Big East: Things Heating Up In Brooklyn

By Grant Tunkel - May 23, 2007

It's stretch time for the final time on Day 2 here at Keyspan Park, and the top half of the 7th produced about as much action as the rest of the game combined.

St. John's catcher Brendan Monaghan - who seems to be at the heart of everything that's happened thus far this evening - led off the inning with a double, the second hit of the game for St. John's. He advanced to 3rd on a sacrifice fly to left, and then shortstop Jeff Grantham was hit for the second time in the game by Delaney, causing plate umpire Don January to warn both benches.

Delaney was then lifted and replaced by Shawn Sanford, who calmly induced leadoff hitter Brian Kemp to pop out to the first baseman in foul territory for the second out. He then got Chris Joachim to chase a nasty pitch that tailed away from him to retire the side.

All the while, St. John's fans have been none too pleased with January's work this game. Every pitch, the Red Storm faithful clamor for the opposite call if it would favor their team. January, however, has had none of it, sticking to his guns and calling his game. From the press box, he seems to be consistent and fair in his umpiring, and his strike zone hasn't really changed throughout the game.

1-0 USF, mid 7.