BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[frank_ezelle]

Sports10, I got my information from a post under the National topics.  I think this link will get to that thread:  http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=5265.0

[frank_ezelle]

The honors continue to pile up for Hunter Owen of Millsaps, and Danial Vanaman and Robert Ferguson of Rhodes.  The ABCA All-American team is out and Hunter Owen gives Millsaps their second straight 1st team All-American while Vanaman made the second team and Ferguson made the third team.  It's a huge honor for all 3 players.  (List of the teams:  http://www.titans.uwosh.edu/NCAAChampionship/2007/basehits/all-americans/2007.xml)

I've mentioned this before but it is worth mentioning again.  Hunter Owen came into this season with just 50 at bats in his college career, 45 as a freshman and only 5 due to injury last season.  It is really remarkable for him to get honors like 1st team All-American, South Region POTY, and SCAC Offensive POTY in his first full season. 

Hunter, Flanagan and Britton Horn are all playing in the Coastal Plains League this summer (http://www.coastalplain.com/about/today).

[Baseball_fan]

Just to note, its Flanagan, not Ferguson.  But congrats to all these players who have done so well. 

(Sadly Sewanee had no All-Americans, but next year will be the year)

[frank_ezelle]

Thanks for that correction--I don't know where in my memory banks I could have pulled out a totally different name like that--I did get it right on my third try at the bottom of the email.

One thing to add in the "Beat a Dead Horse" category, I guess that most of you have seen that Emory came out of the loser's bracket and they play for the national championship today.  Certainly when it comes to the NCAA Tournament it is all about which team is playing at their peak and which team gets the right bounce, etc., and apparently that has been the case with the Emory team.  Still, for the players and fans at Millsaps and Rhodes who all saw two head-to-head games between their team and Emory, you would be hard pressed to convince any of those people that there is any significant difference between Emory, Rhodes, and Millsaps. 

On May 16th I wrote, "Naturally I've been watching the scores, especially the ones in the South and Central Regions, the regions where I figure Millsaps and Rhodes had the best shots of finding a slot.  I'm not sure if my stomach will be able to take it and the Rhodes folks probably feel the same."  That was two weeks ago and I've moved on from the disappointment of Millsaps not getting into the NCAA Tournament, but I do continue to wonder what might have been when I see just how far Emory has been able to advance.  There's no reason for me to believe that a Millsaps team that got hot and got the right bounces (and got invited to the tournament) couldn't have done the same.

[Ralph Turner]

...There's no reason for me to believe that a Millsaps team that got hot and got the right bounces (and got invited to the tournament) couldn't have done the same.

Instead Austin College got hot and got the right bounces and got the invitation and even knocked out its competition.

Haven't we all sat in that seat before! 

[frank_ezelle]

Austin did indeed get hot at the right time and they won the AQ as a result.  When a league gives the AQ to the tournament champion then it gives many teams the opportunity to get to the NCAA Tournament regardless of their regular season results.  I happen to like that arrangement because it gives motivation throughout the season to so many teams and players.

I personally don't think that Austin winning the SCAC Tournament was that big a surprise.  The new format is far less taxing on the depth of a pitching staff and all 4 teams were quite capable of winning the tournament.  I think the big surprise was that the SCAC wasn't deemed strong enough to get at least one at-large team in the tournament.  Three teams from the SCAC might have been too much to ask even though the CCIW got 3 teams in (I guess it didn't hurt that the coach of the third team to get in was also the chair of the Central regional advisory committee so he was in a good position to pitch the merits of his team). 

Hopefully this season will serve as a learning tool and SCAC teams can schedule in such a way that the league can get two teams in the NCAA's in future years.

[Pat Coleman]

(I guess it didn't hurt that the coach of the third team to get in was also the chair of the Central regional advisory committee so he was in a good position to pitch the merits of his team).

A coach or AD cannot be on the conference call while the team they represent is being discussed.

[frank_ezelle]

Robert Flanagan pitches 7 strong inning in his first start for the Edenton Steamers in the Coastal Plains League:  http://www.coastalplain.com/statistics/2007/obx5-31.htm

[frank_ezelle]

Two SCAC players were named as members of the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Baseball Teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.  John Pacillo of Millsaps was named to the 2nd team and Richard Hurd of Rhodes is a member of the 3rd team.

Millsaps story on John Pacillo:  http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/baseball/053007story.shtml
Release from COSIDA:  http://www.cosida.com/formpdfs/2007_baseball.pdf

[BigJim]

Just a proud big brother posting that Nick Vera was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 32nd round; #981 overall.

[historymajor]

Congrats to Nick, you should BOTH be very proud!

[infielddad]

BigJim,
I had posted on the following the draft thread when I read about Nick on Friday.  Going in the 28th to the Cardinals is terrific.  There are a lot of us who are very proud of Nick, but none more than you.
Please tell him the Armstrongs are all very happy for him and proud as heck of what he has accomplished. 
I will be bookmarking him on Milb.

[frank_ezelle]

Hunter Owen, Britton Horn and the New Bern River Rats all got off to a slow start in the Coastal Plains League this season, but all have been turning it around lately. 

Last night Britton evened his record at 1-1, going 7 innings and allowing just 1 unearned run and 4 hits, while Hunter went 2 for 2 at the plate, his 3rd multiple hit game in his last 5 starts.

Box Score:  http://www.coastalplain.com/statistics/2007/nwb6-18.htm

[Baseball_fan]

Also, I saw before that you said Flanagan was in this league, so I looked him up after I saw the other two.  He seems to be doing very well, his team cant score him any runs it looks like.

So far he has a 1.42 ERA through 19 IP, and has allowed only 3 run, and 13 hits while striking out 16 and holding hitters to just a .197 BA.  However, he currently however 0-2 as his team cant find the bats when he takes the mound I guess.

I also notice that New Bern plays Edenton today, I dont know if Flanagan will pitch or not for Edenton, but could be a game that sees three SCAC players involved with Flanagan, Owen and Horn.

Also, where are the other SCAC players playing like Daniel Vanaman from Rhodes, or Hunter Abrams or other All-Region selections such as Beezley, or Hadly so we can keep up to date on their summers as well?  I figured some players like Moore from Centre would not play because they graduated, but these players are all junors right?

[BigJim]

The Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie ball for the St. Louis Cards) just finished thier first game, which was scheduled for yesterday, but was postponed to today due to rain.  Nick Vera (Trinity) went 4 for 4 with 2 doubles, 2 rbi, and 2 runs scored.  Nick started the game at 3B, a position he has not played in quite a while.  Sorry for tooting my brother's horn, but, WOW, what a first game.  They play the second have of the double header later.  Thank you to everyone for all the support, especially infield dad.  By the way, our family wishes Jason a speedy recovery and we hope is back on the field soon.