Quote from: augie_superfan on May 15, 2006, 08:12:29 PM

Quote from: augiefan on May 15, 2006, 07:27:49 PM
I too am sorry to see Augie did not get a bid, but it was not surprising. SuperFan asked me to defend my position that a bid might not have been earned. Here goes:

1. Losing nonconference games to Rockford and Alma (Bad)

2. Losing 2 out of 3 to Wheaton (Really Bad)

3. Losing 2 out of 3 to Cathage (Not bad but it set the stage and ultimately helped confirm Carthage to be the class of the CCIW).

4. Losing to NCC 6-1 at the end of the regular season (Hurt their chances).

5. Splitting 4 games with IWU capped by losing in the CCIW tourney (Virtually guaranteed no bid for Augie with Carthage winning the title game).

6. Other than two excellent pitchers, the rest of the pitching staff struggled big time (Not Good).

All in all a good season for Augie, but not one deserving of a DIII World Series opportunity. I think if they had beaten IWU, they would have been invited, but with the bid on the line they came up short. Regretably the tournament committee agreed. I know some of my posts piss of the Augie faithful, and I would much rather drink Blue & Gold kool aid, but I try to be objective.

Good luck to Carthage. They have the talent to go a long way.

Well, those are good points and obviously reasons for them not making it.  However, those reasons are not what started this conversation.  You claimed that their PITCHING didn't deserve the bid.  Then I put forth the stats of the 5 most used pitchers.  So, in my opinion, you didn't prove anything by listing these points up here that would verify your original statement.  And I think you point #6 above is just overstated.  You are telling me that the rest of the pitching staff struggled BIG TIME??  That is just crazy.  Did you ever play Division III baseball, have you ever followed it really closely before this message board was created?  A 4.00 ERA in a conference such as the CCIW is hardly BIG TIME struggling for college baseball.  Go look up a team like Rowan, a team that was probably one of the last Pool C's.  They have team pitching statistics that are almost exactly the same as Augustana.  Obviously the selection comittee found them to be deserving.  The difference between Augustana and Rowan was most likely that Rowan played tougher competition throughout the year and that made up for their lower record.  So, if you'd like another chance, please explain to me why the PITCHING was not deserving.

Please look at the pitching in the 9 regional losses.  Augie pitchers gave up an average of 6.5 runs per game, including double digits three times.  So, it is safe to say Augie pitching struggled, at times, when it counted.  Although in year's past your comments would hold true, don't over-estimate the CCIW this year.  Only three teams had winning records and 4th place was 8-13.  

Although a good overall record, unfortunately, we know in D3, only region games count, and 9 in-region losses is tough to ignore.  I have trouble with Rowan getting a bid.  I know I haven't seen them play, but the entire selection process is an ON-PAPER process and, on-paper, Augie appears to be the better team.    

Quote from: REDMENFAN on May 15, 2006, 10:03:21 AM
Well, St. Louis is a lot better than being shipped to Mississippi! Anyone know any info about the other teams other than their records? We are all fairly familiar with aurora, but I don't know much at all about any of the other schools.

IWU beat Millsaps twice on their spring trip.  IWU beat one of Millsaps top 2 pitchers, Kindler.  He finished the year at 9-2.  Don't really know alot about them.

I also know that 2 of Wash U's 5 losses were to Elmhurst.   

This regional should come down to Aurora and Carthage.

Quote from: BigPoppa on May 08, 2006, 01:46:34 PM

Quote from: REDMENFAN on May 08, 2006, 01:34:34 PM
It will be interesting to see what the coaches decide to do as far as who they pitch. I'm sure North Park will throw their ace against Carthage, but for Carthage, IWU, and Augie it will be interesting. IWU most likely will throw there #1 against Augie. Will Carthage throw Evosovich against NPU or save him for the Augie/IWU winner (assuming Carthage wins.) Same for Augie, will they throw their best against IWU or try to save him for Carthage. Obviously, you need to take every game and team seriously, so it makes it a tough call. Luckily for both Carthage and Augie, they have 3 pitchers that have performed well and been reliable all year in conference.

Carthage will throw their #1, Evosovich. Augie Schmidt does not take anyone lightly in the post-season. If, by chance, Carthage jumps out to an big, early lead, he may pull Evosovich to save him for the final day in relief. That has been his M. O. in the past.

This should be a great CCIW tourney. Think Carthage is already assured a Pool C bid, but I think Augie has to win a game or two to get themselves in without winning the tourney(It makes game #1 vs IWU a huge game for Augie). IWU and NPU both have to win it to get a bid. I do not see IWU getting a thrid CCIW bid with 12 losses already.

IWU will likely throw Dave Dobosz, 8-1 with a 1.41 ERA on the year, including a 3-2 win over Augie earlier in the year.  Unfortunately, he is the only IWU pitcher with a victory over Augie or Carthage.  IWU has no chance of a Pool C so they need a solid weekend.  If they can continue to swing the bats as they have, they have a chance, but pitching needs to be solid.

Quote from: Cooler King on May 08, 2006, 09:45:42 AM
Sorry to all of the Carthage, IWU, and AU fans, but it sure would be neat to see NPU pull an upset in the Tournament.  Everybody loves an underdog. 

Hate to disagree, but I doubt that the players from Carthage, Augie, and IWU love that underdog.

IWU hosts DI Illinois State this evening.  Although no impact for either school in regard to post-season, still a fun game for the community as it is our version of a cross-town rivalry.  There is usually good crowd support for this game and the weather has been nice all day.  Two non-weekend starters take the hill for both schools, so I wouldn't expect a 1-0 game.

I must agree with Poppa, every time there is a post from an Elmhurst fan or about Elmhurst, it usally (1) is funny, and (2) mentions personal feelings towards the coach. 

I also assume NP is staying in town.  It is also alumni weekend for old IWU ballplayers so there should be an above average crowd there Saturday.  Weather looks bad right now, cloudy and windy.  Not sure if they will get two in this evening.

Slight schedule change for IWU this weekend.  Due to weather concerns, IWU hosting North Park in a doubleheader this evening at 5:30pm, then a single noon game tomorrow.

IWU won easily over Maryville (MO) last night.

Predictions for this weekends CCIW games.

Carthage over Wheaton 2-1 (Price will win a 2-1 game)

IWU over North Park 3-0

Elmhurst over NCC 2-1

Augie over Millikin 2-1

Titans lost 9-3 to Wash U last night.  They were up 3-0 after 6, but Wash scored 3 in the 7th, 1 in the 8th and 5 in the 9th.  Pretty much eliminates IWU from Pool C bid.

CCIW predictions this weekend

IWU over Augie 2-1
Carthage over NP 3-0
Millikin over NCC 3-0
Wheaton over Elmhurst 2-1

Since we are talking assistance coaches for the IWU job, IWU has two current assistant coaches who might be in the picture.  Chad Hutson is a former player in the mid 90's who is on the staff.  David Steinbrueck has been on the staff for 20-something years.  Any rumors on either of these two coaches in the hunt?

IWU wins 3-2 over Rockford.  Big game tonight against 29-5 Wash U.  Incredibly, 2 of those 5 losses were home games against Elmhurst.  Not sure how that happened?  Must have been when Coach Jones was coaching and not posting...

IWU won big over Monmouth last night, 23-5.  Freshman Rob Cummings set a school record with 6 hits in the game, including a HR, double, and six RBI's.  More amazing, 2 other players also had 6 RBI's in the game.  Have to think that 3 different players with 6 RBI's each in one game must be a record of some sort.

IWU hosts Rockford this evening then hosts a  huge game against Wash U tomorrow.  Of course, lets not forget Augie this weekend.  If IWU can get past Wash U and take 2 of 3 vs Augie, it could help Pool C chances.  Plus, with only NP and Elmhurst left to play in conference, it should (on paper) produce 6 in-region wins.

Pool C may come down to May 8th when IWU hosts Aurora.  I still think IWU needs to win the conference tourney to get in, but if they run the table in region then lose 2 in tourney, might be hard to leave them out!

IWU also has three this week at Monmouth, hosting Rockford and Wash U.  I think IWU's current in-region record is 10-7 so they really need to win the conference tourney to have a shot (unless they can win out).  I am not certain if the 200 mile rule exists for baseball as it does in basketball.  Anyone?  

Carthage comes back with a 13-3 game in the nightcap.

Have to say, happy with a split.  Hopefully the Titans can win tomorrow!

I think you Carthage guys have mentioned a Sports Information number one can call with in-game score updates.  Care to share that number so I can call for updates??