The Behrend beacon. (Erie, Pa.) 1998-current, April 17, 2009, Image 8
8 I The Behrend Beacon Baseball team defeats Pitt Greensburg from page 1 in Lang to put the Lions up 2- O. The score would stay the same through the remaining innings and the Behrend Lions added an important AMCC victory to their record which improved to 11-2. Fyffe went 2-for-2 in the game with an "Weather was an issue in the games. - Koerbel said. "It was a tough day at the plate. We really played well and hit the ball %veil. We played great defense. Especially in the first Steelers to play at Junker Center in basketball game By Christine Newby sports editor censosli psu.edu Super Bowl Xl.lll Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be playing a bas ketball game at the Junker Center on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. against the Behrend Community All-Stars. According to Behrend's head men's basketball coach Dave Niland, the Behrend Community All-Stars consists of a collection of students, fac ulty, staff, and alumni that totals 15 players. The game is a fundraising event for the men's basketball program. Niland said that this year marks the fifth consecu tive year that Behrend has held this event with the Steelers. "The Steelers do community service and it is also a fundraising opportunity for our team as well," Niland said. Men's assistant coach Jimmy Sutton said that tickets are still available. According to Sutton, students can get tickets in doubleheader sweep game, we excelled in the In the second game of the doubleheader, senior pitcher Andrew Chrobak got the win "We had a terrific pitching performance from senior Andrew Chrobak," Benim said. "On Saturday, we were ready to play and focused." The Blue and White once again were the first to put runs up on the board. Fyffe came through again with another RBI when his single drove in Geibel to put the Lions up 1-0. Pitt-Greensburg tied the Tops Junior Jon Gray connects with the ball and runs to first Bottom: Head coach Paul Benim talks with his team before a game at the door or stop in the men's basketball office on Friday, April 17 in the Rinker Center to get tickets. Tickets cost $7. The Pittsburgh Steelers will be available at halftime to sign autographs. "All of the games that they have played in the past, they have signed autographs at halftime," explained Niland. "We also raffle off autographs. They [the Steelers[ will also do that for us as well." The Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII and claimed their sixth NFL Championship which is the most in the league. "In the past we have had really good turnouts." Niland said. "Sometimes standing room only, sometimes a few seats were left. I expect anoth er big event, especially after the Super Bowl win. They [the Steelers[ make it fun by inter acting with the crowd." The list of players on the Pittsburgh Steelers Footballers Basketball Team include Charlie Batch, Jason Capizzi, SPORTS game in the top of the forth on plate," Gray said. "Every time two hits. The Behrend Lions I step up to the plate I expect scored three runs in both the to hit the ball well. This off bottom of the fourth and fifth season I really focused on hit inning which resulted in the ting to the opposite field. I final score 7-1. feel that when I am able to hit Sophomore Adam Hartwig and Lang went 2-for-3 and Lang had two RBI. The victo ry, pushed the team to a 19-4 overall record and 12-2 in the AMCC. "It was great to take two from Pitt-Greensburg this weekend," Gray said. "Our pitching and defense were outstanding. Dave Koerbel and Andy Chrobak have been incredible all year on the "Anything less than going back to regionals, I will be disappointed. When we go back, we deserve to be there. I would take winning regionals over any personal goal." mound. Because of the wind "This year we have worked on during the games, hitting was a lot of vision drills when hit tough, but I thought the situa- ting and it has really paid off. tional hitting was excellent. Guys like Eddie Kessler. Geoff Overall, I thought it was one Lang, Josh Fyffe, and Dave of our best doubleheaders this Miller are all crushing the ball season." and the way our team as a While Koerbel is exceeding whole is hitting is really a tes on the mound, Gray stands tament to our coaching." out offensively at the plate. Benim along with the play- As of April 7 according to ers are after one main goal. NCAA Statistics, Gray led "Our ultimate prize is to Division 11l in batting average compete and win the AMCC with .548. Championship," Benim said. "A big part of hitting well is "Also, hosting the conference having a good mentality at the championship and winning the AMCC regular season are two goals for the season." After splitting a doublehead er with Allegheny and a win against Thiel this week, the Behrend Lions have an impressive overall record of 21-5 and AMCC record of 12- Koerbel believes that the team deserves to be back in regionals this season. "Anything less than going back to regionals, I will be dis- CONTP BuTED PHCTO , , appointed," Koerbel said. "When we go back, we deserve to be there. I would take winning regionals over any personal goal." Tyrone Carter, Ryan Clark, Matt Spaeth, Darnell Carey Davis, Jon Dekker, Stapleton, Ike Taylor, and Arnold Harrison, James Deshea Townsend. Harrison, Chris Hoke, Brett According to the Behrend Keisel, Chris Kemoeatu, website, individual appear- Anthony Madison, Troy ances are subject to player Polamalu, Willie Parker, Ben availability and all players will Roethlisberger, Gaiy Russell, not be at every game. heelers cornerback Deshea Townsend signs autograph well to left field it really levels my swing and forces pitchers to throw the ball over the mid dle and inside parts of the plate, which for me are more attractive pitches to hit." Gray attributes not only his success, but also the success of the team to the coaches. "Our coaches have been great, they are constantly try ing to improve all aspects of our team's game," Gray said. David Koerbel Senior pitche "We are very focused on our goal to win the AMCC regular season and postseason tourna ment and advance to the NCAA Regional Tournament," Gray said. "So far we have put ourselves in a good posi tion to achieve both of these, and we are looking forward for the chance to defend our AMCC title and win some games at the regional tourna ment." CONTRIBUTED PHOTO NFL Draft Preview: Browns, Bills, and Steelers Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford avoids pressure in the pocket On April 25 at 3 p.m. the Detroit Lions will be on the clock with the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, and Baylor left tackle Jason Smith are the top three candidates to be selected number one over all. It can't be taken for granted though that any one of the top three draftees might be chosen first. Every NFL Draft provides its viewers, league officials, scouts, coaches and players alike with shocking trades, picks, and risers and fallers. Remember in the 2006 Draft when the Houston Texans selected defensive end "Super" Mario Williams over USC's highlight reel fiend running back Reggie Bush? Or when the Lions took a receiver with a top ten pick in three straight drafts, and each went on to be back-ups or out of the league, period? It's these sorts of surprises that keep football fans antici pating who will be selected by their team, particularly in the first round. The Cleveland Browns are dismantling the roster player by player. Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was traded to Tampa Bay after demanding to be traded. The Browns are now rumored to be in trade talks that would send receiver Brayton Edwards to the New York "football" Giants. Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers is also in a tedious situ ation as he and new head coach Eric Mangini have pub licly voiced concerns over their relationship. The Browns hold the fifth pick in the 2009 draft, and they could conceivably draft at any position aside from quarter back. With the last of the top five picks the Browns will probably not look to draft a runningback or defensive back as none have the talent to warrant such a high pick. This leaves the Browns with a list of players to choose from. Curry or Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo would make sense at outside linebacker to take advantage of an AFC North Division riddled with weak offensive tackles. The Browns might also con sider Jason Smith if he falls down the drafts boards. Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtee, Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe and Boston College nose tackle B.J. Raji will all also be enticing prospects to the Browns. The city of Buffalo endured shockwaves on March 7, 2009 when the Bills signed Terrell Owens The unprecedented signing has overshadowed a growing list of Bills players getting into trouble. Half back Marshawn Lynch has already been sus pended for three games while safeties Ko Simpson and Donte Whitner have each been arrest ed in separate incidents. "We always value character," Bills GM Russ Brandon said, according to ESPN.com. "It Friday, April 17, 2009 By Shawn Annarelli contributing writer smas I 89{u psu.edu goes into the overall operation of our draft and everything we do here when evaluating a player. Much like you look at vertical jump and a 40 time, you look at that aspect as well." Someone needs to remind him he just signed the notori ous T.O. As for the Bills draft plans, they can go in any number of directions with eleventh pick in the 2009 draft and beyond. Buffalo desperately needs a pass rusher along the defen sive line. The offensive line also leaves a lot left to be desired. So-called pro bowl left tack le Jason Peters gave up more sacks (11.5) than any other left tackle in the league while play ing in only 13 games. Depending on which draft prospects fall and raise the Bills will be in a decent posi-; tion to draft a rookie who could make an immediate impact. The first few names that come to mind as potential Bills picks is Boston College defen sive tackle B.J. Raji, Orakpo, Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher, Alabama offen sive tackle Andre Smith and Florida State defensive end Everett Brown. The Pittsburgh Steelers took care of its main priority as out side linebacker James Harrison extended his contract to a six-year deal worth up to 51 million dollars. The Steelers have stuck true their off-season identity by making as little noise as possi ble. Pittsburgh has yet to acquire another team's free agent. Looking ahead to the draft the Steelers will have the luxu iy of taking the best players available as most of the roster is already aligned. It is doubtful Pittsburgh will look to pick up a quarterback, runningback, receiver, tight end, or linebacker in the first round. Though, the Steelers may consider Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew or Maryland receiver Darrius Heyward-Bay if they want to improve their passing game. Where the Steelers should be looking to immediately improve the team is anywhere along the lines or in the sec ondary. The Steelers may consider stout centers like California's Alex Mack or Louisville's Eric Wood. They could choose a versa tile offensive lineman such as Oregon's Max Unger or any number of offensive tackles crowding the early rounds of the draft. Pittsburgh may also look to the defense and choose Boston College nose tackle Ron Brace or any number of corners crowding the early second round. Over the years teams like the Steelers and Patriots have shown that the best way to build a team is through the draft. It signifies an opportuni ty to draft an impact player early, as well as, steal the next Tom Brady, James Harrison, or T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the later rounds.