Black and White World Series - Game 2

VERONA, Wis. – The story after Game 1 seemed to upset the Black Team, but when it came to game time, the White Team took care of business once again, prevailing 10-6 at The Chuck last Friday night, winning the coveted Eagle Cup. The win gave Coach Eichhorn his second straight Eagle Cup, making him 2-0 in his career in the Black & White World Series.

The White Team was leading 10-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, when the Black Team made things interesting by scoring four runs and had the bases loaded with only one out. Adam Victorn came in from second base for the second straight night to close the door. He induced a 4-6-3 double play to end the game and the White Team dog piled on top of each other sweeping the Black and White World Series two games to zero.

Offensively, the White Team was led by sophomore Treye Dennison who was 3-for-4 with two RBI, one run scored and two stolen bases. Overall, the White Team had 11 hits, six stolen bases, drew eight walks and two hit-by-pitches. As far as the Black Team goes, they were a little better on offense totaling 10 hits on the night, but stranded 10 base runners as well. The Black Team was led by junior Tim Barry who hit a ball that hasn’t landed yet, but fortunately for the White Team it was foul, or was it? We needed instant replay but The Chuck hasn’t received the technology renovations just yet, so the call stood as a foul ball. Barry proceeded to strike out, proving the ball was foul because the ball never lies. He was 2-for-4 on the night with a single and double. Seniors Alex Berta and Cory McCullick also had good nights at the plate both going 2-for-4.

Senior Rick Walsh picked up the loss for the Black Team lasting only one and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs, five of which were earned. White starter junior Scott Winters threw four strong innings scattering seven hits and giving up two runs. Earning the win though was sophomore Zach Gura who came on in the fifth and pitched one and two-thirds innings only giving up one hit. Victorn earned the save for the White Team throwing only one pitch in the bottom of the seventh.

In the series the White Team scored 21 runs, had 19 hits, drew 15 walks and was hit three times in two games. That is what I call pure domination! The Black Team set all sort of BWWS records, ones that they didn’t want to set. This is unofficial but probably true, most runs given up, most games giving up double digit runs, longest ball hit that didn’t mean a thing, etc. I could go on and on but I don’t want anyone to feel bad.

Overall, it was a great series (especially for the White Team) and a great way to end fall ball. Both teams played hard and played well (ok, maybe the Black team didn’t play well, but I wanted them to feel good for a second). We will see all of you Eagle fans up in the Metrodome in Minneapolis on February 27, 2009 at 10 p.m. for the start of our regular season. Until then, stay warm, stay safe and Go Eagles!

-- Matt Eichhorn (White Team manager, and BWWS champion)