1/15/2009 6:00:00 AM

USA BaseBlog - Ping Pong Day Three Update

Jan. 15, 2009 - Ping Pong Day Three Update

Thank you for taking the time to browse the baseball page. If you have a question or comment, please feel free to e-mail me. The 2009 USA Baseball Season Outlook is now available online, as well as the latest edition of In the Dugout with ... featuring senior RHP Miles Ethridge.

The brackets are starting to take shape with every first-round matchup now complete, and only a few matches left to be played in the second round of the inaugural Jaguar Baseball Ping Pong Tournament. Here's a recap of the third day of action from the locker room inside the Jon Lieber Clubhouse.

Dustin Crenshaw knocked off Matt Jackson in a battle of two big right-handers in their first seasons at USA. Crenshaw moves on to face his pitching coach, Scot Sealy, who won his first match of the tournament by defeating Miles Ethridge.

Corey Powell's comeback bid came to a screeching halt when he ran into big lefty Brad Hook. The freshman first baseman moves on to face Brad Hammac for the right to be called "the real Brad H."

In the final matchup of the first round, Zach Grichor made quick work of freshman pitcher Jarrett Bailey. However, Grichor was unable to sustain his momentum as he dropped his next match to veteran lefty Lance Baxter. Jake Overstreet awaits Baxter in the third round.

Michael Logan won a marathon match against fellow pitcher Chris Brown in what was the most competitive game of the second round. After splitting the first two sets, Brown held a 7-2 advantage and needed to win just four of the next 11 points to advance, but Logan dug deep to overcome the deficit and win 13-11 in overtime. He moves on to face the winner of assistant coach Seth Von Behren and Adam Heisler.

Brad Montgomery remains the only player eliminated, as no additional matches have been played on the wrong side of the bracket. Stuart Barton dealt the final blow to Montgomery in Tuesday's action.

Best Match of Round Two: Michael Logan def. Chris Brown. This one featured a furious comeback and an impressive display of agility from the 6-6, 240-pound Logan.

Look Forward To: Nathaniel Lami vs. Ryan Bohanan. USA's two best hitters from the fall battle it out to see which one has been able to maintain his hot stick. Also look forward to Derek O'Reilly vs. David Doss. Two veterans from opposite ends of the country duke it out in what is sure to be one of the closest matches of the second round.

Favorites: Word around the clubhouse is that Jake Overstreet, Greg Johnson, Dustin Crenshaw and Scot Sealy are the top players yet to lose. Either Crenshaw or Sealy will have to move to the loser's bracket after they meet in the third round.

Dark Horse: Zach Grichor has shown marked improvement in his short time at USA, but his partner in the middle of the infield, Derek O'Reilly, has also shown some impressive skills. O'Reilly will likely struggle to get by Doss in his next match, but if he's able to advance he'll have quite a bit of momentum on his side.

The Clock is About to Strike Midnight On: Ryan Bohanan got by assistant coach Alan Luckie in the first round, but he's about to face a much quicker opponent in Nathaniel Lami.

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