Sophomores Win at Dunlap

Despite walking 12 batters and committing 3 errors, we found a way to win Monday night. Tough mound conditions gave our pitchers problems over the first 5 innings, but Jake Hannam finally found control on the mound and held Dunlap to only 1 run over the last 3 innings.

Drew Nall and Ian Milligan led the way offensively with 2 hits a piece including doubles in the 8th inning. Drake Sykes also had a double in the 8th and was later scored by Nall.

We learned some more about our team tonight and we'll find out how we play at our own field tomorrow night at 4:30 pm against Macomb.

Sophomore Baseball Opening Weekend

It was a beautiful day at Blodgett Field on the Knox College campus. Moline finished the day 2 - 0, Normal West finished the day 0 - 2, and Galesburg finished with a split at 1 - 1.


In game 1, Moline jumped out to an early 2 - 0 lead after 3 innings. We answered with 3 runs in the 4th inning after a lead off triple from Ian Milligan and an RBI ground out from Jake Hannam. Drake Sykes then reached base on a bunt single, then stole second base and was driven home by a single from Drew Nall. A single from Carson Cheesman moved Nall from first to third and Nall scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch. Moline answered with runs in each of the last 3 at bats, with two more of those runs reaching base due to walks. We failed to score with a runner at 3rd and one out in the sixth and failed to score after having runners at first and second with no one out in the seventh inning.

Moline threw a strong left handed thrower Dallas DeVrieze who struck out 6 hitters in 3 2/3 innings with a good sophomore curve ball and finished with Matt Brill who struck out 4 with a little more velocity. Our pitchers struggled a little more with the tall mound at Blodgett field and walked 7 batters, 4 of which ended up scoring.

In Game 2 Moline beat Normal West in an exciting extra inning contest.

In Game 3 we dug ourselves out a 4-1 hole that was created by 4 fielding errors. We were able to get the offense going in the third inning thanks to another bunt single from Drake Sykes, that was followed with a stolen base, a single from Chans Sugden and a double from Drew Diaz. After tying the game at 6 in the 4th inning, The floodgates opened in the fifth after Milligan and Riley VanVelsor reached on an error and a walk and Hannam followed with a bunt single. After another error that scored 2 runs, Sykes followed with a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third and Nall drove in a run with a sac fly.

We still struggled on the mound, walking 6 more hitters, but it was good to see our bats come alive. I think our players are starting to buy into the small ball concept of bunting and running and putting pressure on the defense. We still have a lot of work to do on the mound and in the field, but I'm encouraged by what I saw Saturday.

I would like to thank Knox College for letting us use their facilities, Officer Luna and the freshman that helped run the concession stand, and the parents for helping with the players' meals between games. Hopefully the rain will hold off and we'll be able to make some more progress on Monday night at Dunlap.

Opening Weekend

It was nice to get to play baseball this weekend. Galesburg came away with a split on Saturday. Normal West and Washington left this weekend at 2-0. The previously mentioned Streaks and Western Big Six teammate Moline finished Saturday at 1-1. While Rockford Guilford and Pekin played competitively, but finished 0-2. First things first...Moline suffered a scare as one of there coaches suffered a seizure as they were warming up for their first game. He was taken to the hospital and when I talked to a Moline player later in the day, I was told they believed it to be diabetes related. This player said that he was expected to stay under observation and be released the next day. Hopefully all is well with him. Makes one realize how trivial the game of baseball really is. My take on Saturday: Game 1: Tyler was dominant. Our bats did what they are supposed to against decent pitching. Defensively we were ok. Game 2: Two thoughts...runners left on base and 4 errors We found out that we are not invincible. And, I think that is good for us to learn. Washington made every routine play on defense, and a couple of really good plays (especially by their shortstop). And that, ultimately, is what the difference in this game boiled down to. I am happy that our guys got to see that. It is the most glaring area that we need to improve and if our guys are willing to put in the work to get better defensively, we will come out on top in the games like this in the future. I am confident that we will.

Room for Improvement

I once had a coach tell me..."The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement" I am not sure what we can take away from the JV game tonight except that it was another chance to improve. A lot of guys got some swings and we had someone other than ourselves hitting baseballs back at us. A few important days of practice coming up. We aren't exactly ready yet...but we are getting there. Come out Saturday (I will post a schedule tomorrow) and watch us as we look to improve some more. Think positive thoughts about no rain!!!

Meet the Streaks

Thanks to all those who braved the cold to support our Silver Streaks. Also thanks to those who brought the Gatorade's/etc. for us to use during the season. It is much appreciated. We saw some things we liked tonight, and of course, some things we need to work on. It was obvious that the pitchers were ahead of the hitters tonight...and that is to be expected. But, for the most part, we threw strikes, handled the baseball, and put good swings on the ball. I can't wait to see this team when we fire on all cylinders. Sometimes, you have to field a team that is out-gunned from the beginning talent wise. I don't see that being the case this year. But, we will need to be able to respond to adversity and stay mentally and emotionally tough. And how we do that remains to be seen. How will our guys respond to a bad at-bat, a throwing error, a base running mistake, a base on balls? It will all become clear as we head into our season. We as coaches, are hopeful that our experiences from last year and the ones to be had at the beginning of this year will pay dividends. We are excited. Brave the cold and come out as we play our first opponent in a JV game tomorrow at 4:30. Looking forward to the progress we make tomorrow!

Dates to remember

Here are some important dates to remember concerning Silver Streaks Baseball news and happenings. March 9th Pizza House Fudraiser 5-8 March 11th & 12th HyVee Bagging for Donations Fri. p.m. and Sat. a.m. March 13th Varsity parent meeting 4:00 (tentative) in the cafeteria at GHS March 14th Meet the Streaks (Fr./So. at 4, Varsity around 5:30) Bring a Sports drink or Bottled Water for admission March 15th Season opener JV game against Abindgon 4:30 March 19th Opening Weekend Tourney TBA March 25th and 26th Spring Break Invite TBA March 31st-April 2nd Streaks Invite May 20-21st Streaks Classic (Varsity parents to run 50/50 and grill out at the Invites/Classic) Go Streaks

The Goal

As practice has started, I thought I would remind all of the common goal...to get here!