D6SN's coverage of McCort@Bedford game of the yr

[Athens/Cat]

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Bishop McCort @ Bedford 4/19/12

If one thing was for certain in the late innings of today’s game between Bedford and visiting Bishop McCort it certainly wasn’t the score. Two of the best teams in District 6 straight BATTLED for seven innings as a large crowd watched a fine game of America’s favorite pastime. The story-lines were endless for such a pivotal game more than halfway through the regular season. This wasn’t just one of those ‘good playoff preparation’ games.

No, this was a season defining contest. And the thing is…neither team lost in that respect.

I was so into this game that I found myself, an unbiased journalist, cheering in disbelief when another huge clutch play was made.
The two pitchers – Jesse Cooper and Marcus Shippey (McCort, Bedford respectively) pitched their you know what’s off. They seemed to have every pitch dialed in and placed right where they wanted. The emotion and passion that they and all the day’s players showed was something to be commended for. I can say it was an honor for me to be able to cover it.

So what happened?

Well, Bedford broke the ice first by scoring during their initial at-bat. The game held this score until the later innings because of exceptional all-around baseball. Marcus Shippey, Pennsylvania’s #1 baseball prospect, was bringing heat striking out the first three batters he faced. Cooper came right back, dug down deep and made it out of tight jams when Bedford threatened to break the game open.

Then it was Shippey’s turn and so on and so forth.

Late in the game Bedford scored to break the deadlock 2-1.

McCort, still unable to crack the Shippey-machine, faced an unfavorable 2 out situation in the top of the 7th.

I’m sure I wasn’t alone thinking the Crushers would be going home shortly on the losing end of this one…but it soon became obvious that the Crimson and Gold thought differently.

BM’s Sophomore Center Fielder Nemo Trexler managed to get a piece of a Shippey fastball that trickled down the third base line while pinch runner Tyler Mann broke for the plate. The Bison’s third baseman was unable to catch up to the slow roller and McCort had it’s tie.

But they weren’t done yet.

More 2 out lightning struck when 6-3 215 lb. Junior First Baseman Luke Williams crushed one to the right-center field gap driving in the go ahead run.

The look on Shippy’s face after the play made it well known that he left one..and probably the only one of the day…too far over the plate which cost them.

To the bottom of the 7th it was Cooper’s turn to show that he could put the team on his shoulders and seal the deal. He got the first two out.

Then a Bison got to first on an infield single.

Then came…Shippey.

As I was texting a D6 Sports Network employee the score to tweet I was suddenly about to witness something that you only see in movies.

Bottom of the 7th, 2 outs, winning run at the plate, 2 of the best pitchers in Pennsylvania squaring off to decide the game.

Only it ended there.

Shippey was intentionally walked. A smart move.

McCort got the next batter out ending one hell of a game. (How’s that for anti-climactic

My thoughts on the game
-Coaching: I’ve been able to see some fine coaches so far this season and these two squads have two of the best managers in Bedford’s Scott Waugerman and McCort’s Chris Pfeil. With the combination of the competitive effort that both teams showed and good coaching I am quite confident they can make a DEEP run come playoff time. The biggest thing that stood out was that they didn’t need to demand respect from their guys. They are natural leaders who know the game of baseball inside and out and the team automatically follows.

-Ballpark: Having been to PNC Park and PNG Field (Altoona Curve) I could be very harsh when it comes to judging a high school diamond, but Bedford has a GREAT facility! It featured a full-service concession stand (something that I felt epitomized Bedford County hospitality), multiple batting cages, a big monster fence all capitalized by the scenic mountainous forest backdrop. What more could you ask for? I did however find it funny that whoever designed the field didn’t take into consideration that Shippey and Cooper were throwing today. Batters couldn’t keep up with them as foul balls were constantly projectiling onto the track-and-field area like guided missiles bound for an unlucky sprinter.

-Teams:
This was my first time seeing Bedford. I wasn’t even aware that Shippey was so dominant until we talked about it this morning at our daily meeting. They are good…real good. Nothing really stuck out as a weakness to me except that they didn’t jump on first pitches. There were a few mental errors made with guys not covering 3rd base on a bunt and so on, but that was immediately corrected by the coaching staff. I’m excited to cover them more this year and to see what they’ve got when Shippey isn’t on the mound.

McCort- It’s no secret. I’m a McCort grad. Even a McCort baseball grad (2004-2006). But my job with D6SN isn’t to be an unwavering loyal fan. To tell you the truth I really don’t want to be anymore because I love this whole area and want every team and every city to succeed. So my short-and-sweet unbiased opinion was this: They can make it to a state championship in class A. They won’t do it playing like they did earlier this week against Somerset though. They’ve got to battle every game, every inning, every pitch like they did today. They have the senior leadership to do it too. This having been our second game covering them I am getting attached to these players. This team has character – a swagger if you will – that is what makes competitive teams great. This win was huge for them because now they know what it takes. It can be the 7th inning with two outs facing one of the best pitchers in the state and they know they can do it.

Time will tell though.

To sum it up for both teams:
Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. D6SN wishes you both the best of luck and again it was an honor to watch you guys play today. This was a huge game to showcase the talent and competitive spirit that still abounds in our area.

Dan DeFrances
D6SN

[say_oww]

Can't agree with most of what you said... I like the enthusiasm but you need to support your statements - in particular why can McCort make it to the state championship? You didn't really say why. Anyway, I will be watching to see if you cover other teams as in-depth as these two. Its a lot of work, but you'll have to do it if you want the fans to take notice.

My take having seen both is that Bedford is like Guilfoyle when Pugh pitches - they'll win most of the time because not many teams have enough kids that can handle the upper 80s fastball. However, they don't have much offense beyond Shippey and Campbell (Pugh and Keller) so if the other team has a good pitcher its going to be close. But they do have Tyler Black who can be tough. The key to anyone making a run is having at least two good pitchers who can win every time out. Just ask Hoenstine about that one.

[Athens/Cat]

thanks for the input...we were about to do FH-Somerset as the feature game this week but mother nature seems to have taken heed to that and changed her plans

[say_oww]

Yeah, but you should have some extra games next week. Who was the FH-Somerset pitching matchup?

[Crimson's Ghost]

Our tentative schedule for the next two weeks...
Windber @ Blacklick Valley Thursday
McCort,Carroll,Westmont,Township Friday/Saturday at the Point in a tournament
Somerset @ Hollidaysburg Monday the 30th.
Blairsville @ Homer Center Tuesday the 1st
Tussey Mtn @ Northern Bedford Thursday the 3rd.
Altoona vs. Guilfoyle Friday the 4th.

We may not hit every one, but we should be at most of them.


Any requests or ideas for better games, please let us know.

[S Cube]

I'd like to see a little more endurance from Shippey. Has he ever gone the distance in a game? It seems like he is only a 3 or 4 inning guy. I'm not trying to knock him, just didn't know if he has arm problems or what the reason is that he doesn't go deep in games. He definitely has a great arm and is one of the top handful of pitchers in our area currently.

[Lefteyelouie]

I haven't seen him throw at all this year. But, aren't they using him at the end of games rather then as a starter?

[say_oww]

I thought Waugerman was only using him to close, but I could be wrong. He has good velocity from what I saw but not sure about his endurance. Does anyone know if he does a lot of running and conditioning, or does he just rely on his size?

[Manfred]

Some points to ponder. Shipey came in in relief of Painter against FH the first game of the season. He has done that another time or 2, beside starting a couple. FH lost to Pugh and BG @ BG 3-2 with a walk-off single in the bottom of 7th. The Rangers outhit BG 6-4, but gave too many free passes. I was told Gdula sat out the game due do an internal discipline issue. Shope and Gdula both pitched last week, so maybe Shope, more likely the Wright/ Baker combo would have gone today against Som. Now, will they possibly not even reschedule it. It's happened before. I would bet the Westy @ FH game will be moved to a later date also.