[ayaghmour2]

Our final week saw us go 3-2, finishing a respectable 14-10 and tied for second with the Cannons. The Sailors finished a slightly better 15-9, earning the crown for the Spring. Best part for us, however, is that not only did we stay healthy, but Billy Hunter is recovered and ready to go for Opening Day. Him and Bill Anderson were the only two Cougars to deal with an ailment, and we were lucky that neither was long term. We're off tomorrow, and then we have the one day sim to Opening Day on Thursday, before the season starts back up on Friday. I really like our chances this year, but with everyone at far less then full strength, there is so much room for for team chaos to make their mark.

Our pitching staff was really impressive, with five of our six starters finishing with an ERA of 2.50 or lower. Rusty Petrick had the 2.50, going 0-2 with a 1.56 WHIP due to 10 walks with 6 strikeouts. Art White was brilliant, far better then his 1-1 record, working to a 1.42 ERA and 0.68 WHIP with 4 walks and strikeouts. Mike Murphy and Harry Parker were both a perfect 2-0. Murphy had a 2.12 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts while Parker had a 2.25 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 2 walks and 9 strikeouts. Ken Matson had the most decisions, 2-1 with a 2.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 7 walks, and 7 strikeouts. Can we expect these kind of performances from our rotation during the season? Well, maybe not quite ERAs this low, but I do expect our rotation to be a huge strength. Of course, one starter was left out, as Dick Lyons looked like a 43-year-old. Clyde Meyer still wants him in the three spot, but he allowed 20 hits, 8 runs, and 4 walks with 3 strikeouts in 14 innings. All 20 of our pitchers in camp threw 5 or more innings, and a lot of them did well. Neither will make the roster, but Johnny Ruby and Ed Fisler both threw double digit innings with sub 2 ERAs. Ruby went 11 with 9 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts while Fisler went 10 with 10 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Angel Lopez threw 6 scoreless with 2 hits, a walk, and 3 strikeouts. Merritt Thomas went 6 with 3 hits, a run, and a strikeout. I decided we will carry ten pitchers to start the season, despite Lynn Trease's struggles. The young righty was 1-0 with a save, but he allowed 9 hits, 7 runs, and 8 walks with 4 strikeouts in 8.1 innings pitched.

The offense wasn't great, but two of our top veteran hitters had their way all spring. Leadoff hitter Dick Walker slashed .325/.404/.400 with 3 doubles, 4 RBIs, and 7 runs scored. Leo Mitchell hit an even better .341/.413/.463 with 2 doubles, a homer, and 6 RBIs, while also striking out just 6 times in 46 trips to the plate. The duo were two of six hitters with 40 or more PAs, but they were the only to put the ball in play consistently. Orlin Yates hit just .256, but he walked 12 times in 56 PAs with 3 doubles, a homer, 6 runs, and 4 RBIs. Don Lee really struggled, making him starting in the minors officially, batting just .128/.186/.205 with a homer, 3 RBIs, and 5 runs. Harry Mead's struggles continued, slashing just .182/.270/.242 with with 2 doubles, a run, and RBI. We did have some surprise impressive springs, including a big showing from 1942 7th Rounder Homer Guthrie. He hit an impressive .433/.485/.700 with 2 homers, 5 RBIs, and 6 runs scored. We have Gene Lee on the 40, but Guthrie is starting to establish himself as a potential replacement if a catcher got hurt. Cuno Myer did what he does best, hitting a strong .385/.429/.462 with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored and driven in. It wasn't surprising per say, but Rich Langton hit a strong .375/.407/.458 with 6 RBIs in 27 PAs. Ollie Page might have saved his roster spot, going 4-for-11 with a triple, homer, 3 runs, and 4 RBIs. I have a lot of work to do with shaping the bench up, but luckily we have a lot of good options.