Crack of the Bat

By Jim (Jimmy Z) Zellmann (Traveling Baseball Correspondent)

 

Dairy Queen Classic

College Report from the Metrodome

 

Many people don't know, but the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN. (home of the Twins) is also the home for many early morning and late night college games.

 

This past weekend at the Metrodome was one of those for serious baseball lovers. It was a brisk 20 degrees Farenheit outside. The arrival at the Dome was about 4:00 AM, but inside there were two teams eager to get their season started. Iowa Central was playing a double-header with Oakton College out of Illinois. Both teams seemed a little tired. Iowa Central started the scoring, but Oakton went on to win 8-5. Oakton also won the second game 8-4. Iowa Central had some injuries, but should have most of their players back for their upcoming Florida trip.

 

The two teams finished around 9:45 AM, in time for preparations for the Dairy Queen Classic featuring Nebraska, Arizona, Notre Dame and host Minnesota.

 

Nebraska - Notre Dame

 

The first game of the DQ Classic featured Nebraska and Notre Dame. Nebraska, ranked one of the top teams in the nation, showed why they are so highly regarded. Big, strong Joba Chamberlain, a 6'3" RHP, from Lincoln took the mound. He's a very powerful, straight forward, come right at you, type pitcher. He was on top of his game with a 93-97 mph fastball and a good breaking ball. Chamberlain went 7 innings, giving up 3 hits, 1 walk and 11 strikeouts. Final score was Nebraska 11 and Notre Dame 1. Chamberlain was the winning pitcher, losing pitcher was Tom Thornton. Big hitters were Bryce Nimmo (3 for 5), Nick Jaros (2 for 3) and Luke Gorsett (4 for 5).

 

Arizona - Minnesota

         

Minnesota and Arizona played the next game, with Arizona winning 7-2. Eric Berger was the winning pitcher and Brian Bull took the loss. Jason Donald (AZ) went 2 for 4, Brad Glenn (AZ) went 2 for  4. Minnesota's big hitter was Mike Mee who went 2 for 4.

 

Nebraska - Arizona

 

On Saturday, Nebraska took on Arizona, winning 3-1. Top hitters for Nebraska were Nimmo ( 2-4), Gorsett (1-3), Gerch (2-4) and Opitz (2-3). For Arizona, Boyer and Gaston both went (1-3). The winning pitching was Jared Cranston and the losing pitcher was Preston Guilmet.

 

Minnesota - Notre Dame

 

On Saturday night, Minnesota finally got their bats going, winning 8-0 over Notre Dame. Freshman Nate Hanson went 2 for 2 with a double and 2 RBI. Dan Lyons was 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI. Lyons has hit safely in all 5 games as a Gopher. Lyons played 2 years at Iowa Central where he had an outstanding career. He is from Rochester, MN. Mike Mee was 1 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI. Andy Hunter was 2 for 3. Winning pitcher was Cole DeVries and losing pitcher was all American football player Jeff Samardzija.

 

Notre Dame - Arizona

 

On Sunday, the first game featured Arizona and Notre Dame. It was a very good game going 10 innings. Arizona eventually scored in the top of the 10th. Jason Donald was the top hitter for Arizona going 2 for 4 with 1 RBI. Boyer was 1 for 4 with the other RBI. Notre Dame actually out hit Arizona with 10 hits, but it wasn't enough. For Notre Dame, Jeremy Barnes went 3 for 4, Ross Brezovsky was 2 for 4 and Greg Lopez was 2 for 4. The winning pitcher was Mark Melancon and the losing pitching was Kyle Weiland.

 

Nebraska - Minnesota

 

The nightcap was a battle between Nebraska and Minnesota. Nebraska won the game by a score of 4-1. They won the tournament with a record of 3-0. Star of the game for Nebraska were Brandon Buckman (4 for 4) with 3 RBI's. B. Nimmo went 1 for 2 for the Cornhuskers.  For Minnesota, Luke McLaen went 2 for 4 and Dan Lyons was 1 for 3. The winning pitcher was Johnny Dorn and the losing pitcher was Dustin Brabender.

 

The tourney MVP was Luke Gorsett from Nebraska. He has 6 hits, 2 HR, 4 RBI and hit for the cycle in game 1.

 

The All Tourney Team

 

RHP     Mark Melancon         AZ

RHP     Joba Chamberlain    NC      

C          Jeff Christy               NE

1B       Brandon Buckman    NE

2B       Luke McLean            MN

3B       Colt Sedbrook           AZ

SS        Dan Lyons                MN

OF       Luke Gorsett             NE

OF       Bryce Nimmo            NE

OF       Mike Mee                  MN

DH       Andy Gerch               NE

 

This column represents the thoughts and opinions of the author and are not necessarily those of Perfect Game.