BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ralph Turner]

... It is amazing that a large majority of games across the country are video cast yet very few of the Regionals have video. I can't see the gate being effected as $10 entry is hardly worth watching the video rather than live! JMO.

It's evolving technology.

McMurry video streamed about 16 home games this year, and Millsaps videostreamed some of their games.

UTT added videocast for the ASC first round series vs McMurry.

I imagine that more schools will adopt the technology as it becomes available.

In the ASC, at this time, I have heard athletic events, on local radio being caught and web-streamed, of produced on the university's website from all but about three schools.

[frank_ezelle]

Two quick responses:

1)  Millsaps actually did a webcast of every baseball game this year.  I don't know the mechanics of how this was financed, but I want to thank all who were involved in making that happen.  I also want to thank announcer DP (Derrel Palmer) for his dedication to the sports programs at Millsaps. 

2)  Regarding Hendrix, I'm not sure if we can say the time off hurt them or the inability to practice during that time off.  My understanding is that they had a lot of rain interferring with their practice times.  Plus, nerves would probably have been there regardless for a team making their first outing on such a big stage.  Good luck to Hendrix today.

PS--  The almost official word from the Central Regional is that today is washed out.  That would push the tournament out to a Monday finish. 

[Ralph Turner]

Yes, look at that weather system that is moving thru Moline.

http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/Loop/NatLoop_Small.gif

[frank_ezelle]

Rain is depressing.  Not as depressing as being #1 in the South and going 1-2 in a regional that you are hosting, but it's still depressing. 

The Friday games in the Central Regional have been called and there's a new schedule up with all sorts of "what-ifs" since a 6-team tournament has that odd game with a 1st day winner playing a 1st day loser.  As it is set up now, we have Fontbonne vs. Wartburg at 10 Saturday with the loser being eliminated.  Then Carthage vs Washington at 1:00, followed by Millsaps vs. Whitewater at 4:00.  That part is for sure.

---If Carthage wins at 1:00 to eliminate Washington, then Carthage will play the winner of the Millsaps-Whitewater game at 7:00 Saturday evening.

---If Washington beats Carthage at 1:00, then Washington would play the loser of the Millsaps-Whitewater game at 7:00

SO, Millsaps plays at 4 Saturday and they will play at 7 if Carthage and Millsaps both win OR if Washington and Whitewater both win.  We'll worry about Sunday after the results from Saturday.

Link to Central Regional website:  http://www.augustana.edu/x12950.xml

[BigPoppa]

Rain is depressing.  Not as depressing as being #1 in the South and going 1-2 in a regional that you are hosting, but it's still depressing. 

The Friday games in the Central Regional have been called and there's a new schedule up with all sorts of "what-ifs" since a 6-team tournament has that odd game with a 1st day winner playing a 1st day loser.  As it is set up now, we have Fontbonne vs. Wartburg at 10 Saturday with the loser being eliminated.  Then Carthage vs Washington at 1:00, followed by Millsaps vs. Whitewater at 4:00.  That part is for sure.

---If Carthage wins at 1:00 to eliminate Washington, then Carthage will play the winner of the Millsaps-Whitewater game at 7:00 Saturday evening.

---If Washington beats Carthage at 1:00, then Washington would play the loser of the Millsaps-Whitewater game at 7:00

SO, Millsaps plays at 4 Saturday and they will play at 7 if Carthage and Millsaps both win OR if Washington and Whitewater both win.  We'll worry about Sunday after the results from Saturday.

Link to Central Regional website:  http://www.augustana.edu/x12950.xml

That part makes my head hurt.

[frank_ezelle]

UTT vs. Hendrix--I'll modify this post each inning instead of doing a new post each time:

Starting pitchers:  UTT is Blake Booher and Hendrix is Suydam
Link to GameTracker:  http://www.ncaa.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbasebl.html?event=783677&school=ncaa&sport=mbasebl&camefrom=&startschool=&

A summary for those who can't keep GameTracker running on their work PC:

1st inning:  UTT 0 -- Hendrix 1  (Sims walked, went to 3rd on throwing error by pitcher, scored on ground out by Ward)
2nd inning:  UTT 0 -- Hendrix 1 (Hendrix opened with a walk, runner moved to second as was stranded there)

UTT has the only hit of the game, both teams have 1 error with the UTT error leading to the Hendrix run.

3rd inning:  UTT 0 -- Hendrix 1 (Gagilo gets bunt single, erased in DP)
4th inning:  UTT 0 -- Hendrix 1 (Ward leads off with single, zilch after that)
5th inning:  UTT 0 -- Hendrix 1 (Foley walked to open the inning, no real threat after that)

Not many balls are even being hit out of the infield.  There's some great pitching going on or weak hitting.  UTT has 3 hits after 5, Hendrix has 2.

6th inning:  UTT 0 -- Hendrix 3 (Ward walked to open inning.  I believe the leadoff has gotten on every inning.  Forgerson homers to right to score 2 runs.  Just 1 out in the inning.  Tommy Rozell comes in to pitch for UTT.  Hill doubles, get stranded there.)

(Top of 7th inning: UTT threatening after a walk and single.  Runners on the corner with no outs.  Pop up for first out.  Strike out for second out.  Fly out to left.  No runs.)

7th inning:  UTT 0 -- Hendrix 3 (3 up 3 down for Hendrix.  Suydam is still on the mound for HU.  Both teams with just 4 hits.)

Top of 8th inning: UTT gets a hbp and single, runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs.  Hendrix error in the infield, bases loaded and no outs.  Hodges doubles, 2 runs in with runners on 2nd and 3rd and no outs.  Gnat to pitch for Suydam, might have come 4 batters too late which is easy to say in hind sight.  Another double, another single, along with an out and a walk.  Now 5-3 with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd.  Hendrix needs a DP to keep this game within easy reach.  Another hit but runner thrown out at plate.  Then the third out.  Inning over after major damage done.

8th inning:  UTT 5 -- Hendrix 3 (Grinstead pinch hit and made first out.  Ward and Forgerson are up next.  Ward flies to left.  Forgerson grounds out to first.)

Top of 9th inning:  Fly out, single, double play.  The error in the last inning really hurt as the last two runs were unearned (as was the first run by Hendrix).  Hendrix has 3 more outs to extend their breakthrough season.

Bottom of 9th:  UTT leads 5-3.  Tommy Rozell is on the mound in relief and has given up 1 hit in 2.2 innings.  Scheduled up for Hendrix are Harr, Hill and Foley.  Harr popped up to third, Hill flied out to center.  2 outs.  Foley flies to center.

Still a fantastic year for Hendrix.  I wish they could have gotten a tournament victory but this weekend will pay dividends in future years.

[Gus Sinski]

 Not much to say, except that I don't think you could find a prouder alum than I am today.

I know it's been very eloquently alluded to on this board, but it bears emphasis one final time: Unless you've followed Hendrix baseball on a game-to-game basis throughout the decade, you really can't grasp what a quantum leap this program has made. I've literally lost count of the number of times I've heard some variant of the phrase "Dude, I can't believe this is happening" within the past month.

The coaches, players and parents will have memories they can carry with themselves for a lifetime, and I couldn't be happier for a better group of folks. This season is for every player who ever stuck it out and played all four years in a Hendrix uniform — one in particular.

Congrats all around once again. For the returning players, I offer a phrase one of my former coaches was fond of: If what you did yesterday still looks big today, then you haven't done much today. The fight for a spot in the 2010 SCAC tournament starts now.

[frank_ezelle]

I remember the first SCAC game played by current Hendrix seniors Matt Giza, Daniel Ward, Wheeler Gnat, and David Foley.  I had to look up some of the particulars, but it's one of the few Millsaps games over the years that has stuck in my mind.

The SCAC stats show me that the game took place February 17, 2006.  My memory is of a cold, miserable night at Twenty Field on the Millsaps campus.  I remember a small lefthanded pitcher for Hendrix throwing junk that was greatly aided by a strong wind blowing from first towards third.  I remember looking at the almost empty Hendrix dugout when Millsaps was batting and thinking that their roster was more the size of a church softball team--how on earth would they find the pitching needed for an SCAC weekend?  According to the 2006 stats, Hendrix had 15 players that year.

I remember Millsaps losing that game.  The only reason the memory has stayed with me is because Trinity wound up 16-4 that year and Millsaps was 15-5.  The one game difference was the Hendrix victory of 2/17/2006, the only SCAC game won by Hendrix in 2006.  No offense to Hendrix coaches, players and fans, but I remember that game because it was such a great example of how costly it can be to overlook any opponent, even an opponent as terrible as the 2006 Hendrix baseball team.  Let's face it, with a 1-19 record in the SCAC and being outscored 58-1 in 5 games with Trinity, Hendrix in 2006 was a really terrible team.

That's where this Hendrix program was in 2006.  When you look at how far they have come in such a short time, you have to congratulate everyone involved with this revival.  You have to applaud the seniors who came to such a lowly program and stuck around when any hopes of going to an NCAA Regional seemed laughable.  If you love sports and all the positive values that it can pass along to its participants, then you don't have to be a Hendrix alum or fan to also feel pride in what was accomplished by the team from Conway this season.  It was a very special season earned with a tremendous amount of hard work.  Well done.

[Gus Sinski]

 Yet another Hendrix baseball article. They've moved from the sports page and onto the editorial page.

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Editorial/259715/

[svbbcoach]

Well, back at home from Oregon. The Hendrix team was amazing this year! Almost every game this year was a edge of your seat, bite your nails, and try to avoid leaving your seat for even a brief moment. What an experience for this young team. They will be losing 4 very good seniors but everyone else returns. There are only 5 juniors too. A large group of players that now know they can compete and win against anyone. Now the challenge of working hard and preparing for next season with everyone looking to knock them down a notch. A very good problem to have!

I am curious to get some feedback from Illinois about the umpiring. Oregon was awefull! (Only in regard to the umpires)! After Hendrix was eliminated, I returned to watch CLU and Chapman play. Plays like home plate ump asking a player if he was hit, to allowing a shoulder high drilling of the big guy who hit a homerun next at bat, to warning the entire bench for cheering/jeering, to allowing a player on a homerun jog to visibly jesture to the opposing teams dugout while rounding a base, to 3B blue checking a new pitcher on the mound after warmup tosses by looking up his sleeves (for what, I dont know). Odd stuff! It appears that the umpire crew (6) universally tried to let everyone know they were there and in charge every game. In Hendrix elimination game, the same guy who made a similar call at 1B the day before, called that 3B didn't touch the bag he tripped over while tryiong to double up the hitter. During the argument with Coach Thomas, called the player a liar and then ejected coach after he had taken 3 steps walking away with his back turned after the whole deal was over. I understand that these guys may be the best in the area, but then there needs to be more scrutiny in this area before awarding a bid to host. I know, if a team would score 10 more runs a game then the umpires could have no say, but come on. Just an observation.

Regardless, It was a great experience for both the players and fans. Puts a taste in the mouth to want to return next year. Great Season Warriors!

[frank_ezelle]

My recap of the 2009 Millsaps baseball season:

Let me start with a list:  Jason Hadley, John Pacillo, Justin Carter, Luke Morrow, Nick Crawford, Hunter Abrams, Derrick Boland, Quinn Salmon, Brent Buffa, Brandon Ingram, Travis Bogue and Jay Hollenbeck.  That's a list of the key starters lost from the 2007 and 2008 Millsaps teams. 

Loss through graduation is a reality for all college teams, but that's a lot of talent to replace and it looked like a two year project to me.  The 2007 team graduated the majority of their starters in the field and the 2008 team graduated three key hitters and three key pitchers. 

Obviously 2008 was a rebuilding year which somehow ended up just one out shy of the NCAA Tournament.  In January, 2009, it would have been logical to expect the 2009 season to be the second phase of a rebuilding process.  Consider the loss of Abrams, Boland, Salmon, Bogue, Ingram and Hollenbeck from the 2008 team.  Consider that the starting lineup included 4 sophomores and a freshman.  Consider that the 4th most experience pitcher only had 17 innings during his 2-year college career.  There seem to be a lot of potential, but that potential was matched by a lot of question marks.

This was a team that received two votes in the preseason Top-25 poll, a total that left them tied for 50th in the nation.   This was a team that barely edged out Southwestern for the 2nd place spot in the preseason SCAC poll.  Who would have predicted a 19-1 start?  Who would have predicted this 2009 team would become the first team in Millsaps history to earn a #1 national ranking? 

It was a season that far exceeded any reasonable expectations.  At this point in time, there may be a feeling of disappointment because the last few weeks didn't match the first couple of months.  I understand that disappointment.  I wish the folks in Moline could have seen the Millsaps team that sprinted up the national rankings for much of the season.  I guess it says a lot about the outstanding nature of a season when finishing 3rd at an NCAA Regionals is a disappointing result.

Once again, Millsaps baseball will lose a lot of talent to graduation.  There's some outstanding hitting, pitching, defense and leadership that needs to be replaced for the 2010 season.  I guess every year is a rebuilding year at Millsaps and that's the way it should be, but each loss is an opportunity for others to step up into the voids left behind.  It was a great year that maybe ended a few games too soon.  I'm sure the coaches, the returning players, and the newcomers next year will work hard to extend their season just a few games longer in 2010. 

Congratulations on a great year and good luck to all of the seniors as they embark on new careers in life.

[Lou_Brown]

I've noticed that some regions have released their All Region teams? Has anybody seen the complete list or even the South's All region list?

[frank_ezelle]

SCAC Post Season Recognitions:

American Baseball Coaches Association All-South Region Team: 

1st Team:  Hunter Owen (Millsaps), Sam Hill (BSC), Mason Mosby (Rhodes), Daniel Sarisky (Oglethorpe)

2nd Team:  Will Hawkins (Millsaps), Aaron Williams (Millsaps), Boomer Hudson (Millsaps), Andy Holt (Rhodes)

3rd Team:  Drew Leachman (BSC)

Link to full list:  http://www.gomajors.com/custompages/Baseball/09Baseball/2009%20ABCA%20All%20_3_.pdf

Link to Millsaps Story:  http://www.gomajors.com/news/2009/5/22/BB_0522094816.aspx

[frank_ezelle]

SCAC Post Season Recognition--Post 2

Senior outfielder Hunter Owen of Millsaps College picked up his second national honor of the week as he was selected to the 2009 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-America Third Team on Friday.

The Jackson native became the first Major in school history to be named a three-time D3baseball.com All-American on Wednesday and now is a three-time ABCA All-American, earning first team honors as a sophomore, second team honors as a junior and third team honors as a senior.

Owen batted .387 with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, 16 doubles and 56 runs scored. His 41 career home runs rank second in SCAC history, while his 186 career RBIs were only six behind Southwestern standout Matt Gelotti's conference record of 192.

Owen led the league in home runs, runs scored, walks (43) and slugging percentage (.755). He also finished in the Top 5 in four other categories, including on-base percentage (.531 - 2nd), RBI (52 - 2nd), doubles (16 - 4th) and total bases (117 - 2nd).

[frank_ezelle]

SCAC Post Season Recognitions--Post 3:

From Millsaps website:  Owen, Hawkins Earn D3baseball.com All-America Honors

Senior outfielder Hunter Owen capped off a stellar four-year career on Wednesday, as he was named to the D3baseball.com All-America Third Team.  In addition, teammate and SCAC Player of the Year Will Hawkins was named an All-America Honorable Mention after a breakout sophomore campaign.

Owen and Hawkins were the lone two representatives from the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference to be named to the All-America Team, while Owen becomes the first player in school history to be named a three-time All-American.

In starting all 44 games, Owen hit .387 on the year with a team-best 56 runs, 13 homers, 43 walks and a .755 slugging percentage.  He also added 60 hits, including two run-scoring hits in a 12-5 loss to No. 7 Carthage College in the NCAA Regionals, to become the seventh player in Millsaps history to join the prestigious 200-hit club.

In all, Owen closes his Millsaps career with a pair of school records, including 41 home runs and 186 runs driven in.  He also finished his career tied for first in doubles (55) and total bases (387), second in walks (123), third in batting average (.382), fourth in stolen bases (65), t-fourth in hit-by-pitches (40) and seventh in hits (201).

Hawkins hit a team-leading .406 en route to grabbing SCAC Player of the Year honors, adding 11 home runs, 55 RBIs (1st in the SCAC), 17 doubles, two triples, 47 runs and 127 total bases (1st in the SCAC). He also led the league with 73 hits, which ranks fifth in a single-season at Millsaps.