Quote from: BigPoppa on April 02, 2013, 11:31:57 AM
Looking forward to watching the Carthage/NPU battle today via live-stats. It will also be the innaugural game at Carthage Augie Schmidt Field.

Predictions?

I am curious to see who each team runs out to the mound today... both coming off a three game weekend series. Will Friday's starters be ready to go today?

I suspect Soldano and Silverthorne will be starting today. Soldano threw only 4 2/3 innings on Friday while Silverthorne only threw 5 2/3 as well. Going to be a good series!

North Park came back in the bottom of the 6th down 16-5 to take an 18-16 lead. They won 28-17 vs Macalister...and yes I mean in baseball and not football.

North Park is up 3-1 early on Whittier College. Nice to see the bats starting to come around 

NP wins 10-3.

North Park's tough schedule continues as they travel this weekend to California to take on La Verne twice and Whittier once. Whittier is 5-1 in conference and sits atop the SCIAC, while La Verne is 9-4 and is 3rd.

North Park is coming off a solid 8-1 victory over #11 Webster. 3 wins here could get North Park to 4-5 and back into the swing of things.

With their 3-0 loss to Wash U, North Park falls to 0-5 on the season. I can't remember the last time they started 0-5, at least not under Coach Johnson. Although this is a tough schedule, they need a win against one of these opponents to show they they are legitimate.

They are currently tied up with #11 Webster 1-1 in the 2nd. A win against them would definitely help get this team back on track. Their pitching has been solid, but they have committed costly errors and haven't been able to produce enough runs yet.

I still think they are the team to beat in the conference, and this tough schedule will definitely help prepare them for the CCIW.

North Park wins big 8-1 scoring 5 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th.

North Park loses Game 1 to Translyvannia 5-1.
They are down 3-1 vs Birmingham-Southern in the bottom of the 5th.

And then the following week Miller tried to start a fight against Elmhurst on a play at the plate...

Quote from: blue_jays on February 21, 2013, 03:00:49 PM

Quote from: D3Vike11 on February 21, 2013, 11:50:14 AM

Quote from: blue_jays on February 21, 2013, 11:31:55 AM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on February 20, 2013, 06:31:56 PM

Quote from: Chantastic on February 20, 2013, 09:55:33 AM
Is that interview archived anywhere on the NPU website?

We've been having some trouble with the archiving of basketball games thus far, so last night's interview is not yet available. I'm going to stay on top of NPU's marketing department to see that that gets done.

Quote from: Chantastic on February 20, 2013, 09:55:33 AMEither way, I'd be curious of your impression on Johnson's take on the strength of his team going into a very rough non-con schedule.

He's very upbeat on his newcomers. He actually talked about them more than he talked about the returnees, although I suspect that this might have as much to do with his familiarity with the returnees, and with what he might've believed was the viewership's familiarity with them, as anything else. (We did discuss Nick Soldano at length and the expectations with which he'll have to deal, scouts with radar guns included, and we also touched upon projected starters Alex Silverthorne and Wes Mleziva as well as the Coduto/Sousanes keystone combo, the health of Jeff Paulson, and the emergence in last season's CCIW tourney of Joe Belmonte as a middle-of-the-lineup bat.)

The newbies whom Luke talked about at length included:

* Junior RHP Nick Vidas from Taft, via Oakton CC. Luke called him "a battler" and compared him to Pete Sparacino. I know that Luke doesn't make Pete Sparacino comparisons lightly, nor should he. All I needed to hear was that comparison to have a good idea as to Vidas' makeup ... and to feel good about what he can contribute to NPU. (As you can tell, I have a very high opinion of Pete Sparacino both in terms of his skill and his internal makeup.)

* Freshman 3B/RHP Jason Meger from Niles West. Luke's very excited about this kid. It sounds as though he's going to step into a big role right away. He's a possibility as the successor to Ryan Javech as the starting 3B, and it sounds as though he's also going to see some mound time at the varsity level in spite of NPU already having a pretty crowded and experienced staff.

* Senior IF/OF Rick DeVito from Crest Hill, via LSU-Alexandria. He's a versatile speed-and-glove guy whom Luke likened to Trevor Popp. Again, a comparison that I don't think he made lightly and one that tells me a good deal about what he's expecting from DeVito. Sounds like he and Meger are the two guys duking it out for the starting 3B slot.

* Junior 1B/OF Dan Anderson and sophomore C/1B/DH Nick Burger, both juco players from Minnesota. They sound like pretty accomplished hitters who should be able to immediately contribute.

* RHP Josiah Carlson from Glenview South.

* Sophomore RHP Kenny Blanchard from Niles West, via Knox.

The NPU season prospectus was just put online this afternoon. There's a lot more detail in it than in what I've shared here, of course. Luke and I really only had a chance to skim the surface in terms of talking about the roster during our 17-minute interview.

So in terms of the Trevor Popp comparison, does that mean he'll be mouthy with opponents and try to start fights like Trevor did?

...Said no one who's ever played with or against Trevor Popp before

... says the guy who watched Trevor Popp try to pick a fight with both Ryan Miller and Tim Urbanowicz and helped cause benches clear, yes.

I remember that game and I believe that started with Desmond Cato going into 2b spikes up and then Angel came in and sent Cato to the ground.

Quote from: blue_jays on February 21, 2013, 11:31:55 AM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on February 20, 2013, 06:31:56 PM

Quote from: Chantastic on February 20, 2013, 09:55:33 AM
Is that interview archived anywhere on the NPU website?

We've been having some trouble with the archiving of basketball games thus far, so last night's interview is not yet available. I'm going to stay on top of NPU's marketing department to see that that gets done.

Quote from: Chantastic on February 20, 2013, 09:55:33 AMEither way, I'd be curious of your impression on Johnson's take on the strength of his team going into a very rough non-con schedule.

He's very upbeat on his newcomers. He actually talked about them more than he talked about the returnees, although I suspect that this might have as much to do with his familiarity with the returnees, and with what he might've believed was the viewership's familiarity with them, as anything else. (We did discuss Nick Soldano at length and the expectations with which he'll have to deal, scouts with radar guns included, and we also touched upon projected starters Alex Silverthorne and Wes Mleziva as well as the Coduto/Sousanes keystone combo, the health of Jeff Paulson, and the emergence in last season's CCIW tourney of Joe Belmonte as a middle-of-the-lineup bat.)

The newbies whom Luke talked about at length included:

* Junior RHP Nick Vidas from Taft, via Oakton CC. Luke called him "a battler" and compared him to Pete Sparacino. I know that Luke doesn't make Pete Sparacino comparisons lightly, nor should he. All I needed to hear was that comparison to have a good idea as to Vidas' makeup ... and to feel good about what he can contribute to NPU. (As you can tell, I have a very high opinion of Pete Sparacino both in terms of his skill and his internal makeup.)

* Freshman 3B/RHP Jason Meger from Niles West. Luke's very excited about this kid. It sounds as though he's going to step into a big role right away. He's a possibility as the successor to Ryan Javech as the starting 3B, and it sounds as though he's also going to see some mound time at the varsity level in spite of NPU already having a pretty crowded and experienced staff.

* Senior IF/OF Rick DeVito from Crest Hill, via LSU-Alexandria. He's a versatile speed-and-glove guy whom Luke likened to Trevor Popp. Again, a comparison that I don't think he made lightly and one that tells me a good deal about what he's expecting from DeVito. Sounds like he and Meger are the two guys duking it out for the starting 3B slot.

* Junior 1B/OF Dan Anderson and sophomore C/1B/DH Nick Burger, both juco players from Minnesota. They sound like pretty accomplished hitters who should be able to immediately contribute.

* RHP Josiah Carlson from Glenview South.

* Sophomore RHP Kenny Blanchard from Niles West, via Knox.

The NPU season prospectus was just put online this afternoon. There's a lot more detail in it than in what I've shared here, of course. Luke and I really only had a chance to skim the surface in terms of talking about the roster during our 17-minute interview.

So in terms of the Trevor Popp comparison, does that mean he'll be mouthy with opponents and try to start fights like Trevor did?

...Said no one who's ever played with or against Trevor Popp before

Quote from: CCIWFAN6 on February 21, 2013, 09:22:08 AM
Very interesting the way Coach Johnson is getting a large number of transfers.  Getting guys with collegiate experience will definitely help North Park get immediate production from their newcomers.

Is Coach Johnson targeting these players or are they seeking out North Park?

It is a combination of both, but give credit to Luke Johnson. He is one of the top recruiters and really does a heck of a job bringing in talent. Ask any incoming baseball player why they chose North Park, and he will tell you because of Luke Johnson. Over the past few years he's brought in Division I transfers who have made an immediate impact on the team. For example: Mike Giovenco (UIC), Pete Sparacino (UIC), tony Sanchez (Chicago state), deven melecio (UIC), Mike Domenick (ISU).

It will be interesting to see how well the transfer from NIU does, as he is projected to contribute right away.

Quote from: BigPoppa on February 14, 2013, 11:43:39 AM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on February 13, 2013, 06:20:38 PM
The coaches have made their preseason picks:

1. Illinois Wesleyan 47 (5)
2. North Park 40 (2)
3. Carthage 31
4. North Central 30 (1)
5. Augustana 28
6. Wheaton 23
7. Elmhurst 18
8. Millikin 7

This similar to my own take on the CCIW. It seems that most agree that Carthage's stumble last year was an anomoly, and not a trend. This is going to be a battle between NPU's arms and IWU's bats... a classic question of which is better. Still, with the CCIW being so strong every year, just being in the top four gives you a chance to make a deep post-season run.

I think it is North Park's conference to defend, but I wouldn't sleep on Wheaton either.

Quote from: BigPoppa on February 04, 2013, 02:12:41 PM
My Preseason look at the region:

1. North Park- They have continued to improve every year that Luke Johnsnon has been at the helm. Return All-American pitcher Nick Soldano.

2. Webster- Solid program that steamrools the SLIAC every year. They have upgraded their non-conference schedule so we should get a true feel for the strength of this program early on.

3. Illinois Wesleyan- All-American Kevin Callahan bring his mighty bat back to IWU for another season. Titans are loaded with bats, but if they can find some decent pitching, they should stack up Ws by the handful.

4. WashU- Solid program that made some waves last season. This could be the season that they break through on a national level. They have been on the cusp for the past 5 years.

5. North Central- Arms, arms, and more arms! If they can squeeze out a few runs here and there they could easily be a contender in the region. Their pitching depth will make them a force to be recokned with if they can get deep into a regional.

6. Chicago- Many considered them the biggest snub of the 2012 NCAAs. Expect the Maroons to come out with a massive chip on their shoulder once the snow clear in The Windy City.

7. Insert random IIAC team here... such a balanced conference that it is tough to predict who will come out on top.

8. Carthage- One has to believe that last year's stumble was a blip on the radar. A coach does not get elected to the ABCA Hall of Fame if he cannot adjust to adversity. Augie Schmidt Field opens this season and I find it tough to believe he won't have a contending team on a field that bears his name.

9. Insert #2 IIAC team here... truly, I cannot predict this unpredictable conference


** I am well aware that the entire MWC has been left off of this list, but I'd likely be talking about St. Norbert College as the front-runner. Still, I am not certain that I see them in the top 9 slots in the region. Also, a second SLIAC team has been left off, but I am not even certain WHO would be in that spot (Spalding?)... but i'd likely place the CCIW's Wheaton and Augustana both ahead of those programs. Thoughts?

People jumped on me last spring when I touted North Park (CCIW champ and NCAA bid), Webster (NCAA Central region champ) and WashU (NCAA Bid). I missed on Carthage last year (likely due to my degree from that fine institution).

Bold prediction: Chicago will be in the Top 3 by the end of the season. Everything else I pretty much agree with.

Quote from: BigPoppa on January 25, 2013, 08:27:40 AM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 24, 2013, 05:52:39 PM
You certainly can't accuse Luke Johnson of ducking anybody this year. The teams on NPU's non-conference docket this coming season include:

@ #6 Birmingham Southern
@ ORV Washington (MO)
@ #10 Webster
@ ORV LaVerne (2x)
vs. #17 UW-LaCrosse (@ Tucson, AZ)
#24 Aurora
ORV St. John's
ORV Chicago

Nine of NPU's sixteen non-conference games will be against teams that received votes in the d3baseball.com preseason poll.

They should finish with a solid SoS this year.

I'm glad that North Park's SOS this year will be higher. That has always been an "issue" with North Park in the past.

Congrats to the following for being recognized as Preseason All-Americans by D3Baseball:

1st Team: 1B Kevin Callahan, IWU
2nd Team: SP Nick Soldano, NPU; UTL Trey Martin, Wheaton

The CCIW looks to be strong again this year.

C Tony Sanchez named ABCA/Rawlings 2nd Team All-American. AJ Nathan...was not. There's the end of that conversation.

Also, congrats to Drew Golz (1st team), Trey Martin (3rd team), and Nick Soldano (3rd team) on being named All-American's as well.