BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[infielddad]

I had checked Live Stats just following the game. it still shows 5-4 and the triple play?

http://trinity.edu/departments/athletics/Baseball/livestats/xlive.htm

Oh well, Trinity wins and heads to a big series with Millsaps.

[108 Stitches]

Interesting piece of trivia someone pointed out to me. In the opening game of the season Trinity did not have one player from Texas in the starting lineup. That changed during the weekend, but just shows the impact National recruiting has on some programs and in particular Trinity.

Coach Scannell was very humble in his SCAC Media days interview giving credit to the University but he and  his coaches go out and find the kids and of course having a University with National prominence helps seal the deal.

10 on the field for the day were from:

4 - AZ
2- CA
2- CO
1- VA
1- Canada

[infielddad]

When our son played, Coach Mallon of Southwestern built a program with nearly 100% of his players from Texas. He had really good players.
The current roster suggests Coach Thomas is doing something similar to what he did at Hendrix and reaching at least into California for recruiting.  When Coach Thomas won the SCAC, he credited Coach Scannell with upgrading the quality of the play required to compete but also being very generous in sharing how Trinity had been successful, especially through the Stanford All-Star camp.
One of the funniest stories I ever heard was from Coach Page.  Millsaps started sending a coach to the Stanford Camp, but did not seem to have the results which were hoped.  Coach Page laughingly shared that if it did not change, his assistant would be recruiting the Vermont All-Star camp next Summer.

[108 Stitches]

There is certainly enough talent in Texas, and I have not really gone through the numbers, but I know that there are more qualified and competitive baseball players in California than there are slots for them. Most programs are D1, with a couple of DII and NAIA, anyway they end up playing all over the country. I am sure it is the same way in Arizona. Trinity has been able to tap into those borderline D1 players and develop them.

I just checked the TLU roster and only two were non Texans and they appear to have a very competitive team, likely will move into the top 20 this week after last weeks performance.

[LynxCat39]

There is certainly enough talent in Texas

Yup, even old SCAC member Rhodes recruits HEAVILY from Texas. just look their rosters from the past 4-5 years

[108 Stitches]

Just checked and Trinity is up 8-1 on Millsaps, in the 8th I think. The Game Central site is HORRIBLE, updates every inning or two, why programs can't seem to get video and scoring right in this day and age is beyond me.

I know Millsaps is redoing their bleachers and box so maybe they will get video in as part of the upgrade.

[108 Stitches]

Trinity takes 2 of 3 from Millsaps. Sounds like it was quite a battle in the last game today.

Trinity goes up 2-0, then 2-1, Millsap goes up 5-2, Trinity comes back 5-5, Millsaps goes up 6-5, then goes up 9-5, Trinity makes it, 9-7, then Millsaps goes up 10-7, Trinity ties it up top of 9 10-10, stays knotted in the 10th and TU goes up 13-10 in 11 and holds on for the win.

Text from someone there said Millsaps best team TU has seen this season and one of the best hitting teams he has seen in D3 ball.

Great continuation of rivalry between these two teams. Great way for both of them to get ready for their conferences. 10 hour bus ride home for TU will be a little easier. Great job by both coaches for keeping these teams playing.

[LynxCat39]

Having pitched against Millsaps in the past couple seasons, I can tell you that all they do is hit. And a lot of it. Always looked forward to the challenge of trying to shut down their offense

[infielddad]

Having pitched against Millsaps in the past couple seasons, I can tell you that all they do is hit. And a lot of it. Always looked forward to the challenge of trying to shut down their offense

Coach Page is one of the very best in all of college baseball, not just D3, in his approach and teaching hitting.  A few years back he was asked to do a major presentation for the ABCA annual convention on... hitting.  He was asked by one of the best D1 coaches to do the presentation.
I am not sure Coach Scannell and Coach Bunch are not right there with him at this point. It is great to see them back competing again. Both teams benefit and not just on the field. Winning 2-3 from MIllsaps and having to battle a team which is among the best at battling and playing pressure baseball should make Trinity a much  better team.
LynxCat, our son's roommate was an All-American pitcher at Trinity. His perspective was like yours when it came to Millsaps.  He described them as a bunch of D1 hitters who just didn't have the size, strength or whatever, but they  could hit.

[108 Stitches]

TU survives Southwestern 8 - 7.

Another last inning comeback, scored 3 top of 9.

Good news, never give up and lots of bats.

Bad news. Still looking for number 3 starter.

Lots of baseball left but think this could be a recurring theme....

[108 Stitches]

Order is restored in the Universe.  After a very disconcerting first game TU clobbers SWU - as they should have.

I watched some of the games on video and while I am still concerned about TU pitching development the umpiring was probably the worst I have seen in college for quite some time. The announcers kept saying over and over, (for both teams) "where did that miss" SWU catcher threw down to third once on a "strike out" once. Good pitchers work the corners and this ump would have none of it. Pitchers on both teams could be seen shaking their heads.  You make mediocre pitching throw it over the middle to teams like TU and this is the result. Shame on you Mr Umpire go back to Ump school.

I am not sure how this works, but the weekend series for TU vs Centenary is non league.

SCAC won't likely shake out until April when TLU and TU match up. Dallas looks like they are fielding a competitive squad and should be in the mix, I think a usually very competitive Centenary has a rebuilding year.

TU should win 2 of 3 and will likely sweep.

TLU at Shreiner which will only tell us if TLU can sweep the teams they should.

TLU and Dallas in two weeks which should be revealing for both teams. 

[Ron Boerger]

Hi 108,

The SCAC has been doing these "non-conference conference" games in football too, though it surprises me to see the baseball teams doing it with as many teams as are either already in the region or willing to travel to get some early-season play in with snow on the ground back home.   The TU-SW series just completed was also "non-conference conference."

TLU is taking on a spoiler role in many sports now (besides baseball, they won football and have the #1 seed for the upcoming SCAC women's tourney).   More good teams in the conference will only be the tide that raises all ships.

[108 Stitches]

Don't get it. 

[Ralph Turner]

Don't get it. 

The non-conference conference games are necessary because the ASC will have 33 conference games this year.  There are no other teams for the SCAC teams to play.

Let's see what happens next year.  Where McMurry lands may determine how many ASC-SCAC games will be played.

[Ron Boerger]

Caught the first few innings of the nonconf Centenary-Trinity tilt last night, won by Trinity 8-1.  Starting P Ryan Gray looked good, throwing some heat with good motion on the ball.  7.1 IP, 5 H, 8K.