BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

frank_ezelle · February 20, 2010, 08:38:11 PM

I went out walking after the game and have just seen this request. In a game that might make purist puke, Millsaps came back from the 0-5 first inning to win 19-10, a game with a whopping 16 errors (9 by SW, 7 by Millsaps).

Millsaps had 18 hits and Jules Roussel had his 2nd HR of the season. Jules is the sophomore who had taken over in RF, and while he hasn't made us forget Hunter Owen just yet, he had a very nice 3 for 5 day with 4 rbi.

There's something in the stat sheet today that is a good representation of what to expect from Millsaps for the first half of the season. Millsaps started a freshman pitcher today who went a third of an inning, gave up 4 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), walked a batter and had a wild pitch. He was replaced by junior college transfer Jake Mills and Jake had a solid outing--6.2 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 6 K's. Here's the kicker--Jake pitched against MS College Wednesday and had this outing--no outs, 5 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), 2 wild pitches, 1 hbp.

That's what I expect to see from Millsaps for about 20 games, guys getting acclimated to a new environment and a different level of play. The talent is there, the experience is not. I'm glad to have started 6-1, but there will be tougher stretches in the schdule where it will take better play to keep up a record like that. Let's see how fast these new guys can develop.

frank_ezelle · February 20, 2010, 08:58:16 PM

Here's a link to the Millsaps stats and boxscores for the season. While looking through the numbers I saw a stat that seemed highly abnormal, but maybe it really isn't--you tell me:

---After 7 games the Millsaps OBP of .468 is higher than the .463 slugging percentage.

I would have sworn that this is abnormal, but then I saw that the Millsaps opponents have a OBP of .383, which is about the same as the .388 slugging percentage. I think the cold weather for most of the Millsaps games might be a factor. Maybe more walks and hbp by the pitchers who have lost feeling in their fingertips and balls not travelling as far in the cold air.

Link to Millsaps stats: http://gomajors.com/custompages/Baseball/10Baseball/stats/teamstat.htm

hangmbangm · February 21, 2010, 04:55:36 PM

Final Millsaps 21 Southwestern 7

Bob_Lotts · February 21, 2010, 06:25:56 PM

Oglethorpe went crazy at the plate again today this time versus Washington & Lee. OU was down 7-4 early but put up 10 unanswered runs en route to a 14-7 final. Another solid win versus a south region opponent. Brendan Pilger went 4-4 with 4 runs, JJ Rizzo was 4-5 with 2 RBI and FY Nick Manai had 3 hits and 3 RBI's.

The two teams face each other again Monday at 4pm.

frank_ezelle · February 21, 2010, 07:14:27 PM

A good day for Millsaps at the plate with 18 hits, 11 walks, and no strike outs. Here's a link to the live stats--they still have the stats up for the game:

http://livestats.prestosports.com/southwestern/bsb/

wishbone ash · February 21, 2010, 07:48:46 PM

Yes it was another sweet win for OU. In addition to the offense listed below, Andy Ferry and Adam Brazenas each drove in 3 runs as well. In fact, hitters 3,4,5,and 6 drove in 11 between them! Freakin JJ and Pil are simply on fire. Neal Amos (Fr) also pitched 4+ innings of shutout ball in middle relief. I think he picked up the win too. Brad Brickhouse threw the 9th and shut them down 1-2-3. Brad pitched his first pitches today since having Tommy John surgery in 2008. Was very nice to see. The Petrels seem to be clicking right now. Let's hope they can keep it up!

Quote from: Bob_Lotts on February 21, 2010, 06:25:56 PM
Oglethorpe went crazy at the plate again today this time versus Washington & Lee. OU was down 7-4 early but put up 10 unanswered runs en route to a 14-7 final. Another solid win versus a south region opponent. Brendan Pilger went 4-4 with 4 runs, JJ Rizzo was 4-5 with 2 RBI and FY Nick Manai had 3 hits and 3 RBI's.

The two teams face each other again Monday at 4pm.

tigerfan_2001 · February 21, 2010, 09:16:21 PM

SCAC surprise has to be Hendrix 0-4 start. Losing two to Millsaps is one thing, but getting swept by Austin College is not a good sign. Will be interesting to see what happens this weekend as TU travels to Conway.

infielddad · February 22, 2010, 01:42:44 PM

What is the biggest surprise to me are the results coming out of Southwestern.
Millsaps sweeps 19-10 and 21-7?
I had posted earlier that Hendrix would need to establish a 2010 identity absent their seniors and the Daniel Ward leadership.
But what has happened to Southwestern?

Just_Some_Guy · February 22, 2010, 06:45:29 PM

Quote from: infielddad on February 22, 2010, 01:42:44 PM
But what has happened to Southwestern?

It's been a few years now since Southwestern had a good program in my mind. Most years they're a 3rd place team in the SCAC, occasionally jockeying with Millsaps for second in the early 2000s, and then last year. They were terrible in '06 and benefited from Trinity being down in '07. Since I've followed D3 baseball (and I'm not looking it up right now), but it feels like SU has been routinely beaten by most of the mid to upper ASC teams.

I realize tuition is high, but you'd think with the location and proximity to a lot of good baseball they could go out and get some more talented players. I don't think Shelton's a bad coach, I just think he's trying to compete with less talented players.

JSG

historymajor · February 22, 2010, 08:13:03 PM

JSG,,, with all due respect, since Coach Mallon has retired, there has seemed to be a gradual slippage. (word?)... recruit,,, recruit,,, recruit! Something's wrong and I don't think it's the tuition!

wishbone ash · February 22, 2010, 08:14:09 PM

Ogelthorpe wins again tonight against Washington and Lee! Joe Parillo comes off the bench to hit a walk off grand slam in his first at bat of the season to send OU to an 11-10 win. Again OU shows they are something special this year. OU now sits at 6-1 with some tough wins against good programs already. Up tomorrow is another one with Lagrange coming in for a 3PM matchup.

infielddad · February 22, 2010, 09:10:27 PM

Quote from: Just_Some_Guy on February 22, 2010, 06:45:29 PM
Quote from: infielddad on February 22, 2010, 01:42:44 PM
But what has happened to Southwestern?

It's been a few years now since Southwestern had a good program in my mind. Most years they're a 3rd place team in the SCAC, occasionally jockeying with Millsaps for second in the early 2000s, and then last year. They were terrible in '06 and benefited from Trinity being down in '07. Since I've followed D3 baseball (and I'm not looking it up right now), but it feels like SU has been routinely beaten by most of the mid to upper ASC teams.

I realize tuition is high, but you'd think with the location and proximity to a lot of good baseball they could go out and get some more talented players. I don't think Shelton's a bad coach, I just think he's trying to compete with less talented players.

JSG

JSG,
please don't think I am complaining!

historymajor · February 23, 2010, 10:30:02 PM

ifd... good to see you and 'the better half' in SAT last Saturday. How did the Austin Marathon go?

HeadingForHome · February 23, 2010, 10:35:50 PM

Oglethorpe lost today at home to Lagrange 14-7.

The Petrels still put up a good amount of runs and actually left quite a lot of men stranded today.

Like I said before I just hope that the pitching staff can put it together so the Petrels don't have to keep putting up 10+ runs to win.

It was a good 5 game winning streak that just ended. They beat some pretty decent teams (Emory, Piedmont away and Washington and Lee who Won the ODAC tournament last year)

frank_ezelle · February 23, 2010, 10:55:45 PM

It certainly appears that OU has taken a step up this season. The East race is going to be an interesting one this year. Will one of the traditional powers like DePauw or Rhodes being able to dominate? Will BSC show that they will soon be the baseball team to beat in the SCAC? Is OU capable of putting it together for an entire season--after all, they have had promising starts that have flamed out in the past.

It should be an interesting season on both sides of the SCAC.