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Checkmate FPC's Bishop makes all the right moves



By: Ken Murphy


RINDGE - Franklin Pierce closer Tyler Bishop was rooting for his former team to join his Ravens in the NCAA Division II College World Series.

When Franklin Pierce wrapped up the Northeast Regional in four straight games, Bishop checked in on the action down in Florida, where his former team, Tampa, needed extra innings in an elimination game against Florida Southern to win the South Regional.

Defending national champion Tampa is back in the field, and that's just the way Bishop wants it.

Bishop played for Tampa in 2005.

"I talked to (former teammate Pat House) and told him I was counting on Tampa to win, because I want to beat the best to be the best," Bishop said. "I told him, 'We're coming after you.' "

The College World Series begins today, with Kutztown (Pa.) taking on Nebraska-Omaha at 1 p.m. and Tampa facing Cal State Los Angeles at 6:30 p.m. at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala.

Franklin Pierce (49-9), ranked fifth nationally, opens play against No. 11 Angelo State (50-18) on Saturday at 1 p.m.

With the way the brackets are set up, Franklin Pierce would not face Tampa until the championship game, which is scheduled for June 1. The Spartans eliminated Franklin Pierce from the semifinals of the tournament in the Ravens' two previous trips to the World Series, in 2003 and last season.

If Bishop is on the mound in the late innings against his former team, the Spartans might have reason to worry - a good reason.

Bishop has not allowed a run in 232/3 innings this season. The junior from Milford has a program single-season record 10 saves to go with a 2-0 record and 27 strikeouts. He has allowed 16 baserunners on nine hits and seven walks, and has allowed just three inherited runners to score.

"That'd be great," Franklin Pierce Coach Jayson King said of the prospect of Bishop closing out a World Series title for the Ravens against Tampa. "It'd be a great stage for him and a great opportunity for our team. I hope that's the case."

Shane Presutti holds the program record for consecutive scoreless innings, with his 341/3 scoreless innings streak set last season.

Bishop, who is generously listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, began his streak March 18 in a 10-2 rout over Mercy in Boca Raton, Fla. He gave up a walk in one hitless inning.

Bishop earned his first save, and cemented his status as the team's closer, the next day in a 9-8 win over Barry. He came on with two outs and a man on second in the eighth. Bishop induced an infield pop-up to close out the inning before closing it out in the ninth with the potential game-winning run on first base.

"From that game on he's been the guy. After that game, being in that situation, he just built on that," King said. "Last year he had a good cutter and he pitched good for us, but this year you could tell guys are taking bad swings and not seeing the ball well. To put the streak together that he has shows you how focused he is."

Tampa saw Bishop's potential when the kid from New Hampshire walked onto the team during fall practice in 2004. After Bishop shined for the jayvee team in intrasquad games and scrimmages, the Spartans gave him a spot in the bullpen. Used primarily in a set-up role, Bishop pitched 171/3 innings, giving up six earned runs on 19 hits. His 3.12 ERA was the third lowest on the team.

Tampa missed out on the World Series that season, falling to eventual national champion Florida Southern in regional play. Bishop made it to the World Series the following season - as a Raven.

"I definitely missed home and I definitely missed swinging the bat," Bishop said of his decision to transfer. "It was a combination of things, but I wanted to play in front of my family and friends."

Oh yeah, the bat. Bishop is hitting .421 (8-for-19) with two doubles and four RBIs as a pinch-hitter. With his Ravens facing elimination in the Northeast-10 Conference tournament against Bryant on May 13, Bishop delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh inning that put FPC up 1-0, with another run scoring on the play on an outfield error.

The Ravens won that game 4-2 to set up an elimination game for both Franklin Pierce and Bryant. Franklin Pierce won the nightcap 4-3 - with Bishop pitching a perfect ninth for his ninth save.

"I like scrappy guys. I like guys who fight for everything, and he's one of those guys," King said about Bishop at that tournament's conclusion. "So when the game's on the line, whether it's pitching or hitting, he's usually the guy we want up there."

One week later, Bishop recorded the final out for the Ravens when Franklin Pierce won the NCAA Northeast Regional at Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field.

So if Bishop is on the mound in a close situation against Tampa - with the World Series on the line - Franklin Pierce has reason to like its chances.