Chris Rodgers' Story Blog

Ladler still considering USC

DB Kenny Ladler of Stone Mountain, GA (185 6-0) is still a Vanderbilt commitment, but continues to explore his options including with USC. He heard from Miami for the first time last week and will be sending film to them in the near future. “I like Miami, I always have since I was a kid,” says Ladler. He definitely wants to take official visits to USC and Vanderbilt and will also consider Kentucky. Ladler also mentioned that Coach Ward had recently discussed next year’s depth chart with him and showed him “I could be a second string player as soon as I step on campus next year.” He has 58 tackles and three interceptions for his team this year, who is the number one seed in their playoffs. Ladler will decide on his visits after his playoff season (which culminates on December 12th in the Georgia Dome).

Green ready to get back in the action

RB Mustafa Green (6-1 200) of Irmo is scheduled to return to the lineup for the Yellowjackets this week. He sprained an ankle earlier on in October, but he is ready to return on Friday. In the meantime, his recruiting has been just as slow as he has during the month. “I’ve been hearing the most from Rutgers, Syracuse, and NC State,” says Green, “although that doesn’t mean they’re my favorites, just that they’re coming after me the hardest right now.” Green has been keeping up with a few schools, including the Scarlet Knights and says, “I saw the Rutgers game a couple weeks ago, and the back had like 30 runs for 177 yards, it was impressive.” He speaks to USC coach Brad Lawing somewhat frequently, but has nothing lined up with USC or any other school -- except a December 4th visit to Rutgers. Green has 117 rushes for 1169 yards and 18 TD’s in his five games played so far this season.

Irmo QB drawing national attention

QB David Olson (6-3 210) of Irmo is seeing his stock rise with Wisconsin. The Badgers had coaches down to scout his game with White Knoll a few weeks ago and he was proud of his effort, saying “I think I did really well in that game, I was happy.” The Irmo coaches told Olson’s father that the Badger coaches said he had “really grown up and gotten bigger” and that “he’s ready for Division I football.” Olson said the Virginia coaches would be down to scout him earlier this month, but a snafu on the Cavaliers' end forced them to reschedule that for this Friday. His latest interest has come from Wofford, who told him they would be scouting his game this Friday, as well. Olson hasn’t heard from Clemson or USC recently, and says he’ll make final decisions about his visits sometime after his team’s season is over in December.

Floyd clarifies muddled visit situation

DL Sharrif Floyd (6-3 311) of Philadelphia addressed his muddled visit situation today. Floyd downgraded last weekend’s Penn State visit from official to unofficial “because there was a huge snowstorm up there and I wanted to get in and out quickly.” Floyd’s visit to USC this weekend has been cancelled for now, because he wanted to bring a teammate who hasn’t passed the NCAA clearinghouse yet. He will reschedule the visit for later on in November or December. Floyd will spend the free weekend taking an official visit to Ohio State, who has entered his top 6 along with USC, Southern Cal, Florida, Penn State, and North Carolina. Floyd’s other visits remain intact, including North Carolina on November 6th. He also addressed whispers that Michigan had been getting his attention saying “that’s just a rumor.” Floyd has been to Southern Cal and Florida already, but says none of the six schools leads for him right now.

In Class A Division II action Friday night, Scott's Branch overcame Timmonsville 46-22 to advance to round three of the South Carolina high school football playoffs. The game started off with a bang for Scott's Branch, with leading rusher Quinton Singleton exploding for a 66 yard run on the second play from scrimmage. The Eagles extended the lead out to 14-6 going into the second quarter which started out a bit better for the Whirlwinds. Timmonsville leaned on their 1-2 punch of RB's Matt Elleby and Moses Harrell who went for 20 yards on the ground and nine through the air, while quarterback Zach Morris had a drive saving 11-yard scramble to put them in position to score with a one yard dive by Harrell – they evened things up at 14 after Morris punched in the two point conversion.

The Eagles answered immediately, however, with a 10 play all-rush drive covering 62 yards capped with a 20 yard Quinton Singleton scamper. Singleton added the two point conversion to restore the eight point cushion for the Eagles. The Whirlwinds answered back with an all-rush TD drive of their own, with Morris again providing the big play – this time a one yard scoring rush. Another two point conversion knotted the game at 22. The Eagles used a huge 56 yard Singleton kickoff return to set themselves up for a go-ahead score just before halftime and things ended 30-22 Scott's Branch at the break.

The second half figured to be more of the same ground attack for both teams, and it started off that way, as Timmonsville took the opening kickoff and went on a 17 play drive highlighted by a 31 yard completion from Morris to Braushon Redden to convert a 4th and 27. The Eagles had the Whirlwinds stopped inside their own 20 yard line but a late hit gave Timmonsville a first down. The defense stiffened and a 3rd down sack by Antoine Brown made for a tough 4th down conversion attempt. The pass ultimately fell incomplete, giving the ball back to the Eagles. That stop appeared to demoralize Timmonsville because Scott's Branch drove the ball almost 65 yards, including a 41 yard pass from QB Jerrell Adams to Antoine Brown. Things ended badly for the Eagles that time down because of a holding call on the ensuing third down.

Timmonsville never got any closer, however, as they fumbled away their final three possessions, including one three plays after a Scott's Branch three and out, and one a bit later which was caused by Antoine Brown and returned ten yards for a score by Shane Bennett of Scott's Branch.

Quinton Singleton was sterling all night for the Eagles, totaling 287 rush yards and 2 TD's. Antoine Brown led the defense with that big third down sack, as well as the forced fumble which was returned for a score (all in addition to a 41 yard reception on offense).

The Whirlwinds were looking for revenge from their 12-0 loss (also at Scott's Branch) back on October 16th. They didn't get it and their season will end with a 3-9 record. Scott's Branch will host the state semi-final game next Friday night at 7:30 against Lake View. The winner will advance to Columbia for the state final against either Williston-Elko or Ware Shoals.

It was literally a record setting weekend in the UAB-UCF series, culminating with an NCAA record-tying performance by Knights second baseman Shane Brown. The hitting display spurred UCF to a series clinching 12-6 win Sunday at Young Memorial Field.

Brown reached base 18 straight times this weekend, tying the NCAA record. The streak started against Stetson on April 21st. Brown was 5 for 5 in the UCF win on Friday, then continued the streak with a 2 for 3 performance Saturday in the Blazer win. He had reached on a Home Run, double, and a single on Sunday afternoon before flying out to left field in the 6th inning.

“[This weekend] was awesome, just seeing the ball real good, seemed like every time I swung the bat it fell for a hit,” said Brown, who was 11 for 13, with 3 doubles and 2 Home Runs. He also walked twice and had 6 RBI's.

The record came on the heels of another record setting offensive night for UCF on Friday. The Knights scored 29 runs to beat the Blazers 29-9.

Blazer pitching continued their frustrating weekend, giving up 12 runs on 17 hits. The Knights scored double-digit runs in each of the three games. “You cannot put pressure on your offense to have to score double-digits to win,” said Blazers coach Brian Shoop. UAB starter Kyle Roberson gave up 7 runs through 4 and 1/3 innings pitched before being replaced by a series of 4 relief pitchers who gave up 5 more runs.

The game was pretty close until UCF scored 4 runs in the 5th inning. SS Eric Kallstrom led off with a double, and then was driven home by RF Brandon Romans. Afterwards, 1B Kiko Vazquez blasted a Home Run to deep left field which plated 3 Knights, effectively ending the UAB challenge.

Leading the way for the Blazers were Brint Hardy who was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored, and Jonathan Merritt who returned from a concussion to regain his leadoff spot. Merritt was also 2 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.

The loss breaks the Blazers' series winning streak at 2 (they beat both Marshall and Southern Miss 2-1). UAB remains in the playoff hunt in Conference USA, in 6th place with a 6-9 conference record. The Blazers are 24-20 overall.

They now have a week off before hosting Memphis May 1st through the 3rd

The games will help determine the bottom of the Conference USA standings, as the Blazers and Tigers are within one game of each other.

Game time will be 7 PM Friday night.

With lead off hitter Jonathan Merritt out with a minor concussion, UAB would have to lean on their pitching to bounce back against UCF. Not a happy thought, considering the Knights broke school records in a 29-9 Friday night romp at Jerry D. Young Memorial Stadium. The pitching was good enough, and the bats rebounded as the Blazers beat UCF 12-8 in game 2 of their 3 game series Saturday afternoon.

Merritt, who is day-to-day, missed the game after being beaned in the late innings last night, and was replaced in the lineup by occasional player Keith DePew. He came up huge for UAB, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a walk, also scoring 2 runs.

The game looked like it might have a similar outcome after the Knights exploded for 3 runs in the top of the first inning again, but UAB's pitching responded to Coach Shoop's advice after yesterday's game. “These aren't the Yankees... they're a .288 team. They're like every other team. They can be pitched to,” said Shoop.

Blazers starter Shay Crawford held UCF scoreless from the 2nd inning until the 5th, when he was pulled. Crawford gave up 4 earned runs and walked 3 while striking out 2 in his 4 and 1/3 innings of work.

Blake Huddleston was excellent in relief for the Blazers, giving up only 1 run in 4 and 2/3 innings.

The Blazer bats were fairly dormant until the 4th, when 3 Knight errors combined with 2 Blazer singles to give UAB a 5-3 lead.

UCF answered back immediately in the 5th, giving Blazer fans a sense of deja-vu as they scored 4 runs on 3 singles and a throwing error by Blazer center fielder Jamal Austin. It was unfortunate for Austin though, as the bouncing throw from center escaped third baseman Andrew Manning when the runner knocked him down as he slid into the base.

The Blazer bats were energized, however, and scored in every inning afterwards. The 5th saw two solo home runs by Digger Towe and Andrew Manning.

In the 6th, UAB scored three runs playing small ball. Singles by Shay Crawford, Cody McMurray and Luke Stewart built the Blazer lead to 10-8.

The leaders for the Blazers at the plate were Nick Crawford, who went 4 for 6 with 2 RBI's and a Run, and Luke Stewart, who was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI's. Also for the Blazers, Andrew Manning went , 2 for 3 with 2 Runs and 2 RBI's, all alongside the substituting Keith DePew.

The win moves UAB to 6-8 in conference and a tie for 5th place in C-USA with Tulane. The Knights drop back into 9th place with the loss. The teams will decide the series Sunday at Noon.

When I write about a baseball game, I always bring 2 pencils to keep score. That wasn't enough Friday night, as Central Florida destroyed both my writing array and the record book on the way to a 29-9 rout over UAB at Young Memorial Field.

The Knights' onslaught began in the top of the first, with Colin Arnold hitting a leadoff single and Shane Brown being hit by a pitch. Right Fielder Brandon Romans took advantage with a 3 run homer. UCF never looked back, blasting their way to a school-record 29 runs on 28 hits. Both previous highs were 27, and both records had stood since UCF (then Florida Tech) played Florida Memorial on April 14th, 1979.

Unfortunately for Blazer fans, the game broke UAB records too. 26 earned runs were the most since UAB traveled to Cincinnati 16 years ago to the day – April 24th, 1993. 3 errors were a season high for the UAB fielders, as well. UCF's total was only one short of UAB's all time runs allowed record of 30 (against UA on April 14th, 1999).

The culprit was pitching for the Blazers. Starter Beau Pender pitched 4 innings, giving up 7 earned runs, while walking 2 and striking out 3. UAB was still relatively close before reliever Robert Brewster gave up 12 earned runs through only one inning of work. Although Brewster only recorded 1 inning, he also pitched to 7 Knight hitters in the 6th without recording an out.

After Brewster, the Blazers took on a Yankees-like quality, allowing position players Austin Taylor, Ben Drust, and Andrew Manning to pitch the rest of the game (Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher pitched an inning against the Rays earlier this week). That was as far as the comparison would go, however, as the three combined to give up 7 more earned runs over the final 4 innings of the game.

UCF's league high staff ERA of 8.20 never materialized until well after the game was out of reach. With long layoffs between innings, the UAB hitters never found rhythm and went very quietly until the 7th. Only Andrew Manning hit well for the Blazers, going 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBIs.

Among other UAB contributors were Left Fielder Cody McMurray, who went 2-5 - also plating 3, and First Baseman Luke Stewart who was also 2-5, and had 2 RBI's.

The win bumps the last-place Golden Knights to 4-9 in conference, 14-25 overall. UCF is now in 8th place, off of the bottom of the league, while Memphis moves down to 9th. UAB falls to 5-8 in C-USA and 23-19 overall. UAB remains in 6th place in the league, eligible for the end of season conference tournament.

The series will continue Saturday afternoon at 2PM at Jerry D. Young Memorial Field on the campus of UAB.

History says most doubleheaders are split, each team winning one game. Tuesday's doubleheader was never going to follow that script, though. UAB swept the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 12-2 and then 11-1 at Young Memorial Field.

Game 1 was never as close as the final score, as UAB took the lead in the first inning and didn't look back. They scored 9 runs through 4 innings and closed out the 7 inning game with an easy 9 run win. Game 2 was much closer, and UAB didn't collect a hit until Cody McMurray's double in the fourth inning. McMurray scored on a stolen base and a throwing error. The UAB pitching held the Bulldogs at bay, and the Blazers' 7 run 5th sealed the game for UAB.

The big Blazers inning was keyed by 3 walks, given up by Bulldogs starter AJ Campbell.

The sweep bumps the Blazers' record to 20-16, while the Bulldogs fall to 10-19 on the season.

Fabian Harper paced the Bulldogs, going 2-6 with a run, while Marcus Spencer went 3-7.

The Bulldog pitchers were the weak point for Alabama A&M, giving up 23 runs through 14 innings, an ERA of 14.79. They struck out 7, while walking 15.

UAB's hitting was led by Digger Towe, who went 4-7 with 6 RBI's on the day as a catcher and a DH. Cody McMurray was 2-4 with an RBI and a double, also walking twice.

The Blazers' starting pitching was also very strong, including strong starts by James Oliver in game 1 and Colin McMurray in game 2.

Oliver gave up 3 hits and 2 earned runs over 5 innings. He struck out 4 and walked only 2, earning the win and moving to 2-2 on the year.

Game 2's starter Colin McMurray threw 6 strong innings, giving up 4 hits and only 1 run. He lowered his ERA to 3.24, increasing his record to 2-1 with the win.

UAB's next series is at Southern Miss, in Hattiesburg this weekend. The Blazers return to the state next week, playing at Troy next Tuesday. The Blazers return to Birmingham on Wednesday against the Trojans at 6:30 PM.

The Blazers' next home series is against Central Florida on April 24, 25 and 26th.

Runners on base usually spell trouble for a pitcher, and it proved true again for UAB pitcher Blake Huddlestone Monday. Alabama scored 5 times in the top of the 6th to defeat the Blazers 10-6 in a game resumed from a March 25th rainout.

The game was rained out after 5 and a half innings that day, but the teams decided to try and complete the game. When the game started with the bases loaded and only 1 out, UAB figured it would be playing from behind when it came to bat, and that came true. Tyler Odle was hit by a pitch early on to drive in the first run of the day. Taylor Dugas cranked a 2-run double next, and then Josh Rutledge also hit an RBI single. The Crimson Tide were up 7-2 before the Blazers had a chance to hit.

Things were pretty much decided for Alabama, even though the Blazers managed to keep it interesting until the final strikeout. Alabama moved to 23-12 this season, while the loss drops UAB to 18-16.

Huddlestone (the Blazer's first pitcher of the day, second of the game) gave up 6 hits and 5 earned runs through 2 and 2/3 innings today, also walking 2.

Alabama's Nathan Kilcrease had a strong outing on the mound, giving up the only 4 runs of the game for UAB. He gave up 6 hits and walked 3, but looked in control until UAB's 8th inning.

In that 8th, the Blazers loaded the bases on singles from Digger Towe and Luke Stewart, along with an Austin Taylor walk. With no outs, things looked to be turning UAB's way until Andrew Manning hit into a double play, scoring pinch runner Alan Aubin. Jamal Austin hit a big triple to score another run, but the rest of the Blazers couldn't bring him home from third.

Austin was 2-2 on the day with that triple and RBI. Leadoff hitter Jonathan Merritt was 1-2 for the Blazers, while Digger Towe went 2-2 with a double and a single.

UAB has a chance to get back on track Tuesday against 10-17 Alabama A&M. They will play a doubleheader at Young Memorial Field, starting at 3PM.

The ECU hitters immediately served notice that today's doubleheader would be different than yesterday's game. They scored 7 runs in the top of the first inning, and never looked back. UAB continued to grind out runs, trailing 10-8 going into the ninth, but 3 walks and 4 singles, including one on a bunt, allowed ECU to solidify their hold on the game by putting 5 runs on the board and win th game 15-9.

Game 2 was much tighter. Even after the ECU pulled out to a 6-0 lead through 2 innings, the Blazers refused to go quietly, hitting a grand slam to make things interesting. Afterwards the teams continued to stay nearly even, but near the end of the game, UAB couldn't get anything going against the ECU bullpen. The Pirates went on to win 10-9 sweeping the doubleheader and the weekend series.

Inclement weather prompted officials to change the usual schedule, leading to the Saturday doubleheader. With the wins, ECU retained the lead in Conference USA moving to 8-1, 25-5 overall. UAB fell to 1-5, 16-13 overall.

After a disappointing Friday night in which pitchers strangely dominated, the numbers 1 and 3 run-scoring teams in Conference USA showed up on Saturday.

The Pirates got things going in their first inning with 4 singles, a double, and a UAB error to score the 7 runs.

Among the leading hitters for UAB were Andrew Manning, who hit the grand slam in game two which cut into the 6-0 Pirate lead, and Cody McMurry who went 4 for 9 with 2 RBI's on the day.

The Pirates were paced by Devin Harris who went 4 for 9 with 2 runs scored and 5 RBI's on the day.
Shining in relief for UAB was Nick Graffeo who pitched 4 innings in Game 2, giving up only 2 hits and 2 earned runs. Because of the lack of offense from the Blazers, Graffeo earned his second loss of the year, falling to 1-2 on the year.

Reliever Brad Mincey was the main component of ECU's game two victory, taking over for starter Kevin Brandt. Mincey pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up only 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 2. He earned the win to move to 7-1 on the season.

UAB moves on to play Mississippi State at Regions Park in Hoover on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Their next in conference opportunity is next weekend in Huntington, West Virginia against Marshall.

With UAB averaging over 9 runs per game and East Carolina nearly 11, one would expect a tight, high-scoring game.

One would be half right. ECU edged UAB 6-3 Friday night at Young Memorial Field. The win takes ECU further up the C-USA standings. They are now 23-5, 6-2. The loss takes UAB to 16-11, 1-3 and snaps the Blazers' 5 game winning streak.

The game was close throughout, and the outcome turned on mistakes and missed chances for both teams.

Trailing by one in the 7th inning, and then again in the 8th, UAB hitters came up with leadoff doubles. The Blazers failed to convert on either chance and the Pirates were able to hold on for the victory.

Blazers skipper Brian Shoop was more disappointed with his team's plate discipline. “The disappointing statistic is we punch out 14 times. That's not a very good commitment by our hitters with 2 strikes,” said Shoop, adding “Either they pitched well, or we did a very poor job with 2 strikes.”

But the Blazers bats weren't totally at fault. ECU starter Chris Heston improved to 5-0 on the year, and his ERA dropped from 2.95. He went 7 strong innings, giving up 3 runs, only 1 earned. His 10 strikeouts were a season high for the Pirates.

UAB starter Shay Crawford was also good, going 5 innings, giving up 5 hits and 3 earned runs. He struck out 3 and walked 2.

Things looked to be going according to the high-scoring plan when both teams scored single runs in both the second and third innings. Andrew Manning drove in Cody McMurry after a walk and a 2 base error by Pirate RF Devin Harris in the second for UAB. The Blazers picked up another run in the third after a 3 base throwing error by Pirates 3B Drew Scheiber.

After that, things settled down and pitching took over. The Blazers wouldn't score again until a solo Home Run by Luke Stewart in the 6th.

Things remained within striking distance for the Blazers throughout the game, until ECU cleanup hitter Kyle Roller smashed a 2 out double in the 9th which scored Ryan Wood and Trent Whitehead.

The pitching kept UAB hitters largely dormant, but Jamal Austin and Brint Hardy had the leadoff doubles in the 7th and 8th innings. The two both went 1-4 on the night. Also starring for the Blazers was Luke Stewart, who hit the solo home run in the 6th which brought the game back within 1.

The series will continue Saturday afternoon at 2 PM at Young Memorial field. The teams will play a double-header because of probable inclement weather on Sunday. Game 2 will begin 45 minutes after the completion of game one.