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