BB: NESCAC: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[darkhorse]

What about Al Mathews for POY?  He had a great season putting up some awful nice #s across the board.....

Also I don't think Thurston wins COY, too many other deserving guys!  COY should go to either Williams or Wesleyan in my opinion. 

[Rick Vaughn]

Mathews hit for little power.  While if you look at Killeen he combines defense, patience (26 BB's to 9 K's), and power (10 HR's).  Best player on the best team.  I gave Dominguez consideration because he threw so many innings and played short for the leagues most improved team.

[ecfaninri]

nebaseball44...
As I posted on the Eastern Conn. Regional site, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Williams. I know the popular pick is Trinity but there have been some upsets in other conferences and there is no telling that it can't happen here this weekend. Good Luck to Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan and Williams.

[frank uible]

But the smart money is on Trinity.

[Rick Vaughn]

NESCAC Tourney Predictions - I am just guessing on starting pitching matchups:

DAY 1 - Trin (Bayer) vs. Wes (Mones) - Trin has to go with Bayer Game 1 and that should be end of story.  Wes had some success last weekend and played the Bantams close in both games of a DH.  That said, Bayer has been the best pitcher in the COUNTRY this year and with the playoff experience he has from last year that should continue.  I think this will be a close game because Wes has shownt he ability to hang around no matter the opponent.  WINNER - Trinity

Williams (Benz) vs. Tufts (Stefaniak) - Coach Barrale surprised people (well at least me) last weekend starting Horwitz, the going quickly to the pen vs. Amherst.  Benz's track record, his 1-hit shutout vs. Bowdoin in 2007, show that he is a big game pitcher and the guy to go to in this spot for the Ephs.  Last year these two teams played two low scoring close games, both won by Tufts.  I expect more of the same, especially since Williams is such a young squad and the game changes in the playoffs.  After Leresche the Jumbo lineup is very thin. WINNER - Williams

DAY TWO - Tufts (Yarusi) vs. Wes (O'Donnell) - It is very tough to come out of the losers bracket, but I think Wes could do it because they have depth in starting pitching.  I like Woody's club here, just scrappy squad.  I could see this as a blowout because after O'Donnell and DeGoti, Tufts pitching gets very thin. WINNER - Wesleyan

Williams (Burgdorf) vs. Trin (Janiga) - I think this game comes down to the experience in these big games.  I think the starting pitching matchup is relatively even, but Killeen, Graham, Wood, and Piancentini all have the ability to hit the ball out of the yard at anytime.  The heart of Williams lineup (Mathews, Susk, Brown, Mikell) lack that ability and are forced to string hits together.  That is very hard to do in postseason play.  WINNER - Trinity

Williams (Horwitz) vs. Wes (Dominguez) - Horwitz was roughed around by Wes two weeks ago and Amherst last weekend.  I think it might be a repeat performance with Barrale going to Grossman again early.  Dominguez may not have overwhelming stuff, but he has been the most versatile and toughest player in the NESCAC this year.  He is the difference maker on the hill.  WINNER - Wesleyan

DAY THREE - Championship Game - Trin (Ramsey) vs. Wes (Sargent) - Trin should win this easily, but Wes is a tough team to shake.  Sargent threw 7 innings last weekend vs the Bantams, but was hurt by shaky defense.  I would not be shocked if Wesleyan were to force a second game Sunday, but I think Trinity is just too strong and too experienced.  WINNER - Trinity

I also wouldn't be shocked if Trinity went out and sent a message to NE by dominating the tourney from the start.  I will be rooting for the home team, but it is tough to pick anyone but the Bantams.  Now the weather in the Berkshires needs to cooperate, hopefully there won't be any tripleheaders this year.

   

[frank uible]

The weather forecast for Williamstown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is for at least some rain on each of the three days. Both Joe Wolfe Field in North Adams and also Wahconah Park in Pittsfield have lights to accomodate night games and would be suitable for play, barring unusual circumstances. They both also have covered stands. Williams' field has neither lights nor covered stands.

[frank uible]

Will the recent killing on the Wesleyan campus affect Wesleyan's participation in the conference playoffs?

[Col. Partridge]

I don't think so.  Luckily, the suspected killer recently turned himself in.

[Rick Vaughn]

Good to see the Wesleyan out there playing ball.  I have to imagine it's tough to play after what happened on that campus yesterday. 

On the baseball side: Trin flexes their muscle early and Ramsey starts.  A little surprising seeing how important it is to win Game 1.  Benz continues to walk people and it comes back to hurt him, but he has started to settle in.

[Rick Vaughn]

The 1B's shine today - Mikell and Graham each with 4 hits and 5 RBI for the winning squads.  Williams bats have been hot, but they get to face the best pitcher in NE - possibly the nation - tomorrow morning.  Bayer has been virtually unhittable this year, but Williams hit anything that Tufts threw at them today.  Big matchup.

[RSSmith]

Tufts scores 9 in the bottom of the 4th to take an 11-6 lead over Williams.

[Rick Vaughn]

Williams walked in 3 runs in the inning and Tufts has 6 errors in the game.  Not exactly what I would call good baseball.

[Rick Vaughn]

Williams/Tufts must be in the rain.  Gamecast and Video have stopped and the radar looks ugly.  13-9 Tufts leading - Williams has two guys on with one out and Mathews up.  The winner in all this - Trinity.

[ECSUalum]

Game postponed due to weather

[NESCAC FAN]

Tufts vs. Trinity in the finals as Tufts beats Williams 15-9.

Interesting that even if Trinity wins, the Tufts senior class will have won more NESCAC tourney games than all other senior classes in the league.

Can't imagine their being a bigger underdog in a championship than Tufts right now. Casey manages to get his boys to compete every year, but the last step is a monstrous one.