BB: NWC: Northwest Conference

[Bearcat Press]

It's looking like a smart decision by Willamette to schedule their first six or so games down in California.  Got some great pitching in a 3-1 series win against Simpson last weekend, but we'll find out just how good this team is when they take on a couple of SCIAC schools (and Chapman) over the next three days.

[idalogger]

No kidding, BCP. I expect Willamette to challenge the "Big 3" in the NWC this year. Those Cali games might give us a good preview.

I was headed to Tacoma for the UPS series with Central until yesterday, when the snow hit. All 4 games of that series have been postponed.

[Piobark]

Lewis and Clark vs Pacific doubleheader for tomorrow has had the start time pushed back to 12:00. I don't know... it was 28 degrees today at noon - at least according to the car sensor.

Is there such a thing as a "cold" out? At what point might the games get called?

I know you aren't supposed to use metal bats below 60 degrees (or so says the Louisville Slugger website) - so we could see some dents and and cracks tomorrow - especially if the baseball have been stored in sub freezing temps...

[dahlby]

Willamette was defeated by Chapman 6-0 on Friday afternoon.

[Piobark]

So the Lewis & Clark at Pacific doubleheader was played today in temps ranging from 29 to 31. Sweep for Pacific although either game could have gone either way. Second game ended on a bases loaded, 2 out grounder which hit the bag and went straight up in the air, allowing the tying and winning runs to score. Misses the bag and it is an easy out for a L&C win.

No dented bats - but also nothing that was hit more than perhaps 300 feet in the air. Nothing made it to the wall or even close. I'd blame it on BBCOR but I think the cold had far more to do with it...

[Bearcat Press]

No kidding, BCP. I expect Willamette to challenge the "Big 3" in the NWC this year. Those Cali games might give us a good preview.

I was headed to Tacoma for the UPS series with Central until yesterday, when the snow hit. All 4 games of that series have been postponed.

I hope you're right, idalogger.  With pretty much everyone is back from last year, if we're going to make a run, it's going to be this year.  What I'm really intrigued to see, though, is how the new bats affect the run totals at John Lewis Field, which is a hitters' park if I've ever seen one.

I'd classify the SoCal road trip in the solid, if not spectacular category.  Tough loss to Chapman, good win against C-M-S, letting one get away against Pomona-Pitzer, and then absolutely clobbering Oxy.  In that last game alone, Max "Too Fast" Stepan went 5-6 with 3 HR, 6 RBI, and 4 runs scored.

Piobark - are you going to be at the L&C/Willamette series this weekend (weather permitting)?  I'm going to try and head up to Palatine Hill to catch the doubleheader on Saturday.

[wildcat11]

'Cats vs D3 so far = very good, 'Cats vs NAIA/DII = Up and Down.

Don't like seeing the 'Cats offense take the collar two times out of the last 4 games out.  Boxers ripped one away from Linfield last year so there shouldn't be anything expected this weekend.  Go 'Cats!

[Piobark]

Bearcat Press:

I don't think I will make it up this weekend. Wish I could but I can't make it up every weekend unfortunately

Certainly was a fine game for Mr. Stepan - 15 total bases in one game is most impressive. Three dingers in one game is probably a tie for the school record.

Hope the weather cooperates and there is a series this weekend....

[Tarheel0550]

Pac-Lu 4 and 5.Better get it going quick if they want to make a run at regionals.I know they were dissappointed at not making it last year ,but with the three losses against Linfield last year they only have themselves to blame.They cant lose much more than 5 maybe 6 more games I think if they want a chance at regionals this year.There are too many good teams putting up good numbers from the west.Any thoughts from anyone else on this?What do you guys think?

[wildcat11]

'Cats start off NWC play on the right foot with sweeping today's doubleheader with Pacific 10-4 and 2-0.  Going for series sweep tomorrow and to remain undefeated in DIII play.

[idalogger]

UPS sweeps a dh from Whitman In Tacoma. The Missionaries are better, and they are carrying more players on their roster. Uphill climb, though.

We're actually going to get all 3 games in without rain. :-)

BCP, did you get to the Willamette games this weekend?

[wildcat11]

Well that's not how you want to wrap up the weekend by getting blitzed by Pacific.  Most runs we've given up all year and used 5 different pitchers today.  Ugly.

[cat_fan_08]

we didn't pitch it well today, didn't attack the ball at the plate or get hits in key situations. Some bad reads in the outfield and hesitation in the infield hurt as well. We all know they are a better team than showed up today. Hopefully as a young team the guys can take something away from the game and learn from it.

[Bearcat Press]

BCP, did you get to the Willamette games this weekend?

Unfortunately, no.  Had some projects around the house on Saturday and had to make a trip to Salem (ironic, eh?) on Sunday.  But I was really impressed by the fact that L&C had an online audio stream for all three games this weekend.  It's great to see the Pios stepping up their multimedia efforts.  It's even better to sweep a series from them.

HUGE series this weekend against a Linfield team that's definitely going to be fired up.

[Piobark]

BCP:

I also listened/watched the L&C vs Willamette game via the internet. While the outcome left a lot to be desired - and the video stream was pretty pixelated - I thought that the audio was great - clear and very well done.

Pios have dug a hole for themselves - and need to put a game or two together now. Aspects of their game seem to be good - it just doesn't seem like they are clicking at the same time.