Love v. Lujan: Let the Games Begin

Nov. 10, 2009

Anthony D'Albora - (San Francisco) - Even before we reach Game One of the Fall Classic on the Hilltop there seems to already be some corkboard material unfolding. On Tuesday morning, both teams announced their starting pitchers for game one of the 2009 Fall World Series. The defending champion Green Team will go with Sophomore RHP Cameron Love and he will oppose the Gold's Junior LHP Matt Lujan. Love returns to the mound for the same squad he started and won for last season. "The Fall World Series brings out the best in us," Love stated on hearing the news of being named game one starter. "It's like an In-and-Out burger. They are the same no matter where you get them. You can expect the same outstanding quality no matter where you are and they are loved because of it. The Green Team will continue to prepare the same way we have all fall and the same way we did last year. It is with that preparation and mindset that we expect to win."

Gold Team's ace had plenty to say about the series as well. "It's going to be a battle this year. I am more than excited to get the show on the road and take the first step to a Golden Championship!" When asked of his plan and approach to pitching in game one Friday afternoon Lujan's answer was simple, "I plan to make pitches. AOEP!"

To add to the building drama surrounding the series it was leaked to the press late Monday night that Green Teams starting catcher Mason Morioka was hurt and is listed as questionable for the series. "While it cannot be confirmed it has been brought to our attention that Morioka was injured while participating in an underground Ninja Fight Club, commonly known on the streets as NFC," an anonymous source reported. While we could not get anyone from either organization to comment on the injury, it is our understanding that Morioka had a clause in his contract that allowed him to participate in this form of organized fighting during the offseason. The question becomes whether this injury that has occurred during the playing season will have any effect on Morioka's contract.

We did get a chance to sit down with Player Representative Troy Nakamura. "I cannot confirm or deny whether or not Mason's contract included a clause that did not allow him to participate in NFC during the season. It is unfortunate that just days before one of the biggest series of his young career he had something like this happen." When asked if he thought Morioka had any chance of being cleared to play at some point during the series Nakamura explained, "As of right now he is listed as day to day and he will begin rehabbing immediately so that was can further assess his availability for the remainder of the series."

It would seem imminent that if Morioka could not be cleared to play that the Green Team would begin discussions with the Gold Team to try and acquire a catcher. We sat down with field manager Greg Revelli to get his reactions on everything that has transpired, "We felt confident with the team we drafted, and it is unfortunate that Mason went down the way he did, but we will do whatever it takes to bring in the right guy to replace him behind the dish. I think what is the most important lesson to be learned from this situation is that you really have to make sure and be careful to not put yourself or your team in a tough situation. But rest assured the Green Team will do whatever it takes to have a starting lineup that we feel can compete to win a championship come game one on Friday."

The 2009 Fall World Series will begin this Friday with first pitch scheduled for 1:30pm at Benedetti Diamond. The games are open to the public, and you can continue to check back for the most up to date information on the series here at www.usfdons.com