Gardner hits the ball over some fence they put up in the outfield... Cortland up 8-1 on that shot.

1 more for Cortland in the top of the third.  June singles and later scores on a triple by Gardner.

2 innings in the books and Cortland has a 1-0 lead.  Simone singled and was able to advance to third on a pick-off that went by the first baseman.  Khyle Dimino hits a chopper to SS that is bobbled a bit. The throw is not in time to first.  Simone scores, and the Red Dragons have the lead.  Dimino gets to third on a stolen base, and a sac bunt by Bailey.  Zilnicki stikes out to end the inning, leaving Dimino at third.

Very legitimate point.  I don't know how it could be that way either.  Plattsburgh's biggest tests have been in-conference.  I don't know anything about the SOS formula, but it's hard to argue with numbers... they don't usually lie.  Knowing Plattsburgh's schedule definitely makes it hard for me to believe that they have faced a touch schedule, as the numbers suggest.

I kind of got the joke, but my reaction wasn't laughter to tell the truth... is there some hidden meaning about the person that wore #15 from '05-08?  I know it's not, but I can't wait for more knee-slappers in the future.

My apologies to those that have said that we need to move on and that this conversation is getting annoying... Some of us rock-eaters just don't know when to move on.  

Quote from: Hot Rod Runnin on May 03, 2010, 07:49:50 PM
Should be an exciting tournament. I would guess a number of scouts will be there Day 1 to see Filak throw...could be a great opportunity for someone to have a good showing and cathc their eye.

It would be nice to see someone else take home the title this year, give NY some more representation in the Regionals. I just dont think it is going to happen...

KSki...you legal age to consume those "few" right?? Lol

Haha, thanks for making me feel younger.  Those "few" will be to calm my nerves because I would rather be on that field playing.  I'm sure a lot of others can relate, but at the same time it's nice to look at the conference tourney with a broader perspective.  As a player it's battling nagging injuries and fatigue after a relatively quick, yet extensive season.  Now it's just all-out anticipation to see how everything turns out when the dust is settled.

Thanks for the info.  Wish I could be there, but at least I'll be able to have a few while listening to the games. 

Quote from: John McGraw on May 03, 2010, 04:18:34 PM

Quote from: cstate19 on May 03, 2010, 04:16:28 PM
Also, I would like to propose a motion.  Whenever we refer to truthfinder can we please refer to him as Silky Johnson? Player Hater of the Year, 2002.

Then the other clown has to be either Beautiful, Buck Nasty or Pyuck You.

I had to take a good 20 minutes to laugh this off... I dig the Chappelle's Show reference.  I am willing to bet that we see some more hate from Silky, especially if Plattsburgh goes 0-2, or even 1-2.  It's just going to be a whole bunch of "I told you so" stuff, coupled with "they are garbage" and "Plattsburgh should have listened to me (Silky) and scheduled tougher teams."  And hold on to your socks if they get an unexpected at-large bid into the regionals.  The focus will be on conspiracy not strategy, or success. 

I do see the Plattsburgh-Brockport game being very close.  I think Plattsburgh's bats will wake up, and Brockport will not kill themselves with errors this time around.  These are the adjustments that both teams need to make.  Plattsburgh will have to hold on to the lead if they get one, which they couldn't do in their first contest against Brockport.   

Cortland-Oneonta will be the game to watch.  Dominant pitching vs. outstanding hitting.  This one will depend on how long Filak can stay dominant for.  I believe he will be the one on the mound, as he should be.  It would be the best chance they have to get in the winners bracket.  Cortland's pitchers will have to keep Oneonta at bay, and I have full confidence that they can.

1-  Plattsburgh over Brockport
2-  Cortland over Oneonta

3-  Brockport over Oneonta
4-  Cortland over Plattsburgh
5-  Brockport over Plattsburgh... Plattsburgh doesn't respond well to a beating

6-  Cortland over Brockport

I hate making predictions, but this is my best guess.  1-5 doesn't matter much because I'm confident that Cortland will, once again, take the crown.  They have too much offensive and pitching depth.  After all, I don't live in a fantasy world where Plattsburgh will breeze through the opposition.  Let's just see some good baseball!

Question:  Will Cortland be broadcasting all the games on internet-radio? 

   

Plattsburgh certainly doesn't have a strong case for an at-large bid.   

Truthfinder, please explain to me how Plattsburgh's coach being on the NCAA committee has anything to do with them making the SUNYAC tournament.  I wasn't aware that the SUNYAC tournament was a popularity contest based on who is on which committee.  As far as I know, the players won the games that put them there.  It sounds like you're grasping at whatever you see in order to take shots at Plattsburgh.     

The odds are stacked in Cortland's favor.  They are a very good hitting team, and their pitching isn't too shabby.  They would definitely give some DI teams in the area a good run.  All the other teams are going to have to bring their sticks with them.  In order to beat Cortland, they will have to match them blow-for-blow.  Filak can shut Cortland down, but he can only throw for so long, and he might not even be matched against Cortland.   

Keeping everything in perspective, I respect everyone's opinion here.  Valid arguments all around.  My "insider" perspective does not allow me to be completely objective when it comes to Plattsburgh.  

I agree that teams like Plattsburgh and Oneonta need to look into tougher spring training schedules.  I know Plattsburgh stepped it up in 2008 playing a tough spring schedule against ranked opponents like Edgewood (splitting a DH) and Rowan (losing in extras).  Plattsburgh ended up at 2-10 after their trip and had a sub .500 record overall at the end of the season, although they did beat Cortland once and made the post-season.  This season may have left a sour taste in Coach Doorey's mouth... but we'll never know.  That's the past, and in order to beat the best, you definitely have to prepare against the best.  New Paltz stepped up big-time this year putting themselves against a strong Salisbury team.  Props to them.  Plattsburgh and Oneonta should consider doing the same in future years.  Brockport usually plays decent competition every year in their trip, and they should keep it up.  

Geographic location plays against Plattsburgh's strength of schedule.  Clarkson, St. Lawrence, RPI, and Skidmore are the closest regional opponents.  The toughest team Plattsburgh got to face was Division I UVM, and they no longer have a baseball program, as of this year.  

Other SUNYAC teams don't have to face another team after playing Plattsburgh because SUNYIT left the conference.  Not like that would have effected anything.  Plattsburgh would still see the 1 & 2 pitchers.  SUNYIT was an automatice W no matter who you put out there.  

Touting 8 post-season appearances in a row is a bit dramatic, but it serves as motivation for the next season.  It lets the newcomers know what is expected.  Plattsburgh is focusing on the positive accomplishments, not the negative (1-14 in tournament play).  I'll compare this to Cortland displaying all of their SUNYAC championship/World Series banners along the outfield fence at Wallace Field (although this is much more impressive to the eye).  It is something to be proud of.  They may not have been the national champion, but it lets everyone know what they are working towards.  Positives, not negatives.  

Lastly, I am shocked to see that Plattsburgh has the 12th strongest schedule in the country.  It sure doesn't seem like they do, but then again I'm not an expert on who the rest of the country is playing.          

Each year is completely different.  Some teams lose more than others.  Some bring in more than others.  I believe at the beginning of the year, Plattsburgh was mentioned as losing the most talent from the previous year.  Before the season started, I was hesitant to even mention them making the tourney this year.  Look where they are now. 

Truth, there really isn't any truth in what you are saying.  There are a lot of assumptions on your part.  For instance, Plattsburgh does not actively seek out the weakest possible schedule.  Sometimes it's best to stick with what we know.  Just because a team doesn't win more conference games does not mean that they are "stuck in neutral."  It could be argued that most other teams in the conference are stuck, as well because they can't catch up with Cortland.  Cortland's dominance does not keep other teams from showing up and trying to take them out.  All of the teams will be ready to go come tourney time.  I hope they give us a good show.

It is tough for a team like Plattsburgh to find good competition.  Most of their contests are between 3 & 4 hours away.  Their closest contests are with St. Michaels which is a little more than an hour away.  I wonder why they play them?  It's like Cortland playing Itaca every year, it's convenient.  I'm sure Coach Doorey would love to travel 7 hours on a weekday and play teams like U of R, St. John Fisher, or 6 hrs to play Ithaca.  Likewise, I'm sure those teams would love to travel up to Plattsburgh on weekdays.  I know Plattsburgh is sick of going down to RPI without them returning the favor and coming up north to play on a real ball field.

In conference, Plattsburgh has an uphill battle.  They see every teams 1 & 2 guys every weekend.  Plattsburgh's opponent can use their best guys because they don't have to worry about playing 2 more games the next day.  I think they deserve some respect for making the tourney every year.  They have their issues winning those tourney games, but in essence there is only one true winner at the end of it all, and that is the only stat that matters to the coaches and players. 

I wish I could make the trip to watch.  If the games were in Plattsburgh, then the story would be different.  I'm hoping for a couple decent games.  Plattsburgh's track record at Wallace field is not very good, but they have a team that can keep themselves in the game.  If Cortland gives them the chance to capitalize, they will.  Cortland has the offense to blow it open and not look back, so that could be the difference.  Plattsburgh's hitting comes in spurts.  They will have to keep the pressure on Cortland if they want to so much as keep it close.

Thanks for the fair assessment BaseballEliteNY.  It's always good to hear a well thought out evaluation on the board.  I am definitely pulling for NP to come through.  It would be nice to shake up the tourney again this year.  Being a faithful Plattsburgh alum, I hope it's not at the Card's expense though (life will go on if it does though).  The way Cortland has been playing in conference sure seems to indicate that they will enjoy the comforts of Wallace field again.  The conference is down to the wire.  Can't wait to see what the weekend brings us.  Good luck to all. 

Yup, Plattsburgh would have to sweep the weekend to give the conference tourney a change of scenery.