Sports gambling was introduced in the US in the early 19th century with horse betting, and took off when professional baseball began in 1876. By 1894, it was so commonplace that there was an article in the Washington Post that stated that the manager of the Chicago Colts bet $100 that his team would finish higher up in the race than the Pittsburgh Pirates. All that changed in 1919 when 8 players on the Chicago White Sox were bribed into throwing the World Series, casting a dark shadow over sports betting. 70 years later, hit king Pete Rose received a lifetime ban from baseball after an investigation determined he bet on games while managing the Reds.
A little closer to home, the pre-season odds would have been long that, prior to the games Tuesday, Dons baseball would have five 9’s in their records (Varsity was 9-9, JV was 9-9, and Frosh was 7-9). The odds would have been even longer that the JV Dons game Tuesday would be competitive given the Ugly Eagles were 14-1, the Dons had lost 4 in a row, and the Dons starting pitcher was just called up from the Frosh team. In fact, it would have been almost as improbable as me successfully matching all the socks in my load of laundry.
And yet despite the long odds, the JV Dons put up a valiant fight against the Ugly Eagles. The Dons offense continued to play well, scoring 4 runs on 5 hits and 6 walks. 4 of those 5 hits were for extra bases, with Wyatt Cooper, Dominic Patitucci, and Ben Pecci recording doubles and Austin Wampler hitting a triple to lead off the 3rd inning.
Brady Wall had the other hit on the day. Pecci, Cooper, Hank Bauer, and David Roux each had a RBI.
The Dons defense continued to struggle, giving up 7 runs on 10 hits, 1 walk, 4 HBP, and 6 errors. Star frosh team pitcher Branson Smith got the call-up and started the game on the mound. He went 2 innings, giving up 4 runs on 3 hits, 1 walk, and 4 HBP.
Smith was followed by Brendan Miles, who went 3 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits. Trevor McCarthy, in his first appearance since the pre-season scrimmage against Foothill, pitched well in the last inning, giving up no runs on 2 hits.
Get to know Coaches: Jim’s favorite bar is the one in his home, and Dan’s is the Roundup Saloon.
The team has the second game of the double header at home today @ 4pm