BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ron Boerger]

How much did the seep at the hands of Austin hert Trinity's Pool C chances?

it certainly didnt help.  TU is 29-6 in region right now.  If they are a Pool C, they will have at least two more losses.  The west is going to be an interesting region to begin with, with a lot of conferences being down.  I dont think the NWC or SCIAC get a pool C bid.  So, you have the NWC A, SCIAC A, ASC A for sure going to the west.  If Birmingham Southern win the SCAC, they are a South regional team that could bus to Millington.  If Concordia does not win the ASC tourney, they will have at least 10 in region losses.  If neither CUA or TU win their tourney, it will be a tough decision for the committee to make.

Plus there's no guarantee that the committee's going to look hard for a West Region Pool C to fill out the West Regional, since they're going to have to fly someone in anyway they have the freedom to look for the best available team. 

[Jack Parkman]

How much did the seep at the hands of Austin hert Trinity's Pool C chances?

it certainly didnt help.  TU is 29-6 in region right now.  If they are a Pool C, they will have at least two more losses.  The west is going to be an interesting region to begin with, with a lot of conferences being down.  I dont think the NWC or SCIAC get a pool C bid.  So, you have the NWC A, SCIAC A, ASC A for sure going to the west.  If Birmingham Southern win the SCAC, they are a South regional team that could bus to Millington.  If Concordia does not win the ASC tourney, they will have at least 10 in region losses.  If neither CUA or TU win their tourney, it will be a tough decision for the committee to make.

Agreed on the fact that the Pool C's might be a little interesting this year.  Maybe someone could shed some light on this but since they never release final Regional rankings, who is to say the NCAA doesnt add a Pool C in the West that might not be the top choice just to save a flight from another region?  PLU is on the outside looking in right now but if they sweep Pacific and get the Pool A, doesn't Pacific deserve a shot (Pool C) with their record?  I know people don't want to think this is really how it is done but could it be a way to save $$$$?

[tigerfan_2001]

How much did the seep at the hands of Austin hert Trinity's Pool C chances?

it certainly didnt help.  TU is 29-6 in region right now.  If they are a Pool C, they will have at least two more losses.  The west is going to be an interesting region to begin with, with a lot of conferences being down.  I dont think the NWC or SCIAC get a pool C bid.  So, you have the NWC A, SCIAC A, ASC A for sure going to the west.  If Birmingham Southern win the SCAC, they are a South regional team that could bus to Millington.  If Concordia does not win the ASC tourney, they will have at least 10 in region losses.  If neither CUA or TU win their tourney, it will be a tough decision for the committee to make.

Agreed on the fact that the Pool C's might be a little interesting this year.  Maybe someone could shed some light on this but since they never release final Regional rankings, who is to say the NCAA doesnt add a Pool C in the West that might not be the top choice just to save a flight from another region?  PLU is on the outside looking in right now but if they sweep Pacific and get the Pool A, doesn't Pacific deserve a shot (Pool C) with their record?  I know people don't want to think this is really how it is done but could it be a way to save $$$$?

If they get swept, their in-region record would be 18-8.  As of last week, their SOS wasn't very high either.  I dont know if they would be more deserving that TU or CUA, if either doesn't win their tourney.

[ILVBB]

Jack:

The only way the NCAA saves money on flights would be a Pool C out of the NWest. However, I can see them taking a team that can say fly out of Chicago to Portland rather than either SoCal or Texas because the frequency and volume of flights will make it cheaper and easier.

[Jack Parkman]

How much did the seep at the hands of Austin hert Trinity's Pool C chances?

it certainly didnt help.  TU is 29-6 in region right now.  If they are a Pool C, they will have at least two more losses.  The west is going to be an interesting region to begin with, with a lot of conferences being down.  I dont think the NWC or SCIAC get a pool C bid.  So, you have the NWC A, SCIAC A, ASC A for sure going to the west.  If Birmingham Southern win the SCAC, they are a South regional team that could bus to Millington.  If Concordia does not win the ASC tourney, they will have at least 10 in region losses.  If neither CUA or TU win their tourney, it will be a tough decision for the committee to make.

Agreed on the fact that the Pool C's might be a little interesting this year.  Maybe someone could shed some light on this but since they never release final Regional rankings, who is to say the NCAA doesnt add a Pool C in the West that might not be the top choice just to save a flight from another region?  PLU is on the outside looking in right now but if they sweep Pacific and get the Pool A, doesn't Pacific deserve a shot (Pool C) with their record?  I know people don't want to think this is really how it is done but could it be a way to save $$$$?

If they get swept, their in-region record would be 18-8.  As of last week, their SOS wasn't very high either.  I dont know if they would be more deserving that TU or CUA, if either doesn't win their tourney.

Oh yeah, I didn't really take that into consideration.  I didn't mean to imply they were more deserving, just wondering if they would be looked at closely since they are in the Pac NW which would save a grip of $$$ for the NCAA.

ILVBB- is there much of a difference in flying from Chicago than LAX?  Seems odd to me but who knows.

[ILVBB]

Jack:

LAX is shorter by about an hour; however, the number of flights and the cost is likely a push. Throw in cities like Minneapolis, Columbus, etc, the NCAA will have far more options. Given the lack of sterling records, it may be the year that at least one and potentially two teams get imported to the west.

[OshDude]

How much did the seep at the hands of Austin hert Trinity's Pool C chances?

it certainly didnt help.  TU is 29-6 in region right now.  If they are a Pool C, they will have at least two more losses.  The west is going to be an interesting region to begin with, with a lot of conferences being down.  I dont think the NWC or SCIAC get a pool C bid.  So, you have the NWC A, SCIAC A, ASC A for sure going to the west.  If Birmingham Southern win the SCAC, they are a South regional team that could bus to Millington.  If Concordia does not win the ASC tourney, they will have at least 10 in region losses.  If neither CUA or TU win their tourney, it will be a tough decision for the committee to make.

Agreed on the fact that the Pool C's might be a little interesting this year.  Maybe someone could shed some light on this but since they never release final Regional rankings, who is to say the NCAA doesnt add a Pool C in the West that might not be the top choice just to save a flight from another region?  PLU is on the outside looking in right now but if they sweep Pacific and get the Pool A, doesn't Pacific deserve a shot (Pool C) with their record?  I know people don't want to think this is really how it is done but could it be a way to save $$$$?

Anthony Holman said in a Q&A earlier this year that he's considering publication of the final rankings.

Last season the committee created a national bracket with more flights than were necessary in order to maintain competitive balance.

The national selection chair will talk about bracketing and flight considerations in this Wednesday's Around the Nation. Holman also touched on the subjects of bracketing and flights in earlier columns.

http://d3baseball.com/columns/around-the-nation/index

The Holman Q&A spans the first two weeks of columns. National selection chair Gregg Kaye's Q&A started last week and will conclude this week.

[infielddad]

Tournament starts tomorrow and the SCAC board goes quiet???
Unlike past years where the 3rd place team from the East might allow the 1st place West team to get by without using their #1 pitcher, I sure cannot see that happening this year.
Little doubt in my mind that Coach Page would like nothing better than to beat TU.
He will have his players prepared.
I would expect game one tomorrow will be played at a very high intensity.  Seems to me Trinity has no choice but to start Klimesh and, in my view, they don't even think past tomorrow.  Millsaps-Trinity is as good as it gets and I expect the same tomorrow.
I have followed the SCAC's for a lot of years and this looks like the best and most competitive 6 teams in all those years.  While, for me, University of Dallas being there might be a big surprise, the other 5 teams are close enough that any of them could be on top and dog piling on Sunday.

[donotknowscac]

Tournament starts tomorrow and the SCAC board goes quiet???
Unlike past years where the 3rd place team from the East might allow the 1st place West team to get by without using their #1 pitcher, I sure cannot see that happening this year.
Little doubt in my mind that Coach Page would like nothing better than to beat TU.
He will have his players prepared.
I would expect game one tomorrow will be played at a very high intensity.  Seems to me Trinity has no choice but to start Klimesh and, in my view, they don't even think past tomorrow.  Millsaps-Trinity is as good as it gets and I expect the same tomorrow.
I have followed the SCAC's for a lot of years and this looks like the best and most competitive 6 teams in all those years.  While, for me, University of Dallas being there might be a big surprise, the other 5 teams are close enough that any of them could be on top and dog piling on Sunday.

IFDad, I agree, I thought everyone was over on the National Topic board, but not much there either.

BSU pitching is really strong and of course they have the big bat in Maxwell.  I know he has been pitched around all year and still leads the country in a bunch of offensive categories.  They will be tough to beat.

Millsaps looks a little thin on pitching but their No. 1 Edwards is as good as anyone in the SCAC, so the battle with Klimesh (I assume) should be a good one.  I have been trying to read between the lines, but is Lucero out?

I remember last year when Smoyer was supposedly done, but pitched a 9 inning gem to knock Rhodes out of the tourney the day after their 21 inning marathon.

Rhodes has really good starting two, with Baker pitching great games in past tournaments.  Plus lead off hitter Perkins has regained his form after a tough year last year.

And I believe Dallas has won their last nine out of ten?

I listened to the Coach's interviews on the SCAC website, and agree with Cleanthes, anybody can win this one this year. And I don't believe that is coach talk.

I would like to thank Millsaps broadcasting crew for doing the free video again.  I look forward to watching a lot of ball the next few days.

Good luck to all teams!

[CrashDavisD3]

I see BSU winning the SCAC tourney to get Pool A bid and Trinity getting a Pool C bid

[El Hombre]

I see BSU winning the SCAC tourney to get Pool A bid and Trinity getting a Pool C bid

Crash -
That is my prediction as well.  BSU would head to the the South Region and Trinity to the West. 

[108 Stitches]

I am heading out to the airport for my redeye and will be there with bells on for the TU and Millsaps game.

Wind is blowing in so I understand there will be very few HR's tomorrow. (if it holds up) This will likely hold down the scoring.

I can't imagine Scannell going with anyone but Klimesh.

Klimesh is out for the season. TU has plenty of arms it will be important for them to get going offensively and not make mistakes.

[infielddad]

Since 108 is traveling, I feel okay saying he meant Lucero is out, and Klimesh will start against Millsaps.
One thing about the 6 team SCAC tournament this year, the winner of TU-Millsaps has an advantage. That winner comes back Friday to play the loser of BSC-Dallas, while the  other 2 winners play each other.
It is an advantage, potentially, for only one game but when you need 4 wins, one game with any advantage can be important, if a team takes advantage and plays with urgency.

[Ron Boerger]

108/Infielddad were spot on.  Ben improves to 12-2 with a three-hit, eight K complete game gem, leading Trinity to a 2-1 victory over Millsaps.   Will Edwards (8-3) takes the tough loss, allowing only eight hits and two runs in eight innings.  Millsaps' only run was unearned.  Kevin Clements had a solo HR for the Tigers. 

[Ron Boerger]

Interesting .. Hendrix saving their better pitchers for later games as Nino Tutino (2-2, 12 APP/6 GS, 5.59 ERA) gets the start.  Hits first two batters, walks third, somehow gets out of the inning unscathed.