First Impressions

Just some thoughts after watching Trenton take down New Hampshire 5-1 last night at NeDDs. First, my computer might not have been ready for the regular season as it crapped out somewhere around the 7th inning. Ironically, that was about the time I was crashing out myself, it being my first game since my son was born some six months ago. So we need to send the computer back to extended Spring Training (so that all my missing documents can be found) and I may need to schedule more day games in the coming season.

But enough about me, let’s get to the action. For Zach Stewart it was like déjà vu all over again as he got hit pretty hard in the home opener as he had against Binghamton last season. Thankfully the bleeding wasn’t as bad this time around…(last year’s line – 4.1IP, 9H, 7ER, 4BB, 2HR)…last night he went a whole inning more, allowing only 7 hits and 4 earned runs…only?! Tough first start, but if last season is any indication, it means he won’t lose much after June, so that’s nice!

Anthony Gose impressed with his speed and range all over the field. He stole two bases on the night and it’s obvious that this kid has ridiculous speed, but he has to be more careful on the base paths if he wants to be a better overall baserunner. His first stolen base of the night was actually the result of a pickoff attempt that got him jumping at first, but as mentioned this kid is F-A-S-T, and he beat the throw into second base. Then Brian from Bus Leagues Baseball (check them out NOW!) informed me that Gose had a 58% success rate in stealing bases last season…not good! Obviously some seasoning should help him out and it looks like manager Sal Fasano will be giving him ample opportunities to improve. He glides with ease to fly balls and almost made an outstanding, fully-extended diving catch in right center, but missed it by inches. At the very least it should be exciting to watch him roam the outfield this season.

As far as everything else goes, it was clear that the extreme drop in temperature affected both sides as players were a bit rusty in spots, but that will obviously all come together as things warm up and we can get a better idea of where these guys are heading. If anything else comes to mind, I’ll drop another post, but for now I have to figure out this computer mess!

Pitching matchups and Game of the Day will be up in a bit.