Jeremy Pickrel broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the seventh and final inning with a two-run home run to right field, propelling his team to a 6-4 win in Game One of the Media World Series.
In a managerial match-up that pitted The Pantagraph, sports editor Bryan Bloodworth against WJBCs Gary Walter, it was Bloodworths squad taking home the win on Pickrels bomb.
That was the best sign I called all day, said Bloodworth jokingly of Pickrels home run. Thats exactly what I told him to do.
Redshirt freshman Collin Korab picked up the win for his squad, while junior Ned Schauff got the save. Freshman Eric Theisen took the loss for his team.
Freshman Nick Crist knocked in two runs on two hits for the winning team, while freshman Matt Bolt drove in two in a losing effort.
With Game One of this weeks five-game series in the books, Redbird head coach Jim Brownlee thought all went as expected.
Weve pitched well all fall, so I expected us to come out here and do the same, and I think we did, said Brownlee. One of the great things about this week is not only putting guys into game situations, but letting them have a say in the managerial moves.
With over twenty new faces on this years roster, Media World Series veteran Walter noticed a large difference in the club.
I was very impressed with all of the new guys, especially the young pitchers, said Walter. The guys talked about walking Pickrel in his last at bat, but Theisen wanted to pitch to him. Even though it didnt work out, I loved the fact that he wasnt backing down.
In Game Two tomorrow, Greg Halbleib of WJBC will take his team up against Neil Milburt of the Chicago Tribune. Game time for all games this week is 3:30 pm.
