, but President Hopkins stated he was too busy to meet with you today and asked me to fill in for your visit." Wurz seemed uncomfortable as he talked to Ephraim. "Shall we go see the facilities?" Wurz said, as he motioned for Ephraim to follow him. "It's just a short ride down the street."

Being snubbed by a university president wasn't exactly something Ephraim was used to, and something he didn't particularly care for. The one time Ephraim had met with Hopkins prior to Michigan joining the CBA wasn't particularly pleasant. At the time, Ephraim thought Hopkins didn't really want his school to join the CBA, but had been pressured to by his university board.

The two men traveled to Wolverines Ballpark, a small stadium with a capacity of 1400. The park was definitely unique. Deep into the outfield was a large wall in right. Wurz explained there were some homes just on the other side of right field, so a large wall had been built in the hopes of minimizing any balls hitting them. The field itself measured 334 feet down the left field line, 372 feet to left field, and a whopping 426 feet in the left-center gap. But it got better! Center was 440 feet away from home, but the right-center gap got deeper, going out 450 feet!! The wall in these areas was seven feet tall. Right field came in at 392 feet, with the right field line at 337 feet. The large wall Wurz referred to measured 15 feet tall in right.

Commissioner Herring met with Manager Tony Pettaway, and spoke to him about his team, his hopes for their initial season in the CBA, and their home opener against Cornell.

"The guys are off to a rough start, but we expected that. They're young and/or inexperienced, so we know it's just going to take time to build this program up into a powerhouse." After shocking Lehigh with a 3-2 win on Opening Day, the Wolverines had dropped four straight, coming off a sweep at the hands of Michigan State. The weather was definitely cold, 34 degrees at game time, and only 193 people were on hand for the event. Bucknell (2-2) took an early 4-0 lead midway through the 2nd, but Michigan came back, scoring once in the 2nd and twice more in the 3rd to make it 4-3. But the Wolverine bats were like the weather after that, cold. Michigan only managed to get two hits in the remaining innings, as the Bison hold on to win the game by the same score of 4-3.

Pitching dominated the CBA for the first few weeks of March. On the 22nd, Villanova senior center fielder Brad Aulbach went 5 for 6 with a walk against the Brown Bears. The Bears, however, were able to win the game 9-8 in 11 innings, dropping the preseason #4 team to 8-8 on the young season. On the same day, Vermont lost promising freshman pitcher Dave Taylor for the season with shoulder inflammation. Taylor was 3-1 in six starts, with a 1.79 ERA. The following day, Mississippi State lost senior center fielder Jerry Gonzalez for four weeks to a fractured thumb. The injury occurred in the 8th inning of a 5-2 loss against Lafayette when Gonzalez caught a diving fly ball to right center. By the end of the month, Brown's pitching or fielding looks to be questionable. On the 27th, Vermont freshman center fielder Jarred Clay was 5 for 5 at Bears Ballpark, as the Catamounts defeated Brown by the score of 11-3.

At the end of the month, Fordham freshman pitcher Ken Storm was named both Rookie and Pitcher of the Month. Storm starts his season at 7-0, with a 1.73 ERA. Cornell junior center fielder George Davis earns Batter of the Month honors after hitting .356, with four homers, 22 RBI, and 19 runs scored. As the month comes to an end, the rankings have been shuffled, as some teams perform to their expectations, while others didn't.

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The month of April started out with terrible news for Nebraska second baseman John McGraw, as he was injured on the 1st in a game against Dartmouth. McGraw had led the game off with a single. The subsequent batter grounded to short, so McGraw slid into the shortstop at second to break up the double play. He did so, but it came at a huge cost, as McGraw tore the ligaments in his ankle, ending his sophomore season.

Back in New York, Ephraim was preparing to leave for his trip to see Vermont for their April 12th contest against Illinois State. Irene was none too happy, though. She was pregnant....again. This would be baby number eight, to go along with the five boys and two girls they already had. She was five months along at this point, with the baby due in August. So he did what any good husband would do. He contacted his mom and dad to come over and give Irene a couple of extra hands with the kids. His dad understood the rigors of traveling for the job. Besides, the grandparents always wanted time to spoil their grandchildren.

When Ephraim arrived in Burlington, Vermont, he was met by the university president Allen Tracey.

"This is a beautiful city, President Tracey," Ephraim stated.

"Thank you, Commissioner Herring. It's a great little port town, right on Lake Champlain. The last census had the population at over 14,000 people and growing" Tracey replied. The men talked further about the University of Vermont and the town as they made their way to Catamounts Ballpark. The new stadium held 1400 fans, and had a symmetrical field. The left and right lines measured 323 and 322 feet, with left field at 350 and right at 343. The gaps came in at 387 and 384 feet in left and right center, while dead center was 423 feet. The outfield wall was 10 feet tall. Athletic Director Danny Palma and Manager Chris DiGennaro met up with Ephraim while he was touring the facility.

"Your team has started out pretty well," Ephraim told the men.

"Yes, better than we expected, given the level of competition the CBA brings," stated Palma.

DiGennaro replied, "We've got a great group of kids, Commissioner Herring. They're 12-17 right now, and we've faced Illinois State already this season, so I can see our record improving."

The weather for the game was less than ideal, 41 degrees and rain. The attendance was also less than ideal at 288 people. Regardless, DiGennaro was right. The Catamounts put three runs on the board in the 1st and never looked back, cruising to a 6-1 win behind their ace, sophomore Christian Rescigno. Rescigno had transferred from Villanova in the offseason after not getting any playing time with the Wildcats. The win gave Rescigno a 3-1 win-loss mark, with a 2.81 ERA.

On the 16th, Wofford Terriers freshman catcher Christian Reddick was ejected after arguing strikes with the umpire. While not normally suspension worthy, Reddick continued to berate the umpire and speak poorly about him after the game to reporters. Ephraim felt the lack of respect and speaking out to the press was not the quality of player he wanted the Collegiate Baseball Association to be known for, so he suspended Reddick for three games. The following day, April 17th, Michigan State senior catcher Dirk Van Loo hit for the cycle in a 9-2 win over Nebraska. For the game, Van Loo was 5 for 5, with a single, two doubles, a triple, and a home run. The performance improved Van Loo's average to .333 on the year.

Pitching continues to be the strong point in the CBA, with shutout after shutout thrown by collegiate pitchers. Penn freshman pitcher Caleb Holloway was named April's Rookie of the Month after putting together a 6-1 record in seven starts, with a 1.84 ERA. Fellow Quaker, senior Ben Craft, was named Pitcher of the Month following an 8-0 performance and 0.86 ERA in eight starts. Mississippi State senior third baseman Terry Shelton earned Batter of the Month honors. Shelton hit .371, with three homers, 20 RBI, and 26 runs scored. As for the rankings, well, they got shuffled in the second month of the season. Fordham moved up from their #3 ranking into the #1 spot, while former #1 Syracuse slid down to #4 after a 12-10 record in April. Leapfrogging the Orange were Wake Forest and Cornell, who are the new #2 and #3 teams in the CBA. Penn is now up to #5.

In the standings, Dartmouth holds a one game lead over Yale in the New England Region. Fordham is up by a game over Cornell in the Northeast, with Syracuse three games back. Penn has built a solid five game lead over Villanova in the Atlantic, while Wake Forest has a commanding eight game advantage in the Southeast Region. Nebraska leads the Great Lakes Region by two games over preseason favorite Northwestern.

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As has been the case for many seasons in the CBA, pitching continues to dominate the headlines through out the month of May. That is, with the exception of Paul Hume. The senior catcher/relief pitcher for the Syracuse Orange put together a hit streak of 20 games by May 6th. By the 13th, the streak was up to 25 games. On the 14th, Wake Forest clinched the Southeast Region title for the 1st time in the Demon Deacon's history. Two days later, on May 16th, the Pennsylvania Quakers clinched the Atlantic Region title. The title is only the 2nd in Penn's history, and it's first since 1875. The Quakers did win the national title in 1883, however, it was as a wild card entry. On May 18th, the Michigan Wolverines put an end to Paul Hume's hit streak, ending it at 28 games, but still lost the contest 1-0 to Syracuse. Hume's streak ends six games shy of tying the CBA record set by former Syracuse third baseman John Baker, who set the mark in 1874.

On May 19th, three more teams punched their ticket to the postseason. Dartmouth secured the New England Region title, the 4th in their program's history. Nebraska locked down the Great Lakes Region title for the 1st time in school history. And Fordham clinched a playoff position for the 4th time in their program's existence. It took them until the 59th game of the season, but three days later, the Rams took home the Northeast Region title for the 1st time!! On the same day, Cornell, Syracuse, and Northwestern locked up the Wild Card positions.

With the conclusion of the regular season comes an updated Top 5 Ranking. Wake Forest moves up from the number two slot to become the new #1 team in the CBA. Penn jumps up three spots to land at #2 going into the playoffs. Fordham falls to #3 after going 8-8 in May to finish up the season. Northwestern and Nebraska jump up two positions each to take over the #4 and #5 slots, with Syracuse and Cornell exiting the Top 5.

Fordham senior shortstop Hughie Jennings finishes the year as the Collegiate Baseball Association hitting champion, as he finishes the 1892 season with a batting average of .374.

So, the 1892 CBA Playoffs are set. Dartmouth is traveling to North Carolina to take on the #1 ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Cornell is challenging Nebraska in Lincoln. #4 Northwestern is going to New York to play #3 Fordham in the Collegiate Playoff Series, with Syracuse confronting #2 Penn to round out the postseason schedule.

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Game 1

Dartmouth Big Green vs. #1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Our first game of the day features the #1 team in the land, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who are hosting Dartmouth University to open up the 1892 CBA Playoff Series. At the end of April, these two teams met for a two game series. Wake Forest took both games, shutting the Big Green out in both games, 7-0 and 4-0. On the mound today for the Big Green is senior Duke Esper, who had a good season, as he posted a mark of 12-9 and a 2.11 earned run average. This season was by far the best of his collegiate career. On the hill for the home team is the sensational sophomore, Aidan Pearson, who was 15-4 on the year, with a 1.62 ERA. Pearson led the CBA this season in ERA, WHIP (0.95), and WAR (6.5). "Pogo" as his teammates call him, was considered the #21 recruit coming out of high school in 1890, and was Wake Forest's top recruit that year. But in his two seasons, he's been pitching like a man who has something to prove, putting together a collegiate record of 26-10, with a 1.78 earned run average. There's a near capacity crowd in Wake Forest Grounds, with 1495 people enjoying the clear skies and 70 degree temperature.

The Big Green lead off the game with an infield single against Pearson, but three batters later, Dartmouth has nothing to show for it. Esper gives up two singles to start the bottom half of the 1st. Wake Forest would push one of those base runners across on a fielder's choice to take an early 1-0 lead. In the 3rd inning, Dartmouth ties the game on an RBI double by senior left fielder Justin Dorsey. The game would remain tied until the bottom of the 4th, when Demon Deacon's senior left fielder Curt Nelson scores from second on a base hit by junior catcher Ryan Livingston. Nelson, who had reached base on an error, beat the throw home made by junior center fielder Nick Henry. Now clinging to a 2-1 lead, Pearson and the Wake Forest defense buckles down against Dartmouth, holding them to two base hits for the remainder of the game. The Demon Deacons manage to hold on and win Game 1 by the score of 2-1.

Cornell Big Red vs. #5 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Our second game of this opening round of playoff games takes us to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Cornell is in town to take on the #5 Cornhuskers. It's 61 degrees here at Nebraska Fields, where 1685 fans have joined us to watch this contest. The Big Red are sending freshman Josh Harden to the mound. Harden, the team's #1 recruit in 1891, put together a mark of 12-6 this season, with an ERA of 2.88 in 19 starts. The lefty from Cheyenne, Wyoming, will test the Nebraska bats with four different pitches. Getting the start for the Cornhuskers is fellow freshman Jason Chaney. The righty from Ohio has shocked everyone this season, including Nebraska manager Ruben Vera. "This kid comes in as our #4 recruit last year and proceeds to go 13-5, with a 2.72 ERA. Just amazing!!" Vera told us when we talked to him pre-game.

Only one hit is recorded in the first three innings, as both teams test each other out. Big Red senior left fielder Dusty Miller reaches base on an error in the 4th, then steals both second and third base to set up Kevin Ford's RBI line drive single to center. The aggressive base running gives Cornell the early advantage, 1-0. In the bottom half of the 4th, Nebraska comes to bat, and has yet to record a base hit. But that changes when senior center fielder Willie Valdez gets an infield hit to start things off. Valdez steals second, and one out later, finds himself at third when Tommy Corcoran manages an infield single. That brings up junior catcher Pop Swett, who has hit under .200 all three of his collegiate seasons. In addition, Pop has also led the CBA in strikeouts in each season as well. But on this at-bat, Pop connects on a 1-1 pitch, lining it deep into left center. Swett, with his above average speed, manages to circle the bags for an inside-the-park 3-run homer!!! At the end of four, Nebraska leads 3-1. The Cornhuskers then add runs in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings, as they cruise to a 7-2 win.

#4 Northwestern Wildcats vs. #3 Fordham Rams

The third game of the day takes us to New York City, where #4 Northwestern is ready to take on #3 Fordham at Rams Ballpark. There are 1580 people in attendance today. The skies are clear, it's 69 degrees, and just a beautiful day to play baseball. Both teams faced each other on this field just last week, with each team winning a game of the two game series. The preseason #1 Wildcats are out to prove they belong in the championship title talk. Getting the nod for Northwestern is sophomore Mike "Trashmaster" Daughtry, who went 13-6 this season, with a 2.13 ERA in 20 starts. Back in Evanston, Illinois, Daughtry is known as a "fan favorite and babe magnet." Fordham did not face Daughtry in the series last week. The Rams are starting junior Kid Nichols, who was 14-6 this season, with a 2.02 ERA.

Fordham manages to get on the board first, when they score a run on a sac fly in the bottom of the 2nd inning for the early 1-0 lead. The score remains the same until the top of the 6th, when Northwestern tags Nichols for two singles and a triple, leading to two Wildcat runs. Holding a 2-1 lead after six, Northwestern adds two more runs in the 7th on a one out, 2-RBI single by senior first baseman Luke Bleistein. The Wildcats lead 4-1 after seven. But in the bottom of the 8th, Daughtry loads the bases on two base hits and a walk. Batting champ Hughie Jennings makes him pay, stroking a triple to deep right center to clear the bases and tie the game. Daughtry would score two batters later on a Daughtry fielding error, giving Fordham the lead, 5-4. With two outs in the top of the 9th, Northwestern senior right fielder Steve Brodie draws a walk off of Nichols. Junior left fielder Jose Yanez (.304, 2 HR, 37 RBI) comes up and smashes a 1-2 pitch, lining it into deep right center. Brodie rounds third as Rams' junior right fielder Alexis Vazquez comes up with the ball. The throw to the plate and Brodie is........SAFE!!!! Game tied, 5-5!!! The game goes into extra innings. In the 10th, Fordham's defense come unraveled, committing two errors and allowing Northwestern to plate a run to take the lead. The Rams manage to get a runner to third in the bottom half of the 10th, but a fly out to center ends the game. Northwestern wins this one, 6-5, in 10 innings.

Syracuse Orange vs. #2 Penn Quakers

It's 64 degrees at Quakers Ballpark, where 1661 fans have come out to see Game 1 between Syracuse and Penn. These two teams faced each other in mid-April in Syracuse, splitting a two game series. Getting the start for the Orange is freshman Kenny Kolb, who was 10-9 this year, with a 2.50 earned run average. The Quakers are starting junior Ed Stein. The Detroit native was 9-11 this season, with an ERA of 2.10.

The Quakers get out to an early lead, scoring in the first three innings to make the score 4-0. Penn scores twice more on freshman second baseman Danny Sandoval's double to left, as the Quakers are cruising, 6-0. But in the top of the 6th, the Orange's bats erupt, as they tag Stein for three singles and a triple, scoring five times to close the gap to one, 6-5. Penn adds a run in the bottom half of the inning, however, to make it 7-5 Quakers. Syracuse gets a lead off triple in the 9th inning, leading to another score to close the game back to a single run, 7-6. But the game ends on a 4-6-3 double play, preserving the win for Penn.

Game 2

#1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Dartmouth Big Green

It's partly cloudy and 65 degrees in Hanover, New Hampshire, for Game 2. There are 1489 fans in the stands of Big Green Ballpark for this contest. Wake Forest sends freshman David Dart to the hill. Dart, from Lugoff, South Carolina, was 11-6 this season with a 2.77 ERA. Not too bad for someone who was ranked as the #102 high school prospect in 1891 and the Demon Deacons' #4 recruit. The hometown team will start JUCO transfer George "Nigel" Cuppy. The junior from Logansport, Indiana, was 12-6 this year for the Big Green, with a 2.41 ERA. Cuppy was Dartmouth's #1 recruit in 1891, and he was ranked #21 overall.

The game was scoreless through five innings, but in the top of the 6th, Wake Forest puts men on the corners with no outs after a pair of singles. Senior Jeremiah Reid then grounds the ball to short. Dartmouth chooses to turn the 6-4-3 double play in exchange for allowing the runner from third to score, giving the Demon Deacons a 1-0 lead. The Big Green get the run back in the bottom of the 8th. With sophomore first baseman Jeremy Traynor on second with two outs, senior left fielder Justin Dorsey singles up the middle. Traynor rounds third and heads home to tie the game, beating the throw by Reid. In the 9th, Dartmouth has a chance to end the game with a base runner 90 feet away. But they strand him on a ground out and the game goes into extras. In the 11th inning, Reid finds himself on first with two outs. Reid steals second, and then takes third on the wild throw by Big Green catcher Chad St. Amand. Junior third baseman Ryan Ingram then delivers his first hit of the game after being 0 for 4 with a ground single into left. Reid scores, giving the Demon Deacons a 2-1 lead. Dartmouth manages to get two men aboard in the bottom of the 11th, but can't bring them home, as Wake Forest takes Game 2 and the series, two games to none.

#5 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Cornell Big Red

It's a cool 59 degrees under partly cloudy skies in upstate New York for Game 2 of this series, where 1470 fans have come out to Big Red Ballpark to see Nebraska take on Cornell. Freshman Chris Grossman will get the start today for the Cornhuskers, as regular starter Chris Crower (12-4, 2.45), a sophomore, is still on the DL with a shoulder strain. Grossman has spent most of the season on the reserve roster, with one start this season on May 17th against Princeton. Grossman earned the win, making him 1-0 on the year, with a 3.00 ERA. Cornell will be throwing junior Daniel Sanford, who is 10-8 in 1892, with a 2.60 ERA.

The game is scoreless through four and a half innings, but in the bottom of the 5th, Cornell breaks the tie when sophomore right fielder Kareem Wilson singles to right to bring home Mike Delgado from second base. The Big Red lead 1-0. The following inning, junior center fielder George Davis tacks on another run for Cornell after a throwing error on his steal of third base. With a 2-0 Cornell lead, Sanford locks down the Nebraska bats, as the Big Red go on to win Game 2, tying the series at a game a piece.

#3 Fordham Rams vs. #4 Northwestern Wildcats

At the Ballpark of Northwestern, Game 2 is being played under partly cloudy skies and 65 degree weather. There are 1681 fans here to cheer on the home team. Freshman Ken "Real Deal" Storm is on the hill for today's game. Storm has been the "real deal" this season, going 15-5 in 20 starts, with a 2.39 ERA. The #2 1891 recruit for the Rams has been lights out in his first year. Northwestern will counter with a freshman stud of their own in Vince Tucker, who put together a 13-7 win-loss record in 20 starts, and posted a 2.18 ERA on the year.

Tucker gets roughed up by Fordham to start the game, as he gives up a single, double, and triple in the top of the 1st. The Rams score twice to take a 2-0 lead. Storm, on the other hand, gives up five base hits in the first three innings, but somehow manages to get out of each and every jam, preserving his team's lead. The score remains the same until the top of the 8th, when Fordham breaks out, scoring four times on five hits to push their lead to 6-0. Storm gives up an inside-the-park homer in the 8th, but shuts the door on Northwestern in the 9th, as the Rams go on to win the game by a score of 6-1. Fordham evens up the series 1-1.

#2 Penn Quakers vs. Syracuse Orange

There are 1777 people in Orange Ballpark to witness Game 2 of this series. At game time, it's partly cloudy and 61 degrees. Senior Ben Craft is on the mound for the Quakers to hopefully close out this series. Craft led the CBA with 16 wins this season, as he was 16-4, with a 1.75 ERA in 20 starts. On the hill for the Orange is junior Bill Hawke. The junior JUCO transfer posted a 13-6 record this year, with a 2.27 ERA in 19 starts.

The first two innings of the game were hitless and scoreless for both teams, as both pitchers started out dominant. But in the top of the 3rd, the Quakers took advantage of two Syracuse errors. Combined with two base hits, Penn scored three times to take the lead, 3-0. The Orange plated a run in the bottom half of the 3rd to make it 3-1. However, the hits and errors continued in the 4th, as Penn pushed their lead to 5-1. The score remained the same through seven, as Craft scattered hits and prevented Syracuse from scoring. But the Orange rallied in the bottom of the 8th, recording four hits and scoring three times to close the game to 5-4. After stopping the Quakers in the 9th, Syracuse had one last chance in the bottom half of the inning. However, Craft held the Orange back, pitching a 1-2-3 inning to finish the game and give the Quakers the win. Penn wins 5-4, and takes the series 2-0.

Game 3

Cornell Big Red vs. #5 Nebraska Cornhuskers

There are 1663 people in the stands here at Nebraska Fields for this deciding Game 3. It looks like the weather will be fine for this one, at 65 degrees under partly cloudy skies. Cornell and Nebraska send Game 1 starters Josh Harden and Jason Chaney back to the mound for this do-or-die match-up. Early on, Chaney looks dominant, sending Cornell down in order to start the game. Harden, however, struggles early, giving up two singles and a triple, which lead to three Cornhusker runs. The Big Red go three up, three down in the 2nd. Meanwhile, Nebraska cranks out two more singles and a double, leading to two more runs. The only positive? The last out was a runner thrown out at home! After two innings, it's 5-0 Cornhuskers. Cornell goes down in order again in the third. Nebraska builds on it's lead, thanks to a double, triple, wild pitch, and an error. Two more runs score as Nebraska leads 7-0.

Chaney carries a no-hitter into the 6th, but then things start to fall apart. The flood gates open, as the Big Red stroke three singles, a double, and a triple. Four runs cross the plate, as Cornell closes the gap, but still trails 7-4. Chaney allows three more hits to Cornell in the 7th, but no runs score. While the Cornhusker bats fall silent, the stadium can feel the tide turn, as the Big Red bats continue to be hot. Cornell hits three singles and a triple in the 8th, but somehow only manage to score one run!! Nebraska is clinging to a 7-5 lead heading into the 9th, as Chaney returns to the mound! The hometown crowd is buzzing, trying to figure out why a struggling pitcher would be left in the game. Chaney allows a pair of singles, then junior center fielder George Davis steps up to the plate. He makes Nebraska manager Ruben Vera pay for his decision, smashing a line drive into left field. Both runners score and the game is tied 7-7!!! Nebraska goes down in order in the bottom of the 9th, as the game moves to extras.

Shockingly enough, Chaney returns to the mound in the 10th inning. The collective sigh of the crowd is practically deafening. But amazingly enough, he cools off the Cornell bats and sits them down in order. In the bottom of the 10th, Nebraska senior center fielder Willie Valdez singles into center with two outs. Valdez steals second with Victor Soltero at the plate. Soltero makes contact with a full count pitch, grounding it to short. Big Red junior Steve Higgins, who usually plays first base, has been moved to short after some earlier pinch hitting moves. Higgins boots the grounder, allowing Valdez, who was off with the pitch, to easily round third and score the game winning run!!! Nebraska wins the game, 8-7, and takes the series two games to one.

#4 Northwestern Wildcats vs. #3 Fordham Rams

Rams Ballpark is housing 1557 people for this decisive Game 3 under clear skies and 73 degree temperatures. Mike Daughtry and Kid Nichols return for a rematch of Game 1 starters. The first three innings are a pitcher's duel. But in the top of the 4th, Nichols gives up a leadoff triple to Jose Yanez, who scores on the next at-bat on a sacrifice fly. Northwestern holds that 1-0 lead until the bottom of the 8th. With one out and runners on the corners, Hughie Jennings scores from third on a Wildcat fielding error to tie the game 1-1. Neither team can score in the 9th, as we head to extra innings! In the 10th, Daughtry is replaced by Vince Tucker. Nichols remains in the game, and even comes back to the mound in the 11th inning. With two outs and a man on first, Nichols throws a 1-2 pitch to Luke Bleistein, who connects and sends a line drive down the right field line and over the wall for a two-run home run!!!! With Northwestern leading 3-1, Fordham is down to their final out in the bottom of the 11th with a man on second and Alexis Vazquez at the plate. But Tucker mows down Vazquez on three straight pitches, with Vazquez going down swinging. Northwestern holds on to win the game 3-1 in 11 innings, and takes the series two games to one.




So, now the Collegiate Baseball Association Semi-Final Series are set. #5 Nebraska will travel to North Carolina to face off with #1 Wake Forest, while #4 Northwestern travels to Philadelphia to take on #2 Penn.

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Game 1

#5 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. #1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Welcome to Wake Forest, North Carolina, where #5 Nebraska is set to challenge #1 Wake Forest. These two teams met here in Wake Forest Grounds on May 3rd and 4th, with the Cornhuskers taking both games of a two game set, 5-1 and 2-0. Does Nebraska have the Demon Deacons number? 1483 people have turned out to find out the answer, as we get set to start Game 1 of this CBA Semi-Final Series. It's 69 degrees with clear skies, as Nebraska starts sophomore Chris Crower is finally off the DL and ready to pitch. Crower was 12-4 during the season, with a 2.45 ERA in 17 starts. The young man originally signed a letter of intent to play for Michigan State, but eventually transferred to Nebraska after not receiving any playing time for the Spartans. On the mound for Wake Forest is sophomore Aidan Pearson (1-0, 1.00).

Pearson records two quick outs to start the game, but a base hit, walk, wild pitch, and an error allow two runs to score, giving Nebraska an early 2-0 lead. The Cornhuskers hit a sac fly in the 2nd inning to push their lead to 3-0. A one out triple in the bottom of the 3rd leads to a run, finally getting the home team on the board, now trailing 3-1. Nebraska's Tommy Corcoran responds in kind in the 4th, smashing an RBI triple deep to right center to give the Huskers a three run cushion once more, 4-1. The Demon Deacons, however, do not give up so easily and rally in the 6th. Junior catcher Ryan Livingston cracks a bases loaded triple over the head of the center fielder, tying the game at 4-4. But the hit would be costly, as Livingston slides hard into third base, injuring his knee. His season is over, as he'll spend the next 5-6 months rehabbing a broken kneecap. The game remains tied through nine, as we head into extra innings.

Senior relief pitcher Arsen Papadakos (3-0, 0.00, 11 G, 6 Sv), who came on in relief of Pearson in the 8th inning, is still on the mound in the 10th. After a lead off walk, Papadakos gets two outs, bringing up sophomore Mike Waddell. Waddell, who normally plays right field, was brought into the game as a pinch hitter in the top of the 8th. Waddell hit a single to chase Pearson from the game, then remained in the game at third base. This at-bat was even better than the first, as Waddell takes the first pitch from Papadakos and sends it 419 feet into left center and over the wall for a two-run home run!!! Nebraska leads, 6-4. Wake Forest battles back in the bottom half of the 10th, scoring a run to make it 6-5, and putting a man on third with two outs. But a fly out ends the game for the Demon Deacons, as Nebraska hangs on to win it!!

#4 Northwestern Wildcats vs. #2 Penn Quakers

Welcome to Quakers Ballpark, where the wind could be a factor today, as it's blowing in from left at 20 mph! Other than that, it's partly cloudy and 69 degrees here in the City of Brotherly Love. There are 1686 in attendance today to watch junior Eric Abney of Northwestern and junior Ed Stein face off in today's game. This is Abney's first start of the playoffs. The righty from Amarillo, Texas was 10-9 in the regular season, with a 3.21 ERA in 20 starts. Meanwhile Stein is 1-0 in the postseason, with a 3.00 ERA, picking up a win against Syracuse in the CBA Playoff Series.

After a quiet opening frame, Northwestern starts off the 2nd with a double and single. The Wildcats would plate two runs and take the early lead, 2-0. Penn gets on the board in the 3rd, thanks to a pair of singles and a Wildcat throwing error. At the end of three, Northwestern leads 2-1. Quaker junior third baseman, Bill Dahlen, knots the game up at 2-2 in the 5th with an RBI triple to left center. The game would stay tied until the 7th, when Penn opens up the bottom half of the inning with back-to-back triples. A single, error, and passed ball later, and the Quakers have scored four times in the inning to take their first lead of the game, 6-2. But Northwestern isn't about ready to give in, as they claw their way into the four run deficit by scoring twice on three hits in the 8th to make it 6-4. The Wildcats hold Penn scoreless in the 8th, and their hot bats continue in the 9th. A triple by Luke Bleistein and double by Steve Brodie make the score 6-5. Brodie sits on second with two outs, as sophomore center fielder Tim Coleman steps up to bat. Coleman takes a 1-1 pitch and lines it into right center. Brodie rounds third as Penn freshman center fielder Andres Mendoza fields the ball. The throw to the plate and Brodie is.......SAFE!!!! He just beats the tag and the game is tied once more, 6-6!!!

Penn has one more chance, as we enter the bottom of the 9th. Freshman pitcher Danny Weiss is on the mound, brought into the game in the 8th inning. Leadoff hitter Chris Mota works the count full before getting a free pass to first. A sacrifice bunt and fielder's choice allow Mota to move around the bases to third, but there are two outs. For some reason, junior DH John Kelty is issued an intentional walk. Kelty is 0 for 4 in the game and has hit .177 this year. That brings up Mendoza, who is 2 for 4 this game. But in an equally baffling move, Penn manager John Semb brings in a pinch hitter!! Junior catcher Ryan Higgins steps into the batter's box and grounds a 1-1 pitch to third. Northwestern corner man, junior Bill Petersen, scoops up the ball and throws it to second. But second baseman, senior Jose Hernandez, DROPS the ball!!! Mota scores easily on the error and the game is over. Penn wins the game, 7-6!!

Game 2

#1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. #5 Nebraska Cornhuskers

There are 1675 fans joining us at Nebraska Fields for Game 2 between Wake Forest and Nebraska. The weather is beautiful, clears skies and 74 degrees. Freshman David Dartt (1-0, 0.87) gets the start for Wake Forest. Dartt pitched 10 1/3 innings in picking up his win over Dartmouth in the Playoff Series. Freshman Jason Chaney (2-0, 3.79) is on the hill for Nebraska. Chaney picked up both of his wins against Cornell in the opening round of the playoffs, pitching 19 innings.

After a scoreless inning and a half, Nebraska senior second baseman Kyle Sawyer leads off the bottom half of the 2nd with a double down the right field line. A passed ball moves Sawyer to third, and he would score on freshman right fielder Andy Jones' single to right. After two, the Cornhuskers lead 1-0. Wake Forest is struggling, however, against Chaney. The Demon Deacons don't get their first hit, a double, until the 4th, and he got stranded at third. Dartt is also pitching a gem, keeping the Nebraska bats in check as well. Neither team can get a runner past second base, as the 1-0 score remains as we enter the 9th. Wake Forest gets a single with one out and the runner moves to second on a wild pitch. But two fly outs later, Nebraska is celebrating a 1-0 victory and sweep of the #1 team, winning the series two games to none.

#2 Penn Quakers vs. #4 Northwestern Wildcats

The skies are clear here in Evanston, as 1686 people are packed into the Ballpark of Northwestern to enjoy the 69 degree weather and Game 2 of this series. Penn is looking to close things out today, and are starting senior Ben Craft (1-0, 1.00). Trying to extend the season for the Wildcats is sophomore pitcher Mike Daughtry (1-0, 1.96). The game is scoreless for the first three frames, as Daughtry holds Penn without a hit, while Northwestern manages only a pair of singles. Andres Mendoza leads off the 4th with a base hit, the first by the Quakers. A sac bunt, fly ball, and wild pitch later, and Mendoza is across the plate, giving Penn a 1-0 lead. The pitching duel continues, as we enter the bottom of the 6th, with the Quakers clinging to their one run lead. But with two outs, Craft gives up a triple to Steve Brodie. Jose Yanez brings him in with a base knock on the next at-bat, and this game is all tied up, 1-1.

The Quakers, however, are not about to let this game get away from them that easily. Senior catcher Chris Kellenberger leads the top of the 7th off with a single to left. He moves to second on a sac bunt, then goes to third on a Danny Sandoval single to shallow right. With men on the corners and one out, freshman shortstop Rich Sheenan is intentionally walked after Sandoval steals second. With the bases now loaded, Daughtry plunks Ed Stein on a 2-2 pitch, giving the Quakers a 2-1 lead. Then Mendoza delivers a 2-RBI base hit to left, and Penn leads it by a 4-1 score!! Craft has all the run support he needs, as he cruises through the remainder of the game. Penn wins the game 4-1, taking the series two games to none.

The 1892 Collegiate Baseball Association Collegiate Championship Series is set, as #5 Nebraska travels to #2 Penn for the national title!

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Game 1

#5 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. #2 Penn Quakers

Chris Crower gets the start for Nebraska against Ed Stein of Penn for Game 1 of the Collegiate Baseball Association Collegiate Championship Series. Crower, a sophomore righty, had a pretty good year in his first season pitching for the Cornhuskers. He went 12-4 in 17 starts, with a 2.45 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 3.2 WAR. Crower is 1-0 in the postseason, with a 4.82 ERA. That win came over #1 Wake Forest just four days ago. Stein, a junior righty from Detroit, had a lackluster regular season, posting just a 9-11 record over 20 starts. But his ERA was 2.10, he had a WHIP of 1.19, and WAR of 3.7. One has to wonder if run support from his Quaker teammates was the cause for his poor record. In the playoffs, Stein is 2-0, with wins over Syracuse and Northwestern. His ERA is 4.50. It's a gorgeous day for a ballgame here at Quakers Ballpark, where there are only a few seats open, as 1696 people have sandwiched themselves into the stands. It's 80 degrees with clear skies as we get ready for the first pitch.

Stein sits the Huskers down in order to start off the game. Crower, however, isn't so fortunate, allowing two singles and a triple in the 1st. Penn scores three runs in the inning to take a 3-0 lead. The 2nd inning is more of the same. Nebraska goes three up, three down, and the Quakers keep hitting the ball. Three base hits lead to two runs, increasing Penn's lead to 5-0. Stein keeps the Cornhuskers hitless until the 5th, when a leadoff walk and a base hit put men on the corners with two outs. Senior third baseman Matt Sinner grounds the ball through the hole and into left. A run scores and Nebraska is finally on the board, although they still trail 5-1. But Penn responds in kind with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, making the score 6-1 Quakers after five. Penn then breaks the game wide open in the 6th. John Kelty leads off the inning with a solo shot down the right field line for only his second homer of the year. Four more base hits follow in the inning, coupled by two Nebraska errors. Penn scores five runs in all, pushing their lead to 11-1. Stein puts it on auto-pilot for the rest of the game, as the Quakers win this one easily and take a one game to none lead in the series.

Game 2

#2 Penn Quakers vs. #5 Nebraska Cornhuskers

It's 61 degrees and partly cloudy at Nebraska Fields, where we're joined by 1688 fans to see whether or not Nebraska can extend their season one more game, or if Penn wins the national championship on the road. Commissioner Ephraim Herring is in the stands, holding the championship trophy should the Quakers take Game 2 today. Things look favorable for Penn, as they've sent senior Ben Craft to the mound, one of the most dominant pitchers in the CBA this season. Craft is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in the playoffs after putting up career numbers in the regular season; 16-4 record, 1.75 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 5.8 WAR. On the dirt pile for the home team is freshman phenom Jason Chaney. Chaney was 13-5 with a 2.72 ERA in 19 starts in his freshman campaign. In the postseason, he's 3-0, with a 2.57 ERA! Can you believe this kid was considered the #4 recruit in last year's recruiting class? #4 for Nebraska, not overall!!

The first two innings are scoreless, as both pitchers are throwing their best stuff. Nebraska gets runners to third both innings, but strand them. In the 3rd inning, Penn freshman shortstop Rich Sheenan doubles for the Quakers first hit of the game. Two at-bats later, Andres Mendoza grounds a hard hit ball into left center. Sheenan runs past third as Nebraska senior center fielder Willie Valdez fields the ball. The throw to the plate.....and Sheenan is.....OUT!!!! What a throw by Valdez, as he guns down a would be run!!! The game is still scoreless!! The game moves on, and it's a classic duel, with a hit here and a hit there, but neither team threatens to score. In the bottom of the 8th, however, Nebraska's Tommy Corcoran lines a ball to deep left center field and legs out a triple with one out. But he ends up stranded, as Craft rings up a strikeout and fly out to end the inning. The 9th comes and goes as well, and this pitcher's duel is going into extra innings with no score!!

In the 10th, Chaney gives up a walk, which gets pushed to second on a sac bunt. But two fly outs later, Penn walks away with nothing. Craft follows suit, issuing a free pass to start off the bottom half of the frame. But Corcoran and Pop Swett follow up with base hits to load the bases with no outs. Kyle Sawyer steps up to the plate, takes ball one, then connects on the second pitch. He sends it up in the air, deep to left field. It's a fly out, but plenty deep enough, as the runner from third comes home without as much as a throw from the left fielder. Nebraska wins the game, 1-0, and ties up the series!!!

Game 3

#5 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. #2 Penn Quakers

Game 3 returns us to Quaker Ballpark, where Crower (1-1, 6.35) and Stein (3-0, 3.33) are again the starters for this final game of the 1892 season. It's 81 degrees with clear skies, as 1698 fans have turned out for this game. After a scoreless 1st, Stein gives up a double and two RBI singles in the 2nd inning to give Nebraska an early 2-0 lead. Penn gets a run back in the bottom of the 2nd, as Bill Dahlen triples and scores on a sac fly to make it 2-1. The score holds through five innings, but in the top of the 6th, the Cornhuskers push their lead further. A couple of walks, a throwing error, and a base hit allow Nebraska to score twice in the inning, with their lead now 4-1. But the Quakers respond in the bottom of the 6th, getting a double and triple off of Crower. It's Dahlen's second triple of the game, tying the playoff record. The lead is back to a single run, with Nebraska clinging to a 4-3 lead.

The score would remain until the bottom of the 8th, when John Kelty leads off the inning with a base hit for the Quakers. After a sacrifice bunt moves him to second, Kelty comes home on a double by senior left fielder Mike Reck!! At the end of eight, the game is knotted up at 4-4. Stein pitches himself out of the 9th with three fly outs. Crower returns for the 9th, and gets two quick outs before giving up a single to Danny Sandoval. A walk puts two runners on with two outs, bringing up Kelty. He works the count full, then loops the ball into right center field. Sandoval is on his horse, rounds third, and scores easily, as the Quakers win the game, 5-4, and take the series, two games to one!!! What a walk-off hit by Penn, as they storm the field in joyous celebration of their second national title!!

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