Big Poppa is right. I would say that Webster has the best team to represent the SLIAC after the tournament, but they cannot stumble. I would think they are well aware of this and I hope that if they do happen to slip, we get to see the real character of the Gorlok players. I know that a tounrament loss will not humble any of the Webster posters on this board which is why I have been a reader more than a poster in the past couple of weeks. But I hope that a loss in the tournament would prove to us all that Webster is a class act.
oneandonly you have come up with a great preview and I don't think you are far off. That said, it is tournament time and anything could happen.
I am excited to see how teams handle themselves when the unavoidable heartbreak and joyess achievment hits.

Congratulations Webster 24-0 is quite an accomplishment. Best of luck to you and all the other teams in the conference tournament. If you are the team to move on, represent us well.

BigPoppa I posted my All-SLIAC team on the SLIAC board. I was really taken away by the stats some of these kids are putting up. You always are aware of who puts up big numbers but when you take the time to pick apart who is the head of the pack it really let's you tip your cap to the best players in the conference. NOW since I am not getting any feed back on my own board, I want to see what position players and pitchers you would play if the SLIAC and CCIW were to square off in a three game series.

Alright here it is. My All-SLIAC team. I will give the starters for each position and the most important stats I used to pick the team(BB is both walks and hit by pitch). Also I will give the name of the 2nd and 3rd string players for each position. For pitching I will give three starters in the order I would have them go, and 5 pitchers to pitch relief.

Take note that all stats are as they were before some 4/18 games were turned in, but none of those games would have swayed my choices.

1st Base- Josh Kraemer/Fontbonne
BA(.398) AB(103) R(22) H(41) 2B(9) 3B(0) HR(1) RBI(19) BB(7) K(12) OB(.436) SB-AT(3-3) ER(1) FLD(.995)

Reserves:
Josh Holman/Blackburn
Chris Stenzel/Maryville

2nd Base- Bill Allerdissen/Maryville
BA(.361) AB(108) R(27) H(39) 2B(13) 3B(0) HR(2) RBI(30) BB(9) K(3) OB(.397) SB-AT(11-12) ER(1) FLD(.998)

Reserves:
Blake Tolan/Fontbonne
John Raffles/Principia

3rd Base- Adam Cadle/Blackburn
BA(405) AB(84) R(23) H(34) 2B(4) 3B(1) HR(1) RBI(16) BB(7) K(7) OB(451) SB-AT(3-3) ER(9) FLD(900)

Reserves:
Robert Huckstep/Maryville
Alan Cheatham/Principia

Shortstop- Zach Little/Webster
BA(278) AB(90) R(19) H(25) 2B(6) 3B(0) HR(2) RBI(16) BB(17) K(10) OB(389) SB-AT(9-13) ER(13) FLD(908)

Reserves:
Spencer W. Brown/Principia
Jared Mills/Maryville

Left Field- Andrew Fuiten/Webster
BA(398) AB(93) R(36) H(37) 2B(9) 3B(0) HR( 8 ) RBI(36) BB(23) K(25) OB(513) SB-AT(7-8) ER(9) FLD(775)

Reserves:
Mike Silver/Westminster
Adam Boyer/Maryville

Center Field- Chad Henkelman/Maryville
BA(333) AB(111) R(21) H(37) 2B(12) 3B(1) HR(0) RBI(20) BB(9) K(12) OB(380) SB-AT(3-5) ER(1) FLD(979)

Reserves:
Alex Raetzloff/Webster
Justin Juergensmeyer/Fontbonne

Right Field- Dakota Huey/Webster
BA(422) AB(109) R(31) H(46) 2B(9) 3B(0) HR(2) RBI(23) BB(16) K(14) OB(492) SB-AT(13-19) ER(2) FLD(953)

Reserves:
Jason Nikolaisen/Fontbonne
John Norvell/Maryville

Catcher- Criag Schaefer
BA(314) AB(121) R(35) H(38) 2B(11) 3B(1) HR(6) RBI(32) BB(11) K(15) OB(371) SB-AT(4-5) ER(5) FLD(975)

Reserves:
Dan Horn/Fontbonne
Andrew Haven/Maryville

Designated Hitter- Matt Bowman
BA(437) AB(87) R(29) H(38) 2B( 8 ) 3B(1) HR(5) RBI(28) BB(24) K(16) OB(554) SB-AT(1-1)

Reserves:
Joe Biagini/Webster
John Norvell/Maryville

Starting Pitchers

Game 1- Will Savage/Webster
ERA(2.42) W-L(5-1) APP(9) S(7) IP(44.2) H(37) R(17) ER(12) BB( 8 ) Ks(41) XTRA(6) HR(1) AVE(.218)

Game 2- Greg Ball/Principia
ERA(3.63) W-L(5-2) APP( 8 ) S(7) IP(44.2) H(38) R(38) ER(18) BB(18) Ks(28) XTRA(6) HR(1) AVE(.213)

Game 3- Alex Kollack/Maryville
ERA(3.86) W-L(4-1) APP(7) S(6) IP(35.0) H(28) R(18) ER(15) BB(19) Ks(55) XTRA(2) HR(2) AVE(.215)

Relief Pitchers

Chris Stenzel/Maryville
Peter Quintus/Webster
Clay McConkey/Eureka

It is called Love Is Gone. I heard it too and I looked it up on google and youtube and found out that the Miami Hurricanes baseball team does the same thing. I thought it was pretty neat that they all do that it shows they have good team chemistry.

On a side note, Big Poppa I am putting together the All-SLIAC team you asked about. I did not see it at first with all the arguing that has been going on. And just so you know it isn't easy. I never understood how much people get moved around in the SLIAC on evey team. It takes a lot of research to figure out who goes where. I should be done soon.

Fontbonne and Maryville split yesterday . To me, Fontbonne seems to be the better team . They were down 8-0 to Murfin but when they knocked him out they managed to come within one run of tieing the game . In the second game Fontbonne's pitcher Jeff Jackson threw 2 hitter and the FU bats pounded out 14 or so hits and won 10-2 .  From watching these two games I would be safe to say that Maryville is winning on offence alone . Their pitching staff when it comes to relief is very weak . In the third game, i think it is going to be high scoring but I really think that Fontbonne will win by 5 or so . Maryville even resorted to using Henekelman in the bottom of the 7th to close the game out and had LF Adam Boyer warming up as well . This shows you that they are really hurting for guys to help out their starters .

In light of this topic I would like to say that one classic story comes to mind for me. The 1980 Miracle on Ice. There are about 5 people on this board that would say that Webster is Russia. Without a doubt the most dominant team on the face of the SLIAC. No one can beat them EVER. They are better in every aspect of the game and they show more heart (which sometimes is and sometimes is not a factor. . . who ever the post comes from) than any team in the SLIAC. Then you have. . .any team that isn't Webster. No chance of making any noise because they have not prepaird the way Webster has and they are all too scared becuase they have been beaten so badly during the season (which the Russians did 10-3 in an exhibition match before the Olympics). But when that conference tourny starts it is a new feel. Pitchers go deeper into games and big players step up to get big hits. These are things that Webster has done all year without anyone answering the call. Do I think that other teams are scared of facing Webster in the tourny? No. I think everyone cannot wait to get one more chance at taking down the BIG GUY. This is all based on heart, determination, talent, and coaching. Webster may win the whole thing, they may not, all I am saying is nothing is given. If Webster comes in the tourny like the Russians did an upset would not surprise me. Saying it is a miracle is taking away credit from teams that worked hard all year to get ready to be in the top 4. Who ever makes it has an equal shot at winning it all. And if you think if a team that beats Webster in the tourny will not win after that. . . the Miracle on Ice was not even the Gold Medal game.

Also a team like Blackburn who stuggled a lot at the begining of the season with strike outs might not want to risk strike out/throw out double plays OR having the hitters take a pitch, so the runner can steal (which could get them behind in the count). All that added in with a good arm behind the plate and pitchers who keep runners close makes me think that they were not planning on going anywhere. I would look for them to get back into the running game when they are ahead in games and whatever happend to the hit and run? Nothing helps both protecting runners and making your players who are having trouble pulling the trigger more.

Well props to Blackburn on being aware when a freshman/transfer is in the game and on second base in a pressure situation. I would think that coaches make a point before every game they play Blackburn, NOT to fall for that. I understand that the point of the game is to get outs, and score runs, I just think that is a silly play. BUT there is no rule against it so, if it works, use it.  I guess it is one of those things that will become a tradition in Beaver Town.

As for Blackburn's antics, I think the college level is too mature for the play when they act as if the pitcher has thrown the ball in the outfield and everyone can't seem to find the ball when the pitcher still has it in his hand. I have never seen it work and all the teams in the SLIAC are all aware of it. I am sure at one point when they first tried it, it may have gotten an out, but now it just seems to get eye rolls. The fans in left field are not a myth, they have been there, drunk or not, and they do cause mayhem. But as far as those guys go I think it is good for Blackburn that they have fans who try and get in the opposing team's head. As long as it is not too over the top, and it stays in the stands, it is all in the nature of the sport. The players have also calmed down and for that I give credit to Coach Neal. An incident that I recall happening more than once is when the first basemen has put hard tags on pick-offs, specifically to the head and face of opposing players. Coach Neal has talked to him, if not benched him, and the dirty play stopped. I have overheard a lot of players attributing Blackburn's "stubbornness" to that one particular player on many different occasions.

bbnerd1967 this is not a gossip board. Your karma proves that you do more harm then good to the SLIAC community with your downgrading posts. For others who he offends, just ignore him, feeding to his fire will just keep him burning. We know Webster is playing and has been playing the best in the SLIAC for quite some time, but let their winning do the talking they do not need you to do it for them. A team that wins with class and is supported with class is well respected. Respect is earned and valued.

I would just like to express my appologies for a poor representation of my knowledge on the teams in the SLIAC this past weekend  . This is going to be a heck of a ride 2-9 . Webster still has Maryville which to me is the under the radar team that could be the only one left to put a win up against Webster (They are hitting the most consistant in conference and don't strike out a lot which could be trouble with the way teams are playing defence this year, and the pitching is showing signs of emergance) . I am really disapointed in Fontbonne, I think they did not play as well as advertised but my gut tells me, if they clean up the defence, they will still be pesky. At 8-5 Blackburn looks like they really can play with that small roster and I look for them to be the 3rd or 4th team . Eureka to me, is the only other team that also has a chance to make the top 4 . That leaves MacMurray, Westminster, and Greenville to be the three teams, as they are now, to stay where they are. Hopefully they can play spoiler so that the end of the season is exciting and a energy boost for the conference tourny.

This weekend pending the rain will be a lot of fun for the SLIAC.

Series of the Weekend:

Fontbonne vs Webster
- This one could tell us who will finish 1 or 2 the way these teams are playing. Webster having expected sucess against conference opponents and Fontbonne is playing above expected so far.

Other key matchups:

Greenville vs Blackburn
-Greenville needs to show that they can climb out of the early hole they have dug themselves into and Blackburn wants to prove that their win against FU was no fluke and they are real contenders. If Blackburn pulls off 2 of 3 this weekend or a sweep i think they might make some believers out of SLIAC fans.

MacMurray vs Westminster:
-This matchup almost needs no build up on importance. This is extremely important for Westminster becuase if they cannot sweep, it would be hard to say they still have a chance. MacMurray's needs 2 of 3 if not a sweep to keep people thinking they have a chance.

Eureka vs Principia
-If Eurkeka can hold off Principia, which I do not see being to much of a problem, they will have a tight hold on the 4 spot which is always an important spot to have. If Prin wants to show they have something, this weekend will have to be a good showing.

MY PREDICTIONS

Blackburn takes 2 from Greenville

Eureka sweeps Principia

Westminster takes 2 from MacMurray

Fontbonne takes 2 from Webster

Here is how we look on Monday

Maryville          5-1
Webster          9-2
Eureka             7-2
Fontbonne       6-2
Blackburn         6-6
MacMurray        3-9
Westminster     2-8
Principia            1-5
Greenville         1-5

Any other thoughts on this weekend?

Hey I was thinking this year would be exciting in the SLIAC but I never thought this board would as hostile as it has become before conference play has even started. I do not think Raz should be critizied coming off the year he had last season , these guys put out quite an effort every day and it is undoubtable the big bats will answer the call at some stretch of the season . For FU , they beat a very good team at Rose-Hulman in 10 innings today . Holman was 8-2 which is nothing to turn the other way about , and as for Willey , he faired well today the stats will show that . Poppa I think those guys on FU that might be posting should turn their energy into suppot for a FU team that could possibly make a lot of unexpected noise in the SLIAC and the the region .

A follow up to my pitching prospects (other than VideoDawgs previous list) for the 2009 season:

MARYVILLE - One guy that I think will have to step up this year is a 6'2 210 Sophmore , Cole Sibley . With a frame like that and the right mechanics I don't see why this kid couldn't improve on his stats from last year . If his ERA comes down from the high 4's and his strike outs stay consistant to the number of innings he pitches , I could see his ERA going down . He kept hitters to a .250 average in his 8 apperances so I see some promise in this young arm .

PRINCIPIA - Past Raffles and Ball one guy they could count on is Kyle Johnson . Although they will rely on him more at the plate and in the field , if he pitches more to contact and doesn't try to strike people out I think he will see the ERA go down and he could be a pretty reliable Senior for the Panthers .

WEBSTER - John DuHadway . This kid probably has the most decieving stats based on his ERA (6.27) . He put in  37.1 innings of work and struck out 50 . That is a good number and if the coaches can get his location down I think his hits (47) will go down as well .

WESTMINSTER - This team has a lot of pitching and that is always a good problem to have . I think one guy that will stand out is Mike Oliveri . He allowed 6 earned runs in 27 innings . If he assumes the closer role as he did for the most part last year he will have to figure out how to miss the bats a little more . I always think that the best thing a closer can have is a srtike out pitch that he is completely comfortable throwing . More innings for this kid may result in the extra wins the Blue Jays need to be in that seemingly untouchable top 2 .

Well that is all I have to add on the great overview that you all have already posted on . I hope my additions can brew up some thought .