I must also say congratulations to R-MC, they have some very good hitters.  They were able to finally catch up to one of the ODAC's strongest closers in Chris Deanes.

Chris Deanes the closer for Virginia Wesleyan has 40K's in only 26 innings.  His stats would be even more off the charts if not for some late season blowouts either applied or suffered by VWC.

Hey Jim, were you at the ODAC Friday afternoon?  If you were at the VWC-HS game how would you rate Deanes the VWC closer?

VWC coaches, use the players who got you to the dance!

Quote from: A.G. on April 22, 2008, 12:39:52 PM
From the Lynchburg SID's...
http://www.d3baseball.com/pressreleases/Lynchburg/2008/04/22/Lynchburg-ODAC-Tournament-Preview/2675

A very nice breakdown of the Hornets, as well as the other five schools competing for the ODAC bid this week. 

That was a very good breakdown of the teams by the Lynchburg SID.  
Just one thing has me baffled.  Deanes, the Marlins closer and easily the strongest arm on the team has 38 strikeouts in just 23 innings of work but the Marlins pitching coach decides not to use him in a game where all their other pitchers were getting blasted by the W&L bats or couldn't find the plate.  
THERE IS NO TOMMORROW COACH, USE YOUR BEST PITCHERS!!!!!!  USE YOUR GUT INSTINCT AND STOP OUT THINKING YOURSELF!!!!  USE THE PLYERS WHO GOT YOU HERE!!!!!  

With that information you have made my day and season TexasBB.

Kudos to the administration.

You've got my vote TexasBB!

I enjoyed your answer and you made some very good points about a starter, but if

a coach is smart enough to protect the well being of that player's arm we won't

see him for another five or six days.  On the flip side, in a playoff or championship

series we could see an ace closer like the Yankee's Rivera facing the same batters

night after night in the most crucial, psychologically draining innings of these

games.  Forgive me for making you think that I was trying to belittle the

importance of an ace starting pitcher, that's not what I meant to do at all, I was

just trying to edify and magnify the importance of a good solid closer and how they

should recieve as many accolades, and their just rewards for the job they do for

their teams at every level.     

Quote from: A.G. on April 12, 2008, 09:57:58 PM
Unfortunately, LC split with Roanoke today...losing 4-3 and taking the nightcap 15-8 behind 4 home runs, 2 by DH Matt Painter. 

[Anyone hear what VWC and LC did in their twinbill today?]

My problem with putting so much emphasis on stats is that they can be so misleading.  Many of these inflated numbers can be attributed to a pitcher going against another team when the opponents coach is saving their best players for their conference rivals and playing their rookie teams for a break during a long and energy sapping season. 

I would rate a player more by how he performs under pressure and what his numbers are when he is facing the 3-4-5 batters in a lineup when the game's on the line.  Hence, I give a closer more credance and value than he usually gets from the fan who is crazy after stats. 

Hey! How about a new topic guys!  Closer or relief pitcher of the year!  Or should I say MIP, Most Intense Pitcher.     

The 4-3 ninth inning loss to NCWC was the final nail in the coffin to a miserable road trip.  10 errors in two losses to Piedmont when they were leading the ODAC for least muffs.  Lost three close games with all those bungles.  Longing to get back to winning ways. 

Even so, the NCWC game was just as intense as the 4-4 tie we played you guys at our place.  The reason why we love this game.

Virginia Wesleyan sweeps Eastern Mennonite 7-2 and 6-1.  Fine pitching job from starters Freeman and Bulman.  Bulman was very impressive with 12 strikeouts as was Chris Deanes dominance in relief, striking out three of four final batters.  Both their phones should be ringing come June.

Quote from: anotherharvest on March 14, 2008, 05:19:13 AM

Quote from: catfishncwc on March 04, 2008, 09:05:31 AM

Quote from: NCWC on March 03, 2008, 09:41:58 PM
Looks like NCWC played 8.5 innings today and lost the lead to VWC in the bottom of 9. Tied up 4-4 top of 11.  I suspect they will play that game out when they come to Rocky Mount.

Sorry guys, I misquoted.....It is JOSH RUPE and he's a pitcher for the Texas Rangers.

Deanes looked really good yesterday.  Had him on the gun at 88-90 today also showed a nice slider.  I'll have to give him another look. 
[Deanes befriended Josh Hupe, local star and pitcher for the Minnesota Twins in the off season and helped him iron out some kinks in his delivery. He's getting better and more dominant each game.quote]

Quote from: anotherharvest on March 14, 2008, 05:19:13 AM

Quote from: catfishncwc on March 04, 2008, 09:05:31 AM

Quote from: NCWC on March 03, 2008, 09:41:58 PM
Looks like NCWC played 8.5 innings today and lost the lead to VWC in the bottom of 9. Tied up 4-4 top of 11.  I suspect they will play that game out when they come to Rocky Mount.

Deanes looked really good yesterday.  Had him on the gun at 88-90 today also showed a nice slider.  I'll have to give him another look. 
[Deanes befriended Josh Rupe, local star and pitcher for the Texas Rangers in the off season and helped him iron out some kinks in his delivery. He's getting better and more dominant each game.quote]

Quote from: catfishncwc on March 04, 2008, 09:05:31 AM

Quote from: NCWC on March 03, 2008, 09:41:58 PM
Looks like NCWC played 8.5 innings today and lost the lead to VWC in the bottom of 9. Tied up 4-4 top of 11.  I suspect they will play that game out when they come to Rocky Mount.

Deanes looked really good yesterday.  Had him on the gun at 88-90 today also showed a nice slider.  I'll have to give him another look. 
[Deanes befriended Josh Hupe, local star and pitcher for the Minnesota Twins in the off season and helped him iron out some kinks in his delivery. He's getting better and more dominant each game.quote]