Red sweeps Blue in fall world series

 
The annual Fall World Series this past week didn’t go three games, but it still could have gone either way as both games went into extra innings.
 
“Best pizza bowl ever,” head coach Mike Bianco said. “Best pizza bowl in 13 years.”
 
The Red team, managed by senior right-hander Brett Huber, won game one thanks to a walk-off sacrifice fly by junior infielder/outfielder Preston Overbey. In game two, the Red team got a big-time performance from junior infielder Lance Wilson, a junior college transfer from Shelton State (Ala.), who had four hits in five at-bats and scored two runs.
 
“Great play,” Bianco said. “Both teams played great. They played hard, there was a lot of emotion. You have two games in extra innings; that’s amazing. One team got swept, but either team could have won.
 
Bianco was just an observer in this event, while fifth-year seniors Brett Huber and Tanner Mathis managed the teams. Mathis managed the Blue team, and Huber managed the Red team. Huber, the winning manager, came away very impressed by the performance of both teams, as did Bianco.
 
“This is my fifth year and this is the best pizza bowl that I’ve ever been a part of,” Huber said. “Even teams. This team just competes. There are a lot of winners on this team. Hopefully something special is going to come.”
 
In game one, the Red team started sophomore right-hander Scott Weathersby and the Blue team started sophomore right-hander Chris Ellis. As Ellis had done all last fall, he came out and dominated, throwing four scoreless innings. The Red team got to the bullpen, however, and forced extra innings. In extra innings, each team had a chance to bat with the bases loaded and no outs. The Red team was the only team to force across a run as it came on a sacrifice fly by Overbey.
 
In game two, the Red team started sophomore right-hander Josh Laxer, while the Blue team countered with senior right-hander Tanner Bailey. Game two was more of an offensive battle. Junior right-hander Aaron Greenwood, however, gave the Red team four solid innings in relief. 
 
This time, it was the Blue team that rallied to force extra innings. However, the big day from Wilson carried the Red to the victory. For the Red team, the victory meant pizza, and for the Blue team, it meant running a few extra laps, while the Red team enjoyed their pizza.
 
The Rebels were without many players in fall ball that are expected to be key contributors in 2013. Junior right-handers Mike Mayers and Bobby Wahl, as well as Huber were held out for the fall. Junior left-hander Austin Blunt, a junior college transfer, was also held out this fall because of arm soreness. Mathis and freshman catcher Holt Perdzock also missed the end of the fall because of injuries. Sophomore outfielder Senquez Golson missed the fall because of football.
 
With many big-time players missing time in the fall and the loss of Alex Yarbrough and Matt Snyder to professional baseball, the fall was wide open at a few positions and many newcomers impressed.
 
Two players that showed well at positions of need were Lance Wilson at second base and junior college transfer Stuart Turner at catcher. Senior infielder John Gatlin also impressed and could play a number of positions for the Rebels in 2013. The Rebels were also looking for someone to step up and make a claim to earn the Sunday starter role. The biggest impression for that spot was made by Ellis. Sophomore right-handers Hawtin Buchanan and Josh Laxer also showed well.
 
The Rebels will pick back up with spring practice starting in January. The Rebels will open up the 2013 season on Feb. 15, the first of a three-game series against TCU in Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.