Sorry about those predictions. For some reason I was looking at the site ascsports.org on Sunday and they showed the standings at CTX, TLU, McMurry, and HSU. Should have done my homework. I will try and redo this here:

CTX over LC in 2 games
TLU over MC in 2 games
HSU over UTT in 3 games (I still just have feeling UTT will have some hickups this post season)
UTD over MC in 3 (sorry Ralph but UTD is hot right now)

The series of the week was definitely TLU @ CTX. Friday was by far the best game with two stud pitchers coming out under the lights. I agree with the earlier post that Hays was the better pitcher Friday, but some how Orosey was able to fight off some rallies by CTX. An untimely error by a sure handed Guest was the only run Hays allowed (unearned). By the way Harvey in center saved the game for TLU with a diving playing and doubling up the runner at second. GREAT GAME all around.

Saturday Spillane and Grygar continued where Orosey and Hays left off. Another great pitching match up that came down to the pin for CTX where they lost it. If you can't tell I am a big fan of pitching and defense. The last game of the series started to get a little sloppy for both teams. You could tell the intensity was slipping in both dugouts. TLU made some crucial errors that allowed CTX to take the lead. As always TLU comes back with some hay makers in towards the end to tie it up. Concordia ended up stringing together some good hitting, small ball, and a timely gap hit to win it. They outplay TLU in the end.

One thing I did find strange was the fact that CTX dog piled after game 3. Don't get me wrong. They won the conference with that hit and they should be excited, but they also did lose a conference series that day. Again I am not saying they shouldn't be excited just found it a little out of the ordinary for a division title and series loss.

My predictions is CTX will take 2 straight from LC. TLU will take 2 straight from MC. UTD will win in 3 games. I am going to taker MCM again this year to upset UTT but it will be in 3 games.

Here is some notable news. Brad Orosey broke the ASC career wins record yesterday. What a great feat, 31 wins with TLU. I can remember watching him his freshman year as a little 5'8" 150lbs soaking wet. He didn't look like much on the mound but he has proved a lot of critics wrong. He has had an incredible career and definitely worth noting.

I can remember this conversation coming up back in 2004 and 2009 when the ASC should have received Pool C bids and they didn't. There will always be a team/conference that feels they deserve that last bid for a spot in the regional tournament. The ASC in particular is just a very strong conference when it comes to baseball especially. I think that is why you are seeing so many schools bounce around conferences lately. Schools are trying to ensure the best possibility for teams to advance further in the playoffs.

Luckily I was down in San Antonio this weekend for a conference and was able to catch all three games of the TLU McMurry. In my Opinion I think TLU should have swept all three games this weekend. As I have stated before I don't think TLU is near as good as they have been in the past, but they showed they will be in the runnings for 1st in the division.

Orosey came out in game one and I have followed this kid since he was a freshman. This might have been one of the worst outings he has had. Granted, McMurry was hitting the ball well, but Orosey was definitely off. If he would have been on his normal game I think TLU would have swept. But its baseball and McMurry came out and won the game.

Saturday, you can tell TLU came out and with a chip on their shoulder. This rivalry has been my favorite ever since I started following the ASC. The fire both of these teams had on Saturday reminded me of the series back in 2007 when the brawl at home broke out. Luckily I will have the chance to see both of these teams play Concordia. This year.

I wanted to get some feed back on what everyone's thought are with the ASC this year.
     
     When you look at the West it doesn't look as strong as it has been in the past. Just from my eyes there is not a clear leader in this division. Concordia would probably be on the top of my list. I have caught a couple games in Austin and McManemin looks to be seeing the ball well. I would have to say TLU might come in close, but they are not up to what they used to be. UMHB and McMurry might be my 3-4 even though their records don't show it. The rest of the pack (Sul Ross, Howard Payne, and Schriner) will definitely having a losing record in conference play. I will say the last weekend of the regular season will be a good one with TLU and Concordia facing off two what I feel will be the division championship.

   The east is most likely going to be where the conference champ comes from again. I had a chance to see UTT play TLU the first Sunday of the year. McCain from UTT swung the bat nicely in that game. Too bad Centenary College can't compete in the tourney this year, because I think they are going to do well this year. I think UTD will come out of this conference as the number 2 seed with Miss College close on their tail. Ozarks, ETBU, LeTourneau, and La College will be just like the bottom of the west scraping by. I wish I could make it to Shreveport April 6&7 for the match up between UTT and Centenary. I still think UTT will take this division.

Overall I just the the ASC isn't as strong as they have been say back in the 2004-2009. It is still baseball and that's why I love going to these games to see what they guys bring week in and out. What is everyone else thinking about this year?

Wow what a wacky weekend.  Again it goes to show that some teams just can't be taken for granite.  All in all this weekend might be a momentum swing or killer for the top 6.

And yes, it sounds like the TLU announcers are students, but wow hopefully they will get better. Kind of annoying to listen to someone who sounds like they don't know a whole lot about baseball.

Wow! Well there you go, SRSU comes out and takes the first one.  TLU better come out these next two and play some serious ball.  Congrats SRSU you are making me eat my words about your program so far.

TLU never gets big names, but seems to get the kids with big hearts and a ton of potential.  They have a way of molding players into great role players, or using that player in the perfect role to help the team in just the right way.  Look at last years steals compared to this years so far.  Last year TLU had a ton of speed in my opinion.  They returned 4 1/2 starting position players including Miller that DH'ed and played last year.  This year they aren't putting up near the numbers as they were last year in steals.  This to me is a sign that the coaches use the talent of the kids to adapt their style of ball while keeping them playing program ball.  Burnett had a great tutor in Coach Bill Miller to learn under.

On the note of Sul Ross, I think they have potential, but they are not used to success.  I can agree with Ralph that they are playing a lot better this year and could make a run at it in the middle of the season.  Think about this, if it comes down to it  CTX, UMHB, TLU, and McMurry have all been in that pressure spot of having to win and be in, or win the series to win the west.  I just think that two of these teams will end of passing SRS.  I could see them maybe getting in to the 4 spot, but thats its for me.

I can't agree with you more JSG.  If TLU doesn't sweep at home this weekend count that as a bummer.  If they want to dominate the west they need to sweep these games that must be swept.  As for Hull I am so glad to see he is doing well again.  Man, when he first came to the ASC he was dominant!  Pitched nine wonderful innings in the conference tournament championship game as a freshman with a ton of moxy.  He seemed to be inside of his own head to much these past couple of seasons, so hopefully he has found that control and swagger he once had.  Steinert is a great relief pitcher and I think he should have stayed in that roll.

I think that Tourney style is the best way to decide the number one.  We hear this all the time in D1 football.  Thats  what college sports are all about.  It brings a ton a suspense and great games!  I wouldn't want the winner decided any other way.

Ralph,  Now that a couple of us have given our thoughts about this Mcmurry vs. TLU weekend, I want to hear what your thoughts are.

tloc14:

The reason Tyler was voted to repeat as East Champs is because they are an established program that has proven over the years even under probational years that they are big time.  They have lost some people, but have also returned quite a few and gained a couple key players from ETBU.

RE: TLU Bats

I watched TLU this weekend against ETBU and I know that ETBU is not a big competitor in the East, but TLU swung well I thought this weekend.  Ok, in regards to why they have gone quite.  In the past 5 or so years every time TLU plays at Trinity or McMurry they always seem to struggle hitting the night games. Now I am not trying to be a skeptic, but from past experiences not really ever playing at night, and then having to see good pitching at night can mess with you.  Now this is no excuse, but ya they kinda went quiet against UD and Trinity.  I think that the west will be decided between the two teams coming up next weekend.  McMurry and TLU. 

As many of you know, and Ralph will testify to this, this is a HUGE rivalry.  Three years ago we had that big brawl.  Year after that McMurry came to Seguin and just crushed the ball!  Last year TLU went up to Abilene and played some good ball there! So I EXPECT McMurry to come in ready to try and reclaim the west title!

My pick for series of the week (McMurry vs. TLU!)