Grizzlies capture conference, records

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By Matt Muncy, May 7, 2009

The championship was the third for the Grizzlies and their first since 2005.

The Grizzlies finished the season at 28-9 (17-4 HCAC). They tied the school record for most conference wins in a season, which was set back in 2002.

 

Sophomore Ian Sanders earned the HCAC Hitter of the Week for the second time this season, as well as the HCAC Men’s Player of the Month. On Saturday, Sanders went seven-for-seven with a home run, three doubles and three singles.

 

 “I was excited for our guys,” said head coach Lance Marshall. “They have worked hard and some for a couple years. It was fun to watch the celebration at the end of the game. I’m happy for our guys and the guys who played in the past who helped build this program.

For Sophomore Matt Zmich, it was the second conference championship of the year. The backup split end earned his first ring during football season.

 

“It feels good, obviously and having two rings is pretty cool. It feels good to be on top,” Zmich said. “Its two different sports and with football it’s a bigger team as compared to baseball. It’s a team effort all around.”

 

In game one, the Grizzlies found themselves down 4-2 after four innings. The Grizzly offense showed up late, but got the job done, scoring four runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth to clinch the 7-4 victory.

 

Senior Jim Swienconek earned his 199 hit of his career, breaking the school record of 198, in the third inning.

 

Sophomore Derrik Patterson extended his winning streak to nine and remained undefeated on the season after pitching five innings. Patterson gave up three earned runs on five hits, while striking out three Beavers.

 

Sophomore Cody Nees broke the career saves record, earning his fourth of the season and ninth overall. Knees struck out four batters, giving up just one hit and no runs.

Sophomore Ian Sanders went four-for-four on the game, with two doubles, two singles and two RBI’s. Sanders crossed the plate three times.

 

The Grizzlies offense continued to roll in game two. After three innings they led 6-4 and scored six more runs over the final six innings. The Beavers mustered up only one run. The victory extended the Grizzlies winning streak to 11, their longest of the season.

 

Freshman Shawn Mattingly threw seven innings, earning his seventh victory of the season. Mattingly gave up four runs on five hits, while striking out for.

 

Senior Joel Chrobak homered in the first inning to tie the season record of 12 homeruns and the career record of 25.

 

Sanders pushed in five runs over the two games to raise his RBI season record to 55. He went three-for-three – including a home run, a double and a single – in game two, making him a perfect seven-for-seven on the day.

 

Senior Adam Blackburn was the first of the three Grizzlies to homer in the game.

Coach Marshall said he was happy to see his players break records and it is always great because it shows the program is heading in the right direction.

 

In the 7-6 loss, the Grizzly defense committed six errors, after committing a combined one error in the first two games.

 

After jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, Franklin gave up three runs in the second and one run in each of the third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

 

 “It was disappointing. You want to win every game and not only were we in contention for a conference title but also for the school record. Bluffton came out a played with a lot of heart,” Marshall said.

 

Franklin is hosting the HCAC Tournament, which started Thursday and will continue through Saturday.